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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: ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision
Technician, Allison Moyes, Whitney Dall, Terry Salvador, Venus Allen,
Revell Allen, Steve Murray 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, in the Library at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School, 70 Websterville Road, Barre Town, VT. A flag salute followed. 2. Visitors and Communications
Mr. Kirkland provided a Website address of www.thestatus.com, with the password glamour-spray, for interested community members who wish to track the progress of Derek Felix, a Spaulding High School football player tragically injured during a recent game. Mr. Harrington also encouraged community members to visit the school’s Website at www.BTMES.org. Mrs. Buzzell invited area children and parents to the Aldrich Public Library on October 22, 2005, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., for a free locally sponsored event titled Spiders, lead by the the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food items for the food shelf. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Gagne, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants and minutes of October 5, 2005, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items - None. 5. Board Discussion Items
Allison Moyes addressed the Board seeking reconsideration of a policy not to transport preschool students. She said her child attended a local day-care where a Barre Town bus that is not filled stops. She requested permission for her pre-school child to ride to school on that bus. Mr. Harrington explained the Board was unable to permit her child transportation when it was not available to all preschool children. Further discussed was the school’s intention to provide a section of the parking lot dedicated to reserved parking for preschool families, permitting a drop-off and pick-up area nearer to the building. Mrs. Gossens agreed to also discuss with staff the possibility of arranging for pre-school student supervision in the lobby during designated periods of time in the morning and at dismissal, to minimize the time parents need to spend away from work at drop-off and pick-up times.
Mr. Harrington advised the Board a letter from the Barre Education Association (BEA) was received requesting a meeting to open negotiations with the Barre Town teachers. Mr. Harrington will contact appropriate representatives to set up meeting dates, and advise the Board.
Mrs. Gossens advised the Board 95 kindergarten students were enrolled in the voluntary full-day program, with only one student leaving early twice weekly, and a second student who leaves early once per week. She said there were four classes of 14 students per class, and three classes of 13 students per class. Mrs. Gossens was also pleased to advise the Board early testing conducted in letter identification produced very successful results of 88% of students meeting or exceeding the standards. She said parents of all 95 students signed up for parent/teacher conferences, and that all non-instructional time i.e. lunch; recess, etc. were coordinated and running smoothly. Mrs. Gossens also reported the State Department of Education School Readiness survey was due November 7th, which would be completed by kindergarten teachers. Mrs. Buzzell shared that the Curriculum Committee toured the classrooms and were very pleased and impressed with the program’s implementation. Mrs. Gossens agreed noting the progress and depth in which the curriculum is implemented was evident, and of greater benefit to the children.
Dr. Moccia provided a PowerPoint presentation of the 2005 Development Reading Assessment (DRA) results. He explained the test was given to only second graders in May of each year and scored oral reading, and story retellings for comprehension. He said the final score is based on the highest range for which the student reads with both skills. Dr. Moccia attributed the dramatic success rate to the community’s many literacy programs, as well as the school’s successful support programs. Dr. Moccia reported of the 113 students tested in 2005, 92% of students met or exceeded the standard, which represented an improvement over 2004 rate of 88%, and 2003 and 2002 with 82% each. Dr. Moccia and the Board also discussed the 24 children tested who are in the free and reduced lunch demographic, and their dramatic success rate of 96% meeting or exceeding the standard. The Board reviewed the number of students who participated in the Reading Recovery Program, and Mrs. Gossens was asked to provide, at a later date, the breakdown of the 24 children in the program between free and reduced lunch students and others demographics.
Mr. Crowley informed the Board that the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act required annual testing in math and writing, therefore, BTMES administered the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) test to grade 3-8 students, which were completed in two weeks of the three-week window. He said a zero absentee rate during some days of the testing indicated the parent’s support and student recognition for the importance of the tests. He will provide results at a later date.
Mr. Kirkland provided a report on the current BTMES transportation program. He noted the system provided 41 bus runs, 663 bus stops, and student transportation 598 miles per day. He said after a two-week evaluation it was his opinion the program was a very efficient and cost effective system serving a student population of 914, of which an average 710 students ride daily. Mr. Kirkland also discussed the two current bus driver vacancies and the stress the vacancies apply to the system. Ms. Anderson pointed out, based on statistics provided in the report, that compared to the Barre City transportation budget Barre Town provided approximately 45% more transportation at only a 30% increase in total cost, thereby endorsing the efficiency of the program. Mr. Harrington explained the study was part of the Board’s commitment to conduct a comprehensive budget evaluation and justification for the dollars spent in several areas and programs. He thanked Mr. Kirkland, Mr. Gagne, Mr. Murray, Ms. Salvador, and Dr. Riggen for their contributions and successful completion of the project. 6. Old Business
Upon discussion it was agreed that each Committee Chairperson would be responsible for reviewing minutes as timely as possible, distributing to other Committee members, and sending to the Web Master for posting. Pending Items: 7. Regular Reports to the Board The Board was provided written reports in their packets.
Dorothy Anderson briefly discussed budget preparation activities and the process of preparing and reviewing all categories, programs, and services while meeting school quality standards. Ms. Anderson informed the Board Dr. Riggen’s absence this evening was to attend a ceremony honoring his wife, Pat, as Calais Teacher of the Year. Also reported was notice of submittal of a fact-finding report, and the November 17, 2005 meeting scheduled to resume para educator contract negotiations.
Tim Crowley reviewed current and upcoming events, many of which can be comprehensively 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)
Dr. Moccia had nothing to add to his report.
Mrs. Gossens informed the Board projected FY’07 Special Education costs were submitted to the State, and the Unified Sports bowling program would begin next week.
The Board reviewed the written report provided. Mr. Harrington announced a Tri-Board meeting would be held on November 10, 2005, hosted by BCEMS. Mr. Harrington appointed Mr. Gagne to the Superintendent’s Search Committee to serve as the second BTMES representative along with Mr. Kirkland. 9. Other Business - None 10. Executive Session
At 9:25 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Gagne seconded by Mrs. Lamb, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 §313, to discuss personnel matters. Ms. Anderson was invited into the session. At 9:12 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 11. Next Meeting Dates Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The next Barre Town School Board meeting dates are: November 2, 2005 – 6:30 p.m. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded
by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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