WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2007

Meeting Held at Crossett Brook Middle School Library

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Board:                         Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras, Michael Roche and Sherry Ziemke

Administrators:           Kevin Hamilton, Bob McNamara, Ken Page, and Don Schneider         

Staff:                           Lori Morse, Pattie Casari, Carol Senning                     

Public:             Georgeanne Baker, Reed McCracken, and Theresa Wood

 

1)      Dale Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

 

2)      Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

 

3)      Comments from the Public:

a)      Reed McCracken thanked the Board for agreeing to warn a special article for the tax payers of both towns to vote on regarding the staffing issue that has been discussed at recent Board meetings.

 

Michael Roche arrived at 6:08 p.m.

 

4)      Discussion Items:

a)      Proposed FY 07-08 Budget Follow-up – Ms. Smeltzer provided an overview of the budget issues.  The Board discussed two special articles drafted at a recent special meeting; one related to an additional teacher being hired and the other about the proposed playground at TBPS.  Both articles have been approved and warned by the Board.  Mr. McNamara suggested that the discussion regarding possible staffing cuts be put aside until the voters make their decision.  The superintendent and Board clarified their understandings of the majority of the Board’s intentions at the last meeting.

 

After asking for clarification about overall instructional staffing numbers to number of students, long term and short term  maintenance items, and the accuracy of whether there is an additional teacher being proposed or not, Ms. Wood stated that in her opinion the Board was elected to make final decisions on all operating issues.

 

b)      Parent and Student Survey – Superintendent McNamara shared a document entitled CBMS/TBPS Parent Survey, spring 2006, Level of Dissatisfaction Results.  The Board and administration reviewed the results, and discussion of any changes that might be indicated for the operation and educational system of the W-D School District will occur at a later meeting.

 

c)      Middle School Exchange – Superintendent McNamara provided an overview of the exchange program agreement of last year between CBMS and HUMS.  He requested permission from the Board to keep the same agreement with HUMS for another year.  Some suggested that payment for every student received from HUMS might be more necessary in light of the staffing issues this year.  Superintendent McNamara will report back to the Board after he has spoken to the Harwood school board.

 

d)      Australian Family Request – Three students will be living in Waterbury until Christmas next year.  The oil company that their father works for is willing to pay for the tuition costs for the students’ education.  The youngest will need to be granted permission to enter kindergarten given that the child will not be 5 years of age by the beginning of the school year.  

 

Bob McNamara left at 7:00 p.m.

 

e)      TBPS Renovations Update – The project is on schedule.  Mr. Schneider was on WDEV talking about the project and the upcoming move.  A special edition of Primarily the News will be sent to each family regarding the project.  The Waterbury Record will place an article about the update.

 

f)       Multi-Year Budget Planning Goal – Ms. Smeltzer provided an update of the committee’s work.  Ms. Smeltzer and Mr. Page serve on this committee and the Strategic Plan Committee thereby allowing the work of both committees to be integrally connected.

 

g)      Short-term Maintenance Plans – Initial Needs – The needs for the district should be identified for the next few years in order to allow for proper planning for each summer’s work, and working within fiscal year calendar constraints on budgeting.  The administration indicated that they have begun talks about the needs of the district.

 

Kevin Hamilton arrived at 7:38 p.m.

 

Mr. Page will add the gym ramp; the sidewalk issue is still in the Supreme Court, and leaky rooflines are all topics of discussion.  There is a storage need for CBMS too. Mrs. Baker raised concern about the state of landscaping at CBMS.

 

5)      Reports:

a)      Educational Leaders’ Update – Mr. Schneider emailed a report to the Board.  From Cradle to Career, an article submitted to Education Week, shows that Vermont ranks third in the nation. Mr. Page requested permission for the annual French field trip to Montreal to take place.  He also asked for the Chair’s signature for a contract allowing the music program to purchase a $1,700 Yamaha tenor saxophone on a three-year contract.

 

6)      Other Business:

a)      Calendar Schedule – The following dates represent changes in the upcoming Board meeting dates and times.

·        February 22nd, 6:00 p.m.

·        March 8th at 6:15 p.m.

·        March 22nd at 6:00 p.m.

·        March 14th at 5:45 p.m. (registration), Strategic Planning Public Forum, event beginning at 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

 

7)      Action Items:

a)      Michael Roche moved to approve the minutes of January 18, 2007 as corrected (Bud Towndrow) and January 25, 2007.  Susan Flynn seconded.  Passed unanimously.

 

b)       Board Orders – On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras moved to confirm Board orders dated January 30, 2007 for $8,128.73 and $119,388.98.  Michael Roche seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

c)      8th Grade Field Trip – Susan Flynn moved to approve the 8th grade French trip to Montreal on June 1, 2007.  Michael Roche seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

d)      Tenor Saxophone – Susan Flynn moved to approved a 3 year contract for $1,700 to purchase a tenor saxophone at CBMS.  Dawn Poitras seconded the motion which passed unanimously.


Susan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.  Dawn Poitras seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

 

These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Board of School Directors.  They are, in my opinion, substantively correct.  Notes recorded by:  Mr. Page Minutes completed by:  Georgeanne Baker