August 4, 2009 at Georgia School Library
Board Present: Irene Bonin, Matt
Crepeau, Doug Bergstrom
Administrators: Flora Hurteau, Frank Calano,
Bruce Chattman
Others:
I. Call
to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:10 PM
II. Public Comment Carolyn Branagan was
present. $100,000 was in the capital
fund. There was a conversation about
the rate change and giving the money back.
There is no way to do this for this current school year. The funds have to be first audited before
they can be applied.
III. Consent
Agenda
● Minutes 6/2/09 (Regular Mtg.); 7/10/09
(Special Mtg.)
● Correspondence
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to approve the Consent
Agenda, seconded by Matt Crepeau, approved unanimously.
IV. Reports
● Principal Buildings and Grounds
committee was a presented with a wind power presentation. The company has provided the school with a
quote for wind power. It was recommended
that the company come back to do the presentation to the whole school. Doug Bergstrom mentioned a company that
deals with solar power and suggested it be looked into. Some areas of the building have been
re-tiled. Carl is looking into finding
a used steamer. There will be a parking
lot made for the buses on the north side of the shed. The Town will complete the work and the school will be
responsible for the material. There
will be a security camera and DVD camera that would cover that area. Cameras will be added as needed. Some other repairs have been made over the
course of the summer. Band will be a
choice class and it has been double blocked during the time period before
concerts. Doug mentioned that BFA was
turning to some online classes so that students can take all the classes they
want to. Spanish will be offered to all
4th grade classrooms this year.
There are new 84 student buses.
It will be 3 to a seat. There
was a discussion regarding having an adult on the buses. Most of the runs will be shorter. Community Relations committee is currently
working on the Fall Festival. Flora is
looking for suggestions to have seniors gather at the school. There are some discussion with the
Historical Society in the area that may tie into some classwork. Frank and Flora attended the technology
institute during the summer with the teachers.
● Financial The audit if happening
tomorrow for the next three days.
● Superintendent Doug and Bruce have
suggested topics for the Board Retreat.
Bruce invited the Board to offer suggestions for topics to be discussed
at the Retreat. Doug would like the
different committees to report at each Board Meeting.
● Committee: Transportation. The
students will unload at 7:50 AM. They
will unload the middle school children first, then come down to the bottom
doors and drop off the younger children.
V. Board Business
● Additional Day for
Preschool Program Discussion and Action Flora distributed an
explanation. There is a high number of
4 year olds with high needs. 75% of the
children will be on plans. In the past
it was 50%. There are 76 children
coming into the preschool. Doug would
like supporting information. He is
concerned with a 25% increase. The
increase would be covered by grant money.
It will cost $6,100.00. The
preschool was awarded $36,000.00 from a grant.
This will be used as an outreach to community daycares and
preschools. Flora is suggesting adding
a third ½ day for the children who come twice a week.
ACTION: Motion by Matt Crepeau to approve the
additional ½ day for the Preschool Program, seconded by Irene Bonin, approved
unanimously.
● Review
Reed Act 250 School Impact Questionnaire Discussion and Action - Doug would
like to request additional information.
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to table the review of
the Reed Act 250 School Impact Questionnaire, seconded by Matt Crepeau,
approved unanimously.
VI. Policy Review
● Prevention of Harassment of Students
Policy (Update) 1st Reading
● Board Member Education Policy (Update) 1st
Reading
● Board Goal Setting and Self-Evaluation
Policy (Update) 1st Reading
● Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy
(Update) 1st Reading
VII. Other Doug shared a
letter from the State stating that revenue funds are down. The lottery is down 7.75%. As a result of a recent resignation in
Fairfax, Tod Granger will serve as district supervisor of facilities and
maintenance for both locations. There
will be further discussions regarding which budget will support the
salary. In the interim, Todd will
continue to be paid from the Georgia budget.
VIII. Executive Session (Personnel)
IX. Upcoming Meetings
A. Annual Board Retreat: August 18th
at 4:30 PM, Carl Laroes Camp
B. FWSU Board Quarterly Meeting: August 19th
at 7 PM, Fairfax Community Library
C. Next
Regular Meeting: September 1st at 6:00 PM, Georgia
School Library