SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

UNION DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Campus Library

October 1, 2007

 

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Therese Taylor, CHAIRPERSON, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

Guy Isabelle, VICE-CHAIRPERSON, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2008

Martin Prevost, CLERK, Representing Barre City, term expires 2008

John Santorello, Representing Barre City, term expires 2009

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

Brianna Baker – Class of ’08, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

VACANT, Representing Barre City, term expires 2010

Christine Conti, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2009

 

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Gail Conley, Interim Superintendent of Schools                         Cindy Donlon, Principal

Tommy Walz, Technology Coordinator                                     Bob Phillips, Principal

 

GUESTS PRESENT:

Video Vision Tech                     Connie Lowe                            Tina Muncy                             

Louise Landry                           Mark Tatro

 

 

1.         Call to Order

 

The Chairperson, Therese Taylor, called the Monday, October 1, 2007, meeting to order at 6:05 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont. 

 

2.         Announcements and Awards

 

A.     Announcement of Teacher of the Year Candidate

 

Tina Muncy, VT Department of Education Teacher of the Year Coordinator, appeared before the Board.  Ms. Muncy explained the nomination and selection process, which recently included as a finalist SHS math teacher and interactive math program (IMP) leader, Connie Lowe.  The Board extended their congratulations and appreciation to Ms. Lowe for her service to the students of SHS & BTC.

 

Ms. Taylor also advised the Board an Outstanding Teacher of the Year reception and recognition ceremony scheduled at the UVM David Student Center on October 17, 2007, where two other SHS & BTC teachers, Tom Treece and Karen Baron, would be recognized for their service to students.   

 

B.     Recognition of Steve Allen and Mark Tatro – Room 134 Completion

C.     Headless Kids Video – Room 134 Demo

 

Ms. Donlon introduced Mr. Tatro, and read the plaque that is to be displayed in recognition of the faculty, staff, Board and community members, Steve Allen and Mark Tatro, for their contributions in the remodeling and upgrades to the Life Skills Classroom 134.  The Board and guests present also viewed the appreciation video prepared by the Life Skills students.  

 

D.     Donation of Two Defibrillators – Fire Department

 

Mr. Phillips read a letter prepared by school nurse, Lola Noyes, addressed to Robert Brown, Barre City Deputy Fire Chief, in appreciation for the two defibrillators donated to the school, which were now located at the school’s main entrance and in the gymnasium areas.  

 

Detailed information on other current and upcoming events may be viewed by visiting the school’s Web site at www.shsbtc.org/.

 

 

3.         Visitors and Communications

 

Ms. Taylor advised that the Board, Administrators, and Superintendent were dressed in semi-pro football team VT Raven t-shirts in recognition of the team’s upcoming games to be played at SHS&BTC Pendo Field on Saturday, October 7th at 1:00 p.m. against the Exeter Gamblers, and a second game scheduled for October 21, 2007 against the UVM club team UVM Catamounts. 

 

Ms. Taylor also advised that in addition to the admission and concession stand, proceeds would be directed to the outdoor facility upgrade.

 

 

4.         Items for Board Action

 

A.                 Approval of Minutes:  September 4, 2007 – Regular Board Meeting

B.                 Approval of Minutes:  September 17, 2007 – Regular Board Meeting

           

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Isabelle, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2007, Regular Board Meeting, as submitted.

 

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2007, Regular Board Meeting, as submitted.

 

            C.        Date of Legislative Breakfast

 

The Board discussed and agreed to hold the legislative breakfast on December 11, 2007, at 7:30 a.m.  The Board also agreed that healthcare costs would be a topic at the breakfast discussion.  Dr. Conley advised the Board two other big topics would be the Act 60 funding formula and supervisory union consolidations and board organization.  Mr. Isabelle suggested that Catamount Health could also impact school budgets and may also be a topic for discussion.   

 

Ms. Taylor asked Board members to send her other discussion topics for agenda consideration.

 

 

5.         Items for Information and Discussion

 

            A.        Board Member Search

 

The Board reviewed the ad being run in search of a Barre City representative.  Community members were encouraged to apply to the Barre City Elementary Board for the position that would be appointed and held until the March election, and then elected for the remainder of the three-year term vacated, or until 2010.

 

            B.        Evaluation of Initial Second Monthly Meeting

 

The Board discussed and agreed to their general support and recognition of the value of the second meeting.  Mr. Isabelle noted his sensitivity to the demands placed on Board members to attend the second meeting in addition to their own Committee work.  He agreed it would take a few more meetings to determine whether combining the meeting with the work of the P & C Committee was valid or if scheduling the P & C meeting to a separate meeting date was needed.   Ms. Taylor also encouraged continued community participation.

