BELLOWS FREE ACADEMY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
June 7, 2005
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 in the Library Conference Room.
Present were:
Jim Mercier
Nilda Gonnella-French
Lynn Dickinson
Al Cory
Donna Corrigan
Marilyn Grunewald, Superintendent of Schools (FCSU)
Martha Gagner, Assistant Business Manager
BFA Administration:
Sally Tarr
Ruth Caggige
Laura Gonyeau
Wendy Meunier
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM by Jim Mercier, Chair, who presided.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
3. VISITORS
No visitors present at this portion of the meeting.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4.1 Approval of Minutes of May 3, 2005, May 17, 2005, May 19, 2005 and May 23, 2005
A motion was made by Donna Corrigan and seconded by Nilda Gonnella-French to approve the minutes of the May 3, 2005, May 17, 2005, May 19, 2005, and
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May 23, 2005. Following review of the minutes, the following corrections were made: May 3, 2005, Page 2, 5. Old Business, a. Curriculum Committee – change “no report presented” to “The Committee provided updates on Video Presentations, NSRE and NSRE Testing Incentives with the new Committee member”; Page 3, first paragraph change “Personnel Committee” to Policy Committee”; Page 7, 6.5, last sentence, change “motion carried unanimously” to “motion did not carry”. Changes made to the May 17, 2005 meeting minutes were: Add Nilda Gonnella-French as present. Regarding the May 19, 2005 meeting, Marilyn Grunewald stated that she needed to add the motions made during the Executive Session of this meeting to the minutes. Regarding May 23, 2005, Page 1, 2. Executive Session – the last motion made carried via a vote of 3 to 1. Following review and discussion, Donna Corrigan amended the motion to accept the May 3, 2005, May 17, 2005 and May 23, 2005 meeting minutes as corrected and to submit the May 19, 2005 meeting minutes at the next meeting of the Directors for approval. Motion seconded by Nilda Gonnella-French. Motion carried unanimously.
4.2 Superintendent’s Report
Marilyn Grunewald requested that this meeting’s agenda be amended to include under New Business, 6.5 Tax Anticipation Loan and 6.6 Letter from Dan Lindley. A motion was made by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by Al Corey to amend this meeting’s agenda as recommended. Motion carried unanimously.
5. OLD BUSINESS
5.1 Committee Reports
Jim Mercier reviewed the Board’s Committees’ structure for 2005-2006, verified the Committee Chairs as follows: Curriculum – Donna Corrigan, Chair; Finance/Building – Lynn Dickinson, Chair; Personnel – Nilda Gonnella-French, Chair; Policy – Al Corey, Chair; and Collins Perley – Al Corey.
a. Curriculum Committee – Donna Corrigan reported that the Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2005 at 7:45 AM.
b. Finance/Building Committee – Lynn Dickinson reported that the next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for July 24, 2005.
c. Personnel Committee – No report.
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d. Policy Committee – No Report
e. Collins Perley – Al Corey reported that the Complex is receiving a new front sidewalk. The Collins Perley Board has decided that the initials “CP” would be carved in the cement. He then stated that the Complex’s heating system has become an issue and the CPSC Board has decided to repair the present boiler. Mr. Corey further reported that the fields at the Complex are being repaired. Mr. Corey then commented on the great job on the Bob White Memorial Walk at the Complex and encouraged the Directors to check out the memorial.
5.2 Hearing/Adoption Reading – Resignations (D9) - Discussion occurred on the
Resignation Policy during which Nilda Gonnella-French asked if the phrase “governing body” meant the respective Board to which Marilyn Grunewald responded yes. A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to approve the Resignations (D9) Policy as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
5.3 Hearing/Adoption Reading Tobacco Prohibition (F3) - A motion was made by Donna Corrigan and seconded by Al Corey to approve the Tobacco Prohibition Policy as presented. Discussion occurred during which it was noted that plans are to post signs at BFA and at the Collins Perley prohibiting tobacco use at both facilities. Following discussion the motion was carried unanimously.
5.4 Hearing/Adoption Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace (D8) – A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Donna Corrigan to approve the Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
5.5 School Choice Agreement – Marilyn Grunewald stated that since BFA is currently not a public school, she was uncertain if this policy could be put into place as this time. She recommended that action on this policy be tabled until after July 1, 2005 at which time BFA will become a public school. She further stated that in discussions with other superintendents, the issue of a possible “Franklin County Choice of Schools” concept was raised and stated that the other superintendents are planning of presenting this concept to their respective boards for further discussion. A motion was made by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by Donna Corrigan to table action concerning the School Choice Agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
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5.6 Principal Search – Marilyn Grunewald reviewed the criteria used for the principal search and stated that interviews had been scheduled with three candidates one on Saturday, June 11, 2005 and the remaining two candidates on June 14, 2005. She stated that the Search Committee would be meeting this week to decide on the 10 to 12 questions, which will be presented to the candidates during the interview process. Discussion occurred during which Jim Mercier encouraged all of the Directors to attend the interviews even though only two of the Directors, Lynn Dickinson and himself, would vote on the final candidate.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Grants – Marilyn Grunewald reported that the FCSU Board recently held a consolidated grand planning meeting. She stated that this year, BFA will receive similar amounts of money as to last year and there will be no additional funds.
