CTES Board Meeting Minutes 9/18/12

Present:

Board:  Dr. Bont, Sharon Huntley, Stuart Lindberg and Jessica Goodman

Administration:  George Thomson-Principal, Linda Waite- Superintendent and Sherri Nichols-Buckley-Curriculum Coordinator

Public:  LPCTV, Virginia Walsh Mack-Recording Secretary, Michael Ripley, Peggy Svec, Connie Kendall

Call to order

Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

Comments from the Community

The anti bullying went well. 

Approval of Minutes of August 15, 2012

Jessica made a motion to approve the minutes of August 15, 2012 as presented.  Motion approved

Personnel

Hiring Report

Linda informed the board Bill Brown has been hired for the bus driver position at an hourly rate of $13.27.

Finance

Vermont Municipal Bond Bank Refunding

Linda gave background on the bond bank refunding.  Based on the sale of the bonds, Cavendish has been awarded $65,648.00. The bonds were sold specifically to save municipalities. This is effective immediately.  The principal amount was $910,000.   The interest on the bond is $284,154.50.  The savings will be $1,128,506.19. 

Sharon made a motion to authorize the board and the treasurer to sign the Vermont Municipal Bond Bank refunding document as presented.

Update on 7^th Grade Math Program & FanS

George reported the program is going well.  The teacher is using a combination of a transition math program, an electronic program and enrichment projects.

The FanS program is off to a good start.  The kids are learning routines.

Policies

The Use of Restraint and Seclusion F:26

Acceptable Use of Technology G:12

Linda gave background on these required policies. Sharon made a motion to adopt The Use of Restraint and Seclusion, F:26 and Acceptable Use of Technology-G:12 policies as written.  Motion approved.  

New Supervisory Union Update

The transitional board is up and running.  The next meeting is October 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm. at Green Mountain Union High School.  The name of the new SU will be selected at this meeting.  An organizational chart will be presented and finalized on October 4^th.  The finance, policy, facility and innovative school practices committees will be formed. There will be another meeting on October 4^th at Ludlow Elementary School to discuss the budget.  The Oct 18^th regular meeting will be at 7:00 pm at Green Mountain Union High School.

Principal’s Report

George said the school opened with 94 students which is down 10% from last year.  The opening breakfast went well.  George gave the board a budget summary.  CTES received about $32,000 less in special education reimbursements last year.  George said he thinks the school will be in the red for the first time in a while.  The audit has been rescheduled for October 5^th.  The MAPS testing is ongoing.  NECAP tests will start October 1^st. 

An organization called Disability Rights Vermont did an analysis on accessibility for individuals with disabilities for a shelter site.  They found problems with parking, the sidewalks and railings on the handicap ramp.  George will share the report with Rich Svec.  Open house is Thursday September 20^th at 6:00 p.m. 

George would like to get rid of the bus.  The board agreed.

George has notified the parties involved with the roof that we would be seeking legal counsel.  George has a meeting scheduled with Tim Vincent from VSBIT , the schools insurance company, to discuss the option. 

There is a bee/wasp issue.  They are trying to get rid of them with fogging and spray.

After school program: George met with some parents and George has looked into the program in Ludlow.  They do have available space and would welcome CTES students.  The parents would have to get their children to the program.  There are a variety of schedule issues.  George asked if they would extend the program to CTES.  The committee may be able to do this on Tuesday afternoons.  They are potentially looking at expanding the program to all the schools in the new S.U.  George sent a survey home and there was interest for 27 students.  There is a cost for the Ludlow program.  The town of Ludlow appropriates funds for their after school program.  There is a possibility for Cavendish to appropriate funds for an after school program.   

Superintendent Report

Linda gave the board a memo from Chris Adams, Business Manager, with the changes to the S.U. assessments (attached).  The budgets were passed with special education employees moving to the S.U.  This did not happen so $187,499 is being transferred back into the CTES budget for the salaries and benefits for the CTES special education staff.

Tomorrow the 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th grade teachers will meet to review the Scope and Sequence documents.  On September 20^th administrators will be meeting. On September 28^th there is a regional in-service.  Linda will be serving on the VT Education Quality Commission to review school quality standards.  The September 12th mediation was cancelled and a new date has not been set.  Linda handed out the information as to where the regional school board association meetings are being held. 

The Commissioner of Education position will now be called the Education Secretary. This will be a cabinet position.  The state board will choose three candidates for the governor to choose from.

Other Business

George went over the protocol for choosing a school board member.  The select board will be notified and the opening will be advertised.  There has been interest in the position.  The school board will appoint a person for the position.  Next month anyone who has expressed interest will give a brief presentation and the board will then appoint a board member.   

Jessica said her son is having a great 2^nd grade year.  The change is working.

Executive Session

None

Adjournment

Dr. Bont made a motion to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia M. Walsh Mack

Recording Secretary