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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: BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, May 6, 2009, meeting to order at 6:02 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 A group of several kindergarten student parents appeared before the Board to discuss the projected first grade class sizes resulting from the elimination of a 1st grade teacher in the FY ’10 budget. Mrs. Buzzell explained the 1st grade staffing decision was based on the Class Size Policy, which recommended an ideal of 18 students and maximum of 20 students, levels she noted that were below the state’s standards. Mr. Crowley advised that next year’s average 1st grade class ratio was 19.2. He also said the number of incoming kindergarten teacher staff was based on an estimate of 95 students, however, to date only 70-80 students were enrolled, which would [at this point] leave a budgeted position to serve in another area, and assigned to where the greatest demand presents itself. Mrs. Buzzell assured the parents the Board was very conscious of the early education needs of students as well as the latest research and standards. She said the Board was confident in the Administration and that a close watch on the class sizes and needs of the students would be met, along with the keeping the Board informed of changes in enrollments and staffing needs. Ms. Moore advised parents of the robust intervention programs designed to identify and assist any student in need. Mrs. Buzzell also noted that the Board was aware that the newly hired Co-Principal and K-12 Curriculum director are both keenly focused and interested in early education success. The Board was presented three letters from Windy and Michael Kelley, Amy Choquette, and Tanya Taylor, parents not present, expressing their concerns regarding the class sizes. Mrs. Buzzell thanked the parents for their input, and invited any interested parents to join or attend the Curriculum and/or SHAC Committees, or any of the Committees where many of these issues and other regarding the school’s issues and concerns were discussed. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board voted to approve the warrants, and regular meeting minutes of April 15, 2009, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items A. School Bus Lease Agreement The Board reviewed and discussed the current 2008-2009 school bus lease agreement. Dr. Bacon reminded the Board that Mr. Rogers pointed out during his 4-15-09 visit that the agreement had not been previously acted upon or signed prior to the start of the current school year. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2008-09 school bus agreement, as presented. With the Board’s permission, the following item on the agenda was taken out of order. 5. Board Discussion Items
Dr. Bacon distributed a spreadsheet describing annual cost scenarios for:
The Board also reviewed a list of benefits and challenges of a single wave system prepared and distributed by Mr. Murray and Transportation Coordinator, Ms. Salvador. Mr. Crowley shared that he couldn’t identify any major educational challenges with a single wave system, other than logistical issues, but could see several benefits for staff. Mr. Hebert recommended prior to the Board making final decisions to implement a test run of the single wave system for a week. Mr. Crowley suggested instead perhaps a few mock runs could be tested. The Board agreed many other issues including, but not limited to, school start and end scheduling, traffic issues (at and near the school, with Barre City Elementary School, and in downtown Barre) and other safety concerns needed to be identified, tested, and agreed to before a decision could be reached. The Board also advised the change to a single wave, if agreed to, probably would not be implemented for next year but more likely in the fall of 2010. Mr. Kirkland and Dr. Bacon agreed to keep the Board informed of any new information and proposals. 6. CONTINUED - Board Action Items
Dr. Bacon reviewed the resignation letters. Mr. Crowley added that a letter from Kevin Lawrence was received and he, too, would also not be returning. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted, with regret and best wishes, to accept the resignations of Kevin Lawrence, Patti Tursi, Matthew Hannon, Patrick Smith, and retirement of Alan Sholk. On behalf on the Board Mrs. Buzzell, acknowledged and thanked Mr. Sholk for his many years of service to BTMES and the school community. She said he would be greatly missed, however, wished him much happiness and enjoyment in his new adventures in retirement.
Dr. Bacon advised there were three days to make up, two due to weather and one resulting from water problems. He said the state required 175 instructional days, however the school required 180. He recommended that two days, June 17th and a half-day of June 18th, be instructional days bringing the total to 179, and the third make up day, June 19th, be used as an in-service day for teachers. The Board acknowledged the ½ day of the 18th would also provide the traditional time used for staff recognitions and retirements, and that the BTMES 8th grade graduation was scheduled for that evening. The Board discussed the merits of both instructional days and staff morale. Mrs. Buzzell asked the administration to provide an in-service day that would truly benefit every student. Mr. Crowley advised the Board the goal for the in-service day was to provide each teacher the opportunity to share and receive critical individual student information in an effort to provide the most favorable transition experiences for all students. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to accept the make-up day recommendation of an full instructional day on June 17 and half-day of student instruction and closure on June 18, and the third make up day to be used as a full-day of robust in-service staff training for the benefit all students. 7. CONTINUED - Board Discussion Items
Mr. Crowley reviewed several current and upcoming events, including that the BTMES 8th grade graduation was scheduled for June 18, 2009. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.btmes.org.
The Board discussed and agreed to hold their retreat on July 6, 2009, beginning at 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The superintendent and administrators would also be included and Ms. Moore volunteered to host the retreat. Mrs. Buzzell and Dr. Bacon agreed to draft an agenda for distribution and feed-back.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board a meeting of Principals, school nurses, and the Superintendent took place to review the school policies and plans in the event of an outbreak. He said the district was also in touch with the VT Department of Health, and notices were sent home to parents. In addition custodians in each building were spending extra time wiping railing, door knobs, etc. in an effort to minimize germ contact by students. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided a brief oral report including notice that the legislature was considering a proposal to increase the statewide school tax rate by .3¢, which would obviously raise the local tax rate, if approved.
Mr. Crowley had nothing to add to the previously reviewed end of year activity report.
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 8:27 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a real estate, personnel and student matter, and the bus contract/cost sharing matter. Dr. Bacon and Mr. Crowley were invited into the executive session. At 9:58 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: May 20, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. 11. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded
by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:02 p.m.
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