December 5, 2001

Meeting came to order at 7 pm.

ATTENDEES:

Vicky Congdon, Gail Conley, Judy Gendron, Fred Kenney, Lisa Wells, and Ann Whitman

Guests: Laura Nassau

GENERAL ITEMS:

1. Lisa reported on the public hearing she attended in November held by the Chittenden County state senators to discuss the $35 million shortfall in the state budget and to gather input from the public regarding possible funding cuts.

2. Vicky reported that Phil Graff has expressed an interest in the open School Director position. Vicky will follow up with Phil and encourage him to attend the next meeting.

3. Fred moved to accept the previous meeting’s minutes as written. Vicky seconded. All approved.

4. The school report for the Town Report is due at the Town Office on 1/10/02.

5. Principal’s report:

Enrollment has increased to 74.

Paula Gile has resigned, effective 1/11/02.

Smilie is purchasing new computers with a Title IV grant. The teachers are ready to use the computers for research, curriculum resources, communication and student learning. Judy is recommending a multi-use line so each classroom can be online at any time during the day. The cost of a DSL line is about $95 per month more than Smilie currently pays for one line. There are currently adequate funds in the Community Club technology fund to cover the additional expense until June 2003. The alternative is to remain with one line and schedule each teacher for 30 minutes a day.

Bolton Valley is currently unwilling to extend the after-school ski program free of charge to all Smilie students as it has in years past. Lisa will discuss this decision with them.

6. Tom O’Brien gave an update on the repair of the roof on the west side of the building due to damage caused by the snow guards that tore loose. It is unclear whether the guards malfunctioned or they were improperly installed. A temporary repair has been made; the cost to Smilie for the permanent repair will be the $1,000 insurance deductible. Tom suggested the Board consider the following strategies:

taking the manufacturer to small claims court

approaching A.C. Hawthorne (the installer) to see if the cost of the repair is negotiable

redesigning that portion of the roof to deflect the snow from the entrance. He offered to design this at his expense but advised the Board that this would be an expensive alteration. Tom does not recommend replacing the snow guards.

The Board discussed the safety issues regarding use of this emergency exit.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

7. Laura Nassau reviewed the third and fourth drafts of the ’02-’03 school budget. Fred moved to accept the fourth draft in the amount of $916,486; Ann seconded. All approved.

8. Lisa moved to accept the Smilie Action Plan for the ’01-’02 school year; Vicky seconded. All approved. The Board would like to thank Judy for the many hours of work this plan represents.

9. Mark Fuller has withdrawn his bid for plowing at Smilie this winter. Mark Atwood has submitted a bid for $4,000, to include clearing of the sidewalks. After discussion, Lisa moved to accept the bid; Ann seconded. All approved.

10. Lisa moved to adopt Policy A-12-A CESU Environmental Policy. Vicky seconded. All approved.

The following policies were warned:

A-9A-1 Educational Support System Policy

S-19 Truancy Policy

Fred presented S-18A-1 (Weapons Policy) for Board review.

11. Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Conley presented the average daily membership figures by grade across the district and by elementary school.

He reviewed two models for the principal selection process for the Board’s consideration.

12. Lisa moved to approve the Invoice Edit List from 12/5/01 in amount of $21,731.03; Vicky seconded. All approved.

There were no other items of business.

Meeting adjourned at 9:56 pm.

The next meeting has been scheduled for 7 PM, January 2, 2001, at the Smilie School.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicky Congdon, Clerk

Approved