BELLOWS FREE ACADEMY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
A meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on
Present
were: Absent
were:
Trustees: None
K. Luneau
T. Koldys
M. Montagne
J. Hungerford
J. Brigham
Administration:
R. Levis
Visitors:
J. Moulton
I.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by K. Luneau, Chair, who presided.
II.
HEADMASTER’S REPORT
R. Levis reported on the
following items:
1.
The School experienced a Bomb Scare last week. The School was evacuated and the students and
faculty were housed in the Armory and the four churches located near the
school. A reward has been offered to
anyone with information regarding the Bomb Scare.
2.
The Fine Arts Class presented a Christmas concert on Sunday, and will
be performing this week at the School at Assembly. R. Levis stated
that he will be participating in the Faculty Chorus scheduled to perform on
December 18, 2002.
III.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The Board reviewed the minutes of the November 21,
2002, December 6, 2002 and December 12, 2002 meetings of the Board of
Trustees. Correction were
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made to the November 21, 2002 meeting minutes as
follows: Page 1, #3, Curriculum Meeting
to be changed Department Head Council Meeting; Page 2, #6, Interview Committee,
second paragraph, add the following sentence “K. Luneau stressed conditions some times
dictate that a committee, full or otherwise, cannot be put in place.” , and
Page 6, Department Reports, have the minutes reflect that it is the Athletic
Department not Coach Marlow requesting feedback on
six issues. Following review, a motion
was made by J. Hungerford and seconded by J. Brigham to accept the minutes of the November 21, 2002
meeting as corrected and to accept the December 6, 2002 and December 12, 2002
meeting minutes as presented. Motion
carried unanimously.
IV.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A.
Building and Finance Committee – T. Koldys
reported that the Committee has recommended that the Board of Trustees
appropriate funds for carry over projects from the previous year as follows:
a.
Guidance Department School Management Computer Program - $20,000.
b.
Retirement Cash bylouts not spent in FY 02 -
$18,000.
c.
Furnace for the NWTC Building and Trades Building expansion - $14,000.
d.
Oil Tank for BFA North to reduce natural gas contract costs - $20,000.
e.
Door Magnets for classroom doors - $6,000.
f.
Dust Collector for Tech Ed wood shop - $8,000.
g.
Window replacement in the original BFA Building and Construction -
$100,000.
h.
Collins Perley Sports Center repair
maintenance $60,000.
i.
Pole Vault landing pad replacement and required by NFHS - $8,000.
The Committee also recommended that the Board
appropriate from its FY02 fund balance of $18,000 for one-time expenses for health,safety and instructional items, to include:
$1,800 – Pole Vault Pit
$1,000 – two air conditioners for math computer labs
$1,500 – additional work stations in writing
computer lab.
$3,500 – quite head planer for Tech Ed wood shop
$2,800 – classroom computers and printers
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$1,640 – Health
textbooks
$2,200 – Smart board for
instructional use
$1,500 – Current maps
and rack for Social Studies Department
$2,000 – Other instructional
supplies and materials
Following review and discussion a motion was made by
T. Koldys and seconded by J. Brigham
to approve the appropriation of funds for carry over projects from the previous
year for items A, B, C, D, E, F, and I for a total of $86,000. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by T. Koldys
and seconded by J. Hungerford to appropriate $100,000
for G, Window replacement in the original BFA Building and Construction. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by T. Koldys
and seconded by J. Hungerford to appropriate $60,000
for Collins Perley Sports Center repair maintenance
to be used over the next three years.
Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by T.Koldys
and seconded by J. Hungerford to appropriate $18,000
for one-time expenses for health, safety and instructional items. Motion carried unanimously.
T. Koldys provided the
Board with an update on the budget process.
He reported that Health Insurance premiums have increased by 19 percent,
and Dental Insurance premiums increased by 26 percent. The Committee is currently obtaining rates
for workers compensation.
Copies of the Monthly Financial Summary for November
2002 were distributed to the Board for their review and information.
B.
Curriculum Committee – K. Luneau presented
the new course proposals for the 2003-2004 School Year for review and
discussion by the Board. The proposed
courses, all elective are as follows: Business Law II, Women’s Studies,
Conceptual Physics, Scientific Illustration, Canadian Literature, Children’s
Literature, Strategic Reading and Writing, Language of Lyrics, AP Studio Art,
and AEC Skill- Building.
Discussion occurred on the Career Course currently
being offered at BFA. K. Luneau reported that this course has been well received by
both the students and faculty, and that the faculty believe there is a definite
need
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for students.
