Georgia Board of School Directors
November 20,
2007
Georgia School Library
MINUTES
Board Present: Jennifer Petrie, Casey Hager, Doug Bergstrom, Ron
King, Irene Bonin
Administrators: Flora Hurteau, Frank Calano, Armando Vilaseca, Chris
Sumner
Others:
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:20 PM.
III. Consent Agenda
● Minutes
● Reports
● Correspondence
● Other
ACTION: Motion by Irene Bonin to approve the
Consent Agenda, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.
A. Old Business - Contract
Changes – Doug discussed the changes that were made since the last review of
the Master Agreement.
ACTION: Motion by Ron King to approve the Master Agreement,
seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.
IV. New Business
● FY2009 Budget – The
2009 preliminary budget was distributed to the Board Members. Chris Sumner
distributed a summary sheet regarding the budget. Elementary instruction is up
5% which includes the full-time kindergarten program. Teacher tuition
reimbursement has doubled. Workbooks for the elementary level have increased.
There are a couple of pilot programs happening at the elementary level. There
is a New Edition of Everyday Math. Middle school has budgeted for a foreign
language teacher therefore increasing the middle school budget. Questions were
raised regarding the foreign language teacher and whether the position could be
part time. Doug suggested inviting the head of the PTA to discuss fundraising
issues. Science modules are in need of updating. The math software line item
will be moved to technology with other software purchases. School wide
instruction includes the technology piece. A technician will be full time, as
well as the technician instructor. GEMS has purchased refurbished computers in
the past and it’s possible that may be the best deal for the school as of right
now. This will be explored further. Chris distributed the high school tuition
estimates. The preliminary numbers show that we will be over-budgeted this year
regarding high school tuition. Early Ed teaching staff will be staying the
same. There is a summer Early Ed program. This is a mandated, unfunded program.
Special Ed is showing the lowest increase. Compensatory Ed program is staying
the same. Title I and Title II grants
will
be decreasing therefore the budget is increasing. Alternative Ed program is
only increasing mileage reimbursement. Co-Curricular has added salary for
student activities director and yearbook program director and an increase in
supplies. Guidance has changes regarding benefits. Professional Development is
looking to implement a summer institute for the teachers regarding technology.
If a teacher successfully completes the summer institute instruction they will
be awarded a ceiling mounted projector. There will be more information at a
later date regarding this program. School Board section has budgeted for a
consult at $7,000 that will be discussed at a later date. Franklin West is
considering an in-house technician that would manage the software for the
supervisory union. A lot of money is being spent on outsourcing. There is a
Franklin West Supervisory committee regarding this issue. Principal’s office
has added the Alert Now system to their budget. Business services will be
shuffling some personnel. The school is currently paying for a large part of
the printing of the Town Report. The school also provides some reimbursement to
the Town for the Treasurer’s position. Armando will research this issue and
report back. Doug asked if we could change the line item to read Town Report
rather than Treasurer’s Fees. Plant Operations has added a new category for
phones and radios. The school is looking at a system that would include all
janitorial personnel and administration personnel on a walkie-talkie system.
Transportation does not have the bus number as of yet. Armando distributed a
sheet that shows that Georgia does very well per pupil price. A revised budget
will be presented at a later date.
V. Other – Doug received a letter to
parents of children entering kindergarten and the letter is presented in a way
that puts forth the perception of a full-day kindergarten. He stated that that
had not been agreed upon yet, therefore the letter should not have been sent.
The intent of the letter was to get out as much information as possible to the
parents. The Board reviewed the letter. Ron King stated that the letter lead
him to believe that the full-time kindergarten program was in place. The Board
suggests sending another letter for clarification.
Doug received a letter from the
VSBA regarding the state-wide calendar. There will be a meeting on November 28th at the VIT
site at BFA-St. Albans from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This is a public forum.
Doug received an e-mail that
Bernie Sanders will be at Burlington High School cafeteria regarding No Child
Left Behind on November 27th at 6:30 p.m.
Chris distributed a financial
statement. The high school tuition is currently $20,000-$30,000 over spent. BFA
has sent a bill for $79,000 from last year. They are asking for the allowable
amount by the State. Chris does not see a reason to panic at this point due to
some savings this year from teacher’s salaries, etc.
Irene is getting information
regarding a National Guard program where every year they pick a school to
donate computers to.
Frank and Flora distributed
information for the Board’s review regarding the administration’s suggestions
for budget increases such as foreign language. Frank distributed information
received from BFA-St. Albans regarding the performance of Georgia students at
the high school.
VI. Policies
A. Employment of Twelve-Month Personnel
ACTION: Motion by Ron King to approve the Employment of
Twelve-Month Personnel, seconded by Jennifer Petrie, approved unanimously.
B. Aids/HIV Policy – There was
some discussion regarding this policy and it has been tabled.
VII. Upcoming Meetings
A. Next Regular Meeting: December 4th at 6:00 PM, Georgia School Library