ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
November 2, 2009
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charlie Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Andrea Allbee, David Lesser, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Sharon Reynolds, FACT-TV, Brattleboro Reformer
MINUTES
Charlie Jarras, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim Doherty.
Review Warrants: The warrants will be available for Board review at the next meeting.
Adjustments to the Agenda: None.
Review and Approve Minutes of October 19, 2009: Jim moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: Kristen Swartout.
Communications – Chair: None.
Committee and Other Projects:
Budget Committee: Tonight’s meeting was cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, November 5th at 4:30 PM at the Supervisory Union. The next one is scheduled for November 16th at 5 PM.
Article 6 Study Committee: The next meeting is November10th at 7 PM at the Middle School, at which time there will be a discussion of candidates to be invited to join the committee.
Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee: The next meeting is November 12th at Rockingham Free Public Library, and they will discuss hiring of a grant writer. Everyone is welcome to attend. Joe briefly explained the function and membership of the committee.
First Reading of Animals on School District Property Policy (Code G12): Johanna passed out the most recent version and added that the school nurses asked that “proof of rabies vaccination is required” be added. David feels the policy is a good idea, and there was discussion of whether the rabies certificate is required since some animals don’t get one. Cheryl has no objection to the policy. Jim would prefer no pets in the schools, but Joe, Tim and Mike had no objection. This item will be on the next agenda.
Reports:
Superintendent of Schools:
Fundraising: Johanna spoke to Priscilla Lambert, who has been dealing with a family matter, so Johanna has nothing to report tonight. This was moved to the December 7th agenda.
Number of ARRA Employees: Johanna listed the four employees who are partially funded through ARRA funds, and their schools. She explained what ARRA funds are. Jim asked for an explanation of the technology being taught in our schools. Chris responded that there is a Tech Plan which was approved by the Board, and another document of Tech Expectations which will be furnished for Board perusal. Tina Smith will be invited to talk to the Board about tech standards.
Johanna talked about cost reduction in Special Ed and said the Principals and Sharon have done a super job.
Principals: David handed out a list of Important Dates for November for Central Elementary School. The Saxtons River Science Committee met to talk about working collaboratively with the other schools to present an overview of the program to the Board in December. David talked about the Safe Routes to School Grant. Jim moved to grant permission for Saxtons River Elementary School to apply for the Safe Routes to School Grant; Tim seconded and the motion carried. David reported that the storm drains and piping are done and drainage worked well in the last hard rain. The gutters will be installed next. The custodians scraped and stained the doors.
Cheryl said she will be traveling to discuss the Bellows Falls Middle School with Athens/Grafton and Westminster in November, and there will be an open house at BFMS on November 17th for parents and students concerning their school choice for the seventh grade.
H1N1 vaccination was discussed.
WNESU: There was discussion of the format of governance: Rockingham has three representatives, Athens/Grafton six, Westminster three.
Financial discussion will be on the next agenda and the Board will receive the financials prior to the packet, either electronically or via a phone call from Ruth.
Unfinished Business:
Approve Sales of Buses: Jim asked for a full report on the status of the buses for the next agenda; this item was tabled until that time.
New Business:
Approve Renewal of Café Services’ Contract: Jim moved to approve the renewal of Café Services contract; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Discuss 10/28/09 Joint Meeting with the BFUHS Board: Mike hopes to define the issues more clearly; but it was a great discussion. Tim wants to meet again and talk face-to-face in a one and a half to two-hour meeting. Joe said they mentioned skill sets but this Board needs to know the facts and details of that. It was a positive starting meeting. Jim was glad to have the meeting but surprised at some of the expectations. It’s important to continue joint discussion between Cheryl and Chris Hodsden. Cheryl felt like there was not enough time to resolve some of the issues which came up. Mike mentioned that Bellows Falls Union High School has better college placement rates than Vermont Academy. Charlie hopes to meet jointly at least twice a year, and there will be another meeting after
the first of the year.
Early Retirement Incentive Program: Mike moved to authorize the Superintendent to send a letter offering early retirement pursuant to the Memorandum included in the packet. Joe seconded for discussion. The date to respond to Item 4 of the Memorandum, intention to be considered if interested in early retirement, will be November 30, 2009. The date of December 14, 2009 for final commitment will be added. Item 6 will state that five retirement incentive packages will be offered. The motion carried.
Warrant Discussion: At the next meeting.
Action List Review: Mike reviewed the list. There was discussion of financial statements and the audit. Chris will report on SRES construction defects at the next meeting.
Directors’ Comments: Jim would like an update on the June 30th financials and asked Andrea when the Board can expect them. Andrea hopes to have drafts and possibly finals by the end of December.
Joe said the Central Elementary Halloween Parade was fun and was covered by the Brattleboro Reformer. Also the Rockingham Free Public Library Haunted House was a huge success.
Tim asked for a copy of the Bylaws.
Mike said the BFUHS Varsity Football is playing Springfield again this Saturday at Hadley Field, after losing to them last week by only one point.
Date and Location of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be November 16, 2009 at 7 PM at BFMS.
17. Executive Session:
Student Matter: Jim moved to go into executive session for a student matter at 9:05 PM; Joe seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:18 PM. Mike Empey moved to authorize sending a Rockingham student to Westminster Elementary to attend school on an exchange basis with a Westminster student going to the Middle School. Tim Doherty seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment: Tim moved to adjourn the meeting and Joe seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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