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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, Steve Murray, Matt Safford BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, November 18, 2009, meeting to order at 6:03 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 Ms. Moore announced the Annual David Stefaniak Holiday Drive was underway with food, money, gifts or adopt-a-family donations being received. For more information interested community members were asked to contact the Drive coordinator, Kerri Lamb, or the school nurse. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Paterson, the Board voted to approve the warrants and Regular Board Meeting minutes of November 4, 2009, as submitted. 4. Old Business
Dr. Bacon advised the Board the final cost of a single-wave system and impact to contractual labor costs wouldn’t be known until bids were received and schedules calculated. He stated that the overall costs might be lower than discussed at the last meeting. He suggested the Board move forward with the bidding process for the four lease busses needed to round out the fleet. The Board agreeing this would also aid in the budget preparation that needs completion in January for the March election. Mr. Murray advised that if a single-wave system was initiated no changes to the bus routes were planned, other than typical minor adjustments and, most importantly the times for pick-ups and drop-offs. Mr. Crowley stated his opinion that if a single-wave system ultimately increased costs; it would not be worth it if the change was just to enable the entire K-8 staff to have the same schedule and to have access to each other. He noted the current system worked and that any benefits should out-weigh the cost. The Board agreed that in the event of a single-wave program, Mr. Crowley and Ms. Worth should explore offering the YMCA After School Program. Mrs. Buzzell explained that since the school had already completed the state licensing process that parents may be eligible for financial aid through the VT Child Development Division to help offset costs and that this might be an option for parents depending upon the final school schedule. The Board also agreed that Mr. Crowley and Mr. Worth should prepare recommendations for potential school-day schedule changes to best serve the students and educational requirements.
Dr. Bacon reported that per the architect at Black River Design if they began soon enough time was afforded to develop a plan for placement of an article on the Town Meeting ballot. He noted, however, that according to the DOE (school construction division) many architect firms are no longer providing free Phase I planning, but they may be willing to negotiate the Phase II fees to include the up-front fees as credits. Discussion ensued including; the potential total cost of an architect’s Phase 1 and 2 involvements and the need to solicit bids for those services, whether general contracting firms have expertise to provide both design and construction work under one contract, and how much preliminary information was available through the SHAC’s year-long assistance with this project. The Board agreed to authorize the Superintendent to proceed with a design/built RFP process by soliciting bids from at least six contractors or firms for both design and contraction under one contract, however, the firms must have specific experience in commercial kitchen design. The Board further agreed that moving forward as expeditiously and with as much transparently as possible was imperative, with the purpose to establish a reasonable estimate for an ultimate bond article on the March ballot.
Mr. Murray advised he had no new information to report as he was still waiting information on the new and/or used handicap bus purchase.
Mrs. Buzzell referenced Education Commissioner Vilaseca’s comments on school budget developments and stated that the BTMES Board had a long history of being fiscally responsible when developing a budget. She sighted that past negotiations already resulted in sharing health benefit costs, development of a class size policy that created a teacher-student ratio, use of fuel and electricity efficiencies, and economizing to provide the highest quality education at the lowest cost. She said this year’s strategy was to be particularly conscious of the economic strain on the community and to be innovative in the use of resources. Mr. Crowley provided a presentation outlining the “Budget Considerations and Principles” examined by the administration while developing the budget. He also reviewed a list of items that administrators’ were examining for increases and decreases to promote student success. The Board agreed to hold a special Finance Committee meeting on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. to receive and review the preliminary draft budget. 5. New Business
Mrs. Buzzell and Dr. Bacon advised the Board that some school districts have their own school treasurer, elected by the public during their annual Town Meetings; however if a district does not have a dedicated school treasurer position, statutorily the responsibility defaults to the Town Clerk’s Office. Dr. Bacon broadly outlined the duties, which he indicated could be one or two hours weekly. Mrs. Buzzell advised that Barre Town Clerk, Donna Kelty, mentioned to her the possibility of being relieved of the school treasurer duties. Dr. Bacon confirmed that due to schedule conflicts Mrs. Kelty did not attend Finance Committee meeting, and that the school district appropriated approximately $6,500 annually for the Town Clerk’s very part-time work involved. Mrs. Buzzell advised the information was being provided as an FYI; however, asked the Board to consider for discussion [at a later date] whether it was interested in endorsing and seeking a dedicated school treasurer position. 6. Administrative Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including notice of a recent recommendation by Winton Goodrich, of the VSBA, that school board members establish a separate e-mail account dedicated strictly for school business matters in the event a public records request was ever served. Dr. Bacon advised there were many reasons not to set up the accounts on the school’s server, however, if individual members wanted to set them up at home his office would provide support. Dr. Bacon advised Board members would be receiving read-only access to the ADS Financial Management system, with further information to follow. Dr. Bacon also informed the Board of assembly of a group of parents, educators, etc. to review and establish protocols, procedures, etc. for the “Parent Portal” of the Student Management System. He said further information would follow once the group concluded its work.
Mr. Crowley and Ms. Worth reviewed information regarding student and staff achievements, along with recent and upcoming events. For additional information on these and other events, visit www.btmes.org. Mr. Crowley reviewed the current class sizes vs. the Policy, and school enrollment as of 11/12/09, which had dropped by nine students to a total of 838. The Board requested that future grade 7 & 8 details provide include “under, at, and over” data vs. average class size. Ms. Worth provided an update on the success of the primary grade core subject class reduction plan initiated this year, and preliminary historical data regarding intervention programs and the sustained student benefits of them.
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) Mrs. Buzzell announced receipt of a letter of resignation from Helena O’Riordan. The Board wished her well in her new endeavors. Ms. Worth advised the Board after consideration and discussion it was determined it would be impossible to apply for the solar grant, based on the fact there was not sufficient time to meet the recommendations of the application. Mr. Crowley advised the Board that he and Ms. Worth would be developing a future meeting calendar to include recommendations for brief oral presentations from staff, of approximately 15-minutes each, based on school programs, initiatives, curriculum, etc, and other items of interest to the Board and community. 8. Future Agenda Items From meeting: Issue 9. Executive Session
At 8:20 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 a personnel matter and contract negotiations. Dr. Bacon was invited into the executive session. At 9:22 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. Paterson seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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