ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
May 4, 2009
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charlie Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, Andrea Allbee, Cherie McDaniel-Thomas, Brian Crego, David Lesser, FACT-TV, Brattleboro Reformer
MINUTES
Charlie Jarras, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM, following a building tour.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim Doherty.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Resolution for the Middle School to apply for a grant for $11,000 for energy-efficient items under Principals’ Report; request for a leave of absence under No. 13; a legal matter in Executive Session.
Review and Approve Minutes of April 10 (with 4/8/09 Minutes as an Addendum) and April 20, 2009: Jim moved to approve the above Minutes as printed. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: Charlie welcomed the visitors. David Lambert asked when to comment on agenda items, and Charlie told him to raise his hand at that point in the agenda to be recognized.
Mary Lou Smith re-read the union’s letter to the Board declining their request to participate in the 1% salary reduction requested of all staff. Priscilla Lambert spoke as a taxpayer, and she feels the voters misunderstood the vote. Instead of a salary reduction she said people may be willing to donate or raise funds, and she offered her services in fundraising.
Laurie Rowell spoke about the semi-formal event held at the Middle School and thanked everybody who helped and attended.
Communications – Chair: Charlie gave an e-mail address which anyone can use to submit ideas to the Article 6 Study Committee: msideas@wnesu.net.
7. Committees and Other Projects:
Article 6 Study Committee: Tim reported the Committee is going on the road to Westminster on May 7th, BFUHS on May 11th, Athens/Grafton on May 14th, and back to Rockingham on May 18th.
8. Reports:
Financial: Proposed FY 10 Budget discussion below.
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna handed out the agreement between the support staff and the Board. Johanna addressed questions concerning Parks Place from the last meeting, and passed around the Memorandum of Understanding dated July 23, 2003. Barbara Ternes, Director, is willing to meet concerning changes the Board might want to make. The lease agreement for the parking lot is one of their concerns. Johanna talked about the stimulus money which is coming, particularly for Special Education, and is awaiting more information.
Principals’: Cherie McDaniel-Thomas talked about a grant from Vermont Community Climate Change to pay for projects that will reduce the carbon footprint, and asked for permission to apply. Jim moved to support the grant application; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
David Lesser’s report is in the packet, and he also thanked Mary Lou Smith for her work on Wellness and the Safe Routes to School grant.
AYP and NECAP Reports: Chris handed out packets and gave a slide presentation. There was discussion of Rockingham’s scores in relation to all Vermont students. Chris will provide raw data to Jim. David handed out and reviewed information on Saxtons River’s scores. There is a larger packet available if anyone wants it. Cherie had two handouts: the AYP chart and one concerning efforts to improve NECAP scores.
Proposed FY 10 Budget: Andrea talked about the revised revenue and education spending amounts and other changed items. Jim asked why there were differences in the format and said it’s important to have only one and follow it consistently. Explanation and considerable discussion ensued.
Auditors’ Fees: Andrea said it will be $600-$700 for the auditor to come to a Board meeting for two hours, and she has asked to have specific questions and agenda. Jim would like it to be a special meeting devoted only to this topic, and televised. He is compiling a list of questions. Admin will get some proposed dates for a special two-hour meeting, and the Board requested to have the audit beforehand.
Adopt Volunteers and Work Study Students Policy (Code D7-Mandatory): Johanna had addressed some of the Board’s questions with John Nelson, VSBA. Mike moved to adopt the above policy. Jim seconded and the motion carried.
10. Unfinished Business:
Construction Aid - $215,000: It was noted that the total is actually $240,000. Jim moved that all monies which come in for reimbursement on the construction project be applied to reduce the loan. Joe seconded and the motion carried. Andrea said the State of Vermont will be paid back this week when accounts payable is run. Jim would like information on our cash position and borrowing position periodically, but not monthly.
Plan for May 12 Vote (Handout will be distributed): A draft brochure to be sent home with the students was distributed. Johanna cautioned that you can ask people to vote but cannot tell them how to vote. Some of the wording was discussed, and Joe felt all of the numbers should be omitted except the amount being voted on. The number for staff salary increases will be corrected.Jim will talk at the informational meeting on May 11th at BFMS. Admin will check on putting sandwich boards out in front of the schools and the computer phone call will go out to homes.
New Business:
Approve Mediation Agreement: This concerns the oil spill. Jim moved to approve the mediation agreement; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Goals: There are three goals listed in the packet enclosure, plus volunteerism and communication. Joe talked about the level of reporting detail he would like and it was suggested he work with Charlie to include it on future agendas. Joe moved to invite Winton Goodrich to a Board meeting to look at our goals in an effort to improve them. Tim seconded and the motion carried. Tim will call Win about a special 6-7 PM meeting with the Board.
Request by Rockingham Recreation Department for the Use of a School Bus during the Summer Months to Transport their Summer Campers to the Saxtons River Day Camp: Jim moved to supply the bus provided they supply the driver and fuel. Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Action Items: Mike reviewed the items. A construction project update will be on the agenda for the first June meeting.
13. Appointments and/or Resignations:
Appointment of Cocurricular Contracts:
Jarrod James – Head Baseball Coach: Jim moved that Jarrod James’ placement on the 2008-2009 cocurricular salary schedule be adjusted to step 2. Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Leaves of Absence: Tim moved to grant the leave of absence request to Josh Ferrance for one year conditional upon CFG funding becoming available for a CFG position at BFMS. Mike seconded and the motion carried.
Tim moved to grant a one-year leave of absence to Kathy Chamberlain for the 2009-2010 school year. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Directors’ Comments: Tim thanked Chris for his NECAP presentation tonight.
The next meeting will be May 18, 2009 at 7 PM at Bellows Falls Middle School following an Article 6 Study Committee meeting at 5:30 PM.
Executive Session: Jim moved to go into executive session at 9:50 PM for personnel matters and a legal matter. Tim seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of executive session at10:55 PM. There was no action taken at the conclusion of executive session.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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