Gail Conley, Interim Superintendent of Schools Cindy Donlon, Principal

Tommy Walz, Technology Coordinator Bob Phillips, Principal

Dr. Carmel Sperry, District Special Ed Coordinator

GUESTS PRESENT:

Video Vision Tech John Pandolfo George Drew

1. Call to Order

The Vice-Chairperson, Guy Isabelle, called the Monday, November 5, 2007, meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Executive Session – Student Expulsion Hearings

At 5:00 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss student matters.

Dr. Conley, Ms. Donlon, Mr. Phillips, students and parents, were invited into the executive session.

At 6:25 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

The Vice-Chairperson, Guy Isabelle, called the Board back into order at 6:30 p.m.

3. Announcements and Awards

Ms. Donlon and Mr. Phillips discussed a number of items, some of which included congratulating the fall sport teams, reminding listeners of the November 19 parent/teacher conference day, and recognition of other students and student events.

Mrs. Conti thanked the community members who helped with the concession stand during the VT Ravens game, which netted a $1,000 contribution toward the athletic field improvements. She also offered her condolences and thanked the family of Duane Kittredge for designating memorial contributions to the Spaulding High School Athletic Facility Improvement Fund.

Ms. Donlon introduced, and the board welcomed, Dr. Carmel Sperry, Director of Special Education Services, who will be spending 40% of her time on the SHS Campus.

Mr. Isabelle commended the staff for their efforts to handle the tragic loss a student. He thanked the community and students for their response, also.

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

4. Visitors and Communications

None

5. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes: October 1, 2007 – Regular Board Meeting

B. Approval of Minutes: October 15, 2007 – Regular Board Meeting

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2007, Regular Board Meeting, as discussed.

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2007, Regular Board Meeting, as discussed.

Referencing the minutes of 10/15/07 item 7, Mr. Santorello commented that if the wearing of hats was not permitted in the building as a sign of respect for the flag that flies above it, he felt it would be appropriate to begin school Board meetings with the pledge of allegiance, also as a sign of respect.

C. Second and Final Reading of Security Policy (ECA)

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Mrs. Conti, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of the Security Policy (ECA), as submitted.

D. Second and Final Reading of Wellness Policy (EF)

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Second and Final Reading of the Wellness Policy (EF), as submitted.

E. Substitute Pay

Dr. Conley reviewed his recommendation to increase substitute pay, in an effort to attract qualified subs and be competitive with surrounding districts.

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted o postpone action on the matter until the November 19, 2007 meeting, pending review by the Finance Committee at their meeting on November 17^th.

F. Request for Sabbatical Leave

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the fall 2008, half-year, sabbatical leave for Christine Smith, as requested, and recommended by the Superintendent.

The Board was advised that the replacement for this teacher would not be considered a long-term substitute, but would receive a ½ year contract with full teaching responsibilities expected, i.e. planning, grading, etc.

6. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Superintendent Search

Dr. Conley distributed a DRAFT report from the Superintendent’s Search Committee, which was seeking input and support for the process from all district Board members, and advised that the search would be conducted by the search team rather than outsourcing through the VT School Board’s Association. He pointed out the draft proposal was to have an all inclusive search committee of 25 members.

The next meeting of the Superintendents Search Committee is scheduled for November 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Central Office.

B. SU Coordination and Communication

Dr. Conley briefly reviewed his summary of what the roles and responsibilities of the SU Board.

Mrs. Conti advised that the SU was created in 1997 and requested a review of the SU structure vs. that of a Unified School District.

C. The Future of Education

The Board reviewed the 10/10/07 memorandum from Tom James, State Board of Education Chair and Richard Cate, DOE Commissioner, regarding the future of education.

Mr. Phillips advised that administrators were invited to respond to the memo at a meeting scheduled for November 20, 2007. He noted there was nothing contained in the visionary document to argue with, however, there was also noting in the document to describe how the goals were to be met.

Mr. Pandolfo agreed, and said he too was invited to respond to the plan at the November 20^th meeting. He also questioned what steps the State would take to help schools evaluate and support he vision outlined, with the resources available.

D. Topics for Legislative Breakfast

Mr. Isabelle confirmed the Legislative Breakfast was scheduled for December 11, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. The Board agreed the major topics to be discussed included: state funding, Act 82, statewide calendar, healthcare costs and potential impact of Catamount Health Plan, SU consolidations and Board organization.

7. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Conley distributed excerpts of V.S.A. Title 16, chapter 9 § 563 Powers of School Boards, and V.S.A. Title 16, chapter 7, § 261a Duties of Supervisory Union Board.

B. SHS & BTC Campus Administrator’s Report

Mr. Phillips added to the report that budget building meetings being held with each Department Chair were nearly completed. . 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. Special Services Director’s Report

Dr. Sperry reviewed her activities since her arrival 15-days ago. When asked, she said her initial observation regarding the district was that the district was challenging and there were many needs.

E. Supervisory Union Report

The next regularly scheduled meeting, typically the second Thursday of each month, will be moved to the third Thursday this month, to November 15, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, 120 Ayers Street.

Mr. Santorello advised the Board the SU Budget currently contained a 32% increase, which included an assistant business manager position with 75% finance and 25% HR time split, a K-12 Curriculum Director position, and technology upgrades.

Mr. Isabelle asked the Board to consider their position regarding the proposed K-12 Curriculum Director’s position, which would result in a $30,000 assessment to the High School, and how the Board wanted to represent curriculum coordination at the high school. He said the coordination and responsibility was originally incorporated into one of the co-principals job description, which was vacated, and for many reasons not subsequently addressed by the Board.

F. Student Representative Report

Ms. Baker advised the Board of a recent student survey, producing the following results when asked what improvements were most needed; cafeteria upgrades, bathroom upgrades, athletic facilities upgrades. When asked about the security cameras the responding population was nearly split with the majority of freshmen in favor of the cameras, and the general feedback regarding the new food service was positive.

G. Policy and Curriculum Committee

See minutes of October 15, 2007.

H. Spaulding High Athletic Advisory Committee (SHAAC)

The next meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. in the Campus Library.

I. Facility Committee

The next regularly scheduled (last Thursday of each month) meeting would be November 29, 2007, at 5:30 p.m., in the SHS & BTC Library.

J. Finance Committee

The next scheduled meeting would be November 13, 2007, at 7:30 a.m., in Room C-2.

A follow-up meeting will be held at the Community National Bank on Saturday, November 17, 2007, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All Board members were invited to attend.

8. Other Business

Dr. Pizzo requested the Board’s support, and authorization be granted to, the Business Manager to negotiate the assistant nurse’s position.

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to authorize the Business Manger to negotiate the assistant nurse’s contract, and report back to the Finance Committee.

9. Executive Session

None

10. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:17 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, November 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 3, 2007 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

B. SHS & BTC Campus Administrator’s Report

Mr. Phillips added to the report that budget building meetings being held with each Department Chair were nearly completed. . Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

C. Technology Coordinator’s Report

F. Student Representative Report

G. Policy and Curriculum Committee