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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, Katie Tobias, Susan O’Regan, Charlene Plante, Christine Mears, Ellen Sulek BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 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 shared there were 455 people who participated in Dabble Days on February 24th, and that each child received a free book. Mr. Harrington announced a 15-minute budget presentation was taped by the Board at Video Vision and would air 21 times on Channel 7, between February 27, 2006 and March 4, 2006. He asked that anyone with questions regarding the budget or school matters to please call any of the Board members. Ms. Anderson and Board members thanked Mr. Harrington for his leadership in producing the video. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Lamb seconded by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of February 1, 2006, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
BTMES kindergarten teachers appeared before the Board to discuss their concerns with the proposed kindergarten class size average. Some of their issues of concern related to larger classes included;
Mr. Harrington thanked the teachers for their thoughtful input. He explained the impact of declining enrollments, intent of the average class size position, and discussed the Board and Administration’s desire and need for flexibility. He assured the staff that the new class size policy would be monitored and revisited, when and if needed. Mrs. Gossens shared that the current estimate for next year’s kindergarten enrollment was at 110 students, however, registration would be on March 15 and 16, 2006, which would provide better information. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mrs. Lamb, the Board unanimously voted to approve the second and final reading of Class Size Policy (IIB), with a correction to the references listed.
Mrs. Buzzell said consistency in equipment fees was needed and a procedure for the policy should be added to include a comprehensive equipment fee schedule. Mr. Kirkland made a motion seconded by Mrs. Lamb to approve the first reading of policy KFB. Upon discussion, Mr. Kirkland withdrew his motion, Mrs. Lamb withdrew her second.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of Management Contract Policy (GCFB-E) for removal.
Upon discussion it was agreed to refer this policy back to the Policy Committee.
On a motion by Mrs. Lamb seconded by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of Support Staff Positions Policy (GDA) for removal.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of Support Staff Hiring Policy (GDF) for removal. H. FY ’07 School Calendar Ms. Anderson explained that a few minor modifications were needed in the FY 2006-2007 school calendar as a result of mandated elementary testing annually during October. Ms. Anderson advised the planned FY ’07 school calendar amendments were to move the October parent teacher conference day to the Monday before Thanksgiving, November 20th, move the Wednesday, November 22nd staff development to Tuesday, November 21st, and add an additional vacation day November 22nd to Thanksgiving week, eliminating student instructional days for the entire week. She said the last day of school would also be moved from June 13th to June 14th , ending school before the second full week of June. Ms. Anderson also referred the Board to information distributed regarding H.175, a statewide calendar bill, which had received approval from the House Education Committee and would be forwarded to the full House, then Senate for consideration. Ms. Anderson pointed out, if a statewide calendar were approved the mandated implementation would be for the 2008-09 school year and thereafter. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’07 school calendar, as presented. With the Board’s permission the following action item was added to the agenda.
Mr. Harrington advised a letter of resignation was received from Mr. Witke, a full-time middle school science teacher. The Board expressed their regret at Mr. Witke’s resignation and wished him well in his new endeavors. On a motion by Mrs. Lamb seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Carl Witke, effective June 30, 2006. 5. Board Discussion Items None 6. Old Business Pending Items: Mr. Harrington advised that data from the “Teacher Data” forms distributed was compiled, as requested, which contained general statistical data on BTMES teacher staffing. 7. Regular Reports to the Board The Board was provided written reports in their packets.
Ms. Anderson encouraged voters to vote on Town Meeting Day, March 7, 2006, and to support the district’s budgets. She said voting would take place at the Barre Town and Barre City Elementary Schools.
Dr. Riggen reviewed current and upcoming events, which may be viewed on the school Web site at www.BTMES.org. Dr. Riggen also announced that Mr. Crowley was the recipient of the John Winton Distinguished Middle School Principal Award, and was also nominated for national recognition.
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. Paul Moccia reviewed his February 8, 2006, report.
Laurie Gossens provided a report which included information on the Unified Sports Snowshoeing Program, the status of vacant para educator positions, and computer program upgrades scheduled for special education documentations.
Tommy Walz – none.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be March 9, 2006. 9. Other Business - None 10. Executive Session - None 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: March 6, 2006 – 7:00 p.m. FY ’07 Budget
Informational Meeting March 15, 2006 – 6:30 p.m.** Schedule change 12. Adjournment On a motion by Mrs. Lamb seconded by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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