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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: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 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
Ms. Moore thanked the Times Argus for the article in the Sunday, November 16th edition, that described the students’ activities in growing food at the school and all the steps they learn about including planting, gardening, harvesting, tasting, and food preparation to composting, for the cycle to begin again. Mr. and Mrs. Sicard appeared before the Board to request that a bus stop be added to the bus route that would serve their nearby home, which is also a newly registered childcare center. Mr. Crowley advised the Board he was working on the situation with mock runs planned to be test, evaluate, and ensure the safety of the bus stop location. The Board agreed, and Mr. Harrington assured Mr. & Mrs. Sicard that a stop would be arranged, as timely as possible. Mr. Harrington also promised Mrs. Williams that her Allen Street bus stop situation would also be reviewed. On behalf of Kerri Lamb, Ms. Moore reminded community members of the annual David Stefaniak Holiday Gift Drive. She said parents that would like to register their child should contact the school nurse, and interested community members who would like to donate cash or items for the drive should call Mrs. Lamb at 479-6953. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board voted to approve the warrants, and minutes of November 5, 2008, as submitted. Mr. Bond noted that he voted his approval, however, abstained only with respect to a $5.82 warrant line item that was associated to a payment to Bond Auto. 4. Board Action Items
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Kirkland, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Readings of Record of Access to Student Education Records Policy (JRA-EI) for removal, and Parent Permission for the Release of Personal Identifiable Information Policy (JRA-E) for removal, and the Second and Final Reading of Admission of Non-Resident Students Policy (JECB), as discussed. 5. Board Discussion Items
Mr. Harrington reviewed a list of spending cuts and additions included in the draft FY ’10 budget of $10,137,972, which represented an overall 5% increase. He noted that while the regular education budget of $7,742,091 was up only 3.3%, the special education budget of $2,395,881 represented a 10.9% increase. He said Mrs. Pritchard would continue to evaluate options to reduce the special education increase, including use and benefits of current contracted services, and what new or other state and/or federal funds might be available to offset expenses. Mr. Harrington encouraged community input, and advised that the Board would continue with its commitment to examine any potential savings, i.e. the single-wave bus route proposal, which would be further reviewed and discussed at the December 3, 2008, meeting. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board
Dr. Bacon provided a brief oral report, which included: notice of identification of three home-schooled Barre Town children, depending on feasibility for a single-wave bus route potential savings of up to $80K in man hours and $25K in fuel and maintenance costs, upcoming staff development, and administrative meetings. Mr. Harrington advised the Board as previously discussed he attended a recent Barre Town Council Meeting to discuss current-year changes in municipal services budgeted and previously provided to the school. He said based on the Council’s projected savings, including an unexpected vacancy and other expenses, it was possible that the savings to the Town budget would be greater than the expense to the school, therefore, the school would have to assume the responsibility and expense of plowing their own parking lots. Mr. Kirkland advised the Board bids for the plowing contract were expected within a day. The Board agreed the Finance Committee would also focus on the FY ’10 $352,725 expense budged to pay the Town for contracted services, and to explore options for savings.
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)
Mr. Crowley had nothing to add to his written report.
None 9. Other Business None 10. Executive Session
At 7:25 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss contract negotiations. Dr. Bacon, Dr. Riggen, Mr. Crowley, Mrs. Prichard, and Mr. Olsen were invited into the executive session. At 8:30 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 11. 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: December 3, 2008 – 6:00 p.m. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:31p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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