The Committee is currently investigating the possibility of NWTC and
Special Ed students, who meet the course’s criteria, receive credit for working
and looking for way for other students not enrolled in the NWTC or Special Ed
programs to also receive credits for working.
The Committee also continues to discuss ways to keep students in school.
K. Luneau reported the
proposed courses have been reviewed by the Department Chair Council, the
Curriculum Committee members, K. Luneau and J. Hungerford, and by
R. Levis and L. Gonyeau. J. Hungerford
stated that the proposed course list offers students more of a choice for
elective courses. K. Luneau
stated that the courses presented would not need additional teachers, only
supplies. R. Levis
reported that any course with less than ten students, is discussed with the
Department Chair to determine if the class will conducted. T.Koldys stated
that he would like to know what the materials/supplies cost would be for each
proposed course.
K. Luneau then reported
that the Committee is reviewing the Guidance Department’s suggestion to compile
a list of all elective courses offered at BFA and survey the students to see
where the interest lies.
Discussion then occurred on the proposed
courses. There was consensus by the
Board that a Strategic Reading and Writing Program is a definite need, and the
AEC Skill-Building Course, which is already being offered should continue, but
needs to be revised. Also discussed was
the issue of limited space, which limits the number of courses offered.
Following discussion the Board prioritized the
following courses/program as definite needs for BFA students:
1.
Strategic Reading and Writing Program.
2.
Keeping Juniors in School - 5
course requirement
3.
Career Course – Decide if this course would be a requirement for
Juniors only or also be a requirement for Seniors
4.
AEC Skill Building Program
Discussion then occurred on Canadian Literature
and Women’s Studies. The Board was informed that one of BFA’s teachers, Justin Bedell,
has studied Canadian Literature and well versed on this topic. The Board agreed that, due to the School’s
close location to Canada, that is would be a good course to offer students.
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Regarding Women’s Studies, K. Luneau
stated her concern regarding limited time and resources, that a combined
women’s and minorities course should be considered. Minorities is currently covered in Civics,
however it is not covering enough of the topic. R. Levis stated
that Women’s Studies is more than a minority issue, buth
rather about women in history who have contributed to society and role models
for female students. He stated that
Meredith Potter proposed the course. K.
Luneau then stated that the Board had requested, last
year, that a course on minorities be investigated. R. Levis responded
that this request had not been investigated as requested, and assured the Board
that he would obtain information for presentation to the Board.
Discussion then continued on the costs for the proposed
courses. R. Levis
reported that the estimated cost for the following five courses is estimated at
$5,000: 1. Business Law II, 2. Women’s Studies, 3. Conceptual Physics, 4.
Canadian Literature and 5. AP Studio Art.
The Board was informed that the budget may dictate changes and or cuts
in courses offered. If so, the Board
may consider increasing class size requirement from 10 to 15 students per
class.
Following discussion, a motion was then made by J. Hungerford and seconded by K. Luneau
to recommend the Pilot Career Ed Course be approved as a required course. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by J. Hungerford
and seconded by T. Koldys to hire a reading teacher
for the Strategic Reading and Writing Program.
Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by J. Hungerford
and seconded by M. Montagne to add the following
elective courses to BFA’s curriculum: Business Law II, Women’s Studies, Conceptual
Physics, Canadian Literature, and AP Studio Art. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was then made by J. Hungerford
and seconded by T. Koldys to require all Juniors to
take 5 courses each trimester. Motion
carried unanimously.
C.
Policy Committee - J. Hungerford presented the following policies to the Board
for their review and/or action as stated:
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1.
The Students Records Policy
was presented to the Board for second reading.
Following discussion, a motion was made by J. Hungerford
and seconded by T. Koldys to accept the policy as
presented. Motion carried unanimously.
2.
The Student Conduct/Discipline
Policy was presented to the Board for second reading. Following review, a
motion was made by T. Koldys and seconded by M. Montagne to adopt the policy as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
3.
The Public Displays of
Recognition Policy was submitted to the Board for first reading.
4.
The Facility Use and Bidding
Policies was reviewed and will be submitted to the Building and Finance
Committee for further review and comment.
J. Hungerford then informed
the Board that the Committee has begun reviewing all policies last reviewed in
1998, and recommend the following action:
1.
A1Policy Development and A2 Policy Adoption be replaced by VSBA Models: A1 The Role of Policy and
A2 Policy Development and Adoption and presented the Board for first
reading.
2.
