marlboroschool.net

Attending:  Lauren Poster - chair, Andy Reichsman – vice chair, Gussie Bartlett – Sec’y, Wendy Houlihan – WCSU Superintendent, Andy Hauty

Meeting called to order at 7:10pm.

Andy Hauty came to talk about Marlboro’s basketball situation.   One issue has to do with girls’ participation on the team.  He brought up the issue that PE is only scheduled one day per week, which doesn’t allow skills to be taught.  He’s wondering what avenue to take to support the idea of expanding MES’s PE program.

Postponed approving minutes for 1/14/08 for a rewrite.  Approved minutes for 1/29/08.

We raised a question for Gail Chaine as to where MASP’s indebtedness to MES was allocated in the 2007 actual.

In a related but separate issue, it was decided that we should create a new line item for the $2000 for MASP and zero out the volunteer coordinator line.

Francie recommended that we assume MASP’s debt., which, as of January 28th, is at $8,910.30.  We were all a bit blindsided by this figure.  Figuring in account receivables, we were under the impression that at the end of last year the debt was more like $2,500.00.  And we thought there was only a small shortfall in operating costs this year.

It is apparent that we supported the proposal for the program without understanding the complexities and complications it would entail.

Francie said that, in her research, she found it was not uncommon that such programs end up running in the red for the first few years.  The survey that was sent out to families indicated strong interest in the program.  The decision this year to raise tuition rates (to try to make the program self sufficient) affected enrollment downward.  It has been recommended by the steering committee to lower tuition so as to increase the number of participants. Steve Cohen, who, with our support, has taken on the role of MASP’s accountant, has created some projections based on a few scenarios (tuition changes/enrollment changes) and, given financial support by the town, it is possible that the program could break even.  Francie doesn’t see any way for the program to survive without our forgiving the debt.

Lauren misses the enrichment program that used to exist at MES, and that MASP - to some degree - supplanted.  Francie pointed out that the enrichment program was funded to a great extent by Medicaid reimbursement money, which is significantly diminished these days.

Lauren feels we cannot accept the debt.  She said that since this program was never set up to be a school program, and was not listed in our budget, she doesn’t find it acceptable to assume the debt.  She then stated that she was willing to assist in fundraising for MASP so that the debt does not affect our per-pupil spending.

Lauren moved that no expenses for MASP will be paid that exceed its income. No further debt will be incurred by MES.  Andy seconded.  The motion passed.

Lauren moved that for the 2008 -2009 school year any after school program that takes place on the Marlboro School grounds will be administered by the Marlboro School District.  Gussie seconded.  The motion passed.

Principal’s Report (see attachment)

Tom Simon formed a group who toured the building.  Brooks Mitchell is going to research issues around the replacement of the school’s heating units.  Thank you Brooks!

Wendy indicated that it would not be a conflict of interest to hire Pam’s husband, Matt Dricker, as a computer consultant for 2 hours at $50/hr.

Tuition discussion. Lauren has asked Winton Goodrich to advise us on our tuition discussion. Wendy may be getting some tuition related information via the Vermont Supt Association and will pass it along to us.

WCSU report

Wendy gave us an update on her perspective of the grade level professional development meetings.  We had received some concern from MES’s teachers about the value of the meetings.  Wendy expressed her opinion that the meetings should primarily be an opportunity for teachers to exchange ideas, which would be more in line with the expectations of our teachers.

The meeting adjourned at 10:13pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Andy Reichsman

Future Meetings:  February 14th at 9:00am, March 10th at 7:00pm, April 7th at 7:00pm.

Pay Orders:

#16:    2/1/08        $233,741.41

Marlboro School Board
February 4, 2008

Principal’s Report

Student Learning
Winter Workshops and Winter Sports
Kindergarten – Post Office
Primary – Doubles Rap
3rd-4th – work with Paul Hoak and No Fault Zone
5th-6th – Shadow puppet plays of Greek myths with Peter
7th-8th – Costa Rica curriculum, dates for I projects

Policy or Regulation Implementation
Revisit tuition policy

Buildings and Grounds
Follow up with Tom Simon and committee;  Brooks Mitchell to research heating units

Finance/Accounting
MASP debt

Enrollment/Staffing
78 students
Network specialist - $80/hr approved;  need ~ 2hr @ $50/hr (Putney library)

Continuing items
Healthy Snack program update