SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

UNION DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Campus Library

February 18, 2008

 

 

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Therese Taylor, CHAIRPERSON, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

Guy Isabelle, VICE-CHAIRPERSON, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2008

John Santorello, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

Joe Maiola, Representing Barre City, term expires 2008 (for 2010)

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

Christine Conti, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2009

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

Martin Prevost, CLERK, Representing Barre City, term expires 2008

Brianna Baker – Class of ’08, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

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

 

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Gail Conley, Interim Superintendent of Schools               

Bob Phillips, Principal   

Penny Chamberlin, Assistant Tech Director

Tom Sedore, Assistant Principal

Chris Hennessey, Assistant Principal

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Video Vision Tech        

David Delcore, Times Argus

Nancy Pope

Norma Malone

JP Isabelle

Giuliano Cecchinelli

Michelle Woodcock

Jamie and Linda Coleman

 

 

1.         Call to Order

 

The Chairperson, Tess Taylor, called the Monday, February 18, 2008, meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont. 

 

2.         Public Comment

 

None

 

3.         Curriculum Report

 

None

 

4.         Items for Board Action

 

None

 

5.         Items for Information and Discussion

 

A.                 Tech Center Waiver

 

Dr. Conley advised the Board he was attempting to reach the appropriate people at the Department of Education to discuss the recent change in the Campus administration model, and to discuss the impact, if any, to the school’s existing waiver.

 

The Chair reminded Dr. Conley to stress to the DOE that the Board was striving to achieve a unified campus and that the new 4-member administration team model vs. the 5-member team as granted under the waiver would continue to achieve continuity and consistency of services throughout the campus as desired.

 

B.                 Class Size Policy

 

The Board discussed the DRAFT Class Size Policy as provided by Mr. Santorello.  Mr. Santorello advised the Board the proposal was initially to stimulate a discussion but also to prepare the Board for adoption of a formal policy.  He said the policy mirrored the information previously voiced and presented in a memo from the administration as the standard or guidelines currently employed.

 

Discussion ensued. 

 

Mr. Maiola expressed his concern that the number of students expected in the 02 level courses should be a maximum of not more than 18 students, noting that many of the students in those classes are IEP and 504 students.

 

Mrs. Conti supported the policy as written and stated she felt it gave the administration a good starting point.

 

Mr. Isabelle cautioned that consistent with other policies that verbiage regarding the minimum and maximums should be sufficient to provide flexibility to the administration and provide for the exceptions created by the individual demands of students on teachers and the classroom.  

 

The Board also discussed AP courses, their measurements of success e.g. exposure to the classes, grades, placement exam success, etc.  Mr. Phillips agreed to provide the Board with more in-depth data regarding AP students.

 

The Board agreed to consider modifications to the draft policy, provide feed-back, etc. and to address the matter again at a later date. 

 

            C.        Administrative Job Description

 

Dr. Conley provided several versions of the administrative job descriptions.  The Board discussed and agreed that after their March 3rd in-service meeting the current administration would present the Board with their assessment of job duties for: 

 

·         Bob Phillips - Principal and Tech School Director,

·         Penny Chamberlin - Assistant Tech School Director,  

·         Tom Sedore - Assistant Principal and Freshman Academy Coordinator,

·         Chris Hennessey - Assistant Principal and School Safety Officer.

 

 

6.         Other Business

 

Mr. Santorello asked for more information regarding the Health & Wellness Program, as well as clarification of the State regulations vs. State and/or Campus graduation requirements for the Drivers Education program.

 

Mr. Maiola asked whether the Board should consider hiring a grant writer. Ms. Taylor suggested that type of service would be better served at an SU level position.

 

7.         Executive Session

 

A.     Personnel Contracts

B.     Personnel Grievance

 

At 6:47 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Isabelle, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss personnel matters.

 

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

 

At 7:20 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

 

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board voted to amend a prior Board action for a reduction of a 1 FTE PE position to a reduction of a ˝ FTE PE position and ˝ Health and Wellness position.  Motion carried 5-1.  Mr. Isabelle voted no.

 

8.         Adjournment

 

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:25 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 planned as a working/discussion meeting.

 

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

The next planning/discussion meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Respectfully submitted,  

Donna Holden