SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Tess Taylor, called the Monday, November 19, 2007, meeting to order at 6:05 p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Visitors and Communications

The Board congratulated the SHS football team for winning the Division II state football championship, the only one to date ever received at SHS, and also congratulated the varsity girls’ soccer team for their undefeated season.

Mrs. Conti advised the Board of receipt of $910 in memorial contribution for Duane Kittredge, dedicated to the outside athletic facility upgrade project.

Ms. Grubb shared that the Speech and Debate team earned a second place finish at a recent state competition, and three individual members finished with first, second and third place awards, and noted this was only the second year of the club’s organization.

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

3. Guest Reports

3.1 English Department – Stefanie Ayers-Cravedi

Ms. Cravedi provided a PowerPoint presentation, which included some of the following information: the department has one Department Chair, teaching two blocks per day, and 11 other teachers (six of which have less than 5 years of teaching within the department) each teaching three blocks per day for a total of 70 section-blocks per year. She said there were 17 courses, including the Freshman Academy, plus five electives available for students to choose from. In addition to discussing the change in testing and assessments from the NSRE to the NECAP, Ms. Cravedi discussed the department’s accomplishments, service, and challenges. Among the desired changes for the department were the need for more computers, better communications, staff development, and hope to travel with students to nearby historical locations and attend productions/plays. Ms. Cravedi also advised that efforts to embed English into other curriculum was greatly needed, but had stalled and required assignment of a new coordinator.

3.2 Science Department – Tom McSweeney

Mr. McSweeney also provided PowerPoint presentation that detailed, among other information that the department had one Department Chair, teaching two blocks per day, and nine other teachers teaching several courses each, for a total of 15 courses, plus plans to include marine biology next year. He discussed the new NECAP testing requirements in science but advised changes to the curriculum would have to be evaluated after results for the testing are received. Mr. McSweeney stated that the biggest challenges to the department were the out-of-date condition of the labs, and scheduling.

4. Items for Board Action

4.1 Substitute Pay

Dr. Conley reviewed the proposal to increase unlicensed sub pay to $73.00 per day for three-blocks, in an effort to be both consistent district-wide, and to be more competitive with neighboring districts.

On a motion by Mr. Isabelle seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to approve the increase the unlicensed substitute pay to $73.00 per day, as discussed.

The Board discussed the need for development of a process/procedure for reviewing and deeming individuals qualified to serve as substitute teachers, and the consistent reviewing of their performance. Mr. Phillips advised the Board of a “sub manual” that had been developed by the Instructional Committee for this year’s implementation, and had just been distributed to two new substitutes this year.

On a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Santorello, the Board unanimously voted to direct the Administration, through the Superintendent, to review the “Substitute Manual” for content to achieve the development and implementation of a process to assess substitute teacher qualifications, and document teacher feed-back and reviews of the substitutes.

5. Items for Information and Discussion

5.1 Athletic Program Philosophy (IGDJ)

5.2 Athletic Program Procedures (IGDJ-E)

5.3 Athletic Program Goals (IGDJ-R)

Mrs. Conti advised the Board the SHAAC was developing an “Athletic Guide” that would incorporate much of the existing policies, and was expected to be ready for presentation to the Board at the 2^nd February, 2008 board meeting.

Mr. Isabelle noted that many features of the current policies may not be adhered to through the current language, i.e. intramural sports, transportation, etc. The Board also briefly discussed the subject of student transportation to practice fields outside the Campus area.

The Board agreed to have the SHAAC also discuss the eligibility policy/practices, and to bring a proposal to the Board at a February meeting.

6. Other Business

Mr. Santorello made a motion seconded by Mrs. Conti, that effective the Fall 2008 school year, that SHS change to a 5 one-hour block schedule with one of the five blocks set aside for science or math labs, as needed, and to continue to allow one block as teacher preparation time, and an extra block set aside for Department Chairs.

Discussion ensued including whether integration efforts with the Tech Center would be impacted by the change, whether work done by the Campus Scheduling Committee or other working committees would be impeded, and what other affects the change would have.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Prevost, the board unanimously voted to postpone action on this matter until the December 3, 2007 meeting, and pending Dr. Conley’s thorough evaluation of the proposal.

7. Executive Session

7.1 Student Discipline Review, Title 1 § 313 (a) (7)

7.2 Personnel Complaint, Title 1 § 313 (a) (3) (4)

At 8:05 p.m. on a motion by Mrs. Conti seconded by Mr. Prevost, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313 to discuss a student and personnel matter.

Dr. Conley, Ms. Donlon, Mr. Phillips, and Dr. Sperry were invited into the executive session for the topic of Student Discipline Review. All three exited Executive Session after that discussion.

At 9:15 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

8. Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Prevost seconded by Mrs. Conti, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:16 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 regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 3, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

The next planning/discussion meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 17, 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