BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Board Members & Administration in Attendance: Shellie Samuels, Jim Schenck, Louis Bushey, Lori Werdenschlag, Shannon Larocque, Princ. Kerry Keenan, Supt. Martha Tucker, Business Mgr., Rob Billing, Minute Recorder Kathy Zita. Public In Attendance: Dave Warden, Katie Larney-Young, Sandra Mings-Lamar and Sally Cook – Caledonian Record. 1. Meeting called to order by Chair Shellie Samuels at 6:05 p.m. 6:06 p.m. Into Executive Session. A Motion was made by Louis Bushey, 2nd by Shannon Larocque to go right into Executive Session for Personnel Issues. 6:40 p.m. Out of Executive Session. Motion was made by Lori Werdenschlag, 2nd by Shannon Larocque. No Action taken. 5 Minute Break. 7:00 p.m. Meeting resumes. 2. Approval of Minutes: 11/11/08: After reviewing the minutes, the following correction was noted, on page 2, under Other Business, Ski Program the first sentence should read “unexcused” absence. A Motion was made by Shannon Larocque, 2nd by Jim Schenck to accept the minutes as amended. Motion then PASSES. 3. Public Input: Katie Young stated that the elementary grades put on a great concert today. 4. Administrative Reports: A. Principal’s Report (see distributed report): · Facilities/Maintenance: Princ. Keenan mentioned at the last meeting the proposal (of $17K) and recommendations to renovate the computer lab. He recommends the renovation which would include removing a wall, replacing ceiling and tile floor, relocating the wiring and vacuum line and bldg. new computer stations. The Board will discuss this further during Budget discussions. · Positive Behavior Support (PBS): Princ. and Jean Denson attended a meeting in Montpelier on November 18th. They learned about benefits and misconceptions about PBS, steps involved in school-wide PBS, systems for data-based decision making and action planning readiness. The entire PBS team will attend another training session in April. The Team will also attend the BEST Institute from June 21-25 to finish developing the school-wide plan. · Ski Program: Interested parents have met twice and decided to the ski program with Burke Mountain. There are currently 25 students expressing an interest in this program. · School Climate Survey: Princ. has addressed the concerns raised in the survey about school discipline in the November letter to parents. He will address other areas of concern through future parent letters. · Teacher Evaluations/Observations: Started doing the teacher evaluations and observations and should be finished by the end of January 2009. · Holiday Dinner: Will be held on Wed., December 10, 2008 from 11:30a – 12:30p. · K-4 Holiday Concert: The concert was very well attended and we were impressed with the talent of our students as well as the Music teacher. B. Superintendent’s Report: · Superintendent’s Evaluation: Fred Kitchel is in the process of organizing this evaluation and will be contacting each of the Boards to get their feedback regarding this. · Technology Education: There is a Superintendent’s meeting tomorrow to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of technology in the NE Kingdom. Because of this, Supt. Tucker postponed the district technology meeting until after tomorrow’s meeting so that more information can be brought back when we do meet on January 6, 2009. 5. New Business: · 3rd Reading Dissection Policy – There hasn’t been any other changes to this policy since the last meeting. Principals Keenan and Powden of Danville will draft up procedures to go along with this policy. Action taken: This policy will be warned for adoption for the next School Board meeting. · Foreign Language - There was interest expressed at the Strategic Planning Forum for a foreign language to be taught to the students. Supt. Tucker expressed a way to introduce this type of course to the students: 3 days a week for 40 minutes to 7/8 graders; and 3 days a week for 20 minutes to ¾ graders. Studies have BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Page 2 shown that if a foreign language is introduced at a young age then they are able to absorb and retain more information. When it is re-introduced again in 7/8 grade, the retained information comes back and it is easier to pick up and start to communicate. It was discussed that this would be a .3 position for budget purposes. Discussion surrounding what foreign language should be taught and how difficult it would be to find a language teacher. Sandra Mings-Lamar said that Homeland Securities has Grant money available and prefers that it be a language to ward off terrorism and for the Global future. Princ. Keenan mentioned that some of the teachers on staff can teach a language. Supt. Tucker suggested that since there is an interest, it could be brought up in the Action Plan and brought into the FY11 Budget. Shannon Larocque said that he would like to see this position put into the budget and then if it needs to come out we could do that. Action taken: The Board would like to see the figures for this before deciding. 