SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, January 19, 2009, meeting to order at 6:03 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Announcements and Awards

Mr. Phillips advised the Board that SHS student, Randy LaPrade, was in Washington, DC as part of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, to attend the January 20, 2009, presidential inauguration activities. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

Mrs. Conti advised the Board that Mr. Cecchinelli’s absence was due also to his presence in Washington, DC for the historic events.

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

A. Barre Technical Center Trades and Industry Presentation

Ed Stout appeared before the Board to also represent other instructors and provide program information for the electrical, H-VAC, plumbing, automotive, and building trades programs. In addition to an oral report, he provided a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Stout also assured the Board that students who successfully completed these courses most typically stay in the Barre area to pursue their careers, and sustain financial support to the community.

Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board by mid February students interested in the BTC programs would come for a tour/visit and that 85% of placements would be completed by mid May, followed by a second round of applications and interviews for enrollment and placements in the fall semester.

5. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

January 5, 2009 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of January 5, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

B. Announced Tuition

Dr. Bacon provided information from Business Manager, Linda Rosa, regarding the announced and allowable tuition rates for both SHS and the BTC. He said the recommended FY ’10 announced rate for SHS would be $10,500 and $9,160 for the BTC.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY '10 SHS announced tuition rate at $10,500, as discussed.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY '10 BTC announced tuition rate at $9,160, as discussed.

C. Budget and Warning Amendment to Include State “On Behalf Payment” for Tech Education Tuition

Dr. Bacon explained the change in the budget amount to be warned from $10,874,577 to $11,595,605 should include $721,028, which is the amount the State provides directly to the Tech Education for tuition and has been required as part of the warning for the past couple years. He explained, however, like grant funds none of the increase in the new warned amount would affect the tax rate.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the amended to Article I of the March 3, 2009 warning, as discussed.

D. Approval of Tech Center Budget

Dr. Bacon reviewed the Barre Technical Center budget proposed at $2,498,115, a 14.9% increase, which included the pre-tech and electrical programs that would [in part] be reimbursed through Perkins Grant funds, bringing the actual education increase to 5.3% or $2,289,876.

Dr. Bacon advised that the business program as it currently existed in the Tech Center would be eliminated and redesigned. He said the remaining business teacher would be expected to work with the other Tech Center instructors to integrate some business management and entrepreneurship courses into each of the programs, and to provide instructional time as part of each course. Dr. Bacon also explained the elimination of the business teacher position in the high school would mean that some/many course offerings at both the Tech Center and high school would be lost.

Mr. Gilbert advised the Board that all of the information just shared by Dr. Bacon was news to him and was the first time he had heard of the restructuring and future teaching expectations. He cautioned the Board to consider the economic situation in the world, and whether this was the best time to eliminate programs that were life-long skills, geared to all students, and taught fiscal management, financial literacy, etc. He said the elimination of the BTC program and high school position would impact approximately 250-300 students and eliminate 20-22 business sections per year.

Dr. Pizzo also voiced his concern and frustration over the Board’s decisions regarding the elimination of the program, instructors, many fully-enrolled courses, and the way the budgets were presented and passed.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board voted to approve the FY '10 BTC budget of $2,498,115, as presented. Dr. Pizzo abstained.

E. School Choice Agreement

Dr. Bacon reviewed the long-standing agreement and student lottery process for the collaborative. He advised that a total of 10 students per year were granted permission to leave, and/or enter the school through the program.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY '10 Winooski Valley Regional Public School Choice Collaborative agreement for the 2009-2010 academic year.

F. First Reading of Scholarship Fund Investment Policy (DFA)

Mrs. Pope reviewed the Finance Committee’s process for amendments to the policy, and explained the intent was to combine all scholarship funds from all sources under a single investment policy; however, she assured that the accounting and recipient selection processes, etc. for each fund would be respected, administered, and accounted for separately.

Mrs. Conti asked members to thoroughly review and discuss any questions, amendments, etc. with Mrs. Pope and/or the Finance Committee before the second and final reading.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of the Scholarship Fund Raising Investment Policy (DFA), as submitted.

G. Approval of Warrant

No action. See minutes of 1-5-09.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. AP Programs

Mr. Phillips reviewed the statistic reports provided regarding the Advanced Placement (AP) testing over the past nine years, for the current ten courses offered.

The Board discussed whether students were required to that the AP exam because of a school policy or whether it was a College Board requirement, and whether enrollments would increase if exams were optional.

Mr. Phillips agreed to follow-up with further information.

B. Class Size Guidelines

The Board referred to a copy of the October 27, 2008 memorandum from Dr. Bacon to Mr. Phillips regarding class sizes at SHS. The seven-step memo provided guidelines and instructed that the guidelines be used by the administration and department heads when reviewing course enrollments while making decisions about where staff could be reduced, and for setting goals for each class size. Some of the recommendations included: 20 students would be ideal class size for most courses, 15-25 would be acceptable for most courses, and courses with less than 10 students would be cancelled. Dr. Bacon also distributed state comparative data, which listed SHS with the lowest FY ‘08 and ‘09 student/teacher ratio at 11.54 and 11.46 respectively.

By consensus, the Board agreed that Dr. Bacon would develop a formal class size policy for the Board’s consideration.

C. Barre Technical Center Mission Statement and Goals

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed the BTC Mission Statement and goals for achieving the content, which she explained was based on a philosophy that included teaching, environment, learning, achievement, and community. She said the current mission statement was developed by the Tech Center staff and by reviewing prior mission statements. She also advised that feed-back from BTC students was being sought, and the WIB/RAB Board would review the statement at their next meeting.

The Mission Statement read: The Barre Technical Center will provide a supportive learning environment that encourages everyone to value themselves and others, to attain their highest level of achievement, and prepare themselves to meet future opportunities.

7. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon reviewed the FY ’10 BCEMS and BTMES tax rate calculations provided, which resulted in a school tax reduction for Barre City from $1.03 to .99¢ and level tax rate for Barre Town at $1.15.

B. SHS Principal

Mr. Phillips reviewed his written report. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org

The Board acknowledged and by consensus supported the request to file a $12,000 grant application with the VT Department of Environmental Conservation for energy efficiency projects.

C. Barre Technical Center Director

Ms. Chamberlin provided an oral report, which included an update on the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation process, and the status of night course enrollments.

D. Curriculum Director

A written report was provided in the Board’s packet.

E. Special Education Director

None

F. Committee Reports as Needed

· Finance Committee – next meeting February 10, 2009

· Facility Committee – next meeting January 29, 2009

· Legislative Liaison Committee – Dr. Pizzo agreed to provide a monthly report.

· SHAAC – next meeting January 21, 2009

8. Other Business

Darienne Chouinard appeared before the Board seeking information regarding the budget process that resulted in the elimination of a guidance counselor position.

Dr. Bacon explained that student enrollment at SHS had dropped by approximately 100 students over the past five-years, that even with a position reduction Guidance case load ratios at SHS would still be substantially below the State guidelines and neighboring schools, and that economic pressures and fiscal responsibility required the Board to make difficult decisions and cuts in staff and programs.

9. Executive Session

A. Ayers Street School Building

B. Support Staff Negotiations

C. Personnel Issue

At 8:05 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a real estate matter, negotiations, and a personnel matter.

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

At 8:49 p.m. the Board exited executive session

10. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:50 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 next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

The next policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden