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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 BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden 1. Call to Order The Chairperson, David Harrington, called the Wednesday, April 2, 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
Mr. Harrington shared information regarding a series of e-mail questions received by Board members. The topics of concern included: 1) Potential class size for the 2008-09 year, particularly in the 5th grade. Mr. Harrington assured the community that along with the Administration the Board would continue to monitor class sizes against the policy, and that currently an additional 5th grade teacher would be assigned and planned for the 2008-09 year. He said every effort would be made to keep classes at or below the “ideal size” outlined in the policy. 2.) Communications and bullying. The Board agreed to discuss specific details of recent correspondence send by school personnel in executive session, however, stated that the school supported and maintained a zero tolerance for bullying, and 3.) Special education budget, percentage of increase, and whether success was measurable when serving the special needs student population. Mr. Harrington asked Mrs. Gossens to provide him with further financial details in order to better respond. However, along with other Board members Mr. Harrington advised that it was the Board’s intent that all Barre Town students be served to the best of the school’s ability, based on a legal responsibility, and as importantly based on a moral responsibility. 3. Consent Agenda
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve the warrants, minutes of March 19, 2008, and March 27, 2008, as submitted. 4. Board Action Items
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to approve a full-time pre-school teaching contract for Beth Campo. B. Salary for Recording of Board Meeting Minutes. Dr. Conley advised the Board that at their last meeting the SU Board voted, after five years of service with no salary increases, to increase the Recording Secretary’s salary by an additional $15.00 per meeting. On a motion by Mr. Kirkland seconded by Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to approve an increase to the Recording Secretary’s salary by an additional $30.00 per meeting. Mrs. Holden expressed her appreciation.
On a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action on the First Reading of Tobacco Prohibition Policy (GBK), until the May 7, 2008, meeting, approve the First Reading of Limited English Proficiency Students Policy (IGBFB), as presented, and approve the First Reading of Extended School Year Policy (IHBA) for removal, Notice of Extended School Year Decision Policy (IHBA-E) for removal, and Extended School Year Policy (IHBA-R) for removal, as presented. 5. Board Discussion Items Mr. Harrington advised the Board that he also received an inquiry regarding the number of days students are required to attend school. Dr. Riggen explained that the State’s Department of Education mandates a minimum of 175 student days per year, however, Barre Town voters have committed to providing more than the minimum by supporting, through budget approval, teaching and operational expenses for a 180-student day school calendar. He further explained, due to circumstances and the cancellation of six instructional days to date the Board voted to extend the school calendar to make-up four of the student instructional days and use the other two days to provide additional in-service teacher training days. Therefore, Dr. Riggen advised the last day of school (a full day) would be Thursday, June 19, 2008, with the outdoor 8th grade graduation scheduled for the evening of June 19th commencing at 6:30 p.m. 6. Old Business None 7. Regular Reports to the Board Written reports are typically provided in Board packets.
Dr. Conley recommended the Board consider participation at a Tri-Board meeting in October to review the receipt of grant funds, the components, and administration of the funds. He said in addition to being a timely topic for budget building, all of the Board’s should be focused and informed on the process of how the grants are developed in the Spring of each year, what type of items may be charged to a grant, and the best use for grant funds.
Dr. Conley suggested development of a schedule for annual agenda items, i.e. January = budgets and warnings, March = teacher contracts, etc.
Dr. Conley suggested in addition to the annual agenda items, the Central Office would maintain a list attached to the agenda, which would outline items the Board still wanted to discuss and required follow-up.
Dr. Conley suggested the Board and Administration develop a list including dates when the Board could expect progress reports on the status of program and staff evaluations. He gave an example of conducting an evaluation of the 13-year old Reading Recovery Program’s success, which could include evaluating students at the high school that were served by the program, etc. Other evaluations, including staff and faculty, and could include more frequent “walk through” type assessments.
Dr. Conley shared a sample of the new format developed for teacher contracts. 6. Central Office Vacancy Dr. Conley advised the Board the Business Manager, Wayne Shepard, submitted his resignation today to be effective June 30, 2008. Mr. Harrington thanked Dr. Conley for his report and indicated the Board would include discussion of the “annual board agenda” and “evaluation cycle” suggestions at their annual retreat.
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)
Information is available at www.btmes.org.
The next monthly meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the Supervisory Union Central Office Conference Room. 9. Other Business None 10. Executive Session
At 7:45 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Buzzell seconded by Ms. Moore, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss a student matter. Dr. Conley, Dr. Riggen, Mr. Crowley, and Mrs. Gossens were invited into the executive session. At 8:55 p.m. the Board exited 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:
12. Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Moore seconded by
Mr. Bond, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:57 p.m.
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