SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

2. Announcements and Awards

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

Mr. Griggs also announced an open house at the Barre Technical Center was planned for October 28, 2009, tentatively beginning at 6:00 p.m., however, further details would follow.

Dr. Bacon advised the Regional Advisory Board (RAB) quarterly meeting was scheduled for September 22, 2009, at 4:00p.m., and would be held in the BTC.

3. Public Comment

None

4. Approval of Minutes of August 31, 2009 Regular Board Meeting

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Pope, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of August 31, 2009, regular meeting, as submitted.

5. New Business

A. First Reading of Volunteer Policy (IJOC)

The Board discussed and agreed language from other local school policies regarding administrative duties and work study supervision was more inclusive than the model language, therefore, it should be incorporated and presented for the first reading.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to table action on the first reading of the Volunteer Policy (IJOC), until the October 5, 2009 meeting.

B. First Reading of Substitute Teacher Policy (GCG)

On a motion by Mr. Walz seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the first reading of the Substitute Teacher Policy (GCG), as discussed, with added language to correct the cross reference listed.

C. FY ’09 Financials

Dr. Bacon provided an update on the FY ’09 unaudited financial status, which revealed an accumulated fund surplus of approximately $146K. Mrs. Pope confirmed the Finance Committee had discussed the balance on at least two occasions and had no further comments or questions.

Dr. Bacon also advised of a $137K balance in the long-term maintenance fund and recommended the Board define the proposed use of the funds during the next budget building process. The Board discussed the balance and Mr. Santorello questioned what the balance was in the dedicated roof fund.

Dr. Bacon advised to the best of his knowledge only one account existed with the $137K balance as discussed.

Mr. Santorello asked for further clarification and stated he believed the annual $25K roof fund article, which had appeared on the ballot for several consecutive years, was designed to accumulate funds dedicated to roof repairs and/or replacement. He said the $50K capital improvement/maintenance fund was initiated as a separate article two years ago with the express purpose if capital maintenance projects, and that the funds should not be commingled. The Board was further advised an anticipated $600-700K or higher price tag for roof replacement should be expected.

Dr. Bacon agreed to seek clarification of the funds, their accounting, and balances; however, he noted if the funds were jointly held an issue of interest appropriation would need further discussion. The Finance Committee agreed to discuss the matter further and provide a report to the Board.

Dr Bacon also suggested the Board could seek voter approval to merge the funds, and future articles to allocate funds to a long-term maintenance fund, which could be used for the roof or any other project.

D. Discipline Report

Along with the Board, Mr. Hennessey reviewed the report, which revealed a total number of 2008-2009 infractions at 1836, an increase of 188 from the prior year, but a significant drop from the 2005, 2006 and 2007 school years. He said the 2008-2009 increases were primarily in the areas of harassment and fighting, however, many successful steps were taken internally to reduce that numbers further.

E. Enrollments

The Board reviewed the report provided. Mr. Phillips agreed to sort the report by discipline in an effort to better achieve understanding of enrollments.

Referring to the IT enrollment numbers in the report, Mrs. Pope asked the Board to for consideration in providing optimum accessibility to IT courses for Spaulding students, and noted that many of the Tech Center’s sending schools provide their own IT curriculum for their students.

The Board also briefly discussed Mrs. Pope’s suggestion that an IT component could/should be incorporated into graduation requirements. Dr. Bacon added the suggestion that given higher education practices that an on-line learning experience should/could also be a graduation requirement.

The Superintendent, Administration, and Tech Center Director agreed to develop an IT proposal, including consultation of the State’s Technology Standards, for the Curriculum Committee’s November meeting. A report and recommendation would then be provided to the Board.

F. Field Trip(s)

Mr. Phillips provided information for two field trip requests. He said the JROTC Program requested permission to take 50 students with 4 chaperons to Washington, DC in December. Students would miss 5 class days; however, the very structured trip plan included provisions for daily study time and academic expectations. Mr. Phillips recommended approval.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Malone, the Board unanimously voted to support the field trip request by JROTC, as presented.

Mr. Phillips also informed the Board of the request by Bryan Hirschman for a marine biology trip with 16 students and two chaperons to the same environmental compound in St. John as previously visited, at the end of February into the beginning of March. Students would miss 3 days of classes. Mr. Phillips recommended approval.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to support the field trip request by Bryan Hirschman for marine biology, as presented.

G. Supervisory Union Action Plan

Dr. Bacon referred the Board to the SU Action Plan, which he explained was required when submitting the consolidated federal grant application. He said the Plan incorporated common goals identified district-wide.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to support the SU Action Plan, as presented.

6. Old Business

None

7. Other Old Business (if needed)

Dr. Pizzo acknowledged receipt of a letter addressed to the Board from a set of parents who appropriately expressed their concerns regarding the prior summer’s reading list. Dr. Pizzo asked the administration to speak with the English Department regarding the future selection of materials, that future selections require reading to be substantive, and that follow-up on an appropriate response be provided.

The Board also accepted Mr. Phillip’s explanation that development of the prior list was hasty, and improvement was a work in progress.

8. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including notice that he signed all of the district’s schools up for an H1N1 vaccination clinic offered by the VT Department of Health, which was expected to be held in approximately one month. He said when appropriate parents would be notified of the optional, free vaccination clinic and would have the option of signing their child up for the inoculation. Dr. Bacon also assured the Board the district’s administration was constantly reviewing their efforts along with Dept of Health and Dept of Education recommendations of how to minimize an outbreak. He said in preparation, and at a minimum, the district has purchased a supply of masks, is widely making hand sanitizer available, enhancing maintenance efforts, etc.

Dr. Bacon advised the Board contracts for teachers, para educators, and maintenance staff would expire on June 30^th. He said the unions have initiated talks, which would begin soon; therefore, the Negotiation Committee would need to be assembled for meetings at a future date.

Dr. Bacon also reminded the Board of an October 8^th tri-board meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the SHS Library, where a tutorial of the newly installed Financial Management System would be provided. All members were encouraged to attend.

B. Principal

Mr. Phillips highlighted some points of the written report provided. He also advised that the Barre City and neighboring police departments were investigating the call that precipitate the closing of school today at SHS and interrupted U-32. He said the event also prompted administrators to review and implement the crisis response policy and protocols.

C. Tech Center Director

Mr. Griggs highlighted some points of the written report provided.

D. Committee Reports

Finance Committee: meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

Facility Committee: meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Curriculum Committee: meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

9. Executive Session (if needed)

A. Personnel Matters

At 8:46 p.m. on a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel matter.

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

At 9:15 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

The Board unanimously agreed to approve the signing of the para-educators’ master contract.

10. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone, 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 Board will hold a regular meeting On Monday, October 5, 2009.

· The Board will hold a policy review/working session meeting Monday, October 19, 2009.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden