SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL & BARRE TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

Board Secretary: Donna Holden

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Christine Conti, called the Monday, December 1, 2008, meeting to order at 6:00p.m., which was held in the SHS & BTC Campus Library, 155 Ayers Street, Barre, Vermont.

2. Executive Session

A. Student Discipline Matter

At 6:00 p.m. on a motion by Ms. Taylor seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to enter into executive session, pursuant to Title 1 § 313, to discuss a student matter.

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

At 6:40 p.m. the Board exited executive session.

On a motion by Mr. Santorello seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted unanimously voted to approve the administrative recommendation for the student matter.

3. Announcements and Awards

Mr. Phillips advised the Board of recent student achievements, and the upcoming drama production Sussical, December 3-6. He also announced the loss of two former SHS students, Sanjin Alagic and Emir Mahmutovic, as the result of a motor vehicle accident in Connecticut. Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org/.

4. Visitors and Communications

None

5. Curriculum Reports

None

6. Items for Board Action

A. Approval of Minutes:

November 17, 2008 – Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Mr. Storz, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of November 17, 2008 –Regular Spaulding High School Union District Board Meeting, as submitted.

B. Schedule

The Board reviewed the multi-faceted schedule proposal, which included three separate schedules. The first schedule was for the 9^th grade, the second parallel schedule was for 10, 11, and 12^th grades, and the third, a 4 hour 15 minutes Tech Center schedule. The 9^th grade scheduled was broken into six 45-minute, year-long, periods to enhance structured study, while the upperclassmen schedule was divided into three 90 minute blocks, and both contained one 113 minute block, which included lunch. All regular high school students would begin classes at 8:00 a.m. (the Tech Center would begin at 9:33 a.m.) and band students would meet at the end of the day for 43 minutes. He said teachers were expected to be available to students before and after school, beginning at 7:35 a.m.

Mr. Phillips advised that a new schedule would affect staffing, budget and the Program of Studies, which was nearing its completion and ready for publication.

Mr. Norway expressed concerns from the student’s perspective, stating that shifting music from the before school slot to the after school slot did not address the desire to have music imbedded in the regular daily schedule, and created a significant conflict for athletes. Mrs. Conti agreed, and suggested the Board hold public hearing on the matter before taking action, which would be held December 15, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the school auditorium.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Pope, the Board unanimously voted to postpone action on the proposed schedule until a special meeting scheduled for December 22, 2008.

C. Academic Mentoring Program

Mr. Hennessey reviewed the AMP proposal, which he reiterated would be used to address the regular students who do not qualify for special education, Phoenix, or other special programs or services. He said the program would use the current APL resources, i.e. funds, staff, and space, to serve up to 24 9^th and 10^th graders and provide assistance in organizational and study skills, and individual course work to assist students in successfully completing the regular education courses they were enrolled in.

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mr. Cecchinelli, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Academic Mentoring Program, as discussed.

D. Barre Technical Center Action Plan

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed the three-year action plan, which contained five goals and multiple action steps in the areas of enrollment process, literacy, mathematics, sending high school connections, and staff development. She noted the plan had been reviewed and approved by both the Tech Center staff, and the Regional Advisory Board.

The Board requested a column be added to note the date the goal was completed, and to provide a status reports to the Board on the plan’s progress.

On a motion by Mrs. Pope seconded by Dr. Pizzo, the Board unanimously voted to approve the 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 BTC Action Plan, as presented.

7. Items for Information and Discussion

A. FY 2010 Budget

The Board discussed the Spaulding High School budget, proposed cuts, and anticipated revenue. The SHS budget was currently proposed at $10,508,868, a 5.7% increase, which included $2,206,834 in special education spending (up 21.4%) and $8,049,967 in regular education spending (a decrease of 0.9%), however prior year unanticipated expenses of $165,967 for Tech Center tuition reimbursement and $86,100 in tax note interest were included for an additional 2.5% accounting adjustments increase.

Dr. Bacon advised that at the current rate of spending, and if the CLA and pupil counts remained unchanged, the Barre City Tax rate would decrease from .48¢ to .45¢ and Barre Town rate would decrease from .55¢ to .52¢. The Board also acknowledged that the anticipated revenue side of the budget did not include use of the fund balance, and that tax stabilization or special projects would be discussed after the spending side of the budget was determined.