6. Financial: Presented by Rob Billings. See distributed budget Draft #2. · 2010 Budget Discussion – Before going over the Budget highlights, the Supt. and Rob said that at tonight’s meeting they would like to have some decisions made as to what the Board would like or not like in the budget, etc. The following outlines the Budget highlights: · The 2nd draft of the FY10 budget has increased for some additional requests in the building and personnel areas. · Revenue estimates for 2010 are still incomplete because we have no student data for equalized pupils or any estimates on state revenues for special education, transportation or allowable tuition. · Tax estimates can’t be completed until we receive preliminary pupil data from the state. We only have the tax rate calculation for the Base Rate for the District Spending Adjustment Factor, but the Tax Rate Calculation was prepared using the 2008 statewide tax rates of $0.87 for residential property tax and $1.36 for non-residential property tax, as well as the CLA percentage. · The Tax Commissioner did not recommend to the Legislature the statewide property tax rates. This means you will have to calculate a number of estimates of the tax rate in order to be prepared for questions at Town Meeting. · Personnel changes as of 12/4/08 are included with this budget and we will continue to update personnel changes during the budget discussions. · Health insurance rates will not increase more than 2% or possibly not at all. · Additional requests to modify the computer lab area and increase the technology personnel budge. · There is no change in the Special Education function that was prepared on the basis of the Service Plan prepared by Special Services Director. · Tuition expense has not changed from the student census as of October 21st. · The budget reflects a net decrease of 8 students, with 23 seniors graduating and only 15 8th graders entering. · Tuition rates have been estimated at 5 – 8 % increase based on historical rates. · Local revenues are decreasing: 1) the number of tuition students has decreased from the last few years; and 2) the interest rate is lower than has been in the last few years so that invested funds will not produce as much revenue. · Preliminary FY09 Projection shows to be favorable. · What has been included for FY10 is: · Final year of current salary schedule amounts for professional and support staff. · Updated the health insurance rates with a 2.0% increase over FY09 amounts. · Personnel changes for resignations and new hires. · Changed 4 teachers who have indicated they will be eligible for column movement. · Debt service for Bond. · Update transportation program for annual contract and fuel adjustment rate. · Decreased TAN financing estimate interest rate from 3.0% to 2.75%. · SU assessments based on FY10 budget · Updated worker comp, life and disability rates. · Allowable tuition based on FY08 announced tuition charges and preliminary allowable amounts calculated by the State. · Added $17K for computer lab renovations. This number can be brought down. Supt. would like to talk more about this after she attends the technology meeting and talks with Princ. Keenan. · Increased Tech Coordinator to 37.5 hours for 37 weeks (use to be 20 hours for 40 weeks). · What has not been included here: · Final Board or Administrative initiatives. · State revenue amounts and other revenue calculations. · Foreign language, add $12K- $15K for personnel and about $2K for textbooks. BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, December 9, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Page 3 · After-School Program – there is nothing we can do with this for this budget. Waiting to apply for a Grant. Supt. is also looking at having this be a district wide grant so that each of the schools can participate. · Total amount for this budget is $4,293,935 or an increase of 1.04% from FY09 budget. · ACT82 requires 2 budget votes if certain measurements are surpassed. At this time only a single vote is required if this budget were adopted. · Discussed having a special School Board meeting for budget discussions only on Tues., December 30, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Barnet School. 7. Old Business: · Strategic Planning – Update given by Louis Bushey, Dave Warden and Katie Larney-Young. Distributed informational material from the Forum. There were 4 different activities during the forum. 1st activity: Value and Belief statements, 2nd activity: Trends, 3rd activity: Student Panel, 4th activity: Stop, Start, and Continue. In each of these activities listed, anything in bold letters was thought to be a priority from the group. At the end of this session an evaluation was given to see who wanted to continue to work with Strategic Planning process. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday; Jan. 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. This meetings purpose is to make up recommendations. Shellie Samuels thanked the Steering Committee for their hard work. 8. Other Business: Burleigh Huntoon – Has been out because of a pinched nerve. He should be back to work on Dec. 15th . 9. Future Agenda Items: 1) 2010 Budget Discussion, 2) Dissection Policy –warned for adoption, 3) Green Energy update 4) VT Rec Trails Program., 5) Update on Action Plan. 10. Next School Board Meeting(s): Barnet School Board Special meeting: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Barnet School. This will be a budget discussion only. Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at Barnet School CCSU Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 17th at 6:00 p.m. at TBA. 9:15 p.m. Meeting Adjourned. Motion was made by Lori Werdenschlag, 2nd by Jim Schenck. Motion then PASSES. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Zita Barnet School Board Minute Recorder BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Board Members & Administration in Attendance: Shellie Samuels, Jim Schenck, Louis Bushey, Lori Werdenschlag, Shannon Larocque, Princ. Kerry Keenan, Supt. Martha Tucker, Business Mgr., Rob Billing, Minute Recorder Kathy Zita. Public In Attendance: Dave Warden, Katie Larney-Young, and Sally Cook – Caledonian Record. 