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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: ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Technician, Steve Murray, Terrie Salvador BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, June 4, 2008, meeting to order at 5:50p.m., which was held in the Barre Town Middle and Elementary School Library, 70 Websterville Road, Barre Town, VT. A flag salute followed. 2. Executive Session
At 5:50 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a student matter. Dr. Conley, Dr. Riggen, Mr. Crowley, parents and a student were invited into the executive session. At 6:25 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 3. Visitors and Communications A. Public Comment None 4. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of May 21, 2008, as discussed. 5. Board Action Items
On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Readings of Independent Educational Evaluation Policy (IHBB), Independent Education Evaluation Procedures Policy (IHBB-R), Schedule A (IHBB-R), and Provisions of Special Education Services to Private School Students Policy (IHBC) all for removal, as presented.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Adult Anti Harassment Policy (GBBA), as presented.
Dr. Conley explained why the Business
Manager was seeking approval to facilitate the borrowing and investing
of funds.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the kindergarten teaching contracts for Lauren Mears at $33,166, and Sally Kulis at $55,388, as presented by the Superintendent.
The Board agreed to move and discuss this matter to executive session. 5. Board Discussion Items
Mr. Crowley distributed a section of the upcoming newsletter, which contained enrollment and subsidy information about the initiation of the fall 2008 YMCA After School Program, discussed at the May 21st meeting.
Ms. Salvador reviewed the numerous programs and protocols used to encourage and enforce student discipline, which included “big bus buddy” program, posting of bus rules, individual discipline plans, bus patrols and training, bus safety week, etc. Ms. Salvador advised the Board that bus discipline matters were on the rise over the past few years, with this year’s estimate at 20-30 student discipline cases. She said in part the increase was due to changes in the laws that require more investigations and reporting of bullying and harassment matters, but also the general change in children’s behavior. Mr. Crowley concurred, noting that discipline policies were addressed and implemented in other areas at the school during the past year to address an evident trend in student behavior, which he explained, appeared as a type of “empowerment” that carried from outside the school to the school. Ms. Salvador said students are clearly informed that riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. She said bus discipline is consistent with school discipline policy and practices and cleared through the administration including such things as detentions with the transportation coordinator, essay writing, apologies, etc. Ms. Salvador and Mr. Murray expressed their support for installing bus cameras as training tools, student behavior deterrents, and to assist in the required investigations of bus related matters. Ms. Moore reiterated her May 21st suggestion that student could sign a contract to ride the bus taking responsibility for their behavior and the privilege of riding the bus. Ms. Salvador advised the Board that contracts were currently used with students who have been disciplined and must sign a contract before being allowed to ride the bus again. The Board discussed whether the bus discipline practice should be less case-by-case and discretionary, but very clear and concise, i.e. the breaking of any bus safety rule will result in a suspension from riding the bus. Mr. Harrington expressed his concern for the safety of the other 50-60+ students on a bus when the bus driver’s attention is diverted by the behavior of one or two misbehaved students. He said the message should be clear that there is absolutely no tolerance for breaking bus rules, and those children who break the rules would be removed from the bus and the privilege of riding bus revoked. Mr. Crowley offered several suggestions to address the bus discipline matters including; having a bus behavior conversation with parents and students during the fall orientation, clearly laying out rules and consequences and advising students and parents, development of a bus riding contract for patents and students to sign, and forming a committee to monitor data and the process including the new methods, over the next year, and visiting the issue before the end of the 2008-09 school year. He said the non-tolerance policy for bus behavior could work, or when reviewed the Board may want to further consider the recommendation to install bus cameras. Mr. Murray also noted that bus cameras were not just for discipline matters, but could also be a useful tool for bus driver training. The matter will be added to the agenda parking lot for a spring 2009 revisit.
In addition to any other business matters, the Board discussed and agreed to the following items for the 8:00 a.m. June 24, 2008, agenda; annual Board/agenda calendar, Student Success Committee-broad initiatives, and a roundtable discussion. Mr. Bond said there would be several policies for first reading, and Dr. Conley advised there were be at least two or three teacher contracts to approve.
Mrs. Gossens provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the restructuring of services. She discussed the department’s goals, current and future structure, pros, cons and implications. In summary Mrs. Gossens assured the Board she felt good about the restructuring and model plan, and that she felt more students would ultimately be served. 7. Old Business None 8. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets. A. Superintendent’s Report None B. Committee Reports 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)
Information is available at www.btmes.org.
The next monthly meeting is scheduled for June 5, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room. 10. Other Business None 11. Executive Session
At 7:55 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss contract and personnel matters. Dr. Conley, Dr. Riggen, Mr. Crowley and Mrs. Gossens were invited into the executive session. At 10:30 p.m. the Board exited executive session.
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to approve the administrator contracts, as recommended by the Superintendent. 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: June 24, 2008 – 8:00 a.m. Annual
retreat/meeting Next meeting: August 20, 2008 – 6:00 p.m. 13. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded
by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:35 p.m.
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