The meeting was called to order at 6:05 by vice chair, Susan Flynn. In attendance were the following:

School Board: Michael Roche, Sherry Ziemke, Susan Flynn

Administration: Don Schneider, Barbara Tomasi-Gay, Kevin Hamilton, Ken Page

Guests: Bud Towndrow

 

Thank you-At the beginning of the meeting Michael Roche, who is retiring from the school board, thanked the board for “three good years” on the school board. On behalf of the Board, Susan Flynn also thanked Michael for his dedication to the children of Waterbury and Duxbury.

 

Comments from the public: none

 

Annual Meeting: Susan Flynn reminded the board members and administrators that the Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 2nd at 1:30 at Thatcher Brook Primary School. There will be a presentation to Theresa Wood, chair of the Thatcher Brook Building Committee, at 1:00. Don Schneider will follow up with Theresa and her family to be sure she is there to receive the award.

 

NECAP Scores: Barbara Tomasi-Gay gave the Board Members a quick overview of the recently-released NECAP scores. She said that the State of Vermont Department of Education now has a good website that people can access to check out school scores and see graphs detailing results. The link to this website is being sent home with parents. Also, it is on the schools’ home pages. All assembled agreed for the need to go over the test results in detail at later meetings. Although the results this year are mixed, the administrators said that the results can be used most effectively to target students who need further intervention.

 

Superintendent Search-Susan Flynn reported on the Superintendent Search. She said that six candidates applied, four were interviewed, but no candidate was advanced along to the next step. Instead, the process is being moved back to the Washington West Executive Board, where it is expected that they will endorse a plan to hire interim Superintendent for a year.

 

 

Leave of Absence Request-At the February 7th meeting the board received a parental leave request from Lisa Lavoie, grade 7-8 science teacher at Crossett Brook Middle School to be on leave for the 2008-09 school year. Following a short discussion, the board voted to approve of the request for parenting leave. The motion was made by Sherry Ziemke and seconded by Susan Flynn. It was approved on a 3-0 vote.

 

Don Schneider also said that he was bringing a request for a leave from Gayle Moskowitz to be absent from March of 2009 until June of 2009.

 

Lunch Collection Procedures-After much discussion regarding the need for very regular and consistent collection procedures for collecting money owed to the school district for meals and other expenses, the board directed Ken Page to draft a policy to bring to the next meeting. This draft should be a topic for discussion at the next meeting. Formal warning of the policy will take place after this.

 

Financial Report-Ken Page reported that because of the absences of several ill staff members, the finances are very tight this year. Susan Flynn asked if that meant that the Ed. Leaders would shut off spending. Ken replied that in order to keep the budget in line.

this will happen soon.

 

Directors’ Orders-On the advice from Susan Flynn who had previously reviewed the Directors’ Orders, the Board voted to approve these orders all dated February 19:

$140,367.47

$175.00

$6,355.19

 

At 6:59, the Board voted to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter (motion by Michael Roche and seconded by Sherry Ziemke). At 7:07, the board came out of executive session. No action was taken as a result of the executive session.

 

At 7:08, thee board with no other business before it, adjourned (motion by Michael Roche, seconded by Sherry Ziemke)

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Ken Page

Clerk, pro-tem