November 7, 2001

Meeting came to order at 7 pm.

ATTENDEES:

Vicky Congdon, Gail Conley, Fred Kenney, Lisa Wells, and Ann Whitman Guests: Laura Nassau, Sherry Gile, Mary Calder

GENERAL ITEMS:

1. Comments from community members: Fred passed along a comment regarding the use of half days for teacher conferences. Dr. Conley clarified the policy of half days as comp time for teachers who schedule conferences in the early morning and evening hours.

2. Fred moved to accept the previous meeting’s minutes as amended. Lisa seconded. All approved.

3. Principal’s report:

Enrollment has dropped to 72.

The New Reference Exam Scores for Math, Reading, and Writing from last spring were presented to the Board. Judy and the staff are very pleased with the test scores, particularly the Math Problem-Solving score.

Judy provided the Board with the ‘01-02 Action Plan to be approved at the December Board meeting.

Consultants from Vermont Reads Institute, the School Improvement Team, and the Department of Ed. held workshops and worked with individual staff members at Smilie in October.

4. Sherry Gile and Mary Calder reviewed the K-4 CESU Professional Development Program, including the Pathwise Mentoring pilot program, curriculum support for new teachers and peer coaching, and how these support services are currently in use at Smilie and in the district.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

5. Laura Nassau reviewed the second draft of the ’02-’03 school budget with the inclusion of various assessments and other changes made at the October meeting.

6. Lisa moved to adopt the following policies. Fred seconded. All approved.

A17 Hazing policy (new policy)

C7 Curriculum Development (new policy)

F4 Use of alcohol on school property (existing policy with wording change)

S13 Suspension (existing policy with wording change)

S18/S18A Weapons has gone back to the Policy committee for further discussion.

The following policy was warned:

A12 CESU Environmental Policy

9. Lisa moved to approve the Invoice Edit List from 11/7/01 in amount of $131,096.58; Fred seconded. All approved.

10. The Board briefly discussed the impact of extending the student day at Smilie, for the Long-Range Planning committee’s study of this issue. Lisa noted that Smilie already has one of the longest days in the district. Other questions and comments were generated, which Vicky will report back to the committee.

11. At 9:26 pm, Lisa moved that the Board enter into executive session, under the authority of Title 1 VSA, Chapter 5, Section 313 (3) to discuss personnel issues. Vicky seconded. All approved. At 9:40, Lisa moved that the executive session end; Vicky seconded. All approved.

There were no other items of business.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm.

The next meeting has been scheduled for 7 PM, December 5, 2001, at the Smilie School.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicky Congdon, Clerk

Unofficial until approved