Grand Isle School Board

Meeting Minutes

April 27, 2005

 

 

Members present: Michael Chase, Pat Parker, Becky Turner, and Herb Durfee.

Administrators: Richard Taylor, John Poljacik

 

1.     Call to Order.  Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

2.     Adjustment of Agenda. 

 

*    Tabled Approval of Meeting Minutes until Clerk (HD) arrived

*    Moved Superintendent’s Report to accommodate anticipated arrival of John Poljacik, delayed at Alburg meeting.

 

3.     Principal’s Report

*    Discussion of 8th grade trip to New York and efforts to ensure all chaperones had received background check.  DT and Stephanie Taylor reported that all indications are that these checks will be completed on time and the trip will be adequately staffed.  A lesson learned from this event is that 4 weeks lead time should be allocated for completing background checks in future trip planning.

*    Reading of parent request to accept tuition student for second year.

Motion to accept 7th Grade tuition student for 2005-2006 school year.  MC-PP consensus.

*    Request by DT to grant a change to the school calendar making the last day of school June 17, 2005 a half day.

Motion to accept Principle’s recommendation to alter the calendar and make June 17, 2005 a half day.  MC-PP consensus.

*    Request by DT to accept June 15, 2005 as the Eight Grade graduation date and make this the last day of school for these students.

Motion to set June 15, 2005 as the Eight Grade graduation date and to excuse these students from classes after graduation.  MC-BT consensus

*    Reading of resignation letter from Michael Stockwell.

Motion to accept the resignation of Michael Stockwell.  MC-HD Consensus

*    Discussion of previously identified odor problem in computer resource room.  DT states that the smell has been identified as detergent residue from the carpet cleaning solution and that it has cleared up.

 

4.     Board Discussion

Motion to accept 2nd reading and to warn the following policies for adoption at the Board’s May 9th meeting: Animal, Self-carry of medication, rescission of policies on tuition, transportation and prescription/medication.  MC – PP consensus

 

Motion to accept 1st reading and to warn the following policies for second reading and adoption at the Board’s May 9th meeting; Bullying, Discipline and Evaluation of Professional Staff.  HD-BT consensus

*    Discussion of Pennington School tuition request and council received from Joe Cahill (GISU legal council).

Motion to ask DT to draft a letter to the Parents requesting Pennington School tuition notifying them that the board is denying their request, based on the advice of legal council and the Vermont State Supreme Court's prior rulings.

*    Note to GISU that the Holderness School should be evaluated before continuing to list this school with other area high-schools, located under tab J of budget report, based on legal council’s advice.

Motion to pay bills in the amount of $218,709.75. HD-BT consensus

*    Discussion of Board Goals and Objectives for the 2005-2006 year including;

*    Improvement of metrics for determining effectiveness of class room instruction

*    Improvement of financial reporting system

*    Improving communication with local high schools

*    Improved metrics on high school student performance (academic and attendance).

*    Achieving a well negotiated and signed teachers' contract.

*    Development of a reasonable budget (i.e., minimal expenditure increase without jeopardizing quality education for our kids).

*    Resolution to bussing discussion (i.e., at least a recommendation and discussion with sending school boards/administrators prior to budget development season).

*    Updated policies, as appropriate.

*    Continued board member tasks to ensure we're doing our job (e.g., another board-teacher meeting, booth at parent-teacher conferences, website updates, etc.)

*    Someone other than a board member to prepare minutes.

*    Close monitoring of GISU (tech plan, retirement of John P. and how that may impact GISB, and other hot button issues)

The board is going to continue to work to refine and modify this list of “draft” goals to include soliciting community input before publishing an official list.

*    Review of High School Steering committee progress by PP.  She notified the board that the committee is losing momentum and she does not believe they will meet again.  The board is concerned with this and discussed possible ways to continue to work the bussing issue.

5.     Executive session

Motion to enter executive session for personnel matter at 0832.  MC-HD consensus

Motion to leave executive session at 0852.

 

Motion for the Board to recognize Stephanie Taylor for her outstanding efforts in supporting the 8th grade class trip and working through the most recent crisis involving chaperones and background checks.  HD-MC consensus

 

6.     Adjournment.  At 9:12 p.m., Chase moved to adjourn.  Durfee seconded the motion.  There was general consensus.