SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Campus Library

January 4, 2010

 

 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

John Santorello, CHAIR, Representing Barre City, term expires 2012

Nancy Pope, VICE-CHAIR, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2011

Norma Malone, CLERK, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2012

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

Giuliano Cecchinelli, Representing Barre City, term expires 2010

Richard Storz, Representing Barre City, term expires 2011

Charlie Norway – Class of ’11, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

Tom Walz, Representing Barre City, term expires 2012

JJ Norway – Class of ’10, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

 

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Dr. John Bacon, Superintendent of Schools                               Penny Chamberlin, Technology Center Director

Bob Phillips, Principal                                                    Scott Griggs, Assistant Technology Center Director

Chris Hennessey, Vice-Principal

                                                                                   

GUESTS PRESENT:


Video Vision Tech                                                         Tom McSweeney

David Delcore, Times Argus                                          Student and parents

 

Board Secretary:  Donna Holden

 

 1.         Call to Order

 

The Chairperson, John Santorello, called the Monday, January 4, 2010 meeting to order at 5:57 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont

 

2.       Executive Session

 

A.     Student Matter 1 V.S.A. § 313 (7)

 

At 5:57 p.m. on a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a student matter.  

 

Mr. Phillips and Mr. Hennessey were invited into the executive session.  

 

At 6:37 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

 

On a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to reinstate the student.

 

3.         Announcements and Awards

 

Mr. Phillips and Ms. Chamberlin shared information regarding student and staff achievements, along with recent and upcoming events.  Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

 

4.         Public Comment

 

None

5.         Approval of Minutes

 

A.        December 21, 2009 Regular Board Meeting

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of December 21, 2009 regular meeting, as submitted.

 

6.         Old Business

 

A.     FY 2011 Budget Approval

 

Along with the Board, Dr. Bacon reviewed the proposed FY ‘2011 SHS budget revenue for a $11,205,953 budget, which was also reviewed at the 12-21-09 meeting and represented an increase of $847.17 or 0%.   Dr. Bacon advised the Board an unofficial communication from VEHI, the teachers’ health insurance trust, advised the rate increase would be 3%.  Dr. Bacon said the budget was prepared assuming a 4.5% increase, therefore based on this information an additional $13K could be trimmed from the total, creating a slightly less than 0% increase and new sum of $11,192,453.    

 

The Board discussed the proposed property tax impact to Barre City of .0269˘ (.3616 to .3885), Barre Town of .033˘ (.413 to .446), and increased SHS tax rate increase of .0816˘ (.9675 to 1.0491).     

 

The Board agreed based on conditions out of their control, such as declining enrollment and economic conditions, the budget was as responsible.  Dr. Bacon noted in order to avoid the tax increase the budget would have to be slashed by $4-500K, which was equivalent to approximately 10 teachers and would devastate education at SHS.

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ‘2011 budget, as discussed.

 

B.     Warning for March 2, 2010

 

The Board reviewed the proposed warning, which contained two articles.   The first article asked for approval of the $11,792,453 FY ‘2011 budget (including $600,000 of grants that do not increase local taxes).  The second article sought permission to reserve up to $100K of the fund balance for the roof fund, which would not increase local taxes.    Dr. Bacon verified the Special Education audit would not impact any prior year’s fund balance, but adjustments (if any) would be an impact to the current year’s revenue.

 

On a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the March 2, 2010 warning, as discussed and amended to correct the revised budget total.

 

C.     Warning for March 1, 2010 Annual Meeting

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the March 1, 2010 Annual Meeting warning.

 

Mrs. Malone agreed to contact Mr. Koch to verify whether he would continue to serve as moderator.  

 

7.         New Business

 

A.     Teacher Retirement

 

The Board acknowledged receipt of a letter of resignation from special education instructor, Linda Black. The Board expressed their appreciation to Ms. Black for her 30+ years of service.

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to accept, with appreciation and best wishes, the resignation of Linda Black effective 6/30/2010.

 

Mr. Phillips also provided a copy of a letter or resignation for a retirement effective June 30th from special education case manager, Sylvia Sweet, who he said had approximately 4 years of service at SHS out of a long career in the school system.

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to accept, with best wishes, the resignation of Sylvia Sweet, effective 6/30/2010.

 

B.     FY ‘2011 Announced Tuition

 

Dr. Bacon advised the Board by law tuition rates had to be announced by each district annually by January 31st.  Dr. Bacon further stated the current tuition rate for SHS was at $10,780, however, the recommendation of the Business Manager, and concurred by Dr. Bacon, was to set the FY ‘2011 rate at $10,940, representing approximate a 1.5% increase.  

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Spaulding High School FY ‘2011 tuition rate at $10,940, as recommended by the Superintendent.  

 

8.         Other Old Business (if needed)

 

None

 

9.         Reports to the Board

 

A.     Superintendent

 

Dr. Bacon provided had nothing to report.

 

B.     Principals

 

Mr. Phillips and Ms. Chamberlin briefly reviewed their written reports.

 

C.     Committee Reports

 

Finance Committee:  meeting scheduled for January 18, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Facility Committee:  meeting scheduled for January 28, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

Curriculum Committee:  meeting scheduled for January 7, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

Personnel Committee:  May 2010, to be determined.

 

10.       Future Agenda Items

 


January

Truancy Report – Follow-up

Substitute Teacher Usage

Teacher Time Used Report

NEASC House Committee Rpt.

February

Class size (by teacher/block)

NECAP Results

Approval of Budget warning


 

Mr. Santorello asked members to contact him with other agenda items.

 

11.       Other Business

 

Mr. Cecchinelli announced he would be running for re-election.    

 

Dr. Pizzo announced he would not be running for re-election.  Along with the Administration members of the Board expressed their appreciation to Dr. Pizzo for his service to the Board, school, and athletic department over the past several years. Dr. Pizzo expressed his gratitude for the community’s support and privilege of being able to serve.

 

Mr. Santorello also listed a number of accomplishments achieved by the Board over the past year, and thanked his fellow members, the Superintendent, and Administration for their cooperation and leadership. 

 

12.       Executive Session

 

A.     Contract Negotiations  1 V.S.A. § 313 (1)

B.     Student Matter 1 V.S.A. § 313 (7)

 

At 7:43 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss contract negotiations and a student matter.  

 

Dr. Bacon and Mr. Phillips were invited into the executive session.  

 

At 8:50 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

 

The Board unanimously agreed to approve the student request.

 

13.       Adjournment

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.

 

Next meeting Date: 

 

Meetings are regularly scheduled for the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.  The first meeting is planned as a business meeting; the second meeting is conducted as a policy review and working/discussion meeting.

 

·         The Board will hold a policy review/working session meeting Monday, January 18, 2010.

·         The Board will hold a regular meeting on Monday, February 1, 2010.

 

Upcoming dates to remember:

 

·         Phoenix Graduation - January 19, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. in the Wall Street Complex location.

·         NEASC Kick Off – March 22, 2010 Tech Center dinner/reception. 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Donna Holden