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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 Technician, Cathy Hilgendorf, Kerri Lamb BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, December 5, 2007, 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
Mr. Harrington advised that meeting agendas would now also be posted to the BTMES Web site. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants and November 7, 2007, regular meetings minutes, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
Mr. Harrington advised the Board that Mr. Bond requested postponing action on this item to provide the Policy Committee an opportunity to examine a newly released model policy. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action on the Second and Final Reading of Student Publications Policy (JICE), until the second monthly meeting in January.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Inventories Policy (DID), as submitted.
Dr. Riggen explained that an academic passion of a former BTMES Special Education teacher, Linda Redmond, was reading. He said, upon her death a certificate of deposit was established, bequeathed for the purpose of supporting a book center at the school, and in order to add Laurie Gossens’ name to the CD at the Northfield Savings Bank, the Board needed to take formal action. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to approve the corporate resolution to add Laurie Gossens’ name to the certificate of deposit at the bank.
The Board discussed the prudence in continuing participation in the consortium and how the annual payment fit within the FY ’09 budgeting process. Dr. Riggen advised that Mrs. Gossens would have better historical information regarding the venture, and participation in the 3-year commitment. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action regarding approval of the $6K payment for the 2007-08 Annual Agreement for participation in the East Central Vermont Literacy Consortium for Reading Recovery, pending further information at the first monthly meeting in January. 5. Board Discussion Items
Mr. Harrington discussed the first draft introduction of the FY ’09 budget, which contained a proposed increase of approximately 14.7%. He said the Finance Committee instructed the Business Manager to trim the budget to at least an 8.6% starting point for the Board to work with. Mr. Harrington invited and encouraged community feed-back and input at the next Finance Committee meeting to be held on December 13, 2007, at 8:00 a.m. in the BTMES 2nd floor conference room. Mrs. Buzzell explained the need for a math program selection and FY ’09 implementation based on the manufacturer’s discontinuation of the current “everyday math” program.
Mr. Kirkland discussed items proposed within the SU budget, which included an anticipated increase of approximately 24%, and also stated his intention not to support any of the items requested, with the exception of the substitute office personnel line item. The Board discussed several of the proposals to which Mr. Harrington expressed his support, and encouraged the SU Representatives support, for the Business Office reorganization plan and K-12 Curriculum Coordinator position, provided Spaulding also supported the item. Mr. Harrington expressed his concern that even before seeing any school budget increase requests, Barre Town taxpayers could expect a .9˘ CLA tax increase, which was completely out of the Board’s control. Ms. Moore advised the Board the next SU meeting would be December 13, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office. Mrs. Buzzell, newly elected Superintendent Search Committee Chairperson, advised that a consultant, Bernie Fitzgerald, was contracted to assist in the search process and that people selected to serve on the 27-member community search committee would be notified by the end of the week. She said a full search committee meeting was scheduled for December 18, 2007.
Mr. Harrington read the BTMES Class Size Policy (IIB), and noted that the policy was found to be the only class size policy in effect throughout Vermont. He explained that the FY ’09 budget included a net increase of two teachers, based on the policy. The Board discussed and acknowledged that approval of the budget would define a number of teachers that would be assigned by the administration in the spring, based on more current and accurate enrollment numbers. 6. Old Business
Mr. Crowley briefed the Board on the status of the K-6 YMCA after school program, scheduled to be held daily from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning 1/7/08.
Mrs. Hilgendorf explained that state statute mandated a law and the State Board of Education was in the process of adopting a Rule regarding the idling of school busses on school property. The Board would be required to adhere to the no idling requirement. However, she further explained the model policy to be distributed by the Department of Education by January would be a voluntary policy designed to restrict ALL other vehicles from idling on school property. C. Abbey Group contract follow-up re: Wellness Policy and fees changes for FY ’08 Dr. Riggen confirmed the vendor was very successfully adhering to the Wellness Policy guidelines and there would be no change in meal prices. The Board acknowledged, however, changes to the Policy, i.e. milk product selection or use of VT grown produce, etc. could/would impact prices, and that the Board would discuss any future changes prior to implementation. Future Items:
7. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets.
Dr. Conley listed his current activities, which included budget preparations, staffing matters, committee support, and Superintendent Search activity.
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 provided an oral report. For current and upcoming events, information is available at www.btmes.org.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room. 9. Other Business Mrs. Lamb announced the kick off of the annual David Stefaniak holiday drive. For more information interested community members may call Mrs. Lamb or the school nurse’s office. 10. Executive Session None 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:
12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Donna Holden
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