School board meeting 10/12/09 APPROVED

Attending:  Lauren Poster – chair, Andy Reichsman – vice chair, Francie Marbury – Principal, Steven John – WCSU Superintendent, Tom Simon from the Marlboro Energy Committee, Elizabeth Stead and Craig Stead of Stead Energy Services, Keith Abbott of Thermal House, Theo Anagnostaras from the Marlboro Energy Committee.

The meeting was called to order at 6:07 pm.

Tom introduced Keith Abbott, who talked about his experience.  He described some of his work and the benefits of using infrared cameras and blower doors to detect draft leaks in the building and to establish an air quality baseline.  He advocated a holistic approach to diagnostics: mechanical systems, delivery system, envelope.  He would create a heat-load spread sheet to determine current BTU load; then he would do diagnostic analysis, make recommendations and create a spreadsheet to show savings for various actions compared to the costs.  He referred to his work at the Jamaica School, how it made a tremendous difference to their environment.

Then Craig Stead spoke.  He takes a different approach.  He uses data loggers, as opposed to using blower doors or infrared cameras.  He uses data from the loggers to see what exactly is going on in building, which mechanical systems are on, when and for how long.  He encouraged us to look at the Vermont Energy Education Program web site for thoughts about using the process as an educational opportunity.  He spoke about his work at the Bellows Falls School.

At that point, the contractors left and the board had a discussion with the Marlboro Energy Committee.  The board related their experience with several previous studies that were helpful but not to the extent that the board had hoped.  Andy pointed out that financially, the district is probably not in a position to spend any substantial monies on capital expenditures, but that if there was grant money available we’d likely be interested in pursuing a better understanding of our buildings’ envelopes.

Andy moved that the board authorize the Marlboro Energy Committee to research potential funding for energy analysis along the lines of Thermal House’s approach and that the board would consider proceeding with the analysis and recommended work, depending on the additional cost to the district beyond the grant money available.

Tom Simon suggested that the solar panel be dedicated to some worthy individual.  Lauren suggested that we consult with the Junior High School about this.

Lauren moved that we adopt Policy F-1 Student Conduct and Discipline.  Andy seconded.  The motion passed.

Lauren moved that we adopt Policy F7 Alcohol And Drugs.  Andy seconded.  The motion passed.

Principal’s report (see attached below).

Superintendent’s report (see attached below).

Andy will contact Frank Rucker to get his perspective on the MASP situation: debt vs. loan.

The meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Andy Reichsman

Pay Orders:                          #7            9/25/09            $56,829.48

Pay Orders:                          #8            10/9/09            $62,236.94

Our Guiding Principles:

Students’ will be at the center of our decision-making

We will keep to the agenda.

The chair will estimate the amount of time necessary for each item

and act as timekeeper during the meeting.

Every voice is heard as discussion goes back and forth.

Decisions will not be made hastily.

We will ask ourselves, “What other information do we need

in order to make a thoughtful decision?”

Decisions/discussion will be recapped before moving on to a new item.

Items requiring action will be identified and we will note who is responsible for each action item.

Follow through will occur before the next meeting.

We will use e-mail judiciously to communicate between meetings.

Implementation Guidelines:

Meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month with the fourth Monday

kept in reserve, if an additional meeting is needed.

The chair will send out the agenda the Thursday before the meeting.

