BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
April 27, 2009
Present: Dan Axtell, Jack Bryar, Russell Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matthew Guild, Stephen Major, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, Christopher Hodsden, Ryan Parkman, Eliza Masure, Priscilla Lambert, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
Russ Capron will update the board on legislative topics involving education under Item 5, Reports.
The minutes being considered under Item 3 are those of April 13, not April 27.
The board will be asked to consider a leave request under Item 8, Business for Discussion/Action.
3. Consent Items:
There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of April 13, 2009 are accepted as presented.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
Students and faculty have received a note of thanks from members of the Bellows Falls Women’s Club for their enjoyable afternoon of art and music entertainment at the high school.
5. Reports:
A. Principal
Board members received current year enrollment figures and an update on the school’s Action Plan.
B. Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent Harpster noted topics of discussion during Winton Goodrich’s recent workshop with school board members, including:
· the voting by substitute representatives at WNESU meetings;
· televising WNESU Board meetings;
· increasing discussion at board meetings about student performance and educational issues;
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April 27, 2009
· finding ways to increase attendance at School Report Night
· the idea that some supervisory unions operate more effectively under an executive committee rather than representatives from member district boards.
It does not appear that stimulus money will be earmarked for school construction.
C. Technical Center Representatives
No reports
D. Student Representatives
A list of ideas compiled by Student Council members for ways to improve the building and grounds was distributed. Being Eliza Masure’s last meeting, the board thanked her for her participation.
E. Committees and Special Projects
Representatives from Rockingham’s Article 6 Committee are preparing a brief presentation for the May 11th high school board meeting. .
F. WNESU
The April meeting has been changed from the 22nd to the 29th. Margaret Perry will be unable to attend.
G. Legislative Update
Presented by Russ Capron
6. Policies:
A. Volunteers and Work Study Students (Code D7)
Matt Guild moved to adopt the Volunteers and Work Study Students Policy (Code D7) as presented. Laurie Rowell moved to table action pending clarification and consistency of terminology in the policy as presented. The motion to table passed unanimously.
B. First Reading:
(1) Graduation Requirements (Code F30)
Stephen Fine moved to reject Graduation Requirements (Code F30) as presented. Following discussion, Mr. Fine’s motion was withdrawn, and he then moved to refer this policy to the Policy Committee. The motion passed unanimously.
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April 27, 2009
(2) Open Campus Policy (Code F32)
Stephen Major moved to warn Open Campus Policy (Code F32) for adoption. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Resignations and/or Appointments:
Matt Guild moved to accept Jennifer Cohun’s letter of resignation effective June 30, 2009. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. Retreat
A board retreat will be held on May 16, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Final arrangements with respect to location and meals will be made by Superintendent Harpster and Chairman Clark.
B. Recognition of Significant Contributions
The Policy Committee was asked to draft a policy referring to ways significant contributions to the school can be recognized.
C. Leave Request
Michelle Banning has asked permission to use four professional development days as part of a 30-hour observation requirement for her Master’s licensure program. The Chair asked the administration to place this matter on the next agenda for action.
9. Directors’ Comments:
Margaret Perry encouraged board members to attend graduation ceremonies on June 18th.
Jack Bryar noted that, subject to certain conditions, stimulus money will be available for broadband service.
10. Date of Next Scheduled Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for May 11, 2009.
11. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the meeting and no objection, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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