BELLOWS FREE ACADEMY UNION DISTRICT #48
AND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 6, 2005
A meeting of the BFA Union District #48 and Northwest Technical Center Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, September 6, 2005.
Present were:
Board:
Jim Mercier
Lynn Dickinson
Nilda Gonnella-French
Donna Corrigan
Al Corey
Jennifer Gissel, Student Repr.
Marilyn Grunewald, FCSU Superintendent
Ned Caron, BFA Principal
Administrators:
Sara Denny, Supervisory
Jean Prindle, Supervisory
Martha Gagner, Supervisory
Ruth Caggige, BFA
Laura Gonyeau, BFA
Wendy Meunier, BFA
Visitor:
Paula Johnson
L. Louise Haynes
Reg Godin
Dante Gamache
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 who were present.
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A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Nilda Gonnella-French to amend this meetings agenda to include 6.1A French Class, and 10.2 Contracts. Motion carried 5.1.
3. VISITORS
No visitor comments submitted at this portion of the meeting.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
4.1. Approval of Minutes of June 2, 2005, June 28, 2005, July 1, 2005, July 12, 2005, July 21, 2005 and August 16, 2005.
A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to approve
the minutes of the June 2, 2006 Board of Directors meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The following corrections were made to the minutes of the June 28, 2005 Board of Directors meeting:1) Add Al Corey as attending the meeting, 2) page 2, second paragraph add “in keeping with the original plan” to the second sentence.
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to approve
the minutes of the June 28, 2005 Board of Directors meeting as corrected. Motion carried 5-0.
Corrections were made the minutes of the July 12, 2005 Board of Directors meeting as follows: Page 2, 5. New Business 5.1 Note that the motion did not carry but rather tabled.
A motion was made by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by Al Corey to
approve the minutes of the July 12, 2005 Board of Directors meeting as
corrected. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Nilda Gonnella-French to
approve the minutes of the July 21, 2005 Board of Directors meeting as
presented. Motion carried 5-0.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 6, 2005
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Corrections were made to the minutes of the August 18, 2005 Board of Directors meeting as follows: Page 2, first paragraph, change Motion carried from 5-0 to 3-0.
A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to approve
the minutes of the August 18, 2005 Board of Directors meeting as
corrected. Motion carried unanimously.
4.2 Superintendent’s Report
A motion was made by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by Al Corey
to approve the Superintendent’s Report as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
4.3 Principal’s Report
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to approve
the Principal’s Report as submitted.
Motion carried 5-0.
5. OLD BUSINESS
5.1 Committee Reports
a. Curriculum Committee – Lynn Dickinson reported that the Committee has been reviewing and discussing BFA’s current trimester scheduling as well as comments received from Staff regarding trimester scheduling. She stated that Ned Caron will be providing the Board with a presentation on Master Scheduling and Staff Development.
b. Finance Committee – The next meeting of the Finance Committee is scheduled for September 20, 2005 at 4:30 PM as which time the Committee will begin the development of the 2006-2007 budget.
c. Personnel Committee – The next meeting of the Personnel Committee is scheduled for October 4, 2005.
d. Policy Committee – No meeting held this month. Al Corey reported that the Committee will be reviewing all BFA policies.
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e. Collins Perley - Al Corey reported that the ice rink at the CPSC is leaking resulting a large amount of Freon loss, and needs to be addressed. He stated that it is unknown, at this time, what condition the pipes are underneath the ice rink surface. Mr. Corey then reported on the Bove Project – water/wastewater connection at the Collins Perley, and also commented that there has been no apparent soil contamination.
5.2 Hearing/Adoption Reading Policy on Prevention of Harassment of Students (F23).
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to adopt
the Policy on Prevention of Harassment of Students and add to BFA District #48
Policy Manual. Motion carried 5-0.
5.3 Hearing/Adoption Reading Policy on School Crisis Prevention & Response (E7)
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to adopt
the Policy On School Crisis Prevention & Response and add to the BFA
District #48 Policy Manual. Motion
carried 5-0.
