School Board Minutes

Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

December 2, 2003

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

Present

Georgia Board Members: Ken Minck, Chris Mitiguy, Teresa Stebbins, & Richard Benoit

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

Channel 16 Technician: Ben McCarty

Transcriptionist: Candy Granger

Others: Diane Leyden, Eric Hadd, & Shawn Allard

1. Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:00pm.

2. Approve Minutes:

November 11^th Special Budget Meeting
November 18^th Regular Board Meeting
November 25^th Special Budget Meeting

Rich Benoit made a motion to approve the above Meeting Minutes as written. Motion passed, unanimously.

3. Review Correspondence:

- Phil Higgins shared information about our designated Technical Center being the Chittenden County Technical Academy and that we don’t need to provide transportation.

- If we weren’t part of the designated region then we would need to petition the State to change our designated School to Saint Albans, and if they didn’t have the course the student wanted, due to the School choice, they could go anywhere

Doug Bergstrom arrived at 6:06pm.

(skipped to)

7. New Business:

A. Tech Ed Budget:

Eric Hadd, Diane Leyden, and Shawn Allard informed the Board of the Technology Status at GEMS. They shared information on communication via the website and how important it is. They informed the Board of the variety of computer programs to eliminate paper overload and wasting time. They also explained about building GEMS computers with volunteers, which saved about half the cost of buying computers directly from a vendor. Their presentation was very informative and many questions were asked.

Carolyn Branagan arrived at 6:15pm.

Alice Sturgeon arrived.

Carolyn Branagan explained that Act 68 will really work out well once all the changes are made. She referred to having the School’s Budget reflecting the total cost of educating students by including all expenditures, including grant funding, which will be helpful to compare to other School’s cost per pupil. She said that Act 68 would reduce property taxes. Frank Calano asked if the State would send out information to all State residents explaining this new way of tax funding. Carolyn Branagan wasn’t sure if the state will do that or not, but she said that she is willing to be here to help explain Act 68 at any of our Public Forums.

4. Public Comments:

Alice Sturgeon stated that she feels too much time is taken out of the Student- Teacher day. She thinks that we need to get back to basics and to stop with all the other interruptions during the day, such as assessments, and extra classes, such as music, art, etc. She suggested throwing out the schedules and starting over with the basic Student-Teacher combination.

5. Reports – Administrative:

Principals’ Report:

David:

- Just completed Parent-Teacher Conference, which was well attended, and it provided positive feedback from Parents

- Professional Development is continuing to be very positive

- Things seem to be going very well

Frank:

- 5/8 Meeting this morning, and the 1^st meeting of the month will be a Math or

Literacy focus group

- First recognition ceremony will be on December 22^nd around 2:25pm, all are invited

- Next Friday, December 12^th will be a Drug and Alcohol Presentation by VKAT, there will be a mime performing

- David and Frank have informed all staff to relay the message to all students that to lessen the anxiety of the season, there will not be any exchange of gifts at School between Teachers or Students

Superintendent Report – Phil:

- Asked if anyone would like to go to an informational meeting on Act 68 sometime in January, he will reserve a few seats for Board Members

- Reviewed Embargoed information from the Vermont Department of Education regarding standards in the NCLB law

- Requested changing 12/23 Budget Meeting to Monday, 12/22 @ 6pm. This was agreed on by the Board.

- Need to select a Public Informational Meeting, the Board decided to have the meeting on January 7^th @ 7pm

Board Reports:

There were no Board Reports.

6. Old Business:

A. Budget Update – Continued Discussion:

Chris Sumner informed the Board that due to the fluctuation in High School Students the approximate increase in the High School Tuition is $265,000. The Board decided to include this figure in the proposed FY’05 GEMS School Budget

B. Copier Bids – Action:

Richard Benoit made a motion to approve the Symquest copier bid for 5 years. Teresa Stebbins seconded. There was much discussion. Motion passed, unanimously.

C. Technical Academy – Continued Discussion:

This item was discussed again.

7. New Business:

B. School Accountability Results:

This item was not reviewed at this time.

8. Policy Review:

A. Special Education Policies – ACTION:

- Special Education Policy

- Referrals

- Evaluation & Planning Team

- Independent Educational Evaluations

- Disciplinary Procedure

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the above policies. Richard Benoit seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.

- Private Health Insurance Pertaining to Special Services

This policy will return as a second reading at the next Board Meeting.

B. Special Education Policies – 2^nd Reading:

- Local Action Plan Required by Act 60

- Special Education Out-of-District Placement

- Special Education Extended School Year

The above policies were read for the 2^nd time.

C. Risk Management – 2^nd Reading:

This policy was read for the 2^nd time.

D. Capitalization – 1^st Reading:

This Policy was read for the 1^st time.

Entered Executive Session at 9:02pm.

9. Executive Session – Personnel:

10. Confirm Meeting Dates:

Special Budget Meeting – December 9^th@ 6pm in GEMS Library
Regular Board Meeting – December 16^th @ 6pm in GEMS Library
FWSU Board Meeting – December 17^th @ 6pm in GEMS Library

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at pm.