BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
November 9, 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, Christopher Hodsden, John Broadley, Aaron Morton, Sophie Geha, FACT-TV
MINUTES
Call to Order: The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM, and introductions were made.
Adjustments to the Agenda: There will be no No. 8a. Appointment of Girls’ JV Basketball Coach.
Consent Items:
Review and Approve Minutes of October 26 and October 28, 2009: Margaret Perry moved to accept the Minutes as printed; the motion carried.
Communications and Public Comments: None.
5. Reports:
Principal
Science NECAP Update: Principal Hodsden reported they are continuing to work on plans for improving science scores.
October 1 Enrollment: October 1st enrollment was 391. Principal Hodsden handed out a list of students and their towns, and asked the Board to e-mail him if they find any discrepancies.
NEASC Update: The Principal and Assistant Principal reported on a very productive two-day seminar they attended, and the process which will come out of it.
Coming events: On November 13th and 14th at 7 PM, BFUHS will present “Charlie’s Aunt”. Also, BFUHS is hosting the District Music Festival on November 21st at 4 PM. Sophie Geha and two other BFUHS students will participate; don’t miss it.
Superintendent of Schools
Protocol on H1N1: Johanna handed out information from the State. She checks daily with school nurses, and Saxtons River is the hardest hit school. The Administration would prefer that you keep your sick students home, if possible. School closure will be considered if there is 45% absenteeism, and parents should be planning what they will do if the school closes. Jack Bryar recommended getting hand sanitizers.
Snow Removal Bill: There is an invoice from Bazin Brothers dated December 2008 which was never received in the Business Office or the High School Office, but has now been paid.
Johanna is pursuing a RUS Grant on video conferencing solutions.
Johanna heard from Mac Jones that Union No. 5 bus will cost $2,500-
$3,000 to get inspected. Chris Hodsden said this may be an opportunity to replace that bus with money in the budget; Russ recommended getting it fixed. This will be put on the next agenda.
Technical Center Representatives
Brattleboro: No report.
Springfield: David Clark passed around River Valley Technical Center packets, and reviewed the four budget options. RVTC is continuing to pursue a $400,000 grant to deliver a model for distance education. David recommends this Board take a field trip to RVTC, and some dates will be suggested. The RVTC budget was discussed further and David answered several questions.
Student Representative
Aaron reported that the school is collaborating with Our Place to collect non-perishable food items.
Stephen Major urged the Student Council and Faculty to be involved in the food service selection which appears further down on this agenda and will take place in January.
WNESU Unapproved 9/29/09 Minutes are enclosed.
Committees and Special Projects
Article 6 Study Committee: The meeting tomorrow night is from 7-8 PM, not 6-7 as stated.
Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee: Minutes of 10/26/09 are enclosed.
Budget Committee: The meeting is tomorrow night at 7 PM at the High School.
Special Joint Meeting with Rockingham School Board on 10/28/09: Enclosed.
School and Community Relations Committee: Jan Mitchell-Love said a subcommittee will be formed; Jack Bryar talked about sources for grant money.
Policy Committee: Met this evening and addressed the Weapons Policy and the Animals in School Policy, which will be warned for first reading at the next meeting.
Unfinished Business:
Drivers’ Education Car: Stephen Fine moved to reconsider the purchase or lease of a drivers’ education car; the motion carried. Principal Hodsden will have the present car repaired if the decision is made not to purchase a new one and introduced a motion to purchase a vehicle from the bids provided by Durand Ford at a cost not to exceed $392 per month for 60 months or $472 per month for 48 months or to purchase without financing at $19,057, at the discretion of the Administration. The motion carried with Fine voting ‘no’ because he feels the Board did not receive this request in a timely fashion.
Disposition of State Street Stock: Jack Bryar met with Andrea and reported on that conversation. There will be a motion for the Board by the next meeting.
Business for Discussion/Action:
BFUHS Representation to the WNESU Board: There was discussion of whether substitutes have a vote, and the Bylaws make it clear that they do. Russ Capron moved to operate under the present WNESU Bylaws. Margaret Perry seconded and the motion carried.
Approve Renewal of Café Services’ Contract: Stephen Major moved to renew the contract for 2009-10 only with stipulation that we undergo a full search procedure starting in January for the 2010-11 school year. Stephen Fine moved to table the motion to enter into a contract for 2009-10; after discussion Stephen Fine withdrew his motion. Stephen Major’s motion carried with Laurie Rowell voting ‘no’.
Directors’ Comments:
Laurie Rowell talked about a pile of old tires near the field hockey area and said the field hockey Dads are planning to add to it.
Russ Capron expressed his concerns about the WNESU budget discussions: we don’t know what the surplus is; the BFUHS Special Ed bus is in the Rockingham budget but should not be; Middle School assessments – Johanna will investigate; Russ will not be at next week’s WNESU meeting.
Margaret Perry will not be at next week’s WNESU meeting either.
Stephen Major commented on the Varsity football game last Saturday and said the team did an excellent job of sportsmanship.
Jack Bryar agreed about the football team – it was a tough loss.
Stephen Fine said the WNESU meeting is November 18th and replacements for Russ and Margaret must be appointed.
Jan Mitchell-Love observed that the football team has been excellent all season, and is looking forward to another good year next year.
Laurie Rowell and David Clark will attend the WNESU meeting next week as alternates, along with Jan Mitchell-Love.
Date of Next Meeting: The Chair set the date of the next meeting for November 23, 2009.
Executive Session: None. Margaret Perry asked how the Board went from needing an executive session every meeting to never needing one, and Russ credited the great Administration.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Board, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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