1. Meeting called to order by Chair Shellie Samuels at 6:05 p.m. 6:08 p.m. Into Executive Session. A Motion was made by Louis Bushey, 2nd by Lori Werdenschlag to go right into Executive Session for Student Issues. 6:42 p.m. Out of Executive Session. Motion was made by Shannon Larocque, 2nd by Jim Schenck. No Action taken. 5 Minute Break. 6:50 p.m. Meeting resumes. 2. Approval of Minutes: 11/11/08: After reviewing the minutes, a Motion was made by Louis Bushey, 2nd by Shannon Larocque to accept the minutes as written. Motion then PASSES. 3. Public Input: None. 4. Administrative Reports: A. Principal’s Report (see distributed report): · Facilities/Maintenance: Computer Lab consists of 2 rooms. The instructor has to stand in the middle of the doorway to be seen and heard by students from each room. Burleigh has been looking into costs to remove the wall dividing these two rooms (as long as it isn’t a load-bearing wall). The costs to do this renovation correctly would cost $15K - $18K for new ceiling, new tiles on the floor, remove one of the exit doors, have electrical moved. This would be taken from the LTM fund. Most of the work would be done by Burleigh and could be done over the summer. It hasn’t been budgeted this year. Action taken: Put this on as a budget item to be discussed during budget discussions. · Smoke Detectors: Were replaced as planned on 10/22/06. Replacement was done by the SJA electrical students. We saved about $1,400 in labor costs. We appreciate the efforts of the electrical students and their instructors Mike Bugbee and Gary Briggs. · Staff Development/Curriculum: A volunteer team of teachers attended “A Forum on School-wide Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) with Dr. George Sugai” at Lake Morey on October 16, 2008. They learned that PBS is a systems approach to social competence for all children. Introducing, modeling and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important part of a student’s educational experience. The purpose of school-wide PBS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm. The PBS team has provided information and proposed to the faculty and staff that we continue this initiative and pursue the training to put a PBS system in place for the next school year. This will require attending other workshops in November and April and a week-long training after school is out in June. · Holiday Bazaar: Was held on November 8. It was a volunteer fund-raiser for our food service program. It made a profit of $1,116.00 and there is talk about making this an annual event. · Ski Program: Is the Board interested in continuing a parent sponsored skiing program? Princ. Keenan gave a little history about the ski program; how is once had about 50 students, teachers and parents involved. Eventually it became a parent sponsored program. The parent that normally has run this program for the past couple of years no longer has children in the school. Another parent is willing to take on this program. Action taken: this will be discussed further later in the meeting under “Other Business”. B. Superintendent’s Report: · VSBA Conference – Was very enjoyable. The keynote speakers were very dynamic. Supt. had an opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of other Superintendents. · Technology Meeting – Met a couple of weeks ago with technology people from the CCSU school districts/ It was very interesting to meet everyone and learn who worked together or didn’t work together. The group was happy to meet and work towards our future resources. · Commissioner of Education Search – The search has been narrowed down to a few candidates. We should be hearing by the end of the month about who was selected for this position. · Strategic Planning Forums – The Strategic Planning Forums in Danville and Walden went very well. BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Page 2 5. Financial: Presented by Rob Billings. See distributed budget. · 2010 Budget Discussion – Rob gave a brief history of the budget process, as well as explained about ACT 60 and ACT 68 for the new Board members. The Budget has become more than teaching children how to read and write. We now look at all the different functions involved to make up a whole. We’re trying to have our children move ahead with the budget we come up with. Two of the major over-riding costs come from Personnel and Tuition. At this point Rob distributed a Budget workbook, divided into 5 sections with a Table of Contents: Section 1: Superintendent Remarks and Budget Highlights, Section 2: Function Summary, Object Code Summary, Revenue Summary, Tax Rate Calculation and ACT 82 Worksheet, Section 3: Presentation of Function & Object Codes detail, Hot Lunch Summary, Detail Schedule of Personnel costs, Section 4: Current year to date accounting report, Section 5: Reference material. Rob went on to explain in more detail about the information in each section. Tuition represents about 1/3 of the budget. SJA tuition is $12,800 per student. The announced tuition was higher than the allowable. There are local revenue changes; and the current interest rate isn’t favorable for us right now. We’re not sure where the interest rates will be the next couple of years. TAN financing should be favorable. We are currently still working on the 2010 CCSU budget. School Board and Administrative initiatives are not