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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, Kerri Lamb BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Vice-Chairperson, Brenda Buzzell, called the Wednesday, March 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
Mrs. Buzzell shared that 107 children under age six, and 78 adults, plus the Success by Six team were present for the Gym Night hosted at the BTMES. She thanked Mrs. Barnard and staff for their support. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants and minutes of March 5, 2008, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by
Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted, with regret and best wishes, to
accept the retirement resignation effective June 30, 2008, from Sheila
Cort-Desrochers. Dr. Riggen reviewed the SHAC request and explained the maximum $3500 grant, from the State Department of Education Child Nutrition Division, required at least a 50% match from the school and was being requested for a number of food service equipment items. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the request and authorize the SHAC to submit the grant application, as presented. Mrs. Gossens advised the Board that the cost of labor to install the equipment and shelving could be valued and count toward the 50% match, and that the expected $1700 does not have to all be in funds. C. Amend End of Year Calendar Mrs. Buzzell noted that to date in addition to six full days, 10 hours of instructional time due to delayed starts had been lost during the current school year. Dr. Moccia recommended making up three days by moving the last student day to June 18th and use 6/19, 20 and 23rd for in-service training days. Dr. Conley disagreed and said he felt as a policy that all student education days should be made up. Discussion ensued and included, but was not limited to: the merits of having students return to school for one day of instruction if on a Monday, the potential for additional school cancellations to happen during the Spring, the need for adequate training for the new math program, family summer travel already planned, that future school calendars would include at least five snow days, etc. By consensus the Board agreed, given this school year’s circumstances, the last day of school would be a full day. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to amend the 2007-08 school calendar to add student make-up days with the exception of the last two of the total FY ’08 days cancelled, which are to serve as mandatory teacher in-service staff development training days. Dr. Riggen advised that the Principals would set the 8th grade graduation date after a meeting with 7th and 8th grade parents on March 26, 2008.
Dr. Conley distributed a list of the 78 current positions and FTEs for the FY ’09 year. He explained the Board was required to affirmatively act on the renewal of contracts by April of each year or the contracts would automatically renew. The Board discussed pre-school funding, whether approval of the contracts guaranteed the FTEs assigned on the list, and acknowledged that the Finance Committee had not yet met but would have much to discuss and contribute. At 7:30 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Bond seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss personnel matters. Dr. Conley, Mrs. Gossens, and Dr. Riggen were invited into the executive session. At 7:40 p.m. the Board exited executive session. On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve the list, minus one FTE. 5. Board Discussion Items
Dr. Moccia advised the Board that after sufficient scrutiny, and staff input, the BTMES would be using the Bridges Mathematics program, which was the same math program used by the Barre City Elementary and Middle School. The Board acknowledged that use of identical programs created a desirable continuity in the district, and provided students a better transition into the high school. The Board discussed the need to adjust the K-5 student schedule to provide the recommended 1 hour 15 minutes per day math classes, which would maximize the full use of the program. Dr. Riggen assured the Board the requirement could be met, however, it could mean moving other courses such as science or history to a two or three days per week schedule. The Board acknowledged the length of the school day could also have to be adjusted. Ms. Moore suggested the Student Success Committee conduct a rigorous evaluation of the school day to ensure that every minute of student instruction time was being used efficiently and effectively. Dr. Conley advised the Board that both the BCEMS and SHS/BTC Campus Boards were looking at schedules and that changes could end up being a unified message to the community about the district’s support for maximum education. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets. A. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Conley advised the Board that the Superintendent’s transition was in process with Dr. Bacon recently spending a full day in the district, and that he also attended a district Administrators meeting. B. 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.
8. Monthly Reports to the Board (2nd meeting of the month)
Dr. Riggen provided updates on current and upcoming events. More information is available at www.btmes.org.
Dr. Moccia reviewed his March 13, 2008 report.
Dr. Sperry and Mrs. Gossens proved an oral report.
Mr. Walz reviewed his March 19, 2008 report.
Ms. Moore advised that the next monthly meeting was scheduled for March 20, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., to be held at the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room. 9. Other Business None 10. 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: April 2, 2008 – 6:00 p.m. 11. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by
Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.
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