SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Campus Library

June 15, 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

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

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

JJ Norway – Class of ’10, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Dr. John Bacon, Superintendent of Schools Bob Phillips, Principal

Linda Rosa, Business Manager Penny Chamberlin, Technology Center Director

GUESTS PRESENT:

Tom McSweeney Tom Lauzon

Jamie Evans Patrick Gardner

Paul Malone

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, John Santorello, called the Monday, June 15, 2009, meeting to order at 6:10 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Announcements and Awards

Mr. Santorello made an announcement to the Board regarding past and future member conduct during meetings, with and emphasis on respectfulness and permitting sufficient time for each member to discuss matters.

A. Meredith’s Last Meeting

Ms. Grubb was presented flowers and a card, along with the Board’s best wishes for happiness and success in her future endeavors.

Ms. Grub thanked the Board for the rewarding experience, and announced that her replacement would be Charlie Norway, cousin to JJ Norway.

Mr. Phillips and Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board of recent student achievements, and upcoming events. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

None

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

5. Items for Board Action

A. Card Access Security Doors

Facility Committee members, Paul Malone and Patrick Gardner, addressed the Board regarding the security proposal. Mr. Evans explained the system’s use, and proposed expense of approximately $36,300 for hardware, software, server, training, etc, and installation of the access system at five doors around the building. He said the access cards would be distributed to staff and students for use during designated hours and/or at secured door locations.

Mrs. Pope advised the Board the Finance Committee had thoroughly vetted the proposal, along with two other maintenance requests, and were in support of the projects totaling approximately $140K. The proposals included the card access system at $36,300, the multi-purpose room renovation at $45,662, and repair and upgrades to two bathrooms at $54,898.

Mr. Evans briefed the Board on the multi-purpose room renovations proposed, which would utilize the room during the day as an in-school support service center, and at other times as the wrestling team practice room, drama overflow area, etc. Mr. Evans also discussed the renovations planned for two (one boy’s and one girl’s) bathrooms in the math hall area. He agreed with Dr. Bacon’s suggestion that all of the other student bathrooms throughout the building (12-14 total) also be scheduled for updates and renovations over the next few years.

Ms. Grub advised the Board that if students were given the choice between renovations to the bathrooms and keeping teachers, that students would keep teachers.

Mrs. Pope advised the Board the approximately $140K to be spent on renovations would come from the anticipated FY ’09 surplus balance, and assured Ms. Grubb the FY’10 budget and teachers would not be adversely affected by these expenses.

The Board asked Mr. Evans and the Facility Committee to work on a 3-5 year capital improvement plan to be presented to the Board, and to prioritize the maintenance projects, including cost estimates, if possible.

On a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the maintenance project proposals of approximately $140K to be paid for from FY ’09 surplus funds, which included the card access security system, multi-purpose room, and two bathroom renovations, as discussed.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Lighting Proposal

Mr. Evans advised the Board the football field lighting would be nice and potentially a popular addition to the complex, however, a maintenance fund would also need to be established and practice fields built. The Board acknowledged an additional field would be ideal, and that the Athletic Director was in possession of the SHAAC proposal, which included the lighting, field layouts, etc. Board members also acknowledged there should be consideration for the additional expense to running the lights for events, etc.

Dr. Pizzo advised the Board the SHAAC had decided due to economic times to back away from pursuing the very costly major capital campaign that included lights, field renovations, etc. However, he said, the SHAAC would support at this time consideration for the lease-to-own lighting proposal, which was quoted at $160K to install the lights and $21K per year for 8 years.

The Board agreed to discuss the matter further once the AD and Facility Committee come up with a viable proposal, and the Finance Committee vetted the project proposal and, if agreed, supported a recommendation. The Board also asked the Facility Committee to discuss with neighboring communities the annual cost of operating the lights.

B. Composting

Along with Mayor Lauzon, the Board reviewed and discussed the June 3, 2009, letter from Mr. Lauzon to Theresa Murray-Clasen, Central Vermont Solid Waste Management’s Composting Coordinator. As outlined in the correspondence, Mayor Lauzon explained that Barre City and Spaulding High schools were the only two funding-eligible schools within central VT not participating in CVSWMD’s school composting program.

Mr. Lauzon explained up to $10K per school was available to get a program started, and it was his understanding that Barre City approved the concept for the program at their last meeting, with plans to work out logistics and facility concerns with Ms. Murray-Clasen to get started.

Mr. Phillips reported participation in the program could create an estimated savings of 11 tons of trash removal, and that many Barre Town students, who experienced the program at the BTMES, have inquired how to get the program into the school.

