SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, John Santorello, called the Monday, April 6, 2009, meeting to order at 5:45 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Announcements and Awards

A. Dedication of Athletic Training Room

The Chair recessed the meeting to reassemble in the athletic training room. Along with the Board Mr. Phillips thanked Bernie Allen for the Allen Lumber donation of materials, and labor along with the maintenance staff, to complete the athletic training room. Ms. McCusker, athletic trainer, also thanked Mr. Allen and staff for the space. Mr. Allen said it was his pleasure to work on the project and expressed his gratitude for the plaque of appreciation displayed in the new space.

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/.

With the Board’s permission, items on the agenda were taken out of order.

3. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Marine Biology Trip

Mr. Hirschman appeared before the Board to provide a PowerPoint presentation of the February 2009, trip to the island of St John. Julia Booth and Shannon Smith, two of the students who participated in the trip, described the experience and answered questions

The Board also congratulated Mr. Hirschman for his acceptance in a very selective, nationally sponsored summer educational program of only 26 participants, which would ultimately benefit the students at SHS.

B. Math Program

Ms. Waterhouse, Math Department Chair, appeared before the Board to discuss changes considered with the Administration and Curriculum Director, and implemented for the FY ’10 Program of Studies, which included adding four new honors courses. Ms. Waterhouse confirmed that based on the varied levels of readiness of freshman for high school math there were six math courses offered at the freshman level, both year-long and semester long. She said all year-long courses in the program receive two credits (one in math the second as an elective) and semester long courses receive one credit, with the exception of AP calculus, which students receive two math credits.

Mr. Barone advised the Board he was working closely with the Barre City and Barre Town middle school teachers to select a common math program, which would provide a much better feeder into the high school, and ultimately in the future reduce the number of freshman courses offered.

4. Visitors and Communications

None

5. Curriculum Reports

None

6. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

March 16, 2009 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of March 16, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as discussed.

B. Approval of K-12 Physical Education Curriculum

Mr. Barone appeared before the Board to review the SU-wide curriculum, which contained three goals and was aligned with both the National standards and VT grade level expectations. He noted that while the curriculum was a district wide K-12 initiative, each school would develop individual plans to adapt the curriculum taking their own facilities, equipment, student population, etc. into consideration. He also confirmed that health classes were currently delivered through the high school’s Wellness Program.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Pope, the Board unanimously voted to approve the K-12 Physical Education Curriculum, as submitted and as applicable to the 9-12 section for the high school.

C. Tech Center Improvements

As follow up to the motion taken at the March 16, 2009 meeting regarding this item, Mr. Storz advised that the Facility Committee reviewed and was in agreement with the Tech Center improvement proposals. Ms. Chamberlin also confirmed the RAB had reviewed and was supportive of the plans.

No action was required.

D. FY ’08 Audit

Linda Rosa, Business Manager, appeared before the Board to provide a review of the FY ’08 Federal Compliance and Financial Audits, which revealed a fund balance of $625,656 of which $100,000 was reserved for 2009 expenditures and $525,656 unreserved to carry forward. She also discussed the ‘unqualified opinion’ management letter, which included material weaknesses in the areas of: Transactions Between member Districts and the Supervisory Union, Grant Fiscal Oversight, Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT), Hot Lunch Fund Accounting, and Associated Fund Accounting. There were also compliance findings in the areas of W-4s and I-9s, Payroll Revision Communication, and FDIC Coverage. The audit concluded with a review of Prior Year Internal Control & Compliance Recommendations.

Mrs. Rosa assured the Board that many of the items discussed were already addressed and corrected or would be with the installation of the new financial management system later this summer. She said where procedures were of issue corrective actions had also been addressed. Mrs. Rosa also stated it was her intention and desire not to receive unqualified opinions in the future.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to approve the FY ’08 Audits, as presented.

E. Approval of Teacher Contracts

The Board agreed to review and discuss the list of 89 position assignments in executive session.

7. – CONTINUED- Items for Information and Discussion

C. AYP Results

Mr. Barone advised the Board that SHS successfully met the AYP distinction in the areas of math and reading, as tested in the grade 11 NECAP exams. He also said to maintain the position he was meeting regularly with the administration to discuss and review the continuing needs of the cohort groups.

