WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Where Children Learn to Soar and Dreams Take Flight
 

WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

MEETING HELD AT CROSSETT BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

 “APPROVED AS AMENDED” Minutes for February 2, 2006

 

 

BOARD:               Susan Flynn, Jeffrey Larkin, Dale Smeltzer, Sherry Ziemke, Michael Roche

ADMINISTRATION:       Don Schneider, Ken Page, Bob McNamara

STAFF:                             Rachel Rosenblum, Sonja Burbank, Chris Costello, Dan Gratton, Doug Lombard, Patti Casari, Jessica Diem

ARCHITECT:                   John Alden

PUBLIC:                           Georgeanne Baker                  

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. and confirmed the agenda items.

 

  1. The Board heard a request for a leave of absence from Rachel Rosenblum. 

 

Ken Page arrived at 6:09 p.m.

 

Ms. Rosenblum spoke of her commitment to the W-D School District’s ELL Program.  Ms. Rosenblum’s request was also provided in writing. 

 

  1. Mr. Alden reviewed the RFP for the TBPS Construction Management Services with the Board.  Mr. Alden recommended that Bill Schroeder’s prepared contract be used with the RFP.  Mr. Alden recommended the following documents be used with the RFP package:

 

·       Attachment A:  General Description of the project prepared by John Alden

·       Attachment B:  Contract as prepared by Bill Schroeder

·       Attachment C:  Schedule prepared by Pizzagalli

 

Michael Roche arrived at 6:20 p.m.

 

Mr. Alden requested Board direction regarding the binding arbitration process outlined in Mr. Schroeder’s contract.  Mr. Alden informed the Board that it would be cheaper for the owner to carry builder’s risk insurance.  Ms. Smeltzer deferred to the Building Committee for a recommendation.  Mr. Alden will address a few minor questions with the attorney, but does suggest the Board use the AIA Document A121 CMc – 2003 and AGC Document 565 as prepared by Mr. Schroeder.  Bidders will be advised that there are drawings available to view or for purchase.

 

Bids will be opened on February 28, 2006, at TBPS, at 3:30 p.m. The bid for Construction Management Services will be awarded at the March 2, 2006 Board meeting.  The Annual Meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2006.  The RFP will be issued next Tuesday, February 7, 2006 once all drafts of the attachments are corrected.

 

  1. A draft of Concept for Public Communications Regarding Proposed School Budget and Education Spending Taxes dated February 2, 2006 was reviewed.   Ms. Ziemke accepted feedback and will take the lead on getting the word out to the community.  Ms. Smeltzer will place an ad in the VT Journal to announce availability of budget information.

 

  1. There was a discussion regarding the current draft a letter drafted to the Governor, Waterbury Representatives and Senators, and the Vermont Department of Education regarding the Education Fund and Tax Rates.  Mr. Roche will continue working on the draft and submit it to board members for feedback.

 

Bob McNamara arrived at 7:05 p.m.

 

  1. Mr. Gratton and Mr. Page provided background information on the CBMS/Harwood Sports Agreement.  They recently met with the HU athletic director, principals, and the superintendent to discuss costs of the current athletic contracts. The WWSU will begin discussing issues related to appropriate philosophy of middle school athletic programs with neighboring communities.  A handout was provided outlining the cooperative sports programs.  Mr. Page informed the Board that overspending has occurred and is being addressed.  The full group discussed changing billing procedures, improvements in communications about offerings at Harwood, and that Harwood will freeze coaches’ salaries for the next four years.  Mr. Page thanked Mr. Gratton for his exemplary work as Activities Director.

 

  1. Mr. Schneider provided the Educational Leaders’ Report dated February 2, 2006.  On behalf of the school district, Mr. Schneider extended his thanks to the Waterbury Public Library for inviting Nancy Daigle to select 500 new books for the TBPS library from the Waterbury Center Branch of the town library.  

 

  1. Superintendent McNamara informed the Board that David Driscoll, principal of HUHS, announced his resignation.  He spoke about S132 Early Education Legislation Bill, which describes the partnerships already happening in the WWSU.  The Superintendent sent a letter to the Education Committee addressing concerns for not funding preschoolers.

 

  1. Mr. Page informed the Board that the sidewalk issue at CBMS continues with Wright & Morrisey taking its objections to the Supreme Court.  Per the policy regarding out of state field trips, Mr. Page requested the Board’s permission for the Wizard Team to begin planning a field trip to Ferry Beach Ecology School in Saco, Maine on June 8th and 9th.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve the Board minutes dated January 19, 2006 as amended. Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.  (Changes:  John Pike should be listed in place of John McGuire; and in #6. …it has been suggested that 60% of the TBPS project will be done in the first summer).

 

  1. Michael Roche moved to approve the Board minutes dated January 26, 2006.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Sherry Ziemke moved to approve Board orders dated January 27, 2006 in the amount of $658.00 for permit fee, January 31, 2006 in the amount of $160,823.83, and $97,277.00 for Scott + Partners. Jeffrey Larkin seconded. Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve the RFP for Construction Management Services as modified per discussion with John Alden, architect of the project, and other discussed changes to the AIA Document A121 CMc – 2003 and AGC Document 565 as discussed and with additions to the document. Mr. Alden recommended that competitors for CMS should not be privy to all the numbers within the Pizzagalli materials.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve the CBMS Wizard Team’s out of state field trip to Ferry Beach Ecology School in Saco, Maine on June 8th and 9th, 2006.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Susan Flynn moved to enter into executive session at 7:35 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.  Jeffrey Larkin seconded.  Passed unanimously.   There was consensus to leave executive session at 7:57 p.m. with no action taken.

 

English Language Learners (ELL) program needs were described and discussed.  The recent arrival of a group of new Meshketan Turk students has increased the staffing needs and Bob McNamara and the Educational Leaders recommended that up to a 0.5 FTE ELL staff position be added to the 0.5 FTE current opening due to an upcoming family leave.

 

Michael Roche made a motion to approve a contract with Amanda Payne for up to 1.0 FTE for the remainder of the school year as a long-term substitute for Rachel Rosenblum and to meet additional needs.  Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Ken Page distributed to Board Members the audit report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005. 

 

  1. Michael Roche had further questions about how much information regarding cost estimations should be provided in the CM bid package for the TBPS Renovations project.  It was agreed that the previous recommendation by the architect be followed.

 

  1. Susan Flynn made a motion to adjourn at 8:14 p.m.  Sherry Ziemke seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

These minutes are in my opinion substantive until adopted by the Board.  Georgeanne Baker