Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

February 3, 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:  Matt Wohl

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

  

1.      Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:09pm.

 2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – January 6th:

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the January 6th Minutes as printed.   Doug Bergstrom seconded.  Motion passed, unanimous.

  1. Regular Meeting – January 20th:

Richard Benoit made a motion to approve the January 20th Minutes as printed.   Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

3.      Review Correspondence:

-          A letter to Cathy Stech from Tod Granger, Building Supervisor

-          A letter to Lake Champlain Access Television regarding budget information

-          A letter from GEMS to Casey at Mathieu Enterprises

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.     

5.      Reports:

  1. Board Reports:

Richard Benoit shared the emails that he received from Teachers regarding their concern in the reduction of the Technology Teacher and that students would lose technology instruction.   The Administrators replied that they reviewed the Teachers schedule and that the time allowed next year provides the same instructional time that is being utilized this year.

  1. Superintendent Report – Phil:

-          Legislative Recap:  possible High School choice with the money following the student

-          S166 Bill:  moving Early Education to 10 hours per week

-          H540 Bill:  has passed in the House and believes it will pass in the Senate

-          H576 Bill:  regarding not allowing a School Board Member to be on the Board if they have a spouse employed at the School

  1. Principals’ Report:

Frank:

-          Spoke with the Abbey regarding a proposed new bill in the Senate regarding student’s nutrition

-          Progress reports went out

-          Recognition assembly next week

-          Frank and David are both attending a workshop “Lenses on Learning”

-          Meeting with the 8th Grade regarding Math and Language Arts New Standards Reference Exam Testing

 

David:

-           Iditaread Challenge:  176 Students complete the challenge, and 22 students will be selected to take a dog sled ride on February 10th here at the Georgia School.  David thanked Diane Leyden and Randy Hall for organizing this event.

-          Joan Nye has been focusing on the effects and outcomes of ½ day vs. all day Kindergarten programming as part of her Masters.  She will be discussing the outcomes with the Administration.

-          There was discussion about student obesity and the state is considering legislation requiring more time to be spent doing physical fitness

6.  Old Business:

A.     Communication Committee Update:

Phil Higgins reviewed with the Board as they signed up from presentations at the various community teas and winter carnival.

Phil thanked the Communication Committee again for all their work and that it has been a great committee to work with.

Ken Minck shared with the Board information that he and Doug learned at a School Board Workshop.  He suggested showing the numbers that we do have control over and to know our enrollment numbers.  The meeting shared information about how to control costs.   

7.       New Business:

A.     Town Meeting Day Preparation - Discussion: 

~ Planning for Public Presentations, TV, Roles and Responsibilities

Chris Sumner handed out information about the FY’05 Budget to be reviewed with the public, ready for this Saturday. 

B.     Approve Draft Flyer:

    Chris Sumner handed out a draft of the FY’05 Budget Flyer to be mailed out.  

There was much input and changes based on the Board Members suggestions.

8.      Policy Review:

A.     Emergency Closings Policy – ACTION:

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the Emergency Closings Policy as written and with the one change made tonight.  Motion passed, unanimously.

B.     Personnel Policy (Recruitment, Selection, Appointment, Criminal Record) – ACTION:

The Personnel Policy was tabled until the next meeting.

C.     Student Publications Policy – 1st Reading:

This policy is under review at this time.

D.     Resignations Policy – 1st Reading:

This policy is under review at this time. 

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – February 17th @ 6pm in GEMS Library
  2. Special Info Meeting on Article for L.C. Technical School District Proposal – March 1, 2004 @ 7pm in GEMS Library

 

Entered Executive Session at 8:40pm.

10.  Executive Session – (Personnel Issue):

Exited Executive Session at 9:00pm.

No action taken.

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at 9:00pm.