MINUTES OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING
Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, VT
Meeting came to order at 7:10 pm.
ATTENDEES:
John Alberghini, Vicky Congdon, Gail Conley, Phil Graff, Fred Kenney, Lisa Wells, Ann Whitman
1. Vicky mentioned that several community members had asked where the MMU Board minutes were available for public review. Dr. Conley noted they were available for review at Central Office and he will look into having them posted on the CESU website.
2. Fred moved to accept the August 13th minutes with the deletion of the phrase "Using SIG funds" in reference to the Vermont Reads Institute workshop in the Principal's Report. Phil seconded. The minutes were approved as amended. Fred moved to accept the May 7th minutes; Lisa seconded. The minutes were approved.
3. Principal’s report:
John reported that the year is off to a great start. Total enrollment is 71. There are currently 16 kindergartners, so Ginny Gifford and John will review resumes at Central Office on September 4th to hire a classroom aide. There is currently a sub in the K classroom.
Smilie inservice days were focused on assessment data, the Communications curriculum, learning about professional learning communities and other topics.
John is applying for a grant from the Vermont Rural Partnership. Pat King has proposed the funds be used for upgrades to the nature trail and a community garden plot. The amount of the grant is uncertain at this time.
Smilie staff is using a new form to to help focus its support services on specific students' needs and improve communication between support staff and classroom teachers.
There is a Senior Luncheon scheduled for September 17th. It is one of five planned for the year. Phil suggested showing the computer lab to those who attend and reminding them that it is available for use by the community.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Lisa nominated John Alberghini as 2003-04 Truant Officer; Ann seconded. All in favor.
2. Superintendent's Report:.
Dr. Conley distributed the year-end budget status report and a comparison of CESU tax rates by town under the new Act 68. The state's new funding formula goes into effect with this budget cycle. The dates of budget discussions throughout the district will be publicized by Central Office to encourage input from the public.
Dr. Conley updated the Board on efforts to begin the teacher contract negotiations process before the final year of the contract so the salary information is available in time to avoid voting a deficit budget.
3. At 7:30 p.m. Lisa moved that the Board enter into executive session, under the authority of Title 1 VSA, chapter 5, section 313 (3), to discuss negotiations. Vicky seconded. All approved. At 7:45, Lisa moved that the session end, Vicky seconded. All approved.
4. Fred moved to accept the invoice edit list total of $342,396.45; Lisa seconded. All in favor.
5. Lisa encouraged the Board to attend the regional VSBA meeting on September 15th at CVU and the annual meeting in November at Lake Morey.
6. The Board decided against inviting the Community Club to attend the October meeting given the full agenda for next month. John updated the Board on Community Club's fundraising activities, including a VINS workshop, educ. software, and a contribution to the new flagpole.
7. An individual has approached John with an offer to remove the rocks from the parking lot. Lisa will call Eric and discuss whether the 1-ton town truck is able to plow the lot without removal of the rocks.
8. Jane Uttrecht (school nurse) has asked about instituting a fluoride program at Smilie. John will ask her to look into it.
9. Committee reports:
Curriculum: The Health curriculum was approved. Some schools don't have the staff to implement the new curriculum, however. Jim Massingham will be attending board meetings in the district to present curriculum issues. Ann suggested he attend Smilie's October meeting.
Policy: Policy did not meet. Still on the agenda is the nutrition policy and the committee may take up discussion on a policy prohibiting cars from idling in front of school buildings, which has been discussed by some schools in the district.
Long-Range: There was a request from the committee that the spec. ed budget be reviewed with each board before school board budgets are presented at town meetings for a better understanding of how that budget is created. The committee also discussed possible uses of the Underhill ID school building if that facility were to close.
Executive: The committee discussed upcoming teacher contract negotiations.
Special Ed. did not meet.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. The next meeting has been scheduled for 7PM, October 1, 2003, at the Smilie School.
Respectfully submitted,
Vicky Congdon, Clerk
Approved as amended