SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

Video Vision Tech Donald Singer Karine Marineau

Tom McSweeney Ilene Gillander

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 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

None

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

None

5. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

August 4, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of August 4, 2008 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

B. Appoint Vice Chair

Mrs. Conti nominated Mrs. Pope. Hearing no other nominations, the Board unanimously voted to elect Mrs. Pope to serve as Vice-Chairperson.

C. Substitute Pay

The Board requested a detailed report, which should include the definition and requirements for each sub, super sub, long-term sub, the current fee schedule and when it was last amended, proposals for amendments to the fee schedule, annual sub use and costs, training programs, policies, staff and student handbook excerpts (if applicable), etc. The Board also also suggested the sub-coordinator be invited.

D. Action Plan

Mr. Phillips reviewed the draft 2008-2009 Action Plan, which included seven goals within the areas of development of a school mission, literacy, mathematics, science, professional development, school climate, and community engagement. Mr. Phillips said the purpose of the goals were to be both objective and measurable. He asked for Board feed-back within the next two weeks, which would contribute toward a final plan being presented to the Board for adoption.

Mr. Santorello suggested including guaranteed access to a math instructor after school and for a four-hour block on Saturday morning.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Virtual High School

Ms. Grubb advised the Board she would take a virtual high school course during 4^th block of the second semester. She agreed to report further on the details of the course selection at the October 6, 2008, meeting.

B. Vacant Board Seat

Dr. Bacon reported it was up to the Barre City School Board to select and nominate a member for the SHS Board's approval. He said the nominee would serve until the election in March, at which time he/she would have to run for the seat. Dr. Bacon also advised that a second advertisement seeking interested parties would appear in the Times Argus.

C. Retreat Agenda Items

Mrs. Conti advised the Board and administrators the retreat would be held September 15, 2008, beginning at 4:00 pm, with the location of the meeting to be announced. Agenda items discussed included: development of school goals and priorities, action plans for SHS and BTC, technology expectations and implementation, and communication.

The Board agreed that schedule and class size issues were still critical pieces of work for the Board and they would continue to discuss on an ongoing basis until satisfactorily addressed,

Mrs. Conti asked Board members to send her or Dr. Bacon agenda ideas. She said a draft agenda would be prepared and distributed in advance for feed-back.

D. Policies

· Field Trips (IJOA)

Mr. Phillips reviewed the policy and proposed amendments. The Board discussed the chaperone section and agreed the number required should be dependent on other criteria including the event, activities, free-time, etc., and the administrators would provide their recommendations prior to request for the Board's approval.

Mr. Phillips agreed to re-draft the policy for a first reading at the Board's October 6, 2008 meeting.

· Animal Dissection

The Board discussed the model policy, required pursuant to Act 154 of 2007-08 session 16 V.S.A. § 912. Mr. McSweeney reported there was no objection to the policy.

Mr. Phillips agreed to format and present the policy for a first reading at the Board's October 6, 2008 meeting.

7. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon queried the Board on their acceptance of receiving bi-annual Board salary payments, as a cost savings effort by the Central Office. The Board agreed, to receive payments on a September and February schedule.

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report on current and upcoming issues, including development of four goals based on what he believed would initially best serve the district. He outlined the four goals set forth as 1.) To create a vision for the schools within the SU with a focus on student learning, 2.) Better understand and develop effective use of the finances and spending within the district, 3.) Provide support and guidance to the administrators throughout the district, and 4.) Create and develop methods to achieve greater efficiencies and collaborations for the schools in the district. He also reported discussed results of the August 12 & 13 District Administrator retreat.

Dr. Bacon suggested the Board coordinate decisions with the other schools in the district regarding the use of the school's surplus funds, which would provide the taxpayers the best strategy for its use to either lower or stabilize the community's tax rate, or improve each school's facility.

B. SHS Administrators’ Report

Mr. Phillips reviewed the written report provided to the Board in their packets. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

The Board agreed to host a new employee reception prior to the October 6, 2008, meeting.

C. Barre Technical Center Director’s Report

Ms. Chamberlin distributed and reviewed her written report.

D. Technology Coordinator’s Report

E. Student Services Director’s Report

The Board agreed, in lieu of regularly scheduled in-person reports from the Technology Coordinator and Student Services Director, that monthly written reports would be acceptable, and that either Director would be scheduled for an in-person report if requested by the Board or Director.

F. Supervisory Union Report

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, September 11, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, 120 Ayers Street.

The Board agreed to accept Mrs. Conti's offer to temporarily serve as the third representative to the Supervisory Union Board.

G. Student Representative Reports

Ms. Grubb advised the Board it was the goal of both representatives to increase their accessibility to students and provide expanded student representation through results from more surveys, newsletters, and installation of a suggestion box in the guidance office.

H. Spaulding High Athletic Advisory Committee (SHAAC)

Mrs. Conti advised the Board she had not met with the Athletic Director to date, however, expected to within the next two weeks.

I. Facility Committee

The next Facility Committee meetings are scheduled for September 25, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the SHS & BTC Campus Library. (Last Thursday monthly)

J. Finance Committee

The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2008, at 5:00 pm in the SHS & BTC Campus Library. (1^st Tuesday monthly)

8. Other Business

None

9. Executive Session

None

10. Adjournment

On a motion by Ms. Taylor seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:10 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 Annual Retreat is scheduled for September 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

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

The next policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2008, at 6:00 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