WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“APPROVED AS CORRECTED” MINUTES FOR July 28, 2009

Meeting Held in the TBPS Conference Room

 

IN ATTENDANCE

BOARD:                                Dale Smeltzer, Reed McCracken, Scott Rathke, Ben Smith, and

Sherry Ziemke

ADMINISTRATORS:         Tom Drake, Don Schneider, Brigid Scheffert, Michelle Baker

PUBLIC:                               Nathan Burgess (Waterbury Record), Georgeanne Baker

 

1.                  Dale Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.

 

2.                  Public Comment – There was no public comment provided.          

 

3.                  Introductions – Dale Smeltzer asked board members and administrators to introduce themselves and provide some information about their background. 

 

4.                  Business Manager Written Reports – Board Feedback

  1. Tax Anticipation Note – Michelle Baker explained her recommendation provided in the written report, to accept the bid from TD Banknorth for 2.65%.

 

  1. Financial Report – Michelle Baker said that she was pleased to report that the food service program had come in at $24,678, which is less than the actual $29,172 subsidy covering expenses beyond what is reimbursed by the federal government for free and reduced meals.  This is a considerable improvement over the previous year and she is pleased with the management provided by Erika Dolan, Food Service Director.  Michelle went on to briefly review the general fund financial report, which she noted is un-audited with bills still coming in, and showing an anticipated net fund balance of $158,407. 

 

5.                  DISCUSSION

A.    AYP Report (Second Half of School Year) – Tom Drake had provided a written summary, plus the June 24, 2009 monitoring reports to the state from each school.  He is impressed with the summer school program at TBPS, which has 85 students enrolled and is an expansion from last year.  The written summary provided information about the corrective action that has been chosen to be implemented for Year 2 of corrective action, and the Commissioners Agreement will be signed and distributed when available.  Brigid Scheffert asked about what board members would like for data analysis, reporting, and background perspective information.

 

B.     Board Goals – Dale Smeltzer checked with board members about any further suggestions for changes in the wording of the latest draft, and there were none.   There was then a broad discussion about appropriate next steps, considering the length of the goals and the need for our new administrators to have the opportunity to review them during a time when a lot of attention is focused on the start of school.  Don Schneider has a presentation that Scott Rathke recommended as a good next step for the board around the strategic plan, and it was agreed that this would be on a coming agenda after the team of four principals plus Brigid and Sheila Rivers (Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment) had an opportunity to meet and view it first. 

 

The Board provided background information on the strategic plan development process, what’s been done and what the needs are.  Don pointed out that the strategic plan is currently being used as a lens to review new ideas, but there is not a formal implementation plan.  Sherry Ziemke noted that if there are budget implications this fall that will need to be considered, then there is a need to know the overall plan so that conscious choices can be made.  There were questions about how to structure the planned board retreat, which could occur as a special meeting in the evening but with a narrow agenda and no regular business.  The goal for a board retreat needs to be defined, but there needs to be time for administrators to meet and provide recommendations first regarding possible next steps.  The discussion of next steps for board goals will be continued at the next meeting.

 

6.                  WRITTEN REPORTS

A.    Action Plan Renewal – A written summary, and the latest draft of the Action Plan, were provided in advance of the meeting.  Dale asked about some comments that had been provided previously, including noting what constitutes a significant difference for changes in student scores as related to the goals for improved NECAP scores.  There was also a need to have reports to the board about the various actions steps of all kinds, as they are being implemented in our school system, including use of the early release professional development days as an example. 

 

B.     Principals Report – Tom Drake had provided this in advance of the meeting, and the board went through the various items, asking questions to clarify as needed.  The report also included a listing of temporary summer staff hired for student programs, as well as training and courses being taken by staff members related to school district needs.

 

C.    Board Chair Report – Dale had provided this in advance of the meeting, and she reviewed the recommendations briefly with board members and confirmed that there was support. 

 

7.                  Superintendent Report, WWEC Follow-up – Brigid Scheffert reported that she has been very busy at Central Office since she started on July 1, doing systems analysis around the use of space and technology.  She has been planning for the work ahead, and learning about what is happening in WWSU at the schools and in central office.

                                                                                                                        

8.                  OTHER BUSINESS – there was no other business.

 

9.                  ACTION ITEMS

A.    Board Minutes – Sherry Ziemke moved to approve the minutes of June 9, 2009 as written.  Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

B.     Board Orders – On the recommendation of Scott Rathke, Ben Smith moved to confirm Board orders dated June 19, 2009 in the amount of $182,850.60 and $92,592.32;  June 29, 2009 for $27,331.49 and $6,086.61; July 6, 2009 in the amount of $31,313.10; July 7, 2009 in the amount of $5,240.45; and July 17, 2009 in the amount of $259,595.99.  Reed McCracken seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

C.    Tax Anticipation Note – Reed McCracken moved to accept the bid from TD Banknorth for a tax anticipation note in the amount of $706,000 at an interest rate of 2.65% with no prepayment penalty dated August 1, 2009 and to sign the associated banking resolutions provided by TD Banknorth.  Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

D.    Recommendations from Written Reports –

1.      Principals Report: Reed McCracken moved to accept the recommendations from this written report, that is, to confirm the personnel recommendations provided (see below), and also to authorize the payment of $15,000, which is half of the remaining amount due to DEW Construction for the TBPS Renovations.  Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Betsy Unger teaching contract for 61% - 7/8th Language Arts

Lisa Cassetty teaching contract for 39% - 7/8th Language Arts

Robert Doolen resignation as custodian position due to health reasons

Linda Merrill hired to replace Robert Doolen- custodian position- full time-full year

Margaret Landry - Speech Pathlogist resignation to take new position

Heather Mathies – Special Educator (1 yr. position) to replace Patricia Carroll – 1 yr. Leave of Absence

Lauren Taratoot – Grade 5/6 Teacher resignation to pursue other career options

Rosy Metcalf - resigned her TBPS position as an Instructional Assistant.

 

2.      Board Chair Report: Sherry Knudson moved to accept the recommendations from this written report, that is, to:

a.       Confirm summer temporary employment contracts at TBPS for required EEE  services, budgeted summer school programs for Special Education services for grades K-4, Summer Camp budgeted out of Medicaid Reimbursement funds, and curriculum and report card work using Title IIA Consolidated Federal Grant funds for professional development

b.      Confirm summer temporary employment contracts at TBPS for summer AYP services

c.       Confirm taking the next step regarding a remedy to the sidewalk heaving issues that have occurred at TBPS following the renovations, which is to contract with GeoDesign, Inc. for engineering services to develop a plan for sidewalk reconstruction, and come to agreement with all parties regarding the sharing of costs for engineering plan and reconstruction.

d.      Grant a $2,600 retirement gift payment to Ken Page, in appreciation of his years of service.

e.       Authorize Scott Rathke to serve as an alternate to Sherry Ziemke, to review and sign Waterbury-Duxbury School Board Financial Orders on behalf of the School Board prior to the regularly scheduled meetings and to report the information at the next meeting for inclusion in the minutes.

f.       Authorize employee payroll check payments to be issued independently of the regular Board Order process, according to signed employment agreements, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. 

Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Scott Rathke moved to go into executive session at 8:44 p.m. to discuss contract issues.  Reed McCracken seconded the motion which passed unanimously.  It was agreed to come out of executive session at 8:52 p.m. with no further action taken.

 

Scott Rathke moved to adjourn the meeting 8:53 p.m.  Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Minutes completed by:  Dale Smeltzer