SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Campus Library

November 16, 2009

 

 

 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

John Santorello, CHAIR, Representing Barre City, term expires 2012

Nancy Pope, VICE-CHAIR, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2011

Norma Malone, CLERK, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2012

John Pizzo, Representing Barre Town, term expires 2010

Giuliano Cecchinelli, Representing Barre City, term expires 2010

Richard Storz, Representing Barre City, term expires 2011

JJ Norway – Class of ’10, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

Tom Walz, Representing Barre City, term expires 2012

Charlie Norway – Class of ’11, SHS/BTC Non-voting Student Representative

 

ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT:

Dr. John Bacon, Superintendent of Schools                               Penny Chamberlin, Technology Center Director

Bob Phillips, Principal                                                    Scott Griggs, Assistant Tech Center Director  

Chris Hennessey, Assistant Principal

                                                                                   

GUESTS PRESENT:


None

 

Board Secretary:  Donna Holden

 

 

1.         Call to Order

 

The Chairperson, John Santorello, called the Monday, November 16, 2009, meeting to order at 6:10 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont

 

2.       Announcements and Awards

3.         Public Comment

 

None

 

4.         Approval of Minutes of November 2, 2009 Regular Board Meeting

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mrs. Malone,  the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of November 2, 2009 regular meeting, as submitted.

 

5.         New Business

 

A.     First Reading of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Compliance

(HIPPA) Policy (GBG)

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Reading of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Compliance (HIPPA) Policy (GBG), as submitted.

 

 

B.     Preliminary FY 2011 Budget Presentation (BTC)

 

Ms. Chamberlin presented copies of the preliminary BTC budget of $3,127,637.81, which represented a 14.48% increase.  She said the major drivers of the increase in the budget included a $500K expense for the new pre-tech program, which was expected to be offset by at least $100K in revenue, and an appropriation of $108K for year one of a five-year plan for equipment replacement.  Ms. Chamberlin also explained a $30K reimbursement toward the equipment would be forthcoming in revenue bringing the actual expense to approximately $75K.

 

Ms. Chamberlin also discussed the anticipated FY 2011 tuition rate increase, which would be set in the range of $9,900 to $10,100, an increase from the current $9,160 tuition; however, she noted the average tuition rate for other VT tech schools of similar size was at $12,300 (which likely included transportation not provided by BTC). 

 

Ms. Chamberlin indicated the Board would be provided the revenue side of the budget from Mrs. Rosa as timely as possible.  She asked members to contact her with any questions or concerns.  

 

6.         Old Business

 

A.     Tech Center Action Plan

 

Ms. Chamberlin briefly updated the Board on the progress of some items listed in the plan. 

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the FY 2010, FY 2011 and FY 2012 BTC Action Plan, as presented.  

 

7.         New Business (CONTINUED)

 

A.     Preliminary FY 2011 Budget Presentation (SHS)

 

Mr. Phillips presented copies of the preliminary SHS budget of $11,732,847.84, which represented a 4.70% increase.  He said the major drivers of the increase in the budget included a $400K expense for building improvements, $70K in health care changes, $142K for special education, which would in part be offset with revenue, and $107K in tech tuition.  Mr. Phillips advised that further adjustments were needed, including the addition of upcoming NEASC expenses.  The Board acknowledged receipt of revenue information from Mrs. Rosa was also needed as timely as possible.

 

The Board agreed questions should be forwarded to Mr. Phillips and Dr. Bacon.  The Board would review the budget again at the December 7th meeting, and the Finance Committee would refine the budget at their December 8th meeting.   The Board further agreed a special meeting would be convened if needed to continue work on the budget.   

 

B.     Flexible Spending Account

 

Dr. Bacon advised the Board of the flex plan benefit provision offered to BTMES teachers who may enroll and elected to set aside a percentage of pretax wages into an account for reimbursement of child care, medical, or other qualified expenses.  Dr. Bacon said the SU Board granted approval to offer the plan to SU employees, and that he would like to move forward with modifications to the plan and offer the option to other employees district-wide. 

 

On a motion by Mrs. Malone seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the addition of a flex plan option for SHS/BTC employees.

 

8.         Other Old Business (if needed)

 

None

 

9.         Reports to the Board

 

A.     Superintendent

 

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report advising he was contacted by the teachers’, paras’, and custodians’ union representatives to begin negotiations.  Mr. Storz volunteered to serve on the paras’ negotiation team, Mr. Cecchinelli volunteered to serve on the teachers’ negotiation team, and Mr. Santorello volunteered to serve on the custodians’ negotiation team.

 

Dr. Bacon agreed to set meeting beginning in early December and all Board members were invited to sit in on meetings.

 

Dr. Bacon also advised the Board of the norm setting process recently conducted by the SU Board and offered to conduct a similar exercise with the Board is desired.

 

The Board agreed to the Superintendent instructing Mr. Hazzard to set up e-mail accounts for each member with the intention its use would be specifically for school related business.  

 

B.     Principal

 

Mr. Phillips provided and brief oral report advising that Ms. Sedore and Mr. Desmarais would serve as the school’s leaders on the NEASC Committee and other committees were being organized.  

 

C.     Tech Center Director

 

None   

 

D.     Committee Reports

 

Finance Committee:  meeting scheduled for December 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

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

Curriculum Committee:  meeting scheduled for December 3, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

Personnel Committee:  May 2010, to be determined.

 

10.       Future Agenda Items

 


December

NECAP (science) Report

Ninth grade progress

SRO Incident Report

Date and reminder of Phoenix Grad date

 

January

Substitute Teacher Usage

Teacher Time Used Report

NEASC House Committee Rpt.

 


Mr. Santorello asked members to contact him with other agenda items.

 

 

 

 

11.       Executive Session

 

A.                Student Issue  §313(7)

B.                Contract Issue §313(1)

 

At 7:35 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 student matter and a contract matter.  

 

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

 

At 8:14 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

 

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to support the student’s request to continue attendance at Spaulding High School.   

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board voted to approve the teacher sabbatical request as presented.  Mrs. Malone abstained.  

 

12.       Adjournment

 

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:15 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, December 7, 2009.

·         The Board will hold a policy review/working session meeting Monday, December 21, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted, 

Donna Holden