BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
October 12, 2009
Present:
Daniel Axtell, Russell Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matthew Guild, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present:
Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Andrea Allbee, Sharon Reynolds, Christopher Hodsden, John Broadley, Marion Major, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
None
3. Consent Items:
There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of September 28, 2009 are accepted as presented.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
Congratulatory letters were received from the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program and Educational Testing Service for significant contributions made by Justin Aube and Craig Divis at the 2009 AP Reading. The Chair asked that copies of these letters be appended to the minutes.
5. Reports:
A. Financial
A memo from the Business Manager was included in the agenda packet stating that due to time constraints related to preparing for the audit, bank statements and encumbrances have not been included in the financial report.
B. Principal
(1) Science Tests
Science NECAP results were distributed. Science teachers will be working with the administration to identify ways to strengthen student performance.
(2) Virtual High School
During a recent Budget Committee meeting, members of the committee discussed what this school does well, and identified AP classes as one area. The state is looking for a virtual high school model, and grant
Bellows Falls Union High School
Page Two
October 12, 2009
funding is available. Principal Hodsden intends to pursue the idea of offering interactive television AP classes to other students in the state.
(3) BFUHS Counseling Newsletter
The Guidance Department compiled a newsletter for students and families, a copy of which was included in the agenda packet.
(4) Other
NECAP exams begin on October 13.
Principal Hodsden would like the board to begin considering what it would like to do with the stock bequeathed to the school by Virginia Brown.
Student council members at BFUHS and Springfield High School endorse the idea of naming the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual football game after Moe Haskell.
A BFUHS student, Luke Alderman, died as a result of an unfortunate accident; students were given an opportunity to recognize this loss with a moment of silence in his honor and an assembly.
C. Superintendent of Schools
(1) Medicaid
Although Medicaid reports were filed late, the Business Manager does not believe there will be any penalties imposed.
(2) Local Assessment Strategies
Superintendent Harpster updated the board on the work of the local assessment committees.
D. Technical Center Representatives
Brattleboro – no report
Springfield – enrollment numbers have increased since the opening day count.
E. Student Representative
No report
F. WNESU
The unapproved minutes of September 23, 2009 were included in the agenda packet. The next meeting is scheduled for October 28, 2009. The BFUHS and Rockingham boards will hold a joint meeting at 6 p.m. on the same evening to discuss the transitioning of students from junior high to high school.
Bellows Falls Union High School
Page Three
October 12, 2009
G. Committees and Special Projects
(1) School and Community Relations Committee
Minutes of the September 12, 2009 meeting were included in the agenda packet.
(2) Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee
Minutes of the meeting of September 28, 2009 were included in the agenda packet.
(3) Budget Committee
Minutes of the meeting of September 29, 2009 were included in the agenda packet.
(4) Article 6 Study Committee
No report
(5) Policy Committee
The committee continued discussions on the procedures for academic eligibility of students to allow participation in co-curricular activities. Principal Hodsden will revise the draft procedures in response to these discussions.
6. Graduation Requirements Policy (F-30):
Laurie Rowell moved to adopt Graduation Requirements (Code F30) Policy as presented, with the following modifications to the second paragraph: “Upon successful completion of this course work and other requirements, students will have demonstrated mastery of the 9-12 learner outcomes as identified in the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. Mastery will have been demonstrated by students’ achievement of grades A, B, or C on the official transcript.” The motion passed unanimously.
7. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. Purchasing Guide
Stephen Fine moved to approve the WNESU Purchasing Guide created August 13, 2009 and revised September 30, 2009 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Purchase of Computers for Non-Professional Employees
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve the Procedure for District Support of Non-Professional Staff Purchases of Technology as included in the agenda packet, with the exception of extending the deadline for these purchases to
Bellows Falls Union High School
Page Four
October 12, 2009
October 31. The motion passed on a vote of six in favor (Capron, Fine, Mitchell-Love, Axtell, Guild, Rowell) and one opposed (Perry). The Chair did not vote.
C. Joint Use of Facilities Agreement – Hadley Field
Margaret Perry moved to approve the Joint Use of Facilities Agreement by and between the School Boards of the Town of Rockingham School District and Union High School District #27 for a five-year period beginning July 1, 2009, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
D. Drivers’ Education Car
The Chair has examined the Drivers’ Education car and does not feel that it exhibits any glaring safety defects, but is concerned about possible deterioration of structural integrity if used over the winter months, and the potential for high maintenance costs. Principal Hodsen has not had the time to put out bid specifications for a used vehicle. Matt Guild moved to accept Durand Ford Toyota’s bid for a 2010 Ford Escape XLT 4WD, exclusive of the trade-in option for the 1998 Ford Windstar. Stephen Fine moved to table, which motion passed.
8. Directors’ Comments:
Laurie Rowell observed her daughters’ enthusiasm about projects undertaken in science at another school, and encouraged the administration to make the curriculum interesting for our students. Ms. Rowell thanked Principal Hodsden for his participation in a recent dedication of a bench in memory of a former high school student, Lindsey Illingworth, and suggested that future dances such as the recent Homecoming Dance be extended to 11 p.m. as an incentive for students to head home upon the conclusion of the event.
Jan Mitchell-Love noted that there is a program that will cover the cost of food that is being served during NECAP preparations, but volunteers are needed to eliminate the cost of paying cafeteria staff for the extra time. Ms. Mitchell-Love also extended appreciation for the efforts of the school’s athletic trainer.
According to Marion Major, the new Resource Center is being well received by students.
Russ Capron commended Melanie LaRoss and the Guidance staff for the newsletter they published.
9. Date of Next Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for October 26, 2009.
Bellows Falls Union High School
Page Five
October 12, 2009
10. Adjournment:
Margaret Perry moved to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
| 