BELLOWS FALLS UNION HIGH SCHOOL
School Board Meeting
June 11, 2007
Present: Russell Capron, David Clark, Stephen L. Fine, Stephen Major, John Porter; Jack Bryar and Paul Obuchowski arrived during the first executive session.
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Catherine Davignon, Kathleen Callahan, Christopher Hodsden, Ryan Parkman, Atty. Robert Fisher, Mary Westbrook, Members of the BFUHS Concert Choir, FACT-TV, Eagle Times
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, David Clark, called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
2. Executive Session:
Stephen Major moved to go into executive session at 6:10 p.m. for the purpose of discussing grievance issues, and invited the administration and board’s attorney to attend. John Porter asked that the matter be discussed in open session, but the parties involved declined. The motion passed on a vote of 3 (Capron, Fine, Major) to 1 (Porter).
The Chair returned the board to open session at 7:50 p.m.
3. Adjustments to the Agenda:
John Porter suggested that the request for a new position (Math Interventionist) be warned for an open session discussion.
Discussion of Item 9(B), ratification of contract, will take place in executive session.
4. BFUHS Chorus and Mary Westbrook:
On behalf of the chorus, Director Mary Westbrook thanked the board for their support of the group’s recent trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to participate in a multi-state band and chorus competition. The band brought home a 2nd place trophy, the chorus a 1st place trophy, as well as
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being voted Best Overall Chorus. The chorus then performed briefly for the board.
5. Consent Items:
A. Minutes of May 14, 2007 and May 29, 2007:
Stephen Major moved to approve the minutes of May 14, 2007 as presented. Jack Bryar seconded. John Porter questioned the wording of the motion made by Stephen L. Fine regarding Principal Hodsden’s contract. Discussion ensued. John Porter moved to amend the motion by including a statement that the acceptance of the Principal’s contract was dependent upon the board hiring two full-time AEP teachers. The motion to amend failed on a vote of 2 (Porter, Capron) to 4 (Obuchowski, Major, Fine, Bryar). Mr. Porter then noted that he opposed the motion to accept the Autism reorganization proposal. The motion passed, as corrected.
In the minutes of May 29, 2007, Stephen L. Fine was listed twice as being present, and the name of Stephen Major was omitted. There being no objection, the Chair declared that the minutes of May 29, 2007 are accepted as amended.
7. Reports:
A. Principal’s Report
(1) English Department Status/Staffing
Interviews have concluded for two English positions.
(2) Technology Education
The search continues for a technology education candidate.
The Chair asked Mr. Hodsden to be prepared to address Mr. Porter’s concerns about the use of technical assistance funds to support the AEP program at the next meeting.
The shed that houses track equipment has been vandalized, with some equipment being taken. The incident has been reported to the police, and one piece has been recovered.
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Senior students apparently treated May 18th as Senior Skip Day, as about 50% of the class was not present.
One tire was deflated on every bus parked in back of the high school on May 31st.
Board members were encouraged to attend Purple Pride Night, Class Night, and Graduation.
John Porter asked Principal Hodsden if the school has a “core team”, a phrase he learned from an article about the homeless population that appeared in the Eagle Times. Peter Naitove explained that there is a regional core transition team that involves people in education and vocational rehabilitation, as well as others, and encouraged Mr. Porter to contact Northern Family Institute (NFI) for more information.
Board members received copies of an article about the recent 8th grade visit to the high school that appeared in the Eagle Times.
B. Student Report
None
C. Superintendent of Schools
Chris Kibbe has been named Interim Assistant Superintendent for the 2007-2008 school year. The administration has begun the Saxtons River Elementary School Principal search, and the Middle School vacancies will be advertised next.
Teachers will be focusing on specific forms of data on students to target the improvement of test scores on Thursday and Friday of this week. Identifying areas of weaknesses will be the second focus, followed by developing a series of lesson activities using grade level expectations and ways to change instructional practice.
D. Technical Center Representatives
Brattleboro’s director has resigned.
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The Chair has been attending RVTC Transition Board of Directors and RVTC School District Board of Directors’ special meetings.
E. Committees and Special Projects
(1) Meeting Times
Brief discussion ensued regarding evenings that will work for a majority of committee members to meet. The Policy Committee has agreed to continue to meet on a monthly basis, one hour prior to board meetings.
The Chair would like to see Community Relations started, and suggested they meet on Saturday.
8. Unfinished Business:
John Porter asked for an explanation of the $1,200 spent on propane in December, 2006. Principal Hodsden was asked to be respond to this question at the next meeting.
Jack Bryar asked for an update on the proposal to add an agriculture class and the wood chip burner study.
9. Other Items for Discussion/Action:
A. Review/Discuss LEAP
Stephen Major moved to authorize the board’s WNESU representatives to vote for the LEAP at the June 27th WNESU meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
B. Conditional Item: Ratification of Contract
Moved to executive session.
C. School Board Bulletin and Web Presence
Moved to next agenda.
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D. Facilities and Infrastructure
(1) Action on Gating Request
Russ Capron moved to approve the gating request of Christian Blake, subject to conditions, and to authorize the Superintendent to negotiate the conditions on behalf of this board. The motion passed on a vote of 4 (Major, Bryar, Capron, Clark) to 3 (Obuchowski, Porter, Fine).
(2) Discussion on Cameras for School Bus Parking Area
Principal Hodsden explained that, if the board desires to improve security coverage on the school grounds, additional lighting and cameras will need to be considered.
According to Don Astley, there is a $36,000 surplus in this year’s heat and electricity budgets. Principal Hodsden recommended that this money be used toward maintenance items that didn’t make it into the budget, such as replacing a tractor, light panels, and helping to support the cost of fixing drainage issues along the school driveway.
E. Other
None
10. Communications and Public Comments:
None
11. Other Business:
A. Directors’ Comments
John Porter stated that he was uncomfortable going into executive session to discuss contract matters, when the board had not had adequate conversation about the position and funding.
Stephen Major commended Mary Westbrook on her work with the students and for her involvement in performances outside of the school.
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Russ Capron noted that students commented on the small class size at BFUHS in a recent Eagle Times article.
Jack Bryar also commended the chorus’ performance, and noted that he recently attended a Rockingham School District board meeting and encouraged fellow board members to also attend other meetings.
12. Date of Next Scheduled Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for June 25, 2007. The Policy Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. that evening.
13. Executive Session:
Jack Bryar moved to go into executive session at 9:18 to discuss a student matter, contract matter, grievances, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The motion passed.
The Chair returned the board to open session at 10:10 p.m.
There being no objection, the Chair declared that the board authorizes the principal to approve a request for school choice.
Upon motion made, the Chair was authorized to sign a contract for Kimberly Wilkinson as Math Interventionist for the 2007-2008 school year. The motion passed on a vote of 4 (Fine, Obuchowski, Bryar, Major) to 1 (Porter), with one abstention (Capron).
14. Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the meeting and no objection, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Perry, Clerk
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