GEORGIA BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Special Meeting (Annual Board Retreat) ~ August 18, 2009

 

APPROVED MINUTES

 

Attendees: Doug Bergstrom, Jennifer Petrie, Matthew Crepeau, Carl Laroe, Tod Granger, Flora Hurteau, Frank Calano, Bruce Chattman.  Guests: Jon Budreski (Alteris Renewables) & Winton Goodrich (VSBA).

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

The Retreat was called to order at 4:15pm

 

2.      ALTERIS RENEWABLES PRESENTATION

Jon Budreski of Alteris Renewables presented energy options for schools. He shared his experience and background noting that schools can benefit from clean energy from an educational standpoint. VT is rich in renewable energy resources and has demonstrated strong commitment to developing wind and solar projects. There are some maps that show where these resources are around the state. There are now more opportunities and schools are beginning to move toward renewable energy options and use wind and solar energy to provide a curriculum component. The Governor is interested in expanding energy options for schools. He is looking at what can be allocated toward funding these projects within schools; primarily wind but solar energy as well.

 

Doug Bergstrom asked about costs and noted that eventually if everything goes on wind power, everyone will end up paying more than we currently are right now. Jon agreed that yes, the funding is complex. He hopes that it will spur job growth and clean energy and that we will find ways to increase capacity and affordability. Rates are ultimately going to go up. In the state right now, everyone expects to see VT become 15 megawatts in 3-5 years. Jon shared that his goal is to have schools move forward with feasibility studies which cost around $3,000 so that we can see what the models look like. 

 

In New York state, over 50 schools have kiosks in the lobby as educational components of their programs which have been very successful. Another large project is located in Rhode Island. Northern Power has developed an educational curriculum to access their facility or another facility from the school.

 

Jon encouraged schools to pursue this path and see where it leads.

 

QUESTIONS?

Bruce Chattman asked about materials that were emailed around costs. Jon explained how third parties can take advantage of tax credits. Also there will be another injection of ARRA funding to be directed toward municipalities and schools specifically for renewable energy.  

 

Frank Calano added that he would get the original presentation from Jon and send it to the Board. Jon mentioned that a 25yr projection can also be generated to help identify costs.

 

3.      STRATEGIC PLAN PRESENTATION

Winton Goodrich of VT School Board Association (VSBA) presented the draft strategic plan. He highlighted that the forum in March was attended by over 100 people which is a really impressive turnout; probably the larges in VT for one of these kinds of events.

 

The Board reviewed the draft and made suggestions. Bruce noted that some of the things that he saw were very nonspecific (i.e., “program signups”). He encouraged that the Board be directing the administrators to look at strategies to address the goals; the Board should focus on the “macro level goals.” It was decided that the next step should be for administrators review it thoroughly and then meet with their teachers to identify various strategies for each of the goals. The Board refined each of the goal statements.

 

There was discussion around keeping the website up to date and the realities of rural communities with no access who need alternative methods of communication. It was noted that teachers need to be able to use the technology, and some professional development is needed so that they become comfortable. Doug suggested that a Community Activities page of the website.

 

The Administrators will review the plan and recommend changes and prioritize the items. Bruce added that the Board ultimately needs to embrace the goals and support them.

 

4.      NEGOTIATIONS DISCUSSION

There was a discussion of the negotiations process. The Board selected three representatives to negotiate which means that all the meetings are legally considered School Board Meetings and must be warned as Executive Session. Bruce distributed copies of the current master agreement and asked each Board member to highlight concerns or issues that they have so that they can be addressed.

 

Bruce shared that he had met with the Teachers Association representatives (Georgia was unable to have a representative attend) regarding professional development in FWSU. He noted that the law does not require Superintendent bargaining but it is permissible. He will keep everyone informed about the conversations. BFA Fairfax would have an interest in bargaining with Georgia as long as there are common philosophical values, etc. He felt that it was possible that exceptions in the law for FWSU right now could be removed later. He asked if working with other FWSU schools to negotiate a master agreement is something that the Board wants to consider.

 

Doug Bergstrom responded that he would be interested in a contract including BFA and GEMS, but is not interested in a FWSU Master Agreement unless there was a voting structure. He is concerned that Fletcher should not have equal voice with larger SU schools like Fairfax and Georgia. He also noted that Fletcher’s contract is much than BFA and GEMS. Bruce added that actually the Fletcher contract is better in some ways such as around flexibility for teacher summer work, etc. He advised that the three schools would need to sit down in each area with all three contracts and work on taking the language from each contract that seems best. This would mean more work for the board but in the end all SU schools would have a Master Agreement that is much more consistent and have standard days, benefits, etc. Right now regardless of an FWSU Master Agreement, it has already been a goal to make them consistent.

