BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
September 14, 2009
Present:
Daniel Axtell, Jack Bryar, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matthew Guild, Stephen Major, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present:
Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Christopher Hodsden, John Broadley, Priscilla Lambert, Joe Brissette, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
None
3. Consent Items:
Laurie Rowell asked a third student, Hillary Harrington, be named as participating in the academic eligibility discussion at the last meeting. There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of August 24, 2009 are accepted as amended.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
Joe Brissette recited his concerns regarding what he believes to be a lack of communication between students, families, and the school regarding Senior Project timelines.
5. Reports:
A. Financial
Due to illness, the Business Manager was not present to review the financial information contained in the agenda packet. Stephen Fine asked whether progress was being made in having the auditors remove the statement from the FY08 report that $26,000 of the school’s funds were unsecured and uncollateralized, and why member boards have not received copies of the procedures manual that was to be compiled by the Business Office staff. Jack Bryar would like to see the terminology used in financial reports explained, as well as a comparison to prior year figures. The Chair suggested that these ideas be discussed at the Supervisory Union level.
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B. Principal
(1) Enrollment
Enrollment numbers as of September 14, 2009 were distributed, and Principal Hodsden compared them to 2005 statistics.
(2) Diversity
Staff training in diversity issues has begun during in-service time.
(3) Graduation Rate
Principal Hodsden conservatively estimates a graduation rate of 73%.
(4) State Board of Education Visit
BFUHS will host the Board of Education meeting this week. Board members were invited to join them for lunch.
(5) Driver Education Automobile
The van used for Driver Education is in need of significant repairs, and Principal Hodsden feels that it may be time to consider replacement.
C. Superintendent of Schools
(1) Transportation
Information is being gathered on how many students are using, or intend to use, school transportation to and from programs in Brattleboro in response to concern about the cost of bus transportation for a small amount of students. If a school elects to use a van instead of a bus, state law requires that a maximum of six persons (five passengers and one driver) be in the van at any time. Three students are now using school transportation in the morning on a regular basis, and five students are being transported back to the school in the afternoon.
(2) School Choice
A comparison of school choice numbers for the last five years was provided in the agenda packet.
D. Technical Center Representatives
Board members received RVTC’s data enrollment as of 9/2/09.
E. WNESU
Unapproved minutes of the August 26th meeting were included in the agenda packet.
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F. Committees and Special Projects
(1) Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee
Minutes of the August 24, 2009 meeting were included in the agenda packet.
(2) School and Community Relations
Jan Mitchell-Love asked board members to consider volunteering with the food effort for NECAP preparation classes and breakfast.
6. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. Long-Term Planning
Matt Guild asked board members about planning issues they feel should be addressed during budget preparation. Suggestions included walls, ventilation, tennis courts, communication and technology equipment, Senior Projects, Academic Resource, Special Education spending reduction, integrating music and art in classroom activities, and developing a list of maintenance repairs in consultation with the Maintenance Director.
It was suggested that the budget stay below the penalty phase and, to the extent possible, the budget stay away from an increase to taxpayers. It was noted that some of this may be accomplished by looking at student to teacher ratios. Dan Axtell added that he would like the board to keep in mind that BFUHS must be an attractive school in order to keep students enrolled. As a means of attracting students, it was suggested that marketing efforts be looked at.
B. Graduation Requirements Policy (Code F30)
Laurie Rowell moved to approve for first reading, and to be warned for adoption on the next agenda, Graduation Requirements Policy, Code F30, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Academic Resource Center (ARC) Action Steps
Woodstock’s guidelines for its ARC was included in the agenda packet. If implemented at BFUHS, the program would initially be grant funded. The Chair moved to authorize the Principal to move forward with the establishment of the Academic Resource Center, utilizing grant funding, as soon as possible. The motion passed unanimously.
D. SRO Recommendation
Jack Bryar, speaking on behalf of the SRO Committee, offered the following: While the school’s SRO is away at training, the Windham County Sheriff’s Department is offering to have someone available upon request. Jack Bryar
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moved to support the following modifications to the current SRO contract with the Windham County Sheriff’s Department (WCSD):
(1) That the school will release WCSD from providing a substitute for the SRO during her training period;
(2) That there will be no payment to WCSD during the SRO’s absence; and
(3) That the WCSD will provide coverage, upon request, during the SRO’s absence.
The motion passed on a vote of seven in favor and one abstention (Fine). The Chair did not vote.
7. Appointments and/or Resignations:
A. Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve a contract for Shelly Crawford as Life Skills Coordinator for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Margaret Perry moved to approve a contract for Katie Emond as Fall Drama Advisor for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Jan Mitchell-Love moved to appoint Julie Torres, Maureen Parker,Matt Burke, Susan Steiner, and Leslie Jones as Class Advisors for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Directors’ Comments:
Laurie Rowell thanked Policy Committee members for making what she felt was good progress with reviewing policies.
Stephen Major asked whether students had an opportunity to hear President Obama’s speech to students around the country.
The Chair reminded board members of their intention to have a joint meeting with the Rockingham School Board, and suggested that the administration see if a meeting in October would be convenient.
Jan Mitchell-Love asked board members to volunteer a few hours to help with the food program planned during preparation for NECAP assessments.
9. Date of Next Scheduled Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for September 28, 2009.
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10. Adjournment:
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to adjourn at 8:49 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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