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School Board Meeting Minutes |
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Minutes are not official until approved by the Barre Town School Board BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Tech, Matt Safford, David Delcore - Times Argus BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, January 6, 2010 meeting to order at 6:05 p.m., which was held in the Barre Town Middle and Elementary School Library, 70 Websterville Road, Barre Town, VT. A flag salute followed. 2. Visitors and Communications On behalf of the Board, and herself, Mrs. Buzzell offered sincere condolences to the Bailey family for the tragic December 25, 2009 loss of Solon and Liam Bailey. The Board further honored the children with a moment of silence and reflection. Mr. Crowley shared a letter addressed to parents and community members regarding the January 9, 2010, 1:00 p.m. memorial service to be held at the SHS auditorium. Mr. Kirkland advised the Board several copies of the December 2009 State Board of Education report, Opportunity To Learn, were available for any Board member that wanted to view the report, noting it contained recommendations to restructure, unitize, and/or consolidate school districts. Mrs. Buzzell noted the report was also available on the DOE Website at http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/mainpubs.html. Mrs. Buzzell announced the Success by Six Annual Milk & Cookies event would be held at the Aldrich Library on January 13, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. She said guest readers would once again be Principals Tim Crowley and Jim Taffel, who would be dressed in their jammies for the readings. Mrs. Buzzell also thanked donors Booth Brothers/Hood Dairy for the milk, and Fryhoffers for the cookies. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board voted to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes of December 16, 2009, as submitted. 4. Old Business
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of the Animal Dissection Policy (G13), as presented.
Mrs. Buzzell reported the Finance Committee had reviewed DRAFT #4 of the budget, however, issues lingered and questions needed answering, which required another meeting of the Finance Committee and Board before a final budget could be acted upon. Dr. Bacon further explained the budget was calculated using an anticipated 4.5% (3.0-4.5 range) health insurance increase, however, based on new information, which would be confirmed by 1/8/10, the budget could be reduced to reflect a 3% increase only. The Board agreed a combined Finance/Board meeting would be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss the budget again and potentially act on its approval.
The Board reviewed the proposed warning; however, no action was taken. The Board agreed an additional article should be added to seek approval for a bond to make the long discussed, planned and needed kitchen improvements. Mr. Kirkland noted final information regarding the article had to be to the Town Clerk by January 29th. He said a restaurant supply vendor would be visiting this week and submitting estimates for kitchen equipment, and a full report including estimated costs would be presented at the January 20, 2010 meeting.
Dr. Bacon recommended postponing action on this item until the final budget was approved.
The Board reviewed the December 23, 2009 correspondence from Town Manager, Carl Rogers, seeking payment of $95,080.00 for a billing error in the 2008-09 school bussing contract, which Mr. Rogers asserts arose as a result of a change in purchasing a bus vs. leasing a bus during that year. Much discussion ensued. The Board agreed on a number of items, including: they did not want to see tax payers assessed twice, that it was prudent to obtain further information including actual budget information from both the school and Town, to verify whether the alleged over expenditure by the Town was captured in a subsequent budget and tax assessment, and to verify whether a $95,080.00 surplus from a non-payment was evident in the schools FY 09 budget to help determine whether payment for the error was required. Dr. Bacon also advised that a reimbursement amendment for FY 09 transportation costs could be filed with the DOE for 47% of the $95,080 ($44,687.60), however, there was an amendment filing deadline of January 15th. He further advised based on the DOE payment cycle, the reimbursed funds would be received during FY 11. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action regarding the FY 09 BTMES bus contract correction, to the January 12, 2010 Finance/Board meeting.
The Board agreed they were not actively seeking or supporting a change with respect to the current structure of school treasurer duties. 5. New Business
The Board reviewed the 12/28/09 DATTCO, Inc. proposal. Dr. Bacon advised $40K was expected from the grant to purchase the bus, which would leave a $47-48K balance to acquire a new special education bus. He said in light of the Board facing a potential deficit for the 2009 bus contract error, he recommended postponing further discussion pending a decision on that matter.
Dr. Bacon distributed a 1/4/2010 estimate from First Student regarding a contract for transportation. The Board discussed the potential savings for both Barre City (approx $130K annual) and Barre Town (approx $200K annual) if a joint contract were achieved. Upon discussion, Dr. Bacon agreed to discuss the proposal with the Barre City Board; however, the Board agreed that BTMES would proceed with fact-finding for a single-wave proposal regardless of whether Barre City agreed to a joint contract. On a motion by Mr. Paterson seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to support Dr. Bacon in initiating discussions with Administrators from BTMES and BCEMS to work out details and development of a plan for single-wave bussing for both schools, and for the plan(s) to be brought to the Board(s) for approval, and with the intention that if agreement with BCEMS was not achieved that BTMES would proceed independently. The Board further agreed once a plan and costs were known, public meetings would be held with the community(s), or Barre Town independently, to discuss the single-wave proposal(s). 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon presented renewal of an existing flex spending benefit agreement was ready for signature.
Mr. Crowley and Ms. Worth reviewed information regarding student and staff achievements, along with recent and upcoming events. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.btmes.org. Mr. Crowley also distributed a projected 2010-2011 staffing estimate, which represented a net reduction of one teacher to 42.5, plus one class room reduction position.
All Committee meetings are held in the BTMES 2nd floor conference room. Approved minutes for each Committee can be viewed on the Website at www.btmes.org.
7. Other Business (If Needed)
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board voted to approve the warrants, with an amendment to remove the Barre Town Bus Contract invoice for $95,080.00.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to approve Item 1 of the bid for $2,800 for work involved in preparation of the kitchen renovation plans. 8. Future Agenda Items
9. Executive Session
At 8:30 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss contract negotiations and a personnel matter. Dr. Bacon, Mr. Crowley, and Ms. Worth were invited into the executive session. At 9:20 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 10. Next Meeting Dates Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month, unless noted. The next Barre Town School Board meeting dates are:
11. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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