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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: None ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, February 18, 2009, meeting to order at 6:30 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
Mr. Harrington introduced Aaron Roberts, a member of Troop 714, who addressed the Board and explained he was attending the meeting as part of the requirements for earning his communication merit badge. Ms. Moore thanked art teachers and students throughout the district for their participation in the February 17, 2009, district-wide art show held at the Aldrich Public Library. Mr. Kirkland advised the Board the school improvement (construction funds) component of the stimulus package was removed; however, the education funding increased. He said further details of how the education funds can be used would be forthcoming from the VT DOE.
Mrs. Buzzell read a resolution honoring David Harrington for his many years of public service as a BTMES Board member, and was presented with a personal recognition from the Board. Each Board member and Mr. Crowley shared reflections and expressed their appreciation to Mr. Harrington. Mr. Harrington provided his comments, thanked the community for the privilege of serving on the Board for the past eight years, and encouraged Board members to maintain their team spirit as they face the many challenges involved in their role as school board members. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of February 4, 2009, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items None 5. Board Discussion Items
Carolyn Jarvis, member of the School Safety Committee (SSC), appeared before the Board and provided a PowerPoint presentation describing the card access system proposed as a security feature for the school. Mr. Violette, SSC member and Barre Town Fire Chief, appeared before the Board as a parent to encourage consideration of the proposal as an increased safety measure for the students and BTMES staff. Barre Town Police Chief, Michael Stevens, and SSC member, also addressed the Board to express his support for the card access system, which he explained would accompany the other safety programs currently conducted within the school. Discussion ensued. The Board discussed the need to determine where the greatest impact would be for the funds available, and that the Board and Administrators must determine what the culture and attitude of the school (and community) would be before installing security equipment. The Board discussed the historical nature of school assaults, which are from students, and whether money would be better spent on internal programs and safety education, or on external deterrents such as a security system. The Board also discussed the security option of employing a school resource officer (SRO), and its potential benefits. Mr. Kirkland expressed his support for the one-time cost of $15-$45K to install an expandable card security system vs. the hiring of an SRO and the annual (increased) personnel costs. The Board asked the School Safety Committee to conduct an analysis of the use of the card system by other schools throughout the state and/or region, including the effectiveness, sustained diligent use or complacency, cost of maintenance and staffing for effective use, pros and cons, etc. and to prepare a pro and con proposal, including cost, for an SRO. Mr. Kirkland also advised the Board the previously approved school bus cameras would be installed by March 1st.
Mr. Harrington advised that the budget informational meeting would be held March 2, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. He said details of the FY ’10 budget of $9,841,412, which represented an overall 1.9% increase, would be available at the meeting. He also advised that the Barre Town tax rate for SHS and BTMES education would decrease slightly from $1.154 to $1.149. Along with other Board members, Mr. Harrington encouraged taxpayers to support the budget and to vote at Town Meeting on March 3, 2009. He also encouraged support for the re-election of Mr. Bond to a three-year seat. Mrs. Buzzell advised that absentee ballots were available by calling the Town Clerk. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided a brief oral report, which included information regarding budget presentations to local service clubs and other communication activity regarding the budget. He also advised the Board the automated phone notification system was operational and would be activated during the next school closing or emergency.
Mr. Barone had nothing to add to his written report, distributed in the packet.
Mr. Crowley, Mrs. Prichard, and Mr. Olsen had nothing to report to the Board.
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. Other Business None 9. Executive Session
At 8:00 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss contract negotiations, a real estate matter, student matter, personnel matters, and a contractual matter. Dr. Bacon, Mr. Crowley. Mrs. Prichard and Mr. Olsen were invited into the executive session. At 10:15 p.m. the Board exited executive session. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to hire Alice Worth as Principal. 10. 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: March 2, 2009 – Annual Pre-Town Meeting –
budget presentation 7:00 p.m. 11. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded
by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:20 p.m.
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