Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

June 3, 2003

 

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

Present

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

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

 Channel 16 Technician:  Nick Wood

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

Others:  Wanda Bouchard, Ellen Hsieh, Shawna Shuttle, Alan Gott, Joan Rocheleau, Rachel Smith, Joe Cote, Alice Sturgeon, & Greg Gero

 1.      Teresa Stebbins called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:04 pm.

 2.      Approve Minutes:

Ron Hesson made a motion to approve the May 20, 2003 Regular School Board Meeting Minutes.  Motion passed, unanimously. 

3.      Review Correspondence:

Teresa Stebbins:

-          Lake Champlain Access TV would like a Georgia resident as a Representative for their Board

 4.      Public Comments:

There were no public comments.

 5.      Reports – Administrative:

  1. Principals’ Reports:

David Young:

-          GEMS PTA group has been awarded a $5,000 grant toward playground equipment

-          Kindergarten enrollment is up to 70 students, which would be approximately 17 ½ students per classroom for 4 sessions

-          Kindergarten open house is tonight from 6:30 – 7:30

-          Blood drive was held here recently

 JoAnn Harvey arrived at 6:10pm.

 -          Early Childhood group is continuing their work with the community and will be asking local businesses for contributions

-          Placement process is continuing

-          Move up day is on the last day of school, June 17th

 Frank Calano:

-          Grade 8 leaves at 7:30am tomorrow for their Canada field trip and should return by 10:30pm

-          Frank will meet with next years’ 7th & 8th Grade parents regarding next year’s choice classes tomorrow night

-          Next Monday he will be meeting with parents of students that may want to take accelerated-algebra for next year

-          June 16 is the Grade 5/6 field trip

-          Grade 8 Graduation is June 13th  

  1. Superintendent’s Report – Phil Higgins:

-          GEMS will be receiving approximately $60,000 from Title 1

-          The remaining grants should  be similar to last year

-          Phil handed out information in relation to the No Child Left Behind law 

      C.   Board Reports:

            There were no Board Reports.

 Mike Hakey arrived at 6:23pm.

 Greg Gero and Mike Hakey asked the Board if GEMS is planning on fixing the Baseball Field here on the school grounds.  There was some discussion on this item and Frank Calano said that he would meet with both gentlemen to review options.

 Becky Martell arrived at 6:30pm.

 (skipped to)

7.  New Business,

            B.   Community Forum Presentation:

Community members presented priorities identified at the long-range Planning Meeting on February 11th.  There were a wide variety of topics, which reflected various community members’ beliefs.  The Board will discuss the priorities at their August retreat and provide feedback to the committee shortly thereafter. 

Chris Sumner also invited any of the Community Forum Members to participate in the zero based budget process.  Anyone interested should contact her.

 Most of the Community Forum Members departed at 7:25pm.

 (returned to)

6.  Old Business:

A.     Restrictive Behavioral Intervention Policy–1st Reading–Tabled–Under Review:

Still working on.

 B.      Building Use Policy - Review:

This item was tabled at this time.  It will be taken up by the Building & Grounds Committee. 

 C.      Bus Video Policy – Review Changes

Doug Bergstrom made a motion to accept the changes in this policy as shown this evening.  Ron Hesson seconded.   Motion passed, unanimously.

 7.       New Business:

A.     Administrative Contract Negotiations – Executive Session?:

This item was tabled until there is a full Board.

 C.    Select Auditors:

Chris Sumner gave the Board the only 2 audit bids that were received.  Ron Hesson made a motion to award the audit bid to AM Peisch for a 3 year audit bid, because they are local and it might be a good idea to have a new firm.  Doug Bergstrom seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 D.     Purchasing Options for Everyday Math Program Materials:

David Young explained that in the past and presently our K-5 students have struggled with math problem solving.  David would like to have the Math Program be consistent from K-5, which would then support our new math curriculum.  Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the purchase of the Everyday Math Curriculum Materials with the $20,400 funding identified from FY’04 and FY’03 budget items.  The additional $7,600 will be from FY’03 BHS tuition refund check and function 1100 salary/benefit savings.  This would be implemented this fall of 2003.  Ron Hesson suggested purchasing the Teachers materials before school lets out for the summer to allow them to review the materials over the summer.  Chris Sumner explained that the Teachers materials could be bought with the $1,200 balance from the FY’03 Math Materials budget and also with the BHS refund check totaling $4,653.  Motion passed, unanimously.      

 Doug Bergstrom shared his concern about the Reeltalk Survey.  He did not think that it was an appropriate survey and that it was not confidential.  David Young explained that he is concerned about the youth of today, such as behavior and language.  He explained that information from surveys reveal areas of concern with students. 

Teresa Stebbins informed the Board that the Harrison development would require our buses to go 3 miles into Milton to retrieve the GEMS students from this development.

 Carolyn Branagan arrived at 8:13pm.

 Carolyn Branagan informed the Board of some legislative changes that are now in effect for the next Town Meeting.  The residential statewide tax will be $1.10 before any CLA adjustment.  The statewide grant will increase to $6,800 per pupil.  If a town votes to spend more than the grant, a local tax will be raised for the proportionate difference.  The rate for vacation and commercial property will be $1.59.  Additional revenue will be raised through a 1% sales tax increase, Powerball implementation, and telecommunications.

 Teresa Stebbins resigned her position as School Board Chair.  Doug Bergstrom nominated Ken Minck as the chair.  Ron Hesson seconded.  Ken Minck has some reservations in being chair.  He will consider the nomination and respond definitively at the next Board meeting.  The Board Chair decision will return at the next meeting, for the interim Doug Bergstrom, School Board Clerk, will be the acting Chair. 

 Chris Sumner explained that the technology committee has been meeting to decide what to do, since the Technology article failed.  Eric Hadd has been researching ideas on building computers from pieces and parts.  The Technology Committee would like to establish an additional lab in the middle school to allow better accessibility to utilize all our computers.   Chris Sumner asked if the Board would approve $2,400 in salary savings from Phil Seiler and Robin Gosselin to retro fit the space in Building C, and in the existing lab.  Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve spending $2,400 in salary savings to retro fit the labs.  Ken Minck seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.     

 8.       Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1.  Regular Board Meeting – June 17, 2003 @ 6pm in GEMS Library
  2. FWSU Board Meeting – June 25, 2003 @ 7pm in GEMS Library

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

9.      Executive Session – Personnel:

Exited Executive Session at 9:00 pm.

No Action taken.

 Phil Higgins adjourned the Meeting at 9:01 pm.