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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: ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Technician, Jeff Gagne, Teresa Kajenski, CPA BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Vice -Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, February 20, 2008, meeting to order at 5:05 p.m., which was held in the Barre Town Middle and Elementary School Library, 70 Websterville Road, Barre Town, VT. Mr. Harrington joined the meeting via conference call during the next item. 2. Executive Session
At 5:05 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, Pursuant o Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel matter. Dr. Conley, Mrs. Gossens, Dr. Moccia and Mr. Shepard were invited into the executive session. Mr. Harrington left the meeting. At 6:20 p.m., the Board exited executive session. At 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Buzzell reconvened the Board and a flag salute followed. 3. Visitors and Communications
Mr. Gagne advised the Board that Vermont Green-Up day was May 3, 2008, that he and his wife were happy to be the State Coordinators again this year, and proudly announced that a 5th grade student at BTMES was the 2008 poster contest winner. He thanked all the student participants and teachers that assisted in the contest. For more information people are encouraged to contact either Mr. or Mrs. Gagne. 4. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of January 16, 2008, as submitted. On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, as submitted. 5. Board Action Items
Ms. Kajenski appeared before the Board to discuss the FY ’07 audit and unqualified opinion that outlined four material weaknesses in the areas of Special Education Reports, Inter-District Receivables and Payables, Receivable and Payables, and Food Service Reconciliations. She explained the “material weakness” category was the result of new accounting reporting standards. She also reported an unreserved, general fund balance of $319,226. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’07 audit report, as submitted.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by
Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading
of Purchasing Authority Policy (DJA), First Reading of Leasing Policy (DJH),
Dr. Conley agreed to have the appropriate dates affixed to each Policy before they were returned for a second reading.
Mr. Kirkland reminded the Board of the presentation by Diane Stacey regarding the $5,200 computer program to remotely monitor and control the school’s woodchip burning plant. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the computer upgrade, as presented and discussed December 17, 2007.
Dr. Conley explained that the K-8 Curriculum Director position was currently shared and funded by the Barre City and Barre Town systems, and that the Supervisory Union has proposed and included in their FY ’09 budget a K-12 Curriculum Director position. He said as a result Dr. Moccia has elected to resign his K-8 position effective June 30, 2008. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted, with regret and best wishes, to accept the resignation of Dr. Paul Moccia, effective June 30, 2008. 6. Board Discussion Items
Mrs. Buzzell reminded residents to vote on March 4, 2008, Town Meeting Day and encouraged the voters to support the proposed $9,848,321 budget. She said for those taxpayers not able to get to the poles on 3/4/07, to contact the Town Clerk early for their absentee ballot, and if anyone had questions regarding the budget to call either the Superintendent or any of the Board members. . Mr. Shepard advised the Board that at the time the budget was approved by the Board the state-wide property tax rate was estimated to create a .02¢ decrease in the tax rate. However, since then the final rate notice was received from the Tax Department, which when recalculated for combined approved BTMES and SHS/BTC budgets, the tax rate for Barre Town would now increase by approximately .257¢.
Mrs. Buzzell advised that an executive session was held earlier this evening to discuss teacher contract matters with respect to recent pre-school funding information. She said that the results of an investigation revealed that an honest mistake and misinterpretation of the Title 1 grant fund allocations had occurred for the past several years. The issues leading to the problem had been identified and remedied moving forward with the SU to amend the grant wording and/or change the pre-school design to a more traditional SU model. Dr. Conley explained that prior to 10-years ago the Barre Town and Barre City districts were separate entities and each received Title 1 funds for their pre-school. However when the SU was established each school continued to house their programs and served the children of their community and with pure intent and practice they used the funds as defined, but not in the SU model. He noted there was no clear evidence of misconduct by any of the prior superintendents, business managers, curriculum directors, or administrators. 7. Old Business None 8. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets.
Dr Conley advised the Board of his current and upcoming activities, which he said were primarily devoted to budgets and Superintendent search, which had resulted in the offering of a three-year contract to Dr. John Bacon.
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. Monthly Reports to the Board (2nd meeting of the month)
Mr. Crowley provided information regarding current and upcoming events. More information is available at www.btmes.org.
Dr. Moccia briefly reviewed his 2-15-08 report.
Dr. Sperry had nothing to add to her report.
Mr. Walz had nothing to add to his report.
Mrs. Gossens provided an oral report.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 13, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room. 10. Other Business Ms. Moore presented the Board with information regarding a “Youth On Board” training scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2008. She advised that a community member had raised the question of whether student representatives would be considered by the Board. The Board agreed to discuss this matter at a later date. 11. Executive Session None 12. Next Meeting Dates Future 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:
13. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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