Georgia Board of School Directors

February 2, 2010 at Georgia School Library

Executive Session (Residency) at 6:00 PM

Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM

MINUTES

 

Board Present:    Matt Crepeau, Jennifer Petrie, Doug Bergstrom, Carl Laroe, Irene Bonin

Administrators:    Frank Calano, Bruce Chattman, Chris Sumner

Others:                  

 

I.          Call to Order                                                                                                     

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM

 

II.         Executive Session – (Title 1§313(1)) – Residency

                        ACTION:

III.        Public Comment – None.

 

IV.       Consent Agenda

            ●    Minutes 1/5/2010 (Regular Mtg.); 1/13/2010 (Special Mtg.); 1/19/2010 (Special Budget Mtg.) –

                        ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to accept the Consent Agenda, seconded by Matt Crepeau, approved unanimously.

            ●    Correspondence – None

 

V.        Reports

                  ●    Principal – January 18, 2010 was an in-service and almost all vertical teams met in Georgia and others met in Fairfax.  The On Demand writing prompt is a FWSU writing piece was handed out on Monday.  The students will be participating on February 5th.  This is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the students’ writing so that changes can be made accordingly.  There was a second trip to Smugglers Notch.  There is a recognition ceremony to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, February 3, 2010.  Students are recognized by their teachers and peers.

                  ●    Financial – Chris Sumner distributed a Financial Report.  The Special Education numbers are now current.  There was a small difference regarding high school tuition.  There is a $100,000 savings right now in high school tuition due to the residency issue.  Doug inquired if we would be back-billing for last year.  Bruce Chattman will look into the issue and get back to the Board.  Chris Sumner discussed that if there was a back-billing process we would have to amend State reports for those years.  We had claimed those children during those years and received State aid for them.

                  ●    Superintendent – The Superintendent’s Report outlined some of the activity in Montpelier.  There is a new subject being introduced regarding supervisory union consolidation.  Doug discussed a current Senate bill (S.252) and encouraged the Board to review it also.  He discussed a couple of points in the bill regarding consolidation.  The aggregate of school budgets is close to zero statewide.

                  ●    School Committees:

                        ●    Transportation – None

                        ●    Nutrition – The Abbey has changed their head cook and their supervisor.  There was a discussion regarding getting a kiosk.

                        ●    Building & Grounds – None

                        ●    Policy – None

                        ●    Community Relations – None

                        ●    Negotiations – None

                        ●    Franklin West Board of Directors – None

 

VI.       Board Business

            ●    Approve Audit Report -

                        ACTION:  Motion by Irene Bonin to table the Approve Audit Report until March 3, 2010, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

 

VII.      Policy Review

            ●    D1. Personnel Recruitment, Selection & Appointment (Update)

            ●    D15. Criminal Record Checks

            ●    D2. Professional Development (Update)

                        ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the Personnel Recruitment, Selection & Appointment Policy, Criminal Record Checks Policy and Professional Development Policy, seconded by Irene Bonin, approved unanimously.

            ●    Substitute Teachers Policy (Update) – 1st Reading – Bruce Chattman discussed the current policy stating it is contradictory to the State statute.  Bruce discussed the changes. 

            ●    FMLA Policy (New) – 1st Reading – Georgia did not have a policy because there is a law.  Bruce stated that the laws are contradictory.  Bruce discussed different scenarios that could arise.

 

VIII.     Other – The school budget informational flyer from last year was handed out.  Chris Sumner stated that the power point presentation will start being worked on this week.  The Board reviewed it and suggested changes for this year.

                        ACTION:  Motion by Irene Bonin to appoint Jennifer Petrie to approve the flyer, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

            Lake Champlain Access TV will provide 60 minutes of airtime to present the budget.  The Board agrees that it will not be needed.  All the openings on the Board have gone unopposed.  Doug received an e-mail from a Lowe’s employee regarding school grants that are currently available.

 

            IX.       Upcoming Meetings                                 

                        A.  Annual School Meeting:  March 1st at 6:00 PM, Georgia School Library

B.  Regular Meeting:  March 16th at 6:00 PM, Georgia School Library (due to Town Meeting) if the budget fails then there will be a meeting on March 3rd at 6:00 PM, Georgia School Library