SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL
UNION DISTRICT
REGULAR SCHOOL
BOARD MEETING
Campus Library
June 1, 2009
BOARD
MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Santorello, CHAIR, Representing Barre City,
term expires 2012
Nancy Pope, VICE-CHAIR, Representing Barre Town,
term expires 2011
Norma Malone, CLERK, Representing Barre Town,
term expires 2012
John
Pizzo, Representing
Barre Town,
term expires 2010
Tom Walz, Representing Barre
City, term expires 2012
Giuliano Cecchinelli, Representing Barre City,
term expires 2010
Richard Storz, Representing Barre City,
term expires 2011
JJ Norway – Class of ’10, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student
Representative – arrived later in the
meeting
Meredith Grubb – Class of ’09, SHS/BTC Non-voting
Student Representative
BOARD
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
ADMINISTRATORS
PRESENT:
Dr. John Bacon, Superintendent of Schools
Chris Hennessey, Assistant
Principal
Bob Phillips, Principal
Penny Chamberlin, Technology Center
Director
Board
Secretary: Donna Holden
1.
Call to Order
The Chairperson, John Santorello,
called the Monday, June 1, 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. Phillips advised the Board of
recent student achievements, previous and upcoming events. Campus and other
general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.
3. Visitors and Communications
A.
Student Presentation – Respectful Community
Along with their instructor/mentor
Eddie Walbridge, SHS freshman students and members of the Vermont Peace Academy
(VPA), Connor Way,
Brooke Kurutza, and Taisha Pelkey appeared before the Board. They explained the VPA was a state-wide
organization with 17 schools currently participating throughout the state, and
was comprised of student volunteers who represent a cross section of each
school’s population.
The VPA members said the SHS group of
approximately 30 freshman students was assembled in January 2009, with the
objective of providing skills, knowledge and
attitudes necessary to be responsible mediators and peacemakers. They also advised that despite their short
existence at SHS, among its accomplishments the group met with 18 incoming
freshman on Step-Up night to discuss student fears and concerns. Mr.
Way, Ms. Kurutza, and Ms. Pelkey discussed the
goals established by the group and future plans for the organization.
Dr. Bacon said the growing initiative
was initially funded through a UVM grant, however, would be funding in the
future through the EPSDT grant funds.
4. Curriculum Reports
None
5. Items for Board Action
A. Approval of Minutes:
May 18, 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 18, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union
District Board Meeting, as submitted.
B. Approval of New Hires
Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board of the
BTC Hiring Committee’s recommendation to offer Scott Griggs the new half-time
Assistant Tech Center Director position, which was included in the FY ’10
budget. She said Mr. Griggs, who teaches
Computer Technology, would continue in that role half-time along with his new
administrative duties. She also advised
that filling the remaining half-time teaching slot was being discussed.
Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board the
Tech Center FY ’10 FTEs were increased from 167 to 230, of which 54% were SHS
students and 46% were from sending schools.
She said the increase in students resulted from the addition of the
pre-tech program and increased emphasis on the Tech Center’s
outreach program. Ms. Chamberlin also
advised that Mr. Griggs would provide the on-site administration needed when
she was out and/or away from the building providing outreach to the sending
communities. The Board also briefly discussed
the recommendation to hire R. Winona Johnson to fill the FY ’10 budget approved
full-time pre-tech position.
On
a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to
approve the contracts for Scott Griggs and Winona Johnson, as presented.
Mr. Santorello asked that all future
hiring recommendations and résumés be accompanied by a cover sheet as previously
provided, which included hiring information such as position,
licenses/endorsements, salary and step, etc.
C.
Second and Final Reading
of Substance Abuse Policy (JFCH)
On
a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to
approve the Second and Final Reading of Substance Abuse Policy (JFCH), as submitted.
D. Second
and Final Reading Student medication Policy (JHCD)
On
a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to
approve the Second and Final Reading of Student Medication Policy (JHCD), as
submitted.
E. Multipurpose
Room Renovations
Mr. Storz advised the Board the Facility
Committee agreed to move forward with seeking at least three bids to renovate
the multipurpose room area.
Mr. Hennessey explained the space would
include an in-school student support center, and after school space for
activities including wrestling, drama, etc., which would be scheduled through
the Athletic Director.
Mr. Storz acknowledged he had not
brought the matter to the Finance Committee and that details of the proposal had
not been discussed by the Finance Committee.
On
a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to postpone
action on the request for the multipurpose room renovations, until it was discussed
at the Finance Committee’s June 9th meeting.
Mr. Norway arrived
during the next item.
