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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, September 2, 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. Crowley announced the birth of Adelle Pritchard, daughter of Special Services Director, Julia Pritchard. The Board and Administration offered congratulations to the Pritchard family. Mrs. Buzzell congratulated K-12 Curriculum & Instruction Director, John Barone, for recently being invited by VPR as an expert speaker on the subject of curriculum and education. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board voted to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes of August 19, 2009, as submitted. 4. New Business
Dr. Bacon explained the Board was in year three of a three-year contract with Abbey Food Services, however, action by the Board was required to affirm continued approval of the contract. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Abbey Food Services contract renewal for the 2009-2010 school year. Dr. Bacon further advised the Board a bid for services, or approval of a contract extension, would be required by the end of this school year. He added the SHS and BCEMS joint food service contract with Fitz-Vogh would also expire at the end of the current year, which could present an opportunity to have an SU-wide common vendor. Dr. Bacon agreed to provide additional information at a later date. 5. Old Business ADD 9-2-09: Follow-up on food service
bid/SU wide contract.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board that Black River Design was asked to review the current kitchen and cafeteria area and provide a very preliminary design/proposal, at no cost, to be used as a tool during the upcoming budget discussions. He said SHAC members have also volunteered to participate as part of the committee process for this project, and that further information would be provided to the Board when available.
Dr. Bacon informed the Board he met with Town Manager, Carl Rogers, and there were no additional modifications to the bus contract previously discussed by the Board. He said the Town Council would take action at their meeting next week, and the Chair should be notified by the end of the week to sign the contract.
Dr. Bacon reported the Transportation Department was still preparing a single wave plan, which was expected to be completed and ready to present at the next meeting, for a 2010-2011 school year implementation. Mr. Crowley advised the Board that the prospect of a single-wave system would provide teachers access to a better schedule for which to coordinate instruction and share strategies to benefit student learning.
Dr. Bacon announced receipt of approval for 50% of the cost to purchase a new handicap school bus. He said development of the specs and advertisement of the bid must be done quickly in order to meet the grant’s requirement to purchase the bus during the current school year. The Board acknowledged funds from a number of sources including savings from the bus maintenance contract would be used for the balance of the purchase. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including request of the Chair’s signature on a contract with the State, which identified corrective action items regarding the school improvement initiatives related to AYP. He also spoke of the district’s H1N1 flu preparedness and protocols being set in place in cooperation with the school nurses and Department of Health. Dr. Bacon also confirmed the new teacher/staff reception would be held immediately preceding the September 16th meeting, at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. Crowley reviewed several current and upcoming events. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.btmes.org. Mr. Crowley distributed and reviewed the enrollment and class size report, which indicated as of August 31, 2009 a total of 847 students were enrolled (425 girls and 421 boys) in grades K-8. Mr. Crowley also reviewed a number of schedule, program, and school climate/cultural changes, which were implemented to improve the delivery of instruction and student performance. Ms. Worth also distributed a two-month professional meeting schedule, coordinated with BCEMT to maximize access to district staff. She also discussed steps being taken to address the AYP corrective action initiatives. Mr. Crowley complimented the staff for embracing the changes implemented and their willingness to rally and work with the changes to improve the student’s educational experience at BTMES. C. 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.
8. Consent Agenda (CONTINUED)
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to a approve the warrants, as presented. 9. Other Business
Ms. Moore advised the Board that plans for an October 1st school breakfast program to be delivered daily to individual classrooms, initially for grades K-2, were being worked on by the SHAC committee. As leverage for participation, SHAC was seeking a one-time Board funding commitment of $6,800. Mr. Crowley suggested using the Hannaford donation to cover approximately one third of the cost. Mrs. Buzzell noted that this request had come before the Finance Committee and that SHAC had been asked to determine the initial delivery and sustainability costs. They were also asked to work with the administration to determine where the money would come from within the current budget and to also examine fund raising possibilities. She noted that based on procedure, all of this crucial information should come to the next Finance meeting and then to the full Board before any action may be taken.
Mr. Bond presented the Board with a letter of resignation, to be effective September 14, 2009, and offered his sincere regret that he would be stepping down for professional reasons to relocate out of state. Mr. Bond thanked the Board, Administration, and especially the community for their support and stated he would always hold BTMES in the highest regard, and that Barre Town would always be his home. The Board and Administration thanked Mr. Bond for his service and contributions, extended their regrets at his departure, but also offered their heartfelt best wishes for his success and happiness. Dr. Bacon advised that any community members interested in serving until the next election should send a letter of interest to the Superintendent. The Board agreed to interview and potentially select a replacement member at the October 7th meeting. The Board also acknowledged a new SU Board would also need another Board representative. 10. 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 student matter. Dr. Bacon, Mr. Crowley, and Ms. Worth 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. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Superintendent to sell a computer. 11. 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: September 16, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. NOTE: New
teacher/staff reception at 5:30 p.m. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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