BELLOWS FREE ACADEMY UNION DISTRICT #48

AND NORTHWEST TECHNICAL CENTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

October 4, 2005

A meeting of the BFA Union District #48 and Northwest Technical Center Board of Directors was held on Tuesday, October 4, 2005.

Present for Quorum: Jim Mercier, Lynn Dickinson, Nilda Gonnella-French, Donna Corrigan, and Al Corey

Administrators: Marilyn Grunewald, FCSU Superintendent; Ned Caron, BFA Principal; Ruth Caggige, Assistant Principal; Laura Gonyeau, Curriculum Director & Staff Development; Wendy Meunier, Assistant Principal; Lawrence Carnahan, Director of Student Support Services; Sally Tarr, Director Northwest Technical Center; Karen Dantzscher; Director, Human Resources; Larry Trombley, Teacher; Laurie Haynes, Teacher; Keren Turner, Teacher; and Robert Crawford, Teacher

Student Representative: Jennifer Gissel

Visitors: Becky Manahan, Amanda Colby, Carole Kaye, Kelly Gosselin, Justine McNeice, Marilyn Billings, Sara Howard, and Matthew Morrison

1. Call to Order

Jim Mercier, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.

3. Visitors

A motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Donna Corrigan to amend the meeting agenda to defer the School Climate Presentation for last. The motion carried 5-0.

3.1 Ned Caron opened the discussion on the Yearbook Presentation encouraging board support regarding publication of the 2006 yearbook. Mr. Crawford, faculty advisor for yearbook production for 15 years made his presentation, which described student interest and parental support, efforts to reduce costs in order to make the yearbook more affordable, and the benefits to students derived in assembling and producing the yearbook. He described the details arranged with a new publisher, Walter Publishing from Minnesota, which covered costs and production deadlines. He expressed much optimism regarding the popularity of the yearbook, and felt confident that the school would easily sell 200 copies. Parents have expressed confidence in raising $5,000, which is the estimated cost of producing the yearbook. Fundraising and advertising will be utilized to offset the costs. They are requesting contingency funds from the board in order to guarantee payment deadlines are met. It was noted by Ned Caron that an assistant is not in the budget and that the board may wish to create this position for inclusion in the budget as a category one position.

The motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Donna Corrigan to authorize the board to approve the amount not to exceed $5,000 as a contingency fund for use of the yearbook to supplement the amount of money to cover the difference not raised through fundraising and advertising. Motion carried 5-0.

The motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to authorize the Principal to hire and fund the yearbook advisor for this current year. The motion carried 5-0.

Nilda Gonnella-French suggested regular reports be made to the board. It was determined that it would come as an administrative report from the Principal.

3.2 Karen Turner, Spanish Teacher, requested approval for another student trip to Nicaragua under the Working for One World program. Donna Corrigan supports the program, but would like to see last year’s information updated before approval is granted with particular attention to information on “Safety and Security.”. Lynn Dickinson also recognizes the value of the program, but noted that it is listed as a World-Wide Caution Country, and that such information needed is available on the Internet.

The motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to approve the Nicaragua Trip with the understanding that the “Safety and Security” information is updated, and the World-Wide Caution Country data is researched and is found acceptable. Motion carried 5-0.

3.3 Officer Matthew Morrison, School Resource Officer (SRO) was invited to speak and described his activities in an around the school, his interaction with students, thought on what he would like to see happen regarding improved security and respectful behavior towards faculty. Officer Morrison has been speaking to classes, and welcomes the opportunity to do more of it. He would eventually like to offer a course to students interested in a career in law enforcement and criminal justice. Ruth Caggige expressed enthusiasm and noted the preferred position of being pro-active, rather than reactive to issues that arise. She feels the response from teachers and parents have been very positive.

Jen Gissell suggests that the students need to be informed of the positive reason for his presence in the school. She noted that the prevailing feeling among students is that either the like it or are indifferent, and that there is no strong dislike for his being on the premises. Some students are troubled by the fact there is a firearm on the premises. Officer Morrison explained the safety measures, which make it too difficult for anyone to gain access to his gun.

3.4 Karen Dantzscher, Human Resources Director, asked if there were any questions regarding the report she submitted to the board on current activities and fiscal year 05-06 goals for the department.

3.4 Ruth Caggige and Wendy Meunier gave a School Climate Presentation with baseline statistics on Vermont Youth Risk comparisons of BFA to the State of Vermont. The survey is conducted every two years and involves students 9 through 12 grades. Suspended students become involved in corrective action, and are guided through the program to help them avoid getting into the situation again. Parents of suspended students are very supportive, and relieved to have school support. Staff members are being trained to promote equity/diversity on handling harassment and bullying issues, and students are being taught to recognize and address bullying issues.

