SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, April 7, 2008, 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 announced several student achievements. Detailed information on these and other current and upcoming events may be viewed by visiting the school’s Web site at www.shsbtc.org/.

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

None

5. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

March 3, 2008 – Spaulding High School Union District Annual Meeting

March 3, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

March 17, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of March 3, 2008 – Spaulding High School Union District Annual Meeting, as presented.

On a motion by Ms. Taylor seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of March 3, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of March 17, 2008 – Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as presented.

B. Board Recorder Salary

Dr. Conley advised the Board that at their last meeting the SU Board voted, after five years of service with no salary increase, to increase the Recording Secretary’s salary by an additional $15.00 per meeting, however, at the most recent Barre Town Board meeting the salary was raised by an additional $30.00 per meeting.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve an increase to the Recording Secretary’s salary by an additional $30.00 per meeting.

Mrs. Holden expressed her appreciation.

C. Board Committee Assignments

Mrs. Conti asked Board members to contact her with their committee preferences, before the next meeting. No action was taken.

D. Approval for Vermont Ravens to Use Football Field

Mrs. Conti reminded the Board of her announcement on March 17^th that once again the Vermont Ravens requested the SHS & BTC Campus field be considered their “home” field. She said the SHAAC was recommending approval of use of the fields during the fall season, with an increase to the Sunday home game schedule to six games. The Board discussed, and Mrs. Conti verified that the VT Ravens’ rental fees would compensate for any field damages and that the football program was fully insured.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Vermont Raven’s use of the SHS & BTC Campus football field for the 2008 season.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Daily Schedule

Mr. Phillips reported that as many as 13 or 14 different schedules were reviewed by the Scheduling Committee, and that feed-back on one selected for consideration was sought from the faculty; however, the response was not as hoped for. He explained that while there was overwhelming consensus to embed the early morning music program into the daily schedule, there was the realization that lacking other schedule adjustments many issues arose, particularly with two-credit, honor and AP courses.

Mr. Phillips said the Committee would still work on finding a solution, which undoubtedly would have budget implications, and that they were looking at a combination period/block schedule similar to one at Montpelier High School. He also advised that a longer school day could be implemented to provide the options needed to address many of the issues created by and prompting the schedule adjustment.

The Board agreed to continue to look at the matter with intent to implement a new schedule change for the 2009-10 school year.

B. Class Size Policy

Mr. Phillips distributed a summary of concerns from faculty and students regarding the proposed class size policy. Mr. Santorello referenced the Barre Town Class Size Policy and noted the ideal class sizes of 18 for kindergarten and up to 25 per class for 7^th and 8^th grade elementary students. He questioned why the culture at the high school fostered much smaller classes and one-on-one teaching for young adults preparing for college when the ideal elementary class sizes were much higher, and whether the one-on-one model was truly preparing students for college.

The Board discussed and agreed that daily schedule changes and class size policy/guideline should remain in tandem since one impacts the other. Dr. Conley suggested the Board formally adopt a class size policy/guideline for the 2009-10 school year to better guide the budgeting process, parents, students, teachers, and community.

Mr. Santorello also asked that pursuant to the proposed policy the class size list be shared with the Board earlier than the traditional October date, thereby giving the Board the flexibility to permit a waiver for a class or classes below the recommended size. Mr. Phillips agreed that the information should be available for July of each year, with the caveat that the expected class size would subject to change through the “drop” period, after the start of school.

C. Second Monthly Meeting Date

Due to the April vacation schedule, the Board discussed and agreed to move the second monthly April meeting to April 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Mrs. Conti reminded the Board the second monthly meeting would devote the first hour to policy reviews. Mr. Phillips agreed to discuss the list of policies subject to review with the P & C Committee Chair, and present 3 or four of the prioritized policies at the next meeting.

7. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

a. Transition Activities for New Superintendent

Dr. Conley advised the Board that Dr. Bacon would attend the monthly K-12 Administrator’s meeting next week, and that they were in contact routinely to discuss matters. He also said Dr. Bacon would be present to join in on the K-12 Curriculum Director interviews.

Dr. Conley also advised the Board that Mr. Walz had submitted his resignation today, to be effective June 30, 2008. He said the new Superintendent would certainly be involved in the task of assembling an entirely new SU Administrative Team.

b. Contracts

Dr. Conley shared a sample of the new format developed for teacher contracts.

c. Caps & Gowns for Board Members

The Board discussed whether the Board members should wear caps and gowns at the graduation ceremony. Mrs. Conti and Mr. Prevost felt it was unnecessary and an expense and were opposed, Mr. Santorello, Dr. Pizzo, Ms. Taylor and Mr. Cecchinelli were in favor for convenience, respect, and tradition sake, and Mrs. Pope was neutral. The Board did agree that the Board could be seated off the stage to the side and only the Chair or member presenting a diploma needs to be ion the stage.

d. Resignation

Dr. Conley also advised the Board of an additional notice of resignation from a faculty member, Arthur Zorn, which would be addressed by the Board at their next meeting.

B. SHS & BTC Campus Administrators’ Report

Mr. Phillips distributed and reviewed his April 8, 2008, report. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

C. Technology Coordinator’s Report

Mr. Walz had nothing to add to his report.

D. Student Services Director’s Report

Dr. Sperry reviewed her April 1, 2008, report.

E. Supervisory Union Report

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, April 10, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, 120 Ayers Street.

F. Student Representative Reports

The Student Representatives provided an oral report.

9. Executive Session

A. Student Expulsion Hearing, Title 1 § 313 (a) (7)

B. Student Matter, Tile 1 § 313 (a) (7)

C. Personnel Contracts, Title 1 § 313 (a) (3)

D. Real Estate Matter, Title 1 § 313 (a)(2)

At 7:35 p.m. on a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss a student, and personnel matters.

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

At 8:35 p.m. the Board exited the executive session.

10. CONTINUED Reports to the Board

G. Spaulding High Athletic Advisory Committee (SHAAC)

The next SHAAC meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

H. Facility Committee

The next Facility Committee meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

I. Finance Committee

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.

11. Other Business

None

12. Adjournment

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:55 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 planning/discussion meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.**

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

** Change in regular schedule.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

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