ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
April 21, 2008
Present: Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charles Jarras, Katrina Masure, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Andrea Allbee, Kathleen Callahan, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Joe Brissette, Jan Mitchell-Love, FACT-TV
1. Call to Order:
The Chair, Charlie Jarras, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance:
Led by Tim Doherty
3. Adjustments to Agenda:
BFMS Student (Item 5, Visitors) tabled to next meeting.
4. Minutes of April 4, 2008 and April 7, 2008:
Katrina Masure noted that she was not present, nor aware of, the special meeting reportedly held on April 7th. Jim McAuliffe moved to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting held on April 4, 2008, the meeting of April 7, 2008, and the Special Meeting of April 7, 2008 with the correction noted by Ms. Masure, seconded by Mike Empey. The motion passed.
5. Visitors:
The board was asked for an update on the construction projects.
6. Communications – Chair:
None
7. Committee & Other Projects:
A. Article 6 Study Committee
The committee’s first meeting has been scheduled for April 22nd.
Mike Empey moved that members of the Article 6 Study Committee be directed to appoint a chairman at their first meeting, seconded by Jim McAuliffe. The motion passed. Jan Mitchell-Love asked that each member be provided with a copy of the article as it appeared on the warning.
B. Teacher Negotiations Committee
The parties were not able to come to agreement during the mediation session on April 16th. Following the session, Superintendent Harpster received a call from the Mediator with suggested language that he felt might be agreeable to both sides. Stephen Fine has reviewed the language and he suggested that it be presented to the union for consideration.
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C. Support Staff Negotiations Committee
Mike Empey feels the meetings are going well, and the parties are close to agreement. The next meeting has been scheduled for May 1st.
8. Policies:
A. Adopt Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Neglect
Jim McAuliffe moved to adopt Policy F8, Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Neglect, as presented, seconded by Katrina Masure. The motion passed.
B. Policies for First Reading:
Jim McAuliffe moved to approve Policy F1, Student Conduct and Discipline, and Policy F6, Student Medication as presented for first reading, seconded by Mike Empey. The motion passed.
Discussion ensued about residency requirements, and it was suggested that language such as “include, but not be limited to” be added to the sentence identifying criteria for proving permanent residency to allow the administration to satisfy concerns about the actual residency status of the student’s family. This language will be added and the policy placed on the next agenda for first reading and further discussion.
9. Reports:
A. Financial
Board members received a financial report as of April 17, 2008.
B. Principals
Board members received a copy of the latest edition of the “Middle School Messenger”. Principal McDaniel-Thomas asked the board to consider a staffing plan that will bring back programming that is indicated by the Vermont School Quality Standards and/or by parental interest to be needed at the Middle School. Under this plan, using estimated savings as a result of a reduction in a contract from full time to 90%, a reduction from .5 positions in Language and Family & Consumer Science to .4, and a pending retirement, Principal McDaniel-Thomas is proposing to expand programs and staff to include .4 positions in Design and Technology (shop) and Ed Tech Literacy (computer technology), and the restoration of 3 days a week of secretarial support. Concerns expressed by
the board included the difficulty of offering programs to all students in a 7-period day when 5 of their periods are already taken with core subjects, and that the intent of decisions made during the budget process will be lost if this proposal is considered. Members of the community present spoke in support of the Principal’s ideas, and encouraged the board to be more receptive. Superintendent Harpster offered a compromise, suggesting that consideration be given to the reduction in the two .5 courses (Language and Family & Consumer) to .4 each, and a .4 contract
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for one of the two proposed courses (Design and Technology or Ed Tech Literacy), and not reinstating the secretarial position. There not being consensus among the board to accept this proposal, it was suggested that the matter be placed on the next agenda for further discussion if desired.
C. Superintendent of Schools
Recent newspaper articles indicated that our schools may not be doing all they can to receive discounted prices for telecommunications, internet access, and web and e-mail hosting. A memorandum from Wes Vaughn was included in the agenda packet, which shows that he has applied for the E-Rate every year for the past 10 years.
A finalist has been selected for the Principal’s position at Central Elementary School, and Superintendent Harpster is discussing the position with the candidate.
D. Assistant Superintendent of Schools
A district-wide Diversity meeting will be held on May 1st; board members and the public are welcome to attend. Mr. Kibbe publicly thanked former Asst. Superintendent Cathie Davignon for her efforts in organizing this committee.
Quotes have been received from James & James ($2,000), Hodgkins & Sons ($1,495), and John Cravinho ($700) to remove the buried oil tank at 8A Atkinson Street. Bob Fogg has arranged for an environmental inspection and certification by ECS in Brattleboro. Jim McAuliffe moved to award the removal of a buried oil tank at 8A Atkinson Street to John Cravinho at an amount not to exceed $700, and an environmental inspection and certification by ECS of the site at an amount no to exceed $500, providing these contractors are properly certified and licensed to perform these tasks, seconded by Katrina Masure. The motion passed. The next step will be the installation of oil tank(s) and connections to the existing furnace. The board was asked if they wanted to
consider installing two tanks, given the size of the building, but the Chair was not interested in pursuing the discussion.
Mr. Penny has indicated that the commissioning report will be available tomorrow, which completes the construction project requirements.
E. Director of Instructional Support Services
The board received a Medicaid Compliance update. The administration has received the Department of Education’s audit findings from FY05, which indicates that over $600,000 in charges have been disallowed.
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Dr. Callahan, the Business Manager, and the Special Education staff are reviewing each of the findings and working to locate information that will justify the service billings. An update will be provided at the next meeting.
F. WNESU
Katrina Masure will be unable to attend this month’s meeting.
10. Unfinished Business:
None
11. New Business:
A. .5 Maintenance Director /.5 Custodian Job Description
Katrina Masure moved to approve the .5 Maintenance Director/.5 Custodian Job Description as presented, seconded by Jim McAuliffe. The motion passed.
12. Directors’ Comments:
The administration was asked to look into why Katrina Masure has not received a message about two special meetings that have been scheduled this year.
Jim McAuliffe requested an update on the Saxtons River litigation issue at the next meeting.
Mike Empey congratulated all who were involved in the recent concerts. He plans to match the amount of the gift certificate he won during the March Reading Challenge, and to donate a book to the Middle School Library with the funds.
Tim Doherty thanked Principal McDaniel-Thomas for her efforts in proposing a staffing plan to bring back programming.
13. Appointments and/or Resignations:
Katrina Masure moved to approve the hiring of Marge Adams as a long-term substitute at Saxtons River Elementary School for the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year, seconded by Mike Empey. The motion passed.
Jim McAuliffe moved to approve, and authorize the Chair to sign, a co-curricular Band contract for Stanley Rumrill for the 2007-2008 school year, seconded by Katrina Masure. The motion passed.
Mike Empey moved to accept Judith Pelletier’s letter of resignation, effective June 30, 2008, with regret, seconded by Katrina Masure. The motion passed.
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14. Set Date of Next Meeting:
The Chair set the date of the next meeting for May 5, 2008, to be held at the Saxtons River Elementary School.
15. Executive Session:
None
16. Adjournment:
Mike Empey moved to adjourn at 8:56 p.m., seconded by Katrina Masure. The motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Katrina Masure,
Clerk
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