5.4 Hearing/Adoption Reading Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment Notice and Consent/Opt-Out for Special Activities (F31)
A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and
seconded by Al Corey to
adopt the Protection of Pupil Rights
Amendment Notice and Consent
/Opt-Out for Special Activities and add to
the BFA District #48
Policy Manual. Motion carried 5-0.
5.5 Hearing/Adoption Reading Policy on Student Representation on the School Board (B4)
A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to adopt
the Policy on Student Representation on the School Board. Motion carried 5-0.
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5.6 Review Collins Perley Bylaws
Marilyn Grunewald suggested that that Collins Perley Bylaws be submitted to the Board’s CPSC Committee for review. Discussion occurred during which the Board requested an update on the terms of offices for the Collins Perley Board, i.e. Board member names and terms. Following discussion there was consensus by the Board to have Dave Kimel, CPSC Executive Directors, to review and identify CPSC Board and Committee members and submit to the Board. Nilda Gonnella-French requested a signed copy of the CPSC Agreement with BFA.
5.7 Hiring Procedures
Marilyn Grunewald reviewed
School’s current Hiring Policy with the Board and recommended that the Board
delete the following sentence from the Hiring Policy, “When an opening exists
or a decision is made to fill a vacancy, the attached procedure will be
followed”. She stated that procedures
do not need to be approved by the Board go through a warning process. Discussion ensued during which Jim Messier
stated that the Board should be responsible for all hiring. Marilyn Grunewald responded that according to
State/Federal law, only teachers are required to be hired by Board. Jim Mercier stated that there needs to a
process in place for the Board to approve new hires. Ned Caron suggested that the Board authorize
Administration to hire support
5.8 Collins Perley Soil Update – The Board was informed that no soil contamination was found at the Perley Collins.
5.9 Collins Perley Trust Status – Ned Caron reported that status of the Collins Perley Trust is still in the research process.
5.10 School Resource Officer – Discussion occurred on the School Resource Officer, who is now present at BFA on a daily basis. Plans are to have the Officer provide a monthly report to the Board. Nilda Gonnella-French commented that this position is not due to BFA going public, but rather
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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something that the former Board of Trustees and Administration tried to implement last year at BFA, but was unable do soon due to the inability of finding someone to fill the position. BFA entered discussions for an SRO, and that the chief of police was approached.
5.11 School Choice Agreement – Ned Caron
reported that he currently waiting for a response from
5.12 Retreat Summary – A summary of the Board’s recent retreat was submitted to the Board via their board packet for their review and information.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1A French Class – Paula Johnson appeared before
the Board requesting permission for the French Class to travel to
A
motion was made by Donna Corrigan and seconded by Al Corey to approve the
French Class trip to
A
motion was then made by Al Corey and seconded by Nilda Gonnella-French to move
agenda item 6.3 before the original 6.l.
Motion carried 5-0.
6.3 Proposal for Auditorium Renovation/Fundraising
Reg Godin informed that Board that Jim Fitzgerald, Harold Hebert and he are volunteering to organize and set up the fund-raising drive for the Auditorium Fund and outlined the process to be followed. He stated that if supported by the BFA Board of Directors, their first task would be to expand the stakeholders involved in the project to make sure that all groups with a vested interest in this project would have an opportunity to participate in the planning and the fund raising as determined by the
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 6, 2005
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Board. Discussion occurred during which Reg Godin was asked how long of a time frame is planned and the projected costs for the project. Mr. Godin responded that the fundraising would occur until the end of the school year, and that this is a self-financing fund raising project. Jim Mercier requested that a fund raising proposal be developed for the auditorium project. Reg Godin stated that the volunteers would present their plans to the Board at their next meeting for the Board’s review and approval. Further discussion occurred on whether this is the right time for a fund raising project in light of the amount of work that needs to be completed for the School’s transition from a private to a public school.
