School board meeting 4/13/09 Minutes
Attending: Lauren Poster – chair, Andy Reichsman – vice chair, Gussie Bartlett – Sec’y, Francie Marbury – Principal, WCSU Superintendent Wendy Houlihan, Gail MacArthur – bus coordinator
The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm.
We discussed with Gail MacArthur the logistics of changing the High School bus run and the possibility of using the Moover to get Marlboro students to BUHS.
It was agreed that Andy will talk to the Moover about logistics; Lauren will talk to Rich Werner, School Board chair from Dover, about their experience with using the Mover.
We reviewed minutes:
Lauren moved that we accept the minutes of 3/9/09. Gussie seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Lauren moved that we accept the minutes of 3/25/09. Gussie seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Gussie moved that we accept the minutes of 3/30/09. Andy seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Principal’s Report (see below)
Also, Francie informed us that it appears that Meetinghouse School’s enrollment may be down substantially for next year. Gussie wondered if the class was small enough, might it be possible for them to be housed in the unoccupied room at MES.
There was discussion about building projects and procedures and what the board’s role should be in making such decisions. We determined that since the proposed replacement of the old greenhouse was filling a curriculum need, it was appropriate for the initiation of the project to have come as a result of administration and the staff discussions. The board was given opportunities to review and propose revisions to the plans, which is an appropriate role for the board to play. Hence, when Donald Sherefkin completes the plans this week, they will be put out to bid. Thank you Donald!
Superintendent’s Report (see below)
We discussed E-mail protocol. We reviewed some School Board Association members’ discussions about the use of e-mails in relation to Vermont’s open meeting policy. It is important that we not use e-mail in a way that involves discussions about issues that would normally be taken up in a meeting. Lauren suggested that the main purpose of e-mail amongst board members is to keep us on track regarding items that need to be discussed at meetings.
We reviewed policies. Andy moved that we warn Code H2 Parent Guardian Involvement Policy Title One. Gussie seconded the motion. The motion passed. The policy will be posted. We will adopt this policy at the May 11th meeting.
Gussie moved that we warn Code D7 Volunteers and Work-Study Students Policy. Lauren seconded the motion. The motion passed. The policy will be posted. We will adopt this policy at the May 11th meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Andy Reichsman
Pay Orders: #21 4/10/09 $ 48,200.80
Future Board Meetings: May 11th at 6:00pm, June 8th at 6:00pm
Marlboro School Board
Monday, April 13, 2009
Principal’s Report
Student Learning
Kindergarten Post Office – over 1000 stamps sold!
Primary – Fraction Fridays and Measurement Mondays
3/4 – Math groups
5/6 – preparation for NYC trip, 4/28-5/1
7/8 – battery power – experiments and rebuilding
Early Education Collaborative
Buildings and Grounds
Sunroom project
Finance/Accounting
Afterschool (Volunteer Coordinator)
Healthy Snack
Budget revision for new computer
Enrollment/Staffing
Enrollment – 79
Staffing – Rachel and Janie in China with Journey East program
Informational items
Girls on the Run
Baseball Skills
Hogback
End of year calendar
Learning Fair, Tues, May 12
Spring Concert and Art Show, Wed, May 27
8th grade Graduation Portfolios – week of June 8
Consortium, Tues, June 9
Graduation, Thurs, June 11
Last day of school, Mon, June 15
Windham Central Supervisory Union
“WCSU will provide member districts with the leadership and resources to ensure a strong education system for all students”
Marlboro Elementary School
Superintendent’s Report 4-13-09
Student Learning As you might know, Title I is a Federal grant provided to Supervisory Unions for supplemental instruction for students who are at risk of not meeting proficiency in the grade expectations. The SU either subgrants portions of this money to schools who are implementing what’s called a Schoolwide program, or hires staff to provide supplemental instruction in Targeted Assistance schools. The money is tightly regulated, and WCSU’s audit each year includes a Title I audit.
We were scheduled for Title I monitoring this week, but the switch to a new electronic reporting system at the state has put that on hold for now. Because I had already sent materials to them, the Title I folks will likely complete the first half of the monitoring this spring (called the “desk audit”) and finish the process with a visit next fall. Today we did host two people from the Federal Fiscal Services department at the DOE for monitoring of fiscal compliance with all Federal and state grants. The new business office structure has allowed us to make considerable improvements from the last fiscal monitoring visit four years ago.
We recently hosted a very large team from the special education arm of the DOE. They were carrying out focused monitoring of the practices across the SU because too many of our students with disabilities are educated outside the regular classroom too much of the time. We will share that report at our annual WCSU meeting. Abby and I regard the visit and report as an opportunity to leverage some changes in practice in the best interest of students.
Finance: I also spent time today as part of a conference call with the Federal Grant administrators, learning what I can about the Title I and Title IID stimulus money. They are still awaiting more guidance that will determine just how we can use the Title I money. Meanwhile, the principals have met with Abby and me to brainstorm strategic ways to use both Title I and IDEA stimulus money that will only be available for two years.
Policy: The WCSU Policy Committee met on March 30 to discuss revisions to Policy D7: Volunteers and Work Study Students, and to discuss H2 Parent Involvement in Title I. The Parent Involvement policy should be adopted as is so we have a common policy across the SU. The revisions to D7 stem from the new sex abuse/offender legislation.
At a joint meeting of the Newfane School Board and the Brookline School Board on Tuesday night, March 30, both boards unanimously voted to ask their towns to approve the formation of a joint school board that would oversee both schools. They hope to warn a special meeting in June.
At the March 25 meeting of the WCSU Board, the membership voted to form a subcommittee to study supervisory union governance options and report back to the WCSU board with its findings. Alison Trowbridge, Windham, and Kim Friedman, Newfane, had requested that the topic be studied and discussed due to concerns about leadership sustainability, including the recent turnover in superintendents and challenges in recruiting board members. The organizational meeting will take place on May 20 at Newfane Elementary School from 6:30-8:30.
Human Resources: Brian Crego has been named the new Associate Principal at Leland and Gray for the 2010 school year.
Meetings upcoming:
April 29 at Townshend Elementary School 7:00 p.m. WCSU Executive Committee/Board of Directors – to continue strategic planning
May 20, 6:30-8:30 at Newfane Elementary School: WCSU governance committee
WCSU Annual Meeting May 27 at Windham 7:00 p.m. At this time, the Commissioner of Education plans to attend.
Place students at the center of decision-making Build trust and respect by acting ethically, transparently, and with integrity Operate as a community of learners, committed to developing the skills and capabilities of all Collaborate, share and seek creative solutions
Posted: May 15th, 2009 under School Board.