WATERBURY-DUXBURY
SCHOOL BOARD
“Approved as
Corrected” MINUTES FOR January 26, 2010
Meeting Held in the Crossett Brook Library
IN ATTENDANCE
BOARD: Reed McCracken,
Scott Rathke, Dale Smeltzer, Ben Smith, and Sherry Knudsen
ADMINISTRATORS: Michelle Baker, Tom Drake, Brigid Scheffert,
and Don Schneider
STAFF: Bud Towndrow
PUBLIC: Nathan Burgess, Georgeanne Baker and Dawn
O’Toole
1.
Ms. Smeltzer
called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.
2.
Comments
from the Public – There were no comments from the public made.
3.
FY2011
Budget – Final Discussion – Ms. Baker and Mr. Drake presented the final
draft of the FY2011 budget for the Board’s perusal and discussion. The administration and Ms. Scheffert fielded
questions regarding special education needs and reimbursement. Ms. Scheffert spoke in support of the
Home/School Coordinator given the need at the school and its cost
effectiveness. Ms. Smeltzer expressed a
concern for keeping the Home/School Coordinator position given the many supports
that are in place already and the reduction of the population. Ms. Knudsen expressed a need for more
information regarding meeting the needs of the population that would be
supported by the Home/School Coordinator.
Ms. Scheffert spoke again about the skills set that a Home/School
Coordinator brings to the school.
ACTION: Ben Smith moved to approve the
final draft of the FY2011 W-D School District Budget in the amount of $9,279,360
(Option B), which is a 0.3% reduction to expenditures. Scott Rathke seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
4.
DISCUSSION
ITEMS
A. Annual Meeting Warning – Ms. Smeltzer pointed out the new organization and the new article, 3D, that was added to the Warning with wording provided by the Board’s attorney.
B. Financial Report (note this document was sent with the packet for the previous meeting) – Ms. Baker informed the Board of the improvements that continue to be made in the Food Services Program during her presentation of the financial reports.
C. Policy – to consider for warning – “Designation of Facility Space to Recognize Individuals” –There were no substantive comments made for changes to this draft, however Mr. McCracken suggested and the Board agreed that some editing for further clarity will be done before it is warned. Mr. Drake’s office will warn this policy for adoption at the February 9, 2010 meeting.
D.
Procedures
for Approval – Policy D11 – “Staff Benefits and Leave Time” – Ms. Smeltzer
announced the addition regarding the amount for administrator life insurance
policies. There were no other additions
or alterations made to these procedures.
E.
Legislative
Efforts as a Board – feasibility, possible issues – Mr. Rathke requested
the Board become active in legislative efforts.
He expressed a desire to find time with his colleagues to discuss issues
that the group could get involved in with regard to statewide issues. Ms. Scheffert suggested that discussing state
issues as a regular part of the Board’s agenda would be a valuable agenda item
to add. The Board agreed and Ms.
Smeltzer will begin adding these discussions to the agenda. A Board retreat
will be planned after March Town Meeting for the Strategic Plan.
F. Leave of Absence Request – Ms. Smeltzer, Board Chair, informed her colleagues that there had been a change to the status of the employee making this request, and discussion would need to happen in executive session.
6. ACTION ITEMS
7. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – Reed McCracken made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a matter of personnel employment at 7:30 p.m. Sherry Knudsen seconded the motion inviting the administrators to be present, which passed unanimously. It was agreed to come out of executive session at 8:03 p.m. with no action taken.
Ben Smith
moved to go into executive session at 8:07 p.m. to conduct the superintendent's
evaluation, without administrators present. Reed McCracken seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously. It was agreed to come out of executive
session at 9:08 p.m. with no action taken.
Reed McCracken moved to
adjourn the meeting at 9:09 p.m. Ben Smith 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