School board meeting 6/7/07 FINAL
Attending: Lauren Poster - chair, Andy Reichsman – vice chair, Gussie Bartlett – Sec’y, Francie Marbury - Principal, general public: David Ahern
The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.
We signed teacher and staff contracts for the 2007-2008 year.
Lauren moved that we enter Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The motion passed. We entered Executive Session at 7:16. David Ahern left the room for the duration of Executive Session, as Executive Session requires.
We left Executive Session at 7:20.
Lauren moved that we change the wording regarding Francie’s professional development from “not to exceed $600” such that her benefit would match the benefit we offer our teachers, ie, up to the cost of 3 UVM credits. Gussie seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
David Ahern left at 7:25pm.
Lauren moved that we accept the minutes of May 1st, 2007. Andy seconded. The motion passed.
The board decided to support Francie in presenting to administrators the suggestion that they offer to form a transition team to support the new WCSU Superintendent.
In discussing the request from the WCSU to appoint a member to the Policy Committee, the board felt that we would be more comfortable in establishing that committee after the new Superintendent is in place.
Prinicpal’s report. Enrollment is 83. No staffing changes.
We had a further discussion of tuitioning-in students. Francie put forth some ideas about exceptions to our policy. One thought concerned Junior High students, the other related to students who had attended the Meetinghouse School. We decided to table the discussion and possibly seek a second legal opinion about our tuition policy.
Francie updated us about the All Abilities program. Next year there will be only 2 students, so the staffing for the program will change.
We discussed our potential budget surplus. The projection is that we will have a $56,000 surplus in 2007. Andy moved to put $21,297 into the capital reserve fund, $10,000 into the bus reserve fund and $14,703 into our Reserve fund. That totals $46,000. Any additional surplus will be put into our Reserve fund. Lauren seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Lauren moved that we go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. The motion passed. We entered Executive Session at 8:55 pm. We left Executive Session at 9:47pm.
Lauren moved to allow Jody to take a 7-week sabbatical (unpaid leave) and to offer Brenda a .75 assistantship through town meeting day, a .5FTE teaching position thru the April vacation and Full time teaching position from that point through the end of the year. If Brenda declines, Francie would then advertise for a .75 assistant and a long term sub. Gussie seconded the motion. The motion passed.
The decision was made to not alter our benefits procedure, which would have been necessary to meet the request of an employee.
Andy moved to hire Liz Vick for one additional hour per week. Lauren seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Early Ed update. The new law goes into effect in the 2008-2009 school year. The big question is how to count students. Option #1: flat 10 children, Option #2: “the number resulting from 1 plus the 5-year annual percentage increase or decrease in the number of first graders in the district multiplied by the number of first graders from the previous year.” Option #3: number of four year olds in the district. Lauren will contact Ellen to get names of new kids in town to send a letter about early ed opportunities.
Francie has joined the Elementary School Task Force.
Gussie moved that we approve the Action Plan as created by the Action Plan committee. Andy seconded the motion. The motion passed.
The Marlboro After School Program submitted budgetary information and other materials to the Board.
Kelly Salasin asked to use the outback to offer weekly classes. We approved her request and left it to Francie to work out the fee and other details.
Lauren moved that we adjourn. Andy seconded the motion. The motion passed. We adjourned at 11:10pm.
Future meetings: June 20th at 9:00am, August 7th at 10:00am at South Pond, September 4th at 7:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Andy Reichsman
Pay Orders:
#23a 5/11/07 $133,065.95
#24 5/25/07 $168,540.82
#25 6/8/08 $115,827.58
Posted: October 1st, 2007 under School Board.