SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, November 17, 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 advised the Board of a number of student achievements. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

3. Visitors and Communications

None

4. Curriculum Reports

A. Human Services Presentation

On behalf of the program director, Ms. Richardson described the programs and reported the Human Services program was historically and currently fully enrolled with a total 20 FTE students.

Ms. Chamberlin also advised the Board a program expansion proposal was being prepared and would be presented at one of the upcoming December Board meetings.

B. Cosmetology Presentation

Andrea Richardson and Lori Matava discussed the fully enrolled, two-year (1500 hour) program, which currently served 28 FTE students in day classes and 7 FTE students in the newly introduced 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. evening program.

Ms. Chamberlin reported that the 2010 budget included expenses to rebuild the hair washing stations, and that grant funds would be used for other equipment replacement.

C. Culinary Presentation

Wendy Clark provided an overview of the current program, which served 18 FTE students. She said among other courses, students were taught a National Restaurant Association college equivalent “safe serve” course, and also offered a dual enrollment option with New England Culinary Institute that provided successful students up to $10K in scholarships at NECI. Ms. Clark reported that some equipment upgrades and replacements had recently been made; however, there were still other equipment and program improvements still needed.

Mrs. Conti thanked the presenters and encouraged Board members to schedule appointments for tours at the Tech Center, high school, and Phoenix programs.

6. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

November 3, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of November 3, 2008 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

B. Action Plan

The Board discussed the multi-faceted Action Plan, which addressed six target goals and action steps in the areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Professional Development, School Climate, and Community Engagement.

The Board requested that Mr. Phillips provide a mid-year progress report on the plan’s implementation.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2008-2009 SHS Action Plan, as submitted.

C. Security Camera Purchase

D. Interior Door Locks

E. Pavement Repairs

Mr. Santorello and Mr. Evans provided the Board with information regarding the request for authorization to spend the remainder of the 2008 $50K special article capital repairs funds to purchase 7 additional security cameras for the campus at $14,330, and 120 interior door lock sets at $14,500. Mr. Evans reported that repair of the exterior granite façade at the auditorium entrance, previously approved at $14,950 from the funds was anticipated for completion within the next week.

Mr. Evans also discussed the recently identified floor tile repairs needed in the science and math hallways, which were estimated at $10,800 (science hall) and $7,000 (math hall) for a total of $17,800. He said funds for the repairs, which would be scheduled during the December and February breaks, would be from the approximate $60K remaining in the FY ’09 construction budget, which included, among other items, replacement of the phone system and science lab replacement/refurbishing project.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the use of special article funds for the $14,330 security cameras purchase, and $14,500 interior door lock purchase, as presented.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the use of FY ’09 construction budget funds for the $17,800 science and math hallway floor tile repairs, as presented.

Mr. Evans advised the Board of a current $250-$300K estimate to repave the campus driveways and parking lots, and noted the estimate would undoubtedly increase during the next paving season. He agreed the Facility Committee would continue to work on prioritizing capital project needs and would likely provide special article proposal(s).

7. Items for Information and Discussion

A. Schedule

Mr. Phillips reviewed, and the Board discussed, the two scheduling proposals submitted at the November 3, 2008 meeting, which included a five-block schedule option with split blocks for 40 minute periods, and an A/B 4x4 alternating day block schedule, as the second option. Mr. Phillips also distributed a six-period schedule option.

Mrs. Pope also provided an alternative schedule proposal, which included a combination of year-long 50 minute periods and 80 minute blocks. Mr. Phillips agreed to closely review the proposal.

The Board agreed to review the materials discussed and revisit the matter for action at the December 1, 2008 meeting. Mrs. Conti encouraged members to direct questions to Mr. Phillips.

B. Academic Mentoring Program

Mr. Hennessey reviewed the AMP proposal, which he noted would use the current APL resources, i.e. funds, staff, and space, to serve up to 24 9^th and 10^th graders to provide assistance in organizational and study skills and individual course work. To serve the existing APL students, the Board discussed the option of an interim expansion of the program to grades 11 and 12 students, with the goal to eventually transition to a grade 9 and 10 program only.

The Board agreed to review the materials discussed and revisit the matter for action at the December 1, 2008 meeting.

C. Custodian Hire

As follow-up to a question that arose during the November 3, 2008, budget discussion, Mr. Phillips reported that a custodial position approved in the FY ‘09 budget was under recruitment, however still remained vacant. He said a position that was previously in the Tech Center budget was shifted to the high school budget and the Tech Center would pay an 18% fixed cost allocation for custodial expenses. To clarify, he said there was an approved (9^th) vacancy to fill but not an additional (10^th) custodian position, from the reallocation.

D. FY 2010 Budget

The Board discussed both the high school and Tech Center budgets, proposed cuts, and anticipated revenue.

8. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including announcement of the SU Board’s approval of their FY ’10 budget. He also advised the Board of his work with regional superintendents to develop a regional school calendar.

B. SHS Principal

Mr. Phillips had nothing to add to his report. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

C. Barre Technical Center Director

Ms. Chamberlin had nothing to add to her written report.

D. Curriculum Director

E. Technology Coordinator

F. Special Services Director

None

9. Other Business

None

10. Executive Session

A. Personnel Matter

At 8:43 p.m. on a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a personnel matter.

Dr. Bacon was invited into the executive session.

At 9:45 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

The Board directed the Superintendent to evaluate the Guidance Department.

11. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Storz seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:50 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, December 1, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

The next policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2008, 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