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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: 1. Call to Order The Superintendent, John Bacon, called the Wednesday, March 4, 2009, meeting to order at 6:00 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
Dr. Bacon opened the floor for nomination for Chairperson. Mr. Kirkland nominated Mrs. Buzzell. Mrs. Buzzell accepted. Hearing no other nominations, the Board unanimously voted to elect Brenda Buzzell to serve as Board Chair. Mrs. Buzzell assumed the role as Chairperson. Along with the Board, Mrs. Buzzell welcomed and introduced new Board member, Brent Tewksbury, who provided a brief biography and thanked the voters for their support. Mrs. Buzzell opened the floor for nomination for Vice-Chairperson. Mr. Bond nominated Ms. Moore. Ms. Moore accepted. Hearing no other nominations, the Board unanimously voted to elect Laura Moore to serve as Board Vice-Chair. Mrs. Buzzell opened the floor for nomination for Clerk. Mr. Kirkland nominated Mr. Bond. Mr. Bond accepted. Hearing no other nominations, the Board unanimously voted to elect Chris Bond to serve as Board Clerk. Mrs. Buzzell asked for volunteers to serve as Supervisory Union Board representatives. Mr. Kirkland, Mr. Bond, and Ms. Moore volunteered. The Board also discussed and agreed to the following committee assignments:
The Board agreed that meeting schedules would remain as previously established, unless conflicts required changes. The Board reviewed and agreed to the following operating procedures:
Dr. Bacon briefly reviewed Confidentiality/FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974), and executive session guidelines pursuant to Title 1 § 313 with the Board. Mrs. Buzzell encouraged Mr. Tewksbury to initially attend as many Committee meetings, and SU meetings as possible to become informed and familiar with district matters and other district Board members. She also suggested he attend any training available by the Vermont School Board Association for new board members.
Mrs. Buzzell invited the community to attend Gym Night in the BTMES gym on March 13, 2009, at 6:00 p.m., an event sponsored by the Building Bright Futures/Success by Six Programs. Ms. Moore invited the community to an SU-wide chorus presentation in the SHS auditorium, March 12, 2009, at 7:00p.m. Mr. Kirkland thanked the voters for their support and passage of the BTMES and SHS/BTC budgets. He also encouraged continued community and parent involvement at the school. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board voted to approve the minutes of February 18, 2009, as submitted.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board voted to approve the warrants, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
Linda Rosa, Business Manager, appeared before the Board to provide the FY ’08 audit, which revealed a fund balance of $421,778 of which $319,226 was reserved for 2009 expenditures and $102,522 unreserved for carry over. She also discussed the ‘no opinion’ management letter, which included three material weaknesses in the areas of Inter-District Payables and Receivables, Receivables and Payables, and Food Service Reconciliation. The letter also included other audit recommendations in the areas of W-4s and I-9s, Payroll Revision Communication, and Cash Accounts and FDIC Coverage. Mrs. Rosa assured the Board that many of the items discussed were already addressed and corrected or would be with the installation of the new financial management system later this summer. She said where procedures were of issue corrective actions had also been addressed. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’08 audit, as presented. Dr. Bacon agreed to follow-up with Town Manager, Carl Rogers, regarding the registration and insuring of busses owned by the school district, which were previously leased from the Town.
Dr. Bacon advised that teachers had not yet ratified the contract presented to the Teacher’s Union, therefore, no action was needed on this item at this time. 5. Board Discussion Items
Mrs. Buzzell reviewed the Town Meeting results, and reiterated the Board’s “thank you” to voters for their continued support. She also assured the community the Board would continue to work hard at their job to provide the children of Barre Town with the best education possible, at the most reasonable cost. The Board discussed the defeat of the handicapped bus acknowledging that the present handicapped bus would need maintenance, as it continues to be in service. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided a brief oral report, which included information regarding receipt of the signed contract for the newly hired Co-Principal, Alice Worth. He advised he was working on an EEI (early essential initiative) grant application jointly with the Head Start program for the benefit of Barre Town 4-year olds, and that the DOE was determining the spending criteria for stimulus package Title 1 and special education funds. Dr. Bacon agreed to bring additional information forward when it was available.
Dr. Bacon provided an update on behalf of these departments.
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 7:55 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel and real estate matter. Dr. Bacon, Dr. Riggen, and Mr. Crowley were invited into the executive session. At 8:32 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 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 18, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. 11. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded
by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:33 p.m.
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