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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: Yaan Zheng, Chinese teaching intern BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, October 21, 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 The Board extended its congratulations to Glenda Allen, honoree at today’s 29th UVM Vermont Outstanding Teachers’ Recognition Day. The Board also expressed its pride and appreciation for her service. The Board welcomed Jay Paterson, the appointee selected to fill a vacancy until the March 2010 election. Mrs. Buzzell announced the Central Vermont Community Land Trust would host its 3rd annual free Gingerbread House Contest, on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Montpelier City Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All are welcomed to attend. Mrs. Buzzell also announced a Mysterious Fall Morning would be sponsored by the Central Vermont Building Bright Futures and Barre Area Head Start teams at the Aldrich Public Library on Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. She said a snack and free book would be shared with each child at the free fun family event. The Board congratulated Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland on the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on October 14th. And the Board also congratulated former Board member Chris Bond and his wife Heather on the birth of their son, Oliver, on October 20th. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board voted to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes of October 7, 2009, as submitted. 4. Old Business 9-2-09: Follow-up on food service
bid/SU wide contract. Mr. Kirkland announced that the specs for the new bus were prepared and would be released for bids shortly by the Superintendent. Mrs. Buzzell reminded the Board there was not expected cost for the bus purchases, which would be funded through a federal grant and transportation maintenance contract savings. 9-2-09 & 9-16-09: Follow-up on AYP
corrective action plan/progress. Ms. Moore announced the school snack program was launched with much success and impressive participation. She said several volunteers have stepped forward and a coordinator is in place. On another note she added that the free and reduced lunch population had increased this year from 18% to 23%, indicating further the need for healthy food programs in the school. 10-7-09: Library donation follow-up. 5. New Business
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board unanimously voted to elect Mr. Paterson to serve as one of the Barre Town Representatives on the SU Board.
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to elect Mr. Tewksbury to serve as Board Clerk. Mrs. Buzzell agreed to continue serving as the Finance Committee Chairperson, however, asked Mr. Paterson to join her as the second Board member delegate. She also invited Mr. Paterson to attend at least one meeting of each of the other standing Committee’s to better familiarize himself with the committee process used by the Board, and issues being discussed. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Mr. Crowley and Ms. Worth reviewed current and upcoming events. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.btmes.org. Ms. Worth advised the Board a DOE grant opportunity, across all curriculums, to support technology integration became available, to which the PE staff took initiative to apply for; however, the application came with a very short turn-around period of about one-month. She said the PE staff was prepared to
submit a grant application for $10K with the intent of purchasing a
“dance/dance” type program for grades 2-8, including platforms,
pedometers, software, etc., which after appropriate teaching/training of
students would become one of the many activity station for the PE
program. The Board agreed future grant applications of this nature should be filtered internally to evaluate whether there are competing interests, and that potential awards are used most efficiently for students. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to support the PE Department’s grant application, as discussed. Ms. Worth also announced the free H1N1 vaccination clinics would be held November 5th and December 3rd. She said the Department of Health has requested and are encouraging parents not to come to school to accompany their children to the clinics that several adults would be available to supervise the event.
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including that delivery of the H1N1 vaccine may be delayed, however, clinics would be rescheduled for the approximately 47% of the student population that signed up for the free vaccination.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board the first draft of the FY 2011 budget was expected to be delivered to the Board for the November 18, 2009 meeting. He asked Board members to think about items, program enhancements, new programs, etc. should also be considered when building the first draft. The Board discussed items, including: aligning priorities with spending, thematic budget organization, and a Washington County Mental Health services and spending evaluation, and alternative proposals. Mrs. Buzzell asked Board member to contact the Superintendent or Administrators with other ideas, or to be prepared to discuss them at the November 2nd meeting. However, she noted, the Board and Administration should remember “shock & awe” would not be abided, or an unrealistic wish list, especially during these tough economic times as reflected by the increase in free and reduced lunch numbers just announced. She said that type of budget is not consistent with the Board’s fiduciary history, or what voters should be asked to deal with. C. Curriculum Director None D. 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.
7. Other Business (If Needed) A. Warrants On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Tewksbury, the Board voted to approve the warrants, as submitted. 8. Future Agenda Items
9. Executive Session
At 7:59 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss contract negotiations and a personnel matter. Dr. Bacon was invited into the executive session. At 8:44 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 10. 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:
11. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Tewksbury seconded by
Mr. Paterson, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.
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