Georgia Board of School Directors
November 3, 2009 at Georgia School Library
Regular Meeting at 6:00pm
Minutes
These minutes are not approved until accepted by the School Directors at their next meeting.
Board Members: Doug Bergstrom, Chair; Jen Petrie, Clerk; Matt Crepeau, Carl Laroe, & Irene Bonin
Administrators: Bruce Chattman, Superintendent; Chris Sumner, Business Manager; Flora Hurteau, Elementary Principal; Frank Calano, Middle School Principal
Transcriptionist: Candy Granger
LCATV Field Producer: John Noble
Other: Christine Orellana, Heather Grimm, & Linda Stech
1. Call to Order:
Doug Bergstrom called the meeting to order at 6:07pm.
2. Public Comments:
Linda Stech asked about the email she sent the board inquiring if the Georgia School could look into a cheaper health insurance plan with possibly a higher deductible with Georgia School’s cost savings. Doug and Bruce both shared that this would need to be changed with the Collective Bargaining Unit. Negotiations are just beginning.
Another suggestion Linda Stech provided is to go back to 2 bus runs if it is cheaper. Flora commented that we are seeing substantial cost savings in gas prices so those cost comparisons will be reviewed later this year.
Christine Orellana asked for the agendas to be posted on the wiki in a timely manner as it’s listed on the Georgia School website.
3. Consent Agenda -Minutes:
Jen Petrie made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda Minutes of October 6th, 2009 Regular Meeting and the revised 9/29/09 Special Meeting Minutes. Carl Laroe seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.
4. Reports:
Principal’s Report: Frank reported that many more people are using the GEMS website to find information on the evening programs. Dec 10th is the senior luncheon. Nine paraprofessionals are attending a Stern Center Building Blocks for Literacy seminar and there are some paras attending an afterschool math program. There is a meeting November 11th to decide on paraprofessional inservice training and to design a math course for this summer. Doug asked about getting the ADM funds for Early Ed. Flora explained that we will help provide training to local daycare providers. Irene asked if we get funds for non-Georgia daycare students and Flora replied that she doesn’t believe so. Many warm clothes were collected by Jim Cutrone’s warm clothes drive. Flora shared that GEMS employees are paying to wear denim on paydays and every other Friday. $100 was collected last time for the Georgia Food shelf.
Financial Report: There isn’t a financial report, but Chris shared a first look at the FY’11 budget. She included a 5% increase across-the-board for all tuition rates. She also assumed a 5% increase for insurances and 10% for liability insurances. The Special Ed and SLP rates are lower based on Adrienne’s input regarding student needs. Doug shared about the FWSU assessment increasing due to Tod Granger’s salary being moved to FWSU. Chris stated that there really isn’t any increase for staffing. Irene asked what the transportation driver and Chris informed that we’d like to have a single activities run afterschool so that’s where a transportation driver would come in. There’s an opportunity to purchase a short bus from Fairfax. Chris asked for feedback on any budget questions before the next meeting so she could come with answers.
Superintendent’s Report: Bruce shared that he’s making a strong effort to be in classrooms and he sees very good things happening here in Georgia. He quoted an article stating that schools really make a difference.
School Committees: No reports.
Georgia Board of Directors: Doug shared that based on the allowable tuition report that he just received from the state, but there shouldn’t be additional surprise previous year tuition billings as there have been in the past. Doug shared some ideas that he’s received from community members to help save money which includes energy savings, eliminate Superintendent, change health insurance companies, principal/vice-principal structure, eliminate staff raises, and eliminate staff hiring.
5. Board Business:
Approve Bank Resolutions – Action: Chris Sumner shared that there are 2 types of accounts for school meals program and recommended changing the signers to be Amber Baker and Chris Sumner, which are the same on the main account. Chris stated the details as to who has what power. The following are trust accounts: the Principal’s, Day-maker, 8th Grade, Student Council, and Field Trip. Chris asked the Board who they would like to designate to open and close the accounts. The Board agreed to designate the Principals and Candy Granger, Bookkeeper.
Action: Jen Petrie made a motion to enact board resolution for all GEMS accounts except school hot lunch. Irene Bonin seconded. Motion passed, unanimously. Jen Petrie made a motion to enact board resolution for the school meals account. Irene Bonin seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.
6. Policy Review:
Pesticide Protocol (New) – Action: Irene suggested posting the MSDS sheets online. Irene Bonin made a motion to approve the Pesticide Protocol Policy. Jen Petrie seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.
Energy Management (New) – Action: Bruce met with Tod Granger and the facilities committee who made some changes. Jen Petrie made a motion to approve the Energy Management Policy. Matt Crepeau seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.
Gifts, Donations, & Scholarships (New) – Action: Irene Bonin made a motion to approve the Gifts, Donations, & Scholarships Policy. Matt Crepeau seconded. Motion passed, unanimously.
Alcohol & Drug-Free Workplace (Update) – Action: Jen Petrie made a motion to approve the Alcohol & Drug-Free Workplace Policy. Carl Laroe seconded. Bruce made additional change to the policy to add Administrators. Jen amended her motion to include Bruce’s change. Carl amended his second with Bruce’s change. Motion passed, unanimously.
Public Participation at Board Meetings (Update) – Action: Irene Bonin made a motion to approve the Public Participation at Board Meetings. Jen Petrie seconded. Heather Grimm was concerned that this policy states that public doesn’t have comments at special meetings and also that it restricts when can the public comment on readings before they become “action” items. She also asked why GEMS wants to make their policy more strict then the one recommended on the Vermont School Boards Assoc. website. Christine Orellana asked why she cannot ask a question at a board meeting. Bruce Chattman explained that the administrators’ reports are prepared for the Board and that the public can certainly follow up with questions via phone call or email. He was told by a community member that he worked for her. He responded that he worked for the FWSU Board. Heather feels that there should be a time for the public to comment at each public meeting. The Board responded that the public can comment at any meeting, but that the comments at special or emergency meetings needed to be focused on then agenda item(s) for the meeting. Doug explained that the board wishes to follow their agenda so they can get their business done in a timely manner. He suggested that if anyone has a comment to feel free to contact them via email prior to a board meeting. There was discussion between the attending community members and Bruce Chattman as well. Motion passed, unanimously.
7. Other: There were no other items.
8. Upcoming Meetings:
Special Budget Meeting: November 17th @ 6pm @ Georgia School Library
FWSU Quarterly Board Meeting: November 18th @ 7pm @ Fairfax Library
Regular Meeting: December 1st @ 6pm @ Georgia School Library
Special Budget Meeting: December 15th @ 6pm @ Georgia School Library
9. Executive Session (Negotiations):
Matt Crepeau recused himself from Executive Session.
Entered into Executive Session at 7:47pm.
Exited Executive Session at 8:45pm.
Action: Jen Petrie made a motion to approve issuance of an Early Retirement/Career Change Incentive. Carl Laroe seconded. Motion passed, unanimously 4-0 (Matt Crepeau was not present).
10. Adjourn:
Carl Laroe made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50pm.