3.5 Mr. Trombley, staff representative, noted that the school year is off to a good start, and that tensions have been removed significantly on a staff level and student level. He reminded the board that it is a negotiations year, and that they are ready to begin that process.

4. Consent Agenda.

4.1 The motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Donna Corrigan to approve the minutes of September 6, 2005.

The following corrections were made:

Item 6.3 the following motion came before the motion to authorize the forming of a fundraising committee regarding the auditorium renovation/fundraising proposal:

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.

Item 5.10 - Nilda Gonnella-French noted that the following information was omitted from the Minutes: BFA entered discussions for an SRO, and that the chief of police was approached.

At 4.2 Superintendent’s Report, it should be added that Al Corey seconded the motion.

Al Corey noted that the final sentence in 5.1 e. should read as follows: 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.

The motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Donna Corrigan to accept the September 6, 2005 Minutes with corrections, and that the board would be provided with a copy of the updated minutes. Motion carried 5-0.

4.2 Superintendent’s Report.

4.3 Principal’s Report.

The motion was made to accept the Superintendent’s Report and the Principal’s Report. Motion carried 5-0.

4.4 Student Representative Report. Jennifer Gissel reported that the students have arranged to adopt a school damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The students have also made a donation for the Spaulding football player who was paralyzed during a football game with Brattleboro. She noted that they would be having a parade this year.

5. Old Business

5.1 Committee Reports.

a. Curriculum. Donna Corrigan reviewed the Curriculum Committee Report distributed to the board, which included a report on the Local Comprehensive Assessment Plan (LCA), Vertical Team and Scheduling Committee progress.

b. Finance. Lynn Dickinson stated the committee met September 27. They worked on a budget timeline, which is in place for next year’s budget. The board will sit down with the principals and department heads to work on the budget. The Collins-

Perley energy costs are a major concern.

c. Personnel. Nilda Gonnella-French noted the committee met today at 5:00 p.m. They discussed hiring policy and hiring procedures. They will continue to work these policies. They reviewed the job description for the Human Resources Specialist. The finalized job description will require board approval.

d. Policy. Al Corey reported on the Collins-Perley budget. The Rotary Exposition will continue to take place. There will be rental increases each year. Regarding the leak in the ice, there is very little leakage at this moment, so we are OK for this season. They will be recharging the system due to accidents that occurred. Projected cost of heating will be a concern. Donna Corrigan asked about the baseball field expenses and the source of funding. Al indicated other things need to be done, and that the fill was donated for the baseball field. The next Policy Committee is set for October 18.

5.2 Action Plan Approval.

The motion was made by Al Corey and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to approve the 2005, 2006, 2007 Action Plan on the books, which will continue to be a work in progress. Motion carried 5-0.

Donna Corrigan congratulated the administration for the excellent work done on the Action Plan.

6. New Business.

6.1 On October 20 at 5:30 p.m. Winton Goodrich of VSBA will be speaking on policy governance at the City School for all administrators.

6.2 Donna Corrigan reminded the board that stealing in the Collins-Perley locker room is still a matter of concern. Ned Caron said he would look into it.

7. Other Business. Department Reports. Donna Corrigan noted the reports were very well written.

8. Agenda Items for Next Meeting

8.1 Nicaragua trip with updated information.

8.2 Corrected Minutes.

8.3 Human Resources Job Description approval, and distributed beforehand.

9. Approval Warrants.

The motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Donna Corrigan to approve the Warrants. Motion carried 5-0.

There were questions answered and explained on terrorism risk insurance.

10. Executive Session.

A motion was made at 8:35 PM by Nilda Gonnella-French and seconded by Lynn Dickinson to enter into Executive Session for personnel and contract issues. Motion carried 5-0.

A motion was made at 8:35 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 approve the hiring of Mary Ann Godin to teach two classes during the second trimester and seconded by Al Corey. Motion carried 5-0.

A motion was made by Nilda Gonnella-French to accept the resignation of Linda Laramee and seconded by Lynn Dickinson. Motion carried 4-0. Donna Corrigan abstained.

A motion was made by Donna Corrigan to accept the resignation of Sue Krupp and seconded by Al Corey. Motion carried 5-0.

A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson to accept the resignation of Nina Kemp-Miller and seconded by Nilda Gonnella-French. Motion carried 5-0.

A motion was made to sign the VSBIT Proxy by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey. Motion carried 5-0.

11. Adjournment

A motion was made by Lynn Dickinson and seconded by Al Corey to adjourn at 9:15 PM. Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlotte Ryan

Recording Secretary

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