SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, February 2, 2009, meeting to order at 6:00 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 of recent student achievements. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

3. Visitors and Communications

A number of students appeared before the Board in solidarity and to present a spur-of-the-moment petition currently signed by 61 community voters, opposing the “excessive” staff and business program cuts in the FY ’10 budget. Matt Desmarais spoke on behalf of the students and advised the Board that individual students felt they were not being heard, and regrettably, since the budget was already warned the collective student voices present would do little good at this point in time, however, if the budget was defeated on March 3, 2009, that a contingent of students through the Student Council would be willing to work with the Board to promote passage of an amended budget if it included reinstated the faculty and program cuts contained in the current budget.

Mr. Rich addressed the Board regarding his concerns with existing language, intent, and impact on athletes that are prohibited from participation in sports for a full season due to the GPA and Grade policy, despite improvements to the student’s grades during the season. He said he supported the prohibition on sports or other extracurricular participation for failure to meet academic expectations; however, the policy was too stringent and punitive, and provided no incentives or consideration for students that improve their grades during a sport’s season. The Board agreed to look at the policy in depth at the next meeting.

Ms. Grubb advised the Board that with much enthusiasm she had begun her Virtual High School course. She said she was very pleased and satisfied with the experience to date, and would keep the Board advised of her progress.

4. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

January 19, 2009 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Pope, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of January 19, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

B. Barre Technical Center Mission Statement & Goals

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed the BTC Mission Statement and goals, which were based on a philosophy that included teaching, environment, learning, achievement, and community. She advised that the RAB had approved the statement and goals at their last 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.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Barre Technical Center Mission Statement and Goals, as presented.

C. Second and Final Reading of Scholarship Fund Investment Policy (DFA)

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to approve the second and final reading of the Scholarship Fund Investment Policy (DFA), as submitted.

5. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Preparation for Town Meeting

Mrs. Conti advised the community that four seats on the Board would be up for election in March. She said three Barre City and one Barre Town seats would be open for election, two of which were 3-year positions.

Mrs. Conti advised that she and Ms. Taylor would both be stepping down; however, Mr. Santorello would be running for another term, and Mr. Storz would be running to fulfill the remainder of the 2011 tern he was appointed to. Mrs. Conti also advised that Dr. Bacon would soon be presenting budget information to the service clubs, and that anyone with budget questions should contact Board members or Superintendent’s Office for details.

Dr. Pizzo and Ms. Taylor expressed their concerns regarding the Board’s quandary if the budget was defeated and that the Board would not know if the opposition was to the 2.9% overall increase (which would indicate that more cuts were needed), or whether the faculty and program cuts were considered too deep or too excessive. Ms. Taylor said in the event of a defeat, taxpayers would have to be vocal, and come to the Board with their concerns.

Mr. Cecchinelli suggested that students become involved and conduct an unofficial exit poll on March 3. Ms. Grubb indicated that Student Council members would be interested and willing to conduct the poll.

Mrs. Conti advised the community that the budget was thoroughly vetted by the Administration, Superintendent, Finance Committee and Board, and that a majority of the Board voted in support of the budget. She noted that many hard decisions regarding the staff reductions (which she said very likely should have been made over prior years, or implemented through attrition) were made based on student enrollments, state guidelines with respect to acceptable rations, among other consideration including economic conditions. Mrs. Conti said she supported the budget, all the hard work that went into it, and asked for the community’s support.

B. Class Size Policy

Mr. Phillips referred the Board to a copy of the October 27, 2008 memorandum from Dr. Bacon to Mr. Phillips regarding class sizes at SHS. He reviewed the seven-step memo, which provided guidelines and instructed that the guidelines be used by the administration and department heads when reviewing course enrollments and while making decisions about where staff could be reduced.

Mr. Phillips suggested an eighth step be added to define the time at which the viability of the course would be made, and further suggested that decisions be made when courses were scheduled.

By consensus, the Board agreed that a formal class size policy would be developed and formatted, for the Board’s consideration and first reading, at the February 16, 2008, meeting.

C. NECAP Scores (John Barone)

Mr. Barone appeared before the Board to provide results of the October 2008 NECAP exams. He said as the K-12 Curriculum Director, much effort was being spent to coordinate the Barre City, Barre Town, and Spaulding High School curricula, and that he strongly believed the NECAP results emphasize the need to align the grade level expectations to the curriculum, assuring that appropriate skills were introduced and taught with respect to the timing of the test, which was administered annually to students in grades 3 through 8, and 11.

Mr. Barone reported the scores for students who tested proficient and/or proficient with distinction. Reading was at 67%, below the state average at 72%, mathematics at 35% equal to the state average of 35%, and writing at 41% slightly below the 42% state average.

The Board discussed their support for Mr. Barone’s desire and intent to unify materials and curriculum across the district, which would also better prepare students for the exam and achieve the goal of providing a level playing field and equal education to students. Mr. Barone also expressed his changing opinion and increasing support of a state-wide curriculum for all Vermont students.

Mr. Barone agreed to provide the Board with further data at their February 16, 2008 meeting, comparing SHS results against other schools of similar size.

D. Final Budget Pages

Mr. Phillips referred the Board to the FY ’10 budget information provided by the Superintendent, which he said would likely be discussed at the February 16^th meeting.

The information provided explained that the regular education budget showed a 1% reduction, and special education a 20.6% increase resulting in an overall 2.9% increase. It said based on the budget, both Barre City and Barre Town’s tax rate for education would decrease by .04¢. Also noted was the per pupil spending at $9,722 compared to the statewide average of $11,705.

6. Reports to the Board

A. SHS Principal

Mr. Phillips reviewed his written report. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org. Mr. Phillips thanked local merchants for their support in the recent cancellation and re-scheduling of the Crystal Ball.

B. Barre Technical Center Director

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed her written report, and distributed a written Building Trades Program field trip request for a 4^th annual Katrina relief trip. She indicated that a final request with budget and details would be presented in March.

Some Board members discussed their desire and preference to keep field trips coordinated with school vacations, however, agreed each trip was unique and subject to exception.

Ms. Chamberlin also advised the Board of two other in-state trips, the SkillsUSA competition events April 8 & 9 in Burlington, with an expected 18 students to stay overnight with 3 chaperones, and the FBLA competition events April 2 & 3, with approximately 12 students expected to stay overnight with 2 or 3 teacher chaperones.

C. Committee Reports as Needed

· Finance Committee – next meeting February 10, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

· Facility Committee – next meeting March 5, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

7. Other Business

None

8. Executive Session

A. Superintendent’s Evaluation

B. Real Estate Matter

At 7:30 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel and real estate matter.

At 7:55 p.m. the Board exited executive session

9. Adjournment

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:57 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 policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2009.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden