September 1, 2009 at Georgia School Library
Board Present: Irene Bonin, Matt Crepeau, Jennifer Petrie, Doug Bergstrom, Carl Laroe
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 – None.
III. Consent Agenda
● Minutes 8/4/09 (Regular Mtg.); 8/18/09 (Special Mtg.) –
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to remove the 8/4/09 minutes from the Consent Agenda, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.
Bruce discussed some changes to be made to the 8/4/09 minutes. Irene made a comment about the 8/4/09 meeting regarding the Preschool Program. She felt uncomfortable that only two Board Members voted to approve. Doug stated that he does not vote unless there is a tie. Bruce discussed that the Board can decide how they would like the meetings to be run regarding the Chair’s vote. Bruce will prepare a policy for review by the Board to clarify voting going forward. It will be an agenda item for the next meeting
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to accept the 8/4/09 minutes, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.
● Correspondence
● Request for Unpaid Leave (K. Jenkins)
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie
to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Carl Laroe, approved
unanimously.
IV. Reports
● Principal –There was a meeting today with the bus drivers regarding student safety, drop off and pick up. Flora is pleased with the length of the bus runs. There was an open house for the K-1 combined classroom. There will be 14 children in that classroom. Maintenance put the signs up today for navigation of drop off and pick up of students, etc. There was orientation last night for the fifth graders to show them around. Middle school open house is September 17, 2009 for 5th and 6th graders from 5:30-6:30PM and for 7th and 8th graders from 6:30-8:00PM.
● Financial – None
● Superintendent – Bruce discussed his report and how he and the principals will be reporting future information to the Board consistent with the Strategic Plan. Irene asked that all reports be compiled into one spreadsheet on each area of the Plan for the end of the year.
● Committee:
● Transportation – see above
● Nutrition - none
● Building & Grounds - none
● Policy - none
● Community Relations – The minutes of all meetings will be included in the Consent Agenda.
● Negotiation - none
● Franklin West – There is a link on Wiki to the
Franklin West minutes. When hiring para-educators, it is required that they
hold an Associates Degree. The Franklin West Supervisory Union offices are
moving. The business portion has moved to the corner of Route 7 and 104a. This
will be the new Franklin West Supervisory Union and the rest of the office will
be there early next summer. There is a VSBA retreat in October 2009. The Board
Members will receive communication directly from VSBA regarding the
retreat.
V. Board Business
● New School Board Wiki – Natasha Wheel presented the new Georgia School Board Wiki site at http://georgiasbvt.pbworks.com that contains basic Georgia School Board information. There is a comment section that is available to the public. It will be a requirement to register with the site in order to post comments. It lists the current members and their e-mail addresses. The site will contain the meeting schedules, agendas and past minutes. The policies are also available on this site. There is an opportunity to comment on the current policies being reviewed. A member of the public inquired when all teachers will have websites that contain homework, progress, etc. of each student. Flora stated that there was Tech Institute class this past summer which was attended by approximately 25% of GEMS teachers and that they will be creating websites in the future.
● Accept Reed Act 250 School Impact Questionnaire (Reed Property) – Doug’s concern was for busing purposes such as turn around, cluster stop, etc. Doug suggests recommending that there be a provision for the bus to make a cluster stop.
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin approve the Reed Act 250 School Impact Questionnaire stating that we do have the capacity but making the recommendation that they provide a space for the bus to make a cluster stop, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.
● Community Forum Planning – At the Board
Retreat it was decided to hold a Community Forum to discuss high school
selection. Doug created a proposed post card for distribution to the
community. Under Act 44 the State is allowing school districts to designate
a public school of choice. The Community Forum will be held on September 29,
2009 at 6PM at the Georgia School Gym. Flora will find out if childcare can be
available.
VI. Policy Review
● Prevention of Harassment of Students Policy
● Board Member Education Policy
● Board Goal Setting and Self-Evaluation Policy
● Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy
ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie
to approve the policies listed above, seconded by Matt Crepeau, approved
unanimously.
GEMS has been awarded a $30,000 Vermont Community Preschool Collaborative grant for our participation with the community in regard to our preschool program. With the grant monies there will be a preschool teacher who will become a field figure to provide assistance with the local daycare providers and reporting back to the school. There will be an additional person to manage the grant. Flora is asking the Board for permission to use the grant monies as they are intended. There have been cuts to the Success by Six program in the last year. Doug asked Bruce to find out information regarding how Essex Junction runs their preschool program through their parks and recreation department. It was state that the parks and recreation is run through the school system.
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to
authorize the superintendent to use the grant monies as intended, seconded by
Matt Crepeau, approved unanimously.
VIII. Executive Session –
None
IX. Upcoming Meetings