GEORGIA BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Special Meeting (Board Planning Session)

September 22, 2009 at 6:00pm

Georgia School Library 

Minutes 

Attendees: Doug Bergstrom, Jen Petrie, Carl Laroe, Jr., Matt Crepeau, Superintendent Bruce Chattman, and various community members. 

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Doug Bergstrom called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.  

BOARD PLANNING SESSION

Doug Bergstrom explained that the purpose of the special meeting was to provide the Board with a work session to prepare for the upcoming community forum on September 29^th.  He was asked if there would be an opportunity for “public comment” on Act 44. He responded that members of the public who were in attendance could stay and observe the proceedings, but that there would be no public involvement in the Board’s work. He added that the forum on September 29^th was for the purpose of pubic comment and invited community members to attend that meeting. He was challenged by a community member with regard to a requirement that there be public comment at all Board meetings. Doug Bergstrom responded that there is no legal requirement so it is the Board’s discretion to allow such comment.  Mr. Bergstrom then inquired if there were any questions for the Board not related to this topic (Act 44).  There were none. 

A community member question asked who paid for the postcard announcing the public meeting. Mr. Bergstrom responded that it was processed by the Franklin West Supervisory Union for the district, but that it would be paid by the Georgia School Board budget as it is a community forum. 

A comment was made that Rep. Carolyn Branagan and Rep. Gary Gilbert should be invited to the meeting. The Superintendent responded that he would invite them as he anticipated elected officials would want to be there. 

There was some discussion about the contents of the postcard, to which Mr. Bergstrom responded that Georgia School Board members had several days to provide feedback and comment on the information prior to it being finalized and that there had been many changes to the original draft. 

Another question was raised with regard to the audience at the forum. It was asked if the forum was limited to Georgia residents only. Mr. Bergstrom responded that the Board would look into it. 

The Board then discussed and determined the following:

• The Community Forum will be held in the large middle school gym
• The set up is to be the same as Town Meeting
• The Board will sit on the floor in front of the stage area
• Attendance will be taken and to plan for 200+ people
• Public comment will be limited to two minutes each and no on will be recognized to speak a second time until all present have had an opportunity to speak once
• There will be an LCD Projector provided for the presentation
• The forum will begin with a welcome from the Board Chair.  A PowerPoint presentation (with accompanying handouts) will include the following:

 

INTRODUCTION:

Explain the purpose of the forum

Explain rules for the evening discourse

Dispel rumors 

STATE ECONOMY:

Provide information with regard to the current economic situation as it relates to the future of public school funding. 

LOCAL IMPACT:

Provide information with regard to how the current economic situation at the state level relates to GEMS. 

COMMUNITY PROCESS:

Utilizing flip charts, Georgia Board members will record community responses to the following discussion questions:

1. How do you choose a high school?
2. What is important for your kids to have available to them?
3. If you had your own high school, what would it to look like?
4. How much are you willing to pay for this?

 

ACT 44:

Explain Act 44

Provide information on how this could impact on GEMS budgets. 

COMMUNITY COMMENT:

The Board will record public comments

The Board will not engage in rebuttal or debate. 

CONCLUSION:

The Board will request feedback/direction with regard to the following question:

Do people want the Georgia School Board to pursue this (e.g. should the Board continue to investigate the designation of a public high school with the intent determine if this matter should be brought forth to the community for a vote by the electorate at a future date?) 

EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL)

Entered executive session at 7:50pm

Exited at 7:59pm

No action taken 

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm