SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE
TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS
UNION DISTRICT
Campus Library
May 19, 2008
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Martin
Prevost, VICE-CHAIR,
John Santorello, CLERK,
Therese Taylor,
Giuliano Cecchinelli,
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Nancy
Pope,
Brianna
Baker – Class of ’08, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative
ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:
Gail Conley, Interim Superintendent of Schools Penny Chamberlin, Assistant Tech
Director
Bob Phillips, Principal Chris
Hennessey, Assistant Principal
GUESTS PRESENT:
Video Vision Tech Steve Gurin
David Delcore,
Times Argus Dottye Ricks
Jamie Evans Tom
McSweeney
Eric Peterson
1. Call
to Order
The
Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, May 19, 2008, meeting to order
at 6:00 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library,
2. Public
Comment
None
3. Policy
Review
A.
Anti-Harassment Policy (GBCD)
B.
Policy on Prevention of Harassment of Students (JFCM)
Dr.
Conley advised the Board that the two, multi-paged policies presented, which
both included extensive administrative procedures, were redundant and
cumbersome to administer. He said the
GBCD policy was adopted in 1995 and included adults, teachers, and students, while
the JFCM student harassment policy was adopted in 2004 and was most likely in
response to 2004 VT Law Act 91 and the DOE model policy.
Dr.
Conley also advised the Board there were at least two current updates required,
the first a DOE mandatory amendment by 8/1/09 to reference the term “gender
identity”, and the second consideration for “cyber bullying/internet
harassment” language, which he noted occurred at SHS with a case brought to the
administration’s attention as recently as last week.
Dr.
Conley recommended, and the Board agreed
by consensus, to direct Mr. Phillips to draft a combined policy, and return
it to the Board for consideration, as timely as possible.
4. Items
for Board Action
A. Telephone
Installation Contract
Mr.
Evans distributed a list of features quoted in the Integrity Communications telephone installation proposal with a
target date for installation to begin once school was done for the year. He said the $93,254.29 expandable system also
include all new wiring throughout the school, and among many other features was
completely compatible with the security system already installed.
On a motion by Ms. Taylor seconded by
Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the telephone installation
contract, as presented.
Dr.
Conley advised the Board of receipt of a letter of resignation from math
teacher Connie Lowe, a 2007 Teacher of the Year finalist, and past girl’s field
hockey coach. The Board expressed their
regret at her departure and the loss to the students and school community.
On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr. Prevost,
the Board unanimously voted to accept, with regret and best wishes, the
resignation of mathematics teacher, Constance Lowe, effective June 30, 2008.
C.
Teacher Contract
Dr.
Conley advised the Board the candidate recommended had two years experience,
was energetic, and enthusiastic about coming to
Mr.
Phillips confirmed that filling all three of the current vacant math
positions was needed, based on the
present number of student requests (exclusive of the unknown number of this
year’s students that may need to repeat a course) and that class sizes would
support the replacements.
The Board
also discussed the pending licensure of the candidate, contingent upon the DOE completing
the background check process. Dr. Conley
advised that he was confident the license would be issued before the start of
the school year.
On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr.
Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the mathematics teacher
contract for Ryan Dunlea.
The Board
discussed, and requested that Dr. Conley investigate whether it would be
possible to add a mandatory criminal conviction disclosure clause to all
current and future teacher contracts.
D.
Administrator
Contracts
The Board
agreed to discuss this matter in executive session.
E.
Administrator
Dr.
Conley advised the Board of his recommendation to hire former principal, Val
Gardner, at a rate of $90.00/hour for a maximum of 45 hours, to provide
mentoring assistance to Bob Phillips during the upcoming year.
On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Mr. Santorello,
the Board unanimously voted to approve the administrator mentor contract for Val
Gardner, as discussed.
F.
Adult Tech Ed
$45,000 Grant Submission
Dottye
Ricks, Adult Education Coordinator, and Ms. Chamberlin briefed the Board on the
content of the grant expenditure plan.
Ms. Chamberlin explained that receipts are submitted for reimbursement
against the plan, for an amount up to $45K. Ms. Ricks
also advised the Board a comprehensive report regarding the Adult Education
Programs and courses provided, would be presented to the Board in June.
