January 5, 2010 at
Board Present: Matt Crepeau, Jennifer Petrie,
Doug Bergstrom, Carl Laroe
Administrators: Flora Hurteau, Frank Calano, Bruce Chattman, Chris
Sumner
Others:
I. Call
to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 PM
II. Public Comment – None.
III. Consent
Agenda
● Minutes 12/1/2009 (Regular Mtg.); 12/16/09 (Special Mtg.) –
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to accept the
Consent Agenda, seconded by Matt Crepeau, approved unanimously.
● Correspondence – None
IV. Reports
● Principal – Flora discussed the senior
luncheon, pancake breakfast and some other events that have happened at the
school. The staff adopted families for
the holidays and provided holiday meals and gifts. There were 18 families served through the
school and churches. The school staff
has donated over $500 to the Georgia Food Shelf. Frank discussed the building use. He stated that the school is being used quite
often by the public. There are many
adult based programs happening at the school.
The ski program starts next week.
Step into the future program also begins in January 2010. The 7th and 8th graders
go to special groups regarding the future.
The theme this year is resilience.
At the end there is panel of students from different high schools who
return and the students have an opportunity to ask questions of the panel. At the end of the month there will be a high
school fair at
● Financial – None
● Superintendent – Bruce discussed a
legislative committee that is reviewing education in the state. At the FWSU meeting representatives were
appointed to study consolidation options with Bruce Chattman. Jen Petrie volunteered and was appointed to
represent
● School Committees:
● Transportation – None
● Nutrition – At the last meeting the contract
was discussed. The Committee recommends
going out to bid for a new food contract.
Frank has discussed some concerns with the current food contractor. Frank stated that all concerns should be
directed to him and he can discuss them with the food service provider. A member of the public was present to express
her concerns regarding the hot lunch program.
Her third grader has experienced the published hot lunch not being
available by the time he gets to lunchtime.
She also expressed concern about the nutritional value of the food being
served. Doug asked if the Nutrition
Committee meeting could be moved to an earlier date. It is currently scheduled in February 2010.
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to allow the
Nutrition Committee to put the food contract out to bid, seconded by Carl
Laroe, approved unanimously.
● Building & Grounds – None
● Policy – None
● Community Relations – None
● Negotiations – The Committee will be meeting
this week.
●
● There was a discussion regarding benefits to
staff members. Bruce discussed the
history of benefit opt out programs.
V. Board Business
● FY11
Budget – Chris distributed a new budget and a summary of the changes. At the last review it was at a .47%
increase. The current budget shows a
.44% increase. Chris has tried to
project a tax rate. The tax rate is
estimated to be a $.09. The tuition
rates are not yet available. Health care
increases are also missing at this time.
Doug would like to table the action on the budget due to negotiations. There are two negotiations meetings yet to be
held. The Board discussed which items
would need to be removed to reach a 0% increase in the budget. A member of the public asked what is
replacing the three retired teachers salaries.
Chris stated there is an early retirement buyout with a duration of
three years, which is included in the budget along with projected salaries for
the new positions that are projected lower than the current salaries. The early retirement buyout program is a pay
out of $12,000 per year over the next three years. The Board expressed they would like to see a
0% increase budget.
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to table the FY11
Budget vote until January19, 2010, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved
unanimously.
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to move into
Executive Session to discuss negotiations that affect the budget, seconded by
Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.
VI. Policy Review
● D1. Personnel Recruitment, Selection &
Appointment (Update) – 2nd
● D15. Criminal Record Checks – 2nd
● D2. Professional Development
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to table the policies, seconded by
Matt Crepeau, approved unanimously.
VII. Other – None
VIII. Executive Session – (Title 1§313(1)) –
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to set the GEMS
tuition rate for FY11 at the same level as for FY10, seconded by Carl Laroe,
approve unanimously.
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to
approve the request of Dawn Hanf for two (2) days of unpaid leave to be
taken concurrent with one day of paid personal leave for the dates of January 27, 28, 29, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved
unanimously.
IX. Upcoming Meetings
A. Special Budget Meeting: January 19th at
6:00 PM,
A.
Regular Meeting: February 2nd at 6:00
PM,