School Board Minutes

Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

May 6, 2003

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

Present

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

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

Channel 16 Technician: Nick Wood

Transcriptionist: Candy Granger

Others: Suzanna Brown

1 . Teresa Stebbins called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Teresa informed the Board that Chris Mitiguy is out of town and won’t be coming to the meeting tonight.

2. Approve Minutes:

Ken Minck made a motion to approve the April 15, 2003 Regular School Board Meeting Minutes. Motion passed, unanimously.

3. Review Correspondence:

Teresa Stebbins:

- A thank you letter from Leona Brown

- A letter from Dawn Hanf & Rachel Murray, to be discussed in Executive Session

- Joan Rocheleau’s request to view minutes on our website, to be discussed under other business

- Note from Kevin Briggs to discuss under other

4. Public Comments:

There were no public comments.

5. Reports – Administrative:

Principals’ Reports:

Frank Calano:

- Met with Teachers last week regarding information about a tri-semester year

- Melissa Fisher is working on ideas for the 8^th Grade Students’ Transition

- 8^th Graders interested in going to BFA St. Albans, will go on May 22^nd; perspective Essex and Fairfax students have already visited their schools

- Reviewed choice classes with the Board, and will meet again next week

- Next GEO Bee competition will be on May 17^th in Northfield

David Young:

- May 14^th – 23^rd we will be taking the DRA which is a 2^nd Grade reading assessment, a letter will be going out next week to Parents

- Approached about a food bank, David informed the Board

- Placement process is beginning, David met with his Teachers today information will go out very soon

- Special Education Assessment Committee is being complied by Adrienne Fisher. Asked for a representative from the School Board to participate on the Special Education self assessment committee that will meet on June 19, 20, 23, & 24

- “Reeltalk” survey was conducted last Friday, to attain information about how much students are exposed by various media types

- In the process of setting up some Professional Development opportunities this summer for Teachers, especially with the Math Curriculum

- Responsive Classroom course July 7^th – 11^th , David and 12 Teachers will be taking the class

Superintendent’s Report – Phil Higgins:

- Financial Report from Chris

- Special Education Audit now owes FWSU $15,000 opposed to our Supervisory Union owing the State $330,000 as was previously stated

- Would like to have a Town Liaison appointed

- July off for Board Meetings?

- Franklin West Board Member

Board Reports:

- Ken Minck and Doug Bergstrom can’t make the next meeting on May 20^th

- Doug asked Teresa Stebbins to do the orders this week

6. Other Business:

Franklin West Board Member – Ken Minck volunteered

Town Select Board Liaison – Ken Minck volunteered

Professional Negotiations – Ken Minck volunteered and Teresa resigned

Transportation Committee – Teresa Stebbins volunteered

Buildings & Grounds Committee – Chris Mitiguy was volunteered

Kevin Briggs’ request to spend funds on supplies that were allotted for coaching salaries. Doug Bergstrom made a motion to allow Kevin to purchase co-curricular supplies with funds that were budgeted for coaching salaries and to supply the Board of a list of what items were purchased. Ron Hesson seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.

7. Old Business:

A. Literacy Curriculum Review at GEMS:

Frank Calano reviewed students writing portfolios follow the student through their grades at GEMS and onto high school. He also shared the Literacy Curriculum at each grade level.

B. School Action Plan Overview:

David Young reviewed the School Action Plan.

C. Budget Committee Update:

There is a meeting scheduled, but did not happen yet.

8. New Business:

A. Long Range Planning Committee Update:

They are meeting May 7^th. They will be coming to the Board in June to share their findings and recommendations.

B. Georgia Residential Subdivision:

Phil Higgins will contact the Georgia Town Office and the Architect regarding the determination of bus turn-arounds. Phil will respond to the developers and ask for phasing in the new construction to decrease impact on the school.

C. Bus Video Camera Policy - Review:

Phil asked to have Mathieu Enterprises in the policy instead of Mountain Transit. Ron Hesson and Teresa Stebbins would like to have School Board Members added to reviewing the videotape.

D. Restrictive Behavioral Intervention Policy – 1^st Reading:

Phil Higgins explained that this policy will be brought back again with changes. Phil will share with the Board what our procedures are now.

9. More Other Business:

The Board agreed not to have any July Board Meetings.

Frank Calano informed the Board of a proposed Summer Art Program for Students by 2 Art Teachers. Ron Hesson asked to find out how much money these 2 art Teachers are charging. Doug Bergstrom would like to see our School’s Insurance policy. Ken Minck made a motion that he feels that this Program is educational and that no fee should be charged. Motion passed, unanimously.

Doug Bergstrom asked if the 8^th Grade field trip is still on with the new SARS information. Frank Calano said yes.

Doug Bergstrom asked for more information about the Early Education screening process. The Early Education Teachers would like to present to the Board, but David Young has asked them to hold off a little longer.

Ken Minck asked for a list of open positions.

Open Positions:

.50 - Essential Early Education

.50 - Art

.50 - Special Education

.75 - Speech Language Pathologist Contract Extension

.30 - Family Consumer Science Waiver

2 Full Time Retirees (Carol Bessette & Lesley Ely) The Board wishes to thank these two Teachers for the dedication they have shown to Georgia Students over the many years of service.

10. Confirm Meeting Dates:

Regular School Board Meeting – May 20, 2003 @ 6pm in GEMS Library
FWSU Board Meeting – May 19, 2003 @ Superintendent’s Office

Entered Executive Session to discuss a Student Issue at 8:15pm.

11. Executive Session – Personnel:

Exited Executive Session at 8:40pm.

Action: Teresa Stebbins moved to approve the hiring of a paraprofessional for a 3^rd Grade Student until the end of the school year or until outside service agencies step in to help support the student, if this happens before the end of the school year.

Motion seconded by Ken Minck. Motion passed, unanimously.

Entered Executive Session to discuss a Student Issue at 8:40pm.

Exited Executive Session at 8:50pm.

Action: Ron Hesson moved to approve the hiring of a paraprofessional for a 5^th Grade Student until the end of the school year.

Motion seconded by Doug Bergstrom. Motion passed, unanimously.

Entered Executive Session to discuss a School Board Issue at 8:50pm.

Exited Executive Session at 9:10pm.

Action: Teresa Stebbins moved the following: The School Board has discussed the conflict of interest concern brought forward by citizens in the community and feels that because there was no financial or personal gain on Mr. Bergstrom’s part in printing the budget notification post cards from the school, Mr. Bergstrom did not charge the school for his services, there is no actual conflict of interest.

However; due to the perceived conflict expressed by some community members the Board will not use North Country Press as their printing company as long as Mr. Bergstrom serves on the School Board.

Motion seconded by Ken Minck. Motion passed, with 3 votes in favor and 1 abstention.

Teresa Stebbins adjourned the Meeting at 9:13pm.