On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Ms. Taylor, the
Board unanimously voted to approve the submission of the $45K Adult Tech Ed
Grant application, as presented.
G.
Leave of Absence
Dr.
Conley advised the Board of the ½ year (one semester) art teacher leave of
absence request. The Board discussed the
replacement process and search for a .50 FTE teacher to fill the long-term
scheduled absence.
On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Mr. Santorello,
the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2009-2010 first semester leave of
absence for Emily O. McLean, as requested.
5. Items for Information and Discussion
A. NECAP
Presentation – Bob Phillips
Mr.
Phillips provided a presentation detailing some of the results of the second
annual New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) test results for 11th
grade students in the areas of reading writing and mathematics. He said last
year was the pilot year, and also noted that for the first time this year,
two-day testing in the area of science would commence the following day,
explaining that juniors lost a total of seven instructional days to participate
in this testing.
Mr.
Phillips noted that results were complex and evoke many new and interesting
questions about how, when, and what the content of information is that is
taught. He said questions such as: why
do females do better, how do results compare to 8th grade testers,
and why do lower economic student groups do poorer, are examples of ways to
evaluate the results. He also noted that
comparing schools against each other was apples and oranges when factors such
as curriculum, student socio/economic population, etc were considered.
Mr.
Phillips explained that student results are measured in several categories
including 1.) proficient with distinction, 2.) proficient, 3.) partially
proficient, and 4.) substantially below proficient, with SHS students,
including the free and reduced lunch (FRL) students, performing at or above the
state standards, and that females performed higher than males across the board:
Reading Math Writing
Level
1 & 2 - State Average 67% 30% 39%
SHS
Level 1 & 2 67% 37% 42%
SHS
Level 3 & 4 33% 63% 58%
FRL
Students - State Average 47% 15% 22%
SHS
FRL 51% 28% 34%
6. Other
Business
Steve
Gurin, Central Vermont Workforce Investment Board (CVWIB) Chair, appeared
before the Board to discuss his May 6, 2008 letter to DOE Commissioner Cate
withdrawing their support for the integrated campus based on recent changes to
the administrative model. He explained
the CVWIB was the Regional Advisory Board for the
Mr.
Gurin informed the Board questions regarding extending the Campus waiver was
scheduled for discussion at the State Board of Education meeting the following
day, however, could be postponed for another month based on the unexpected
resignation of Commissioner Cate. Mr.
Gurin encouraged the Board to reconsider its current model design and take
affirmative action to amend the organization’s chain of command to have the
Tech Director report to the Superintendent, not the high school’s principal,
thereby safeguarding the independence of the
Dr.
Conley advised Mr. Gurin he was prepared to recommend the Board offer Ms.
Chamberlin a contract for a Tech Center Director position, reporting to the
Principal; however, that could be changed to the Superintendent depending on
how the State Board of Education acts on the waiver request.
The
Board thanked Mr. Gurin for his information, and suggested they would consider
the matter further once the State Board of Education acted on the school’s
request to extend the waiver.
Mrs.
Conti distributed the Committee list and asked members to let her know of any
conflicts or questions..
Finance: Nancy
Pope, Chair, John Santorello
Facility: John Santorello, Chair, Martin Prevost
Personnel:
Martin Prevost, Chair, Chris Conti, Nancy Pope
U-61 Representatives: Martin Prevost, John Santorello,
Giuliano
Cecchinelli
Legislature: John Pizzo, Chair, Giuliano Cecchinelli
Policy & Curriculum: Full Board
Dr.
Conley distributed a memorandum outlining his recommendation for
Board/Administration communication.
7. Executive
Session
A. Student
Expulsion Hearing, Title1 § 313 (a) (7)
B. Administrative
Contracts, Title 1 § 313 (a) (3)
At 7:40 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded
by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive
session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss a student matter, and
administrative contracts.
Dr.
Conley and Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Hennessey were invited into the executive
session.
At 8:40 p.m. the Board exited the
executive session.
On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by
Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the contracts for
administrators.
On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by
Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the recommendation of
the administration to expel the student for the rest of the semester. The
student may return only after conditions outlined are met.
8. Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:42
p.m.
The
next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2008, at 6:00
p.m.
The
next planning/discussion meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008, at
6:00 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Donna Holden