GRAND ISLE SCHOOL BOARD

MEETING MINUTES

Monday, June 11, 2007

Board attending:

Herb Durfee, Scott Brown, Ira Trombley and Beverly Gover.

Others in attendance:

Troy Watkins, Brenda Juaire, Dorothy Sacca and Stephanie Taylor

Proceedings:

• HD called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

Adjustment of Agenda: additions

• Truancy policy/procedure
• Contracts to sign
• Grand Isle Rescue regarding use of sign
• Executive Session: SB contractual matter; TW contractual matter

Approval of Minutes of May 14, 2007:

• SB moves to adopt minutes of May 14, 2007, HD second at 7:45 p.m. – GC

Members of the Public – For Items Not on the Agenda: None

Superintendent’s Report: none

Principal’s Report:

• TW received a request from the Grand Isle Rescue to use the school sign for advertising of strawberry social. Continue past practice of school functions only and use their own temporary sign in the school yard.
• Update on food service grant to purchase a piece of equipment, rejected.
• 11 students attended training entitled “World of Difference” regarding diversity.
• 7:45 p.m. Motion by HD and 2^nd by IT for extension of returning contract of Lindsey Bloxham until June 15, 2007. Discussion occurred because of late request; however L. Bloxham is not a teacher. GC - approved.
• 7:50 p.m. Motion by HD and 2^nd by SC to execute contracts of Erin Murphy, new Speech Language Pathologist and Tamara Davis, SLPA, already on staff, according to the terms recommended by the principal as outlined in the contract language. GC – approved.
• Truancy procedure – All Boards are receiving language across Grand Isle County, similar to Chittenden County. We have an attendance policy, which says we will have a policy which is procedural; language of unexcused absences.
• Letter of resignation of school nurse, dated June 8, 2007 effective immediately. Potential candidate with Kit Daniels available for contact.

Board Discussion:

• North Hero 7^th and 8^th graders bussing – According to George Nelson’s memo of June 6, 2007, there are two options. The first does not meet NH needs. The second involves North Hero extending their a.m. route to deliver 7/8 students to GI and then North Hero to arrange for Grand Isle bus to extend route in p.m. for home drop off of 7/8 students in North Hero. HD and TW will meet and prepare a letter to the North Hero School Board.
• Policies regarding 8^th grade dance and related board responsibilities – past practice were to only allow Grand Isle students. The principal should be notified as the building manager and obtain permission from the principal for a guest ahead of time.
• H.526 Bill Summary – Education rules changed a little but not until 2010. Reduction in property tax rate to .86 for residents and 1.36 for non-resident. Think twice – soft cap or 50% plus 1, exceed cost of living, need 2^nd item for increase. A dozen studies to be in for January for future legislation.
• Preschool education bill – continue to allow preschool at same rate as before with further scrutiny of immediate change.
• GISU Executive Committee Meeting summary – The EC met to interview candidates for business manager. Karen Groseclose, CPA, an islander, previous NH school board member selected and will start contract for July. Looking for something new for accounting software. Researching several systems.
• Sick leave bank request status – A request for seven days for an individual after the fact for sick leave bank, as the individual has used all their time.
• 8^th Grade Graduation – SB, IT and BG will be in attendance. IT will speak at graduation this year.
• Support Staff Contract – board members are requested to read the contract for future meeting and discuss in executive session.
• Recognition of Grand Isle Town High School Graduates – The board may do a letter of recognition to each student. We would like a complete list that would cover all high school graduates from Grand Isle.
• Request by parent for provision of after school program – We presently have sports and there has been chess club, spelling bee and geo bee. TW will check into the YMCA programs. IT to check with Department of Education for potential grant program.
• Next meeting will be June 25, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. to be followed by the GISU meeting @ 7:00 p.m. Topics – technology plan, H.526 discussion, resignations, business manager and related topics.

Board Action:

• Approval of Bills for Payment – 9:17 p.m. IT made a motion to pay bills in the amount of $ 5,276.64, 2^nd by HD. – GC approved
• 9:18 p.m. a motion by IT made a motion to pay bills in the amount of $12,502.60, 2^nd by HD – GC approved
• Accept letter of resignation by school nurse.
• Discussion of BJ’s contract in executive session.
• Outstanding teacher contract of Gail Sanford not signed, was seeking an extension. Position is posted as of now in anticipation. Discussion still continuing.

Executive Session:

• 9:25 p.m. – HD moves to enter Executive Session to discuss contract matter related to Brenda Juaire, 2^nd SB – GC.
• 9:33 p.m. HD moves to exit Executive Session 2^nd IT – GC.
• 9:34 p.m. HD moves to execute a multi-year contract for Brenda Juaire as for July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010, administrative assistant, 2^nd SB. BJ was given an explanation of the contract. Motion to table approval of contract by HD and 2^nd by SB to keep in draft form as to a question of 20 vacation days and 9 holidays until our June 25 meeting. BJ questioned time, but she is a salaried employee. GC-approved
• 9:44 p.m. HD moves to enter Executive Session to discuss hearsay contract matter that SB has, 2^nd by SB. GC
• 9:52 p.m. HD moves to exit Executive Session, 2^nd by IT. GC
• 9:53 p.m. HD moves to enter Executive Session for teacher contract matter, 2^nd by SB. GC
• 10:04 p.m. HD moves to exit Executive Session, 2^nd by IT. GC

Board Correspondence/Sharing:

• An e-mail from VSBA regarding inviting submissions of resolutions proposals was received by board members.
• Co-curricular/extra curricular – Now there is a procedure in place. Contract language is what it is.

Agenda Building:

• Continue discussion of Brenda Juaire’s contract.
• Department of Education grant funds.
• NHSB letter from HD and TW
• Updated high school graduates list.

10:20 p.m. SB moved to adjourn.