The Board agreed to take whatever formal action was necessary at the July 6, 2009 meeting. Mr. Phillips agreed to coordinate with Mr. Evans, Ms. Murray-Clasen, and the food service provider for a fall 2009 implementation.

C. ‘09 Financial Projection

Mrs. Rosa and the Board reviewed and discussed the SHS FY ’09 budget summary, which revealed an estimated surplus of $251,167. Mrs. Rosa advised the Board the remaining surplus not spent by the Board’s earlier action to encumber approximately $140K in the current FY for maintenance projects would be carried forward to the next FY. Mrs. Rosa reported the BTC surplus was estimated at $45,504.

Mrs. Rosa advised the Board she was notified by David Otterman, attorney for the estate of Ron York, that the school would be receiving a very large bequeath (perhaps in the seven figures) for the scholarship fund.

Mrs. Rosa also reported bids were sought regarding interest on deposits (sweep), and short term borrowing (TAN). She said of the four bids received the Merchant’s Bank offered the best rates in both areas, therefore it was her recommendation to end its contract with TD BankNorth, and contract with Merchant’s Bank for the 2009-2010 year.

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to contract the sweep and TAN banking services with Merchant’s Bank, effective July 1, 2009.

7. CONTINUED - Items for Board Action

B. Approval of Minutes:

June 1, 2009 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of June 1, 2009 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

C. Approval of New Hires

Dr. Bacon reviewed the new hire recommendations for five full-time special educations positions, of which three would fill vacancies, and two would fill new positions. He also explained that 56% of the salaries for the position would be reimbursed from special education funds.

Recommended were: Sharon Renault – SHS special ed, Susan Reardon – SHS special ed, Susan Buttura – Tech Center special ed, Kristy Jo Wasmer – SHS special ed, and Jen Olsen – special ed job placement for SHS and possibly shared with the Tech Center.

Mrs. Pope asked, and the Board agreed for discussion regarding the recommendations to be held in executive session.

8. CONTINUED - Items for Information and Discussion

D. Phoenix Program End of Year Report

The Board reviewed and discussed the end of year report from Mr. Moore, submitted in their packet, which detailed the 2008-09 school year activity for the 35 students enrolled, of which 26 graduated, one moved from the district, one returned to SHS, and seven would return for the 2009-10 year along with new enrollees.

Mr. Santorello asked that in the future the Board be notified in advance of the January Phoenix graduations activities so interested Board members could attend. Along with Mr. Santorello, the Board also expressed their congratulations to all students and to Mr. Moore for another successful year.

E. Next Meeting Date

The Board agreed to hold a meeting on July 6, 2009.

F. Parking Lot Review/Update

Mr. Santorello distributed a DRAFT annual agenda schedule and asked members, administrators and the Superintendent to provide feed-back and information to create a schedule for future meetings. Along with the Board he also reviewed the Parking Lot items.

The Board briefly discussed the Virtual High School issue. Ms. Grubb advised her experience was rewarding and she would highly recommend adding the option for on-line courses to students.

The Board agreed to pursue the option, however, also agreed that on-line courses available to students would/should not be in place of those available in the course of study, but as supplemental. They agreed successful operation of the program would, among other items, include preparation of policies and procedures, identification of eligible students, cost estimates, etc. Mr. Phillips agreed to continue research on other on-line venues and options for the Board’s consideration.

G. Retreat Date/Agenda

The Board discussed and agreed to hold their annual retreat on August 17, 2009, the time of the meeting and agenda would be developed by Mr. Santorello and Dr. Bacon, and be distributed to the Board as timely as possible for feed-back.

9. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including announcement of the resignation of Guidance Director, Lisa Lemieux. He said a hiring committee would be assembled by Mr. Phillips, which would also include either Mrs. Malone or Dr. Pizzo.

The Board agreed to conduct finalist interviews at their July 6, 2009 meeting.

Dr. Bacon also advised the Board an SU-wide contract with the High School’s current woodchip provider, Lathrop’s, was negotiated. He said based on anticipated volume for all three schools the contract resulted in a drop in price to $63/ton, which based on the high school’s usage could compute to approximately $4K in heating cost saving for Spaulding.

B. Curriculum Director

None

C. Technology Director

None

D. Committee Reports as Needed

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

The next meeting is scheduled for August 4*, 2009. (First Thursday, monthly)

* A change in the normal schedule.

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

The next meeting is scheduled for August 18*, 2009 (Second Tuesday, monthly)

* A change in the normal schedule.

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

10. Other Business

None

11. Executive Session