MINUTES OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING

Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, VT

September 4, 2002

 

The Board meeting scheduled for July 31, 2002 at Smilie School was cancelled.

 

Meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

ATTENDEES:

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

 

GENERAL ITEMS:

1. Comments from community members: Lisa recently discussed with Chuck Rooney the expense of Smilie using a private plowing service. The large town plow is unable to plow the school driveway because of the boulders; the Board discussed whether the new smaller town plow would be able to plow. Lisa will discuss with the road crew. The Board discussed that we would still need to hire someone to clear sidewalks and entrances.

The Board discussed the possible addition of a teeter-totter to the playground as previously considered. We feel additional equipment won’t leave enough space on the playground for free play.

 

2. Approval of minutes: Lisa moved that we accept the minutes from June 5, 2002 with amendments to Action/Discussion items #3 and #7 to correct the date of the retreat to September 14th. Vicky seconded. All approved.

 

3. Principal’s report:

K-4th enrollment is at 84.

The roof repair has been completed and some holes that were causing water damage have been patched. The insurance company reimbursement is pending.

Steve Menz, Karee Wiltshire, and John Alberghini went to the Literacy Institute this summer.

Preschool and kindergarten orientation on August 19 was well attended.

During staff inservice, John and staff reviewed additions and updates to Staff Manual and Parent/Student Handbook; revised Action Plan with the literacy consultant and set individual goals for the ’02-’03 school year.

John will send letters to the last year’s 4th graders and DRA students regarding Spring ’02 scores, which are now available.

See Principal's Report for additional items.

 

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. John reviewed the 2002-2004 Action Plan with the Board. Lisa moved that the Board accept the plan; Fred seconded. All approved.

 

2.       Lisa moved to appoint John Alberghini as the 2002-2003 truant officer. Ann seconded. All approved.

 

3.       There was a brief discussion of Smilie’s Technology Plan, which is current. There is no need to formally approve the plan at this time. Phil recommended that Smilie continue to pursue equipment donations from IBM. Fred requested that the plan be amended to include the following goals: that teachers be available to parents via email and that Smilie’s technology facilities be available to the community. John will contact Steve Barner about developing a web page for Smilie.

 

4.       The Board briefly discussed the additional 15 minutes instructional time in the student day that will be possible next year with the new teachers’contract.

 

5.       To expand Smilie’s parking space, Bill Atwood has volunteered to remove the trees along the water access route and Tony Barbagallo had offered to donate gravel (to be re-confirmed). John and Lisa will meet with Fire Chief Mike Gervais and excavator Bill Atwood to discuss the required setback from the river and the Rt. 2 right of way.

 

6.       Discussion topics for the Board retreat on September 14th were finalized.

 

7.       Superintendent's Report:

John Alberghini will be mentored this year by Bernie Fitzgerald of Underhill Center.

The date and location of the CESU Fall School Directors’ meeting has been set for October 21 at Brewster-Pierce Memorial School.

 

8.       Lisa moved to accept the 9/4/02 Invoice Edit list for $299,634.62; Vicky seconded. All approved. Fred asked John to look into textbook expenditures covered by the grant.

Vicky moved to accept the Invoice Edit lists of 6/30/02 for 7,140.33 and 7/31/02 for $10.074.36; Fred seconded. All approved.

 

9.        Committee reports:

Transportation: All driver positions are filled and there are two subs. The divided transportation plan will be presented at the next Executive Committee.

Curriculum: Ann updated the Board on curricula and assessments by subject.

Long-Range and Special Ed. did not meet.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9 pm.

 

The Bolton School Board retreat is scheduled for September 14, 2002, from 9-3 at Sleepy Hollow Inn in Huntington.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 2, 2002 at 7 pm at Smilie School.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Vicky Congdon, Clerk

Approved as amended