Swanton School Board
April Minutes
Don Collins (chair)- 868-7975
Rod Russin (vice chair)
April Kilbury 527-7152
PattiJo Walker 524-5749
Tobias Maguire 868-5983
SWANTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES
April 12, 2010
Present: Don Collins, Rod Russin, Patti Jo Walker, April Kilbury, Tobias Maguire.
Administration:Julie Benay, Principal, Brent Coon, Assistant Principal, and Dr. John J. McCarthy, Superintendent.
Others Present: Mary Babcock, Stem 4E Teachers: Beth Hunter Jette, Stacie Scangas, Lisa Bovatt, Joan Lumbra, Barb Trushaw, Robin Trushaw, Sara Brooks, Judy Callan, Pam Hancock, Sarah Nielsen, Brenda Gagne, April St. Francis, Ann St. Francis.
Students: Harmonie Cline, Haven Zada, Katherine Smith, Molly White, Taylor Connelly, Briana Yandow, Jason Yandow and Jackie Yandow. Trey Hancock, Sam Fitzsimmons, Jo Fitzsimmons, Frank Bilodeau, Ann St. Francis, Amy Bilodeau, Emily Bourdeau, Marge Bourdeau, Madison Rabtoy, Denise Rabtoy, Jenna Bourdeau, Adut Morgan, Richard Walker
Call to Order: Don Collins called the meeting to order at 6:03pm.
Citizens and Staff: Beth Hunter Jette stated that the students and teachers were here to represent the Stem 4E project grant. Stacie Scangas explained that the Grade 3 teachers took their students to the Northwestern Medical Center and showed how math interacts with the real world of the hospital work day. Some Grade 3 students were present to provide an overview of their math field trip to the hospital. Joan Lumbra, a grade 4 teacher explained that as part of the Stem 4E grant was to gain greater content knowledge in the area of mathematics and effective teaching practices. The teachers went back to the classrooms and tried several different ways that they have learned to multiply using procedural knowledge along with conceptual understanding. Thinking of multiple ways to achieve results gives the students greater mathematical perception and understanding. Mrs. Callan, Mrs. Trushaw and Mrs. Sullivan’s students demonstrated different strategies and models in breaking the numbers apart. Mrs. Hunter requested that everyone please check out www.mathiseverywhere.org for more information on the Stem4E math website and activities. Students have other math demonstrations by short videos on this website. Mrs. Benay congratulated the students for their outstanding presentations.
Toby Maguire comes on Sunday night to play basketball and inquired on replacing the backboards. Brent said that they have researched the cost and it is estimated at about $7,000 to replace them. Don Collins suggested that an updated quote be obtained and possibly put some of that in next years budget, fundraisers, and sponsorship. The Swanton Gym is used by MVU, Swanton community groups as well as the school.
Brenda Gagne was present as a representative of the Parent Advisory Committee of Indian Education. Brenda Gagne stated that the PAC represents 25% of Swanton School’s population and they are upset over losing Julie Benay as the Principal of Swanton School. She has been reviewing the Swanton School Policies. She is looking for the guidelines under the board relations with the Principal. Dr. John McCarthy explained that all of the policies have been reviewed since 2004 or adopted if there is a new policy. April St. Francis, Chief of Tribe, was present to ask about the board conflict of interest. Dr. McCarthy will get back to Brenda Gagne regarding the policies and the chain of commands.
PTO Update: Sarah Nielsen from the PTO reported on The PTO. The meeting this month was on the playground, and it was extremely well attended. A gentleman came in from Massachusetts (Mr. William Eckhardt), and gave a report of the current status of the playground and future options. Looking at a long range plan instead of only fixing what already exists, the PTO would like to establish a long term plan and fundraising needed to meet the goals that they have set for new playground items, replacement etc. Mrs. Benay extended thanks to Rod Russin and April Kilbury who had been part of the playground committee and huge undertaking that had taken place years ago.
Approval of Minutes: Rod Russin made motion, seconded by Toby Maguire to approve the March 8th school board minutes as revised. The board approved 5-0 vote. Patti Jo Walker made motion, seconded by April Kilbury to approve March 22, 2010 minutes as printed. The board approved the motion 5-0 vote. April Kilbury made motion, seconded by Rod Russin to approve the April 5th, 2010 minutes as printed. The board approved the motion 5-0 vote.