C. Mini Lesson and Release Items

Mr. Barone distributed sample release items and support materials used in the 11th grade math and reading tests. He explained the instructional programs developed by and for teachers, and the methods used to embed the release items into the curriculum throughout the district.

Mr. Barone also explained teaching and reviewing strategies and efforts through staff development have also been used to help coordinate what and how instruction must be delivered to benefit students.

E. Cap and Gown for Graduation

The Board discussed and agreed they would wear caps and gowns at the graduation ceremony. Mr. Phillips advised that someone from his office would contact Board members for information.

F. AP Exam Requirements

Ms. Grubb advised the Board it was the student’s position that AP tests shouldn’t be required, and if the AP tests were going to be required by the school, the school should be paying for the tests. She said many qualified students are prohibited from taking the more challenging AP courses because of the cost of the exams, particularly if the student takes several AP courses at the same time.

Mr. Phillips affirmed a change in policy would be prospective only, and that all students in AP classed this school year would be required to take the exams. He also advised that when discussed with the AP instructors, the feed-back was concern regarding the continued quality and rigor of the course with optional testing.

He confirmed there were currently 140 students involved in AP courses, some of which take more than one class. The test is $86, therefore an estimated annual cost of approximately $11K. Mr. Phillips also advised that upper classmen have already selected next year’s courses, however, a change in the policy could impact enrollments in the AP courses.

The Board discussed and agreed that if the school was paying for the test, very close and strick monitoring of the teachers and student success was required. They also agreed to discuss the matter and reach a conclusion at the next meeting.

Mr. Santorello also asked the Finance Committee to review and provide a recommendation regarding future payment of the exams.

8. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including distribution of a list of 27 required policies and their status within Spaulding’s policies. He noted one of the required polices missing was regarding volunteers, pursuant to Title 16 V.S.A § 260. The Board agreed to the Superintendent drafting a policy for review at the next meeting.

Dr. Bacon distributed a copy of the FY ’10 calendar, agreed upon by the regional superintendents of Barre, U-32, Montpelier, and Washington-West SU. He noted that there were some variances based on contracted number of student days, etc.; however the start date and February and April vacations were identical. Dr. Bacon also advised that after meeting with Union leaders, it was agreed that parent/teacher meetings would be held after school and evenings to avoid a loss in student instruction days, and held in the fall and spring at the high school.

Along with Dr. Bacon, the Board also briefly discussed the stimulus package funding for school improvements and low interest loan availability, which would require a special vote of the community for bonding. The Board agreed the Finance and Facility Committees would develop a list of potential projects and provide the Superintendent with further information.

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.

D. Committee Reports as Needed

Ø Curriculum Committee – Mrs. Malone, Chair (with Nancy Pope, Tommy Walz)

The next meeting is scheduled for May 7, 2009. (First Thursday, monthly)

Ø Finance Committee – Mrs. Pope, Chair (with Norma Malone, Dr. Pizzo)

The next meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2009. (Second Thursday, monthly)

Ø Facility Committee – Mr. Storz, Chair (with Giuliano Cecchinelli, Tommy Walz)

The next meeting is scheduled for April 30, 2009. (Last Thursday, monthly)

Ø Policy Committee – Full Board

Second meeting monthly.

Ø Personnel Committee – Mr. Cecchinelli, Chair (with Richard Storz., Tommy Walz)

The next meeting scheduled for June, 2009, will be announced at a later date. (June and October)

Ø SHAAC – Advisory, Dr. Pizzo, appointee

Ø Legislative – Advisory, Dr. Pizzo, appointee

9. Other Business

None

10. Executive Session

A. Personnel Issue

B. Ayers Street

C. Negotiations

D. Superintendent’s Evaluation

At 8:34 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a real estate and personnel matter, negotiations, and Superintendent’s evaluation.

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

At 10:01 p.m. the Board exited executive session

The Board unanimously agreed to approve the teacher contracts as recommended for renewal, and the appointment of Lindsay Miller as SLP for 2010, at Masters Step 1.

11. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:02 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, April 20, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden