SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

Video Vision Tech Tom McSweeney Paul Parsons

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, John Santorello, called the Monday, November 2, 2009, 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 and Ms. Chamberlin shared information regarding student and staff achievements, and recent and upcoming events. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

3. Public Comment

None

4. Approval of Minutes of October 19, 2009 Regular Board Meeting

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of October 19, 2009, regular meeting, as submitted.

5. New Business

A. October 2009 Financials

Mr. Santorello requested Board members refer their questions regarding the monthly financials to the Finance Committee. He explained it was his intention to maximize the committee process by involving the capable members of the respective committees to vet items first, and prepare recommendations if needed for the Board to discuss, which would in turn maximized the Board’s time and focus at meetings.

Dr. Bacon confirmed the Board would continue to receive the monthly statements at their first meetings monthly, and that Mrs. Rosa would be available to discuss items and answer questions at the Finance Committee meetings. He encouraged Board members to feel free to contact either the Finance Committee members or the Superintendent with their questions, which would be forward to Mrs. Rosa.

B. Student Support Counselor

Mr. Phillips provided a report on behalf of Peggy Ward. He said her current caseload of 25 students included 15 freshmen, 6 sophomores, 2 juniors and monitoring of 4 students in outside programs. Mr. Phillips also provided information regarding the successes and challenges being faced in the position.

C. Pre-Tech Outreach Program

Paul Parsons, Pre-Tech Coordinator, appeared before the Board and provided an oral report detailing the newly implemented outreach program. He said currently 41 students; 12 from U-32, 10 from Harwood, 10 from Twinfield, and 9 from SHS were enrolled in the 48-slot program, which was designed for at risk students. He said in cooperation with the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps students were taken off campus to worksites daily for approximately 4-hours. Mr. Parsons said each team had both a male and female instructor, and at least two female students were assigned to each team.

Mr. Parsons said in addition to the discipline, physical, and hands-on strategy that students were required to engage in a writing component daily in addition to taking responsibility for equipment and readiness for each day’s tasks and assignments. He was very pleased to share that of the nine SHS students participating in the program their prior year’s GPA had increase by one-full point to a 2.16 average.

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed to financing and staffing of the program. She reported that Mr. Barone was working with instructors, guidance councilors, and sending schools to coordinate curriculum and credits. Mr. Santorello asked that the Curriculum Committee also be involved and to confer with Mr. Barone regarding the program’s continued development.

Ms. Chamberlin also stated that vacant slots would be filled in January through the application process, and that her vision for students was to eventually either transition then into other tech programs or back to traditional education, and ultimately with a new appreciation for learning and being successful.

The Board thanked Mr. Parsons, and requested an end-of-year report on the program’s enrollment, student attendance, GPAs, successes and challenges, etc.

6. Old Business

A. Budget Discussion

Once again Mr. Santorello recommended Board members refer additional comments and or suggestions to the Finance Committee.

Mr. Santorello expressed his strong recommendation for adding virtual courses as an option to supplement the existing curriculum, sighting the courses could add an economical alternative to low enrollment in specific classes.

The Board agreed to request the Curriculum Director to work with Mr. Phillips to develop a proposal, which would first be presented and vetted by the Curriculum Committee, before coming to the Board.

Mr. Phillips advised the proposal could have two components including a credit recovery alternative for students, in addition to supplementing the curriculum.

Dr. Bacon added a third component of the proposal could be consideration for students with “school phobias” and/or other social or challenging learning issues.

JJ and Charlie Norway advised the Board upon personal reflection and consultation with the Student Council two requests developed 1) for additional access to clubs and organization before and after school as a tool to increase student engagement and interest in the school, and 2) to increase funding for field trips as methods of hands-on experiences for students.

Dr. Bacon also added his proposals to 1) increase athletic opportunities through co-ed and/or intramural sports programs to increase student opportunities and participation, and 2) to designate funds to increase facility repairs and long-term capital improvement funds.

7. Other Old Business (if needed)

None

8. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report advising that sending schools had been billed for an additional $80K in allowable tuition reimbursements. He said the prior year’s Spaulding High School tuition of $8,500 should have been $10,780, which generated the revenue anticipated for receipt after July 1. He noted the current FY tuition rate was recommended and set at a more accurate $10,500.

Mr. Santorello referred the matter of spending recommendations for the unanticipated $80K to be vetted through the Finance Committee.

Dr. Bacon advised the Board that student absenteeism was maintaining at a daily rate of 80-140 students, and that the district’s auditors were completing their FY ’09 review, and that the state had selected the district for and examination of special education spending.

B. Principal

Mr. Phillips reviewed several items in addition to his written report.

C. Tech Center Director

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed several items in addition to her written report.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to accept the Director’s recommendation for the technical center’s formal name change to “Barre Technical Center”.

D. Committee Reports

Finance Committee: meeting scheduled for November 10, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

Facility Committee: meeting scheduled for November 19, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Curriculum Committee: meeting scheduled for November 5, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

Personnel Committee: May 2010, to be determined.

9. Future Agenda Items

10. Executive Session

A. Negotiations

B. Personnel

At 7:25 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Walz, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss contract negotiations and a personnel matter.

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

At 9:00 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

11. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:01 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 policy review/working session meeting Monday, November 16, 2009.

· The Board will hold a regular meeting On Monday, December 7, 2009.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Holden