BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
January 25, 2010
Present:
Daniel Axtell, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matthew Guild, Stephen Major, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present:
Johanna Harpster, Christopher Hodsden, John Broadley, 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:
A. There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of January 11, 2010 are accepted as presented.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
The Chair asked if the board should consider monetary assistance for food served during the recent showing of “Shout It Out”. Principal Hodsden said that the expense will be taken care of by the Student Activities Fund.
5. Reports:
A. Financial
No discussion
B. Principal
(1) Population Statistics
Current enrollment numbers were distributed for review.
(2) Science Grant
BFUHS has been awarded a Radio JOVE technology grant, which allows students to observe and analyze natural radio emissions of Jupiter, the sun, and our galaxy. Faculty member Harvey Nystrom completed the grant application on behalf of BFUHS. Principal Hodsden noted that this will be a cross-curricular opportunity, as the Technology Education program students will help to build the piping necessary to set up the antenna.
Bellows Falls Union High School
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January 25, 2010
A recent edition of the Brattleboro Reformer positively highlighted SRO programs in Windham County.
(3) A statewide school campaign is underway to reduce underage drinking.
(4) Vermont Principals’ Association is asking high schools in the state to consider helping Haitian high school students to continue their education. Principal Hodsden will seek more information and bring details to the board at a future meeting. .
(5) Assistant Principal John Broadley spoke about High Schools That Work senior testing. The Chair suggested that, to the extent possible, the board receive a comparison of current and previous test results to provide insight for how BFUHS is doing.
C. Superintendent of Schools
(1) Legislative Agenda
Superintendent Harpster distributed information regarding legislative activities and sections of Governor Douglas’ State of the State address regarding education matters.
D. Technical Center Representatives
Brattleboro – No report
Springfield – The Technical Center board meets next week; the FY2011 budget has been finalized and sent to the member towns for inclusion on annual Town Meeting ballots.
E. Student Representative
No report
F. WNESU
Laurie Rowell, Jan Mitchell-Love, and Margaret Perry will represent the high school at the January 27th meeting.
G. Committees and Special Projects
(1) School and Community Relations Committee
No report
(2) Article 6 Study Committee
The Committee will meet on Thursday with architects.
Bellows Falls Place Union Place High School
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January 25, 2010
(3) Long-Term Planning Committee
Minutes of the January 11, 2010 meeting were included in the agenda packet.
6. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. 501(C)(3)
Jack Bryar is approaching local foundations for donations to underwrite the formation of a 501(C)(3) organization for charitable donations to support the high school. Stephen Fine noted that the legal opinion did not provide any basis for its conclusion that the board could establish a~501(C)(3). Mr. Fine also noted that no decision had been made with regard to governance, and what the board envisioned with this concept. Laurie Rowell added that the board has not agreed on establishing this fund for scholarships.
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B. Announced Tuition
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to set~$12,508 as the~BFUHS tuition for the 2010-2011 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Action Plan
Jack Bryar moved to approve the~Union High School District’s School-Wide Action Plan containing current revisions, a copy of which is~annexed to these minutes.~The motion passed unanimously.
D. Academic Support Room Appointment
Margaret Perry moved to approve the appointment of Eric Bone as .5FTE for the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Bus Bid Specifications
Laurie Rowell moved to approve the Bus Bid specifications~included in the agenda packet, a copy of which is annexed to these minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Directors’ Comments:
Laurie Rowell would like to hear about the content of curriculum being offered to students.
Margaret Perry encouraged the administration to avoid the use of acronyms when preparing the agenda.
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January 25, 2010
The Chair and Stephen Major enjoyed having the opportunity to attend a recent dinner celebrating teachers and would like the board to consider an annual event such as this.
Jack Bryar would like to see improvements to the school entry, and would like Student Council to partner with board members for a day in the classroom setting.
Jan Mitchell-Love thanked Principal Hodsden and all those involved in the production of “Shout It Out”.
8. Date of Next Scheduled Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for February 15, 2010. The freshman class will be selling roses in advance of Valentines’ Day as a fundraiser, and anyone interested in purchasing flowers is encouraged to contact the school.
9. Executive Session:
None
10. Adjournment:
Jack Bryar moved to adjourn at 9:03 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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