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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, Carl & Mirla Davison, Mark & Teresa MacAdams, Carolyn Couture, Steve Murray, Dan Bellevance, Randy Edmunds, Lori Bibeau BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chair, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, May 5, 2010, meeting to order at 6:00 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 None 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of April 28, 2010, as submitted. 4. Old Business
Mrs. Buzzell thanked the Board for their feed-back and input into the letter for the community. She read the letter aloud regarding the busing proposal, and confirmed the letter’s intent was not to bias the May 12th non-binding ballot Article outcome, but to inform the community of the Board’s process and reasons for examining the proposal.
Ms. Worth informed the Board a YMCA After School Enrichment Program would be available to students K-6 beginning next year, with emphasis in a wide variety of areas and also a homework support component. She said clubs, music, and sport activities would also be offered and available for other grades, which provided all students opportunity to engage in activities after school. Mrs. Buzzell advised the YMCA program tuition would be subsidies on a sliding scale for qualified families, and that more information would be available at: http://www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us Ms. Worth also advised a number of summer camps and programs were also available to students, and listed on the Web site and in the May 2010 Newsletter. 5. New Business
Ms. Worth confirmed an outside 8th grade graduation was scheduled for Thursday, June 17th at 6:30 p.m. at BTMES, however, in the event of inclement weather, the ceremony would be held inside at Spaulding High School. Mr. Tewksbury arrived during the next item.
Ms. Worth and Mrs. Pritchard presented details of the Restructuring Plan, required by the Department of Education as a result of failing to meet annual yearly progress and being named as an identified school in 2008 following the past years’ NECAP results in specific categories. They explained the Plan addressed many areas for improvement with several goals and strategies. The areas of improvements listed were: Climate/Culture, with 3 identified goals, Educational Support, with four goals, and Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, with two goals. An in-depth discussion ensued with the Board regarding the Plan, its goals strategies, and expected outcomes. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to accept the Restructuring Plan, as discussed. C. Board Retreat Date The Board agreed to hold their retreat on June 30, 2010. Ms. Moore once again volunteered to host the meeting. Mrs. Buzzell asked Board members to send her items for the agenda, and that additional information would follow. D. Summer Projects Mr. Kirkland distributed and reviewed a 2010 list of summer maintenance/construction items. He and Mr. Murray explained the several items totaling $46,400 that were designated as priorities. The priority items included: playground surface upgrades at $7.9K (to support the new playground equipment installation being paid for by a grant), a new phone system at $14K, plumbing for dedicated water supply lines to the locker room area at $9.5K, a security camera/buzzer system at the front entrance for $14K, and digging up and repairing a sinking area in the loop in front of the school for $1K. Other items on the list but not marked priority totaled $11,600 and included: storage trailers at $4.5K, resurfacing the trash dumpster landing area at $2.8K, dining room furniture replacement at 2.6K, and repair/install gate at east side entrance for $1.7K. Mr. Kirkland noted the library construction item also listed, which totaled between $9K and $11.5K would be eliminated at this time. The Board discussed the proposed $14K security system. The Board agreed that student and school safety was of utmost importance, and each member supported the concept of installing some type of system, however, also agreed was that many implementation and logistical issues still existed including philosophy and policy questions, procedures and staff training, etc. The Board agreed they wanted more information and that the administration needed to weigh in with recommendations. The Board agreed to discuss the matter further, at a later date. Mr. Kirkland suggested the $14K security system item be temporarily removed and that the other items on the maintenance list (excluding the library construction) be scheduled, for a total summer project list totaling $44K, and for the remaining balance of the budgeted $50K construction improvements line item in the maintenance budget be set aside. He said if the Board agreed to move forward with the security system at a later date, very little of the cost would have to be covered outside the $50K budget. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the project list as discussed, excluding the library and security system items, with the intent of setting the remaining budgeted funds aside for future security system purchase/installation, if approved.
Along with the Board Mr. Tewksbury reviewed a neighboring school district’s policy, which included more extensive language regarding unknown potential costs. He said since the sample policy was just recently received that he would like additional time to review and incorporate some of the language into Barre Town’s policy. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action on the JECB policy to a future meeting. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report, which included advising the Board of receipt of a letter of resignation from 7th and 8th grade math teacher, Rebecca Mattis. He said Mrs. Mattis would be relocating our of the area with her husband. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted, with regret and best wishes, to accept the resignation. Dr. Bacon also advised that final Business Manager interviews would be held by the SU Board at their May 13th meeting, and that responses to a second distribution of the Annual Audit Services RFP were due on May 7th. He agreed to proved more details at a later date.
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
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 8:40 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 a personnel matter. Dr. Bacon and Ms. Worth were invited into the executive session. At 10:05 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. Paterson seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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