MONDAY
12 FEBRUARY 2007-7:00PM
BOARD ATTENDING:
Herb
Durfee, Becky Turner, Ira Trombley, Pat Parker, Scott Brown;
OTHERS ATTENDING:
Troy
Watkins, Dick Taylor, Stephanie Taylor, Brenda Juaire, Bev Gover, Dorothy Sacca.
HD-CALLED
TO ORDER AT 7:03PM
ADJUSTMENTS TO
AGENDA:
7:07PM-IT moves to approve Minutes of 22 Jan
07-HD 2nd-GC;
BG-inquired re petitions for vacant Board
positions;
HD-none submitted; write-ins a possibility;
by statute Board can make appointments in 30 days; request for Pat & Becky
to stay on temporarily until vacancies are filled-PP & BT agree.
-Updated Budget Binder sections are on the
way;
-There will be a follow-up to the White Paper
Presentation.
-Algebra is not a regularly offered course;
IT-why?
DS-it is dependent on teacher
availability/schedule/capable students/time;
HD-how to get algebra into the
curriculum…needs a regular time period;
DS- 8th grade math is
algebra-based but not a full program that enables geometry to be taken in 9th
grade;
HD-for kids that excel or for everyone?
DS-not for everyone;
ST-kids can test into the course & then
pass a test to qualify for geometry;
HD-if resources were available could an
algebra course be worked in?
DS-not into current schedule-there is a
highly qualified teacher in South Hero soon to be available-perhaps a part-time
multi school option could be considered;
HD-shared is a good idea but beware of
deficit spending;
RT-although did teach algebra at GIS in the
past…isnt available currently;
DS-good potential students next year;
scheduling still an issue;
HD-more discussion on this is needed on how
to get instruction to the kids…perhaps a community volunteer; are we a month
too late?
ST-would this be a good opportunity to use
Long-Distance-Learning?
DS-possibility;
HD-how to do this? A grant?/summer program?/
self-study?/ compartmentalized classroom?/teachers aide?
DS-difficult doing two programs in same
classroom;
IT-hasn’t been offered in 10 years?
DS-had it 2 years ago; there has been a lack
of qualified students;
RT-did a morning program-it has to be a
year-long course;
HD-clearly an item to explore especially for
next budget season;
ST-knows Gary Bryant-a math teacher;
BT-what is the course progression?
DS-Algebra 1-Geometry-Algebra 2:
IT-science requires Calculus;
DS-demanding sciences require demanding math;
IT-too bad about the math program;
DS-math program has improved;
TW-notes that GIS is not meeting State
Standards in other areas: Health/Consumer Science/Tech Ed;
DS-the shared teacher concept has been
discussed-would like to see algebra offered full time;
HD-facing a conundrum: a new teacher=a budget
increase + a decrease in the student/teacher ratio;…need to keep discussion
going…possibly with Alburg & South Hero; opportunity to create student
interest;
DS-the class is looking good for algebra next
year;
IT-how long has current math program been in
place?
DS-4 years.
HD-largest turn-out so far-FreePress was
notified; Island communities were well represented; meeting recap-noted that
structure was changed a bit from the White Paper; the Islands have a natural
boundary; amenable to unforced consolidation; GISU points were handed out;
ST-noted that there was a bit of “venting”…
Curriculum Inequities were pointed
out/differences between sending & receiving schools;
IT-summarized current legislative discussion
re consolidation: 1 county super districts; 16 school districts per Tech
Center; house Ed Committee looking at consolidation issues; the Senate is less
amenable to consolidation; some of the bills might have legs; there are no
administration bills-should come from committees; studies are possible;
HD-Town Meeting Prep-Power Point
slides-postcard-volunteer needed for letter to Islander!-GISB is first on the
Agenda;
ST-powerpoint equipment?
HD-overhead projection is ok-don’t want to
get too technical;
IT-handouts are good too;
HD-the audit shows a surplus but late
announced high school tuition figures are $31,700 over budgeted
amount-pre-budget deadlines for these would be a good idea; George has recommended
that a Business Manager be hired-being studied at the GISU level-there are
software issues;
IT-also grant management issues;
HD-noted that George does 6 budgets;
TW-notes that a Mentoring Program is needed;
& PSA issues in Health/Consumer Science/Tech Ed.
8:12PM-PP moves to approve payments of $
4026.68 & $115,871.17-BT 2nd-GC.
8:13PM-HD
moves to enter Executive Session for Contract & Personnel Items.
9:06PM-Out
of Executive Session.
9:06:30-Mtg
adjourned.