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Most Recent 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: BOARD SECRETARY: 1. Call to Order The Chair, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, November 16, 2011 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 None 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Paterson seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board voted to approve the minutes of November 2, 2011 Regular Board Meeting, as submitted 4. New Business
The Board agreed to postpone discussion on this item to a later date. Mr. Kirkland arrived during the next item.
Mrs. Pritchard distributed a handout
describing the current pre-school structure. She discussed the three and
one-half member staff for the 48 pre-school students; however, she
explained based on the staggered class schedule for the 48 students, the
ADM census at 75% was equivalent to 36.25 students for revenue. Dr. Bacon distributed a copy of a November 4, 2011 e-mail from Sandra Cameron, current pre-school outreach coordinator, regarding the qualified provider collaborations supported by the VCPC grant. He explained in the 2011-2012 school year 15 additional pre-school students had been added in Barre City (for a total of 37) and 8 in Barre Town (for a total of 28) through the pre-school collaborations with qualified early care and education providers. He advised the grant would be terminating at the end of this year, and encouraged the Board to consider support for the new pre-school proposal, which could provide staff to continue with the relationships established with remaining participating child care center. . The Board agreed that foundational skills nurtured in a quality preschool program benefit children and the school as a whole, and could defray special education costs down the road. Mrs. Buzzell reiterated the potential increase in staffing for another teacher and para-educator, cost of equipping a new pre-school classroom, and uncertain bussing considerations all needed to be vetted. Mrs. Pritchard agreed, and suggested that other details also needed to be worked out to further solidify the proposal. Dr. Bacon suggested the new teacher could be an EEE teacher to work in the new classroom, and also work with centers as outreach in the community. He also recommended that providing transportation could be prudent, given that running a full bus was more efficient than running a bus half full.
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of Use of School Facilities Policy (KFB), as discussed and amended.
Mrs. Buzzell advised the Community the budget preparations were underway. Interested community members were encouraged to attend Finance Committee meetings, or call Board members with questions or to share information. Dr. Bacon advised that revenue information and state-wide property tax information supplied by the state was not available yet. He added that other unknowns such as contract settlement, insurance premium rates, and other miscellaneous information was also pending and added to budget challenges. Mr. Kirkland advised the Board a new pick-up truck would be needed. He said the Facility Committee recommendation was to purchase a one-ton truck, with plow, to handle small plowing and sanding jobs. He said there would still be a need for a second vehicle, such as a small used truck or van for local runs. Mr. Crowley confirmed a request for an increase in the construction fund would be included in the budget, to catch up on projects in an aging building. Mrs. Buzzell thanked the Administration for their budget work, and for bringing their needs to the Finance Committee while staying attuned to the community’s financial pressures. 5. Old Business
Mr. Kirkland confirmed the Facility Committee was working on finalizing the building security plan. He agreed to provide a follow-up report to the Board at a later date. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report, which included notice that the audit was progressing well, with an expected DRAFT audit to the Board by December 15th, however, a verbal number may be available by the beginning of December. Mr. Kirkland advised that Ms. Moore, Mr. Tewksbury, and he were serving on the Bussing Committee with three Barre City Board members. He said the Committee was still recruiting community representatives, and agreed a teacher from each school would be added. Dr. Bacon said the next meeting would be December 1, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office. Dr. Bacon advised the Board the Business Manager, Tech Director, staff and Merchant Bank representatives met today to ensure that additional layers of security were being added to protect the school’s financial systems. Dr. Bacon invited the teacher’s union to the bargaining table to end the impasse.
Mr. Crowley and Ms. Nye provided current and upcoming event information. For a calendar of events, and additional school information, visit www.btmes.org. Mr. Crowley announced that the David Stefaniak Memorial Gift Drive was underway. He encouraged interested community members to contact the school nurse for information and/or to learn more about donations. Mr. Crowley confirmed that the Promethean boards were in high demand and thoroughly used regularly by a large majority of the staff. He said the staff continued to seek additional training through professional development, self-taught activities, peer training, and even from very knowledgeable students.
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.
7. Other Business
On a motion by Mr. Paterson seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrant, as submitted. 8. Future Agenda Items Mrs. Buzzell asked Board members to contact her with items of interest. 9. Executive Session
At 8:07 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss contract negotiations. Dr. Bacon was invited into the executive session. At 8:35 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 11. Next Meeting Dates Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month, in the school library, unless otherwise noted. The next Barre Town School Board meeting dates are:
12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland second by
Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:36 p.m. |
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