Georgia Board of School Directors

May 6, 2008 at Georgia School Library

Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM

MINUTES

 

Board Present:   Jennifer Petrie, Carl Laroe, Casey Hager, Irene Bonin, Doug Bergstrom

Administrators:                  Flora Hurteau, Frank Calano, Armando Vilaseca

Others:   Chris Sumner

 

I.            Call to Order                                                                                                                                                                                                

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM

 

II.      Public Comment – None

 

III.      Consent Agenda

            ●      Minutes – April 1, 2008

            ●      Reports – Superintendent, Principal, Financial

                  FINANCIAL:  Chris was present to discuss the Financial Budget.  We are coming in close with the expenditures.  There are some outstanding tuition bills, one of which is from BFA St. Albans which is the largest.  We are currently over in revenue therefore if the budget goes over the revenue can be used to cover the costs.  State law requires that the school treasurer relinquish delinquent tax revenue to the School within 120 days from the October due date.  The Town Treasurer stated that she forgot and the school is due $209,000.  Chris asked the Board if they wanted to pursue collecting interest from the Town.  Armando suggested sending a letter from the Board stating the Board understands that mistakes happen and in the future the School will pursue interest.  The Board agreed that a letter would suffice.  There will be approximately $45,000 put into the Capital Fund.

                  PRINCIPAL:  Flora and Frank discussed the NECAP assessments.  4th and 8th grades will take the science exam this year.  The results are used internally.  There are two other assessments being done before the end of the year.  The Gates assessment is done in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade. This week is Teacher appreciation week.  There are different activities going on throughout the week for the staff. Student placement meetings have just begun. Forms have been sent home to parents.  There will be a Retirement reception June 3rd at the school library.

            ●      Correspondence – Contracts/Resignations/Leave Requests

            ●      Other

                        ACTION:  Motion by Irene Bonin to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

 

IV.      New Business

            ●      Approve New Hires

                  - Library Media Specialist (1.0 FTE)

                  - Speech Language Pathologist (0.6 FTE)

                  - Family Consumer Science/Heath (1.0 FTE)

                  - Preschool Teacher (0.6 FTE)

                  - Foreign Language (0.6 FTE)

                  - Special Educator (1.0 FTE)

                  - 7/8 Special Educator (1.0 FTE)

                  - Grade 6 Classroom Teacher (0.7 FTE)

                  - Kindergarten Teacher (0.7 FTE)

                        ACTION:  Motion by Casey Hager to approve all new hires with the exception of Library Media Specialist and Family Consumer Science/Health, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

                        ACTION:  Motion by Casey Hager to approve Amy Ryder for the Library Media Specialist position, seconded by Irene Bonin, approved unanimously.

                  There was a discussion regarding the kindergarten program.  Casey suggested shifting some teaching positions around with the idea that he does not anticipate the kindergarten program being full time any time in the near future.  He suggested moving a 1.0 FTE kindergarten teacher to 1st grade and hiring a 0.7 FTE kindergarten teacher.  Contractually it could be done; Armando thinks that climate and morale would be adversely affected.  Casey would like to move forward with this shift.

                        ACTION:  Motion by Casey Hager to move one kindergarten teacher into the 1st grade position, hire a 0.7 FTE kindergarten, at the administration’s discretion; seconded by Doug Bergstrom, opposed by Irene Bonin, Jennifer Petrie and Carl Laroe.

                  The Board discussed issues raised by Jim Cutrone regarding his contract.

                  ACTION:  Motion by Casey Hager to deny Jim Cutrone’s request, seconded by Carol Laroe, approved unanimously.

                        ACTION:  Motion by Casey Hager to approve Jim Catrone for the Family Consumer Science/Health position, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

            ●      Approve School Meals Cost Increases – The increase is from $1.50 to $1.60 and will be effective for the next school year.

                        ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to approve school meal cost increase, seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

            ●      Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Results – Armando summarized the results for the Board.  Georgia did not meet the standard in reading and math for students with disabilities.  36% of the schools in Vermont did not meet the AYP standards this year.  Georgia had the highest scores in the district and county.

            ●      AP Courses – Jennifer Petrie raised some concerns about the advanced math program.  During parent/teacher conferences teachers were stating that the math program will be ending.  Frank stated that he had started the conversation with the teachers regarding the program and whether it is the right program for every child.  No decisions have been made,

            ●      Date for Summer Retreat – To be decided next month.

 

V.      Policy Review

            ●      Teacher License Expiration Policy - Tabled

            ●      Criminal Record Check Policy – The policy states that anyone who comes to the school when children are present need to go through the criminal background check or be with a school employee at all times.  This policy will not allow parents into the school with out a background check. 


            ●      Copyright Policy

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

 

VI.      Other – Gary Gilbert, Georgia town representative, came to the meeting to discuss the most recent legislation.

            Doug went to a board chair meeting last night.  He stated that we should have about 50-75 policies in place.  He stressed that the Board needs to follow policies.  Doug will be making some changes to the agenda. 

 

VII.            Executive Session

                  ACTION:  Jennifer Petrie moved to grant Carol Crosby’s request for one day of unpaid leave on May 16, 2008, seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

                  ACTION:  Jennifer Petrie moved to grant Martha-Sue Bechard unpaid leave as needed through the end of the 2007-2008 school year, not to exceed 10 total days, to care for her daughter’s medical treatment, seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

                  ACTION:  Jennifer Petrie moved to grant Jan Schultz 4 days of unpaid leave on May 27-30, 2008, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

                  ACTION:  Jennifer Petrie moved to accept teaching contracts for 2008-2009, returned past the due date, for Rachel Fightlin and Gabe Coleman, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved unanimously.

 

            VIII.      Upcoming Meetings

●      Regular Meeting:  May 20th at 6:00 PM at Georgia School Library (if needed)

●      Regular Meeting:  June 3rd at 6:00 PM at Georgia School Library