NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5, 2005
7:05 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Cheney, Gray, Kaplan, Sachsse, Vitt; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 11 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order - Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Reorder of the Agenda
The Board decided to discuss the agenda item regarding affordable housing at the outset of the meeting because a representative from the Affordable Housing Advocacy Group was in attendance. The Board reviewed a letter to the Norwich Planning Commission supporting the initiative to increase affordable housing units in Norwich, because of its potential to attract more families with children. The letter explained how the school rate tax was adversely affected by declining enrollment because it increased per-pupil spending. The Board unanimously approved the draft of a letter prepared by Linda Gray.
3. Approval of minutes
Deb Kaplan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 7, and the Executive Session of September 7, as submitted. The motion was unanimously approved.
4. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, November 2, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library. There was an announcement about the scheduled November 4 Select Board Potluck dinner to honor volunteers. The Board reviewed and suggested changes to a letter outlining the Board’s position on the Vermont State Teachers Retirement System.
b) Reports of Administrators
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed his written report, highlighting the enrollment (304) and Hulbert Outdoor School trip.
The Principal expressed concerns about the October timing of the NECAP testing saying that it interrupted the momentum at the outset of the school year and suggested that it might be less disruptive at a different time of the year. He will investigate how other principals feel about the testing time period. Rob Edson also noted an article about the school in the Norwich Times and urged Board members to look at the new sign that would be installed during the coming week.
5. PTO Report
PTO Chair, Cinny Bensen announced that PTO participation has been high and that the next PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 7 at 3:30 p.m. in the Art Room. Cinny Bensen also reported that the School Directory should be published shortly and she expressed appreciation for the PTO volunteers that have worked on it. The Innisbrook fundraiser profits are up 25 percent. She noted that the PTO is accepting proposals for gifts from parents and teachers and submissions are due by November 1. There will be a candy collection for Halloween to benefit in-town houses that receive the bulk of trick-or-treaters. A Food on Friday program accepts food every school day in the MCS front lobby and at Richmond and Hanover High, too. The 6th graders will take the food to the Haven and perform other forms of community service. She reminded the Board that the PTO newsletter is published every other Monday.
6. Business Requiring Discussion
Rob Edson reported that the wood chip boiler feasibility study was moving forward and the consultants were developing a contract for doing the study by the State’s Biomass Energy Resource Center.
Principal Edson also reviewed the MCS Evaluation System, which was recently updated for the first time since January 1999. The revised system is a collaboration between the Principal and teachers and is endorsed by the teachers. The system is tied to the school mission statement and philosophy and is aligned with the state teacher recertification standards. Principal Edson plans to review it at the end of the year. The Board discussed parental input regarding teacher evaluations. Mr. Edson indicated he would speak with other principals to see how it is being done in other districts.
7. Business Requiring Action
Margaret Cheney moved and Deb Kaplan seconded a motion to approve the 2006-2007 Budget Guidelines as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Deb Kaplan moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to approve the Board’s 2005-06 Educational Goals as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Linda Gray moved and Deb Kaplan seconded a motion to appoint Norwich Police Chief, Doug Robinson, a Truant Officer of the Norwich School District for the 2005-06 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Executive Session
Margaret Cheney moved and Deb Kaplan seconded a motion to o 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 8:21 p.m. The Board closed Executive Session at 8:52 p.m. and re-entered public session, which re-opened at 8:52 p.m.
9. Adjournment
Linda Gray moved and Geoffrey Vitt seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:53 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. |