B2Code of Ethics and B3 Board Member Conflict of Interest remain the same. A motion was made by J. Hungerford
and seconded by J. Brigham to approve the Policy
Committee’s recommendation for B2 Code of Ethics and B3 Board Member Conflict of
Interest Policies.
3.
C1 Non-Discrimination Policy and C2
Non-Discrimination on the Basis of
Disability Policy will be submitted to the Board at their next meeting.
Discussion then occurred on the establishing a policy regarding no athletic practices held on Sundays. Currently there are teams that hold practice sessions on Sundays, especially if there is a game scheduled for the following Monday. There was consensus to refer this issue to the Policy Committee for further review.
D.
Personnel Committee – The Committee is currently working on contract
negotiations with the faculty.
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E.
Collins Perley Sports Center – M. Montagne reported that the Committee’s recent meeting was
devoted to work in the proposed Agreement between BFA and CPSC.
F.
WIB Steering Committee – Discussion then occurred on the new tech
center proposed for Chittenden County. There was consensus by the Board that the
State funds designated for the proposed tech center should be divided equally
between the 14 State Tech Centers already established instead of the funds all
going to Chittenden County. Plans ae also in
the works to schedule a meeting with local legislators and BFA, MVU, Enosburg, Richford and Fairfax
high school representatives to discuss the proposed Tech Center funds.
V.
OLD BUSINESS
R. Levis reported that he
is working on scheduling a time to meet with Prison Officials and local high
school representatives and faculty members to discuss the issue of truancy and drop out rates.
VI.
BOARD GOALS
A. Bond Vote - Discussion occurred on the Bond Vote scheduled for
March 2003. A motion was made by J. Hungerford and seconded by M. Montagne
to amend this meeting’s agenda to include action on the Bond Vote. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was then made by J. Hungerford
and seconded by M. Montagne to bring the Bond Vote
issue to the City and Town School Boards for approval. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Faculty Function – A
luncheon with Faulty and Board has been scheduled for Inservice
Day, January 15, 2003.
VII DEPARTMENT
REPORTS
A. Real Life Department - Discussion occurred on the December
2002 Real Life Department report regarding the Department Chair’s comments on
not having enough walkie talkies available from
Faculty use during a bomb threat. R. Levis stated that the walkie
talkies are very useful during evacuations and plans are to obtain more for the
faculty.
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B. Guidance Department - Comment was made on the great response
received regarding the Guidance Advisory Committee. The Committee consists of volunteers
representing the Faculty, Board and students.
C. English Department – T. Koldys stated that he enjoyed Erica LeClair’s Pre-AP Class’ Night of Reflection and Culture
Fest he attended on November 25, 2002 held at BFA’s Media Center.
D. Study Skills Report –
Comment was made on the new booklet, “How to get Good Grades” which was
distributed to the Freshman Class and the survey recently conducted on the new
checklist format.
VII.
CORRESPONDCE
The Board reviewed the letter and St. Albans Messenger Article submitted by Hillary Lynn, BFA
Student, regarding Fairfax BFA students representatives serving on the Board.
It was noted that because of the Bellows Will, the make-up of the Board
can not be changed. However, students
can attend the meetings in the capacity of Visitors. R. Levis stated
that he would discuss with the Student Council regarding appointing a student
to attend Board meetings.
VIII.
OTHER
A. BFA/NWTC Climate Committee –
R. Levis reported that representatives of the Climate
Committee and himself recently reviewed the video tape of the June 4, 2002
Board of Trustees meeting, as recommended by the Board at their last meeting. He then reviewed his memo of December 12,
2002 to the Board offering a possible resolution to bring this matter to
close. The memo recommended that at
their next meeting that the Board of Trustees amend the amended minutes of the
June 4, 2002 meeting by removing the words “if possible” with respect to Board
member participation on hiring Committees.
Thus reflecting the meeting as represented on the video tape.
Discussion occurred following which a motion was
made by J. Hungerford and seconded M. Montagne to amend the June 4, 2002 meeting minutes by
removing the words “if possible” with respect to Board member participation o
hiring committees. The motion was
approved following a vote of three in favor and two opposed.
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IX.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made at 9:25 PM by J. Hungerford and seconded by M. Montagne
to enter into Executive Session. Motion
carried unanimously.
A motion was made at 10:36 PM by J. Brigham and seconded by J. Hungerford
to exit Executive Session. Motion
carried unaninously.
X.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made at 10:37 PM by J. Hungerford and seconded by J. Brigham
to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully
submitted,
Susan
C. Krupp
Recording
Secretary