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

Meeting came to order at 7:00 pm.

GENERAL ITEMS

1. There were no comments from community members.

2. Principal’s Report:
In December, Smilie had a Comprehensive Child Nutrition Review by the VT Dept. of Ed., which included a nutritional analysis of menus and an overall review of operation of the lunch program. Everything was in compliance. The representative made some dietary and general recommendations, many of which have already been implemented.
Jane Uttecht, Smilie nurse, Michelle Soules, phys. ed. teacher, and Jennifer Caron, guidance counselor, gave a community presentation on February 1 on keeping children active and healthy.
Thirty-six students are enrolled in the ski program at Bolton Valley.
John distributed copies of the CESU Technology Plan for the board’s review. The U.S. Department of Ed. requires schools to have a technology plan in place to qualify for federal grants such as e-rate money.
Enrollment for January is at 97 (inc. preschool).

3. Superintendent’s Report:
Dr. Conley distributed a districtwide cost per pupil comparison for 2004-05 and 2005-06.
He also distributed copies of his letter to Representative Denise Barnard regarding the Act 68 funding formula, particularly the Common Level of Appraisal and the surplus it has created in the Education Fund, and his recommendations for improving the school funding law. Dr. Conley will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on this issue.

4. Committee Reports:
Curriculum: The committee met with the MMU team leaders as part of the ongoing process of aligning high school curriculum with CESU curriculum.
Executive: Randy Ferguson of the MMU Policy Committee has raised the issue of gender inequities and whether it should be looked at in Chittenden East. The Exec. Committee felt some additional information (comparison of special ed. statistics, dropout rates, SAT scores) was needed to evaluate this issue.
Special Ed.: The committee reviewed the special ed. budget with Beth DeForge and reviewed a draft survey for C.E. teachers and administrators to assess the need for and the effectiveness of a Behavioral Specialist, a new position in CESU in 2005-06.
Policy: A districtwide Internet filtering policy is now in place. The committee is working on an allergy policy with the CESU nurses, as well as a harassment policy to comply with the recent state mandate. Pat Connolly is looking for grant money to use for training food service staff to implement recently adopted Nutrition Policy.
Transportation: The two new buses should be here soon. Smilie’s assessed cost will come out of any budget surplus in 2004-05 or will be added to next year’s budget. The length of the high school day and the busing issue should be resolved by next September.

ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. January minutes: Vicky amended the minutes to reflect the additional item on the warning asking the town to approve a contingency fund separate from the school budget. Phil moved to approve the minutes as amended: Ann seconded. All in favor.

2. The Board reviewed its presentation for Town Meeting. Joss Besse has been appointed to be the school board moderator. Adoption of the School Directors report will be followed by a presentation by Joanne Machia of Central Office to explain budget factors such as the Common Level of Appraisal, enrollment, per pupil costs, and flow-through money. Fred will follow with a summary of the 2005-06 budget.

3. Phil moved to approve the amended Invoice Edit List in the amount of $12,861.88; Ann seconded. All in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Next meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2005, at 7 pm at Smilie School.

Respectfully submitted,
Vicky Congdon
Approved as amended