At the October 5 meeting, board members were in favor of looking at the scope of the NHS building project again and receiving updated prices from O&G Industries and Antinozzi Associates.

The building project was put on hold in May 2008, because the school budget had not passed at that time.

The board scheduled a workshop on the NHS building project for 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, at Nonnewaug High School's library, 5 Minortown Rd., Woodbury.

While the public may attend the workshop, public input will not be accepted, according to Region 14 Board of Education Chairman Monica Gati.

She said the board will discuss the building project and whether it is the right time to start such a project and if so, what improvements are priorities.

Region 14 Director of Finance and Operations Jay Hubelbank said that a public hearing will take place before the board votes on the building project.

Site work improvements from the building project summary include upgrading circulation patterns for buses and students, installing an additional parking lot and property lighting, installing additional parking for athletic fields, addressing handicapped parking needs, replacing driveway and parking lot pavement and improving pedestrian walkways.

Field work includes reorganizing fields, installing an adequate irrigation system and providing handicapped access to fields.

Replacing existing tennis courts and adding a fourth court, upgrading the interior auditorium, extending the cafeteria and enclosing the exterior staircase are part of the NHS building plan.

Upgrades to academic buildings include replacing windows on the west side of the building, interior doors and the emergency lighting system, installing a generator to handle emergency functions and upgrading the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls.

During privilege of the floor, Kevin Violette said he fully supported athletic field improvements. He said Region 14 falls short in its athletic facilities, as compared to other regions.

Duncan McDougall and Pam Gengenbach asked about the potential use of turf on the athletic fields.

Board member Stephen Sordi said turf was an option looked into early on, and deemed too expensive.

If the fields are reconfigured, Mr. Sordi said it may be possible to put turf on one field.

Mr. McDougall expressed concern about students who are not reaching benchmark goals. He said he does not want students to leave the region unless their needs have been met.

The board did not take action on a drug, alcohol and tobacco policy currently in the revision stages.

Maryanne Van Aken of the Advocates of Substance Abuse Prevention, ASAP, requested a breathalyzer plan be included in the policy.

A breathalyzer used before students are allowed into dances or if a situation arises during the school day, provides a level of safety for students, she said.

Ms. Van Aken said she became aware of a recent homecoming dance in the district where some students had been drinking.

Jeanne Hawley said it was certainly worrisome that some students drank enough to show obvious intoxication.

She noted that there may have been other students who also drank alcohol and did not get to that level, but still drove home that night.

"It extends beyond the four walls of a hotel that held a dance," said Ms. Hawley. "It [a breathalyzer test] could be an easy fix without a lot of cost investment."

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert D. Cronin said he will pass the information along to the Policy Committee.

Mr. Hubelbank updated the board on a coliform issue at Nonnewaug High School. In September, Mr. Hubelbank told Voices that the wells at Nonnewaug High School are tested every quarter.

The state Department of Public Health found a violation of the Environmental Protection Agency's National Primary Drinking Water Standard, when coliform was found in the water during the testing, he said.

Mr. Hubelbank said the testing was done prior to the start of school and a certified water consultant cleaned the wells prior to the start of school. He said the wells were retested and found to be clean.

After an incident of coliform discovery, the wells are tested once every month for three months. Mr. Hubelbank said five tests were recently taken and three of the tests came back negative.

He told Voices a certified water specialist was taking samples again on Wednesday, October 21.

Lastly, the board approved the following policies: bullying, management of life threatening food allergies, educational records and access, confidentiality and amendment, pesticide application and transportation, non-instructional.

The next Region 14 Board of Education meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, November 2, at Nonnewaug High School library.