WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Where Children Learn to Soar and Dreams Take Flight
 

WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

MEETING HELD AT THATCHER BROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL

CONFERENCE ROOM

“APPROVED” MINUTES for February 16, 2006

 

 

BOARD:                           Susan Flynn, Jeffrey Larkin, Dale Smeltzer, and Sherry Ziemke

ADMINISTRATION:       John Pike, Bob McNamara, Ken Page, Barbara Tomasi-Gay, and                                                                        Don Schneider

STAFF:                             Eric Eley

PUBLIC:                           Georgeanne Baker and Theresa Wood                       

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. and confirmed the agenda items.

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer announced that the Ed Leaders’ evaluations would be delayed for one month.

 

  1. John Pike provided the Summary Statement of Revenues and Expenses – FY 2006 for the W-D School District dated January 31, 2005.  He cautioned the Board not to look at the data compiled in isolation because this is a transition year in the way the funds are being calculated.  Open enrollment for BC/BS Enrollment has driven some of the changes in the projected fund deficit.

 

  1. Mr. Pike provided a Summary of Project Expenditures for the TBPS Building Renovation Project dated February 15, 2006.  The administration and Board discussed the need for separate board orders for the project, the need for statements to be properly coded, and for an agreed upon format to be followed as the project moves into the construction phase.  The need for input from the Building Committee regarding format was suggested.

 

Sherry Ziemke arrived at 6:04 p.m.

 

  1. Ken Page gave an audit report.

 

  1. Mr. Schneider gave information to the Board regarding the bus drivers using Union Street as a part of their daily route.  Ms. Flynn requested that the drivers and administration keep in mind the added mileage being tacked on to the school district’s bills.

 

  1. Ms. Wood, Chairperson of the TBPS Building Committee, presented two documents developed by the committee with Pizzagalli and John Alden.  One of the documents outlines cost savings suggestions and the other is entitled Opinion of Probable Project Costs dated 12/22/05.  The committee was faced with making difficult cuts due to the two digit increases in steel prices and the increase seen in the construction industry because of the hurricanes.  Jeffrey Larkin, Board representative on the Building Committee, supported the changes recommended but cautioned that the Board will need to carefully monitor the project and costs.  Ms. Wood told the Board her committee was cognizant of promises made to the public.

 

  1. Making a decision about whether to shorten this year’s school calendar will be postponed until the Construction Management Company is hired.  Ms. Flynn indicated she had received a few calls from parents about the idea.  Don Schneider had a letter from the Association regarding changes in teacher days based on the teacher contract if a calendar change is made.

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer distributed a draft of the legal notice and Prequalification Criteria for sub-contractors for the building renovation project.

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer distributed the final draft of a letter regarding tax rates that will be sent to Governor Douglas, local legislators for Waterbury and Duxbury, Commissioner of Education, Select Boards of towns, VSBA, VLCT, and chairpersons of the WWSU Boards.  Sue Minter and Robert Dostis responded to Board members regarding the previous letter about State Aid.

 

  1. Mr. McNamara announced that the upcoming reorganization meeting for the WWSU Board is scheduled for March 22, 2006, in the HUHS library, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Nanci Smith, will be in WWSU for the week of March 20th to work with teachers on differentiating mathematics instruction at the middle level.  Mr. McNamara has asked Ms. Smith to address the assembled boards on the night of March 22th, from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Harwood.  Duane Pierson of Moretown has been hired for the high school principal position beginning at the end of this school year.

 

  1. Ms. Smeltzer informed those in attendance that there are three links on the schools’ websites for accessing information about the Annual Report. 

 

  1. Susan Flynn moved to approve the Board minutes dated February 2, 2006 as corrected. Sherry Ziemke seconded.  Passed unanimously.  (Changes:  #7 to include thanks to the Waterbury Public Library Commissioners for their gifts, and #8 to include all preschoolers).

 

  1. On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve Board orders dated February 14, 2006 in the amount of $4,178.56 and $56,045.55.  Sherry Ziemke seconded. Passed unanimously.  Ms. Flynn requested that late charges for be avoided at all costs.  $40.00 of this Board order represents valid late fees.

 

  1. Susan Flynn moved to approve an unpaid leave of absence request from Rachel Rosenblum for the 06-07 school year.  Sherry Ziemke seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Sherry Ziemke moved to accept the FY 2005 Audit Report.  Jeffrey Larkin seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Susan Flynn moved to approve the revised design plan and to authorize the changes recommended by the Building Committee to decrease the total current cost estimate of the TBPS project.  Sherry Ziemke seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve the letter to the Governor regarding tax rates and the Education Fund.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Jeffrey Larkin moved to approve the Prequalification Criteria for Sub-Contractors and the Legal Notice for the Building Renovation Project.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

  1. Sherry Ziemke made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.  Susan Flynn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

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