5/15/12 Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Meeting Minutes

Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Minutes from Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 5:30 p.m.

Present
Board: Dr. Bont, Sharon Huntley, Jessica Goodman, and Stuart Lindberg
Administration: George Thomson-Principal and Linda Waite-Asst Superintendent
Public: LPCTV, Virginia Walsh Mack-Recording Secretary, Carolyn Solzhenitsyn, Shannon Snide, Sheila Roby, Beth Walker, Jennifer Leak, Michael Ripley, Connie Kendall, Deb O’Brien, Jenn Harper, Christine Balch, Amanda Tyrrell, Bruce Pollard, Joe Vullo, Denise Reilly, Ann Thompson, Tracy Churchill, Ellen Cameron, and Peggy Svec

Call to order
Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

Comments from the Community
Dr. Bont welcomed community members. A parent had a concern about staffing and the retiring staff member not being replaced. George explained the declining enrollment at CTES and the class size recommendations from the state. Linda explained the literacy staff position that is moving from CTES to WSWSU. The number of students utilizing reading recovery was discussed. Differentiating in the classroom was discussed. A parent read her letter to the Principal with her concerns regarding her children’s learning. She urged him to consider how the children above grade level will be treated. Discussion: The need for the staff configuration to be considered; to ensure encouragement from the board and the S.U. to support George and the staff; the possibility of the school population increasing. Linda suggested the board come back in one month with answers regarding staffing for next year. George wanted to ensure that the configuration will be done in a thoughtful manner.

Approval of Minutes of April 17, 2012
Sharon made a motion to approve the minutes of April 17, 2012 as presented. Motion approved.

Professional Development Days
A parent commented on how the _ day Tuesdays is a hardship for families. Discussion: Tuesday afternoons are usually used for student needs, and professional development. Today the whole staff had professional development on reading instruction with a specialist as well as one on one. Whole days off during the year are more difficult for some parents. The options for Tuesday afternoons were discussed. The school day has been extended on the other four days to make up for the lost time on Tuesdays. Discussion: Shifting an inconvenience from one day to over five days with the shift in the start time of school. Can a community program be explored or the possibility of using the afternoon program in Ludlow. Peggy said she appreciated the thoughtful discussions this evening.

Joint Supervisory Union Merger/Consolidation Update
Linda reported the state board of education approved the merger between WSWSU and RWSU.

Principal’s Report
George gave the board a copy of the budget summary. The budget is looking fine according to George based on what he knows. George is expecting answers from the installer of the roof so he can complete the warranty claim. The school wide dance last Friday was fun. Annually George asks the board to authorize $8,700 of Medicaid funds for the crossing guard and guidance positions. Jessica made a motion to allow the SU to transfer $8,700 of Medicaid funds for the crossing guard and the guidance counselor to CTES. Motion approved. George went over the upcoming events at CTES. Graduation is scheduled on June 14th at 6:30 p.m. The school outing is scheduled for June 15th. The last day of school and move up day will be June 18th. George will be out of the office from May 17 to May 22nd.

Superintendent Report
Linda gave the board a memo from David to all WSWSU staff regarding the first District-wide Kindercamp.

Linda reported David was at the state board of education meeting. The state board of education approved the formation of a new Supervisory Union composed of WSWSU and RWSU. The state of the district report was presented at the semiannual WSWSU board meeting.

Meredith Austin has resigned her position as the Business Manager. The position opening was posted on schoolspring.com. The SU has hired Sherri Buckley as the FY’13 Curriculum Coordinator for the SU.

Other Business
None

Executive Session
Sharon made a motion to go into executive session at 7:36p.m. to discuss personnel. Motion approved. The board came out of executive session at 8:16 p.m. The board agreed to meet for executive session on June 12th.

Adjournment
Sharon made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia M. Walsh Mack