The Barre Technical Center budget was not discussed, but was proposed at $2,729,360, a 25.5% increase, which included the pre-tech and electrical programs that would [in part] be reimbursed through Perkins Grant funds, bringing the actual education increase to 11.2%, and $233,848 for refund payments to sending schools of prior year tuition.

B. Guidance Office Review

The Superintendent distributed a memo that included information regarding:

· the State’s guidance standard of 300 students/counselor,

· current 975 (898 SHS,77 BTC) student case load distribution of 100 to the Director and 175 to each of the current 5 counselors,

· proposed/anticipated 956 (879 SHS, 77 BTC) case load distribution of 100 to the Director and 259 to 3 counselors and 226 to the transferred Tech Center Guidance Coordinator/counselor,

· and neighboring school counselor/student ratios (that with changes would place SHS as third highest in ratio below the other Tech/High Schools: Essex and Burlington)

Discussion ensued, which included wide support for the current staffing levels despite declining enrollments, the increased needs of students and families, expanded services provided by the guidance department, and administrative support in the area of student discipline.

Dr. Bacon advised that if all positions were maintained the case load ration would be approximately 1:195.

C. Business Teacher Position

The Board discussed the disappointing under-enrollment of the Tech Center’s Business and Finance Academy since its inception approximately three years ago, and whether to eliminate the Tech Center Program and move the core subjects of sports management, business law, and computer apps to the high school course of studies.

Dr. Bacon advised that if the BTC program was dissolved and moved the business teacher position at SHS poised for elimination should be retained.

Ms. Chamberlin advised the Board the business teacher position at the Tech Center would also be retained and utilized to imbed some features of business ownership and entrepreneurship into each of the remaining tech courses.

Mr. Phillips advised that pursuant to the Board’s recent class size directive; he was reviewing neighboring schools and SHS student/teacher ratios and class size by sections by discipline. He advised that based on the preliminary results of the review he anticipated further recommendations, which could include additional staff reductions.

Mrs. Conti requested a summary sheet be prepared for the December 15, 2008 meeting to include a list of expenses transferred from the Tech Center to the High School, proposed and new staff and other cuts.

8. Reports to the Board

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Bacon provided an oral report including distribution of a Washington Post article regarding class size. He discussed and received the Board’s endorsement to continue with the fact-finding process regarding a parent notification system that would send phone alerts/messages to parents regarding school matters. He also discussed recent staff development, and as part of his Regional Superintendent’s uniform school calendar project received the Board’s support to include fall and spring parent/teacher conferences in the upcoming school calendar schedule.

B. SHS Principal

Mr. Phillips reviewed his written report, which included information regarding the potential elimination of, and combining of, courses due to the class size directive and concerns. He also advised that calls were being made to parents of all absent students, which he said had been widely received and supported the school’s message that each student was care about enough to make a call to check on their well-being.

Campus and other general information may be viewed at www.shsbtc.org

C. Barre Technical Center Director

Ms. Chamberlin reviewed her written report, and distributed the September and October minutes of the RAB meetings.

D. Barre Supervisory Union

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, December 11, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., in the Central Office Conference Room, 120 Ayers Street.

E. Student Representatives

Mr. Norway reported that the Tide Pride feedback was as expected; students reported school spirit was better, broader, and alive when there were organized activities, such as the homecoming activities, pep rallies, and other events.

Mr. Hennessey advised the Board of a recently developed committee that would be working on expanding the number of school assemblies and student communication activities. He agreed to add Mr. Norway and Ms. Grubb to the committee, and to provide a follow-up report to the Board.

F. Facility Committee

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, December 4, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the SHS Campus Library.

9. Other Business

Mrs. Conti invited and encouraged as many Board members as possible to attend the Phoenix graduation ceremonies on January 20, 2009, at the Wall Street complex facility, with a breakfast served at 8:30 a.m. and the graduation ceremony at 9:00 a.m.

Dr. Pizzo encouraged members to read the current issue of Time Magazine, which includes articles on today’s education.

10. Executive Session

None

11. Adjournment

On a motion by Dr. Pizzo seconded by Mrs. Pope, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:50 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 policy review/working session meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2008, at 6:00 p.m.

The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2009, 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