SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

Video Vision Tech David Delcore, Times Argus

Ilene Gillander

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, August 4, 2008, meeting to order at 5:55 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Announcements and Awards

None

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

None

5. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

July 21, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of July 21 2008 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as discussed.

B. Second and Final Reading of Harassment Policies (GBCD, JFCM-R, JFCM, GBCD-R)

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of Harassment Policies (GBCD, JFCM-R, JFCM, GBCD-R), as presented.

C. First Reading of Field Trip Policy (IJOA)

The Board reviewed and discussed the DRAFT policy. Major items of concern included language for transportation provisions with regard to cost, liability, and legal requirements, and the need for groups to raise transportation costs as part of their fund raising activities. The Board also discussed the proposed chaperone ratio.

Ilene Gillander addressed the Board regarding the policy and her concerns that the policy was too restrictive and would prohibit travel, which she felt was a valuable and necessary educational experience and tool of learning.

Mrs. Gillander explained she had served as coordinator to the SHS Travel Club for 35 years and had organized and over the years experienced 46 trips abroad, providing foreign travel opportunities to students and families through the American Council for International Studies (ACIS), a private organization. She said the students fundraise through SHS for their trips and/or family vacations during the summer so as not to interfere with other school endorsed fund raising activities. Mrs. Gillander said the ACIS foreign travel program was fully insured, very well organized and managed, and that she has worked with her travel team for approximately 10 years.

The Chair questioned whether continued “SHS Travel Club” affiliation was appropriate since to the policy travel required travel be curriculum based, and whether fund raising through SHS for private student and/or family vacations and trips was appropriate and should be prohibited.

At the Board’s request the Administration agreed to make amendments to the policy and bring it back for a first reading at a future meeting.

D. Revised Administrator Contracts

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Chair to sign to the amended administrator contracts.

E. Teacher Appointments/Contracts

Mr. Phillips advised the Board the $40,507 math teaching contract for Catherine Guiffee approved on 7/21/08 was declined by the candidate in favor of a position in another school.

Dr. Bacon advised the Board the new candidate, Mr. Spear, had completed the licensure program in VT and applied for a license through the DOE, however, a provisional license may be needed if the official license is not received by the beginning of school.

On a motion by Ms. Taylor seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the math teaching contract for Taylor Spear at $32,515, as presented, pending proper licensure.

Mr. Phillips advised the Board of the good fortunate of receiving an application from a certified art teacher to provide the long-term sub, maternity leave coverage, needed for the first semester. Dr. Bacon advised the Board Ms. Nikel was certified and licensed.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to approve the long-term sub art teacher contract for Erin Nikel, prorated at a BA level 1 rate.

Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board the certified and licensed special education teacher recommended brought the Tech Center nearer to required compliance levels, however, she was still determining whether another certified teacher or para would be appropriate to reach the appropriate level.

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Tech Center special education teaching contract for Kathi Fuller.

Mr. Phillips distributed a memo from Athletic Director, Pat Merriam, regarding his recommendations for the full time athletic trainer and fall coaches.

The Board agreed to discuss these matters in executive session.

F. Academy for Personalized Learning (APL)

Dr. Bacon reported to the Board that he had discussed the APL program with the adult ed/GED Program Coordinator at the DOE. Dr. Bacon said he was advised that GED tests do not meet the equivalent, or academic rigor, of a high school diploma, and that tests require an accumulate score of 450 with minimum qualifications in each of the five sections of the test, as opposed to the score of 550, which is the standard to indicate students were ready for college. He also said to provide instruction and tutoring the instructor was required to be certified in each of the four subject areas, or to be supervised by a certified instructor. Dr. Bacon also advised that students must be age 16 or older and have dropped out of school to be eligible for the GED program.

The Board reviewed the options outlined in the 7/30/08 memo from the SHS/BTC Administration, and were advised by Mr. Phillips that of the 26 students enrolled in the2008-09 APL program, three students could qualify for the Phoenix Program, and 1 potentially for Mythos. He said 12 students were in the final year of the two-year program and he felt the school should honor the promise of a diploma made to those students when they began the program.

Dr. Bacon offered a fourth option to the three listed in the 7/30/08 memo, which he said would require more thought and work on details. He said students should no longer receive a SHS diploma but rather students should be advised up front that they were in a GED Certificate preparation program through the school system and they would have to withdraw from Spaulding to take the final GED test.

The Board also discussed within the Superintendent’s option that the APL Program transition in a year to awarding a certificate not a diploma, but students that were close to completing the current APL program would be given the option to complete the program for a diploma during the upcoming year only.

Ms. Taylor asked that the matter be referred to the Curriculum Committee to thoroughly explore the continued viability of the APL Program, and/or the options presented, including further vetting and development of the Superintendent’s option #4. Mrs. Pope also expressed a lack of information and complete understanding of the program’s structure, regulations, components, etc. moving forward.

Mrs. Conti said she felt the matter needed more immediate attention to provide students and families with their options.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board voted to continue with the APL Program consistent with option one (1) of the 7-30-08 memo and option four (4) as discussed, which provided the instructor use the GED curriculum with Department Head supervision in the areas of Science, Social Studies and perhaps Math, that the 12 senior students and 9 junior students currently enrolled be given the option to complete the program for a diploma this year only, and that other students be advised of the GED Certificate preparation process and withdrawal requirement for GED testing. Motion passed 5-1-1. Mrs. Pope voted no. Mr. Santorello abstained.

