MINUTES OF THE SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING

Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, VT

February 5, 2003

Meeting came to order at 7:10 pm.

ATTENDEES:

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

GENERAL ITEMS

1.  There were no comments from community members.

2. Fred moved to accept the January 8, 2003 minutes; Lisa seconded. All in favor.

3. Principal’s report:

Current enrollment is at 79.

Smilie has assembled three teams, or learning communities, with three to six teachers per team. One team focuses on K students, one on 1^st and  2^nd graders, and one on 3^rd and 4^th graders. Teams meet every other week after school to analyze student assessments and use this information to guide teaching practices.

After-school enrichment continues to be very successful, with 71% of Smilie students participating n one or more enrichment activities. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated parents, Smilie has been able to offer a wide variety of programs.

The heater in the library needed an emergency repaired.

John distributed a copy of the Developmental Assets survey he will administer to 3^rd and 4^th graders in the spring.

See Principal’s Report distributed at meeting.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Ann moved that the Board approve the Official Warning for the Town Report; Vicky seconded. All in favor.

2. Lisa gave an update on the VSBA meeting with Governor Douglas and the potential impact of the new administration on the state education budget.

3. Fred moved that the Board endorse the VSBA resolution calling on state government to provide adequate funding to education from broad-based taxes and to reduce property taxes; Phil seconded. All in favor.

4. In light of the recent repair to the library’s heater, Phil suggested the possibility of a maintenance contract for heating equipment through Smilie’s fuel supplier; Dr. Conley will look into this.

5.  The Board discussed Smilie connecting to the WAN (Wide Area Network) to improve teacher access to email and share Central Office Special Ed. records and information. Smilie would have to purchase a server. Phil will look into a refurbished server through IBM. John will also pursue grant money to cover all or part of the WAN.

6. Superintendent’s Report:

Dr. Conley reviewed a cost per student report  and a budgeted K-4 cost per pupil comparison.  He distributed a survey from a group of residents regarding full-day kindergarten to be handed out at Town Meeting.

7. Lisa moved to accept the invoice edit list in the amount of $9,881.25; Fred seconded. All approved.

8. The Animals on School Grounds policy was warned for the next meeting.

Committee reports:

Long-Range: The committee has been discussing issues around declining student population in the district.

Curriculum: Sherry Gile and Mary Calder did a presentation on math problem-solving, a current area of focus for CESU teachers. The Health curriculum is ready for comments.

Spec Ed. committee reviewed the spec. ed. budget with Beth DeForge. Vicky is serving on the committee to screen/interview candidates for the Special Ed. coordinator position.

.

At 8:40 pm, Lisa  moved that the Board enter into executive session, under the authority of Title 1 VSA, Chapter 5, Section 313 (1) to discuss a negotiations issue. Vicky seconded. All approved. At 9:45, Lisa moved that the executive session end; Vicky seconded. All approved. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 22, 2002, at the Smilie School.

Respectfully submitted,

Vicky Congdon, Clerk

Approved