Georgia Board of School Directors

October 7, 2008 at Georgia School Library

Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM

MINUTES

Board Present: Jennifer Petrie, Carl Laroe, Doug Bergstrom, Casey Hager, Irene Bonin

Administrators: Flora Hurteau, Armando Vilaseca, Frank Calano, Chris Sumner,

Others: Mary Lynn Riggs, Currículum Director, FWSU

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM

II. Executive Session – None required.

III. Public Comment - There have been some adjustments regarding the bus pick ups.

Some folks have not approved of some of the new arrangements. This is regarding a

single stop. This issue has gone through the Transportation Committee and the

Principal’s Office. A couple was present to discuss their bus issue. Their issue is

regarding a cluster stop. Their child has to walk on a busy road where cars travel at a

high rate of speed. The bus stop is .5 miles from the house. The bus stop is not visible

from the house. The parents are upset that Armando did not respond the way that she

deemed appropriate. Armando accepted responsibility for the issue. Doug stated that

the bus company and transportation committee had come up with good solutions to

saving money regarding the bus routes. They have shaved over 120 miles from the

routes. Armando reviewed the concerns that were reviewed in relation to each bus stop

when the routes were created. The parent asked if it is a financial decision and if so

they stated they would be willing to pay. Armando stressed to the Board that each case

is individual and should be voted on accordingly.

ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to recommend modifying the bus stop back to

the original stop, seconded by Carl Laroe. Motion passed with 3 members in

favor and 1 opposed.

Carolyn Branagan was present to advocate for the Enrichment Program. She stated

that her three children had participated in the program and it was wonderful. One of her

children has been credited for his writing skills and she attributes some of that from the

Enrichment Program that he attended at Georgia Elementary and Middle School.

Armando asked Carolyn if there were any new funding bills. She states that consumer

taxes are down and people are already under pressure due to property taxes. The

education fund was healthy up until last year. The land values attribute directly to the

education fund. Armando has a concern that human services and some other groups

are looking at the education fund to supplement their budgets. Armando urged that this

money is for education funding.

IV. Consent Agenda

● Minutes – September 2, 2008

● Reports – Principal

● Correspondence –

ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to pull the correspondence from the Consent

Agenda, seconded Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to accept Consent Agenda, seconded by

Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

V. Old Business

● Board Recording Secretary Pay Rate – Armando suggested increasing the rate for

the Board Secretary from $50 per meeting to $75 per meeting. Armando stated the

budget currently is for two meetings per month at $50 per meeting. The Board is

currently meeting once a month.

ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to increase the recording secretary’s pay rate to

$75 per meeting, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

● Community Forum Discussion – Armando and Doug have met with Winton

Goodrich who works with the Vermont School Board Association (“VSBA”). He

helps Boards come up with long range plans. Winton Goodrich would like to attend

the October 21st meeting. There are different levels of the VSBA’s intervention.

Doug and Armando recommend having the VSBA be involved with the entire

process to accommodate the current time frame. The Board needs to come up with

10 potential community members to become facilitators that will require training.

This training will require 10 hours of training. The expense is not currently budgeted.

ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to continue pursuing the Community Forum,

seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

● Retreat Follow-Up (electronic newsletter) – There has been a lot of work done to

ensure that teachers and parents can have access to the newsletter. By the next

board meeting the best option will be available for further discussion.

VI. New Business

● Enrichment Program – Nancy Mildrum, Nancy Volatile-Wood and MJ Mitiguy were

present to discuss the Enrichment Program. Nancy Mildrum distributed a hand out

explaining the Enrichment Program. They teach enrichment programs to groups of

children and also individual programs. Each instructor presented a piece from a

child they are currently working with. The program serves 91% of the students.

26% were served through the gifted program.

● Kindergarten – Armando introduced Mary Lynn Riggs, Curriculum Director at

FWSU. Flora and Mary Lynn touched base on the Kindergarten plan. Flora

indicated that we are capable of having 3 full-day programs and one 70% day

without changing the budget. Flora also stated that Georgia is seeing more and

more at risk children. Currently there are four .7 kindergarten teachers. This will be

discussed October 21st at the Community Forum meeting. There will be a post card

mailed out in the near future to alert community members of the meeting.

● Transportation Contract Bidding – It is time to consider the transportation

contract. There are a few options for the Board to consider, extend the current

contract, go out as a single district and bid the Georgia contract, bid this contract out

with Fletcher, which may reduce the cost. Armando suggests bidding without fuel

costs included. The Board would like to compare bids for a single run and a double

run, for 3 years and for 5 years. Chris states that she can have the bid out by the

end of October.

● Approve Renewal of Abbey Food Service Contract –

ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve the 2008-2009 Abbey Food

Service Contract, seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

● Financial Report – Chris Sumner discussed the financial report provided to the

Board. There is a $41,000 savings on teacher’s salaries. Fuel costs will be $13,000

over budget. There will be a $47,000 savings on the tax anticipation note interest.

● Budget Timeline FY10 – There will be a budget forum on October 21, 2008 at 6

p.m. at the Georgia School Gymnasium. The Board will hold the regular board

meeting on November 11th and a budget discussion meeting on November 18th. The

Board reviewed the Budget 2010 time line.

VII. Policy Review

● SU Discussion –

● Enrichment Policy – The current policy is entitled Gifted and Talented/Enrichment

Education Policy. The current policy included procedures. The revised policy

eliminates the procedures.

● Revoke Old Policies –

● Compensation of Principals Policy

● Policy re: Employment of Certified Personnel

● Title IX Non-Discrimination Policy

● Bloodborne Pathogens Policy (replaced by AIDS/HIV Policy)

● Hazing Policy (replaced by Interrogation of Students Policy)

● Philosophy of Sports Policy

● School Health Policy

● Policy on Student Placement (replaced by Grade Advancement, Retention,

Acceleration)

● Protocol for Potential Suicide

● Policy re Hot Lunch Charges (food service is now sub-contracted)

● Location of Individual Evaluation for Student

● Grants Policy

● Student/Group Fundraising Activities

ACTION: Motion by Casey Hager to remove the policies as listed, seconded by

Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.

VIII. Other – Frank distributed a handout that showed the Board the high school numbers.

Frank stated that the reduced lunch program has steadily inclined over the past few

years. This year we are at 19% of students receiving the reduced lunch program.

IX. Upcoming Meetings

● Regular Meeting: October 21st at 6:00 PM at Georgia School Gym

X. Executive Session (Personnel/Contract) –

ACTION: Motion by Jennifer Petrie to approve both requests for leave,

seconded by Casey Hager, approved unanimously.

XI. Adjourn – Meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M.