“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER
16, 2006
Meeting Held at
IN ATTENDANCE
Board: Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn, Michael Roche and Sherry Ziemke
Administrators: Bob McNamara, Ken Page, Don Schneider, and Barbara Tomasi-Gay
Staff: Stacey Blue
Public: Georgeanne Baker
1) Dale Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
2) Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.
3) There were no comments from the public. Michael Roche arrived at 6:05 p.m.
4) Discussion Items:
a) TBPS Renovations Update and Financials – Mr. Schneider reported all is going well. The site work is complete, outside lighting is in, and the staff is doing as well as can be expected given the complexity of the project. Ms. Smeltzer provided a document for review outlining ideas for how to clarify and report financial decisions as the project approaches completion. A spreadsheet summarizing project expenditures dated October 31, 2006 was given to the Board. Everyone agreed that remaining keenly aware of spending and making wise choices along the way is imperative. It is the responsibility of the building committee to set limits and prioritize the list of takeouts in preparation for making decisions to add specific aspects of the plan back in if funds are available at the end of the scheduled work. Ms. Smeltzer emphasized that this is the time to anticipate the remaining decision-making needs, and plan for spending that will ensure the District ends up in the optimum situation at the end of the project.
b) Strategic Planning Goal – Ms. Ziemke reported that the steering committee will be interviewing consultants to aid in the strategic planning process. A few other community members have joined the committee. The committee will communicate with the select boards in an effort to keep them informed and involved in this long-term process. A plea for teacher involvement was made again.
Superintendent McNamara arrived at 7:48 p.m.
c) Tracking Impacts of Grades 5-8 Math Changes – Mr. Page presented an overview of the plans to measure impacts and progress being made in the area of math following the changes that were made this year.
5) Reports:
a) Action Plan: Plans for Communication and Data Goals – Ms. Tomasi-Gay provided the Educational Leaders’ Update on W-D Action Plan. It included details about Action Steps #6 and #8 (Parent Communication and Data Use). Ms. Tomasi-Gay passed out professional development opportunities for WWSU too. The need for adequately funding administrator’s professional development was discussed. Ms. Tomasi-Gay requested questions from the Board that involve using data to use as examples for her next report on these topics in March.
b) Financials, FY07Actuals follow-up and Budget Tracking Needs - Mr. Page provided two documents: Summary Statement of Revenues and Expenses FY 2007, Summary of Expenditures Report dated October 31, 2006, and Ms. Smeltzer provided one document: First Draft of Year-round, Multi-year Budgeting Implementation: Budget Tracking and Reporting Needs dated November 1, 2006. The Board agreed that in order to preserve certain types of savings for refund to taxpayers, these savings need to be identified so that they can be both preserved as a surplus, as well as built into the following year’s budget. Furthermore, the Ms. Smeltzer led a discussion regarding the need for frugalness as future planning is done while stabilizing the budget and having tighter yet flexible thinking. The Board and Administration expressed their appreciation of John Pike’s work in preparing these documents. All three were clear and cleanly presented. The work in this area is on-going and Mr. Pike’s counsel as Business Manager will be helpful.
c)
Superintendent’s
Report – Mr. McNamara announced an upcoming forum sponsored by
Representatives Dostis and Minter on financing education to be held at the
Waterbury Congregational Church on December 5th. December 6th is the joint
Boards’ meeting on the WWSU budget.
6) Other Business:
a) Budget Meeting with Staff – Ms. Smeltzer asked whether a joint TBPS and CBMS staff meeting will be held with the Board in attendance in an effort to collect pertinent input regarding the budget development, as suggested at the last meeting. The Ed Leaders would like to further consider the idea before making specific plans.
7) Action Steps Taken:
a) Board Minutes - Susan Flynn moved to approve the minutes from November 2, 2006 as corrected (corrections in spelling of Mackey and #7b). Michael Roche seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
b) Board Orders – On the
recommendation of Susan Flynn, Michael Roche moved to confirm Board orders
dated November 14, 2006 in the amounts of:
$608,538.64, $48,251.04, and $13,746.72. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion. Susan
Flynn had a question regarding a Washington County Mental Health contract issue
in the amount of $1000, and pointed out an item that should be shifted to the
TBPS Renovations budget. It was agreed that no changes would be made to
the Board Orders amount, and that an update would be provided in a month
regarding
the contract issue. The motion passed unanimously.
8)
Executive
Sessions:
a) Personnel - Susan Flynn moved to go into executive session at 8:24 p.m. to discuss personnel. Michael Roche seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was agreed to leave executive session at 8:25 p.m. with no action taken.
b) Teacher Contract Negotiations - Susan
Flynn moved to go into executive session at 8:26 p.m. to discuss contract
negotiations. Michael Roche seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Susan Flynn left at 8:50 p.m.
It was agreed to leave executive
session at 8:54 p.m. with no action taken.
Sherry Ziemke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 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. Notes recorded by: Mr. Page Minutes completed by: Georgeanne Baker