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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, Michael Stevens, William Dodge, Ellen Sulek, Heather Kralik, Cassie Major, Ryan Crosby, Erica Rate, Steve Murray, Sherye Swift, Matt Safford, Doug Frazier, Carolyn Couture, Robin Cappetta, Randy Edmunds, Carl & Mirla Davison, John Barnes, Daniel Bellavance, Sandra Beslile BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order
2. Visitors and Communications Matt Safford appeared before the Board and presented a petition seeking a ballot item for the May 11, 2010 Town Meeting, which would permit voters to decide on the single-wave busing proposal. He noted that although not all the signatures required were obtained, they would be by the deadline. Other speakers regarding the single-wave bus proposal were Robin Cappetta, Randy Edmunds, and Daniel Bellavance. Mrs. Buzzell thanked the attendees for their interest in this matter and invited them, and other community members, to attend a public forum on this matter, which would be scheduled by the Board later in the meeting. Chief Stevens and Sergeant Dodge appeared
before the Board. Dr. Bacon explained there had been a long-standing
practice of an officer/trainer and canine using the building (after
regular school hours) for maintenance training exercises. He said
unfortunately when Sergeant Dodge was recently entering the building
through the main entrance, the 7-year old police canine bit a high
school student who was leaving the building with a parent who is a
teacher at BTMES. He explained that canine unit dogs are
trained to respond to both officer/trainer command and instinct, to
protect their partner. He said while it was obviously impossible to know
what the dog was thinking, it was concluded by all that the dog had no
impairments and the incident was unexplainable. However, he noted in his
opinion, to provoke such a response it could have been that at that
moment and in that environment, the canine’s instinct controlled and he
inaccurately perceived some type of threat to his partner – noting the
male students was over 6 foot and 200 pounds. Mr. Tewksbury also
acknowledged the main entrance echoes, and sounds could have also caused
confusion for the dog. Sergeant Dodge confirmed he had approval from the Principal, had been using the facility for approximately 5-years to perform on-going training, and that he and the canine had intimate knowledge of the facility. He said the canine was also trained for crowd control and frequently had contact with people in the building; custodial staff, teachers, etc. and occasionally with students while visiting during events. Mr. Edmunds addressed the Board stating as a long-time employee of the school he often encountered Sergeant Dodge and his police dog in the evening, throughout the building. He said he was strongly in favor of the continued active training of the officer and dog in the building and stressed that if ever there were a tragic event that required the dog and officer to search the building they would both be exceedingly prepared. Mr. Edmunds also stated for the benefit of the community the officer and dog should be encouraged and allowed to regularly train in both Barre City and Spaulding High schools, also. Chief Stevens testified to the value of the dog to the force [and community] and shared instances of the dog’s performance. He and Sergeant Dodge acknowledged the incident was regrettable, however, unexplainable and isolated. They felt the Board should be apprised of the event, they appreciated the opportunity to use the building, and they valued the intimate knowledgeable of the facility. Mrs. Buzzell noted that safety was imperative for all and that since people were often in the building, it was critical to have a policy or formal agreement in place concerning the specifics of having a canine unit dog in the building. The Board agreed a policy or formal agreement was warranted. Chief Stevens and Sergeant Dodge agreed to work with Mr. Tewksbury’s Policy Committee to draft a policy regarding the building use, which would be presented to the Board for review. The Chief and Officer Dodge also agreed, and informed the Board they would not access the building for further training until a school policy or agreement regarding continued use was in place. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of March 3, 2010, regular Board meeting, as submitted. 4. Old Business A. FY 2011 Budget Mrs. Buzzell advised there was no new discussion for this item.
