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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: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Tech, David
Delcore (Times Argus), Lucas Heath Howe, Alex Frey, Dillon
Sleeper, Jordan Davis, Geoffrey Brault, Erika Cross, Kerri Lamb, Toni
Davis, Bob, Cara, Anderson & Riley Brown 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 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. Executive Session
At 6:06 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a student matter. Dr. Bacon, Mr. Crowley, Mrs. Prichard, Mr. Olsen, Mrs. Holden, and Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their children were invited into the executive session. At 6:20 p.m. the Board exited executive session. The Board agreed to continue deliberations and render a decision at the end of the meeting. 3. Visitors and Communications
Mrs. Buzzell thanked Mr. Crowley for his participation at a recent “Milk & Cookies” event sponsored by the Central Vermont Building Bright Futures Barre Area Success by 6 (SX6) at the Aldrich Public Library, where 88 children and 51 adults attended. She also announced that the same organization would hold Dabble Day on February 7, 2009, at the SHS Cafeteria from 10:00 to 12:30 p.m., where free snacks and drinks would be served, and children under age 6 would receive a free book. Misters Lucas Howe, Jordon Davis, Alex Frey and Dillon Sleeper addressed the Board regarding their position and opposition to a recent enforcement of the school’s “no backpacks” rule. In addition to written statements, a petition was also presented. Comments were also received from other audience members. Mr. Crowley provided background for the “no backpack” rule, sighting the rule was a long-standing guideline and instituted as the result of safety issues, however, he admitted the rule had been over the past few years inconsistently enforced. Mr. Harrington thanked the students for their articulate, well prepared, and informed presentation. He advised the students that safety issues were of very serious concern for the Board, parents, and adults responsible for the students within the school, but he agreed, there should be a balance between finding appropriate security for all and student concerns. Mr. Harrington suggested a student representation meet and work with the administration to reach a compromise. The students and Mr. Crowley agreed to work together on the matter. 4. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of December 17, 2008, as submitted. 5. Board Action Items
Mr. Harrington reviewed the FY ’10 budget and features that added to and were eliminated from the $9,841,412 budget, which represented an overall 1.9% increase, of which $7,531,897 was for regular instruction (up .5%), and $2,309,515 in special education expenses (up 6.9%). The Board discussed that the elimination of three classroom teachers was due to implementation of the Class Size Policy, in addition to declining enrollment and restructuring of how services are and would be delivered to students. Also discussed was the budget’s elimination of the purchase of one new bus, but included the badly needed purchase of a handicap bus. Along with Mr. Harrington, the Board encouraged community support for the very lean, responsible, and thoroughly scrutinized budget. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’10 budget at $9,841,412, as presented. Dr. Bacon advised the Board he felt the community should be pleased and would benefit from the fiscal responsibility of the Spaulding High School and Barre Town Boards. He said taxpayers would see a combined SHS and BTMES tax rate decrease from $1.1540 to $1.1468.
The Board reviewed the seven articles of the March 3, 2009 warning, which included 1) The election of two BTMES Board members, 2) The election of one SHS Board member, 3) The FY ’10 budget of $10,115,995, including $194,584 in grant funds, 4) Payments for school board directors and school district treasurer, 5) Approval for anticipated revenue borrowing, and two separate warned articles asking for approval for $25K for the roof fund, and $100,000 for a new school bus, which were not part of the warned budget. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the March 3, 2009 warning, as presented.
Dr. Bacon provided information regarding the announced and allowable tuition rates for BTEMS. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’10 announced tuition rate at $9,300, as presented.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board the school’s treasurer was Barre Town Clerk, Donna Kelty, however, if she were unavailable to perform her duties there currently was no one designated to act on her behalf for school matters. Dr. Bacon recommended the Board authorize Mrs. Kelty to appoint the Assistant Town Clerk as her back-up. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the school’s Treasurer to appoint the Assistant Town Clerk to act on the Treasurer’s behalf in her absence, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board a letter of resignation was received from Dr. Riggen, to be effective June 30, 2009, for the purpose of his retirement. Dr. Bacon read the letter aloud, and the Board expressed many memories, their fondness for Dr. Riggen, and regrets, however also expressed their heartiest well wishes for Dr. Riggen’s long, happy, healthy retirement. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted with regret, deepest appreciation for all his contributions to BTMES, and best wishes, to accept Ted Riggen’s notice of retirement effective 6/30/09. 6. Board Discussion Items
Dr. Bacon advised the Board that of the 45 applications received he and the administrators selected six candidates to move forward to the interview process. He explained that by law he was responsible for making a final recommendation to the Board; however, the process by which the recommendation was gleaned from was at the Board’s discretion. The Board agreed a Screening Committee would be assembled comprising of the Administrators, 1 Board member, 1 teacher, 1 para-educator, 1 parent, and 1 community member at large without a student at BTMES to vet the six candidates, and that finalists would be brought to the full Board for interviews, and the Board would then receive the Superintendent’s recommendation. Ms. Moore agreed to serve on the screening committee, with Mr. Kirkland as her back-up. 7. Old Business None 8. Regular Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided a brief oral report.
A written report was provided in the Board’s packet.
A written report was provided in the Board’s packet.
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.
9. Other Business None 10. Executive Session
At 8:17 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a real estate matter, contract negotiations, and a student matter. Dr. Bacon was invited into the executive session. At 9:00 p.m. the Board exited executive session. The Board agreed to direct the Superintendent to notify the parents that, upon deliberations, their request was denied. 11. 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:
12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded
by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.
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