Georgia Elementary & Middle School

Georgia, VT

September 16, 2003

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

 Present

Georgia Board Members:  Ken Minck, Teresa Stebbins, Chris Mitiguy, & Doug Bergstrom

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

 Channel 16 Technician:  Kiffany Francis

Transcriptionist:  Candy Granger

 1.      Ken Minck called the School Board Meeting to order at 6:03 pm.

 Ken informed the public that Carolyn Branagan and Brian Dunsmore will be explaining Act 68 information to the public on Tuesday, September 23rd at 6:30pm in the GEMS big gym.

 2.      Approve Minutes:  September 2, 2003

Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve the September 2, 2003 Regular School Board Meeting Minutes.  Teresa Stebbins seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

3.      Review Correspondence:

-          Ken Minck shared 5 pieces of Correspondence with the other Board Members.

 4.      Public Comments:

There were no public comments.

 5.      Reports – Administrative:

  1. Principals’ Reports:

David:

-          Next Thursday Evening is the Elementary School open house from 6:00-7:00pm

-          Busing update, we are still trying to learn the routes.  Things are going better, but we are still trying to improve bus route riding times.

-          The new Math Program is going well.  The Teachers are working hard and are spending 1 to 1-1/2 hours per day.

-          Our community has experienced a terrible loss by the death of Melissa Sullivan, who is a mother of 2 young boys here at GEMS.  David wishes the family his heartfelt sympathy.

  1. Financial Report – Chris:

-          Once all Teacher’s column movements come in, we should have about a $2,000 savings in salary, even after the additional kindergarten position was added

-          Reminded the Board that next Tuesday night, Sept 23rd at 6pm will be the next Zero based budget meeting

  1. Superintendent’s Report – Phil:

-          The new Vermont Commissioner search is still in the works and an assistant position is vacant as well

-          We should be in the same tax rate situation within the next 2 to 3 years.  Act 68 tax relief is projected to be temporary.

-          FWSU is now connected to GEMS and Fletcher through Fairfax by a technology interface for special education software. 

-          Phil and the Administrators are taking a course on researching the students’ data from test results.  This will allow everyone to decide where the most positive impact on students could take place.

-          FWSU Board Meeting will be Wednesday next week at 7pm   

  1. Board Reports:

There were no Board reports.

6.      Old Business:

A.     Restrictive Behavioral Intervention Policy–2nd Reading:

This is the second reading of this Policy and will be brought back at the next Board Meeting for approval.

B.     Budget Committee-Update:

The budget time line was reviewed.  Chris Sumner asked the Board to help her make some FY’05 Budget Assumptions to be able to develop the “open the doors” budget.  Those assumptions were:

-          Teacher and Para Salaries = move 1 step down

-          Non-Contracted Hourly Employees Wages = 3% raise

-          Health Ins = 10% increase in premiums and co-pays the same as in this current year FY’04

-          Dental Ins = 5% increase in premiums and the same for Teachers

-          High School Tuition Rate = 3% increase

-          Class size = same as in this current year FY’04

C.     Bus Liability Issue-Update:

Chris Sumner checked with GEMS insurance provider to find out if it would cost GEMS additional funds if our liability was reduced to $5 million.  She was informed that it would not cost us anymore, but that we would just have $5million less in liability insurance.  Chris Sumner is in the process of getting a response from Casey at Mathieu, verifying if the $6,500 savings is per year or over the remainder of the contract.  Doug Bergstrom made a motion to pursue reducing our busing liability to $5 million as mandated by the state contingent upon an amendment to the busing contract to reduce costs for FY’04.  Teresa Stebbins seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

 

7.      New Business:

  1. Approve FWSU Math Curriculum - ACTION:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to accept the FWSU Math Curriculum.  Doug Bergstrom seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.

  1. Search and Seizure Policy 1st Reading:

This is the first reading of this policy.

  1. Planning Room Presentation:

David Young distributed information regarding the Elementary Planning Room.  The recommendation for this room was derived from the Special Education Self-Assessment Training. 

  1. Compensation Discussion – Hourly and Salaried Employees:

This item was skipped at this time.

 

  1. Approve Hot Lunch Provider – Abbey Food Services:

Teresa Stebbins made a motion to approve the Abbey Food Service as GEMS’ Hot Lunch provider for FY’04.  Chris Mitiguy seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously. 

 

Frank Calano arrived at 7:16pm.

  1. Medicaid Funded .5 Remedial Math Position:

David Young reviewed Grades 3 & 5 Math results, which is showing a need for additional math services.  The Administration would like to obtain a .5 FTE one year Medicaid Funded Remedial Math Position.  Chris Mitiguy made a motion to approve a .5 FTE one year Medicaid Funded Remedial Math Position.  Teresa Stebbins seconded.  Motion passed, unanimously.     

  1. Adopt School Goals:

Phil Higgins handed out information listing proposed goals for the year.  Teresa Stebbins made a motion to adopt the School Goals prioritized by Phil Higgins.  Motion passed, unanimously.

8.      Other:

Joann Harvey would like Board representation at an Early Education meeting on October 6th at 6:30pm in the Library.  Teresa Stebbins and Ken Minck will try to attend. 

The Administration intents to accept a tuition student, because we do have room. 

The Public Library would like to request a copy of a School Policy book to be kept at the Public Library.  The Board agrees to leave a copy at the Public Library, but to make sure that it is marked as a working copy and to see the policy book at GEMS for the most accurate policies..     

9.      Confirm Meeting Dates:

  1. FWSU Quarterly Board Meeting – September 24, 2003 @ 7pm in GEMS Library
  2. Regular Board Meeting – October 7, 2003 @ 6pm in GEMS Library

 

(returned to)

D.   Compensation Discussion – Hourly and Salaried Employees:

Chris Sumner informed the Board of new information that she learned regarding overtime pay for hourly employees who work more than 40 hours per week even if the time is made up of a combination of multiple job duties.  

 

Entered Executive Session regarding a Personnel Issue at 8:05pm.

10.  Executive Session - if needed:

Exited Executive Session at 8:20pm.

Chris Mitiguy moved:  In light of the information presented by Chris Sumner the Georgia School Board will become fully compliant with the Federal Wage and Hour Laws for those employees working over 40 hours as it relates to all hourly employees.

Motion seconded by Doug Bergstrom.  Unanimously approved by Board.

 

Ken Minck adjourned the Meeting at 8:22 pm.