Chris Sumner shared the example of teachers who moved from being school-funded employees to grant-funded FWSU positions, having all of their benefits changed because of the difference in contracts. Some were negatively impacted and it makes things extremely difficult.

 

5.      DESIGNATED HIGH SCHOOL/FWSU CONSOLIDATION

Bruce framed discussion of a designated high school, suggesting that the Board look at continuing the conversation on an FWSU level to see what makes sense. Bruce shared that he sees the state mandating new Supervisory Union structures within 4-6 years; this means it makes sense to look at it intentionally rather than having it mandated by Montpelier. He noted that his contract will be for 2-3 years and each time Superintendency opens the VT Commissioner of Education has to approve filling the vacancy. He explained that it would be smarter for the School Boards to look at it now while it looms on our horizon, encouraging Bruce to work toward those goals over then next two years on their behalf. He asked the Board what their priorities are.

 

Bruce distributed the financial background around High School tuition. The law states that if a school board designates a high school, the board is obligated to pay tuition to that designated school. The board can also pay for a student to attend another school or the parents would cover the difference. The good thing for school boards is that they can predict their costs adequately; the negative is that the designated school’s tuition costs would probably rise. Bruce shared that BFA Fairfax has room for additional students and the maximum enrollment for them is approx 606 students in the high school. A board could make any public high school their designated school. BFA Fairfax would benefit from an increase in critical mass and similar programs would allow for growth.

 

The discussion of the board suggested that the community has chosen to live in Georgia due to the school choice aspect. Bruce recommended raising public discussion about it in a public forum to help gather community input. Frank added that the school would need solid budget numbers to project the savings long term.

It was commented that many parents in Georgia are choosing BFA St. Albans because of sports opportunities. BFA Fairfax now has the capacity and with more resources they would realize in savings, they would be able to expand program offerings to students.

 

The Board agreed to have a second Board meeting in September to host a public forum on this issue and send out a postcard asking “how much to pay for choice?” or some similar language.

 

Doug stated that most parents choose their high school for educational benefits. We need to show how an optimal school size is 600 not 1,000. We need to really demonstrate for parents how our schools are providing a quality education.  

 

6.      TUITION POLICY/ GRADE ADVANCEMENT POLICY

Bruce explained the tuition policy and a potential scenario where a student is accelerated and attends a prep school for part of their high school, but might then need another year public high school. This would raise the financial burden for to pay for a 5 year program. 

 

Frank researched this matter thoroughly and is going through the process. He has investigated what other schools are doing. He has some protocols and practices now in place so that he can have a better process for handling similar situations in the future.

 

Bruce noted that as a Supervisory Union, we are going to be looking at how to help teachers accelerate student learning for those who “already know it.” The question is whether the board wants to only pay for 4 years of high school if the student has substantially completed the high school program already.

 

Bruce added that there needs to be a timeline and the student needs to request acceleration in an orderly fashion.

 

7.      BOARD COMMITTEES

Doug mentioned a change in agendas and asked that for every board meeting in the future, there will be a committee report out so that there can be better communication. If Board members are serving on a committee they need to be prepared to provide a report.

 

8.      FWSU GOVERNANCE (CONSOLIDATION OF SERVICES)

Bruce mentioned that he checked with Tod Granger and things are going very well at GEMS. BFA Fairfax has positive things to say as well. He will meet with him again in two weeks. It has been already noticed that his collaborative style is really positive. Bruce added that he has asked the schools and the staff for really open communication to make sure that this is the right direction. Bruce will ask FWSU to create this as a position.

 

Flora announced that Melanie Dattilio will now teach a K-1 combination class and bring the numbers in the first grade classrooms and have her provide instruction to kindergarten as well. This appears to be an outstanding solution for students who are struggling in kindergarten. This will help struggling students progress into 1st grade. Melanie just finished the FWSU Early Ed classroom and has the expertise in kindergarten.

 

Frank announced that the additional parking for the buses has been brought in. There is plenty of room to back the buses in and power up. The small gym looks great and it has been repainted.  Third year of 5 year program with air system and that is being done this week. The building is ready for school!

 

Flora shared that she has put a lot of work into the parent communication piece of the single bus run plans. Things should run smoothly.

 

9.      ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.