SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, John Santorello, called the Monday, May 18 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. Santorello advised that for the benefit of the community, school, student and staff announcements typically made by Mr. Phillips would be provided before the camera at the first meeting of the month. General Campus information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

3. Visitors and Communications

A. Student Presentation

CJ Lucey, a freshman student, appeared before the Board to thank them for giving him a second chance after experiencing some challenges earlier in the year, and to thank Dr. Pizzo for his additional attention and assistance. Mr. Lucey explained he was a participant in the BTC pre-tech culinary program and presented the Board with samples of his culinary artistry, a carrot cake and peanut butter fudge.

Ms. Chamberlin advised that despite Mr. Lucey’s later enrollment into the pre-tech program, he worked hard and was a dedicated student, and was also an excellent example of how a tech program could change the direction of a student. She also acknowledged that attending the tech center was a challenge for Mr. Lucey as he was a resided in Northfield and responsible for his own daily transportation.

The Board thanked Mr. Lucy for the delicious treats, congratulated him on his accomplishments, and wished him well in his continued academic endeavors.

4. Curriculum Reports

None

5. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

May 4, 2009 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of May 4, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

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

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Tech and Volunteer Trips to Mississippi and Louisiana

Building Trades Instructor, Steve Coultas, appeared before the Board and provided a PowerPoint presentation detailing the fourth annual class trip to Mississippi in April to assist in projects related to hurricane Katrina relief. The PowerPoint also included Mr. Coultas reading several journal entries written by students describing the impact and power of their unforgettable experiences.

Key Club members, Emily Prescott, Bianca Staudt, and Sara Davis also provided an electronic slide-show presentation of several pictures detailing their April trip to Louisiana also to provide hurricane Katrina relief. The students explained a full-length narrated movie of the experience was being edited and prepared for viewing, with the intent of sharing proceeds from the viewing to be donated directly to the Habitat project manager in Louisiana they worked with, to help repair his own home. The girls also spoke of their experience as powerful, awesome, and unforgettable. The Board will be informed of the movie viewing date.

B. Eligibility Policy

Athletic Director, Pat Merriam, appeared before the Board to review the current and proposed eligibility policy. He said the new policy for athletes, drama, and music students contained a section for “academic probation” to provide students sufficient time to bring failing grades up to the minimum qualifications.

Upon discussion it was agreed that language would be added regarding a requirement for students on academic probation to meet with teacher weekly. Mr. Phillips agreed to format the policy for a first reading at the June 1, 2009, meeting.

Mr. Phillips advised the Board that policy changes and/or additions that affect the Student handbook should be completed by the second meeting in June to assure printing in the next year’s edition.

C. Football Field Lighting Proposal

Dr. Bacon advised the Board a lighting purchase proposal totaling $160K was received, or a lease-to-own proposal of over $21K per year for ten-years. He said he felt the addition of lights could enhance the facility and increase community participation at football, soccer, and lacrosse games.

Dr. Bacon advised that surplus funds would be available for the purchase, if approved by the Board.

Dr. Pizzo and Mr. Storz voiced their concern regarding the spending of surplus tax payer funds for the lights, which could be considered by taxpayers as frivolous and/or irresponsible, especially given the state of the economy, cutting of teachers and programs, etc.

The Board agreed that the SHAAC’s capital campaign proposed a couple of years ago was never formally approved or sanctioned by the Board as much more information was needed before approval would be granted. They agreed the projects were proposed as community funded, not through tax dollars. The Board also agreed to revisit the matter, which included the lights, redesigning of the fields, etc. if the SHAAC wanted to provide the complete proposal including final blueprints, project management, estimated costs/budgets, funding proposals, etc.

The Board also acknowledged they were aware that donated funds including a $3K donation from the Class of 2006 and memorial bequeaths from the passing of Mr. Kittredge were deposited into a Capital Campaign fund, but establishment of that fund was never approved either.

