BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
June 22, 2009
Present: Russ Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matt Guild (8:25 p.m.), Stephen Major, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Andrea Allbee, Christopher Hodsden, Paul Obuchowki, John Broadley, Priscilla Lambert, Suzanne Groenewold, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Russ Capron presented Paul Obuchowski with a VSBA Service Award with thanks for his 30 years of service to the school and community.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
Principal Hodsden noted that he is not ready to request appointment of a Social Studies Teacher or Summer School Mathematics Teacher (Items 10C and 10E).
Jan Mitchell-Love requested executive session discussion about a staff appointment, and it was the consensus of the board to discuss all appointments (Item 10) in executive session.
The Chair moved Item 4, School Board Retreat, to follow Item 6, Communications and Public Comments.
3. Executive Session:
There being no objection, the Chair declared that the board is entering executive session at 7:34 p.m. for the purpose of discussing a student matter and staff appointments, and invited the administration, as well as the student affected and the student’s parents, to attend.
The Chair returned the board to open session at 8:10 p.m.
4. Consent Items:
Jan Mitchell-Love asked that Item 4C of the minutes of June 8, 2009 reflect that she and Jack Bryar “explained”, not “apologized for”, their reasons for overriding the carpet selection that had been made, and noted the word “approve” was misspelled on Page Six, Item 9A[3]. There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of June 8, 2009 are accepted as corrected.
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5. Communications and Public Comments:
None
6. School Board Retreat:
The Chair apologized for not having distributed Board Retreat notes sooner. Items that can be addressed in the short term were reviewed.
7. Reports:
A. Financial Summary
The Business Manager provided the board with a financial summary as of June 17, 2009, which indicates an anticipated surplus of $35,979. Russ Capron reviewed the variances and believes the surplus is closer to $30,000.
B. Principal
The BFUHS Band received the Alumni Parade’s 1st place Youth Band Award.
Principal Hodsden intends to put 1,763 sq. ft. of additional carpeting and 1,289 sq. ft. of additional tile replacement out to bid. If the prices are similar to bids for the other flooring being completed this summer, both projects will come in around $200,000, which is lower than the amount authorized by voters at annual meeting.
C. Superintendent of Schools
Principal Hodsden, Sharon Reynolds, and Superintendent Harpster met with Doug Dows to discuss progress with regard to cost reduction in Special Education. Board members received a memorandum from Superintendent Harpster dated June 17, 2009 outlining initiatives that will be looked at as a means of continuing to reduce Special Education spending.
D. WNESU
The next meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2009. Margaret Perry will not be attending.
E. Committees and Special Projects:
(1) School and Community Relations Committee
Minutes of the May 2nd meeting were included in the agenda packet. If funded, Suzanne Groenewold would like to publish and mail copies of the Terrier Times quarterly. Jan Mitchell-Love moved to establish a reserve account in the amount of $14,820 from the FY09 surplus to cover production, printing, and distribution of quarterly issues of the Terrier Times during FY10, and the purchase of a camera and
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software. Margaret Perry moved to table the motion. The motion to table failed on a vote of three in favor (Fine, Perry, Capron) to four opposed (Rowell, Mitchell-Love, Guild, Major). Discussion ensued; with Principal Hodsden being asked why the cameras in the digital photography class can’t be used. Mr. Fine noted that Ms. Groenewold does not have a contract for FY10 at this time. The suggestion was made that the cost of production could be offset by selling advertising. The motion passed on a vote of four in favor (Rowell, Mitchell-Love, Major, Guild) to three opposed (Fine, Perry, Capron). The Chair did not vote.
(2) Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee
No discussion
8. Graduation Requirements Policy (F30 – Revised):
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve Graduation Requirements (F30) for first reading. Stephen Major suggested that there be further discussion on procedures. Ms. Mitchell-Love’s motion was withdrawn, and she then moved to refer Graduation Requirements (F30) to the Policy Committee for further discussion. The motion passed.
9. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. Audit Bid
Stephen Fine moved to award a three-year bid for professional audits to Fothergill, Segale & Valley, at a cost of $10,000 for FY09, $10500 for FY10, and $11,000 for FY11. The motion passed unanimously.
B. School Newsletter
No further discussion
C. Fiscal Year End 2009 Borrowing
Stephen Fine moved to borrow an amount not to exceed $500,000 from Merchants Bank at 1.89% in the form of a Revenue Anticipation Note for FY10 as recommended by the Business Manager. The motion passed unanimously.
D. Loan Bid for Carpet
Stephen Major moved to borrow an amount not to exceed $215,000 from Chittenden Bank at 3.05% over a period of five years, as recommended by the Business Manager. The motion passed unanimously.
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E. With respect to Student #2011107, Laurie Rowell moved to affirm the disciplinary action of the administration, and to take no further action on the matter. The motion passed on a vote of six in favor (Capron, Mitchell-Love, Rowell, Major, Fine, Perry) and one abstention (Guild).
10. Appointments:
A. Assistant Principal
Margaret Perry moved to approve a contract for John Broadley as Assistant Principal for the 2009-2010 school year. Ms. Perry amended her motion as follows: to authorize the Superintendent to negotiate a contract with John Broadley as Assistant Principal for the 2009-2010 school year, and to bring the contract back to the board for approval. The motion passed unanimously.
B. English Teacher
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve a contract for Katheryne Kauffmann as English Teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Special Educator
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve a contract for Erica Moody as Special Educator for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Summer Contract
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve a CFG 2009 summer contract for Ryan Kelly as English Teacher. The motion passed unanimously.
F. .5 Mathematics
Laurie Rowell moved to approve the reappointment of Kim Wilkinson as .5 Mathematics Teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed on a vote of six in favor (Capron, Fine, Rowell, Perry, Guild, Major) and one abstention (Mitchell-Love).
G. Mathematics
Laurie Rowell moved to approve the reappointment of Sean Murphy as Mathematics Teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
H. Summer Drivers’ Education
Laurie Rowell moved to approve a 2009 summer contract for Jack Cohun as Driver Education Teacher. The motion passed unanimously.
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11. Directors’ Comments:
None
12. Date of Next Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for July 13, 2009.
13. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the meeting and no objection, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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