SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Campus Library

 

February 16, 2009

 

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Christine Conti, CHAIR, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2009

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

John Santorello, CLERK, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

Therese Taylor, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

Giuliano Cecchinelli, Representing Barre City, term expires 2010

Richard Storz, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009 for 2011

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

Meredith Grubb – Class of ’09, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

        

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Dr. John Bacon, Superintendent of Schools                                Chris Hennessey, Assistant Principal     

Bob Phillips, Principal                                                              Tom Sedore, Assistant Principal

Penny Chamberlin, Technology Center Director             John Barone, Curriculum & Instruction Director

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Video Vision Tech

Brenda Waterhouse

Tom McSweeney

Sandra Wetzel

Sheila Cleary

George Drew

Kathi Fuller

Norma Malone

Tom Walz

Rick Rich

 

Board Secretary:  Donna Holden

 

1.         Call to Order

 

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, February 16, 2009, meeting to order at 5:27 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont. 

 

2.                  Executive Session

 

A.                Student Matter

 

At 5:27 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a student matter.

 

Dr. Bacon, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Hennessey, Mr. Sedore, parents, and students were invited into the executive session.

 

At 6:20 p.m. the Board exited executive session. 

 

On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to accept the administration’s discipline plan recommendation for student 1, as discussed.

 

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to accept the administration’s discipline plan recommendation for student 2, as discussed.

 

3.         Announcements and Awards

 

Mr. Phillips advised the Board of recent student achievements, and the upcoming events. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/. 

 

4.         Visitors and Communications

 

None

 

5.         Curriculum Reports

           

            A.        Student Services Core (BTC)

 

Sandra Wetzel, Business Education instructor, appeared before the Board and discussed current features of the Business & Finance Academy, which is scheduled to be dissolved at the end of this year.  She said some select courses would be retained, however, and incorporated into each of the other Tech Center programs.

 

Members of the Tech Center’s Student Services program, Kathi Fuller and George Drew appeared before the Board and briefly described their special education services to Tech students. 

 

Ms. Fuller also read a prepared statement from Lisa Lemieux regarding the Guidance Office current services and FY ‘2010 expected services available to Tech Center students.

 

Sheila Cleary, Co-Op Director, appeared before the Board and discussed the program. 

 

            B.        Science (SHS)

 

Tom McSweeney appeared before the Board and provided a PowerPoint presentation outlining the department’s 16 courses, which are currently offered by 9 teachers.  He also discussed the potential for changes in the Freshman and Sophomore curriculum needed to accommodate the annual (May) NECAP tests in the area of science, which involve four basic areas; biology, physics, geology, and chemistry. 

 

6.         Items for Board Action

 

A.        Approval of Minutes:

February 2, 2009 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

 

On a motion by Ms. Taylor seconded by Mrs. Pope, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of February 2, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

 

 

 

            B.        Kid Connection Proposal for Daily Rate Increase

 

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed the proposal to raise the daily rate from $10/day to $12/day, effective with the fall of 2009.  She said while the program was nearly self-sufficient, to better cover increased costs particularly in the areas of supplies/equipment, the increase was warranted.   

 

On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Kid Connection daily rate increase effective with the 2009-2010 year to $12.00 per day, as discussed.

 

C.        Career and Tech Ed Special Education Job Description

 

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed the description for positions currently held by Mr. Drew and Ms. Fuller, explaining a special educator was required, per the Department of Education, for every 30 students in need. She said the description had been fully reviewed, and explained the request for approval of the updated job description was administrative only. 

 

Ms. Chamberlin agreed as a courtesy to share the description with the WIB/RAB. 

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Career and Tech Ed Special Education job description, as discussed.

           

            D.        First Reading of Class Size Policy (IIB)

 

Mr. Phillips advised that the 8th step he discussed at the February 2nd meeting still needed to be added to the policy, along with an introductory paragraph.  By consensus the Board agreed to address the policy at its next meeting.

 

7.         Items for Information and Discussion

 

            A.        NECAP Follow-UP (John Barone)

 

Mr. Barone reviewed the information provided and discussed his leadership Team memo of 2/15/09, which indicated the overall scores at SHS in the areas of writing and math have declined in the same group of students from 8th grade to 11th grade, however, the decline was consistent with the statewide trend.  

 

            B.        Gulf Coast Trip (Building Trades)

 

Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board after meeting with the Building Trades instructor, a final request would be presented in March.  The Board encouraged exploration of other project options/locations and to keep the trip schedule consistent with the April vacation. 

 

C.        List of Policies to be Reviewed

 

Mrs. Conti encouraged the Board to stay focused on the policies and remain diligent with reviewing and improving the school’s operating procedures.

 

 

            D.        Athletic Policy

 

The Board referred to the policies provided, Athletic Program Philosophy (IGDJ), Athletic Program Procedures (IGDJ-E), Athletic Program Goals (IGDJ-R) and were advised that the Athletic Director and SHAAC were working on revisions, which would be presented to the Board at a future meeting.

 

The Board discussed options to re-instate students during a season. Dr. Bacon suggested language to provide for a probationary provision, with weekly monitoring, and sanctions regarding the right to practices but not play or travel during the probation.

 

Mrs. Conti asked that comments and suggestions be sent to the Athletic Director.  

 

            E.        Student Attendance Policy

 

Mr. Phillips advised the Board an attendance policy was required by the DOE, however, SHS currently did not have such a policy.  The Board referred to the model policy provided.  Mr. Phillips agreed to work with the Superintendent’s Office to draft a policy for the March 16, 2009 meeting.

 

8.         Reports to the Board

 

            A.     Superintendent’s Report

 

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including information regarding his upcoming service club budget presentations.

 

B.     SHS Principal

 

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

 

C.     Barre Technical Center Director

 

Ms. Chamberlin provided a brief oral report advising Tech Education Week was February 16 through February 20, and extended an invitation to visit the center to interested Board members. Ms. Chamberlin also distributed an updated BTC report.

 

D.      Committee Reports as Needed

 

·              Facility Committee- no report.

·              Finance Committee – no report.

·              SHAAC Committee – next meeting February 18, 2009.

 

E.        Student Representatives

 

Mr. Norway asked for clarification regarding the requirement for AP students to pay for and take the AP exams, if they prefer to only take the course for high school credit.   Discussion ensued and Mr. Phillips advised the Board that AP instructors welcomed the discussion and would be available to participate in the debate once the matter was on the agenda. 

 

9.         Other Business

 

Mr. Phillips distributed a copy of the 2010 Program of Studies and VSAC survey results.

 

10.       Executive Session

            A.        Personnel Issue

            B.        Contract Matter

            C.        Contract Negotiations

 

At 8:20 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 contract matter, negotiations, and a personnel matter.

 

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

At 9:26 p.m. the Board exited executive session

 

11.       Adjournment

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at          9:28 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, March 2, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,  

Donna Holden