MINUTES OF THE SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING
Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, VT
January 8, 2003
Meeting came to order at 7:05 PM
ATTENDEES: John Alberghini, Jim Massingham, Phil Graff, Ann Whitman, Lisa Wells Guest: Tina Edson
GENERAL ITEMS:
1. Lisa presented a letter from the Devlin family regarding their support for all day kindergarten.
2. Fred moved the minutes of the Dec. 4 and Dec. 10, 2002 meetings. Phil seconded and all approved.
3. Principal’s report:
John presented the results of his meeting with Ginny Gifford regarding the length of day and configuration of the kindergarten class. He also handed out copies of a letter that she wrote with her proposals for the number of students per session and length of the instructional day and level of support staff that she feels she needs based on the number of students enrolled. When enrollment is 15 or fewer students, her first preference is for full day kindergarten and second choice is for Monday through Thursday split sessions with all students attending full day on Fridays. Her third choice would be for 60% of full day instruction, with a part time aide if enrollment reaches 13 or more. Tina Edson shared her experience as a kindergarten teacher and voiced appreciation on behalf of the staff for the Board’s support of the teachers and students.
John shared a synopsis of the enrichment programs from Underhill ID and Richmond Elementary schools. He also discussed the Developmental Assets Survey that he is planning to give to Smilie students. Mark Andrews has recommended it as a way to assess school, family and other social supports that students have. The surveys are completely confidential and are used to assess and enhance school climate and student support opportunities. John will bring copies of the survey to the February meeting. Jim Massingham reported that a version of the survey for older students is used at the middle schools and is being added to the middle school Health Curriculum.
John reported on the success of the after school programs and the great ski program being offered to Smilie students at Bolton Valley this winter. Cost for ski program is $20 per student and includes lessons, ski pass, and transportation for five sessions.
Phil and John reported on their tour of the heating and ventilation systems at Smilie. Phil recommends that we look into purchasing a water softener at some point to prevent hard-water damage to the pipes and fixtures.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. After discussion of the various kindergarten options that John and Ginny proposed, the Board decided to adopt a kindergarten policy that will take effect for the 2003-04 school year.
Lisa made the following motion: Beginning with the 2003-04 school year, based on enrollment as of June 30th, kindergarten will be 60% of a full school day when enrollment is fewer than 20 students. When kindergarten enrollment reaches 15 to 19 students, a part time instructional assistant will be hired. When enrollment is 20 or more students, the class will split into morning and afternoon sessions. Phil seconded the motion. The motion passed.
2. Jim handed out the Official Warning for the Town Report that listed the elections and other items to be voted. It was noted that election of one Director was missing from the Warning and it was returned unsigned to CESU Central Office for correction. The corrected Warning will be available for our signatures at the Town Clerk’s Office.
3. Superintendent’s Report: Jim had no new information on the VT School Boards Insurance Trust and nothing else to report.
4. Fred moved to accept the revised total of the expense edit list for the amount of $85,777.14. Lisa seconded, all approved. John noted that the $1,989.37 expense was for repair of the heater in the art/music room.
5. Lisa moved to accept S.20 Weapons Policy, as warned at the December 4, 2002 meeting. Phil seconded. Motion passed.
6. Committee reports:
Policy and Long Range Planning did not have quorums and did not meet.
Executive had two meetings in December and voted on the Central Office budget.
Curriculum met and decided to focus on math problem solving skills. Jim Massingham is inviting math mentors, administrators, and teachers to attend our next few meetings to discuss strategies for implementing this focus.
7. Other business:
Fred asked John about an opportunity to have a foreign exchange teacher come to Smilie for six weeks. John will talk to Mark Andrews to get feedback about how the program has worked at Richmond Elementary and will follow up.
Fred also expressed concern about liability for vehicles parked in the Smilie school parking lot on nights and weekends, especially in the winter when the snowplow needs access. Jim said that he would ask Dr. Conley to follow up on the insurance aspect of the concern.
Board discussed meeting on March 1st to review our town meeting reports.
At 8:35, Lisa moved that the Board enter into executive session, under the authority of Title 1 VSA, Chapter 5, Section 313 (3), to discuss a personnel issue. Ann seconded. All approved. At 8:55, Lisa moved that the session end, Ann seconded. All approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM
Next meeting scheduled for February 5, 2003, at the Smilie School.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Whitman
Approved