John Santorello, CLERK, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

Therese Taylor, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009 – arrived later in the meeting

Giuliano Cecchinelli, Representing Barre City, term expires 2010

Nancy Pope, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2011

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

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

Martin Prevost, VICE-CHAIR, Representing Barre City, term expires 2011

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

Gail Conley, Interim Superintendent of Schools Tom Sedore, Assistant Principal

Bob Phillips, Principal Chris Hennessey, Assistant Principal

Penny Chamberlin, Tech Director

Video Vision Tech

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, June 23, 2008, meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

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Mr. Gurin explained the statutory role of the Regional Advisory Board and its ability to delegate its authority to the Central Vermont Workforce Investment Board. He said the paper trail (at the DOE and RAB/WIB) showing the Technical Center’s historical relationship to the RAB and/or WIB was apparently lost; therefore he was asking the Board to reaffirm the relationship. He said the RAB, which was now acting as a “committee” rather than a Board, would reassemble for the purpose of delegating authority to the CVWIB. Mr. Gurin agreed to provide the SHS/BTC Board with the names of the RAB members, and for the SHS/BTC Board’s approval, return to a subsequent meeting with the RAB’s action to delegate its authority to the CVWIB.

The Board agreed to address this item after the executive session.

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed the details of the $195,057 BTC grant plan. She said $13,746 was allocated to the VT Technical Directors Consortium, leaving $106,851 dedicated to the electrical technology program for FY ’09 and $74,460 allocated to address three identified BTC goals, which were 1.) Professional development, 2.) Assessment development, and 3.) Support for special populations in the construction cluster.

Dr. Conley advised the Board after a few meetings a new two-year contract was agreed upon, which he said was very reasonable and within the budget.

The Board discussed and noted that DOE licensure and certification was pending for Ms. Wetzel and Mr. Webb. Administrators were asked to flag these contracts and verify receipt of the required documents, before the start of school.

Dr. Conley distributed a copy of a news article prepared for immediate release detailing the audited fund balances since 1999 and the amounts refunded to taxpayers. He agreed that while results of the audit were received later than desired, that surplus funds cannot be used to hire additional teachers or staff, therefore would not have impacted budget decisions for FY ‘09.

Mrs. Pope advised the Board the Finance Committee had begun discussions regarding the fund balance with the intention, pursuant to statute, to either use it as revenue carry-over, or seek voter approval for designated capital improvements and/or an undesignated contingency fund.

Mr. Santorello advised that a list of major capital repairs was being developed, including items such as parking lot paving, granite façade repair/maintenance, and auditorium canopy roofing, with the intention of testing PVC roofing in preparation of the main building’s eventual roof replacement.

Mr. Isabelle questioned how the Barre Town Board was aware of their fund balance long before the SHS Board, and the potential management issues in not having this type of information more readily available.

Mr. Phillips distributed a summary of proposed changes and red-lined version of both the GBCD (employee), and JFCM (student) policies.

Upon discussion, the Board agreed to move the policies forward for first readings at a meeting in July.

Mr. Phillips distributed proposed faculty handbook language clarifying expectations and procedures involved in overnight trips.

The Board agreed it was prudent to have an approved policy, in addition to the handbook instructions, and that the policy should address issues such as how the trip ties to the curriculum, how the trip would benefit students and add to the curriculum, transportation matters, chaperones, Board approvals, etc.

Mr. Phillips agreed to prepare a draft policy for Board discussion at the July 7, 2008, meeting. .

Dr. Conley reviewed parking lot items, and discussed the status of recent and ongoing items. Dr. Conley also distributed his final written report and one each from Mr. Walz and Dr. Sperry. He advised that a final written report from Mr. Shepard would be forthcoming.

Mrs. Conti thanked Dr. Conley for his service to the Board and community over the past school year. She acknowledged that while facing and dealing with many challenges over the past year, she also had personally learned much from his guidance.

Mr. Phillips provided a brief PowerPoint presentation and discussed the preliminary Action Plan 2008-09 Mission and Vision, which included overall goals to: clarify the school’s mission, clarify student expectations, create school-wide goal setting/action plan, curriculum review, examination of assessments, professional development training and student performance.

Mr. Phillips agreed to provide a follow-up presentation on the completed FY ’09 Action Plan at the September 8, 2008, meeting.

Dottye Ricks appeared before the Board and provided a summary report of the Adult Education Programs, and discussed several of her short and long term goals.

Ms. Chamberlin briefed the Board on the status of the K-12 Technology Coordinator hiring process. She said of the 14 applications received, five were selected for interviews on June 30, with a final recommendation to then forwarded to the SU Board for action.

Ms. Lemieux and Ms. Chickering appeared before the Board to discuss the Academy of Personalized Learning, a regional alternative program, which was developed over the past six years, and productively in place the last four years. Ms. Lemieux advised the Board 23 students received their diplomas at the 2008 graduation and another 28 students were enrolled in the program for the 2008-09 year. She explained the differences between this program and the Phoenix Program, sighting in addition to workplace readiness, tech program enrollment or historical employment success, and passing of the five GED curriculum tests, upon entering the APL Program the major difference was the number of credits needed by APL students vs. the fewer needed by students in the Phoenix Program.

Mr. Hennessey advised the Board more detailed information regarding the APL and other alternative education programs would be provided at the September 15, 2008, meeting.

The Board reviewed and discussed the written report provided regarding the FY ’08 faculty and staff’s leave usage. The Board requested ongoing quarterly reports regarding this matter. Dr. Conley suggested during the next contract negotiations the Board consider alternatives and/or incentives for teaching staff regarding continuing education vs. the use of student days.

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The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, August 14, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, 120 Ayers Street.

Mrs. Conti asked Board members to review and forward their comments regarding the proposed SU By-Laws to Mr. Santorello or Mr. Cecchinelli, as timely as possible.

Mrs. Conti introduced JJ Norway, the new student representative. Mr. Norway said he was entering his junior year, played three sports, and was looking forward to serving on the Board.

Mr. Phillips commented on Mr. Norway’s astounding speech to the student body prior to the election, which he believed contributed to Mr. Norway’s successful election to the Board.

Mrs. Conti announced that future SHAAC meetings would be called as needed, and that with the Committee would serve in an advisory capacity only to the new Athletic Director, Pat Merriam.

The next Facility Committee meetings are scheduled for June 26, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the SHS & BTC Campus Library.

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for July 8, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.

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

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

The next planning/discussion meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

The Annual Retreat is scheduled for August 19, 2008.

Respectfully submitted,