Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

August 10, 2004

 

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

 Present

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

 Administrators:  Phil Higgins, Superintendent  &  David Young, Elementary School Principal

 Channel 16 Technician:  Matt Wohl

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

 1.      Doug Bergstrom called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:11pm.

2.      Approve Minutes: 

  1. Regular Meeting – June 15th:

Dan Harvey made a motion to approve the June 15th Regular School Board Meeting Minutes.  Alice Sturgeon seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

  1. Special Meeting (Financial) – June 23rd:

Alice Sturgeon made a motion to approve the June 23rd Special School Board Meeting Minutes.  Dan Harvey seconded.   Motion passed, unanimously.

3.      Review Correspondence:

Doug Bergstrom received a new Harassment Policy from the VT School Boards, Phil Higgins has this also.

4.      Public Comments:

There were no Public Comments.     

5.       Reports:

  1. Principals’ Report:

David:

-          Praised Tod Granger for all his work with such a lean staff and a lot of built up vacation time

-          Transportation committee has met and has been working to establish new routes in the major developments

-          There will be cluster stops for grades 5-8

-          There won’t be any K-4 students dropped off without an adult visible to the bus driver

-          A new school sign will be put into place by the 3rd week of August

-          Community Volunteer Coordinator should be hired this week

-          Chris Mitiguy asked David to pass the busing information onto the transportation committee.   David said that he would.

-          We have had several new students register over the past week

-          Attended a Killington Conference with Phil Higgins & the other Administrators

Frank Calano arrived at 6:15pm. 

Doug Bergstrom asked about removing the ceiling tiles for the gym.  David Young said that this project was not on the priority list.  David will check with Tod regarding when he will be able to do this job.

Frank:

-          Grade 5-8 staff at the Beach

-          A lot of time was spent on the handbook and consequences

-          Discussed bullying and options of how to handle this

-          2 books “the Loser” for all 5/6 grades and “the Revealers” for language arts were purchased.  “The Revealers” Author with be coming to visit all the students once all the children have read his book.

  1. Superintendent’s Report – Phil Higgins:

-          All Administrators met on Monday touching base with the Killington Conference regarding assessments & trainings

-          Attended a meeting regarding the regional technical academy enrollment projections

  1. Financial Report – Candy Granger:

-          Had our Audit last week on Thursday & Friday, the Auditors seemed pleased

-          Doug asked for final numbers from FY’04, Candy did not have these numbers yet at this time.

  1. Board Reports:

Ron King asked for information from the busing committee, he had received phone calls, since he was on the actual Transportation Committee.  

6.      Old Business:

  1. Administrative Contracts – follow up:

Would like to be able to discuss this further at the retreat.

7.      New Business:

  1. Regional Technical Academy – follow up:

Phil Higgins feels we ought to come up with some kind of questions structure for our RTA Representative.  Chris Mitiguy feels that we should come up with a list  at the Retreat.

  1. Schedule Board Retreat / Select Topics:

Doug suggested reviewing our Budget timeline.  Chris Mitiguy liked how we progressed through the running budget.   From open doors to continue through each program

-          Develop goals

-          Review the Act 68 “bandaid” and plan our course of action to contain our budget

-          Doug has fielded a phone call from an inhome daycare that is now being taxed at a higher rate, as a business.  Doug will talk with the town regarding this and the reappraisal status. 

-          Alice would like a copy of all the assessment results

-          The Retreat will be at 6pm on 8/17

  1. Family Consumer Science Contract - ACTION:

Phil would like to present Diane Reilly with the Family Consumer Science Contract.  Dan Harvey made a motion to offer this contract to Diane Reilly.   The Board reviewed.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

8.      Policy Review:

  1. Personnel Recruitment/Selection/Appointment/Criminal Records Policy – 2nd Reading:

This Policy was reviewed for the 2nd reading and Phil will make the Board’s changes as requested.

  1. Board Relations with School Personnel – 2nd Reading:

This policy was reviewed for the 2nd time.

  1. Weapons Policy – 2nd Reading:

This policy was reviewed for the 2nd time.

9.       Other:

Doug Bergstrom asked where we were at with the Time clock information.  Candy Granger informed him that she had gotten some quotes that feel under the amount the Board set for the clock purchase.  The Board asked her to get a couple of questions answered.  She will get their answers and meet with the Principal’s on any of their feedback.

Alice Sturgeon asked how to go about screening for the early education program.  David Young explained that there is a list of criteria.  

10.  Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. Regular Meeting – August 24, 2004 @ 6pm in the Georgia Library

& Retreat @ 6pm on 8/17 in Swanton

Doug Bergstrom adjourned the School Board Meeting at 7:40 pm.