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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, Steve Murray, Russell Barrett - State Forester BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order
2. Visitors and Communications
Mr. Harrington asked for a moment of silence to reflect on the lives of the children and other victims of recent school violence throughout the country. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of September 20, 2006, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items None 5. Board Discussion Items
Dr. Fagan advised the Board SU administrators were continuing with the search for temporary housing on a month-to-month basis, flood damage mitigation at the former office location would continue, and an ad seeking contractor estimates for repairs had been posted. Dr. Fagan also said the State’s workplace air quality testing report was expected next week along with other insurance details. She said these and other related matters would be discussed at the next scheduled SU Board meeting on October 12, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., which is held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library.
The Board reviewed and briefly discussed the proposed budget development schedule, which Dr. Fagan explained was modeled after prior years’ calendar. Mr. Harrington noted that several other Finance/Budget Committee meetings would also be held in addition to those listed on the schedule. He encouraged and invited the public to attend and participate in the budget preparation process.
Dr. Fagan reported that she met with the Town Officials regarding concerns over the use of alcohol on school property, i.e. recreational fields and pavilion area. She said in the absence of an ordinance, the police are not required to enforce school policy, however, the proposal and adoption of an ordinance was still an option the Town would pursue, if requested. She said a proposed solution was to either lease or deed the pavilion area to the Town, and post the remaining recreational area with “no alcohol on school property” signs, thereby restricting alcohol use to Town controlled or owned property. Dr. Fagan will keep the Board apprised of her findings after concluding her consultation with the school’s attorney to determine the best way to proceed with the lease vs. deed proposal. She said the transfer of the pavilion property would not negate the option to also pursue and ordinance if the Board was so inclined. Mr. Harrington confirmed that vehicular traffic in the parking lot area or driveway to the recreation and pavilion area are governed by the laws of the road. He said the police can pursue traffic violations in those areas with the same authority as vehicles on the open road. 6. Old Business
7. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets.
Dr. Fagan added to her report a “thank you” to all of the schools for their welcoming and cooperative nature in response to the SU staff’s unexpected intrusion and relocation. She also highly praised the SU staff for their professionalism and resilience in dealing with the recent work disruptions.
Mr. Crowley provided information on current and upcoming events, which may also be viewed on the school Web site at 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. Bi-Monthly Reports to the Board (2nd meeting of the month)
9. Other Business
Mr. Harrington provided the Principals with an Online Safety Kit, Sex Offender Registry and Amber Alert pamphlets. He also proposed the Board consider facilitating a “Safe Child Expo” at BTMES for children and families in the entire area, including other schools and communities within and outside of the district. He said administrators, parents, agencies, bus driver, community partners, etc. could be invited and/or encouraged to participate, with booths, guest speakers, demonstrations, etc. Discussion ensued including suggestions such as the use of two-way radios by authorized personnel within the building, video surveillance, ongoing and new crisis response training, pending State building safety inspections, and the use/availability of federal grants for equipment and training. Ms. Moore discussed the need to identify what the outside influences are that may not be within the school’s control vs. issues that could be such as child-on-child violence, which the school and parents could proactively be addressing, thereby potentially avoiding having to react to violence. Mr. Crowley advised the Board the School Safety Committee would be meeting next week. Upon the Superintendent’s suggestion the Board agreed to wait for a report from Mr. Crowley before deciding how to proceed with a Safe Child Expo/Series. B. Logging Project Report Russ Barrett appeared before the Board to provide a project report. He advised that 670 trees were identified and marked with an estimated value of $5-$7K. He noted the volume was less than expected once preservation of the bike path, wet lands, and buffers were taken into account. He described the common methods of contracting for removal, which included lump sum bidding and percentage of sawmill. He said the state would administer the contract and compliance via a standard state contract process. The Board agreed that a sample contract and details would be forwarded to the Superintendent, who in turn would share with the Business Manager for review and contract bidding compliance, and Town Officials as a courtesy. The Board agreed by consensus to take action on this matter at the November 1st meeting. 10. Executive Session
At 7:40 p.m. motion by Mrs. Lamb seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 §313, to discuss contractual and personnel matters. Dr. Fagan, Dr. Riggen and Mr. Crowley were invited into executive session. At 8:55 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: October 18, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded
by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.
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