ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
February 1, 2010
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, Andrea Allbee, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Bruce Downer, David Lesser, FACT-TV, Cathy Siggins, Tracy Binet-Perrin, Rick Kane
MINUTES
Mike Empey, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim Doherty.
Adjustments to the Agenda: None.
Review and Approve Minutes of January 12, 13 and 18, 2010 (enclosed): Joe moved to approve the Minutes of January 12, 13 and 18, 2010 as printed; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors:
Early Ed Report (enclosed): Chris introduced Cathy Siggins, WNESU Outreach Program Teacher, and Tracy Binet-Perrin, and independent contractor working under a CFG contract for the WNESU. Cathy spoke about her work with Hill House, the Bellows Falls Health Care Program, the Saxtons River Montessori Program and a private provider in Westminster. Tracy spoke about her work in partnership with the WNESU and managing the VCPC grant. Chris reminded viewers that applications for WNESU Early Ed will be available at the beginning of March and are due by the end of March. This information will be put on the website.
Mac Jones – Report on Warranty Issues: Mac couldn’t be here so Johanna handed out his written report and said he will come to the next meeting if the Board has further questions. Since Jim McAuliffe requested this report he will receive it electronically.
Communications – Chair:
Response from Association (enclosed): Johanna read aloud the response from the WNE Association declining the Board’s request to contribute 1% of their salary increase. One of their reasons was because their property taxes would also increase, making their share higher than other Rockingham taxpayers. Joe disagreed, saying the reason for this request was so property taxes would go down. Another reason was that their salaries and wages were determined by collective bargaining; Mike pointed out that several things have happened with the economy since that contract was negotiated. The Administration was asked to take a pay cut and agreed to do so. Mike asked how many of the Association members actually live in Rockingham, and Johanna will get that information. The Board appreciates the
Association’s response in a timely fashion.
Committee and Other Projects:
Article 6 Study Committee (January 28, 2010 meeting): Tim reported that the Committee made plans for Town Meeting. There will be a walk-through of the Middle School tomorrow, February 2nd. The next meeting is scheduled for February 10th at 6 PM at the SU. They are planning to change the name of the committee.
Reports:
Superintendent of Schools:
Function/Object Codes: Andrea handed out the list of code numbers and explained their meanings. The Board found the information helpful and thanked Andrea for bringing it.
Johanna shared an e-mail she received from William Mathis, Managing Director of the Education and Public Interest Center about “doublespeak” concerning property taxes.
Johanna said the Vermont Superintendents’ Association’s new idea as an alternative to closing smaller schools is to offer incentives for merger and make merger voluntary. She talked about potential cost savings and advantages to this. Johanna has begun meeting monthly with other Superintendents to see what they can do collaboratively. Mike observed that the Commissioner’s ideas describe what we already have.
Principals:
Cheri handed out the BFMS Fifth Grade Team Report prepared for the State. Also a report to the Board on 8th Grade passing rates and how she and the Middle School teachers are working to decrease the number of 8th Grade students currently failing.
BFMS was awarded grant money by the DOE which it has not received yet. Cheri asked the Board’s permission to spend the money which has been promised – $42,000 – prior to its actual receipt; the Board agreed.
David reported that Saxtons River had a reading consultant there last week. The PTO is holding a calendar raffle fundraiser. The heat issue is being addressed and is improving.
Bruce reported that Central’s cafeteria and gym also have a heat problem which is being worked on. Mike suggested referring to the spec book and submitting a written report to Control Technologies.
New Business:
Spending Freeze: Jim had called for a spending freeze and left an e-mail which Mike read aloud. The Principals responded that they are in good shape and feel a freeze unnecessary, so the Board decided to take no action at this point.
Approve Action Plan for Middle School, Saxtons River and Central (sent electronically): Chris told the Board that the main revisions are in funding sources and to be aware of that as they read them. Mike is concerned that the policy for approving action plans is not being followed. The next regular Board meeting is February 15th which is school vacation; Cheryl and David will not be available. Bruce handed out the action plan for Central and will be at the meeting on the 15th. The Board will give comments to the three Principals be next Monday, February 8th. This was tabled and will be on the agenda for approval on February 15th.
Preparation for Town Meeting: Jim will present the budget and will be sending Mike an e-mail from Florida stating what his plan is. Tim will have an update on the Article 6 Study Committee’s presentation at the February 15th meeting.
Approve BFMS Facilities Analysis (sent electronically): Chris said this requires Board approval and must go with a Letter of Intent signed by the Board Chair to the DOE. Tim moved to approve the Bellows Falls Middle School Facility Analysis. Joe seconded and amended the motion to direct the Board Chair to sign the Letter of Intent. The motion carried.
Discussion of Warrant Report: Andrea addressed some of Mike’s questions. Mike asked if there is still an Athletic Director at the Middle School and whether he gets paid for outside work. Admin will find out and if so, Mike said it might be a conflict of interest which needs to be addressed.
Action List Review: Saxtons River construction defects – this was awaiting Chris’ return and he said to keep it open, with follow-up on March 1st. Town Meeting prep on February 15th. BFMS SAP – presentation at the second March meeting. Follow-up on the number of Association members who are residents of Rockingham – February 15th. Comments to the Principals on their action plans – February 8th.
Directors’ Comments: Joe asked that any electronic information sent to him be in PDF format.
Mike appreciates all the information presented tonight and being allowed to table the approval of the action plans.
For the viewing public Mike said there is one seat open on the Board if anyone is interested in running a write-in campaign. Tim is running unopposed and Jim is running unopposed for Charlie Jarras’ seat. Read your Town Report and be ready for Town Meeting.
Set Date and Location of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be February 15, 2010 at 7 PM at the SU building.
Executive Session (personnel matter): Tim moved to go into executive session for a personnel matter at 9:09 PM; Joe seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of executive session at 9:39 PM; no action was taken.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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