Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

November 4, 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;  & Frank Calano, Middle School Principal

 

Channel 16 Technician:  Buddy Meilleur & Ben McCarty

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

Others:  Melissa Hersh

 

1.      Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:03pm.

 

2.      Approve Minutes:  October 21, 2003

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the October 21, 2003 Regular School Board Meeting Minutes with 1 correction made by Doug Bergstrom.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

3.      Review Correspondence:

-          Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust Report ending June 2003

 

(skipped to)

 7.  New Business:

             A. Regional Technical Academy Presentation:

Melissa Hersh presented information about the Regional Technical Academy, which would combine the Essex and Burlington Technical Centers.  The main reason for this Technical Academy is because there is not enough room at the 2 individual locations.  Rachelle Howard, who sits on the Fairfax Board, is our representative at this point, unless we wish to appoint someone else from our Supervisory Union or hold a district election.  Rachelle is also on the Planning Commission.  The Regional Technical Academy will be taking over the previous Champion / Jog Bar Building off from Kellogg Road. 

 

Rachelle Howard and Alice Sturgeon arrived at 6:20pm.

 

Doug Bergstrom had some questions regarding Georgia’s liability even if no Georgia Students attend and also if a Georgia student wants to attend after attending 2 years at BFA - Saint Albans.  Melissa will get answers to these questions and get back to Doug.

 

Rachelle Howard and Melissa Hersh departed at 6:52pm.

 

4.      Public Comments:

There were no public comments.

 

5.      Reports – Administrative:

  1. Principals’ Reports:

David:

-          We are now past the 40th school day, which is an important date for reporting number of students enrolled at GEMS

-          Math Training has continued and there are 21 employees signed up for a Math Course

-          Handed out information on Act 68 from Chris Sumner, explaining how all special funds will now need to be shown in the expenditures 

-          Asked if anyone had any questions regarding the data information that was shared at the last meeting, because he needs to leave early tonight

 

David Young departed at 7:02pm.

 

Frank:

-          Handed out information about the report card and the reporting system

-          Would like student conferences universal throughout Grades 5-8

 

  1. Superintendent’s Report - Phil:

-          Recently met regarding data assessments

-          Last week the Administrators attended a course regarding supervision and evaluations

-          Many professional development opportunities in the District

-          Shared information on the NCLB Act, from the gallop poles opinions on NCLB 

-          Will be attending an assessment meeting on Monday and will be able to return with more information regarding testing

 

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board Reports.

 

6.      Old Business:

A.     Budget – Update – Review community input session.  Notes attached:

The Board was pleased with the variety of concerns that were brought up.  They were also pleased with the wide range of representation and discussion.  The Board would like to bring the community back before our proposed budget goes to the printer.  Phil Higgins suggested that we need to start having just straight budget meetings regardless of which Board Members are in attendance, and to keep moving.  The Board decided to make November 11th and 25th both budget meetings at 6pm.  Sometime in November, the Board will decide on December Budget meeting dates.

 

B.     Selection of Board Representative – Executive Session for Discussion:

This item will be done under Executive Session at the end of tonight’s meeting.

 

C.     Data Response – Board to bring questions about data for administration:

The Board did not have any questions about data for the Administration.

 

7.      New Business:

B.     Audit Report Distribution: 

The Board Members received their audit report copies.  Ken Minck asked if we are starting to comply with the GASB 34 inventory.  Phil Higgins will return to the Board with the maximum dollar amount.  Doug Bergstrom asked if the problem with receiving the grant information has been resolved.  Phil Higgins informed the Board that everything is working fine now with the change in Business Managers as of 7/1/03.  Doug Bergstrom also wanted to commend Chris Sumner and Candy Granger on the auditors comments about the records being in such excellent condition and what a pleasure it was to work with both of them.  He explained that you don’t see comments like that very much in an audit report.  Phil Higgins agreed.  

 

C.     Negotiation Timeline:

-          November 20th at 4pm will be the first meeting for Ken Minck and the Professional Union.   Doug will not be able to attend.  Phil Higgins asked Doug to give him a list of dates that are good for him.

-          November 25th at 4pm will be the first meeting for Teresa Stebbins and the Paraprofessional Union

               

8.      Policy Review:

  1. Budgeting – ACTION:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to adopt the Budgeting policy as written.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

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

This was the 2nd Reading for the Mandatory Drug Testing of Transportation Employees.

 

  1. Local Action Plan – 2nd Reading:

This was the 2nd Reading for the Local Action Plan.

 

  1. Annual School Reports – 2nd Reading:

This was the 2nd Reading for the Annual School Reports.

 

  1. Special Education Policies – 1st Reading:

-          Special Education Policy

-          Referrals

-          Evaluation & Planning Team

-          Private Health Insurance Pertaining to Special Services

-          Independent Educational Evaluations

-          Disciplinary Procedures

This was the 1st Reading on all of the above policies.

 

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Board Meeting – November 18th, 2003 @ 6pm in GEMS Library

 

Entered Executive Session to discuss a Student Issue at 7:37pm.

10.  Executive Session:

Exited Executive Session at 7:50pm.

 

Entered Executive Session to discuss a Personnel Issue at 7:51pm.

Exited Executive Session at 8:35pm.

Action:  Teresa Stebbins moved to recommend Richard Benoit to the Selectboard to fill the current School Board Vacancy.   Motion seconded by Ken Minck.  Motion passed, 2 to 1 in favor, with Doug Bergstrom voting against.

 

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at 8:40pm.