NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2005
7:00 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Cheney, Gray, Kaplan, Sachsse, Vitt; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 4 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order - Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 5, as submitted with changes. The motion was unanimously approved. The changes on item 2, second sentence should incorporate that the potential of the initiative could attract more families with children to Norwich. The third sentence should end after per-pupil spending.
3. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library. Margaret Cheney announced that the Special Dresden District Meeting will be held on Monday, November 7, discussion phase at 7:00 PM in Tracy Hall in Norwich, and Tuesday, November 8, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for all day voting. The voting will take place in Tracy Hall for Norwich voters and the Richard W. Black Community Center in Hanover for Hanover voters.
b) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen referenced the report by the K-12 World Language Committee regarding introducing languages earlier in school grades. He said a proposal on elementary foreign language may be discussed at the up coming SAU meeting.
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed his written report, highlighting the enrollment, which showed that there were eight additional students at Marion Cross since school opened. He added that a few new substitute teachers have been added since the newspaper article appeared regarding the lack of substitutes available in Norwich. The newly formatted report cards were distributed to the Board and discussed. The report cards for grades one through four have identical formats including feedback on social skills, while the fifth and sixth grades are more extensive. Rob Edson initiated the institution of common formats at each grade level to ensure that teachers used similar benchmarks, but noted that grading is still often subjective. He said the developing consistency here would come next and can be worked on at teachers’ weekly grade-level meetings. Parent conferences are scheduled to begin in November.
Principal Edson reported that he had signed a contract with the biomass Energy Resource Center for the wood chip heat system architect and engineer work, which is expected to be $4,000 in net costs. A report about the system is expected by the end of December.
4. PTO Report
PTO Chair, Cinny Bensen announced that the next PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 7 at 3:30 p.m. in the Art Room. The School Directory has been published and distributed. The candy collection for Halloween was distributed to 113 houses and twice the amount of last year’s candy was given out. On Saturday, November 19 there will be a gift making program. Another Vermont author will visit the school next week and conduct a program for 4th-6th graders. The PTO has decided to spend $1,500 to support the Norwich Business Program’s Dr. Quark assembly; first grade field trips to the Montshire; and the purchase of handheld candles for the holiday concerts. Teachers will receive a gourmet basket before Thanksgiving,
5. Public Input
The public asked about the number of students that do not go to kindergarten at MCS and suggested that more “marketing” occur among pre-school parents. Principal Edson will be going to meet with preschool parents.
6. Business Requiring Discussion
Wayne Gersen reviewed enrollment projections for Norwich students in grades 7-12 and Marion Cross School. He expressed confidence with the analysis for secondary students because the students are already in the school system so there is greater long run predictability. He reviewed the method he used to project the elementary enrollments, which was the same as had been used by the previous superintendent. In the final analysis, a loss of 50 students is forecast at the elementary level across the next six years.
7. Future Agenda Items
It was suggested that the Board get an updated report about the Norwich students enrolled in other schools in the area. Additionally, it was suggested that the Board consider the budget work time table for planning purposes.
8. Executive Session
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to go into Executive Session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of negotiations and personnel matters. The motion passed unanimously. The Board went into Executive Session at 7:49 p.m. The Board re-entered public session at 8:35 p.m.
9. Adjournment
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. |
