WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR JANUARY 24, 2008

Meeting Held at Thatcher Brook Primary School Library

 

IN ATTENDANCE:

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

ADMINISTRATORS:        Barbara Tomasi-Gay, Kevin Hamilton, Ken Page, Bob McNamara, and Don Schneider

STAFF:                                  Doug Lombard, Ellen Montgomery, Bud Towndrow, MK Monley, Pattie Casari, Tom Thurston, and Jen Miller

PUBLIC:                               Georgeanne Baker, Michael Corcoran, and Reed McCracken

 

1.                  Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.

 

2.                  Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

 

3.                  There were no comments from the public at this point in the meeting.

 

4.                  DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.     Proposed 2008-09 Budget – Final Review – Ms. Smeltzer reviewed a document outlining the summary of changes to budget drafts for FY2008-09.  The discussion focused on changes made from a revised draft of expenditures dated 1/3/08 and 1/16/08.  Ms. Smeltzer restated the importance of the budget being representative of the spending.  Mr. Towndrow asked the Board to consider other options for snowplowing and removal.  The administrative team and Board will convene a committee to investigate other options that could be considered next budget season.  Mr. McCracken expressed his concern about the process for developing this year’s budget.  Ms. Casari asked that the staff be more involved in the budgeting process from the beginning.  The Board reiterated the importance of the budget having little or no effect on students’ experiences and the need for long-term planning which is why this Board has emphasized the Strategic Plan. 

 

After discussion, the Board agreed to a 9.9% increase on the budget.

 

B.     Food Service Deficit – Process and Timetable for Review of Options – Mr. Schneider is beginning to investigate successful programs in schools that have similar demographics as the W-D School District.  The administrative team will provide feedback to the Board at the late March meeting.  All agreed to the following values for the Food Service Program:  1.  The program needs to at least break even each year (including subsidy).  2. Serving healthy food is paramount.  3.  The Food Service staff must be committed to the process.

 

C.     CBMS Sidewalk Case – Next Steps Following Award of Costs  – Mr. Page announced that the $5,000 owed to the opposition would be paid.  He asked the Board how they wish to proceed once the award is paid.  The Board asked Mr. Page to confer with Mr. Jules Chatot regarding the next steps for fixing the sidewalk at CBMS. 

 

Mr. Towndrow also informed the Board that CBMS is not in compliance with the authorities regarding storage practices.  Mr. Roche, Mr. Page, and Mr. Towndrow will meet to prioritize the plan for storage issues and the sidewalk.  Mr. Towndrow said that in places where safety is an issue, the district will act immediately.

 

D.    CBMS Grade 7/8 Core time - Background – Mr. Page provided those in attendance some background information.  (An excerpt from America’s Middle School in New Century:  Status and Progress, Course Requirements and Electives at CBMS, and Middle Level Education in Vermont:  Recommendations from the Vermont Middle Level Task Force, Draft)  The Board will discuss this issue at a later meeting.

 

Mr. Hamilton arrived at 7:40 p.m.

 

5.                  REPORTS

  1. Financial Report – Mr. Page announced that all short-term funds are encumbered and Board contingencies are unencumbered.  Ms. Smeltzer asked for an accounting of contingency usage. 

 

  1. TBPS Renovation Project Update - Mr. Schneider handed out a TBPS Renovation Project Summary dated 1/24/08.  The Board instructed Mr. Schneider that no furnishings should be purchased until the final bill is received and paid.  The project is within budget, but it is very close.  Mr. Schneider indicated he was awaiting a decision regarding state reimbursement for an unforeseen expenditure regarding hazardous material testing and abatement.

 

6.                  OTHER BUSINESS

  1. Resident Issue – Ms. Poitras brought to the attention of the Board a letter describing three bussing and transportation issues, provided to her by a Duxbury resident. The Ed Leaders will look into the issues and report back to the Board.

 

  1. Audit Report for Year Ended June 30, 2007 – Booklets were distributed for the Board’s review.

 

  1. Award Received – Ms. Smeltzer was presented with an award from the Vermont School Board’s Association for her 9 consecutive years of service.

 

7.                  ACTION ITEMS

  1. Board Minutes – Susan Flynn moved to approve the December 20, 2007 and the January 3, 2008 board minutes as written.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Board Orders – On the recommendation of Susan Flynn, Sherry Ziemke moved to confirm the following Board orders dated January 8, 2008 in the amount of $196,348.32 and $12,385.74, and January 22, 2008 $170,005.63.  Ms. Flynn pointed out that the school district couldn’t be paying staff reimbursement for mileage to transport a prospective employee to his/her fingerprinting appointment.  In the future, prospective employees need to be instructed to find their own transportation.  Ms. Flynn also noted that the recently purchased items for employee identification tags cost much more than ones purchased for CBMS.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Budget Vote - Susan Flynn moved to approve the proposed 2008-2009 budget for presentation to voters at the 2008 town meeting for the amount of $9,073,241.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Approve Annual Meeting Warning for March 2, 2008 – Susan Flynn moved to approve the warning for the Annual Meeting for March 2, 2008, at TBPS, room 238, at 1:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Waterbury Annual Community Fair.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. FY 2008 Announced Tuition – On the recommendation of John Pike, Business Manager, Susan Flynn moved to set the FY 2008 tuition rate as follows:

 

    1. Kindergarten Tuition Rate                $ 4,850
    2. Elementary Tuition Rate                   $ 9,700            (+7.8%)
    3. Secondary 7th and 8th Tuition Rate   $10,400           (+6.1%)

 

Dawn Poitras seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Breakfast Prices – Ms. Ziemke moved to approve an increase of the breakfast prices from $1.35 to $1.50.  Ms. Flynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

G.     Confirmation of Contracts – Ms. Poitras moved to confirm an employment contract for Ms. Heidi Macgill, as TBPS .30 preschool IA.  Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – to discuss personnel – Susan Flynn moved to enter into executive session at 8:29 p.m.  Dawn Poitras seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  It was agreed to come out of executive session at 8:46 p.m.

 

Susan Flynn moved to approve Lauren Taratoot as a long-term substitute teacher, grade 5 at CBMS, through at least April 14, 2008.  Michael Roche seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Susan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m.  Dale Smeltzer 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