included. From where we are starting at, this budget is favorable at a balance of $4,267,173. At this point Rob finished and said he would let the Board digest the information presented and answer any questions they may have. Rob also explained that this budget is Version # 1 and as the budget is updated the version number and date would change. He is expecting to have the preliminary equalized pupil number within the next couple of weeks. The CLA number is expected to change as well due to what is happening in the economy. Some items that aren’t included in this budget are: foreign language, building construction of the computer room. We will need to talk about the Reserve Funds and the amounts in them. 6. New Business: · Climate Survey – (see distributed survey). Lori Werdenschlag drafted a cover letter to the community explaining that the overview of the survey is attached and that if they want more details, they can pick up a detailed copy from Principal Keenan. Most of the feedback was favorable. There are still some areas that need improving but in general, most of the replies implied that people are happy with Barnet School. Almost all of the replies mention how wonderful the school secretary, Angel Brown is. She is the smiling face and backbone of Barnet School. Someone commented that we should make it a goal to score as well as Angel did. This is something that we should do annually but at a different time during the year. · 2nd Reading Dissection Policy – The only change is under Procedures; “The Principal” shall develop …. It used to say “The Superintendent”. No other changes. · Action Plan Adoption – (see distributed plan) It is a 3 year plan and shows the areas of need and evidence with analysis; the action steps that will be taken; and the resources (money and time) to achieve the necessary steps to be taken. This action plan should help to improve the results of NECAP test scores. It usually takes a couple of years to monitor. Goals are set in the first semester so that teachers, staff, etc. know what needs to be done. A Motion was made by Jim Schenck, 2nd by Shannon Larocque to support the Principal in the Action Plan that was proposed. Motion then PASSES. 7. Old Business: · Green Energy – There isn’t any information for this meeting. · Strategic Planning – Update given by Dave Warden and Katie Larney-Young. Everything is set for the Strategic Plan Forum meeting. There will be childcare available and there have been about 80+ responses so far. All the advertising, supplies, food, etc. has been ordered or taken care of. We’re expecting a very good turn-out. · Residency – Didn’t have a meeting for this yet; will report at another time. · 21st Century Grant – There is another funding cycle next year that we can apply for. We will hear about it again August 2009. 8. Other Business: BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, November 11, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Page 3 because of some 8th grade students not coming back to Barnet. It is difficult to change the class configurations during the school year. The Middle Level teachers for 7th and 8th have a both 7th and 8th grade classes so this shouldn’t be a problem this year. 9. Future Agenda Items: 1) 2010 Budget Discussion, 2) School Wellness (Winter Rec. Program, 3) After School Program, 4) Strategic Planning Forum Update, and 5) Foreign Language. 10. Next School Board Meeting(s): Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Barnet School. NOTE: Executive Session will be first on the agenda; therefore the public portion of the meeting doesn’t start until 6:45 p.m. CCSU Board Meeting: Wednesday, December 17th at 6:00 p.m. at TBA. 9:30 p.m. Meeting Adjourned. Motion was made by Lori Werdenschlag, 2nd by Louis Bushey. Motion then PASSES. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Zita Barnet School Board Minute Recorder BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, October 14, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Board Members & Administration in Attendance: Shellie Samuels, Jim Schenck, Louis Bushey, Lori Werdenschlag, Shannon Larocque, Princ. Kerry Keenan, Supt. Martha Tucker, Minute Recorder Kathy Zita. Not Present: Rob Billings. Public In Attendance: Anne Settergren, Shelby Sargent, Elizabeth McFaul, Jeff Roberts, Katie Larney-Young, and Sally Cook – Caledonian Record. 1. Meeting called to order by Chair Shellie Samuels at 6:05 p.m. 6:05 p.m. A Motion was made by Louis Bushey, 2nd by Jim Schenck to go right into Executive Session for Personnel Issues. 6:20 p.m. Out of Executive Session. Motion was made by Louis Bushey, 2nd by Jim Schenck. No Action taken. 5 Minute Break. 6:50 p.m. Meeting resumes. 2. Approval of Minutes: 9/9/08: After reviewing the minutes, a Motion was made by Louis Bushey, 2nd by Shannon Larocque to accept the minutes as written. Motion then PASSES. 3. Public Input: 1) Shelby Sargent and Anne Settergren were present to discuss the possibility of fundraising for the software needed for the hot lunch program. The Board decided to discuss this further in the meeting under “Other Business”. 