SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

Video Vision Tech Bryan Hirschman

David Delcore, Times Argus Jeremy Anderson

Tom McSweeney

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, October 20, 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

Mr. Phillips announced that 22 students who maintained a GPA of 4.0 or higher during all four semesters of the last school year were awarded with free passes by Sugarbush, three additional SHS students would be published in the Times Argus demonstrating their young writer talents, and three members of the Junior ROTC won top places during recent drill competitions.

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

A. Alternative Programs

· Phoenix

Alan Moore, Phoenix Program Director/Teacher, appeared before the Board to discuss the program, which he said was in its 11^th year. He said the program consistently provided services to approximately 30 students per year and had assisted in graduating more than 200 students since its inception in 1997.

Mr. Moore explained students of the alternative high school run by the SU typically work 40+ hours per week, have completely individualized plans, and are generally very close to meeting SHS graduation requirements when varied, personal, and unique circumstances force the student into the alternative program environment. Mr. Moore cited four positives for the program including success for students, positive experiences for families, its benefits to SHS, and the well spent dollars of taxpayers. Mrs. Conti thanked Mr. Moore for his dedicated service and encouraged each Board member to contact Mr. Moore with further questions, and to tour the program.

· Mythos

Mr. Phillips advised the Board the Mythos Program was originally conceived to address a population of special education qualified students from 8^th to 10^th grade who generally have severe emotional issues. He said the program began three years ago with the intention of serving up to 12 students per year, and also included the anticipation of receiving at least two or three tuition students yearly from other districts. He said disappointingly the program had not met the capacity expectations and currently had only six students, three from SHS, two from BCEMS, and one from BTMES.

Mr. McMahon advised that expenses for the four teachers, one para, and school psychologist currently attributed to the Mythos Program could be shifted to the contracted services line item and a exploration of, and transition to, other options was warranted. He said he was looking at many options including a Washington County Mental Health program, and would keep the Board apprised and present a recommendation when prepared.

· APL

Mr. Phillips reported that of the current 20 Academy of Personalized Learning (APL) students being served, nearly all were in situations that would prevent them from qualifying for either the Mythos or Phoenix programs. He said the typical APL student was aged 14-16 years old and had accrued few - if any - of the Carnegie credits required for an SHS diploma. He noted that these students were in the past offered opportunities and assistance with preparations to take the GED tests; however, he noted the Board was clear that the current model of the APL program was in jeopardy.

Mr. Phillips advised the Board he was working with Dr. Bacon to develop a new program, which should be completed within the next few weeks. He said one concept being explored for the new program might provide a decelerated academic schedule with two blocks for students to participate in regular academic classes, one block for support services such as guided study, and the fourth block for pre-tech courses or community service. He said the program might or could be designed for students for a two year period with options for transition to remain in SHS, go to the Phoenix Program, go to the Tech Center, or other.

Mr. Phillips agreed to have a plan prepared for the Board’s consideration at the November 17, 2008 meeting.

5. CONTINUED - Announcements and Awards

· New Board Member Introduction

Dr. Bacon introduced Richard Storz, the Barre City School Board appointee to serve out a Board vacancy until Election Day. He said Mr. Storz was a retired engineer, and comes with past experience as a board member in New York.

6. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

October 6, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of October 6, 2008 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

B. Second and Final Reading for Field Trip Policy (IJOA)

On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the second and final reading of Field Trip Policy (IJOA), as presented.

A field trip request was provided by Mr. Hirschman regarding a Marine Biology field trip for 11^th and 12 graders to St. John to study the marine ecosystem and human impact to that . Mrs. Conti advised the Board the request would be an action item and addressed at the November 3, 2008 meeting.

C. Second and Final Reading of Dissection Policy (IMG)

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board voted to approve the second and final reading of Dissection Policy (IMG), as submitted. Motion passed, 6-0-1. Dr. Pizzo abstained.

D. Conference and Workshop Expenses

The Board reviewed Dr. Bacon’s 10/15/08 memo regarding FY ‘08 over expenditures paid for tuition reimbursement and travel and conference expenses.

The Board agreed that language in the current teacher’s contract governed the tuition reimbursement line item, and in the absence of negotiations shifting or reinterpretation of the contract was not prudent.

E. Para-Educator Position to Supervise Driver’s Ed, and Girls Locker Room

Mr. Phillips cited liability as the major factor for his recommendation to hire a full-time para, at entry-level compensation, to supervise students in both the driver’s education room and girl’s locker room. Mr. Phillips advised the Board the cost of the position would be paid through vacancy savings.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to approve a para-professional position for the purpose of driver’s education and girl’s locker room supervision.

7. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Mission/Vision Statement

Mr. Phillips advised the Board of positive feed-back and support from the faculty, and reviewed the mission statement developed by the SHS Mission Statement Committee, which also addresses the Action Plan Goal #1.

“Spaulding High School provides a safe, healthy, and positive environment that supports learning. Through a partnership of students, educators, parents, and community, the school strives to offer a variety of educational opportunities to meet academic and social needs of all its students. Spaulding High School graduates will have the knowledge and skills to become productive, responsible citizens”.

Mrs. Conti asked the student representatives to seek feed-back from the student body and report to the Board at the November 7, 21008 meeting, when the Mission/Vision Statement would be on the agenda for adoption.

Ms. Grubb left during the next item.

Dr. Pizzo left during the next item.

Mr. Norway left during the next item.

B. FY ’10 Budget Presentation

Business Manager, Linda Rosa, appeared before the Board to discuss the initial version of the FY ’10 budgets.

The total SHS budget was presented at $11,427,197 a 15% increase, of which $8,804,239 (up 8.4%) was from regular education and $2,622,959 (up 44.2%) was from special education.

The total Tech Center budget of $2,372,430, up 9.1% was presented, which contained $116,032 in special education expenses. Ms. Chamberlin also advised that the total budget was not yet reduced by Perkins grant funds for the new electrical program expenses.

The Board also recognized the change in allocation of expenses at the plan-wide level, with the Tech Center charged 18% of plant operating costs, i.e. phone, heat, electricity, maintenance staff, etc.

The Board reviewed each page of the budgets, questioning and commenting on many line items, which will be edited and/or corrected. The Board will discuss the next draft at the November 17, 2008 meeting.

8. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report and included information regarding Ms. Chamberlin’s request to transfer guidance counselor Amy Lester back to the Tech Center. He explained that when the vision was to merge the high school and tech center into a joint campus entity, Ms. Lester worked along with other guidance counselors to provide services to all students. He said with the shift back to a separate entity campus, it was concluded that Ms. Lester would better serve the Tech Center students if she was dedicated to that entity. He said the transition would take place during the winter months of this year for a full Tech Center FTE next year.

B. SHS Administrators’ Report

Mr. Phillips provided information regarding current and upcoming events. SHS and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

C. Barre Technical Center Director’s Report

Ms. Chamberlin provided a brief oral report.

9. Other Business

None

10. Executive Session

A. Contract Negotiations

B. Legal Matter

C. Student Discipline Matter

At 9:45 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 §313 to discuss contractual, legal, and student matters.

Dr. Bacon, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Hennessey, and Ms. Chamberlin were invited into the executive session.

At 10:17 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

11. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Ms. Taylor, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:20 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 Monday, November 3, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

The next policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with FY ’10 budget preparation discussion scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 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