WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“APPROVED AS CORRECTED” MINUTES FOR APRIL 23, 2007

Meeting Held at Crossett Brook Middle School Library

IN ATTENDANCE

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

Administrators: Bob McNamara, Ken Page, Don Schneider, and Barbara Tomasi-Gay

Public: Georgeanne Baker

1) Dale Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2) Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

Michael Roche arrived at 6:06 p.m.

3) Discussion Items:

a) End of School Year Calendar – The proposal is to end the student year Friday, June 15^th with 8^th grade graduation being Friday night. The 8^th grade trip will be Monday, June 18^th. Teachers and Instructional Assistants are expected to be at work Monday. If there is another “snow day” the plan will be revisited. The staff lunch will be put on by the Board, on June 18^th, with the location to be determined.

b) Confirmation of Board Goals – Mr. Page indicated that the staff has expressed an interest in the planning and budgeting goals to come together. Ms. Ziemke asked about the bigger picture; what is working and or not working in the budgeting process. Ms. Smeltzer told the Board that maintenance planning, along with other recent agenda items, is also in the budget planning which is decided ahead of time.

c) Future Agenda Topics – Ms. Smeltzer reminded everyone to read the policy regarding field trips. At a future meeting the Board will discuss field trip data, the educational value of such trips, types of trips, and the cost of school sanctioned trips.

d) Strategic Planning Goal – Ms. Ziemke indicated that the group is drafting the vision, mission, and values. She will have a more detailed report at the second meeting in May.

e) TBPS Renovation Update – Mr. Schneider reported that the new entryway is going slowly, but the rest of the project is on schedule. The Building Committee will be meeting in the upcoming week.

f) Hiring Process – The Board and administration discussed the hiring process for the District and the level of involvement the Board should have in the process. Superintendent McNamara strongly stated that in his opinion it is not good practice to have board members involved. The process that is currently being used will be provided as a written summary at the second meeting in June. Ms. Smeltzer reminded those in attendance that this item was included in the agenda in response to various comments by Board members.

4) Reports:

a) Action Plan – Ms. Tomasi-Gay provided information about what it means to be a school identified as not making adequate yearly progress (AYP) for certain sub-categories, and provided data showing where the results have lagged. She then explained how the Department of Education Accountability System works, and distributed a handout “Checklist of NCLBA Requirements for Identified Title I Schools”. She and Bob McNamara pointed out specific requirements for both Year 1 and Year 2, including the School Improvement Plan which can be drawn from our recently developed Action Plan, a notification letter to parents, Supplemental Services qualifications and budgeting needs.

b) WWSU-Wide Professional Development Proposal – The document proposing professional development for the 2007-2008 school year was shared with the Board. Ms. Smeltzer emphasized the importance of the District’s priorities being met through the professional development the staff engages in SU-wide. There should be obvious tie-ins to the W-D School District Action Plan.

c) Financials – Mr. Page emphasized with the Board that the budget is very tight at this point in the year. He and the administrative team are keeping a close eye on the budget

d) HUMS Exchange – Ms. Smeltzer explained the rationale behind the agreement, and Mr. McNamara reported that HUMS has also agreed to maintain the contract between the two districts regarding the exchange program.

e) Superintendent’s Report: Mr. McNamara requested that any outstanding surveys be completed. He also urged the Board to be in touch with our representatives about the upcoming hearing on Thursday, April 26, 2007, in Room 111, from 1:30-3:00 regarding financial caps.

5) Action Items:

a) Board Minutes – Susan Flynn moved to approve the April 5, 2007 minutes as written.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

b) Board Orders – On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras moved to confirm the following Board Orders:

· March 22, 2007 in the amount of $235.19

· April 3, 2007 in the amount of $8,537.91

· April 20, 2007 in the amount of $916,674.49

· April 20, 2007 in the amount of $740,197.34

· April 3, 2007 in the amount of $22,830.12

Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Michael Roche moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 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. Minutes completed by: Georgeanne Baker