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, Ann Whitman, Lisa Wells
General Items:
1. Fred reported one comment from a resident: the Stage Rd. bus that picks up high school students is moving too fast.
2. Minutes from the March board meeting were amended to read that Vicky compiled the minutes and were approved.The April minutes were approved.
Principal’s Report:
The interview team for screening of applicants for the preschool/K teaching position will be Phil Graff, Carol Devlin, Ginny Gifford, and John Alberghini. The board will interview candidates at the June 2 meeting. Each board member will forward two questions for the candidates to Fred by May 24.
The kindergarten screening (incoming K students who do not attend preschool at Smilie) is May 11. An orientation for incoming K students is scheduled for June 7.
The 2004-05 school year schedule is almost ready. Changes have been made to accommodate the additional 60% K class.
Smilie is hosting a Bike Safety Rodeo on May 8th. The Spring Performance is scheduled for May 26th. Ann Whitman noted that the girls in Brownie troop 832 will be flying up to Juniors on June 8th; there will be a dinner and ceremony at Smilie.
Smilie enrollement is at 73; preschool enrollment is at 24.
John Alberghini presented an overview of standardized testing at Smilie and how assessment results are used to address areas of concern and updated the board on upcoming changes to this process to accommodate No Child Left Behind legislation. Smilie has made a commitment to improving math skills and concepts and John discussed the need to supplement the Investigations math curriculum. Phil asked about coordination between Investigations and middle-school math curriculum; John stressed the need for ongoing and consistent communication between fourth- and fifth-grade teachers.
John presented the board with a list of potential summer building maintenance projects for Smilie. Ann recommended determining that the base of new parking area is solid before adding gravel; Phil suggested looking into the cost of using road fabric there. The Board discussed alternatives to using salt on the sidewalk to avoid damage to the concrete; Phil will check at IBM to see what maintenance dept. there uses. Dr. Conley is looking into a potential spot at one of the high school athletic fields for the parking-lot boulders. Fred suggested including the list in the final newsletter and posting the list at school to see if there are community volunteers who would like to help with the projects.
Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Conley distributed proposed changes to the admininstrative guidelines for CESU support staff. The board is to review the proposal for approval at the June meeting. The guidelines are scheduled to take effect on July 1st.
2. Lisa moved to accept the revised invoice edit list total of $110, 835.43; Phil seconded. All in favor.
3. Committee Reports:
Executive : Discussed structure of Superintendent’s position and whether he/she could attend some meetings by computer. Fred and Ann will be on the search committee.
The Local Standards Board is looking for a school board representative. It is a three-year appointment. The Board meets monthly. Phil is potentially interested and discussed it with Jim Massingham at the Chittenden East dinner but has concerns about committing to the midafternoon meeting time.
Curriculum: Ongoing discussions about strengthening foreign language program and offering it in earlier grades; foreign language teachers from the middle and high schools will attend the next meeting.
Policy is scheduled to meet May 17th; Special Ed. is scheduled to meet May 24th.
4. At 8:55, Ann 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 9:15, Fred moved that the session end, Phil seconded. All approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for June 2, 2004, at 6 pm at Smilie School. The first portion of the meeting will be in executive session to interview teacher candidates.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved