Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

May 4, 2004

 

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

 

Present

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

 

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.      Doug Bergstrom called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:12pm.

2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – April 27th:

Ron King made a motion to approve the April 27th Regular Meeting Minutes.  Motion passed, unanimously.

3.      Review Correspondence:

Phil Higgins:

-          A letter from a Teacher not returning to employment at GEMS next year, to be discussed later under Executive Session.

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.     

5.       Reports:

  1. Principals’ Report:

Frank:

-          Letters going out to Grade 5/6 Parents regarding end of year field trips

-          June 4th is the 7/8 Dance

-          June 9th is the Grade 8 cruise on Ethan Allen

-          June 14 is 8th Grade Graduation at 7pm

-          June 7th is the Grades 5/6 field trip to the Maritime Museum

-          encourage children to still work hard at end of year

-          remind kids to what is appropriate to wear to school at this time of year

-          discourage formal attire for Graduation

-          Ben Bernstein, folk dance instructor, is looking to relocate and would like to start up an after school program and would like GEMS as home base, just needs space to do the practices.  

-          The Board would like to hear more about it and it will be put on an upcoming agenda.

-          An item to discuss under Executive Session regarding a request for 3 unpaid personal days for a Paraeducator

Tod Granger arrived at 6:20pm.

David:

-          Bus survey is going out this week

-          Judi St.Hilaire would like to have an overnight field trip in Button Bay Park in Vergennes.  The Board was okay for her to pursue.

-          DRA tests are starting next week

-          Kindergarten ends on June 11th

-          Last day of school is a ½ day on June 16th

-          Pre school and family room sessions end on May 20th & 21st, and then field days are on June 3rd

  1. Financial Report – Chris Sumner:

-          The Essex High School 2nd Semester Tuition bill came in $26,000 less then the 1st Semester.   We’ll need to wait to see if some of the students have transferred to BFA Saint Albans or another school.

-          At this point, we look at ending with $10,000 under in expenditures at the end of the year

-          Candy billed for 2 years worth of state placed regular education, which totaled about $58,000.   Also receiving more special education aid due to spending over $100,000 more than budgeted.

-          So we will be receiving approximately $70,000 more in revenue then originally anticipated

  1. Superintendent Report – Phil:

-          Reminded Doug Bergstrom of employee invites for Board Social

-          Asked for clarification regarding questions in boxes regarding possible ways to increase programs at school without increasing costs.  The Board will present this idea at the social and will then put the question in mailboxes the next day.

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board Reports.

6.      Old Business:

  1. Administrative Contracts – Continued Discussion:

This item will be discussed under Executive Session.

7.      New Business:

A.     Community Relations - Discussion:

-          Dan Harvey informed the Board of the nice range of people on the Action

Planning Team

-          There is a lot of positive energy

-          Asked if they could have a copy of the approved minutes, to keep them aware of the Board actions

-          They are meeting again of June 2nd at 6pm

            -     There are parents and other community members

-          Using the action plan to focus, since Act 68 is so broad

-          Feels there should be a volunteer coordinator in GEMS.  It would cost approximately $1,500. 

B.     School Building Tour

Tod Granger handed out clipboards to the Board Members and showed a picture of the building with areas marked to visit for the Building Tour.  He attached a listing of building concerns, prioritized them, and indicated where the funds should come from for each repair. 

8.       Policy Review:

A.     Board Goal Setting & Evaluation Policy:

B.     Interscholastic Sports/Students Clubs & Activities Policy:

C.     Board Relations with School Personnel:

D.     Board  Commitment to Non-Discrimination:

All of these policies listed above were tabled for this meeting.   

9.      Other:

Alice Sturgeon asked Frank to check the Building Use Policy before contacting Ben Bernstein. 

10.  Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – May 18, 2004 @ 6pm in GEMS Library

11.  Executive Session – Personnel:

Dan Harvey made a motion to enter Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Issue at 6:50pm.  Alice Sturgeon seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Exited Executive Session at 7:00pm.

Ron King moved to grant Dawn Hanf 3 unpaid leave days per her request.  Motion seconded by Dan Harvey.  Unanimously approved.

Motion made by Dan Harvey to enter Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Issue at 7:03pm.

Exited Executive Session at 7:15pm.

Dan Harvey moved to grant Sara Heth up to five days unpaid leave at teacher choice with the understanding all progress reports will be complete and Sara will be available for answering parental concerns, and Sara will be directly involved with the transition with the substitute teacher.  Motion seconded by Alice Sturgeon.  Unanimously passed.

Doug Bergstrom adjourned the School Board Meeting at 7:20pm.