F. Academic
Eligibility Procedures
Mr. Phillips referred the Board to the
procedure and said previously discussed amendments were incorporated. The Board discussed whether the GPA of 1.67
was sufficient or should be higher. Both
student representatives voiced opinions in support of raising the standard used
for participation in extra-curricular activities, stating the student’s
responsibility for academic success should balance with the privilege of being
a member of a team, cast, or organization.
Mr. Phillips said the new procedure
would address students who needed a second chance to be eligible to participate
in extra-curricular activities, primarily sports. He verified that approximately 11 students
(4%) of student participants were affected by the existing eligibility practices
in the current school year.
The
Board agreed the question regarding
raising the GPA was warranted but was contained within a broader issue; specifically
graduation requirements, ant that in-depth discussion would have to be
postponed to a later agenda. Mr.
Santorello asked the Curriculum Committee to begin deliberations regarding this
matter.
They
further agreed the proposed
eligibility procedure name would be changed to “Academic Eligibility for Drama and Athletics” and would be subject
to change once the broader discussion was held, and if graduation requirements
were amended.
On
a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to
approve the procedure recommendation, as discussed.
6. Items for Information and Discussion
A. Alternate
Physical Education Credit
Mr. Phillips distributed a memo
outlining the current alternatives available to students to earn the 1.5 PE
credits required for graduation. He
explained the options were: phys ed class (.5 credit/qtr), sports (.5 credit for
successful/full participation), fit club (.5 credit for 60 hours
participation), and JROTC participation.
The
Board agreed alternative PE credit
for independent study should also continue to be recognized.
Dr. Bacon advised that PE instruction
was not subject to the “highly qualified teacher” criteria. Dr. Bacon further suggested
that if the Board voted to increase to PE credit requirements by .5 (1/2)
credit, it could be cost neutral by establishing an independent study component
for each student to demonstrate activity outside the school’s programs. Mr. Phillips pointed out the monitoring and
verification of PE independent study was time consuming for staff and that such
a provision would/could create a significant burden.
Mr. Santorello asked the Curriculum
Committee to also begin deliberations regarding this matter.
7.
Reports to the Board
A. Superintendent’s
Report
Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including
a review of the current FY ’09 Medicaid income received with final total income
expected at $70-$75K for the year. He attributed
the increased funds and improved billing practice to Mr. McMahon’s efforts.
Dr. Bacon advised the Board that Mythos
teacher, Carol Kelley, had resigned and a search for another special education
teacher was underway.
The Board was also informed the
Purchase and Sales Agreement regarding Spaulding’s acquisition of the Ayers
Street building and tennis court parking lot was signed, in addition to Barre
Town’s payment plan provisions. (SEE ATTACHED, pages 6-12.)
Dr. Bacon also stated that at his
recent meeting at the DOE approval was provided to the proposal for the driving
portion of Drivers Ed to be held after school hour. He said the schedule was being worked
out.
B.
SHS Principal
Mr. Phillips added to his written
report that the ELL, summer Driver’s Ed, and fall long-term sub positions were
posted. Campus and other general
information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org.
Mr. Phillips also said he was looking forward to a
discussion with the Curriculum Committee regarding the practice of fully
enrolled seniors, and graduation requirements.
C. Barre Technical Center Director
Ms. Chamberlin added announcements of
several student achievements and upcoming events to her written report. She also briefly discussed a number of
options being discussed and explored for expanding the Tech Center programs due
to increasing demands on programs.
D.
Curriculum Director
None
E.
Committee Reports as Needed
Ø
Curriculum
Committee – Mrs. Malone, Chair (with Nancy Pope, Tommy Walz)
The next meeting is
scheduled for June 4, 2009. (First
Thursday, monthly)
Ø
Finance Committee
– Mrs. Pope, Chair (with Norma Malone, Dr. Pizzo)
The next meeting is
scheduled for June 9, 2009. (Second Tuesday,
monthly)
Ø
Facility
Committee – Mr. Storz, Chair (with Giuliano Cecchinelli, Tommy Walz)
The next meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2009. (Last Thursday, monthly)
Ø
Policy Committee
– Full Board - Third Monday, 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
8.
Other Business
Mr. Phillips advised the Board a local
historian and Civil War re-enactor was invited to present an award to a JROTC
student at an upcoming ceremony. He
explained a civil war firearm [i.e. replica] was part of the costume warn, however,
due to laws prohibiting weapons on school property; Mr. Phillips was seeking
the Board’s guidance on the matter.
The
Board unanimously agreed that with
Mr. Phillips supervision, inspection of the weapon that it was not loaded or
able to be fired, and proper handling, it would be acceptable for the
re-enactor to be in full costume for the awards presentation.
9.
Executive Session
