WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL
BOARD
“Approved as Corrected”
MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
Meeting Held in the Crossett Brook Middle School Library
IN ATTENDANCE:
BOARD: Dale Smeltzer,
Susan Flynn, Dawn Poitras,
Scott Rathke, and Sherry Ziemke
ADMINISTRATORS: Ken Page and Don Schneider
STAFF: Doug Lombard
PUBLIC: Georgeanne
Baker and Michael Corcoran
1.
Call to Order - Ms.
Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
2.
Confirm Agenda -
Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.
3.
Comments From
the Public – There were no comments from the public.
Ms. Flynn arrived at
6:17 p.m.
4.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Education Funding Refresher – Ms. Smeltzer provided handouts entitled Vermont’s Education Funding – A Quick Summary of the Basics, and For Review: Example of Educational Funding Calculation. The handouts provided an explanation of parameters set by State funding. The Board discussed how this information would impact the budget process as preparation for the FY10 budget gets underway. Clarification questions were asked and answered.
B. Budget Process – Begin Discussing Guidelines, Expectations – Ms. Smeltzer provided opportunity for the Board to brainstorm guidelines and expectations for the budget process. The educational leaders on behalf of Superintendent Moser and Business Manager Michelle Baker handed out “Preliminary Data for Consideration in FY’10 Budget Process” and a Strategic plan visual by Don Schneider addressing some of their preliminary considerations, for future discussion.
· Identify an S.F.A.% (Spending Factor Adjustment) range to target
· Take into account decreased enrollment – shifting from a one year plan to three – five year plan
· Multi-year planning – financially, student, educationally
· Identify impact of choices
· Understand the alternatives and how final choices are made
· School-day schedule considerations – (physical education increase for example) District-wide
· Budget realistically to take into account inflation
· All issues/considerations known up front
· Prioritize needs/desires
· Staff morale is important to consider
· Staff should be involved in the process
· More measures of what is needed – looking beyond student enrollment
· Open communication at “the table” without hidden agenda – transparency
· Board sees handouts before the public
· Teamwork is paramount – We versus They
· Implications
· Diversified groups – differences should be respected – listen for goals to find common ground
· Not Waterbury or Duxbury, not TBPS or CBMS, but a DISTRICT
· Clarify the level of detail that Board members are involved in
C.
Policies,
Second Draft, Consider for Warning
a.
School Meals
Fiscal Management
b.
School –
Attorney Relations
Ms. Smeltzer reviewed a suggested change
in the School Meals draft, which was agreed to by the Board. The policies are ready to warn for the next
Board meeting. Ms. Smeltzer will email
the final drafts to Ms. Barillaro.
D. Superintendent Search Process Comments for WWEC – Ms. Smeltzer reported that Mr. Moser is willing to shepherd the search process, and asked for any input about the process that the WWEC will be recommending for approval by the full WWSU Board. She noted that a meeting for input from all board members in the SU has been scheduled for September 23, 2008 at Harwood.
5. WRITTEN REPORTS
A. Hiring recommendations/confirmation – Mr. Page recommended Ms. Lauren Taratoot to the Board for confirmation as a permanent 1.0FTE, grade six, looping position at CBMS.
B. AYP Teachers for the District – Mr. Page provided the letter notifying the District of AYP funds available from the State, and a financial spreadsheet outlining the specifics for two positions being proposed to be funded mainly with AYP funds. Mr. Page informed the Board that Gail Taylor, Director of Standards and Assessment, agreed that the school improvement funds grant could be used to hire these employees. Mr. Page received verbal approval acknowledging the grant and its purpose. Each school will receive two hours a day of service in reading, writing, and/or math.
C. Extension of Bus Route – Mr. Schneider received a request from Allison Hale, a parent on Sweet Road, for an extension of the bus route to accommodate her preschooler. The Board asked the administration to present a written recommendation within the guidelines of the policy and including its cost impacts, at the next meeting. Ms. Flynn expressed a concern that the Board might be setting precedent by extending a route.
6. ACTION ITEMS
A. Board Minutes – Ms. Susan Flynn moved to accept the Board minutes dated Aug 21, 2008 as corrected. Dawn Poitras seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
B. Board Orders – On the recommendation of Scott Rathke, Susan Flynn moved to confirm the Board orders dated September 2, 2008 in the amount of $252,477.91 and $4,972.00. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
C. Policies – Susan Flynn moved to warn the School Meals Fiscal Management and School-Attorney Relations Policies for the September 18, 2008 Board meeting. Sherry Ziemke seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
D. Employee contracts – Susan Flynn moved to offer employment agreements to Lauren Taratoot, 1.0 FTE grade 6 classroom teacher at CBMS, and Lisa Cassetty, 0.25FTE teacher at CBMS funded primarily with AYP funds. Dawn Poitras seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
E. Confirmation of contracts – Dawn Poitras moved to confirm contracts for Eric Hutchins, 1.0 FTE, IA, CBMS; Shelby Purchase (replacement for Paul Dayton), 1.0 FTE CBMS; and Danielle Morgan, 0.4 FTE, IA for the CBMS Library, for about 30 days temporarily filling in for a family leave. Susan Flynn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Mr. Page announced the passing away of Everett Boyce, the CBMS assistant director of maintenance. The CBMS staff is planning an in-house memorial service for Mr. Boyce sometime in the near future. Ms. Smeltzer very much would like to attend the service. Mr. Page will inform the Board of the plans.
Susan Flynn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dawn Poitras 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