BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
March 23, 2009
Present: Dan Axtell, Jack Bryar, Russ Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matt Guild, Stephen Major, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, Chris Hodsden, Ryan Parkman, Eliza Masure
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Adjustments to Agenda:
Russ Capron will report on legislative topics involving education under Other Business (new Item 8).
A student records matter will be discussed in executive session.
Windham Regional Technical Center Report will be added to Other Business.
3. Consent Items:
David Clark is also on the Warrant Signing Committee (Item 2[J]) and the list of media to be used to announce school board functions and activities should be attached to the official copy of the minutes. There being no objection, the Chair declared that the board approves the minutes of the meeting of March 9, 2009 as modified.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
None
5. Reports:
A. Principal
(1) Flooring
Invitation to Bid and Specifications, and Scope of Work were included in the agenda packet.
(2) The musical presentation, “Guys and Dolls” will be held on April 3 and 4, 2009.
(3) Principal Hodsden has received notice that former teacher Virginia Brown has bequeathed property to the school.
B. Superintendent of Schools
(1) Grants
Application has been submitted for a Safe Schools Grant.
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(2) Stimulus Package
The administration continues to receive information regarding stimulus money earmarked for education.
C. Student Representatives
Eliza Masure asked Student Council members for input regarding the Building and Grounds Committee, and suggested that students in the 11th grade be approached about working on this committee with board members, since they will be spending another year on the campus.
D. WNESU
(1) The Chair appointed Russ Capron, Jan Mitchell-Love, and Margaret Perry as WNESU Board representatives.
E. Committees and Special Projects
(1) Committee Assignments
· Instruction & Educational Effectiveness – Jack Bryar (Chair), Dan Axtell, Stephen Major, Jan Mitchell-Love, Matt Guild, and Margaret Perry (Alternative Education Program will be a sub-committee)
· School & Community Relations – Jan Mitchell-Love (Chair), Jack Bryar, David Clark, Laurie Rowell
· Building & Grounds – Russ Capron (Chair), Jack Bryar, Stephen Major, Laurie Rowell, Matt Guild (Transportation will be a sub-committee)
· Budget, Finance & Long-Term Planning – Matt Guild (Chair), Dan Axtell, Jack Bryar, Russ Capron, David Clark, Margaret Perry
· Policy – Laurie Rowell (Chair), Stephen Fine, Matt Guild, Jan Mitchell-Love
· Teacher & Support Staff Negotiations – Russ Capron and Stephen Fine (Lead Negotiators), Stephen Major (Alternate)
· Executive Committee – David Clark
· Hadley Field Representative – Russ Capron
· School Resource Officer – Stephen Fine (Chair), Jan Mitchell-Love, Laurie Rowell, Margaret Perry
· Warrants – Russ Capron, David Clark, Matt Guild, Jan Mitchell-Love
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(2) Article 6 Study Committee
The committee has narrowed preferred options to renovating the existing Middle School building, or building a new school. Building a new school will involve the high school and the possibility of a cooperative venture. The Article 6 meeting schedule was reviewed and the administration was asked to send electronic reminders of these meetings to board members.
(3) School and Community Relations Committee
Minutes of the 1/10/09 and 2/7/09 meetings were included in the agenda packet.
6. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. School Board Code of Conduct
The Chair shared his version of Board Member Code of Ethics that he proposed to school board members in 2002. The VSBA recommended format of the Code of Conduct was circulated for signature.
B. Reappoint Teachers for the 2009-2010 School Year
Stephen Fine moved to approve the 2009-2010 Roster of Teachers as presented, with the following modifications:
· Remove Michael Norkun
· Mary Westbrook – Choral only
· Remove Peter Naitove
· Remove Martina Mattison
· Change John Broadley to 5% SPED, 45% Freshman Academy, 50% Activities Director.
The motion passed unanimously..
7. Appointments and/or Resignations:
Stephen Major moved to correct the prior appointment of Ryan Stoodley as JV Baseball Coach by approving, and authorizing the Chair to sign, contracts for Ryan Stoodley and Don Laurendeau each as .5 JV Baseball Coaches for the 2008-2009 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Other Business:
A. Legislative Update
Russ Capron suggested that all boards appoint a VSBA government relations representative to relay legislative actions and bills involving education that are under consideration. As policies are brought to the board for consideration, consensus was to start the review at the full board level and refer to the Policy Committee if necessary.
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B. Windham Career Center
Stephen Major outlined the progress being made in the introduction of an agriculture program for students in Grades 11 and 12.
9. Directors’ Comments:
Laurie Rowell complimented the Guidance staff as a result of her recent visit, and noted that she would like to see the high school get the quality press that Compass School receives. Laurie is hopeful that repairs to the tennis courts will be made this year, and questioned whether the administration feels it is necessary to have a sign at the entrance directing law enforcement officers to check into the SRO office upon entering the school.
Margaret Perry questioned why the SRO continues to be fully armed and in uniform during the school day.
In response to comments made by parents, Jack Bryar suggested more outreach may be needed in the area of guidance. He has heard that the Principal of Green Mountain Union High School is actively recruiting Grafton’s middle and high school students, and feels BFUHS should take an equally aggressive approach.
The Chair would like to see the board consider dedication of the refurbished baseball diamond and irrigation system, as well as addressing the petition submitted regarding dedication of the basketball court.
10. Date of Next Scheduled Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for April 13, 2009, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
11. Executive Session:
Margaret Perry moved to go into executive session at 8:37 p.m. for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter, contract matters, and a student matter, and invited the administration to attend. The motion passed unanimously.
The Chair returned the board to open session at 9:16 p.m.
Jack Bryar moved to accept the Superintendent’s evaluation of the principal. The motion passed unanimously.
Russ Capron moved that the board should consider the negotiation of the principal’s salary for the second year of his existing contract at the next meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
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12. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the meeting and no objection, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 9:17. p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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