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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: none ADMINISTRATORS: Guests: Video Vision Technician, Diane Stacey - SU Network Administrator BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, December 19, 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
None 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants and December 5, 2007, regular meetings minutes, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
Mr. Bond advised the Board that based on statutory requirements and Town Charter language, the policy was redundant and unnecessary. On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of Organization of the School Board Policy (BD) for Removal, as submitted.
Mr. Bond advised the Board the Business Manager had reviewed all fiscal policies. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond , the Board unanimously voted to postpone action on the First Reading of Purchasing Authority Policy (DJA), until the first meeting in February, 2008.
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of Vendor Relations Policy (DJG), as submitted, and the First Reading of Audits/Financial Monitoring Policy (DIE), as amended.
Mrs. Gossens explained that three teachers were currently involved in the Reading Recovery program, two of which were only in their second year, and were meeting monthly with the consortium for ongoing training and support. She said for many reasons, primarily budgetary concerns, other schools and districts have withdrawn from the consortium, and the Board also had that prerogative for the next fiscal year. Mrs. Gossens also reminded the Board the fee for participation was paid by Medicaid funds. Considerable discussion ensued. The Board discussed its very long involvement in the reading Recovery program, and the prudence in continued participation. Mr. Harrington asked Mrs. Gossens to research whether there were other reading program models being used by the schools withdrawn from the consortium. The Board also discussed striking the reference to a three-year commitment from the contract language. On a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2007-08 Annual Agreement for participation in the East Central Vermont Literacy Consortium for Reading Recovery, and to strike the reference to a three-year commitment from the second paragraph of the contract. Dr. Conley will send a letter advising of the Board’s contemplation of an FY ’09 withdrawal from the consortium. 5. Board Discussion Items
Mr. Harrington advised that the Business Manager and Administration did, as requested, met the Finance Committee’s request to bring the budget down from the initial 14+% to a number nearer 8%. However, have now been asked to continue work on the budget and to bring the Finance Committee a budget with increases only to fixed operational (electricity, fuel, busses, etc) and negotiated (salaries and benefits) line items, and nothing else. He said that even though the Department of Taxes’ letter advising of a lower CLA was good news, the anticipated increases for the school budgets needed continued scrutiny. Mr. Harrington said the Finance Committee would meet several times over the next month. Community members were encouraged to attend meetings or send feedback to the Committee through their Board members, Administrators, or Superintendent. The Board agreed to the following budget presentation schedule: Finance Committee meeting December 20, 2008 at 8:00 a.m., a preliminary budget presented and discussed at the January 2, 2008 Board meeting, Finance Committee meeting January 3, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. and January 10, 2008 at 8:00 a.m., and final budget presentation to the voters and Board approval at the January 16, 2008 meeting.
Ms. Moore advised the Board action on the SU budget was postponed until January 10, 2008, in an effort to provide the other Board’s time to review and discuss the major organizational items of K-12 Curriculum Director and Assistant Business Manager positions.
Mr. Kirkland advised the Board of plans for development of a design to enhance the school’s security, which would include security cameras, a buzzer system for the single point of access entry, etc. He asked the Board to consider authorizing the expense as part of the $50K maintenance budget. By consensus, the Board authorized Mr. Kirkland to proceed with the plan, to work with the Superintendent and Business Manager to develop an RFP, etc. and report back to the Board. 6. Old Business
Diane Stacey appeared before the Board to discuss the proposal and recommended approval of the contract. Upon discussion, the Board agreed to act on the recommendation at the January 2, 2008, meeting.
See 1/16/08 for further details.
Based on information provided at the December 5, 2007 meeting, the Board agreed to remove this item from further discussion.
N/A. See 12/5/07 minutes. 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)
Dr. Riggen provided an oral report. For current and upcoming events, information is available at www.btmes.org.
Dr. Moccia reviewed his 12/13/07 report.
Mrs. Gossens announced the developmental pre-school screening was scheduled for January 22-24, 2008, and advised that interested parents to call the school for an appointment. Dr. Sperry distributed a district-wide disability report showing that a total of 364 students were being served in a variety areas, of which nearly 1/3 or 124 were BTMES, 144 Barre City, and 96 SHS students. She agreed to provide further information at a later date.
Mr. Walz reviewed his 12/19/07 report.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room. 9. Other Business None 10. Executive Session
At 8:05 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel matter. Dr. Conley was invited into the executive session. At 10:29 p.m. the Board moved out of executive session. 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: January 2, 2008 – 6:00 p.m. 12. Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded
by Mrs. Buzzell, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.
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