WATERBURY-DUXBURY
SCHOOL BOARD
“APPROVED” MINUTES
FOR DECEMBER 8, 2009
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, Cathy Knight,
Brigid Scheffert (arrived at 6:47 p.m.), and Don Schneider
Staff: Anne Donegan, Eric Hall, Adrienne Magida, JoAnne Smith,
Tom Thurston
PUBLIC: Georgeanne
Baker, Nathan Burgess, Garett MacCurtain, Erin Mooney, Torrey Smith, and
Theresa Wood
1.
Ms. Smeltzer
called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Ms. Smeltzer confirmed the agenda.
2.
Comments
from the Public – There were no comments from the public made.
3.
PRESENTATION
Draft 2 of FY11 Budget, w/Tax Calculations
– Ms. Baker provided an overview of the document entitled Waterbury-Duxbury
School District, Union #45, FY 2011 Budget – Draft #2. The anticipated revenues are $1,425,667. The anticipated revenues are down approximately
by $141,574. Ms. Baker reported that the
budgeted expenditures for level service are $9,587,786. Thus, the education spending (expenditures
less revenues) is $8,162,119 for a percentage of 5.5%. Using this budget, the Equalized Homestead
Education Tax would be a 9.2% change. If
level funded, there would be a 5.4% change in the equalized rate. The Common Level of Appraisal will be
released as of January 1, which is a bit later than in past years. Ms. Baker included a Summary by Function
dated December 8, 2009, the Education Tax Rates for Waterbury and Duxbury, and
a Summary by Expenditure Type.
4.
PUBLIC INPUT
– FY 10 Budget – Questions were asked and answered by the Board and
administration, and public comments provided.
5.
WWSU REPORTS
A. Superintendent – Ms. Scheffert spoke about changes she is stewarding for evaluation of administrators (including the position of Superintendent) and other professional staff. Ms. Scheffert then spoke about the document she is planning to use with the administrators. She plans to provide an oral review this year instead of a written one as she is new to WWSU and timing for the full process would not work. Ms. Scheffert then shared a review she titled, WWSU State of the Union Report, dated December 2009, which outlined all the initiatives, programs, and alike that are currently taking place in the SU. Current Realities, VT Revenue, and Budget Picture: Economic Context and Vermont’s Fiscal Challenges are titles of documents Superintendent Scheffert brought from the work she is involved with in Montpelier at the capitol. Her review included the grim realities the state of Vermont is facing over the next few years and cautions the Board to keep this information in mind as it continues to develop the budget.
6.
DISCUSSION
A.
Budget
Second Draft and Related Needs (Annual Meeting) – Mr. Drake met with
Waterbury Town Manager, Bill Shepeluk, in an effort to start becoming familiar
with town government needs, including the upcoming bond vote for two fire
stations. This is an important factor
for both communities to consider, as the voters will be doing so when placing
their votes. Ms. Smeltzer said the W-D
Board should carefully consider these other needs to avoid a contentious voting
season. Ms. Smeltzer feels strongly that
with the new information gained through this meeting the Board needs to be looking
at a level funded budget at the low end, with level service being the top end
to be considered in future budget drafts. Mr. Rathke, Ms. Knudsen, and Mr.
Smith expressed similar sentiments. Mr.
Reed was reluctant to support significant budget cuts from level service
funding. Superintendent Scheffert
reiterated her cautionary statements after the Board discussion. Ms. Smeltzer
suggested that the Board finalize its directive to the administration after
executive session.
B.
Annual
Meeting Date – The Annual Meeting is set for Sunday, February 28th, 4:00 p.m. The moderator’s
availability is yet to be confirmed.
7. PRINCIPALS’ REPORT – Board Feedback
A.
Written
Report and Recommendations – There was a leave of absence request from
Sarah Hildebrand, an IA at TBPS, for the remainder of the school year to work
as a Special Educator in the Caledonia Central Supervisory Union until the end
of the 09-10 school year. Ms. Smeltzer
provided the document Operating Guidelines for Administering Requests for
Leaves of Absence and pointed out to the Board the guideline stating that
taking another job is not a suitable reason for granting a leave of absence.
Don Schneider did not recommend granting this leave of absence for the reason
stated. The Board will make a motion to decline
the request during the action portion of the meeting. updated January 26, 2009.
Michelle Baker needed to verify the details of the contract for a new IA, at TBPS, as a one-to-one assistant. In the interest of providing permission for this new position without having to wait for the next meeting, it was agreed that it could be approved pending superintendent recommendation.
The report informed the Board that $2,644.96 was received as the final payment for the settlement on the sidewalk at CBMS.
8. ACTION ITEMS
A. Board Minutes – Ben Smith moved to accept Board minutes, as written, dated November 24, 2009. Sherry Knudsen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
B. Board Orders – On the recommendation of Sherry Ziemke, Ben Smith moved to confirm the Board orders dated December 4, 2009 for $143,158.71. Reed McCracken seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
C. Recommendations from Principals’ Report – Reed McCracken moved to:
Sherry Knudsen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
D. Request for Leave – Reed McCracken moved to deny Sarah Hildenbrand’s request for a leave of absence for the remainder of the 09-10 school year for the purpose of taking another teaching position. Sherry Knudsen seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
9. OTHER BUSINESS – The Board and administration extended a thank you to the Waterbury Record and Stowe Reporter for extending the invitation to their annual holiday party.
Ms. Knudsen announced that she would not run for the W-D School Board when her term comes to its end in March 2010. Superintendent Scheffert thanked Ms. Knudsen on behalf of all children and for her tireless efforts developing the strategic plan.
10. EXECUTIVE
SESSION – Sherry Knudsen made a motion to go into executive session to
discuss a matter of personnel employment at 9:08 p.m. Scott Rathke
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. It was agreed to come out
of executive session at 9:20 with no action taken.
Reed McCracken made a motion to go into executive session to discuss contract
negotiations at 9:21 p.m. Ben Smith seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. It was agreed to come out of executive session at 9:53 with
no action taken.
There was a final discussion about the budget parameters that would be given to
administrators for the next draft of the budget, which will be presented at the
January 12, 2010 meeting. Dale Smeltzer, Scott Rathke, Ben Smith and
Sherry Knudsen wanted to see a range from Level Funding up to Level Service,
and Reed McCracken had concerns about going too far below a Level Service
option. Dale Smeltzer then summarized the majority board position for the
administrators, asking them to provide the next budget draft with details for a
range of options from Level Service at the high end down to Level Funding at
the low end, and noting that some of the budget assumptions are likely to
change before then so that Level Service will shift to a somewhat lower
effective budget increase.
10. CONFIRM AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING – (1-12-10, 6:00 P.M. AT TBPS, budget and annual meeting agenda, superintendent evaluation)
Scott Rathke moved to adjourn
the meeting at 9:58 p.m. Reed McCracken 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