Attendees: John Alberghini, Vicky Congdon, Phil Graff, Fred Kenney, Ann Whitman
Guests: Joanne Machia, Jim Massingham, Laura Nassau, Steve May

Meeting came to order at 7:05 pm.

GENERAL ITEMS

1. There were no comments from community members.

2. Principal’s Report:
John reported on the November inservice days, which included a workshop on how the brain works and learns. Fred asked if this would be an appropriate workshop topic for parents. John reported on the 2004 Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) and New Standards Reference Exam (NSRE) results. Notable improvement has been made in overall math skills; the curriculum is being adapted to improve math problem-solving skills. The chart of three-year averages shows that Smilie is keeping pace with or surpassing both CESU and the state in many areas. In place of the NSREs, Vermont will now use the New England Common Assessments (NECAP).

3. Superintendent’s Report
Jim Massingham reported on the public hearings held recently on teacher contract negotiations.

4. Committee reports:
Spec. Ed.: Review of 2005-06 spec. ed. budget of $6,159,761, recently passed by Executive committee (a 9.54% increase), which includes new CESU position for a district behavior specialist.
Curriculum: Scheduled to meet 12/13.
Long-Range: Did not meet.
Executive: Passed the Central Office (7% increase), Spec. Ed. (9.5%) and Transportation (19%) budgets. The committee will discuss the new CESU assessment formula at the next meeting.
Policy: Scheduled to meet 12/6.
Transportation: Discussion of long wait time for MMU students because of extended student day for elementary/middle school students; discussion of problem contacting the bus garage when all personnel are driving and Betsy Smith (at CHMS) has gone home for the day.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Michelle Soules, physical education teacher at Smilie, contacted Board members regarding Smilie’s compliance with the state mandate for phys ed instruction and the proposed additional half day of phys. ed. in the 2005-06 budget draft. Jim Massingham noted that Dr. Conley feels Smilie has meet the standard during the 2004-2005 school year with the additional 1/2 day currently being taught by John Alberghini. John noted that Michelle had never received a reply to in response to the letter she wrote to the Commissioner of Ed. Fred noted that if the state feels that Smilie is not in compliance, it should address the issue through Dr. Conley. The Board will discuss this issue further under the budget item.

2. October minutes: The Curriculum committee report will be amended to reflect the committee’s motion regarding foreign language instruction. Phil moved to pass the minutes as amended; Vicky seconded. All in favor.

3. Laura Nassau distributed the 2005-06 proposed CESU assessments based on equalized pupils. She gave a presentation on how factors such as student population, the equalized pupil assessment formula, spending per pupil adjustment, and the common level of appraisal all affect how the homestead education tax rate is determined and how these factors can vary dramatically from town to town in Chittenden East S.U. In Bolton, the CLA is 76% (property is currently assessed at 76% of its fair market value), which increases the homestead tax rate. As CLA approaches 100%, the tax rate goes down. The Board again discussed how close the town is to completing the assessment of property values.

4. The Board reviewed a third draft of the budget with Joanne Machia. After discussion, Ann moved to pass the 2005-2006 Bolton School District budget in the amount of $1,194,202; Vicky seconded. All in favor.

5. The Board reviewed the 2004-2006 Action Plan for Smilie. Vicky moved to approve the plan; Phil seconded; all in favor.

6. Vicky moved to approve the CESU Internet Access and Computer Use Policy C-1; Ann seconded. All in favor.

7. Vicky moved to approve the revised Invoice Edit list in the amount of $305,839.14; Phil seconded. All in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

Next meeting is scheduled for January 5, 2005, at 7 pm at Smilie School.

Respectfully submitted,
Vicky Congdon
Approved as amended