Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

March 15, 2005

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

Present

v       Georgia Board Members: Doug Bergstrom, Chair; Alice Sturgeon, Ron King, Dan Harvey

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

v       Transcriptionist & TV Tech:  Wendy Larose, Cyndi Bourget

v       Others:  Melissa Fisher, Cindy Little, Ann Getty

 

I.          Call to Order

            Phil Higgins called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

II.         Board Reorganization

            FWSU Union Board:  Dan Harvey, Alice Sturgeon, Ron King

            Negotiations (Professional & Para-professional):  Ron King, Doug Bergstrom, Chris Mitiguy

            Transportation Committee:  Chris Mitiguy, Ron King

            Buildings & Grounds:  Alice Sturgeon, Ron King

            Technology:  Doug Berstrom

            Community Relations:  Dan Harvey

            Motion (Sturgeon/Mitiguy) to leave all committee assignments and officers as is. Motion passed unanimously.

III.       Approve Minutes

A.     Annual School Meeting – February 28th.

Motion to approve the Annual School Meeting minutes (Sturgeon/Harvey). Motion passed unanimously. 

B.     Regular Meeting – March 2nd

Minutes not approved due to status of committee members not being sworn in at this meeting. 

IV.       Review Correspondence

            A.      One for executive session. 

IV.       Public Comments

            A.      No public comment.

V.        Reports

            A.      Principals:

¨      Frank Calano: Letter going out to grades 5-7 to indicate Stanfords are happening on April 6-8.  Grades 5-8 received letters today notifying their parents of students whom may be failing. Time to reflect today on Time into the Future. Melissa Fischer is visiting tonight to discuss bullying.  Kevin Briggs has introduced 5-8 After School Opportunities for kids during the next few weeks. 

¨      David Young: Ellie Bilodeau was a long-time para-educator being celebrated on March 16 at 2:30 p.m.  A book is given to student and one goes to library. Kathy Considine’s mother passed away this week and condolences were expressed to the Magnan family.  There are eight computers (originally donated) to be given away.  It is listed on the board.  They are too expensive maintain and it costs to get rid of them.  Transportation Committee meeting on March 16 at 6:30 p.m.  Dave would like to advertise for the kindergarten position.  39 have registered out of a known 73 who are eligible to register.  Will advertise for anticipated opening after March 31st.  Today teachers from Milton to discuss their Everyday Math program. 

 

¨      Superintendent:  Phil gave the legislative review.  Crossover date is the prominent thing happening at this time.  As we go into Franklin West meeting on March 23rd, information should be together for that meeting.  At the in-service on April 16th, Dr. Jurgenson, a leading researcher from Dartmouth College, discusses the brain and how kids learn.  How boys learn vs. how girls learn, etc.  School calendars will be coming out shortly.  There are really reviewing in-service days.  Instead of fragmenting them at beginning of year, they are grouping around Thanksgiving to provide more consistency.  Phil passed out current budget. 

¨      Board: No update.

VI.       Old Business

            A.      No old business.

VII.      New Business

A.     School Readiness Overview – This is the school’s overview of our goals.  Phil updated the board on what the school has done relating to these goals.  The document is reviewed every couple of months. 

B.     Review School Bullying Survey – Melissa Fisher and Cindy Little were on hand to give an update on school bullying.  Cindy passed out a report completed by grades 3&4 and gave an overview of the report.  Melissa gave an overview on the results from grades 5-8.  Alice Sturgeon mentioned that the younger kids on the bus are so aware of the rules, they feel they can’t yell or get up to report bullying to the bus driver.  Ann Getty visited to review the school’s bullying report forms and the procedures around completing the forms.  Ann has only filled out two forms for validated bullying issues.  There was a parent workshop organized.  Attendance was low.  There is another parent workshop being organized and they are hoping for a better turnout.  John Halligan came in to speak with staff and talked about suicide prevention.   A student assembly for grades 3-8 was held with a pantomime speaker. 

VIII.     Policy Review

A.     Selection of Instructional Materials Policy – 2nd Reading

¨       Diane Layden had many comments.  Will revisit at next meeting.   

B.     Selection of Library Materials Policy – 2nd Reading

¨       Tabled until next meeting.   

IX.            Confirm Upcoming Meetings

¨       FWSU Quarterly Meeting -  March 23rd, 7:00 p.m. at Fletcher 

¨       Regular Meeting – April 5th, 6:00 p.m. at Georgia School Library

     

X.             Executive Session (Personnel)

Motion made to go into executive session at 7:16 p.m. (Bergstrom/Harvey) to go into executive session for personnel matter.  Board exited Out of Session at 7:45 p.m.

 

Action Taken:

Ron King Moved to Direct the Superintendent to send Paul Waite a copy of the history of current position assignment and for the Board to support the decision of the past Georgia School Board outlined in a February 10, 2004 letter from Chair Ken Minck to Paul Waite. Motion seconded by Chris Mitiguy and passed unanimously.

 

Entered Executive Session (Personnel) at 7:47 p.m.

Exited session at 7:55 p.m.

 

Action Taken:

Dan Harvey moved to grant Sue Legare 1 unpaid leave day to be used over the April Vacation, seconded by Chris Mitiguy. Unanimously approved by board.

XI.             Adjourn

The meeting adjourned 8:00 p.m.