marlboroschool.net

Attending:  Lauren Poster - chair, Andy Reichsman – vice chair, Gussie Bartlett – Sec’y, Francie Marbury – Principal, Wendy Houlihan  - WCSU Superintendent (arrived 8:15pm), Tom Toleno

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm.

Tom Toleno spoke to us about the fact that he is becoming the legal guardian to a student who will be attending BUHS.

We went into Executive Session at 7:33pm to discuss matters related to the Supervisory Union budget and SU restructuring.  We left Executive Session at 7:50pm. No action was taken.

The minutes for 9/24/07 were approved.  Lauren moved that we approve the minutes for 10/1/07 with one correction.  Andy seconded.  The motion passed.

We discussed MASP and are concerned about the cost and enrollment of MASP.  We will ask MASP for an update for one of our December meetings.

The meeting with the teachers regarding negotiations has been changed to Monday December 10th at 1:30 pm.

Discussion about SU budget and restructuring.  Lauren asked about how Special Education reimbursements would work.  Wendy said that she would get that information for us.  We expressed concern about Special Education staff being shared between schools.  Wendy pointed out that we have only 2 or 4 I.E.P.s projected for next year, which is well short of a full time position.  Francie expressed confidence that we actually had a higher number of I.E.P.s  (note:  Supervisory Union documentation lists MES as having 7 I.E.P.s).  We asked about the possibility of having our Special Education person fulfill other responsibilities within the school.  Francie said that she understands and accepts the need to reduce staff but that there are a lot of issues as to how to do it in a way that will satisfy all the interested parties.  We had a question as to how MES is considered such a high spending Special Education school.  Francie asked what would be the process for administrators to have input in the restructuring and restaffing.  Wendy said that would be worked out after the staffing end of it was resolved.

Lauren raised issues about the System Administrator position being part of the Supervisory Union Assessment as opposed to the Agency Fund, where we could opt out.  We hired Pam specifically because of her computer skills.  She has created a simple and effective website for MES.  There were also concerned about student confidentiality (Power School).  We asked if we could either be zeroed out of that cost sharing or have that expense put it in Agency Fund.

CFO position would allow that person to be able to have big picture perspective and not be dragged down by blizzard of reporting and required paperwork.  SU accountant and AP/Payroll Clerk positions reporting to CFO.  What does this mean for Gail?

There was a discussion of pre-kindergarten funding and rule changes in the legislature.  Status quo for the next year but things are in flux and we need to keep an eye on changes.

We discussed the tuition student issues.  There may be many ramifications of a recent Supreme Court ruling.  The Board of Education will be sorting this out.  Apparently currently it is felt that Federal funding would follow student but State funding would not.  The State funding is the bulk of Special Education reimbursement.

Francie:  “As we look at maintaining or honoring uniqueness, how do we proceed regarding assessment and other issues?”  Wendy replied “Evidence of learning”.

Further discussion on student tuition issues.  There have been three new inquiries about tuitioning-in.  Lauren feels that the risk involved with Junior High students is low enough to consider allowing them.  The risk is much greater with elementary students.

Lauren moved that we allow students to tuition into the Junior High, dependent on the Junior High teachers assessment of classroom capacity.  Gussie seconded.  The motion passed.  It was decided to hold off on making any decision about our position regarding other tuition students until the state has resolved the Special Education ramifications.

Lauren moved that we approve warning The Prevention of Harassment of Students Policy. Gussie seconded.   The motion passed.  Gussie will post the Policy.

Francie updated us on the Healthy Snack program.

In reference to the Oct 1st minutes, as regards Andy’s motion to direct the budget line “Volunteer Coordinator” to MASP, we have slightly altered how that transaction will be carried out.  We will pay MASP $2000 and MASP will pay Steve Cohen $1800 as financial manager of MASP.  Steve Cohen will pay full tuition.  MASP will pay MES the remaining $200 to further reduce their debt.

We reviewed what information would be helpful at this stage in our budgeting: Special Education figures, tuition students K – 8.

Future meetings:  Regular meeting Monday December 10th 7:00pm, budget meeting:  Monday December 17th at 4:00pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Andy Reichsman

Pay Orders:

#8:    10/12/07    $40,034.24
#9:    10/26/07    $96,053.38
#10    11/9/07    $61,789.75

Marlboro School Board
November 19, 2007

Principal’s Report

Student Learning
David’s Cape Cod Night
3/4 literature group presentations
Primary Young Authors Celebration
JH Learning about Learning

Policy or Regulation Implementation
Tuition Policy revisited (decision)
Benefits Procedures (decision)
Policies to warn

Buildings and Grounds
Playground work
Meeting with Dan MacArthur and Michelle Holzapfel to begin long range thinking about community center in school and what that means for greenhouse renovation

Finance/Accounting
Staff negotiations – Pam and Rachel – request that meeting be at 1:30 instead of 3pm

Enrollment/Staffing
79 students
No changes in staffing

Follow-up items
School Breakfast program update
MASP update