Dr. Bacon distributed a Single Wave Busing Proposal list of advantages and financial impact. The Board discussed and agreed to add information regarding public concerns and their commitment to: establishing safe bus stops, management of discipline, consistency of bus drivers on routes, establishing appropriate K-8 student behavior during transportation, and development of alternatives for after school late busses. The Board agreed to hold the single-wave bussing public meeting on March 31, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the BTMES Multi-Purpose Room. The Board further agreed that Dr. Bacon would write a letter and information would be sent to parents directly via students, be posted on the BTMES Web site, and published as an open invitation in the Times Argus. The Board also discussed and agreed a copy of the letter and info sheet would be printed (duplexed) and inserted into the World as an invitation to the community to attend the public meeting On a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded by Ms. Moore the Board unanimously voted to authorize the expenditure to include the letter and info sheet as a World stuffer. 5. New Business
Barre Town School Librarian, Heather Kralik, and kindergarten teacher, Ellen Sulek, appeared before the Board and provided a PowerPoint presentation detailing their 2009 Summer Library Program & Crops by Kids collaboration. Ms. Kralik explained the collaboration that brought her Wednesday morning Library story & craft hour and the community garden program together to make a wonderfully successful and fun adventure for parents and students. Ms. Sulek said four teachers and two community members took turns being available in pairs on each Wednesday morning to help with the gardening chores and provide support. She said children were thrilled with growing and eating food from the garden, and many bags of fresh garden vegetables were sent home with families. Ms. Kralik and Ms. Sulek hoped to once again have many families involved in 2010 and are considering other collaborations and improvements to the garden area such as adding a picnic table, planning evening events, etc.
Ms. Kralik presented a letter and report to the Board regarding use of the Euclid Rock Living Trust bequest. She advised the 4-year book purchase plan, in addition to the new book shelf units already installed, would commence at the end of the current school year. Dr. Bacon spoke of the woefully small BTMES annual library budget and said typically it should receive funding for purchases of a $40 book/per student/per year, which for BTMES computed to a minimum $32K budget appropriation vs. the current $13K, which had not been increased in more than 10 years. Ms. Kralik thanked Dr. Bacon for his support and acknowledged the additional $15K bequest was very timely and greatly appreciated. She noted that through weeding of damaged and outdated materials, the inventory of the library was at a historical low.
The Board acknowledged receipt of two retirement notices, one from kindergarten teacher, Susan O’Regan, and from second grade teacher Susan Smith, both 30-year teaching veterans. Also received was a resignation notice from special ed teacher, Jesse Shapiro. Dr. Bacon also advised of an additional retirement notice from kindergarten teacher Charlene Plante, after 39 years of teaching service solely at BTMES, and a resignation notice from special ed teacher, Teresa Johnson. The Board acknowledged the huge loss to the school with the departure of these very dedicated and experienced teachers. They also marveled at the large number of combined years of service from retiring teachers, including previously approved notices from Revel Allen and Helena O’Reardon. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted, with regret and very best wishes, to approve the notices, as discussed.
Dr. Bacon distributed the current list of teacher, noting that the assignments listed may change once the re-shuffling occurs from retirement and resignation vacancies, however, the current number of slots would be filled for next year. Dr. Bacon confirmed the deadline to issue contracts was by April 1. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve offering contracts to teachers as listed, and for the administration to handle final assignments.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board an Annual Audit Services RFP that was distributed to 13 firms. He said nine of the firms did not respond and the remaining four responded to say they were declining to bid. He said the nine non respondents would be contacted as follow-up and that he and would bring any new information at a later date. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including a legislative update. He distributed current revenue and expenditure details in advance of the Finance Committee meeting. Dr. Bacon distributed an e-mail communication for Barre Town Select Board Chair, Jeff Blow, regarding the Town’s application for a “Safe Route to Schools” grant and seeking confirmation from the Board that construction oversight and maintenance of the sidewalk in front of the school would be assumed by the Board. The Board agreed to forward the request/information to the facility Committee. Dr. Bacon advised the Board progress was being made in the purchase of the new special ed bus. He also said a preliminary draft of the previously discussed Pre-School Collaboration Grant application had been filed and that follow-up information revealed calculations that if an additional 40 students were added to the school’s ADM count approximately $300K in additional revenue could be used to reduce the tax rate or for pre-school program expansion, after reimbursements were paid to the collaborating private preschool programs operated by early care and education providers, and other expenses were paid.
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.
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) A. Warrants On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, as submitted. 8. Future Agenda Items
9. Executive Session
At 8:52 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss negotiations, a student matter, and contractual matter. Dr. Bacon and Ms. Worth were invited into the executive session. At 9:43 p.m. the Board exited executive session.
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. Paterson seconded
by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.
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