MONDAY 8 MAY 2006-7:02PM REVISED 26 JUNE 06
BOARD ATTENDING:
Herb Durfee, Ira Trombley, Scott Brown
OTHERS ATTENDING:
Brenda Juaire, Laura O’Brien, Dorothy Sacca, Bev Gover,
Barkley Morris; Members Of The Public (MOP)
NORTH HERO & ISLE
LA MOTTE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS:
Louise Koss, Susan Lawrence, Chet Bromley, Paul Cheeseman,
Shelley St. Hillaire
HD-CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:02PM
ADDITIONS TO ADGENDA:
-Select Board Committee
Report
BARKLEY MORRIS-GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS RECOGNITION
-Barkley noted that
statistics indicate a lower retention rate in High Schools for students from
outlying areas; he is proposing:
A Celebration Event For Graduating Seniors
From The Town Of Grand Isle
Details could include a
brief speech about each student…
HD-a Certificate Of
Acheivement…
PP-A Group Picture…
MOP-could the Islander
Town Reporter provide information about HS students?
HD-coordinate this with RT
& TW-is there time to do much this year?
BM-possibly HS Yearbook
Pix & an article;
HD-Barkley thanked for his
presentation.
HD-noted that the Board will
not render a decision on this matter tonight.
Laura indicated a desire
to balance work obligations with new-born family responsibilities. She has
researched the job-sharing concept and is proposing a split of her Social
Studies Curriculum into 2 coordinated components: Traditional Content and
Literacy/Writing. This could benefit
students by providing the additional insight of another teacher and also serve
to strengthen Language Arts-a demonstrated need. She emphasized the importance
of communication between the 2 instructors and that more planning would be
required outside of school. Parents would need to be kept informed as
well. Two handouts were distributed:
Job-Share Proposal & Principal Responses On Job Sharing.
IT-noted that Middle
School Adjustment Issues were already an issue and wouldn’t this exacerbate
that situation?
LO’B-agreed that there
would be an additional person to adapt to & that establishing consistency
in the classroom is essential;
SB-inquired re the actual
split btw the SS & Literacy?
LO’B-probably about 60% SS
& 40% Literacy;
HD-Health benefits?
LO’B-would discontinue
participation in School Plan;
HD-we would need 2 PT FTE?
Dorothy Sacca-indicated
that the Middle School Teachers are supportive of Laura’s proposal;
HD-due to the timing &
contract issues there will not be a decision tonight;
SB-inquired re a deadline
for a decision?
LO’B-will submit a request
for a Contract Extension
HD-noted that nxt GISB mtg
is 22 May…
DS-noted that Contracts
are due 15 May…
HD-there could be a
Special Meeting to consider the extension...
SB-could we approve an
extension in advance?
HD-not without a submitted
request;
7:27PM-HD moves that the
Board authorize the Chair to sign Laura O’Brien’s Contract Extension Request
prior to 15 May.
IT-what is the length of
the extension?
HD-amends motion:
extension is approved until 23 May-All In Favor. Discussion will continue at 22
May GISB mtg. Laura thanked for her presentation.
HD indicated that GIS
could accept Middle School Students-enrollment is now 220 and there is capacity
for 300. Future student numbers might be an issue;
Chet-why does GI want
additional students?
HD-more revenue can mean
better staffing, more programs & improved quality of education;
transportation an issue though;
The Woman Next To
Louise-what are GIS class sizes now?
IT-noted that an FTE has
been added for next year & provided the following:
K/25, 1st/17, 2nd/25,
3rd/26, 4th/18,5th/27, 6th/24, 7th/22.
8th/22;
A discussion of school
populations ensued;
IT-noted that we are all
Islanders & that we need to try to (re)develop a sense of community;
The Woman Next To
Chet-quality of education & economy are factors-benefits & cost
savings-is GI as a Town willing to accept more students?
HD-noted that was brought
up at Town Meeting & there was no overt negative reaction;
NTL-a reduced head count
at sending schools could raise cost per pupil there;
Chet-is GIS at student/teacher
ratio capacity now?...would additional students push that limit?...what would
the tuition be?...busing could cost $20,000;
NTL-the Essex bus could be
used…what are GIS starting times?
HD-K-4/7:45, 5-8/8:45
Louise-North Hero would
have school choice if tuition was initiated unless a Union or Joint Contract
was established…is GI considering a Union?
NTC-how soon is this
anticipated?
HD-by Budget July 07;
IT-noted that Rep Don
Collins & Sen George Cross are working on legislation that would enable a
Middle School to be assigned-both towns would have to agree to the arrangement;
LK-would there be a Joint
Board?
IT-not at present;
LK-GI would be just
another Receiving School?
HD-specifics have not
evolved…meetings required;
The Gentleman With
Glasses-what is GIS cost per pupil?
Chet-willing to spend
$7500 including transportation;
PP-what has been the
experience with New York schools?
GWG-full range…some successful
students, some fallen through the cracks;
LK-the transition is
difficult; there is no continuity of curriculum;
Chet-what should be the
next step?
HD-numbers, issues, a
subcommittee-2 members from each Board? Noted that GI & NH have a Teachers
Contract negotiation coming up-George Nelson has been notified; can the
Subcommittee be selected tonight?
Chet-NH can provide names
tonight;
Sue-cant commit
immediately;
Chet-Mario will do it;
ILM-LK, GWG, Joyce;
GI-PP & IT volunteer;
LK-schedule for this Committee?
HD-assume an aggressive
schedule due to budget planning: Results should be done by Sept/Oct; George
like numbers by Nov;
GWG-when to gather public
input?
LK-voters will need
approve;
HD-30-40 days ahead of
Town Meeting=~25 January…work should be done by Nov-Dec & presentable to
the public;
NTC-details are
important-the towns are already aware of the issues;
HD-public involvement
early in the process is key;
NTC-a letter?
NTL-cant be more
expensive;
HD-a joint letter from all
3 Boards-public forum in all 3 towns-input needed;
Chet-keep the public
informed;
LK-schedule?
Chet-Sept 07;
LK-Budget/Schedule issues;
HD-ask the public in Nov
06
Futures Committee Schedule-16
May 7PM-HD unable to attend-RT will attend;
1ST MEETING OF COALITION
SUBCOMMITTEE IS WED 24 MAY AT NORTH HERO 7:00PM
PROPOSED AGENDA:
-Issues
-Public Input
-Schedules & Logistics
-The Big Picture
-Current Tuition Rates
NH & ILM Board Members
thanked for their participation.
-Discussion
-HS tuition-a key factor
in surplus/deficit as is Spec Ed;
-George indicates that +/-
$60K is reasonable;
LETTER FROM SELECT BOARD
HD-reads letter;
Bev-comments: 13 kids receive
1 hr per week-doesn’t understand Select Board position-where did they get the
idea that “kids are doing better”?
IT-suggests that NECAP
scores be mentioned in response;
Discussion on this issue
& student/teacher ratio;
IT-tax rate is often
brought up at the Town Office;
HD-will prepare response.
-9:01PM-PP notes that she
is wearing 2 different shoes.
-Request from Brian Martin
for School Board Representation on the GI Building Committee-first meeting Thu
11 May 7PM Town Office-SB will attend.
$ 12,367.28
$ 2,500.00 Destination Imagination
$ 800.00 Cordell Hall-reimbursement to
Coleen O’Connor
8:57PM-PP moves to approve
bills for payment-SB 2nd-GC.
8:59PM-HD moves to enter Executive Session.
9:06PM-Executive Session ended.
9:06:15-Meeting Adjourned.