Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

January 4, 2005

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

Present

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

v       Administrators:  Phil Higgins, Superintendent; Frank Calano, Middle School Principal; and David Young, Elementary School Principal

v       Transcriptionist:  Wendy Larose

v       Channel 16 Technician: 

v       Others:  Georgia residents

1.   Call to Order:

      Doug Bergstrom called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.

2.   Approve Minutes:

      A.  Regular meeting – December 21st

Motion to approve the regular meeting minutes (Mitiguy/Harvey). Motion passed unanimously. 

3.   Committee Reports:

      A.      Transportation

v       The committee reviewed the three bids received for transportation.    It was unanimously decided to award the bid to Grand Avenue Enterprises.  The overall increase for transportation is 3.43% over the current provider.  

v       The committee reviewed a pay as you go system, but all three bidders would not recommend this system.  Under the Federal Transportation Agency, the bus system would no longer be a public school bus system, but a private busing entity, which would allow anyone to ride.  Liability costs would increase dramatically in a pay as you go system.             

5.   Old Business:

A.  Approve 2003-2004 Audit Report – no action taken. 

6.   Public Forum:

v       Doug Bergstrom presented a report highlighting budget changes.  General fixed increases total about $500,000.  There is also another $260,000 in salaries costs being recommended, and $100,000 in additional material expenses.  Doug showed how the tax rate would be affected if the all the recommendations were approved, and then reviewed the tax rate if portions of the recommendations were approved. 

Motion made at 8:51 p.m. (Harvey/Mitiguy) to go into executive session.