Georgia Board of School Directors

March 10, 2009 at Georgia School Library

Budget Meeting at 6:00 PM

MINUTES

 

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

Administrators:    Bruce Chattman, Frank Calano, Flora Hurteau

Others:                   Chris Sumner

 

I.          Call to Order                                                                                                     

The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM

 

II.         Board Re-Organization

                              ACTION: Carl Laroe nominated Doug Bergstrom as Chair, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

            Jennifer Petrie was appointed Board Clerk.

            The Board appointed members to fill the following committee positions:

                        Franklin West Supervisory Union:  Irene Bonin, Matt Crepeau, Doug Bergstrom

                        Transportation:  Jennifer Petrie, Carl Laroe

                        Nutrition & Technology:  Irene Bonin

                        Buildings & Grounds:  Carl Laroe, Matt Crepeau

                        Policy:  Irene Bonin, Jennifer Petrie

                        Community Relations & Strategic Planning:  Irene Bonin

                        Community Liaison:  Doug Bergstrom

                        Professional Negotiations:  Carl Laroe

                        Para Negotiations:  Irene Bonin

 

III.        Public Comment – Carolyn Branagan was present.  She congratulated the Board for a passed budget.  She wanted to make it clear that there is no plan by the state to level fund education.  She stated that she had received some phone calls regarding this issue. 

 

IV.       Consent Agenda

                Minutes: 2/3/09 (Regular Meeting), 3/2/09 (Special Meeting)

                Reports:  Superintendent, Financial

                Correspondence

                           ACTION:  Motion by to remove the 3/3/09 (Special Meeting) Minutes and the Financial Report, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

                           ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

Chris Sumner discussed the Financial Report and reported that she did not see any expenditure problems.  Chris predicted a budget surplus, but it is too soon to estimate the amount.

 

V.        Board Business

                Town Meeting Day Recap – Doug stated that the Board may be able to present first next year.  A citizen approached Doug and stated that the budget is confusing and there is not a lot that can be changed.  Doug suggested that maybe the budget can be presented more simply.  Flora and Frank suggested a visual at the meeting.

                Suggestions for Next Year’s Budgeting Process – Doug asked Chris if the budgeting schedule works for her.  Chris stated that there will negotiations this year which will make it more complicated.

                Community Forum – The Community Forum will be held March 12th at 5PM.  All community members are invited.  Dinner will be served and childcare is available.  The information will be compiled and delivered to the Board.  Irene acknowledged the hard work from the committee who has been committed to the Forum for the last 4 months.  Irene would like to welcome the Board and Administrators to attend the Forum.

                Approve 2009-2010 School Calendar – There are 179 scheduled school days.

                           ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the 2009-2010 school calendar, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

 

VI.       Policy Review

                Equipment Policy

                           ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the Equipment Policy, seconded by Irene Bonin, approved unanimously.

                Role of Policy – 1st Reading

                Policy Development & Adoption – 1st Reading

                Staffing & Job Descriptions – 1st Reading

                Personnel Files Policy – 1st Reading

            Bruce recommends that Board members review the policies, forward their changes, suggestions, etc. to the Board members on the Policy Committee (Irene Bonin and Jennifer Petrie) and the Policy Committee and relay the suggestions to Bruce in preparation for 2nd readings.

                           ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the 1st reading of the Role of Policy, Policy Development & Adoption, Staffing & Job Descriptions, and Personnel Files Policy, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

 

VII.      Other – Lake Champlain Access TV is seeking an educational representative for their Board.  Neil Hilt is interested in this position.

                           ACTION:  Motion by Irene Bonin to appoint Neil Hilt to the Lake Champlain Access TV Board of Directors, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

                           ACTION:  Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the current Board meeting schedule for the forthcoming year (first Tuesday each month, with an option of a second meeting on the third Tuesday), seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

            Doug and Bruce will be attending a meeting at BFA regarding the high school tuition bill on March 17, 2009 with the Finance Committee. 

            Doug would like to schedule a meeting for the Board.  He suggested an hour early on April 7, 2009 to review communication, etc. The Board agreed to meet at 5PM.

            There is a Franklin West Supervisory Union Meeting on March 25th at 7PM at the Fairfax Community Library.

 


VIII.     Executive Session (Personnel) -

                     Entered Executive Session at 7:40PM
Action: Jen Petrie moved to approve John Rowell's request for one day of unpaid leave on April 6, 2009, seconded by Matt Crepeau. The board unanimously approved the motion. 

                     Exited Executive Session at 8:05PM

 

            IX.       Upcoming Meetings

                            Community Forum (Special Meeting):  March 12th at 5PM at Georgia School Cafeteria

    Regular Meeting:  April 7th at 6PM at Georgia School Library