Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

January 20, 2004

 

These minutes are not approved until accepted by the School Directors at their next meeting. 

 

Present

Georgia Board Members:  Ken Minck, Chair;  Teresa Stebbins, Clerk;  Chris Mitiguy, Doug Bergstrom, & Richard Benoit

Administrators:  Phil Higgins, Superintendent;  David Young, Elementary School Principal;  Frank Calano, Middle School Principal;  & Chris Sumner, Business Manager

Channel 16 Technician:  Buddy Meilleur

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

Others:  Jon Loller

1.      Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:00pm.

2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – January 6th:

These minutes will be acted on at the next meeting on February 3rd.

  1. Public Forum Budget Presentation Meeting – January 7th:

A motion was made to approve the Public Forum Budget Presentation Meeting Minutes as printed.   Motion passed, unanimously.

      C.  Special Budget Meeting – January 15th:

            These minutes will be acted on at the next meeting on February 3rd.

3.      Review Correspondence:

Ken Minck had the following Correspondence:

-          A letter from Bev Mahoney

-          A letter from Linda Stech

-          A letter from Leona Brown

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.     

5.      Reports:

  1. Principals’ Report:

David:

-          Each class participated in a small assembly on Monday, January 19th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

-          Everything going well, especially with the new math program

-          A lot of professional development going on

Frank:

-          Observed information in the Middle School classes that students had on Martin Luther King, Jr.

-          Progress reports go out next week

-          Recently attended a math seminar

  1. Superintendent Report – Phil:

-          All budgets in the district are now finalized

-          Technical Education now has to be shown in the School budget, but we get revenue to offset

-          Met with the District Early Education team last night

-          Legislative meeting with the State coming up soon  

-          Communication Committee update later on in meeting

-          Regional Technical Academy warning will be done at the Monday night meeting before Town Meeting when we inform the voters of the proposed School Budget

  1. Business Manager Report – Chris Sumner:

-          The most recent financial report shows our FY’04 expenditures at a positive $5,000, show things are still very close

Dawn Hanf arrived at 6:24pm.

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board Reports.

Brian Dunsmore arrived at 6:43pm.

6.  Old Business:

A.     Adopt FY’05 Budget - ACTION:

Richard Benoit made a motion to approve the FY’04-’05 Budget of $9,372,138.   Teresa Stebbins seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Alice Sturgeon arrived at 6:50pm.

7.       New Business:

A.     Approve Tuition Rate - ACTION: 

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the Fy’04-’05 Tuition Rate of $7,790.  Richard Benoit seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

B.     Approve Town Meeting Warning – ACTION:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the Town Meeting Warning.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

8.      Policy Review:

A.     Head Lice – ACTION:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the Head Lice Policy.   Chris Mitiguy  seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

B.     Private Health Insurance Policy (Pertaining to Special Education) – ACTION:

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the Private Health Insurance Policy (Pertaining to Special Education) with the one change noted by Phil Higgins.  Doug Bergstrom seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.  

C.     Emergency Closings – 2nd Reading:

The Emergency Closings Policy was read for the 2nd time and some changes were made.

D.     Personnel Policy (Recruitment, Selection, Appointment, Criminal Record) – 1st Reading:

The Private Health Insurance Policy (Pertaining to Special Education) was read for the 1st time and ready for any changes from the Board.

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – February 3rd @ 6pm in GEMS Library

10.  Other:

Phil updated the Board about the Communication Committee.  Phil explained that the Committee is planning on setting up 8 times for Public Teas, which will be run by a Board Member.

Phil explained how he would like to get back to Educational Meetings and Presentations at the 1st Board Meeting of the month.  The Board agreed.

11.  Executive Session – (Student Issues & Personnel):

Entered Executive Session at 7:15pm to discuss a Student Issue.

Exited Executive Session at 7:25pm.

Action:  Richard Benoit moved to hire a tutor for a middle school student for 4-6 hours per day.  Teresa Stebbins seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Entered Executive Session at 7:30pm to discuss a Personnel Issue.

Exited Executive Session at 7:45pm.

Action:  Teresa Stebbins moved to grant Beverly Mahoney 3 unpaid leave days under section 8.6 of the Teacher’s negotiated agreement.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Entered Executive Session at 7:50pm to discuss a Personnel Issue.

Exited Executive Session at 8:00pm.

Action:  Richard Benoit moved to allow Doug Corey to carry over two weeks vacation time to be used before August 31, 2004.   Teresa Stebbins seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at 8:01pm.