School board meeting 5/1/07 FINAL
Attending: Lauren Poster - chair, Andy Reichsman – vice chair, Francie Marbury - Principal, Tina Shakespeare, interim Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 7:06pm.
Review of April 5th Minutes. Lauren moved that we accept the minutes with minor changes. Andy seconded. The motion passed.
We discussed the High School bus run situation and decided to leave things as they are.
Legislative discussion. The Early Ed bill is moving through the legislature. It is currently unclear how it will affect us. Regarding the Education Spending Cap Bill, Lauren contacted Peter Shumlin, Richard Merek and Jeanette White to express her concern about capping school budgets to a 3.5% increase annually. Andy responded to an op-ed piece in the Times-Argus about the caps.
Principal’s Report, enrollment 82, no changes.
There is a Progressive Educators Gathering on May 12th at Greenfield Center School.
Junior High Graduation Portfolio Presentations are scheduled for June 6th, 7th 8th and 11th from 3:30 – 5:30pm. Board members are encouraged to attend at least one of these sessions to see first hand the progress being made in authentic assessment.
Afterschool program. There was a discussion about the fiscal management of the program. Steve Cohen has offered to take on the role of business manager for MASP. We decided that we would authorize Steve to spend up to 30 hours to get the financials in order and produce a year end report. If the program is running a surplus and has funds available, Steve would barter and/or be paid by MASP. If the program is in the red, MES will reduce tuition for the Cohen family along the lines of Steve’s proposal. In either case, it is likely that this arrangement will be extended into the next school year.
Lauren moved that we go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Andy seconded the motion. We entered Executive Session at 8:18pm.
We left Executive Session at 9:02pm
As a result of our discussions in Executive Session, a decision was made to hire Tim Burns as Custodian. Then, due to the need for a long term sub in a classroom, we agreed to pay the assistant in that classroom as a long term sub for the week that she replaced the classroom teacher. Finally, we agreed to staff the Junior High at 1.8 teachers for next year.
The School Board would like to acknowledge Wayne Powling’s long and dedicated service to MES. We wish him the best for the future. Stay tuned for information about a retirement party for Wayne.
In consideration of educational and community continuity, it was decided that we will extend our grandfathering as regards tuition students to families who already have students in the school and relocate out of town. They will be eligible to tuition in to MES.
Lauren moved to adjourn at 10:13pm. Andy seconded. The motion passed.
Next regular board meeting: June 5th at 7:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Andy Reichsman
Pay Orders:
#21 4/13/07 $78,423.22
#22 4/27/07 $69,042.61
Posted: October 1st, 2007 under School Board.