BOARD SECRETARY: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Therese Taylor, called the Tuesday, January 2, 2007, meeting to order at 6:15 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Announcements and Awards

Mr. Maher advised that with the first semester nearing conclusion that final exams would be held January 17-19, and encouraged students to be well prepared.

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes: December 4, 2006 – Regular Board Meeting

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Isabelle, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of December 4, 2006, Regular Meeting, as submitted.

B. Second and Final Reading of Baccalaureate Services Policy (IKFB)

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Isabelle, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Baccalaureate Services Policy (IKFB), as submitted.

With the Board’s permission items on the agenda were taken out of order.

5. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Fagan had nothing to add to her written report.

B. SHS & BTC Campus Administrators Report

Mr. Maher and Ms. Donlon had nothing to add to their report. Campus and other general information may be viewed at http://www.vita-learn.org/shs/index.html.

C. Technology Coordinator’s Report

Tommy Walz had nothing to add to his report.

D. Supervisory Union Report

Ms. Taylor announced the next regularly scheduled meeting would be January 11, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. (2^nd Thursday, monthly), in the SHS & BTC Campus Library.

E. Student Representative Report

Ms. Shipman and Heitzman were not present.

F. Policy and Curriculum Committee

Mr. Isabelle announced the next regularly scheduled meeting would be January 15, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. (3^rd Monday, monthly), in the SHS & BTC Campus Library.

G. Spaulding High Athletic Advisory Committee (SHAAC)

Mrs. Conti announced the next regularly scheduled meeting would be January 17, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in the SHS & BTC Campus Library.

H. Finance & Facility Committee

Mrs. Conti announced the next scheduled Facility meeting would be January 25, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. (Last Thursday monthly), until further notice at SHS & BTC Campus Library.

Mrs. Conti announced the next scheduled Finance meeting would be January 5, 2007, at 7:00 a.m. followed by the regular monthly meeting on January 16, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. (3^rd Tuesday monthly), in room C-6.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. FY ’08 Proposed SHS & BTC Budget Development

Ms. Taylor prefaced the discussion with a reminder that a Special Board Meeting would be held on January 10, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. to address approval of the final budget to be presented to the voters. She said discussion to follow at this evening’s meeting would assist the Board in making budget decisions prior to the January 5^th Finance Committee and January 10^th Board meetings.

Dr. Fagan and Mr. Shepard reviewed the budget development process and list of adjustments (to date) that reduced the original 7.11% budget increase to the present 3.46%. Among the several items considered for cuts in the budget were two teaching positions; driver’s education and Spanish, along with a number of other line items reductions and/or eliminations.

Discussion ensued. Among some items discussed were:

What best benefits education and the community
The need for year-round budgeting process
Ways to change the way business is and has been done
Critical search for innovative ways to maximize resources
Class sizes and budget impacts
What is and should be valued: sports, arts, core subjects, etc.

As Chair of the Finance Committee Mrs. Conti encouraged continued dialogue, suggestions, and constructive input to assist the Committee and Board in making difficult budget decisions. She also stated her conviction that the budget’s success was dependent on the active support, and votes, of the parents and employees of the schools.

7. Other Business

Mr. Isabelle advised the Board the Board-Staff Communication Policy (GBD), had been reviewed by the Policy and Curriculum Committee and Superintendent. It was agreed the first reading would be warned and the policy presented to the Board for action at the January 10^th meeting.

8. Executive Session

None

9. Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:58 p.m.

Next meeting Date:

Meetings are regularly scheduled for the first Monday each month at 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

A Special Meeting of the SHS & BTC Board will be held on January 10, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2007

A. Superintendent’s Report

C. Technology Coordinator’s Report

E. Student Representative Report

F. Policy and Curriculum Committee