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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 Tech BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, June 3, 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 Mr. Kirkland thanked Ms. Moore for her leadership and efforts over the past three years to successfully negotiate the purchase of the Ayers Street Central Office building from Barre City, and also recognized Dr. Bacon for his recent support and guidance in the process. As a matter of record, and to be recorded in the minutes, (see attached page 6-12) Dr. Bacon submitted the Property Transfer Agreement, Lease and Occupancy Agreement, and Repayment Agreement documents. The Board also discussed the Friday, June 5, 2009, community celebration to honor Ted Riggen and in recognition of his 22-years of service and leadership at BTMES. As a token of appreciation the current Board members presented Dr. Riggen with a rocking chair, which was inscribed with his famous daily quote to students “don’t forget to close your eyes before you go to sleep”. Mrs. Buzzell said the Board’s hope was that Dr. Riggen would use the chair to relax and contemplate all his new retirement adventures. Current and past Board members also presented Dr. Riggen with the tribute of naming the horse shoe drive in front of the school “Riggen’s Way”, which was approved by the Town Select Board. Mr. Crowley proudly displayed the blue and white private drive road sign, and advised one would soon be placed at each end of the driveway. 3. Consent Agenda A. Minutes of May 20, 2009 – Regular
Meeting On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board voted to approve the warrants, and regular meeting minutes of May 20, 2009, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
Mr. Crowley advised the Board that Ms. Anderson was an experienced classroom teacher and also recommended by Mrs. Prichard for the special education position needed in the lower grades. He also verified that Ms. Anderson was a former graduate of BTMES. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the hiring of Melissa Anderson as the lower grade special education teacher.
Mr. Kirkland distributed a list of proposed summer projects totaling $74K. The list also included two other projects: voter access for individuals with disabilities, which would be paid for through a grant, and miscellaneous paving maintenance, which he said would hopefully be bartered with the Town. The cost related items included: 1.) kitchen project at $24K, Mr. Kirkland reminded the Board it was agreed to repair the steamer rather than purchase one, however, after three separate attempts by the appliance repair shop, the proper parts were not to be found, and therefore a new steamer would now have to be purchased. He said since the approved FY ’10 maintenance budget was only $50K he would recommend that item 1, the kitchen project at $24K, be removed. However, he noted he would be seeking the Board’s support for a bond request of up to $300K to be included with the FY ’11 budget to do an all inclusive, major kitchen renovation. Mrs. Buzzell asked the Facility Committee to present and discuss their renovation proposal to the Finance Committee for vetting before it is brought to the full Board for approval and bids are sought. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the summer maintenance projects listed, with the exception of the kitchen repairs in item 1.
The Board agreed to discuss this matter in executive session. 5. Board Discussion Items
The Board reviewed the proposed agenda, which included the Superintendent, Curriculum Director, and Administrator’s participation at times during the day, for discussions regarding board operations, bussing, and the school’s mission & vision. They confirmed the retreat was scheduled for July 6, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., which would be hosted by Ms. Moore at her home. The Board discussed and agreed that further consideration for changes to the bussing contract and maintenance would depend on the Tuesday, June 9th meeting with the Town Select board. The Board also acknowledged and agreed movement toward a single wave system would continue to be studied during the 2009-2010 school year for an implementation thereafter, if found prudent and feasible.
Mr. Crowley advised the Board the Administration’s plan was to fill the budgeted and vacated positions, and to strategically assign a classroom teacher with primary grade literacy and math skills to move into grades 1 and 2’s 90 minutes of literacy and math blocks and teach groups of children. This would lower class sizes for literacy and math instruction and allow for more flexibility in meeting the needs of children. Mr. Crowley noted the opinion that not all parts of a student’s day required smaller class sizes, i.e. lunch or music, however, it was critical in the reading and math area. Mrs. Buzzell expressed her concerns regarding the critical social, emotional, and academic needs and learning experiences of grade one students. Mr. Crowley also advised that the Administrators and staff were working out the schedule to accomplish optimum use of the floating teacher position, and they were all very excited about implementing the plan of strategically placing resources where the critical needs were, and to learn much in this new and innovative use of staff. Dr. Bacon encouraged the Board to support the administration in implementing the plan. Mr. Crowley reminded the Board that part of the Class Size Policy it was stated the profile of the classes would be also be studied. He reported that for next year’s grade 1 approximately 46%, or 45 children) receive behavior support in some manner, compared to grade 6, of which 63%, or 51 students, receive behavior support. He said the Board has been cognitive and responsive to the needs of next year’s grade 6 class, and he knew they would also be to grade 1, if needed. The Board agreed the Administration’s plan and class sizes would be reviewed before the beginning of school in the fall, as class sizes may change. They asked Mr. Crowley to provide an outline of the proposed schedule for the strategic use of a teacher to teach reading and math groups while moving between grade 1 and 2 so that they could fully understand the assignments of this teacher in meeting the literacy and math needs of students. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including review of the Medicaid reimbursements currently reported at $69.4K, which he estimated could achieve a yearend total of $80-$85K. Dr. Bacon also advised the Board a search for a woodchip supplier for all three schools in the district revealed that a former woodchip supplier, Lathrop’s, was back in business after suffering a devastating fire. He said the supplier had high quality, hard wood chips, and would agree to a price per ton of approximately $63 if all three schools agreed to contracts. Dr. Bacon shared comparable quotes from three other suppliers, however noted that only Lathrop’s guaranteed the higher quality product, which burned better and longer than an inferior grade. The Board unanimously agreed to support contracting with Lathrop’s for woodchips, in tandem with Barre City and Spaulding High School. Ms. Moore referred the Board to a copy of the SU’s DRAFT Action Plan, and advised the SU Board would be acting on a first reading of the plan at their June 11, 2009, meeting. She said feed-back would be sought by the district’s Boards throughout the summer and before final adoption in the fall. Ms. Moore explained the SU was responsible for administration of the CFP (consolidated federal program) grants, therefore an action plan (or approved first reading at least) was required with submission of the application. She noted the SU’s Plan reflected strategies already in practice throughout the district and was designed by combining the three school’s action plans. The Board members agreed to independently review the SU Plan and forward comments to Ms. Moore, as timely as possible.
None
Mr. Crowley reviewed several current and upcoming events. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.btmes.org.
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 7:20 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel matter, and the bus contract/cost sharing matter. Dr. Bacon and Mr. Crowley were invited into the executive session. At 8:55 p.m. the Board exited executive session. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to approve the salaries as discussed, with the Superintendent to check on one person. 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:
11. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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