WATERBURY-DUXBURY SCHOOL BOARD

“APPROVED” MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2009

Meeting Held in the Thatcher Brook Conference Room

IN ATTENDANCE

BOARD:        Reed McCracken, Sherry Knudsen, Scott Rathke, Dale Smeltzer, Ben Smith

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

PUBLIC:       Georgeanne Baker, Nathan Burgess, and Torrey Smith, Duncan McDougall

 

1.                  Ms. Smeltzer called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.  Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.

2.                  Comments from the Public – Ms. Smith, PTA President, reported out on a recent on-line survey conducted.  There had been a survey question about homework practices and one about budget development.  She believes it provides themes that can be shared in full with the Board at a later time.  The PTA will be conducting a paper survey during the upcoming conferences in an effort to reach more stakeholders.  Ms. Smith’s work with the PTA is focusing on how to involve parents in the process in a proactive way.

 

3.                  Discussion –

A.                Budget – First Draft – Ms. Baker and Mr. Drake presented a document dated November 6, 2009 that provided details for the first budget draft for FY2011 – Level Service in the areas of expenditures, staffing, and revenues.  This draft indicates a 3.1% increase over last year’s budgeted expenditures and a drop in revenues equaling an estimate of an Education Spending of 6.2% and an increase in Education Spending per Pupil of 6.0%.  It is important to note that this is early in the process and calculations of education spending are based on the Business Manager’s best estimates at this time. Each Board member commented on what he/she heard in the presentation and provided more direction for the next meeting. Requests for more information should be emailed to Mr. Drake and/or Ms. Baker before the next meeting.

 

B.                 Photovoltaic Proposals (from TBPS and CBMS – installation, future costs, etc.) – Mr. McDougall of Waterbury LEAP came to provide information regarding the photovoltaic proposals, and first provided a brief background on his organization’s three goals: increasing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reducing emissions.  Currently LEAP is working towards accessing a possible $50,000 grant from the DOE for installation of solar panel systems at CBMS.  A site visit has been made at CBMS to identify a proper setting on the roof.  There is also a second source of funding from GMP for $6,000 that will fund half of the solar panels at TBPS, as discussed at the last meeting.  Half of the benefit of these installations is the educational benefits for the school system.  Waterbury LEAP has begun discussions with HUHS and CBMS teachers to provide educational opportunities at both schools.  Mr. McDougall suggests the systems be insured.  Ms. Baker will investigate the costs of the adding the completed systems to the district’s insurance. The Board was in support of the concept and will be voting on the installation details at the next meeting.

 

4.                  PRINCIPALS’ REPORT – Board Feedback

A.                Written Report and Recommendations – Ms. Smeltzer requested more information about the personnel recommendations for Board Action, source of funding, and a clear request when a new position is involved as in the case for the 0.6 position for EEE student support.  Mr. Bahner’s maintenance work will be detailed at the next meeting within the financial report, and is for temporary work for 40-60 hours to provide support given the reduced staffing this year during the school year.  It was noted that the resignation reported later in the report should be included in this section on recommendations.  The engineering bid for the CBMS sidewalk is not yet ready for board action.   There was brief discussion about the Early Risers Club and there was agreement that this should be continued for another three months at least, given the small amount of cost involved to cover the program loss.

5.                  WWSU REPORTS – Board Feedback

A.                WWEC – Early Release PD Days – Ms. Smeltzer asked everyone to stay abreast of WWEC business by reading the minutes.  She and Mr. Smith need to bring any board feedback about Early Release Professional Development Days back to the WWEC, and a report of how these days are being used was included in the Principals Report.  There was brief discussion.

 

6.         OTHER BUSINESS – Mr. McCracken distributed a draft of the Proposed WDSD Budget Planning Op-Ed Piece.  Board members were asked to send him further editing changes and he will give it to Ms. Smeltzer who will submit the piece to the Waterbury Record from the Board. 

 

7.            ACTION ITEMS

  1. Board Minutes – Sherry Knudsen moved to accept Board minutes dated October 13, 2009. Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Board Orders – On the recommendation of Scott Rathke, Sherry Knudsen moved to confirm Board order dated November 6, 2009 for $159,475.00.  Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

On the recommendation of Sherry Knudsen, Scott Rathke moved to confirm Board order dated October 23, 2009 for $762,552.73.  Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

  1. Recommendations from the Principals’ Report – Reed McCracken moved to approve the personnel recommendations as modified and listed below. Superintendent Scheffert reported to the Board that she has received Brian Eyler’s resignation.  Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
    1. Letter of agreement for Ellen Barillaro for hourly weekend work that is offset by events reimbursement.
    2. Approve a new 0.6 FTE IA position at TBPS for preschool EEE student support.
    3. Approve contract for Almina Kadric for this 0.6 FTE IA position for preschool.
    4. Approve work agreements for part time hours for

                                                              i.      AYP Profession Development for Mary Abele-Austin, Gayle Moskowitz, and Celester Emler.

                                                            ii.      Jason Bahner, Maintenance Work

    1. Accept resignations for Sarah McCarthy, CMBS Special Educator, and Brian Eyler, CBMS Art.

 

8.               Executive Session to discuss personnel issues – Sherry Knudsen moved to go into executive session at 8:35 p.m.  Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.  Scott Rathke left at 9:15 p.m.  It was agreed to come out of executive session at 9:40 p.m. with no action taken.

 

Reed McCracken moved to adjourn the meeting 9:41 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