Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

October 21, 2003

 

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

 Present

Georgia Board Members:  Ken Minck, Teresa Stebbins, & Doug Bergstrom

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

 Channel 16 Technician:  Buddy Meilleur

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

Others:  Richard Benoit

 

1.      Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 5:08 pm.

 2.      Approve Minutes:  October 7, 2003

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the October 7, 2003 Regular School Board Meeting Minutes.  Motion passed, unanimously.

3.      Review Correspondence:

-          GEA Correspondence asking to open negotiations

-          Phil shared a correspondence

 Frank Calano arrived at 5:10pm.

 4.      Public Comments:

The Public Comments will be available later in the meeting once more people are in attendance.

5.      Reports – Administrative:

  1. Principals’ Reports:

David:

-          Teachers’ Convention this Thursday & Friday

-          The past inservice was dedicated to Everyday Math

-          In November there will be a Parent’s training on Everyday Math

 Frank:

-          Has been meeting with the Math Teachers every 2 weeks to review where everyone is at

-          The students all seem to enjoy the new math program

-          The Pied Piper play is being presented today and tomorrow

-          Has continued to meet with the report card committee and he’ll get more information back to the Board

  1. Superintendent’s Report - Phil:

-          On Thursday, the Superintendent’s Office will be working on Data Analysis

-          Phil gave the letters of interest in filling the School Board vacancy to Ken

-          Phil asked the Board to approve Lauralee Baral for the .50 FTE Compensatory Education Position funded through Medicaid for the remainder of the year.  Teresa Stebbins made a motion to accept Lauralee Baral for this position.   Motion passed, unanimously. 

  1. Financial Report - Chris:

-          High School bills are not in yet

-          No big surprises at this time

Marilyn Sink arrived at 5:22pm.

 (skipped to)

 7.  New Business:

B.     Music Program Presentation – Marilyn Sink:

Marilyn Sink reviewed all aspects of the Music Program.  She explained about the various presentations/residencies and various types of musical learning and choice classes that have been offered.  She explained how the music program use to be very small and how both she and Randy Wheeler have expanded it to what it is today.

 Dan Harvey arrived at 5:25pm.

 C.     School Board Candidates – Review:

Richard Benoit and Dan Harvey both shared their interest in filling the School Board Vacancy.

 Dan Harvey departed at 5:45pm.

 (returned to)

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board reports.

6.      Old Business:

A.     Budget - Update:

Chris Sumner updated the “open the doors” FY’05 Budget, to include projected FY’05 special education costs.  This brings the increase to 5.63%.  She explained that she still doesn’t have solid numbers on how many high school students are at which school, so high school estimate is very fuzzy.  Other costs not considered in this budget are vocational tuition coming back into the local budget and possibly all special revenue (grant) funds. 

 Marilyn Sink departed at 5:59pm.

1.      Board Direction

Phil asked the Board if they have an idea in mind of a school budget increase figure.  Ken Minck said that it is still premature to determine a school budget increase percentage.    

 Alice Sturgeon arrived at 6:05pm.

2.      Direct Expenses of Play group program

Chris Sumner shared her calculations for revenue and expenditures for the Playgroup program.  From the numbers that were presented, Doug Bergstrom stated that it appears that this program would not be generating any revenue for GEMS.  If fact, it looks like it might be costing GEMS funds.

3.      Current Class size ratios

David shared our current class size ratios per grade. 

 Alice Sturgeon shared her interest in filling the School Board vacancy.

4.      Data Distribution

David Young shared Data from testing results.

    7.  New Business:

 A.  Time Clock – Discussion:

Chris Sumner shared information about a proposed timeclock.  Candy Granger called NEMRC, who serves approximately 180 Vermont Schools and this would be the first School to incorporate a timeclock with their payroll software.  Chris Sumner also suggested speaking with the employees that would be affected before any more research is done.             

8.      Policy Review:

  1. Search and Seizure – ACTION:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the Search and Seizure Policy.  Motion passed, unanimously.

  1. Budgeting – 2nd Reading:

There will be some changes before this item is brought back for action.

  1. Mandatory Drug Testing of Transportation Employees – 2nd Reading:

There will be some changes before this item is brought back for action.

  1. Local Action Plan – 1st Reading:

This item will be reviewed and brought back at the next Board Meeting.

  1. Annual School Reports – 1st Reading:

This item will be reviewed and brought back at the next Board Meeting.

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – November 4th, 2003 @ 6pm in GEMS Library

10.  Executive Session - If needed:

There were no Executive Session items.

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at 6:58pm.