BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
May 24, 2010
Present:
Dan Axtell, Jack Bryar, Russell Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Matthew Guild, Jan Mitchell-Love, Margaret Perry, Laurie Rowell
Also Present:
Christopher Kibbe, Christopher Hodsden, John Broadley, Parents and Community Members, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
2. Adjustments to the Agenda:
The Chair moved Item 7(A), Public Complaints About Personnel, to Item 12, Executive Session.
3. Consent Items:
There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes are accepted as presented.
4. Communications and Public Comments:
The Department of Education has extended thanks for science teacher Susan Steiner’s involvement in the Professional Development Network Program.
Boys’ Basketball Coach Evan Chadwick introduced himself and noted that he was available for questions. Chris Hackett, Jim Kilburn, Jeff Ruggiero, Jeff Wilson, and Cindy Riendeau spoke in support of Mr. Chadwick’s work with students. The Chair postponed further discussion about the basketball program until the June 14th meeting to allow time for the topic to be placed on the agenda.
5. Reports:
A. Financial
Assistant Superintendent Kibbe reviewed the financial information included in the agenda packet and informed the board that the school is in a position to pay off the $500,000 Revenue Anticipation Note, which is being taken care of within the next week. At this time a year-end surplus in the range of $50,000 is anticipated.
B. Principal
The Department of Education has determined that BFUHS made AYP in all areas, including the graduation rate. Margaret Perry asked
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Principal Hodsden for ideas about ways the students and staff can be congratulated for their accomplishments.
Board members received a copy of “A Parent Guide” that was mailed to all parents. The brochure talks about social issues that may arise during proms and graduation, and is published by the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition. The Chair would like to see discussion of the topic on a future agenda. Jan Mitchell-Love noted that the brochure did not contain contact information. Margaret Perry suggested that board members take a more active role in the planning and execution of future proms.
Sealed bids for purchase of the old driver education vehicle are due in the Superintendent’s Office by noon on May 28. The high school reserves the right to reject any bids not deemed in the best interest of the school.
High School Bus 1 is not in service because of a leaking fuel tank, and Westminster’s Bus 5 is not in service because of other mechanical issues. L & B Freightliner estimates that by moving parts from one bus to the other at a cost of about $1,500, the district will be able to use the bus for another year or so. The Transportation Director has suggested that the high school bus be given to Westminster, and Westminster pays L&B for the repairs. Westminster will then have priority for use of the bus, with it being available for the high school to use at other times.
Principal Hodsden commended Susan Steiner and students who participated in the Vermont Envirothon, a day-long natural resources-oriented competition. BFUHS students came in 2nd out of twelve teams, and scored 90 points or above in all areas.
C. Superintendent of Schools
Assistant Superintendent Kibbe updated the board on legislative activities, and noted that placeStateVermont did not receive grant funds to support its Longitudinal Data System project.
D. Technical Center Representatives
No report
E. Student Representatives
No report
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F. WNESU
Unapproved minutes of the April 28, 2010 meeting were included in the agenda packet.
G. Committees and Special Projects
(1) Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee
The committee has been discussing sports programs and if they should be evaluated similar to curriculum areas.
(2) School and Community Relations Committee
Minutes of the April 3, 2010 meeting were included in the agenda packet. The Committee meets on the first Saturday of each month and community members are encouraged to participate.
(3) School Resource Officer Committee
Minutes of the last meeting were distributed to board members. The committee discussed recommending to the board that the school take a break from having an SRO in the building, and using the budgeted funds in ways that will improve facility security.
(4) BFMS Renovation Committee
The committee is reviewing architectural proposals.
(5) Building and Grounds Committee
The weight room should be completed within the month, and lighting improvements in the building are being considered.
(6) Long-Term Planning Committee
The committee continues to work on refining purpose and plans to solicit input from the school community.
6. Prevention of Harassment of Students Policy (F20):
Laurie Rowell moved to adopt Prevention of Harassment of Student Policy (Code F20) as presented and attached to the official copy of these minutes, seconded by Jan Mitchell-Love. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Unfinished Business:
None
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8. Business for Discussion/Action:
A. Approval for Food Service Contract to go out to Bid
Dan Axtell moved to put the Food Service Contract out to bid. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Baseball Field Lighting Project
An anonymous benefactor would like to donate lighting for the baseball field. Permanent and portable options are being considered.
C. Flooring Selection, Phase 2
Russ Capron moved to authorize the purchase of flooring from Monadnock Flooring at a cost of $75,875, with $75,484 coming from the loan authorized by voters and the remaining funds from the current year budget. The motion passed on a vote of seven in favor (Guild, Rowell, Perry, Axtell, Bryar, Mitchell-Love, Capron) and one opposed (Fine). The Chair did not vote.
D. Multi-Year Plan(s)
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve a multi-year plan for Student 1130924 as recommended by the administration. The motion passed on a vote of seven in favor (Guild, Rowell, Perry, Axtell, Mitchell-Love, Capron, Fine) and one abstention (Bryar). The Chair did not vote.
9. Appointments and/or Resignations:
A. Appointment
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve the appointment of Kim Keefe as Freshmen Class Head Advisor for the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Resignation
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to approve, with regret, the resignation of Maureen Donovan as 50% Special Education and 50% English teacher, effective as of the last contract day of the 2009-2010 school year. The motion passed on a vote of seven in favor (Guild, Rowell, Perry, Axtell, Mitchell-Love, Bryar, Capron) and one opposed (Fine). The Chair did not vote.
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10. Directors’ Comments:
Laurie Rowell would like to see improvements such as sunlight, a door, and flooring added to the weight room.
The Chair congratulated all those involved with the Junior Prom for making it a successful event, and thanked community members for taking time out of their evening to come to this meeting.
Jack Bryar thanked reporter Susan Smallheer for her recent articles regarding the high school.
Russ Capron explained that the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI) board has decided to implement health care reform provisions earlier than July 1, 2011, and these changes may affect budgets for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
11. Date of Next Scheduled Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for June 14, 2010, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
12. Executive Session:
Discussion ensued regarding the board’s motion at its last meeting to table the appeal of the administration’s findings about personnel. Jack Bryar moved to continue to table the appeal of the administration’s findings about personnel until such time as the board has received a written version of the complaint. The motion passed on a vote of six in favor (Guild, Perry, Rowell, Axtell, Bryar, Mitchell-Love) and two opposed (Capron, Fine). The Chair did not vote. The Chair ruled that if the board chooses to hear the appeal by Joel Love, it will schedule a subsequent meeting, and at that time Evan Chadwick will have an opportunity to discuss the issue with the board. Stephen Fine took exception to the Chair’s ruling, as the board hasn’t made
a determination as to what the contours of the appeal process will be. Policy D10, Public Complaints About Personnel, applies to this situation, and Assistant Superintendent Kibbe added that the complaint has been filed and the Superintendent’s Office has issued a report. The Chair asked the administration to include a copy of Policy D10 in the next agenda packet and to add discussion of the basketball program on the June 14th agenda.
13. Executive Session:
Jan Mitchell-Love moved to go into executive session at 9:17 p.m. for the
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purpose of discussing a contract matter and a personnel matter, and invited the administration to attend. The motion passed unanimously.
The Chair returned the board to open session at 10:15 p.m. No action was taken as a result of executive session.
14. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the meeting and no objection, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Mitchell-Love, Clerk
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