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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: ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Technician, Christine Williams, David Ferch, Steve Murray, Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 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
3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants and minutes of June 6, 2007, regular meeting, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the teaching contract for Mary Bowers, grade 3, at $44,650.
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to approve the $76,476, psychologist contract with Dr. Michael O’Hare, for the FY ’08 school year. C. Teacher Contract Release Request No action. Mr. Harrington advised the Board the release from contract request was withdrawn.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Readings of Foundation Policy (A), Legal Status Policy (AA), and Patrons Policy (AC), all for removal, as submitted.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Grants Policy, as submitted.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Volunteers Policy (IJOC), as submitted.
Mr. Bond explained the policy JIH-A would be incorporated into JI, however upon discussion agreed for clarification purposes, some language in the JIH policy warranted reconsideration by the Policy Committee. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action regarding the Second and Final Reading of Student Interviews, Searches, and Arrest Policy (JIH), and Second and Final Reading of Locker Searches Policy (JIH-A) for removal, until the September 5, 2007, meeting.
The Board discussed the prudence of whether a standard RFP evaluation process, and final selection procedures would be useful in the event of a public records request for information were ever received. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of Purchasing Procedures Policy (DJB), as submitted.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of First Reading of Sports Policy (IGDJ), as submitted. M. First Reading of Weapons Policy (JICI) On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of Weapons Policy (JICI), as submitted.
Mr. Bond advised the Board the version of the policy before them was not the revised policy, therefore, would resubmit the policy for consideration at the next meeting. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action regarding the First Reading of Student Absences and Excuses Policy (JH), until the September 5, 2007, meeting.
The Board discussed the multiple other policies that existed regarding the matter of appropriate materials for students. Mr. Bond agreed to the suggestion of consolidating the policies, and comprehensive cross-referencing of those that remain. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action regarding the First reading of Student Publications Policy (JICE), until the September 5, 2007, meeting.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the tech education teacher contract for John Joseph “Joe” Berry, at $46,497, contingent upon receipt of the requested DOE teaching license waiver. 5. Executive Session
At 6:45 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a student matter. Dr. Riggen, Mrs. Gossens, and Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert were invited into the executive session. At 7:28 p.m. the Board exited executive session. Mr. Harrington explained the reason for the executive session was to discuss the fourth consecutive request to waive tuition, and permit the petitioner’s son to remain at BTMES. Mr. Harrington further explained that due to the extenuating circumstances, the personal details of the challenges faced by the parents, and out of respect for the parties (student and parents) involved, that the Board exercised its discretion to discuss the request in private rather than in public session. Mr. Harrington also shared that the request was one of several received to date, and read a letter from a Barre Town family requesting that their children be allowed to remain at BTMES despite their temporary relocation to Barre City while seeking resolution to extensive repairs of their flood damaged property. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted, in consideration of the extenuating circumstances presented, to grant a waiver to the family through the second marking period of the 2007-08 school year, with the expectation that the family would either be residing in Barre Town by that time, or the family would pay the tuition required for the remainder of the school year. 6. Board Discussion Items
Mr. Murray briefed the Board on the status of bus driving/custodian personnel, advising in part that one staff member remained on sick-leave, but that two full-time and one part-time bus drivers had been hired, which would put 11 of the normally scheduled 12 bus routes on the road for the school year. Mr. Bond concurred that the Policy Committee would be working on an “idling policy”, pursuant to new legislation, which prohibits all idling of vehicles on school property. Mr. Kirkland distributed a copy of the FY ’08 School Bus Lease and advised that he would seek Board authority to execute the contract at the September 5, 2007, meeting. He further directed the Board’s attention to the bus-purchasing schedule included in the lease for ’08 and ’09 for a sum of $160K.
Mr. Murray discussed renovation and maintenance projects and schedules, which in part included new carpeting, gym floor replacement, etc. Mr. Kirkland advised the Board approximately $30K remained from the gym floor replacement project bond, which was being considered for use by way of rubber-mat tiles at the school’s main entrance, or purchase of tarps, mats, or other materials for use in the multi-purpose room to protect the new floor. Dr. Riggen advised the Board the Administration would assign the space currently in use, and soon to be surrendered, by the Supervisory Union staff upon their scheduled departure on August 20, 2007.
Mr. Harrington advised the Board as follow-up to the report discussed at the Annual Work Session, he was still awaiting data to compile the file results of the report, which would be taken into consideration during the upcoming budget building process.
Dr. Riggen distributed an enrollment report, which revealed a current tally of 902 K-8 students, and total of 936 including pre-school students. The Board discussed the increased number of kindergarten students, and admitted the recommended minimum 16/maximum 18-student class size ratio for that grade would require monitoring. 7. Old Business
Mrs. Gossens advised the Board the data provided in the report from the State contained only SU level details.
Dr. Riggen advised the Board that Mr. Crowley was working with the YMCA to implement a program effective for January 2008 for students through grade 6. He said after-school clubs were also being developed and organized for upper grade students. The YMCA will provide program information at Parent’s Night on August 23, 2007, for the 5th and 6th grade parents. Future Items:
8. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets.
Dr. Riggen provided the Board with a Town/School bike path update. Mr. Kirkland expressed his concerns over the newly proposed location of the sidewalk and agreed to follow-up with a report to the Board. Dr. Riggen also advised the Board of the tragic loss of a student during the summer due to a car accident, and advised that appropriate support services and staff would be available to students upon their return to school.
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)
For current and upcoming events, information is available at www.btmes.org.
Dr. Moccia discussed the upcoming teacher training schedule, and desire to attend a future Finance Committee meeting to discuss the anticipated decreased grants funding that is used to support personnel at the BTMES and SU level. Mr. Harrington asked Dr. Moccia to attend the September 13, meeting.
Mrs. Gossens briefly discussed the hiring needs for the upcoming year, and reminded the Board of the new employee pre-Board meeting reception with the Board, scheduled for September 19, 2007.
None
The next meeting would be August 16, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the Community National Bank Conference Room. 10. Other Business Dr. Riggen distributed a copy of the 2007-08 bus schedule to the Board. The Board discussed their prior decision not to print the schedule in the local newspaper, which was in consideration of student safety. Dr. Riggen discussed the historic and alternative methods available for distribution of the information, and the community’s reliance on having the schedule known in advance of the beginning of the school year. The Board further discussed their request that the first parent newsletter of the year include an article on “school bus stop safety and warnings”, reminding parents of the need for supervision and student safety issues. By consensus the Board agreed to permit the printing of the school bus pick-up schedule. 11. Executive Session
At 8:40 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss personnel matters. Mrs. Gossens, and Dr. Riggen were invited into the executive session. At 8:55 p.m. the Board exited executive session. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to grant the medical leave extension for bus driver/custodian SS as request. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded
by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to grant the medical leave
for teacher NM for one-year, as request. 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: September 5, 2007 – 6:00 p.m. 13. Adjournment On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded
by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:01 p.m.
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