4. Administrative Reports: A. Principal’s Report (see distributed report): · Food Service Advisory Committee: Met on Sept. 23rd. Based on previous suggestions from the FSAC, Annette Burrington has initiated some changes in the food svc. Program. It also shows that our deficits have been decreasing over the last three years: 2006 - $33,754; 2007 - $18,726; and 2008 - $13,759. We’ve also increased the meal prices from $1.50 to $2.00. After this meeting the FSAC had the following recommendations to the School Board for consideration: 1) further explore the possibility of paying for kitchen maintenance through the school’s maintenance budget, 2) Improve record-keeping efficiency by upgrading the software system through a switch to MMS at a cost of $3,500 plus $425 for an annual maintenance contract, and 3) Make more of an effort prior to and/or at Town Meeting to publicly inform the community about the status of the Food Service Program. The committee will meet again in January 2009 for another update on the program. Shannon Larocque wanted to thank the committee for their time and effort they are putting toward this. · Barnet School’s Goals 2008/09 (formerly known as the Principal’s goals): 1) develop a strategic plan for long-term school improvement, 2) expand upon the current PLC at Barnet and focus on learning as its central purpose through a) Vertical Team’s focus on writing instruction through all grade levels and the Collaborative Assessment Team’s focus on formative assessment and analysis of test results and the impact on the School Action Plan (Principal will submit a revised Action Plan in the near future); and b) focus on educational outcomes for students and how we determine when they are successful, 3) Revisit the school’s Behavior Education Plan and its student conduct & discipline policy and work toward improving the school’s effectiveness in providing a “Positive Behavioral Support to all students, and 4) establish a schedule of faculty and/or student presentations of curriculum-related initiatives at board meetings. They should be 15 minute presentations. · Facilities/Maintenance – there is a request to update and replace the school smoke detectors in the school and there is information about “Green” Energy Grants for potential alternative energy systems for our school. These items will be discussed in more detail under “New Business”. · 8th Grade Class Trip – There have been a couple of meetings with the 8th graders, families and teachers to agree and decide on a place to go for their trip. It was finally decided to go to Boston, MA for their trip. It will be a 4 day/3 night trip costing about $16K. Boston holds a lot of history and is based on our curriculum which is a requirement. · After-school Program – Princ. Keenan spoke with Laurie Smith who is the organizer for Danville’s After-school program. She gave the following information pertaining to their after-school program: 1) they formed a non-profit organization; 2) serves grades K-6 and are licensed for 26 students; 3) currently are serving up to 16 per day; 4) they charge parents $10/day; 5) got started with a $2,500 Wellness Grant; and 6) had to be licensed and are heavily regulated by the State of VT. BARNET SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, October 14, 2008 – 6:00 PM at Barnet School Page 2 In addition to this information, our K teacher, Susan Jensen attended a 21st Century Grant workshop and learned the following: 1) maximum range for a single site grant award is $100K to $125K; 2) grants are for 5 yrs. with the first 3 years funded at 100%, year 4 at 75%, and year 5 at 65%; 3) requires at least 40% of students are from low income families (i.e., lunch assistance, Medicaid eligibility); 4) must be tied to a school plan (not separate from the school); 5) must be staffed by licensed professionals; 6) requires a paid project director 30-40 hours per week who can build partnerships and work on sustainability; and 7) after-school program must be written into the school’s action plan. · Enrollment Summary – (see distributed sheet) Shows enrollment at 219 for school year 1988/89; for school year 1989/90 enrollment went up to 248 from there in fluctuated up and down. School year 1997/98 enrollment went up to 249 students and then fluctuated up and down with the current enrollment for 2008/09 being 178 students. · Enrollment Projections – will be discussed further under “Old Business”. B. Superintendent’s Report: · CCSU Office move – The move went off as planned. Everyone was able to get settled in record time. We will schedule an open-house for everyone to come and see the new location, but in the meantime if you would like to visit, please feel free to do so. · Superintendent Goals FY09/10: · Provide support and operate as a resource to Principals. Review and revise school wide disciplinary practices. · Provide support for Barnet’s work in the areas of writing and formative assessment. · Coordinate the Strategic Planning across 3 schools and assist the Steering Committee to develop a 3 – 5 year plan. · Assist Board members to refine facilitation and decision making skills in meetings. · Administrative Meetings – The Supt. has been meeting with administrators as well as tech committee meetings. So far these have been very informative and it has been very pleasant collaborating with the 4 school districts. · 21st Century Learning Grant – Supt. Tucker’s thoughts on this is that we should wait until after the Strategic Planning process to see what our needs will be; unless funds aren’t available next year. This means you would be willing to employ a coordinator for the after-school program. 5. New Business: · Proposed Holiday Bazaar – It is being proposed for 11/8/08 to help raise money for the Food Service Program software (see distributed proposal). There would be a table fee of $10-$15, vendors, advertisement, Raffle of donated items, sale of baked goods, service of meals, donations, etc. Action taken: