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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 Technician, Cassie Majors BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Vice-Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, September 5, 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. Mrs. Buzzell introduced the interim superintendent, Dr. Conley, and thanked Dr. Riggen for his service to the district during the summer as acting superintendent. 2. Visitors and Communications
Mrs. Buzzell thanked Steve Murray and the maintenance staff for all the improvements and annual maintenance projects completed in the building. She also thanked Barre Town Police Chief, Michael Stevens, for the school bus safety article in the town newsletter. Mrs. Buzzell asked that based on the volume and diversity of bike bath users, the administrators provide students with a lesson and/or refresher course in bike etiquette, to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all that use the bike path. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of August 15, 2007, regular meeting, as submitted. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
Mrs. Buzzell verified that the agreement was consistent with prior years. Mr. Bond noted the language in the agreement changed from “Lessor and Lessee” to “Town and School” and suggested it should be consistent throughout the document. Mr. Kirkland agreed to bring that change to the Town’s attention for correction. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Business Manager to sign the FY ’08 bus lease agreement, as discussed.
Mrs. Buzzell verified the extension was consistent with standard practice, and requested the administration to report back to the Board that the contractor understood and would adhere to any changes to the Wellness Policy. Mr. Crowley stated his confidence in the vendor’s knowledge and implementation, noting the contractor was part of the policy’s committee and design. The administration will also confirm there would be no changes to the meal pricing for the school year. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Business Manager to sign a one-year extension to the food service contract with Abby Group, as presented.
Mr. Bond explained that upon consideration the new JIH policy still needed considerable discussion and amendment, therefore recommended the Board remand it to the Policy Committee for further review. He said he expected to return the policy for a first reading next month. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond , the Board unanimously voted to remand the policies to the Committee and 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 October 3, 2007, meeting.
Mr. Bond explained that upon consideration this policy also still needed considerable discussion and amendment, therefore recommended the Board remand it to the Policy Committee for further review. He said he expected to return the policy at some time in the future, however, not the next month. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action regarding the Second and Final Reading of Purchasing Procedures Policy (DJB), until the Policy Committee deems appropriate.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of First Reading of Sports Policy (IGDJ), as submitted.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Weapons Policy (JICI), as submitted.
Mr. Kirkland advised the Board one driver was still working toward appropriate licensure, and that there were no apparent problems in any of the routes, including the replacement of a route to the schedule for this school year. Mr. Crowley advised the Board very few comments were received regarding the non-publishing of the bus schedules. On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the bus routes, as presented.
Mrs. Buzzell reminded the Board that when the newest members were elected, Mr. Harrington volunteered to temporarily serve as one of the SU representatives with Ms. Moore and herself. She said that Mr. Harrington had now requested to step down and asked for another volunteer to serve on the SU Board. Ms. Moore briefly advised the Board that the SU Board was facing some big issues in the upcoming year, including a Superintendent’s search, and evaluation of the SU structure and functions. Mr. Kirkland volunteered, stating his interest and based on his past experience. On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to accept Mr. Kirkland’s offer to serve as co-representative on the Supervisory Union Board. 5. Board Discussion Items
The Board discussed the committee structure and acknowledged that much of the work done at that level, which was then reported to, and approved by, the Board when appropriate. Mrs. Buzzell expressed her concern that the committees should act consistently with regard to the preparation of meeting notes. The Board discussed whether the notes should or should not be routinely posted to the Web site. Dr. Conley verified that a “committee of the Board” was considered a “public body”, pursuant to statute, and therefore required to warn their meetings and to have minutes of the meetings available for public inspection within 5-days of the meeting. The Board discussed the status of the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), and whether it was a “committee of the Board” and if it so, should there be a Board presence at their meetings. They also discussed whether the minutes of the meetings should be reported at Board meetings and posted to the Web. Dr. Conley advised the Board, if desired, the Board could designate the SHAC as a Principal’s or Administrative committee vs. the Board’s Committee, thereby eliminating the warning and minutes mandates defined in statute. The Board agreed to retain the SHAC as a Board Committee and it would be added to the monthly committee reporting on agendas. Ms. Moore and Mr. Kirkland agreed to coordinated coverage at meetings, with Ms. Moore agreeing to attend the next meeting on October 1, 2007, at 3:45 p.m. By consensus it was agreed, that all Committees of the Board, including the SHAC, would report activities to the Board at monthly meetings. Each Committee would keep notes of their activity and be responsible for posting the notes to the Web. It was further agreed that all meeting notes would, at a minimum, contain the following information:
6. Old Business
Mr. Crowley advised of the progress and will continue to report at the meeting next month. Future Items:
7. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets.
Dr. Conley advised the Board the school year began without any problems for all three schools, and he was looking for ward to a good year. He noted that he has visited each school a number of times, and would continue to have a presence in each building as frequently as time permits. He also advised that the central offices were moved back into the Ayers Street location and the staff was happily getting settled and to be at “home.”
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. Monthly Reports to the Board (2nd meeting of the month)
For current and upcoming events, information is available at www.btmes.org.
The next meeting would be September 13, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room.
None 10. Executive Session
At 7:12 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 personnel matters. Dr. Conley, Mr. Crowley and Dr. Riggen were invited into the executive session. At 7:52 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 11. 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:
12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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