Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

April 27, 2004

 

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

 

Present

Georgia Board Members:  Chris Mitiguy, Clerk;  Alice Sturgeon, & Ron King

 

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

 

Channel 16 Technician:  Buddy Meilleur

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

Communications Team Members:  Rachel Smith, Shawna Shuttle, & Kati Lambert

 

1.      Chris Mitiguy called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:10pm.

2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – April 6th:

Ron King made a motion to approve the April 6th Regular Meeting Minutes with one change as noted.  Alice Sturgeon seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

3.      Review Correspondence:

Phil Higgins:

-          A letter of resignation from Diane Schook, SLP Teacher.  Alice Sturgeon made a motion to accept Diane Schook’s resignation.  Ron King seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously. 

-          Information regarding a residential development, to be brought up later on in the meeting

Ron King:

-          Email from Joann Harvey regarding elf program

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.     

Chris Sumner arrived at 6:19pm.

(skipped to)

7.        New Business

  1. Communications Team:

Rachel Smith reviewed the Communication Team’s current and future activities.   They are currently in the process of starting up a monthly Georgia/Fairfax newspaper.  Future activities include more community and volunteer involvement. 

Doug Bergstrom arrived at 6:28pm.

The committee also asked for Board direction and support.

The Board was very pleased to hear about the local newspaper.  And thanked the Communications Team for all their hard work.      

Rachel Smith, Shawna Shuttle, & Kati Lambert departed at 6:35pm.

(returned to)

5.       Reports:

  1. Principals’ Report:

Frank:

-          Letter and Certificate for a student in the Geo Bee

-          Hot Lunch Bid Information was handed out and reviewed

Ron King made a motion to advertise in the Saint Albans Messenger for 4 days.  Alice Sturgeon seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

-          Would like to set the Eighth Grade Graduation for Monday, June 14th at 7pm, the Board agreed

David:

-          A car missed hitting bus 6 this morning.  There were 5 students on the bus.  This caused a delay for pickup.  The parents of the 5 children were called and a note went home to all students EE-8.

-          Completed the Stat 9 Testing for students in grades 3, 5, 6, & 7

-          DRA will be given in May

-          Air Conditioning was put in the Computer Lab over vacation.  It seems to be working well.

  1. Financial Report – Chris Sumner:

Chris explained that she was in the process of giving a complete financial statement showing anticipated end of the year balance.  She then received unanticipated tuition bills totaling approximately $40,000 for aides for students at BFA Saint Albans.  Chris was aware that the students were at these high schools, but was not informed that aides were working with these students.  She has given this information to our High School liaison to investigate.  An update will be given at the 5/4/04 Board Meeting.

 

Doug Bergstrom said that he was speaking with Winton Goodrich and he suggested going to the Town Clerk’s office and asking them to keep us informed when students move into our town.  Doug informed that the NCLB student tracking software will be coming out within the next couple of years and this will enable the High Schools to pull Georgia student’s scores more easily for our records. 

  1. Superintendent Report – Phil:

-          Curriculum position is being advertised now in the papers

-          Franklin West Supervisory Union Bookkeeper advertisement in papers now 

-          Water Testing information coming out

-          Friday Inservice was very productive.  Lunch was provided by one of our school’s PTO

-          Harassment Policy will need some changes, but we have a detailed policy currently.

 

Doug Bergstrom informed the Board that we need an Act 68 Action Planning Team.  Doug informed Phil Higgins that all Board driven sub committee meetings have to be warned, even if a Board Member is not on the committee.  Phil will look into the guidelines of a Board driven committee.    

Ron King suggested looking into the reason for the high turnover in the District Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Position.

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board Reports.

6.      Old Business:

  1. 5th & 6th Grade Enrollment – Continued Discussion:

Doug Bergstrom would like to discuss combining a 5/6 Teacher and not fill the vacancy made by an employee retiring.

Phil Higgins explained that it is too late now not to fill a position, because there was never a reduction in force given to an employee in March as stated in the Teacher’s Contract.  

Chris Mitiguy reminded Doug that the Board promised the public that the Board was not going to change the Teacher Structure for the proposed FY’05 Budget that went out to vote.

Ron King stated that once an anticipated position has been approved for advertisement from the Board and the Administrators have spent time on interviews, that the Teacher structure should not change at this point.    

The Board asked the Administrators to ask for ideas from the Teachers for areas to improve the students education, such as a foreign language class.  They would like to discuss these ideas at the Board-Employee Social on Tuesday, May 25th.   

7.      New Business:

A.     Assessment Presentation:

David Young handed out and explained the Assessment Information.  The Board Members took some sample testing questions.

Doug asked if the NECAP Testing would be happening at GEMS.   The Administrators explained that next year the students would be double tested with NECAP Testing beginning and the New Standard Reference Exams being phased out.    

C. Residential Development Proposal – ACTION:

There are 4 condo units proposed where the Cobweb is.  They are anticipating approximately 6 students to be added to GEMS enrollment.  Ron King made a motion to respond that we have adequate space to accommodate 6 more students.   Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

8.       Policy Review:

A.     Interscholastic Sports Policy – ACTION:

Ron King made a motion to approve the Interscholastic Sports Policy with one change as noted.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

B.     Public Solicitation/Advertising in School Policy – ACTION:

Alice Sturgeon suggested having the Principal’s being aware of and limiting the amount of fundraisers.  Alice Sturgeon made a motion to approve the Public Solicitation/Advertising in School Policy with one change as noted.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.  

C.     Student Activities Policy (Secondary) – 2nd Reading:

This policy was read for the 2nd time.  Phil Higgins will join this policy into the Interscholastic Sports Policy.

D.     Board Goal Setting & Evaluation Policy – 1st Reading:

This policy was read for the 1st time.

9.      Other:

Doug Bergstrom:

-          Learned that there is a survey given to employees and parents to learn information of how people feel about specific topics

The Administrators explained that we do the VSAC Survey, and due to the frozen budget, we did not do the survey this year.  The cost is approximately $3,500 per year.  The Administrators will give the Board previous years’ survey history.

Alice Sturgeon met with Candy Thibault and Mrs. Bergstrom, and they are trying to design a pamphlet for educating new parents of young children, to make them more prepared for starting school.  David Young said that he would be willing to work with any committee members.

Alice would like to have the Board meet with the rest of the team to discuss Board goals.

10.  Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – May 4, 2004 @ 6pm in GEMS Library

11.  Anticipated Executive Session – Personnel:

Alice Sturgeon made a motion to enter Executive Session at 9:08pm to discuss Personnel, Administrative Contracts, and 2 Student Issues.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously. 

Executive Session called by Chair at 9:13pm to discuss a Student Issue.

Out of Executive Session at 9:17pm.

No Action Taken.

Executive Session called by Chair at 9:18pm to discuss a Student Bus Issue.

Out of Executive Session at 9:24pm.

No Action Taken.

Executive Session called by Chair at 9:25pm to discuss Administrative Contracts.

Out of Executive Session at 9:40pm.

No Action Taken.

Executive Session requested by Ron King to discuss a Personnel Issue.

Out of Executive Session at 10:00pm.

No Action Taken.

Doug Bergstrom adjourned the School Board Meeting at 10:01pm.