Correspondence: For executive session. There was a thank you letter from the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation Inc. for the generous contribution in support of Operation Holiday Homecoming.
Old Business: None
Contracts: For executive session.
Financial Report: Becky Hart included the financial report in the board packet. Becky Hart met with Julie Benay, Brent Coon and Lora McAllister and reviewed the various budgetary lines. At this point, she anticipates coming under budget for expenditures barring no unexpected crisis and Swanton is looking at a projected carryover of about $60,000. Rod Russin made motion, seconded by Patti Jo Walker to accept the financial report. The board approved.
Check Warrants: Patti Jo Walker made motion, seconded by April Kilbury to approve check warrants for February 2010 totalling $789,235.80. The board approved the motion 5-0 vote.
Mrs. Hart explained that as a result of Roy Eckler’s resignation she needs a signer and an approved resolution for the Tabor Fund. The board had appointed Patti Jo Walker at a previous meeting to be a signer but Mrs. Hart could not find a motion in the minutes approving this appointment. Rod Russin made motion, seconded by Toby Maguire to approve the resolution and authorize Patti Jo Walker to be a signer on the Tabor Fund. The board approved the motion 5-0 vote. Don Collins requested an update to the balance of the Tabor Fund by the end of the year. Becky Hart informed the board that the Board of Trustees for the Tabor Fund are the members on the school board so that does not need to be formally updated.
Updated Food Service Bid: Mrs. Hart stated that they have to go out to bid for the food service grant this Spring. The bid process has been on hold waiting for updated documents from the State of Vermont due to changes in USDA regulations. Once she receives the updated documents, she will proceed with the bid process.
Principal’s Report:
Celebrations: Mrs. Benay wanted to start out with celebrations-the student work around STEM 4-E is our first celebration. The library featured two authors, Gail Gibbons and Jerry Palotta and a successful book fair, so successful that every child got to take home a free book! Additionally, they had an visit as part of our Earth Day celebration – all the students got to explore their planet through an interactive experience with a giant inflatable globe! This was part of the Character Education program focusing on the core concept of respect. Mrs. Wood and the PTO helped to make this happen. Speaking of globes, our 4th grade “Globetrotters” (Watts/Brooks) were invited to a “meet and greet” and given free tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters as a reward for their outstanding behavior. As always, we received comments from those in attendance that Swanton students were extremely respectful and responsible during this special event.(There is a video on the Swanton Home Page.) The fourth grade “Globetrotters” were invited to a meet and greet and given free tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters as a reward for their outstanding behavior. Along with a trip to the hospital and the Globetrotters event, the Swanton students were complemented on their behavior, extremely respectful and responsible and received many positive comments.
Sixth Grade Celebration: Mrs. Lora McAllister has taken the lead on organizing this parent initiated annual event. They have chosen an Olympic Theme and are meeting again on April 21st. Mrs. Benay will send a “Save the Date” memo for June 4th. April Kilbury stated Lisette Vaillancourt has been doing the year book in the past and Life Touch has helped pay for the year book along with the sales of the year book. They would like to give the year book to each sixth grader for free this year. She would like to thank Lisette for continuing to do the year book.
Title I ARRA Dollars- Mrs. Benay stated that the stimulus money was used in 2009-2010 school year to allow more students to participate in a full day Kindergarten extended program. There is $96,000 remaining balance and must be used in the 2010-2011 school year. The Swanton Faculty met and discussed their priorities as a full faculty. The Design Team met around the Action Plan efforts and our student data and how to improve the student data. Mrs. Benay has put together a draft in spreadsheet on a proposal to use the funds. Targeted assistance has more rules on how you can spend the funds. Next year the school will operate under the “schoolwide” Title I rules, allowing for greater flexibility. The tentative budget has not been looked at by the State of Vermont Dept. of Education Title Representatives. Mrs. St. Amour will need to place these figures as part of a strategy in her grant to obtain approval to use these funds. Mrs. Benay would like approval from the board, however, this proposal is contingent upon approval from Dave Baroudi in charge of Title I of the State Dept. of Education. Mrs. Sullivan is in interested in becoming a trainer of trainers for the Formative Assessment Project.
Toby Maguire made a motion to approve the draft for the ARRA Funds, seconded by April Kilbury. The board approved the motion 5-0 vote.
