WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“UNOFFICIAL” MINUTES FOR APRIL 3, 2008

Meeting Held at Thatcher Brook Primary Conference Room

IN ATTENDANCE

Board: Dale Smeltzer, Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras, Scott Rathke, and Sherry Ziemke

Administrators: Kevin Hamilton, Bob McNamara, Ken Page, Don Schneider, and

Barbara Tomasi-Gay

Staff: Donna Constant, Allison Hayes, Jen Hill, and Camille Mason

Public: Georgeanne Baker, Kasey Chmura, Jennifer Colbert, Michael Corcoran, Reed McCracken, Marcella Pelkey, and Amy Scharf

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

2) Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

3) Executive Session to Discuss Personnel – Susan Flynn moved to enter into executive session at 6:02 p.m. Dawn Poitras seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Sherry Ziemke arrived at 6:03 p.m.

It was agreed to come out of executive session at 6:27 p.m. and no action was taken.

4) Discussion Items:

a) WWSU – Plans for Fixing Last Day of School – The last day of school will be decided by the WWSU Executive Committee, with notification to parents by April vacation.

b) Business Manager Update - Mr. McNamara announced that John Pike, Business Manager for WWSU, would leave July 1, 2008 to take a job at Lamoille South Supervisory Union.

c) Strategic Plan Action Steps – first draft – The Board and administration provided draft Indicators of Progress and Action Steps for each strategy in goals 1 and 2 and feedback was provided. Lastly, there was a discussion of what would be the realistic next steps.

Bob McNamara left at 6:55 p.m.

It was agreed that this process needs to occur for Goal 3 before the next steps for prioritizing and other details are developed. The parent group from CBMS will join in the process for Goal 3. Marie Pelkey was recommended as a CBMS parent to organize this. Mr. Schneider will recommend 2 parents for each level/working group of people. It was agreed that this would be completed for the second Board meeting in June. Prioritization and further action plan details will be fully drafted by September.

d) Food Service – Ms. Smeltzer provided an overview to the group assembled. A food service employee was given notice of a possible RIF of her position after the last meeting. Comments from the public were received; questions were asked and answered regarding the Food Service Program Recommendations & Policy Discussion sheet dated April 3, 2008. The Board supported subsidizing free and reduced lunches for those who qualify. The Board asked the administration to come back with recommendations regarding a reduction in costs of $20,000, for its consideration. The Board was interested in changes because this has been an issue discussed for over six years with no avail. Ms. Ziemke spoke about not wanting to have the food service deficits result in cuts in education needs, with funding always tight.

e) CBMS Instructional Time – Comparison with High Performing Schools – Mr. Hamilton provided comparative data from a variety of schools across Vermont regarding NECAP Scores, Core Time, and % of Free and Reduced lunches. There was discussion about various aspects of the data, including the following recommendations made by the educational leaders:

i) Changing encore time at the end of the day to increase the amount of direct instruction time in the core subject areas.

ii) Looking at a new delivery system for the Unified Arts courses as a result of the half-time RIF at the FACS position.

iii) Provide more direct instruction and support for students who did not score well on the NECAP and who are failing in specific core areas.

iv) Look at any other creative solution to create more direct instruction for students.

v) Develop a consistent schedule for both teams at the 7^th/ 8^th grade level.

5) Reports:

a) Mr. Schneider provided an update of preschool placement. Only 4 children were not able to be placed in the TBPS sessions whose parents had applied. Parents were notified and given information about private preschool space options with a timeline attached. Water damage at TBPS has dried out at this point. 19 sessions have been missed. Insurance adjusters estimate that the damage is upwards to $70,000-$80,000. DEW and John Alden have been notified. Don is tracking all the expenses. A bid is not necessary because the insurance company is in charge of the repairs. An investigation is being conducted to find out if the sensor malfunctioned. Testing for mold and other airborne pathogens is being done.

6) Action Items:

a) Board Minutes – Susan Flynn moved to approve Board minutes dated March 27, 2008. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

b) Board Orders – On the recommendation of Scott Rathke, Susan Flynn moved to approve board orders dated April 1, 2008 for $7,500.00 (construction), $291.41 (for voided and reissued checks), and $58,367.92. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

c) Resignation – Sherry Ziemke moved to accept a resignation from Rebecca Rothchild, a CBMS IA, as of May 26, 2008. Mr. Page indicated that he would complete the year by using substitutes. Susan Flynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

7) Executive Session to Discuss Contracts - Sherry Ziemke moved to enter into executive session at 8:56 p.m. Susan Flynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. It was agreed to come out of executive session at 9:05 p.m. Susan Flynn moved to approve the slate of teaching staff contracts as discussed in executive session. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Sherry Ziemke moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m.  Susan Flynn 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