Groton - Superintendent of Schools Paul Kadri told the audience at Monday's school board meeting that 100 percent of the third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Charles Barnum Elementary School achieved proficiency in math on the Connecticut Mastery Test for the second consecutive year.

He said the accomplishment was remarkable, considering 90 percent of the 400 students are military dependents whose lives are often interrupted by deployments and transfers. Some of the students arrive at the school for the first time just weeks before the tests.

Last year, the achievement garnered a telephone call from the U.S. secretary of education, a mention on the Capitol floor from U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and a letter to the school from first lady Michelle Obama.

This year, the school's success was touted in a story by the American Forces Press Service, published on the Department of Defense website.

"This is a huge deal," Kadri said. "When they talk about closing (military) bases, I think this is a good argument for keeping it open."

Kadri also sent out thanks to the district's community coordinators who enlisted 679 volunteers who contributed 4,281 hours of service to the Groton schools in October.

"How do you say 'thank you' loud enough to so many people who care enough to give so much of their time?" Kadri said.

'The coordinators are paid very little," he said. "They work about 10 hours a week, but their impact is remarkable."

Kadri also said the school board was recently named a "Board of Distinction" by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

Boards that fulfill 22 of 34 criteria in five categories earn CABE's Level One Board Leadership Award. CABE recently established the Level II, Board of Distinction Award, which, according to its website, recognizes school boards that "are truly exemplary."

Boards that have achieved Level One at least twice in the past four years qualify for the Level II award.

Groton's school board was one of only 11 in the state that earned the 2011 Board of Distinction Award.

c.potter@theday.com