MINUTES OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING
Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, VT
Meeting came to order at 7:05 pm.
ATTENDEES:
John Alberghini, Vicky Congdon, Gail Conley, Phil Graff, Fred Kenney, Lisa Wells, Ann Whitman
Guests: Joanne Machia, Eric Andrews, Paula Gervia; Bill Wintersteen, John Heinbokel, Jim Massingham, and Sherry Gile
1. Comments from community members:
Paula Gervia was present to hear the presentation of next year’s budget.
2. The board spoke with Eric Andrews about having the town plow the school driveway. Eric explained it is partly a scheduling problem (there are two full-time and one part-time employee). The town crew could plow the school after the Notch Rd. but if it’s a day the PT employee isn’t working, it won’t be able to plow the school until all the bus routes are plowed. If it snows in the early evening, Eric could get the lot plowed in time but if it snows through the night, it won’t be ready. Eric’s other concern is about hitting the boulders, even with the 1-ton truck. It would be safer and faster if they were removed, and without the rocks, he would be willing to try it.
3. Regional Technical Academy presentation: Bill Wintersteen (MMU Board rep to the RTA Planning Committee) and John Heinbokel (from the Essex Union District #48 Board) reviewed the proposal for a new Regional Technical Academy, scheduled to open in Sept. ’05. They reviewed the timeline and approval process for the new school’s governance proposal. On Town Meeting day 2004, Chittenden East towns will vote on the governance structure. Each high school district board may either select a member from its own board or elect a community member to serve on a regional governing board. Dr. Conley recommended that Chittenden East elect a community member. There were questions about RTA construction costs (federal, and state funds; with a possible $10 million bond to raise local funds to cover remaining costs) and transportation (RTA would own its buses and Chittenden East students would be picked up at MMU). The operating costs would be covered by state funding and tuition, which would show up as a separate line item in the MMU budget.
Bill Wintersteen will prepare a written summary of the proposal and submit it to the Board in December so it can be included in the Bolton town report for discussion at Town Meeting. A rep from the Planning Committee will attend Town Meeting to answer questions before votes by Australian ballot the next day on both the proposal and the rep to the regional board.
4. Pathwise Mentoring program: Jim Massingham reviewed how this teacher mentoring program is used in Chittenden East.
5. Sherry Gile reviewed the Investigations K-4 math program, and the work she and Mary Calder are doing with all Chittenden East teachers in this curriculum to improve problem-solving scores. Phil asked about sending information home to parents at the beginning of the year so parents use consistent terminology and concepts that kids hear at school when helping with homework. Sherry noted that Investigations does have a parent component and this was something that could be addressed with teachers in a professional development workshop.
Principal’s report:
John reviewed the 2nd grade DRA and 4th grade NSRE scores. He stressed that in a school with yearly sample sizes as small as Smilie’s, the results must be looked at over a period of 2 to 3 years.
Health curriculum: This is the first year with the new curriculum and it’s currently hard to judge the amount of staff time that will be needed. John will meet with the guidance counselor and nurse in June to discuss any additional staff time needed to cover the curriculum.
Smilie purchased a refrigeration unit; a grant from the Dept. of Agriculture covered half the cost.
John estimates 19 K students will attend Smilie next year.
VINS did a raptor presentation for the students, and the VT Symphony Orchestra sent 3 players for a demonstration. Smilie string students performed with the trio.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Joanne Machia reviewed draft 2 of the ’04-’05 Bolton School District Budget. The budget is available for review at Chittenden East central office in Richmond.
Phil asked if Joanne could pull out the insurance increases so that the Board could see what percentage of the overall increase they represent.
John noted changes to the food service and secretary line items so that the cost of Sherry Mahoney’s time on admin. tasks for the breakfast/lunch program is reimbursed by the general fund and not the food service program.
Fred noted this draft didn’t reflect the Central Office and special ed. budgets currently under review by the Executive committee.
Joanne will present a third draft at the November meeting.
2. Based on the Board’s discussion with Eric Andrews, Fred moved that, subject to the removal of the boulders, the Town would plow the school driveway and next year’s budget be adjusted accordingly; Vicky seconded. There were four in favor and one against (Lisa Wells); the motion passed.
John recommended a backup plowing option and will discuss with the Community Club the purchase of a snowblower.
3. The Board briefly revisited K policy regarding size of class and length of day. John will discuss with Ginny if she would do a 60% day with more than 20 kids if there were a classroom aide.
4. Fred moved to approve the October minutes; Vicky seconded. All in favor.
5. Fred moved to approve the revised invoice edit list total of $121,031.45; Vicky seconded. All in favor.
6. Superintendent’s report:
Dr. Conley distributed a summary of CESU K-4 class size and Bolton School District Audit report for fiscal year ’03.
7. Committee reports:
Curriculum. No quorum.
Policy: The new chair is Randy Ferguson. Fred did not attend the last meeting. Internet filtering and advertising in school were on the agenda.
Long-Range: Changes to the food service program in the district were reviewed. The possibility of charging fees for certain school activities will be discussed at a future meeting.
Executive: The budgets for Central Office and Spec. Ed. were reviewed. Seven community members attended the meeting.
Special Ed. did not meet.
8. At 9:45, 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 9:50, Lisa moved that the session end, Vicky seconded. All approved
9. The Board supports Dr. Conley’s recommendation that Chittenden East elect its member of the regional governing board for the Regional Tech Academy. Lisa will inform the MMU Board of this decision.
10. The Meeting adjourned at 10 pm. The next meeting has been scheduled for 7PM, December 3, 2003, at the Smilie School.
Respectfully submitted,
Vicky Congdon, Clerk
Approved as amended