|
|
School Board Meeting Minutes |
||||
|
|||||
|
Minutes are not
official until approved by the Barre Town School Board BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: ADMINISTRATORS: GUESTS: BOARD SECRETARY: 1. Call to Order The Chair, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, January 5, 2011 meeting to order at 6:06 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 Mrs. Buzzell announced the annual Milk & Cookies event, sponsored by the Barre Area Success by Six and Central VT Building Bright Futures, would be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Aldrich Public Library on January 12th, for children ages birth to six years. She said Mr. Crowley and Mr. Taffle would be reading again this year and a free book would be given to each child attending. Donations of milk from Booth Brothers/H.P. Hood and cookies from Freihofer’s would be served. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of December 15, 2010 Regular Board Meeting, as submitted. 4. Old Business
The Board reviewed the proposed budget totaling $9,920,973 including regular education, special education, and EEE education expenses, and which represented an increase of $18,833.
Dr. Bacon advised the annual $25K roof fund article would be listed separately, and also noted an additional $415K in grant funds were expected for next year (an increase over the current year’s $300K) and must be listed in the warning of the budget. He noted, however, the addition of estimated grant funds would not raise the local tax rate. Mr. Paterson stated the FY ’10 audit was preliminarily reported to have an ending fund balance of $275,892. The Board discussed whether it would be prudent to wait to approve the budget until after hearing a report by the Auditor at a Finance Committee meeting on January 8, 2011 at 8:30 a.m., which would be held in the SU conference room. The Board discussed the FY ’12 proposed BTMES tax rate, which was estimated to increase to a combined SHS and BTMES rate of $1.285 compared to the FY ’11 rate at $1.231. Dr. Bacon explained the SHS rate was reported at .436¢ a decrease from .445¢, however the BTMES rate would increase to .848¢ from .786¢. He said the major contributor to the elementary school tax rate increase was declining enrollment. He noted, however, that next year’s revenue would increase based on FTE counts as a result of this year’s pre-school collaborations. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’12 budget at $9,920,973, as presented (not including special articles or grant funds).
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the second and final reading of Admission of Non-Resident Student Policy (JECB), as submitted. 5. New Business
The Board and Dr. Bacon had nothing to add.
Along with Dr. Bacon the Board reviewed the DOE report provided, which reported an anticipated Federal Education Job Funds payment to Barre Town school district in the amount of $142,33. Dr. Bacon said the timing of the receipt of the funds were unknown. The Board agreed with Dr. Bacon’s recommendation to postpone use of the funds until a future year, once the funds and information regarding how the funds could be used were received.
The Board reviewed the proposed warning for the March 1, 2011 Town Meeting, which included seven articles. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warning, as presented. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including that Mr. Lyons had calculated and recommended an FY ’12 allowable tuition rate at $8,250, based on prior year rates. On a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’12 announced tuition rate at $8,250, as recommended. Dr. Bacon also reported that drivers of the special education vans purchased by the SU would become SU employees with prorated expenses charged to the schools based on ridership. He said the change to vans vs. taxis and contacted services should present savings to all three schools in the district.
Ms. Worth and Mr. Crowley provided current and upcoming events information. For additional information on these and other topics, visit www.btmes.org. Ms. Worth distributed updated job descriptions for the Board’s review and feed-back at the next meeting. Mr. Crowley distributed an updated enrollment report, which revealed a December 2010 student count of 812, an increase of one student.
None
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.
Mr. Tewksbury had nothing to report at this time. 7. Other Business
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, as submitted. 8. Future Agenda Items
9. 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:
10. Executive Session
At 7:22 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss a personnel matter. Dr. Bacon, Ms. Worth, and Mr. Crowley were invited into the executive session At 8:30 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 11. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Moore second by Mr.
Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.
|
|||||