The Board agreed the Administration would report the status of the APL to the Board by December 31.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Class Size Updates for All Classes

The Board reviewed the information provided and noted that driver’s education information was excluded. Mr. Phillips advised the Board the in-school suspension instructor would be supervising the driver’s ed students at the time those students were not in the driving rotation. Dr. Bacon questioned whether that could be done within the parameters of the Title 1 grant, and would investigate.

The Board will be provided updated class size table again at a later date once the final numbers are accurate.

B. Schedule Committee

Mr. Phillips reported the Committee had not met in some time, however had looked at 11 different scheduled with dramatic variances. He said the Committee would be prepared to report two options for the Board by November. He asked the Board’s confirmation of the problems to be addressed, which included scheduling music during the school day, and adequate scheduling for 2-credit courses (AP and labs). The Board added more access to music, art, and library services, perhaps through a split block of 45 minute periods. The Board was asked to provide Mr. Phillips with feedback on what they wanted to keep, and what worked.

C. Maintenance and Custodial Services for Mythos Program

Dr. Bacon reported that he was informed the Phoenix and Mythos sites were no longer receiving custodial and maintenance services.

Mr. Santorello reminded the Board the lack of personnel was the result of the custodial position that was put on hold due to the Board’s decision to contain expenses for the end of the FY ’08 school year.

The Board requested the Superintendent inquire into contracted services at the off-site location already being provided by a vendor to other tenants at that location.

D. Medicaid

Dr. Bacon advised the Board the BCEMS and BTMES schools each received approximately $90K per year in Medicaid payments for providing school nursing and special education billable services, which was at about 80% of the total eligible for billing. He said the high school, however, only received approximately 35K, which was due to a lack of documentation and billing practices.

Dr. Bacon suggested either the high school hire a part-time Medicaid billing clerk, or it share a full-time position with the other schools in an effort to increase the funds potentially available for school-wide preventative services, projects, and programs. He said the position would be self-supported through the billing process.

The Board discussed and agreed a full-time billing clerk position through the SU would be prudent and supported, and that they would also appreciate and benefit from the clerk’s dedicated services at the High School location on a regular schedule.

E. Freshman Academy

Tom Sedore described the six academy components and provided a review of the 8/24/2007 report, which outlined the academy’s four goals of; improve student literacy, improve student behavior, reduce failure & retention, and develop strong learning teams. Mr. Sedore said results of recent assessments would be available in September, however referred the Board to very positive statistics to date. He thanked the teachers and people involved in the academy structure and said they were on tract for continued success, and expanding and exploring ways to make things better for the student centered approach and learning environment.

Mr. Sedore also advised the Board a presentation to the BCEMS Board was widely received, and with the help and support of the new K-12 Curriculum Coordinator the plan to expand the program to the 6-8^th grades would be coordinated through more contact with 6-9 teachers and professional development, etc.

Mrs. Conti thanked Mr. Sedore and said she hoped to see the philosophy and “academy” theory expanded to a 6-12 program.

F. Barre Supervisory Union By-Laws

The Board discussed and agreed to support approval of the by-laws.

G. Retreat Date

Mrs. Conti advised the Board due to a conflict she was not available for the retreat previously scheduled for August 19, 2008 at 8:00 a.m..

The Board discussed and agreed to re-schedule the retreat for the evening of September 15, 2008, at 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Community National Bank location.

H. Board Member Resignation

Mrs. Conti read the letter of resignation received from Mr. Prevost, sighting a change in his work commitments as the reason for having to step down.

The Board members expressed their regret and best wishes.

7. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon advised the Board he would advertise for the Board member vacancy for a term through March 2009, which would be opened for election for 2-years or until 2011.

Dr. Bacon advised the Board the BCEMS Board received a third legal opinion regarding the past use of Title 1 funds, which also found there was no wrong doing over the past years and nothing was payable from the Town to the City.

Dr. Bacon also advised the Board the Business Manager researched and confirmed that credits payable to sending schools as a result of budget surpluses were paid over the years, and nothing was payable from the school.

Dr. Bacon advised the Board that BTMES hired a Special Education Director.

B. SHS Administrators’ Report

The Board was provided a written report in their packets. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/. Mr. Phillips had nothing to add to the report.

C. Barre Technical Center Director’s Report

Ms. Chamberlin provided a brief oral report.

D. Technology Coordinator’s Report

None

E. Student Services Director’s Report

None

F. Supervisory Union Report

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.

G. Student Representative Reports

Ms. Grubb advised the Board she expected to begin a Virtual High School course in the 1^st semester.

H. Spaulding High Athletic Advisory Committee (SHAAC)

Mrs. Conti advised the Board she would meet with Mr. Merriam soon to set up a meeting schedule.

I. Facility Committee

The next Facility Committee meetings are scheduled for August 28, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the SHS & BTC Campus Library.

J. Finance Committee

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2008, at 7:30 a.m.

8. Other Business

None

9. Executive Session

A. Personnel Matters

At 9:00 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss personnel matters.

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

At 9:17 p.m. the Board exited the executive session.

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the coaching and athletic trainer contracts, as presented and discussed.

10. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:18 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 Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

The Annual Retreat is re-scheduled for September 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

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