Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

December 16, 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;  Sue Boyer, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, & Instruction;  David Young, Elementary School Principal;  Frank Calano, Middle School Principal;  & Chris Sumner, Business Manager

 

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

 

 

1.      Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:05pm.

 

2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – December 2nd
  2. Special Budget Meeting – December 9th

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the above Meeting Minutes as printed.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

3.      Review Correspondence:

-          Regional Technical Academy Information

-          National School Boards Association Letter

 

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.     

 

5.      Reports – Administrative:

  1. Principals’ Report:

Frank:

-          Winter concert tomorrow night

-          The Building is in use non-stop by the community

 

David:

-          Math night information in the Milton Independent, which was organized by Sue Boyer

-          Things are going fine, but this is a big week to wrap things up before the holiday break        

 

  1. Superintendent Report – Phil:

-          Phil Higgins did not have a report at this time. 

 

  1. Business Manager Report – Chris Sumner:

-          Received an email from VSBIT that they have all information for FWSU liability insurance in potential new program.  Chris Sumner doesn’t think that it will be cheaper, but may be better coverage.

 

-          Health Insurance alternatives are in the works.  Candy Granger has been in contact with the 3 companies suggested, to investigate other Health Insurance options.

 

-          Chris Sumner handed out the November 30, 2003 Budget Status and recommended freezing the budget at this point, due to an approximate $27,484 balance left to spend until 6/30/03.

 

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to freeze the budget and to reverse all unexecuted purchase orders that are non-contractual and non-mandated by nature.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

The Board asked Chris Sumner to give them the total amount of unexpended Teacher and Program Budgets.

 

Rich Benoit made a motion to appoint Teresa Stebbins as the Board Clerk pending Doug Bergstrom’s resignation as Board Clerk.  Motion passed, unanimously.  

 

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board Reports.

 

(skipped to)

7.      New Business:

A.      Differentiated Instruction Presentation – Sue Boyer:

Sue Boyer explained how everyone thinks and learns differently.  Teachers need to appeal to the various students learning methods.  She also explained how graduate credits are being offered from the University of Southern NH at a much cheaper cost.

 

(returned to)

6.  Old Business:

A.     Community Mailing – Authorize Expenditure:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve expenditure of approximately $350 for the Community Mailing for the Meeting on January 7th.  Motion passed, unanimously.  We will need to send out a flyer mailing outlining the highlights of the budget

 

Doug Bergstrom arrived at 7:42pm.

 

7.       New Business:

A.     Communications Committee - Update: 

The Communications Committee has been working very hard.  They have met once and will be meeting again.

 

8.      Policy Review:

A.     Special Education Policies – ACTION:

-          Local Action Plan Required by Act 60

-          Special Education Out-of-District Placement

-          Special Education Extended School Year

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the above policies as presented.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

B.     Risk Management – ACTION:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the Risk Management Policy.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

C.     Fiscal Management & General Financial Accountability – Update:

Doug Bergstrom made a motion to approve the Fiscal Management & General Financial Accountability policy as presented.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

D.     Capitalization – 2nd Reading:

This Policy was read for the 2nd time.

 

E.      Private Health Insurance Pertaining to Special Education – 2nd Reading:

This Policy was read for the 2nd time.

 

F.      Head Lice – 1st Reading:

This Policy was read for the 1st time.

 

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. FWSU Board Meeting – December 17th @ 7pm in GEMS Library
  2. Special Budget Meeting – December 22nd @ 6pm in GEMS Library
  3. Regular Board Meeting – January 6th @ 6pm in GEMS Library

 

(returned to)

6.      Old Business:

B.   Budget Development – Continued Discussion:

      There was much Budget discussion again. 

 

Entered Executive Session at 9:15pm.

 

10.  Executive Session – Student Issue:

No action taken.

 

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at 9:30pm.