BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
October 26, 2009
Present:
Daniel 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, Andrea Allbee, Christopher Hodsden, Sophie Geha, Aaron Morton, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
Discussion regarding a technical grant will be added to the Technical Center Representatives report (Item 5C).
3. Consent Items:
There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of October 12, 2009 are accepted as presented.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
Stephen Major noted that his agenda packet has not been arriving in time for a proper review of its contents.
5. Reports:
A. Principal
A comparison of NECAP Science test scores for students in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island was distributed.
NECAP testing has concluded, and Principal Hodsden commended students on their preparation and effort shown during the exams, and thanked volunteers who donated time and resources during preparation and testing.
Principal Hodsden was asked how if he had a contingency plan in the event there was an H1N1 outbreak. Superintendent Harpster has been meeting with nurses to review state recommendations and devise a plan for isolating students who are ill until they can be transported home. Letters have gone home to families asking them to be prepared to promptly pick up their child if they get a call from school, and to provide a second set of emergency phone numbers. Students will have an opportunity to receive the H1N1 vaccine on November 9.
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B. Superintendent of Schools
Conversations are beginning about the upcoming legislative session. The Commissioner of Education is putting consolidation back on the agenda.
Andrea Allbee informed the board that the auditor was not able to keep her scheduled visit to the Supervisory Union office and there are still some outstanding items that will prevent the draft being available for review in early November.
C. Technical Center Representatives
Brattleboro – no report
Springfield – the board continues to work on goals and the FY2011 budget
The Department of Education is looking for a statewide model for distance learning. If the technical grant RVTC is applying for is approved, BFUHS may have an opportunity to become part of the content model.
D. Student Representative
Student Council members are helping the Westminster Schools with their Halloween Parade, and Our Place with Project Feed the Thousands.
Stephen Major shared his daughter’s suggestion regarding Senior Project; Marion feels that the project is intense for a relatively short period of time, so she wonders if it may be good for seniors to have a homework-free week to give them time to complete the project.
E. WNESU
The next WNESU Board meeting is scheduled for October 28th.
F. Committees and Special Projects
(1) Budget Committee
A meeting has been scheduled for October 27th.
(2) Article 6 Study Committee
The next meeting is scheduled for November 10th. The Rockingham board has decided to pursue renovations of the existing Middle School building. Stephen Fine questioned why this topic continues to be on the high school agenda, since their plans do not involve the high school any longer.
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(3) Policy Committee
A committee meeting will be scheduled prior to the next board meeting to review the revised procedures for co-curricular eligibility and the weapons policy.
6. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. Springfield/BFUHS Football Trophy
Springfield’s Student Council is no longer supporting the idea of recommending that the Springfield/BFUHS Football Trophy be named after Moe Haskell, giving consideration to the fact that there may be a number of people who are deserving of this honor. Principal Hodsden suggested that this might be best referred to a committee with joint town membership to discuss further.
B. Drivers’ Education Car
Principal Hodsden outlined the efforts he made to acquire bids for a used automobile. Dealerships are questioning why the specifications call for four-wheel drive. Jack Bryar suggested that a lease program be considered.
The Chair asked the board for consideration of the tabled motion made by Matt Guild at the last meeting, 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, at a price of $23,907. The motion failed on a vote of three in favor (Rowell, Axtell, Guild) and six opposed (Capron, Fine, Mitchell-Love, Bryar, Major, Perry). The Chair did not vote. The Chair and Principal were asked to come back to the board with two proposals for all-wheel drive vehicles, one new and one used.
C. State Street Stock Disposition
Principal Hodsden offered suggestions for the use of 1,000 shares of State Street stock that was bequeathed to the high school by Virginia Brown. Jack Bryar suggested that a non-profit organization be formed to manage the bequest. The Chair asked the Business Manager to work with Mr. Bryar to review the instrument and suggestions for its use. Jan Mitchell-Love moved to authorize using the State Street stock dividend check in an amount less than $300, received by Princnipal Hodsden, to cover last year’s scholarship shortfall. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Winter Co-Curricular Contracts:
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve the following co-curricular contracts for the 2009-2010 school year:
Evan Chadwick – boys’ basketball,
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Justin Aube – girls’ basketball,
Scott Harrington – boys’ JV basketball,
Jeff Wilson – freshman boys’ basketball,
Claude Weyant – wrestling, and
Brad Hammond – indoor track.
The motion passed unanimously.
8. Directors’ Comments:
Russ Capron commented on accounts payable issues he has been monitoring, including a payment for snow plowing sent in December 2008 that was paid on October 5, 2009. Stephen Fine asked the Business Manager to explain how this situation occurred at the next meeting.
Jack Bryar thanked volunteers who assisted with providing students with snacks during NECAP testing.
Stephen Major commended Principal Hodsden for his ideas on ways to use Virginia Brown’s bequest, and Laurie Rowell suggested that once something is decided, the information be posted on the school website so that other people who are considering donations may see how their bequest can be used.
9. Date of Next Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for November 9, 2009.
10. Executive Session:
None
11. Adjournment:
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to adjourn at 8:54 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love,
Clerk
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