“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR JUNE 25, 2007
Meeting Held at Crossett Brook Middle
School Conference Room
IN ATTENDANCE
Board: Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras, Michael Roche and Sherry Ziemke
Administrators: Ken Page and Barbara Tomasi-Gay
Staff: Amy Dalsimer
Public: Georgeanne Baker
1)
Dale
Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2)
Ms. Smeltzer
confirmed the agenda.
3)
There were
no comments from the public.
4)
Discussion
Items:
a) TBPS Renovations – Ms. Tomasi-Gay provided a written update on behalf of Mr. Schneider. Any questions with the report should be forwarded to Mr. Schneider via email. Ms. Flynn indicated that questions regarding the oil spill, elevator, and drainage issue are still outstanding from the last meeting.
b)
Emergency
Operations Manuals – both buildings – Ms. Tomasi-Gay indicated that TBPS
had completed its version of the Emergency operations manual. Mr. Hamilton is the coordinator for both
buildings. The document should use
c) Fuel Bids – Mr. Page provided a written summary from Mr. Pike of the fuel bids obtained for the school district dated June 8, 2007. Mr. Pike recommended the Board enter into an agreement with F.G. White of Waitsfield.
d) Review Roles & Responsibilities, Board Effectiveness Survey Results – Ms. Smeltzer led the discussion of these two documents. Each person agreed to take responsibility for reviewing their relevant roles for accuracy regarding current practice, and to bring suggestions for changes to the first meeting in September. Ms. Smeltzer will notify and provide copies to Central Office administrators; Mr. McNamara will report for these staff if they are unable to attend the meeting.
The Board discussed the results of the recent survey completed by board members and the administration. Although it is only the first year and the sampling is too small to make changes based on it, everyone agreed that the information was helpful in thinking about the future effectiveness of the Board.
e) Budget Planning Committee Report: School Comparisons – Ms. Smeltzer and Ms. Poitras asked the other Board members and administration to provide them with a prioritization of the data collected by the Ad Hoc Budget Planning Committee.
f)
Joint
Discussions with Harwood re Food Service Management – Ms. Smeltzer informed
the Board that HUHS board members along with John Pike and administration from
both school districts are meeting this Thursday to continue their discussion
regarding the need for a shared Food Service Manager for both districts. She indicated the severity of the situation
is only earmarked by another overage of $15,000 as of the end of FY06-07,
despite a budgeted subsidy of almost $20,000.
Members agreed that food costs and gas prices are the cause of some of
this expense. The school districts are
looking for a menu planner and a fiscal officer for the department who can keep
his or her eye on such a moving target.
The W-D Board discussed possibly investing $10,000-$13,000 this coming
year with perhaps committing more in subsequent years depending on the results
in FY07-08.
5)
Reports:
a) Action Plan – Ms. Tomasi-Gay provided information about data questions generated by the Board at a past meeting. Ms. Tomasi-Gay provided tables making comparisons of language arts and math levels of achievement on the NSRE ELA, NRSE Math, DRA, and the NECAP. A lengthy discussion ensued. At this point in the collection, the data was not always statistically significant, but the Board did note that professional development, teacher accountability, and identifying mentoring needs might be all good by-products of further investigations.
b)
Financials –
Report for the Current Year – Mr. Page provided the Board with a Summary
Statement of Revenues and Expenses – FY 2007 updated as of June 25, 2007. Although the report was favorable, the Board
discussed that decisions about food service debt and the tractor purchase for
TBPS are still pending.
c) Financials – Estimate of Known Variances for FY08 - Mr. Page provided a table of information entitled Known Variances to the W-D Budget for the upcoming 2007-08 School Year as of June 25, 2007. The report indicated possible expenses in the upcoming year due to the requirements of 5 high needs children, totaling approximately $53,700 of net un-budgeted costs (taking into account increased reimbursement from the State). It was noted that several other known variances were not yet included on the list. Lastly, Ms. Dalsimer and Ms. Tomasi-Gay brought forth a request for an additional $15,000 to cover a fourth session of pre-school for 4 year olds. This request comes after Head Start removed its teacher from TBPS earlier this Spring. Ms. Tomasi-Gay indicated that another session for 4 year olds would be possible with the additional monies and by decreasing the 3 year old program to two days. Currently there are more 4 year olds than spots available at TBPS or cooperating preschool programs in the area. The Board told Ms. Tomasi-Gay that they would like more details from Head Start about its decision and implications to the district budget regarding costs. Ms. Smeltzer will draft questions for Mr. Pike and Mr. Schneider and his team to investigate for the next Board meeting. The Board determined that it could not make such a decision without concrete information to support such an expense.
6) Other Business:
a) Dedication of the Trish Feld Library – Ms. Poitras reported that she and Patti Carroll are currently suggesting that the dedication be done at the first Board meeting in September when new staff members are welcomed back. This was agreed to by administration and the Board.
b) Gymnasium Handicapped Access Ramp – Mr. Page announced that 6 firms requested RFP’s for the accessibility ramp adjacent to the gym entrance. The bids are expected by the first of August. Mr. Page will provide further information to the Board then.
c) Transportation Contract – Ms. Smeltzer informed the Board that this coming year the WWSU transportation contract is up for bid. There will be a committee at the Supervisory level and W-D will need representation if there are specific district issues to be addressed.
7) Action Items:
a) Board Minutes – Susan Flynn moved to approve the June 4, 2007 minutes as amended. 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 dated June 11, 2007, in the amount of $16,656.98 and $1,430,150.11. Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c) Accept Bid for CBMS Handicapped Ramp – There none to accept at this time.
d) Emergency Operations Manuals – Michael Roche moved to approve the W-D School District Emergency Operations Manuals for TBPS and CBMS as presented. Susan Flynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
e) Accept Fuel Bid – Sherry Ziemke moved to accept the fuel bid from F.G. White for a fixed prepaid rate of $2.32; maintenance @ $70/day business hours; $105/day after hours. Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
8)
Executive
Session to Discuss Personnel – Michael Roche moved to enter into executive
session to discuss personnel at 8:54 p.m. Susan Flynn seconded the motion
which passed unanimously. It was agreed to leave executive session at 8:59
p.m.
a)
Michael Roche moved to authorize a letter of intent
for 0.50 FTE one year, grade 7/8 Language Arts position at CBMS for Lindsay
Galvani. Susan Flynn seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
b) Ms. Flynn moved to authorize the Board Chair to sign employment agreements for the following employees:
- Brent Pearson, SLP Aide, FY07, TBPS
- Sara Hildebrand, 1:1 Assistant for summer 07, TBPS
- Patricia Koch, IA, CBMS
-
- Rebecca Rothschild, IA, CBMS
Mr. Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
c) Michael
Roche moved to authorize employment contracts for Educational Leaders and
Assistant Educational Leaders as discussed in executive session. Susan
Flynn seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
9) Executive Session to Discuss Employment Contracts - Susan Flynn moved to enter into executive session at 9:00 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. Dawn Poitras seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was agreed to leave executive session at 9:12 p.m.
Dawn Poitras moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Michael Roche 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