The meetings will start at 6 pm and go no later than 9 pm

Marlboro School Board

Principal’s Report

Monday, October 12, 2009

Student Learning

Teacher supervision and evaluation in process

Science NECAP

4^th grade  3 students:  2 partially prof,  1 not tested

8^th grade  9 students:  1 prof, 5 partially prof, 3 did not complete

Beginning of year assessment in reading and math

CFG (PLC) to focus on writing/communication – ask for Margaret MacLean’s support

Math consultant

Policy or Regulation Implementation

Policy spreadsheet

Buildings and Grounds

Shift to heating season

Finance/Accounting

Budget development timeline

MSA contribution to tech, field research, and Social Inclusion

Enrollment/Staffing

Enrollment  87

Staffing – Spanish teacher update

Informational items

Julie Diamond here October 29, 2009

Kim John Payne speaks at 7pm on November 12

Superintendent’s Report for the Marlboro School Board

October 12, 2009

Student/Staff Learning

1. Principals received last spring’s NECAP Item Analysis Reports for science in grades 4, 8, and 11.  Following an embargo that allows administrators to correct any errors in the student rosters, these test results have been released to the public and available to parents.  Principals will provide a summary of their students’ performance.
2. I previously emailed copies of the WCSU Strategic Plan including the action steps and means to reach our goals to all board members.  I included revisions based on suggestions from principals and teachers to clarify some details.  Please review this document and email your questions, comments and suggestions to me by Oct. 15^th.  I want to have a final draft for the full WCSU Board’s consideration on Oct. 21^st.
3. PLC Facilitators’ Training for lead teachers and members of the WCSU Professional Development Team began with two all day sessions Monday and Tuesday, 9/21-22.   Diana Watson and Margaret Maclean, members of the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF), are our coaches for this workshop and coursework continuing for five days over this school year.  This training includes principals and teachers who will collaborate to form Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) within and among their schools.  Marlboro’s staff will work as a single PLC to reflect on their practice and revise their instruction to improve student learning.
4. The Professional Development Team met at Dover School last Thursday morning for two hours to begin planning activities and courses for this year.  Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) will continue to be the universal and major emphasis of our professional learning.  All staff will receive a professional development newsletter periodically via email.
5. Teachers and principals will be setting their professional goals for this school year in keeping with the WCSU guidelines for supervision and evaluation adopted last year.
6. On September 11^th, I met with the Local Standards Board (LSB) to review the licenses of all certified employees in the WCSU.  The LSB includes a number of experienced educators and one board member, Emily Long.   They meet monthly to review teacher progress on Independent Professional Development Plans and act on applications for license renewal.  I commend this group for their commitment and dedication to improving our profession.
7. I attended the New Superintendents’ Orientation at the VSA Office in Montpelier on Thursday, September 24^th and met with Commissioner Vilaseca for a lengthy discussion of current fiscal and demographic realities in our state.
8. On Friday, 9/25, I enjoyed greeting students and introduced them to Johnny Appleseed, a.k.a. John Chapman who was born September 26, 1774 in Leominster, MA.  I challenge grades K-1 with a riddle and shared some fine apples and seeds for planting.
9. Three weeks ago, I attended a board meeting of the Orange South Supervisory Union in Randolph VT.  Three members of the WCSU Governance Committee joined me for this field trip to see policy governance in action.  The full committee met on September 23^rd at Newfane School to share the findings of the three sub-committee research groups.  We look forward to the recommendations of the Governance Committee for the WCSU’s consideration.
10. I have completed my review of all school district and WCSU policies.  A summary of the status of all policies in all our school districts has been emailed to the board chairs for review prior to the full WCSU Board Meeting on Oct. 21^st at 7 P.M. in Wardsboro.
11. At the VSBA Regional Meeting on September 30^th, the board members elected Emily Long, President, and Lauren Poster, Alternate to the Resolutions Committee.  They will help represent Windham County school boards at the state level of the VSBA.
12. On Friday, 9/18/09, the DOE approved our Consolidated Federal Programs (CFP) and American Recovery and Restitution Act (ARRA) grants.  Laurie Garland’s patience and persistence with the electronic application process was critical in gaining this approval.  This, coupled with the prior approval of the IDEA/ARRA grant, enables the WCSU to issue contracts for the professional services specified in our proposals.
13. On October 6^th Laurie and I attended the full day training, “CFP 101”, sponsored by the DOE in Montpelier.  This workshop covered all the requirements and recommended strategies for us to take full advantage of the Consolidated Federal Grants Program, including Titles I, II-A, II-D, and IV.
14. Frank is preparing timelines to guide the budgeting process for all school districts in the WCSU.  Leland and Gray is the first in line with Brookline-Newfane preceding the other elementary districts.
15. The heating fuel bid was awarded to the low bidder, Irving Oil.  We are contracting for oil at the market rate this season.  The first delivery came in at $2.089 per gallon.

Policy/Regulation

Finance/Accounting/Operations

Enrollment/Staffing

1. I urge the board to support the use of PowerSchool, the WCSU’s school in formation system.  I was quite chagrined to find that Marlboro had only 22 students enrolled according to my records.  I became aware of this problem when I had to report enrollments to Peerless Insurance for our WCSU workman’s compensation policy.
2. In addition to being part-time principal of Windham School, John Doty is now serving as the WCSU Professional Development Coordinator for Improved Student Learning.  He is contracted for this work as a consultant for up to 16 hours per week.  His contract expires December 31st, and may be extended or revised through June 30, 2010 based on my evaluation and feedback from members of the WCSU Professional Development Team.  His charge is to coordinate all professional development workshops, courses and activities supported by the WCSU.  He will work with the WCSU Professional Development Team to focus our professional development resources to improve student learning across the supervisory union.
3. Susan Daigneault or Lucy Sprung will substitute as receptionist to cover the phones when Becky Paroli is absent or unavailable.  You may know Lucy from her work as a substitute administrative assistant at Newfane School.  Susan also works as a para-professional at Leland and Gray.

Informational Items

1. The next Governance Committee Meeting will be October 14^th at 6:30 in Newfane.
2. Full WCSU Board Meeting on Oct. 21^st at 7 P.M. in Wardsboro.
3. I will attend the VSBA and VSA Annual Fall Conference on October 15-16.

Sbj-10/10/09