Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting Minutes
Friday, December 16, 2011, 9:00 a.m.
Present:
Board: Dr. Bont-Chair, Sharon Huntley-Vice Chair, John MacLean, and Peter Gregg
Administration: George Thomson-Principal, David Adams-Superintendent, Meredith Austin-Business Manager
Public: Virginia M. Walsh Mack-Recording Secretary, Connie Kendall, and Tracy Churchill
Call to order
Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m.
Comments from the Community
None
Approval of Minutes of November 15, 2011
Peter made a motion to approve the minutes of November 15, 2011 as presented. Motion approved.
Personnel
Tuition Waiver Requests
Peter made a motion to approve the tuition waiver requests as presented. Peter mentioned he thinks this policy should be looked at for the future. This policy is being looked at. Motion approved.
Finance
FY’ 13 Budget
George gave the board a second draft of the budget and an explanation memo (Attached). David explained the Act 153 requirements that move special education costs to the SU. The law takes effect July 1 2014. WSWSU is shifting only special education personnel costs for FY’13. George went over where the special education costs came from in the CTES budget to the SU special education assessment. Peter asked for the administration to make the cost shift explanation simpler. The board agreed to meet on Tuesday January 10th if that is not available then Wednesday January 11th at 5:30 p.m.
Joint Supervisory Union Merger/Consolidation Update
Dr. Bont reported the merger was approved by each SU board with stipulations for funding from the state, the approval of the mountain towns forming a RED and the make up of the new SU’s governing authority. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont feels all of the state representatives should be contacted.
Principal’s Report
George gave the board a budget summary. There are no unexpected expenses. George asked the board to call him with any questions. The preliminary audit report came in and the fund balance for FY’11 is $42,469.00.
The phone systems’ voice mail no longer works as it should. It is very unreliable. George was told it would cost $4,000.00 to get the system fixed. A system upgrade would cost $6,850.00.George is recommending using federal education job funds dollars for salaries and to use the salary dollars for a system upgrade. Peter asked about leasing a system. Discussion ensued. David recommends a motion to approve an upgrade to the phone system at a cost not to exceed $7,000.00. Sharon made a motion to approve an amount not to exceed $7,000 for an upgrade to the phone system. Motion approved.
George said the manufacturer of the roof shingles are looking at the warranty. The shingles have a lifetime warranty.
Transportation: George explained how the bus route currently works and the arrangement with Green Mountain to pick up and drop of some CTES students. George would like to look at CTES’s transportation and maybe work with Green Mountain to provide transportation. David agrees with George. He thinks a conversation should happen between boards. Discussion ensued regarding transportation in other districts.
Wednesday was the annual Holiday concert and George received positive feedback.
George would like to reinstate the head of maintenance position to a full time position. George said the new head of maintenance is a very capable man and he is very knowledgeable about computers. George said he will save CTES money. Currently he doesn’t have time to meet with the evening employees. George is recommending increasing the head of maintenance to a full time position. Peter made a motion to approve up to $2,500 to increase the head of maintenance position to full time. Motion approved.
George asked the board to authorize $500.00 for the Green Mountain Festival Series. Peter made a motion to authorize the principal to donate $500.00 to the Green Mountain Festival Series. Motion approved.
Superintendent Report
David shared an article with the board on the Effects of Music on the Brain. He said we need to keep in mind the importance of music in the school.
Other Business
None
Executive Session
Peter made a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel. The board invited the superintendent the principal and the business manager to attend. Motion approved. The board came out of executive session at 11:29 a.m. Peter made a motion to send a letter to all teachers with 25 years of service with CTES a one time $15,000.00 retirement incentive. Motion approved.
Adjournment
Sharon made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Virginia M. Walsh Mack
Recording Secretary
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1 comment:
Act 153 does not require that Special Ed Services be moved to the Supervisory Union. Check page 17 of Act 153 (
6) provide or, if agreed upon by unanimous vote at a supervisory union
meeting, coordinate provision of the following educational services on behalf
of member districts:
(A) special education;
(B) except as provided in section 144b of this title, compensatory and
remedial services; and
No. 153 Page 18
VT LEG 259084.1
(C) other services as directed by the state board and local boards
provide special education services on behalf of its member districts and, except
as provided in section 144b of this title, compensatory and remedial services,
and provide or coordinate the provision of other educational services as
directed by the state board or local boards; provided, however, if a supervisory
union determines that services would be provided more efficiently and
effectively in whole or in part at the district level, then it may ask the
commissioner to grant it a waiver from this provision;
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