April 3, 2002

Meeting came to order at 7:02 pm.

ATTENDEES:

Vicky Congdon, Gail Conley, Phil Graff, Fred Kenney, Lisa Wells, and Ann Whitman

Guests: Beth Gilpin, Karen Newton

GENERAL ITEMS:

1. There were no comments from community members.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

2. Lisa moved to accept the minutes of 3/12/02 and 3/14/02 as written. Vicky seconded. All in favor.

3. Principal’s report:

Smilie has received a donation of computer equipment from Jeffrey Giel as part of IBM’s Matching Grant Program. Title VI funds have also been used to purchase a new computer for each classroom. Community Club Technology Fund have been used to purchase internet access for the ’02-’03 year. The Board discussed making the school computers available for community use.

Pat King received a $500 grant for a science unit on Joiner Brook for the 4^th grade classroom.

Judy is advertising in the Bolton Gazette for someone to mow the lawn. The roof repair is scheduled to be completed by June.

The ski program completed another successful year.

There is one new second grader.

4. Beth Gilpin from the Bolton Recreation Committee and Karen Newton from Smilie’s Community Club gave an update on the playground improvements. The Rec. Committee is asking the Board for $1,500, the balance needed to purchase the new slide. We discussed additional sources of funding, such as a fundraiser like the Bingo Night. The Board will discuss the Committee’s request for the funds. It also recommended that the Committee confirm the location of the leach field and the ballfield before installing the slide.

Beth presented the research/estimates for the new merry-go-round. She also raised the issue of ongoing maintenance of the playground, particularly the need to monitor the depth of the gravel in the high-impact areas, and inquired about assigning that responsibility to someone at Smilie.

5. Superintendent’s Report:

John Alberghini has accepted the position as principal and signed a contract. He will overlap with Judy the last week of June.

Dr. Conley distributed a summary of improvements and changes he is recommending CESU add to the benefit package for all of its administrative staff (these benefits are currently already received by MMU administrators). Fred recommended that the Board accept 1 through 4 of the recommended changes summarized in the 8/22/01 memo. Lisa seconded. All in favor. The Board agreed to offer these changes to John Alberghini as an incoming administrator and Dr. Conley will draw up a revised contract.

6. The Board discussed the Rec. Committee’s request for funds. Given that the ’02-’03 budget is set and approved and that is not the Board’s practice to purchase playground equipment, we did not feel we could fund the entire amount, but can give $500 for the slide purchase. We suggest that the Committee fundraise the balance. We agreed that monitoring the stone should be the responsibility of a Smilie staff person and will look into assigning that to someone. Lisa will follow up with a letter to the Recreation Committee.

7. Ann moved to accept the Invoice Edit List with a revised total of $241,819.21. Dr. Conley will look into the amount billed by JES for tuition.

Committee reports:

Curriculum: The Curriculum committee is soliciting parent/community feedback on the middle school Health curriculum. It will begin writing the K-4 Health curriculum. It is completing curriculum assessments in all subjects.

Executive: The Committee is still in the process of hiring a Business Manager.

Long-Range: The Committee proposed the idea of a district facilities manager for feedback. The Board supports this proposal.

8. Fred proposed that the Board focus on strategic planning over the summer. We discussed holding a planning retreat with the new principal in late July to develop a five-year action plan.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.

The next meeting has been scheduled for 7PM, May 1, 2002, at the Smilie School.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicky Congdon, Clerk

Approved