 

The administrators agreed to reach out to community members who have previously participated in the P & C Committee meetings to explain the new meeting schedule and to encourage continued participation. 

 

C.                 School Resource Officer

 

Ms. Taylor advised the Board it was confirmed by Police Chief Bombadier that original grant funds remained available to support an SRO position through the remainder of FY ‘08, and that a full-time SRO was planned for the FY ’09 school year at a cost of approximately $40K.   She said the Chief was working on filling the position, and also requested that the administration provide a copy of the SRO job description to the Board for further consideration of options.

 

The Board thanked the Chief and Department for their support and interest in maintaining the SRO position.

 

D.                 FY ’09 Budget Development Schedule

 

The Board reviewed the proposed schedule commencing with a draft budget to the business manager by November 9th, and after a series of meetings, final Board approval scheduled for January 7, 2008. 

 

 

6.         Reports to the Board

 

A.                 Superintendent’s Report

 

Dr. Conley advised the Board of a list of items and issues that he was currently and has been addressing. He reported his pleasure with serving as interim superintendent. 

 

            B.        SHS & BTC Campus Administrator’s Report

 

Mr. Phillips and Ms. Donlon reviewed the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) testing demands and schedule for grade 11 in the areas of written language, reading, and math for October 9-11, and noted science testing for the same group was scheduled for the spring.

 

They also discussed the recent application for a $10K grant through AARP in recognition of innovative programs, which was submitted in support of the Freshman Academy.  Mr. Phillips said if awarded the funds they would be used for expanded staff training.   

 

Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

 

            C.        Technology Coordinator’s Report

 

Mr. Walz had nothing to add to his report.

 

 

            D.        Supervisory Union Report

 

The next regularly scheduled meeting (second Thursday of each month) will be on October 11, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, 120 Ayers Street.

 

Ms. Taylor advised the Board that Carmen Sperry, from Florida, was hired to fill the SU Special Services Director position, and along with an experienced mentor, Dr. Sperry would begin on October 15, 2007.

 

Mr. Isabelle advised that the Superintendent’s Search Sub-committee would meet next week, and was receptive to input from prior Search Sub-committee participants. 

 

            E.         Student Representative Report

 

Ms. Baker and Ms. Grubb advised the Board work to organize expanded student representation and feedback was continuing on issues pertinent to the students. The first topic of research related to the TA system and how students would structure the time and their expectations of the TA system.  They also commented on the Homecoming week festivities culminating in the “best pep rally” ever, and win by the football team.

 

When queried about the new food service vendor, the Representatives advised the Board the lunch periods needed to be better balanced to avoid the long lines and waiting experienced by students in the third lunch period.  They said whether the lines are the result of better food was unclear and the service was adequate, but the waiting in lines did prevent students from having enough time to eat their lunch.  Ms. Donlon advised that the issue was being addressed.

 

            F.         Policy and Curriculum Committee

 

None

 

G.        Spaulding High Athletic Advisory Committee (SHAAC)

 

None

 

            H.        Facility Committee

 

The next regularly scheduled (last Thursday of each month) meeting would be October 25, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in the SHS & BTC Library.

 

Mr. Santorello advised the Board of the following recently prioritized list, which included academic, facility, and safety/security items totaling approximately $400K:  phone system at $90K; door locks & card access system at $70K; cafeteria/kitchen upgrade at $50K, additional security cameras for the cafeteria, heating and ventilation upgrade, and chemistry lab overhaul.

 

Mr. Santorello advised that Science Department Chair, Mr. McSweeny, would be discussing the chemistry lab requirements at the next Facility Committee meeting and that researching grant availability was being pursued to help defray the chem lab overhaul expenses. 

 

Mr. Prevost cautioned that the list of maintenance items was constantly evolving and being evaluated. He said all of the items have been deferred and/or neglected for too long and all needed to be addressed now.

 

            I.          Finance Committee

 

The next scheduled meeting would be October 16, 2007, at 7:30 a.m., in Room C-2.

 

 

7.         Other Business

 

None

 

 

 

8.         Executive Session

 

None

 

 

9.         Adjournment

 

On a motion by Mr. Isabelle seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at        7:45 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 planned as a working/discussion meeting.

 

The next planning/discussion meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 15, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,   

Donna Holden