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School Board Meeting Minutes |
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back to School Board meeting minutes archive BARRE TOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT Minutes are not official until approved by the Barre Town School Board BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Technician, Russ Barrett, Laura Moore BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2006, 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 that Mr. Crowley would be a guest reader at the “Milk & Cookies” reading hour sponsored by the Success by Six and Early Childhood Council at the Aldrich Public Library on January 25, 2006. She said all children under the age of six are invited and will receive milk, cookies, and a free book. Mr. Harrington stated the approximate 3% increase in the FY’07 budget would have a net increase of zero on the Barre Town tax rate; however the anticipated .07¢ increase, which is completely out of the Board’s control, would be the result of the State’s Common Level of Appraisal. Mr. Harrington encouraged voters to support the budget, and to call any of the Board members with questions. 3. Consent Agenda A. Minutes of January 4, 2006 Regular Board
Meeting On a motion by Mr. Gagne seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of January 4, 2006, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items None With the Board’s permission items on the agenda were taken out of order. 5. Board Discussion Items
State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Washington County Forester, Russ Barrett, appeared before the Board to provide general information regarding the feasibility of logging some of the schools 88 acres, and to offer assistance in completing the competitive bid process, and potential timber sale. Discussion ensued, which covered a variety of topics. Some items discussed included the possible installation of a windmill and clear cutting required, reforestation to maximize resources vs. natural regeneration and forest management, BTMES curriculum implications, potential for a new Barre Technical Center forest trade curriculum, sustainable BTMES woodchip plant fuel source, etc. Mr. Barrett stated, in his opinion, there were potentially 35 forest acres left of the 88 acre property that could produce a mixed wood 2000 board feet per acre, representing between $600 and $1,000 per acre, depending on the harvest. Mr. Barrett agreed to inspect the forest and prepare formal proposals for the Board’s consideration. Mr. Barrett also provided the Board with grant application information. Mr. Harrington thanked Mr. Barrett for the presentation, and thanked Mr. Kevin Lawrence, a BTMES teacher for the very exciting foresting idea.
The Board discussed alternatives for educating the community on the FY ’07 budget. Mr. Harrington said a Video Vision production would cost $300-$500 and could also feature several of the school’s recent improvements, along with the budget explanation and an income sensitivity presentation. Other suggestions included: neighborhood coffee klatches, hosting a mid-day tea at the school for older residents and/or visiting their housing complexes, a “get-out-the-vote” e-mail campaign, school and Town newsletter articles, letters to parents, etc. Ms. Anderson advised that she would be visiting the local service clubs, and was also invited to provide a depiction of the “budget building” process at the Democratic caucus.
Dr. Moccia reported on the components and meaning of Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). He said beginning next year all Vermont school would move to expand the number of students included in the pool on which AYP is based to be larger than in the past, which would then be in compliance with the NCLB Act. He said instead of testing all students (including learning disabled, free and reduced lunch, ESL students, etc.) in grades 2, 4, and 8, testing would now includes all students in grades 3 – 8. He said depending on test results from the larger pool of students, and based on the fact that more than 80 students could be in the free and reduced lunch category, Barre Town could possibly be identified as a school in need of technical assistance. Dr. Moccia explained that technical assistance would be required if AYP test scores dipped below the standard benchmarks for two consecutive years. A corrective action plan would have to be written, and the school would then receive federal funds and assistance to bring the scores into compliance, with the assistance remaining in place until the school achieved two consecutive years of success. Dr. Moccia also advised the Board of an upcoming meeting with Department of Education Commissioner Cate, to discuss the issues included in the statewide movement toward NCLB compliance, implementation of statewide grade expectations, etc. D. New dates for Teacher Negotiations The Board discussed and selected a February date, which would be confirmed with the teacher representatives by Ms. Anderson. 6. Old Business
Mrs. Gossens reviewed the report provided to the Board. Pending Items: 7. Regular Reports to the Board The Board was provided written reports in their packets.
Ms. Anderson advised the Board she would be testifying before legislature next week regarding education costs. Ms. Anderson also pointed out that during her career as Superintendent the Barre School Districts have always been very, very, cost effective school systems, with budget increases well below the Governor’s proposed caps. She asked voters to listen carefully to budget expense explanations and encouraged voters to call their Board members with questions.
Dr. Riggen had nothing to report and said information on current and upcoming events may be viewed on the school Web site at 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.
8. Bi-Monthly Reports to the Board (2nd meeting of the month)
Dr. Moccia had nothing to add to his report.
Mrs. Gossens advised the Board the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation/validation visit for the Barre Town School, and consortium members Barre City and New Leaf Pre-School programs, would take place during the month of March. She said while it is not mandated yet that public funded pre-schools become nationally accredited, the state encourages it, and once again Barre Town would be one of the schools ahead of its peers in this matter. Mrs. Gossens also informed the Board of hopes of expanding the nine-member Unified Sports snowshoe team, and aspects of a recent, very successful, staff development program. She also said federal special education regulation changes scheduled for 2006 have been postponed to 2007; however Vermont will proceed with their 2006 implementation schedule.
The Board reviewed the report submitted by Mr. Walz, who was not available this evening.
Mr. Gagne reported the next regular meeting would be February 9, 2006. Mr. Kirkland advised the Board three superintendent candidates would be interviewed during January, with two or all three being referred to the SU Board for school tours and final interviews scheduled for January 30, 2006. 9. Other Business None 10. Executive Session
At 8:50 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 §313, to discuss contract negotiations and a personnel matter. Ms. Anderson was invited into the executive session. At 9:30 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 11. Next Meeting Dates Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month, unless noted. The next Barre Town School Board meeting dates are: February 1, 2006 – 6:30 p.m. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by
Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:31 p.m.
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