Georgia Elementary & Middle School
Georgia, VT

February 2, 2005

 

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

 Present

v       Georgia Board Members:  Doug Bergstrom, Chair; Ron King, Alice Sturgeon, Dan Harvey, Chris Mitiguy (arrived @ 6:16 p.m.)

v       Administrators:  Phil Higgins, Superintendent; Frank Calano, Middle School Principal; and David Young, Elementary School Principal

v       Transcriptionist & Channel 16 Technician:  Wendy Larose; Cyndi Bourget

v       Others:  Diane Reilly, Laura D’Attilio

 

I.          Call to Order

            Doug Bergstrom called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.

II.         Approve Minutes

A.     Regular meeting – January 18th – one change to include budget total of $9,993,097. 

Motion to approve the regular meeting minutes with noted change above (Sturgeon/Harvey). Motion passed unanimously. 

III.       Review Correspondence

A.     Winter carnival is Saturday, February 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

B.     Education Commissioner Richard Cate is hosting a Regional Technical Academy meeting on February 14th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

C.     The board received an invitation for an hour of time on Lake Champlain Access channel. 

IV.       Public Forum

            A.      No public comment.

V.        Reports

            A.      Principals:

v       Frank Calano: There was a 5-8 meeting that focused on curriculum work with science, social studies and health. Much sharing of information and feedback given on the programs.  A nutrition meeting is being held on Thursday, February 3rd.  We are currently a peanut-free system.  Modification of this will be discussed at the meeting.  The Youth Risk Survey is being conducted; a letter was sent to parents informing them of it.  Alice Sturgeon recommended notifying people through the daycare provider meeting held at the school.     

v       David Young: A kindergarten meeting for an all day K program is being held tonight.  They are looking at timeline and putting together information needed to present to the board.  NAEP testing came through for the elementary and middle school.  It was a somewhat cumbersome process.  The transportation bid has been awarded to someone new and there needs to be a transition plan developed. The Transportation Committee members will attend a meeting to introduce the new company and discuss protocol for the school as far as bus schedules, picking up, dropping off, etc. 

B.     Superintendent: Phil Higgins ran through some legislative issues being addressed.  Full school choice is being discussed.  If this arises, the school will have to determine capacity.  There is a bill to expand high school choice.  The Senate is pushing for early childhood and kindergarten (H166).  Education property tax bill to decrease current tax passed House and looks like it will pass Senate. There is some discussion on how to utilize the excess in the education fund.  A bill on CLA is being discussed; if you are above 90%, the most you can fall to is 90%.  The state is considering having enough professional state assessors to do assessments every three years so that they are more current.  Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to          7 p.m.

C.     Board: no board reports.


 VI.       Old Business

            A.      General Info: Doug Bergstrom mentioned the PTA has requested a voter registration booth at winter carnival. 

            B.      Budget Proposal Communication Plan – David Young passed out a budget communications plan.  There was some general discussion on refining the communications plan.  There was some general thought that too many pieces had been mailed in the past that caused confusion.  The administration is looking to keep it simple. 

VII.      New Business

A.     Classroom Specials – discussion has been tabled until the next meeting on February 15th.

      B.      Volunteer Coordinator Position – Laura D’Attilio has been hired for this position and attended the meeting.  Her first priority is to develop a community database of volunteers. Reaching out to preschool community to improve children’s transition to school and have parent involvement younger.  Establishing database of birthday cards for preschool children in the area.  By end of semester, goal is to have at least two activities arranged for preschoolers.  She is meeting with kindergarten group who is advocating for an all day K program. 

VIII.     Policy Review

A.     Repeal Paraprofessional Policies – motion to approve repeal of the Paraproffesional Policies (King/Harvey). Motion passed unanimously. 

B.     Selection of Instructional Materials Policy – 1st Reading

C.            Selection of Library Materials Policy – 1st Reading

IX.            Confirm Upcoming Meetings

      Regular Meeting: February 15th at 6:00 p.m., Georgia School Library

      Coffee/Tea Meeting: February 26th at 9 a.m., Georgia School library. 

      Special Public Information Meeting on Bond Article: February 28th at 7:00 p.m., Georgia School cafeteria

      Special Public Information Meeting on School Budget: February 28th at 7:00 p.m., Georgia School Cafeteria

 

X.                 Executive Session (Personnel)

      Motion made at 7:16 p.m. (Harvey/King) to go into executive session

      Exited executive session at ----