Lynn Dickinson made a motion seconded by Jim
Mercier to table the issue on the auditorium renovation/fundraising
proposal. Lynn voiced her concerns
regarding the other items the Board has to handle regarding negotiations for
faculty and administrators, dealing with computer systems issue, doing research
on governance issue, looking at what is important to the Board, and the fund
raising policy. There is still need for
the Board to formulate a fund raising policy for BFA to protect the school when
doing large projects like this. Motion
defeated 4-1.
A
motion was made by Donna Corrigan and seconded by Al Corey to authorize Reg
Godin, Jim Fitzgerald and Harold Hebert to form a fund raising committee and
present the committee’s proposed plans for the auditorium project to the Board
at the Board’s next meeting their review and approval. Motion carried 4-1.
6.1 BFA Student Performance Data Presentation
Marilyn Grunewald, Ned Caron and
Sara Denny provided the Board with a power point presentation on student
performance/learning that will serve as a baseline on overall student
achievement. The Board was informed that
that the data presented would serve as the basis for BFA’s Action Plan. The
presentation outlined the Adequate Yearly Process and the School’s timeline for
the Adequate Yearly Process. Marilyn
Grunewald stated that she feels the School should focus on student learning
verses achievement and that Teacher Professional Development is the key. Discussion occurred during which Lynn
Dickinson stated that two schools in
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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6.2 Draft Action Plan – The Board received a copy of the Draft Action Plan for review and comment at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
6.3 See above.
6.4 Ruggiano Engineering Letter Re- Bove Project
Discussion/action regarding this agenda item was differed to Executive Session.
6.5 Appoint Truant Officer
Discussion occurred on the appointment of St. Albans City Police as BFA’s Truant Officer. Wendy Meunier stated that Diane Bailey has been serving as BFA’s Truancy Coordinator and stated that after a year, she sees a need to continue this position.
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to appoint
the
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to hire
Diane Bailey as Truancy Coordinator at BFA and to fund the position via ESDPT
funds. Motion carried 5-0.
6.6 Capital Plan for Town
Marilyn Grunewald reported that now that BFA is a public school, BFA is entitled to a portion of the Town’s Impact Fee money. She stated that currently the funds are used for bond payments and in the past has been used for furniture. Two Board representatives are needed to attend the September 13, 2005, 7:00 PM meeting at the Town Hall. There was consensus by the Board that the Board’s Finance Committee would attend this meeting.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 An Article regarding Investment in Staff Development entitled: Staff Investment Pays Dividends in Md. District – For Board review and information.
BELLOWS FREE ACADEMY UNION DISTRICT #48
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 6, 2005
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7.2 The Collins Perley Board Meeting Minutes for August 16, 2005 – For Board review and information.
7.3 New Staff Orientation Evaluation Feedback – For Board review and information.
7.4 The Policy on Substitute Teachers (D6) – Policy included in Board Packet for the Board to include in their policy book.
7.5 An “Open Letter to Vermont Parents” from Commissioner Cate – For Board review and information.
8. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
The following items will be placed on the Board’s next meeting agenda:1) Hiring Policy, 2) Fund Raising Policy, 3) Collins Perley Trust Status 4) Student Resource Officer Report, 5) School Climate, 6) Student Report.
9. APPROVE WARRANTS
A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to approve
the July/August Warrants.
Discussion occurred on the warrants. The Board requested that they receive a monthly statement on status of the budget.
Motion carried 5-0.
10. STUDENT REPORT
Jennifer Gissel, Student Council Representative, reported that the Council will hold its first meeting on September 8th. She further reported that Student Council members volunteered for Katrina Relief efforts recently held at the Collins Perley Sports Complex.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A motion was made at 9:30 PM by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by
Lynn Dickinson to enter into Executive Session for personnel and contract
issues. Motion carried 5-0.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 6, 2005
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A motion was made at 9:40 PM by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by
Lynn Dickinson to come out of Executive Session. Motion carried 5-0.
A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson to accept the recommendation to hire Karen Dantzscher as the Temporary Human Resource Manager and seconded by Donna Corrigan. Motion carried 5-0.
12. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Donna Corrigan and seconded by Al Corey to adjourn at 9:45 PM. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan C. Krupp
Recording Secretary
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