6.2 Transition Issues - Marilyn Grunewald reported that a meeting has been scheduled with Lynn Murray, Martha Gagner and herself to discuss the Audit of Services performed by Lynn Murray at BFA. Ms. Murray has been asked to have a report on the outcome of her audit available by July 1, 2005. Marilyn Grunewald stated that the Supervisory Union had set aside $39,000 for the BFA’s transition from a private to a public school. She stated that she will recommended to the SU Board to use some of the funds set aside to hire someone to do a systems analysis and review software issues. Marilyn Grunewald then reported that Dean Haller will be conducting a review of BFA’s Human Resources and other departmental forms and will provide the Directors with a report on his findings. Discussion then occurred during which it was noted that due the transition and lack of clarity of how the process works, issues have occurred regarding the hiring process for BFA. Marilyn Grunewald stated that these issues will be addressed by SU Office and BFA Administration via a one day retreat.
Nilda Gonnella-French then raised a question regarding a recent e-mail concerning policy governance. Marilyn Grunewald responded that a meeting is being scheduled for sometime this fall with all of the SU Boards, at the request of the Fairfield School Board, and BFA’s Administrative staff to discuss policy governance.
6.3 First Reading Substitute Policy – A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to adopt to warn the Substitute Policy for the next meeting of the Board of Directors. Motion carried unanimously.
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6.4 Principal Job Description – Marilyn Grunewald reported that the proposed Principal Job Description includes information from BFA’ s current Headmaster’s job description as well as other SU schools principal job descriptions. She stated that the proposed job description was reviewed by Paul Clark, BFA’s Headmaster, and that there is a need to loom at the duties and responsibilities. Discussion occurred during which Sally Tarr questioned whether the required Masters Degree should be in education. Following discussion a motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to accept the proposed Principal Job Description and to remove “Masters Degree in educational leadership” and replace with “Masters Degree in Education. Motion carried unanimously.
6.5 Tax Anticipation Loan – Martha Gagner reported that funding for BFA will be changing next year due to the Town and City changing the property tax process from monthly to quarterly it will be necessary to apply for a tax anticipation loan. She recommended that the BFA obtain a loan from the Chittenden Bank at an interest rate of 2.74 present and use the Community National Bank to invest the funds at 4.20 percent. Martha Gagner stated that the tax anticipation loan needs to be in place by July 1, 2005 and plans are to payoff the loan by June 30, 2006. Discussion occurred following which a motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Donna Corrigan to approve Bellows Free Academy Union High School take out a tax anticipation loan for FY06 for the maximum amount allowable by law with the Chittenden Bank and invest the loan funds in the Community National Bank and that the BFAUHS Treasurer, FCSU Superintendent or FCSU Assistant Business Manager be authorized to sign the necessary paperwork for the Board. Motion carried unanimously.
6.6 Letter from Dan Lindley, St. Albans Town Manager – Marilyn Grunewald distributed a copy of the June 1, 2005 letter from Dan Lindley regarding the Town applying for funds through the VT Agency of Transportation Grant this year to construct a shared use path from Main street to the Collins-Perley Sports Complex. Discussion occurred during which there was consensus by the Board that this request be submitted to Dave Kimel for his review and recommendation.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 Note Card from Sabina Abdullayeva - The Board reviewed the card from Sabina Abdullayeva, an exchange student from Azerbaijan, thanking the Directors for the opportunity to provide the Board with a presentation on her country. Ruth
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Caggige stated that Sabina has returned to Azerbaijan with a certificate from BFA.
7.2 Organizational Sheet – An updated organizational sheet was submitted to the Board for their review and information.
7.3 BFA Union H.S. District #48 Operating Agreement – A copy of the fully executed agreement was submitted to the Board for their review and information.
7.4 Board & Administrator – A copy of the Board & Administrator was submitted to the Board for their review and information.
7.5 Policy Governance – An article from the Board & Administrator on Policy Governance was submitted to the Board for their review and information.
Nilda Gonnella-French asked the Board has received a copy of the Master Agreement between BFA and its Administration and Support Staff. It was noted that the Board has not yet received copies of this Master Agreement. Marilyn Grunewald stated that she would provide the Board with copies.
8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Following discussion the Board agreed on to include the following agenda items for their next meeting: Adoption of Substitutes Policy, Final Board of Trustees Meeting, Principal Search Committee Update.
9. WARRANTS
(Action to the taken following Executive Session.)
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made at 7:35 PM by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Donna Corrigan to accept the recommendation to hire Jim Hill as an English Teacher for the Tech Center and seconded by Al Corey. Motion carried unanimously.
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A motion was made by Al Corey to accept the recommendation to hire Jennifer Stoke as a Math Teacher and seconded by Lynn Dickinson. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson to accept the recommendation to hire Jennifer Lynch for the Accounting Services Supervisor and seconded by Al Corey. Motion carried unanimously.
11. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made at 8:15 p.m. by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan C. Krupp
Recording Secretary
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files\BFA New\board\minutes\FY 2005\bfa minutes 060705.doc