7. CONTINUED - Items for Board Action

B. Perkins FY 2010 Plan

Ms. Chamberlain reviewed the FY 2010 Perkins Plan, which she noted was year two of a five-year plan. She said the main areas addressed in the FY 2010 plan include Public Engagement, Academic Rigor/Integration, Professional Development, Special Populations, Guidance and Counseling, Recruitment and Retention of Faculty, Career Guidance and Academic Counselors, and Program of Study Development. She also explained that of the anticipated second year grant allocation of $191,214.00 a sum of $93,593 would be allocated to the Electrical Program and $97,621 to a list of other staff and academic initiatives.

Ms. Chamberlin verified the federal funds issued through the state were to be used to enrich existing programs, mentor programs, purchase equipment, support student organizations, i.e. DECA, FBLA, etc., and start new tech ed programs over and above the regular budget. She also noted there was a very high level of accountability for use of the funds in both spending and progress of identified goals in the plan.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Perkins Grant FY 2010 Plan, as presented.

C. Approval of New Hires

Dr. Bacon advised the Board a contract for the Educational Success Counselor position was offered and accepted by Peggy Ward. He said her experience as a social worker and in the guidance office were assets needed to fill the position. Mr. Phillips verified the position would report to the Principal vs. the Guidance Director as originally proposed.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the contract for Peggy Ward as the Educational Success Counselor position, as presented.

Dr. Bacon advised that EPSDT, Medicaid, or Title I funds would fund and support the position.

D. Second and Final Reading of Substance Abuse Policy (JFCH)

Mr. Phillips reviewed the policy. The Board made several recommendations for amendments.

Dr. Pizzo made a motion seconded by Mr. Walz to approve the second and final reading, as amended, with a revised version to be distributed to the Board.

Upon discussion, Dr. Pizzo withdrew his motion and Mr. Walz withdrew his second.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to table action on the Second and Final Reading of Substance Abuse Policy (JFCH), until the June 2, 2009, meeting.

E. First Reading of Medication Policy (JHCD)

The Board reviewed the VSBA model policy required pursuant to Act 75 of 2008.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of Medication Policy (JHCD), as discussed.

F. First Reading of Parental Authorization Form for Treatment of Life-Threatening

Allergy or Asthma (JLC)

Dr. Bacon advised that the proposal was “form” rather than a policy, and the availability of the form to parents could be made through the Web site or Student Handbook.

The Board agreed the form should not be adopted as a policy.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Parental Authorization Form for Treatment of Life-Threatening Allergy or Asthma, as discussed.

8. Reports to the Board

Mr. Santorello advised the following agenda items would be on the first meeting of the month agendas, and only addressed at the second monthly meeting (policy meeting) if a matter warranted immediate attention.

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon advised the Board all teacher contracts, with the exception of two, were returned from staff. He also said approximately $714K in stimulus funds were expected over the next two years and that part of the spending proposal was to purchase smart boards for every classroom in the three district schools, and provide appropriate staff training.

B. SHS Principal

C. Barre Technical Center Director

D. Committee Reports as Needed

8. Other Business

Mr. Santorello asked the Board members to be thinking of whether to suspend July meetings, and when to hold a summer retreat/working session, and agenda items. The Board agreed to discuss at the next meeting.

Mr. Phillips provided a PowerPoint presentation of his recent two-week trip with 10 other Vermont educators to China as part of the Asian Study Outreach Program. He said their time was spent in Beijing and the town of Lijiang in the Yunnan Province.

9. Executive Session

A. Ayers Street

B. Para-Educator Contract

C. Personnel Issue

At 8:55 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a real estate matter, contract negotiations, and a personnel issue.

Dr. Bacon was invited into the executive session.

At 9:55 p.m. the Board exited executive session

The Board approved the administrative raises as proposed

The Board approved the para-educator contract as negotiated

10. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:58 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, June 1, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

The next policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden