NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2005
7:32 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Cheney, Gray, Kaplan, Sachsse, Vitt; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and six members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order - Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
2. Reorder of the Agenda
The Board decided to discuss the feasibility study for the installation of a wood chip boiler first to accommodate Tim Maker of the Biomass Energy Resource Center. Rob Edson reported that a preliminary feasibility study had been conducted to consider a woodchip heating system for the school. The proposed system would be semi-automatic and could also provide heat for the town offices at Tracy Hall. Fuel prices were substantially lower when the study was conducted compared to the present, so the savings associated with fuel costs could be increased if the price of fuel continues to increase. John Aubin reported that 90 percent of the school portion of the project would be eligible for state funding. Architectural services for assessing the feasibility of the project would be about $3,000 and an additional $4,000 would be needed for engineering work. These funds could be charged against the Building Maintenance Fund or the operating budget. Tim Maker expected that 50 percent of the cost could be eligible for a Federal grant. The Board suggested that the adjacent churches be considered as partners in the project and the Board agreed to have a representative approach the church about the idea if the installation was feasible. One result of the study would be the determination of the location of the wood chip system’s building. Wayne Gersen requested that the study determine whether and Act 250 would apply to the project.
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to approve the expenditure of up to $7,000 for a feasibility study for the wood chip boiler. The motion was unanimously approved.
3. Approval of minutes
Deb Kaplan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 1 and August 29, the Special Meeting of July 19, the Retreat of August 29, and the Executive Session of July 19, as submitted with changes. The motion was unanimously approved.
Changes: on the June 1 regular meeting, Item 6, the second sentence should replace the word “are” with “were.” The fourth sentence should read “the climate of respect has now been incorporated into the school culture and philosophy. The committee decided that multiage classes would not be used as a method to manage class size at this time but could be revisited.” On the August 29 regular meeting, Item 2, the fifth sentence should recognize that only the school portion of the project would be eligible for 90 percent reimbursement from the state.
On the August 29 Special Meeting minutes, the word “personal” would be deleted from the third sentence.
4. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library.
b) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Gersen cited a VSBA article regarding the possibility that Vermont school districts would be responsible for some teacher retirement costs due to a shortfall in the state program. The Board decided that Chairperson Mary Sachsse would draft a letter to the state legislators urging them to continue the practice of fully funding teacher retirement. Linda Gray will contact the VSBA to determine its recommended course of action.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report – Assistant Superintendent Aubin distributed the unaudited year end financial report, noting the difference in the format due to the recent software installation. He reported that revenues were $293,000 better than projected due to higher than anticipated special ed reimbursements. The higher revenue figures resulted in a year end fund balance of $486,000. Mr. Aubin suggested that the Board postpone the decision to put funds in the special education and maintenance reserve accounts until there is a better understanding about the budget for the current year and for 2006-07.
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed his written report, highlighting the school opening and the enrollment analysis. Mr. Edson praised the work of the custodial staff during the summer, noting that a new custodian was recently hired. Mr. Edson cited the difficulty to recruit staff because the cost of fuel made commuting from afar a serious disadvantage. He also reported that the school’s report cards are being revised and the Board will see the revisions at the October meeting. He announced that the mosaic-design school sign looks beautiful and should be hung soon. Rob Edson also noted that the teachers felt the Retreat was very successful for all involved - Board members, administrators, and faculty.
5. PTO Report
PTO Chair, Cinny Bensen reported that the next PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 12 at 3:30 p.m. in the Art Room. There was positive energy at the new parent night and a coffee was sponsored by the Historical Society for kindergarten and first grade families. The PTO will launch the gift wrap sale in the coming weeks with a goal to increase sales by 50 percent. The PTO expressed appreciation for all of the volunteers involved with the community garden.
6. Public Input
Irv Thomae of the Norwich Finance Committee announced that a public forum about how tax rates are determined will be held on September 15 in the Multipurpose Room in MCS. Linda Gray noted that there also is a Planning Commission meeting scheduled for September 29 regarding growth and its influence on taxes.
7. Business Requiring Discussion
The Superintendent gave an overview of the Retreat and reviewed the three broad conclusions reached regarding goal areas for 2005-06: implementing the teacher supervision and evaluation model; having the administrators, Board and faculty work together as a team with regard to goal setting; andpursuing K-12 curriculum work effectively and with commitment. The Board requested that Principal Edson report on the teacher evaluation system at the next Board meeting.
The Board discussed the Educational Goals which are used to frame the faculty professional development. It was suggested that the first goal be amended by adding the phrase, “and establishing an ongoing supervision and evaluation system.” These goals may also become the Board Goals for 05-06.
The Board also discussed the Budget Guidelines, which were based in part on the Dresden guidelines with the key difference being the cap of 125% spending per equalized pupil. Changes suggested: Goal one would revisit the recently completed review as necessary. Goal two would add the word “costs” after budgeted
8. Business Requiring Action
Superintendent Gersen nominated Jeanne Avicolli as a reading teacher for the 2005-2006 school year and she would be paid via the Title IIa grant. Part of the salary will continue to come from the school budget to supplement the grant. Linda Gray moved and Deb Kaplan seconded a motion to elect Jeanne Avicolli as a reading teacher for the 2005-2006 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
9. Executive Session
Linda Gray moved and Deb Kaplan 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 9:12 p.m.
10. Return to public session
The Board returned to public session at 9:43 p.m.
Deb Kaplan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to grant eight (8) unpaid leave days to Rick Newton. The motion passed 4 yes, 1 no (Gray).
10. Adjournment
Deb Kaplan moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:47 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m. |
