Grand Isle School Board

May 9, 2005 Meeting Minutes

 

 

Present: Michael Chase, Chair, Herb Durfee, Becky Turner, Ira Trombley, Richard Taylor, Principal, Barbara Carter (7:15 p.m.)

 

  1. Call to Order.  Chase called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  It was noted that Pat Parker was sick and could not make the meeting.

 

  1. Minutes.  At 7:00 p.m., Chase moved and Trombley seconded a motion to approve the 4/27/05 meeting minutes.  General consensus.

 

  1. Principal’s Report.  Taylor provided a budget status report to the Board based on questions forwarded by Durfee.  Taylor answered the questions to the satisfaction of the Board noting that it was a good exercise, especially since a couple of errors were found and corrected.

 

Taylor updated the Board on the status of the 8th Grade class trip.

 

  1. Board Policies.  As representative of some teachers, Carter raised several issues with the Evaluation of Professional Staff policy.  She noted there was concern with the methods of data collection, especially related to parental involvement and with the issue of, for example, a behaviorally challenged student in a given year.  Trombley explained the policy is designed to account for the occasional difficult student.  Also, Taylor noted that the term “may” is the operative word regarding whether or not parental involvement would be used as part of any staff evaluation.  Carter noted with the clarifications that she believed the teachers’ issues were addressed.  Durfee noted for Carter that the Board is receptive to input on policies as they are implemented; so, if teachers have suggestions for change as the policy is carried out, they should approach the Board.

 

At 7:32 p.m., Durfee moved and Turner seconded a motion for the 2nd reading of the Bullying, Discipline, and Evaluation of Professional Staff Policies.  General consensus.

 

At 7:33 p.m. Durfee moved and Turner seconded a motion to adopt the Animal, Self-Carry of Medication, Bullying, Discipline, and Evaluation of Professional Staff Policies.  General consensus.

 

At 7:34 p.m. Durfee moved and Turner seconded a motion to rescind the Tuition, Transportation, and Prescription/Medication Policies.  General consensus.

 

  1. GISB Calendar.  There was general discussion on the start of the school year for academic year 2005-06, in-service days (number of days and when held), as balanced with the adopted GISU calendar.  At 7:48 p.m., Chase moved and Durfee seconded a motion to adopt the GISB calendar as presented for 2005-06.  The motion passed 3-1-0 (Trombley voted no).  At 7:49 p.m., Chase moved and Turner seconded a motion annually to add GISB calendar development to the agenda for the 2nd meeting in September.  General consensus.

 

  1. Bills.  At 7:50 p.m., Durfee moved and Turner seconded a motion to pay bills in the amount of $36,614.29.  General consensus.

 

  1. GISB 2005-06 Goals.  Including general discussion of Board members, Chase identified a list of goals for the Board to consider for 2005-06:

 

    1. Fiscal stability.
    2. Discussion/contact with high school boards – data, accountability, bussing, etc.
    3. Discussion with No. Hero and Isle LaMotte – possible schooling of students at Grand Isle Elementary.
    4. Grants – Board members to research possible grants.
    5. School effectiveness – improved standard scoring, etc.  (It was agreed by the Board for one of the June meetings to have discussion on this topic with Carol Statta and a GISU staff person.)
    6. Evaluation of in-service days by teachers.
    7. Staff development/professional development – improve satisfaction.  (It was agreed that Board members again should offer some time to meet with teachers.)

 

  1. Adjournment.  At 8:40 p.m., Durfee moved to adjourn.  General consensus.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Herb Durfee, Clerk

 

 

 

 

NOTE: THE MEETING WITH TEACHERS IS SCHEDULED FOR

THURSDAY, JUNE 2ND AT 3:00 P.M. AT THE SCHOOL.