Last Day of School : June 11th last student day, last teacher work day is June 14th. Patti Jo Walker made the motion that the last student day of school will be on June 11th for the 2009-2010 school year. Toby Maguire seconded the motion and the board approved the motion.
2010-2011 school year calendar: The board reviewed the proposed calendar. Rod Russin made motion, seconded by Toby Maguire to approve the 2010-2011 school year calendar.
School Report Night. A motion to accept the offer by the PTO to host the School Report Night by Patti Jo Walker, seconded by April Kilbury. The board approved the motion.
Superintendent’s Report:
Policies: The board noted that there needed to be a change in the policy B5 E needs to be changed to the local board will appoint a person to fulfill the remaining term. Policies B3, B5 and B8 will be brought back to the board at the May meeting.
April Kilbury made motion, seconded by Patti Jo Walker designate policies section C and D as reviewed. The board approved the motion. Dr. McCarthy requested that the board review E and F.
Negotiations: For Executive Session.
Challenges for Change: The legislature was considering asking schools to reduce 44 million dollars over the next two years. The school boards across the state has already reduced 21 million dollars for the 2010-2011 school year with their budgets so 23 million dollars would need to be reduced for the 2011-2012 school year or cut most budgets by two percent. Instead of cutting school cost of 2 percent evenly per school, the education committee decided by looking at several factors for example: those schools who have kept their per pupil cost down, kept their student/teacher ratio down, higher poverty rate, etc., the commissioner will be charged with suggesting a reduction for every school district.
Personnel: Executive session
Report from Dena St Amour about curriculum and report from George Raynak on technology. Instead of contracts, all the administrators received a letter of intent with the salary to be determined. There will be another meeting in late June to cover the contract status for the administrators.
Patty Jo Walker made motion, seconded by April Kilbury to authorize the board chair to sign the contracts. The board approved.
Executive Session & Adjournment
Rod Russin motioned to enter Executive Session for personnel at 7:50 p.m. The motion was seconded by April Kilbury. The board approved the motion.
April Kilbury motioned to exit executive session at 9:33 p.m. The motion was seconded by Rod Russin. The board approved the motion.
PattiJo Walker made motion to appoint Brent Coon as Interim Principal for the 2010 - 2011 School year. The motion was seconded by April Kilbury. Vote 5-0. Rod Russin made motion to accept letter of resignation as discussed in Executive Session. The motion was seconded by April Kilbury. Vote 5 – 0. April Kilbury made motion to accept part time employment request as discussed in executive session. The motion was seconded by PattiJo Walker. Vote 5-0 PattiJo Walker made motion to grant additional 30 sick day as discussed for Leah Follensbee. The motion was seconded by Rod Russin. Vote 5-0. April Kilbury made motion to accept notice of retirement for Mary Wood and to instruct administration to post position internally. The motion was seconded by Rod Russin. Vote 5-0. PattiJo Walker made motion to approve hiring of Behavior Action Team assistant as discussed in Executive Session. The motion was seconded by April Kilbury. The vote was 3-2. April Kilbury made motion to approve Joan Lumbra as Math Content Specialist. The motion was seconded by Toby McGuire. Vote 5-0
Don Collins called the meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Jo Walker, School Board Clerk
by Pierrette Bouchard, School Board Secretary.
SWANTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES
@ Franklin Northwest Supervisory Union Central Office
April 22, 2010
Attendance: April Kilbury, Rod Russin, PattiJo Walker, Don Collins, Toby Maguire, Jack McCarthy, Superintendent, Julie Benay, Principal, Brent Coon, Assistant Principal.
Rod Russin called meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Don Collins made motion to enter executive session at 5:32 p.m. Seconded by Rod Russin. The board approved the motion.
Don Collins made motion to exit Executive session at 6:18 p.m. Seconded by Rod Russin. The board approved the motion.
PattiJo Walker made motion to accept Julie Benay's letter of resignation, seconded by Rod Russin. The Board approved the motion Vote 5-0
PattiJo Walker made motion to accept personnel recommendations as discussed in Executive Session. Seconded by Rod Russin. The board approved the motion Vote 5-0
PattiJo Walker made motion to direct administration to offer compensation to BAT applicant, as discussed in Executive Session, to $15.00/hr. Seconded by April Kilbury. The board approved the motion Vote 5-0.
