Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

June 1, 2004

 

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

Present

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

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

Channel 16 Technician:  Buddy Meilleur

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

 

1.      Doug Bergstrom called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:05pm.

2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – May 18th:

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the May 18th Regular School Board Meeting Minutes.  Dan Harvey seconded.   Motion passed, unanimously.

3.      Review Correspondence:

Ron King:

-          Information regarding a nutrition survey

      Doug Bergstrom:

-          A letter from Tod Granger to the PTA regarding flagpole lighting

-          Franklin One newspaper

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.   

5.       Reports:

  1. Principals’ Report:

David:

-          Recently a sad loss for our School, due to the death of a Kindergarten Teacher’s Husband

-          Kindergarten open house tonight and Thursday

-          There was an all school assembly on Friday for a Memorial Day Celebration

-          There will be an Executive Session item regarding a Student Issue

-          Judi St.Hilaire would like to hold an overnight campout here on School grounds.  David will get more information to the Board and will update them under other business.

-          A lot of activities going on between now and the end of the year

Frank:

-          Nice Memorial Celebration on Friday, a great message was given, and wonderful connection to past and present

-          Athletic banquet going on tonight

-          Tomorrow is the recognition assembly in the afternoon

-          Grade 8 meeting tomorrow night for accelerated math class

-          Thursday night is the choice class meeting

-          Friday night is the dance from 7-10pm

-          June 7th is the field trip

-          Saturday will be the last Saturday School

-          Chess Tournament is currently happening

-          June 14th is 8th Grade Graduation

-          June 16th is move up day

-          Nutrition committee will meet tomorrow and will bring information back to the Board soon

  1. Financial Report – Chris Sumner:

-          Still feel that we should be in the same spot as last meeting

Building & Grounds update for projects that will be happening by June 30th:

-          Resealing of windows

-          Cafeteria floor tiles

-          Installation of gutters

-          Fencing around water wells and air conditioner

The Administration checked with staff regarding everyday math materials needed for next year, which would cost approximately $8,000.  These items could be purchased this year instead of coming out of next year funds.

Ron King suggested having the General Fund reimburse the Principal’s checkbook for the co-curricular program costs.  Doug Bergstrom asked Chris Sumner to get a list for the next Board Meeting of all the costs that came out of the Principal’s checkbook due to the frozen budget.

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to enter Executive Session regarding a Student Issue at 6:28pm.

Exited Executive Session at 6:58pm.

  1. Superintendent’s Report – Phil:

-          Met with Joe Zimmerman from VSBIT regarding Liability Insurance, 27 schools have signed on already, to try to get stabilize rates

-          Gina Meigs has been hired for the FWSU Bookkeeper Position, good news

-          FWSU will need to hire a new person to fill Gina’s place in the Superintendent’s Office

-          Federal Title Grants should be at about 10% less for next year

-          June 10th is a meeting to design plan for grants

-          Phil won’t be at the next Board meeting, but Sue Boyer will fill in

-          Sheila Rivers has been hired for the FWSU Curriculum Director       

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board reports. 

6.      New Business:

  1. PTA Matching Funds for Volunteer Coordinator - Discussion:

-          10 hours per month, for 10 months, at $15 per hour

-          Chris Sumner reminded Dan to have the PTA count on employee benefits along with the salary, or less hours to cover benefit costs

-          The board asked for more information at the next board meeting.

  1. Field Trip Presentation – Judi St. Hilarie:

Tabled for now.  David will call Judi and report under other business. 

7.      Policy Review:

  1. Interscholastic Sports/Students Clubs & Activities Policy – ACTION:

Phil made the Board’s changes.  Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the Interscholastic Sports/Students Clubs & Activities Policy.  Ron King seconded.   Motion passed, unanimously.

  1. Board Relations with School Personnel – ACTION:

Phil Higgins will contact the VSBIT for more detailed direction for the Board. This policy was tabled at this time.

  1. Board Commitment to Non-Discrimination - ACTION:

Dan Harvey made a motion to approve the Board Commitment to Non-Discrimination Policy.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

  1. Personnel Recruitment/Selection/Appointment/Criminal Records Policy – 2nd Reading:

Phil will make the Board’s recommended changes.

  1. Weapons Policy – Update/Review:

Phil will look into this Policy further.

8.       Other:

Friday, June 11th is Judi St. Hilaire’s field trip.   She would like to camp out on the 3rd & 4th Grade Playground area.  She would need outside doors open for bathroom access.  And would like a bonfire as well and will be contacting fire marshal.  Dan Harvey made a motion to approve Judi St. Hilaire’s field trip with the stipulations of contacting a fire marshal, appropriate chaperones, and school doors locked past bathrooms.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Chris Sumner informed the Board that Adrienne Fisher is willing to spend Idea B grant funds on OT/PT Services for this year FY’04.  This would be approximately $12,000 to $16,000.  Adrienne would also like to cover these same expenditures for next year FY’05 too.  Chris Mitiguy made a motion to move OT/PT Expenses from the general fund to Idea B Funds.  Alice Sturgeon seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

Alice Sturgeon made a motion to order math workbooks costing approximately $8,600.  Dan Harvey seconded.   Motion passed, unanimously.

At the Board’s meet and greet with employees, a few Teachers complained about a lack of cleaning in their classrooms.  David Young will look into. 

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – June 15, 2004 @ 6pm in GEMS Library
  2. FWSU Quarterly Meeting – June 23, 2004 @ 7pm in Fairfax Library
  3. July – No Board Meetings

10.  Executive Session – Administrative Contracts, Personnel, & Student Issue:

Chris Mitiguy moved into Executive Session to discuss a Teacher contract issue at 8:15pm.  Ron King seconded. 

Exited Executive Session at 8:25pm.

Action Taken:  Alice Sturgeon moved to pay Allison Fuller a long-term substitute rate of pay based on 1/187 of the base salary at Georgia starting on 5/26/04.   Motion seconded by Dan Harvey.  Motion passes, unanimously.

Entered Executive Session called by Doug Bergstrom to discuss Para negotiations at 8:27pm.

Exited Executive Session at 8:40pm.

No Action Taken.

Entered Executive Session called by Doug Bergstrom to discuss Administrative negotiations at 9:00pm.

Exited Executive Session at 9:40pm.

No Action Taken.

Doug Bergstrom adjourned the School Board Meeting at 9:41 pm.