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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, January 11, 2010
Regular School Board Meeting at 7:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Peg Stewart, Elaine Carpenter, Robin Freeman, Barbara Murphy, Kim Lesny, Ben Langelier, Chris Hogan, Bruce Chattman, Michael Clark, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Chris Sumner
Public: Nancy Mead, Marlene Karr, Helen Hartmann, Mike Brown, Judy Stewart
1. Call to Order Regular School Board Meeting – Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:25PM.
- Consent Agenda
Minutes - Regular Meeting: December 14th
Action: Barbara Murphy motioned to accept the Consent Agenda. Elaine Carpenter seconded and motion passed unanimously.
3. Correspondence – The Board reviewed a letter from Nancy Gross regarding her faculty position. The Board also received a letter from the teachers in support of the AV position.
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to accept the letters. Kim Lesny seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Public Comment - none
5. Reports
a. Superintendent
The majority of my time in December and early January as Superintendent for FWSU has been
devoted to supporting the Boards and Supervisory Union with the development and modification of four
budgets, conducting three contract negotiations, and addressing several employee and student issues.
Vertical Team leaders met prior to the holiday vacation to provide feedback on the PD plan and discuss
progress this year. They, along with the principals, attended a workshop on the change process and
dealing with resistance to change. A survey was developed to receive information from the Vertical
team leaders on further needs for support and professional development.
The FWSU Summer Technology Institute is now full. All other interested teachers will be placed on a
waiting list. Over 25 teachers from BFA, 8 teachers from FES, and 5 teachers from GEMS are enrolled
in this exiting opportunity. At the conclusion of the course, each teacher will receive technology
equipment that they have learned to integrate into their classroom, enhancing learning opportunities for
all students.
A recent report title “Opportunity to Learn” was released from the Education Transformation Policy
Commission and presented to the State Board of Education on December 15th. This report includes
many recommendations that, if enacted, will change public education in Vermont. The five major areas
of focus in the report are:
o Education Quality Standards (rewriting with a focus on outcomes/results);
o Learning Expectations for a New Generation of Learners (proficiency based, revised VT
Framework);
o PreK-16 Partnerships (expand dual enrollment, performance targets, focus on college readiness);
o Educator Quality (revised educator standards, career ladder, professional development);
o Education Districts (changed governance structure with 13-20 regional education districts).
The Franklin West Central Office Team has met to review this document and the implications for our
work and roles as the educational leaders. We are already well positioned and have initiated work in
the areas of Education Quality Standards and Learning Expectations for a New Generation of Learners
through our action plans and professional development plans. FWSU has established a committee to
begin reviewing the governance issue with Kim Lesny-Johnson serving as the Fairfax representative.
The remaining two areas will require state-wide attention and guidance from the DOE as well as
changes through legislation and collective bargaining.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bruce Chattman
Superintendent
b. Principals
Elementary
Happy New Year! This month I would like to highlight the work teams of elementary teachers are engaging in with Sue Biggam, a literacy consultant. The primary focus of this work is to look closely at student achievement on local literacy assessments. Students that do not meet literacy targets that are set by the team are given additional supports and their achievement is closely monitored.
Kindergarten and first grade teachers are using progress monitoring technology that aligns with the Fundations spelling program to measure student achievement. Second and third grade teachers are also utilizing technology as they teach, practice and monitor reading fluency. Fourth and fifth grade teachers are focusing on strategies to enrich vocabulary development in reading and writing.
The professional dialogue that teachers are engaging in is rich. Conversations are child focused with an emphasis on student learning. Data is used as a basis for decision making in these meetings. This professional development is funded by the Consolidated Federal Grant (CFG).
The elementary school completes report cards three times a year. Our first report card was sent to families on Dec. 3rd. Grade level teams spent the first trimester revisiting the standards on these documents. Our goal is to ensure that each standard is being assessed using common tools. This is still a work in process. The task will become more manageable when power standards are identified and common assessments are in place at each grade level. This is the work that our district vertical teams are currently engaged in. These content area teams are being lead by teacher leaders with support and professional development from our FWSU Professional Development Committee, the Coaching Center and the administration.
Lisa Delorme
Principal
Middle School
I want to thank the Buildings and Grounds staff members that worked many hours to have the school building ready for students and staff after the recent snow storm. We appreciate all of the work they do.
We now have Smart Board technology operating in eight middle school classrooms. I appreciate the work of the building and grounds staff and technology staff that collaborated to make this happen. I encourage you to come upstairs and see this technology in action. Teachers and students are using the tool to enhance teaching and learning.
The Safety Committee met before the break to review the “Clear the Halls” feedback. We are updating our procedures to address the feedback and to provide more clarity during this important process.
Teachers will continue their work in faculty meetings in January and February reading and discussing the Rick Wormeli book, Fair Isn’t Always Equal. We continue to examine effective assessment and grading practices in a differentiated classroom. During department meeting time, teams are developing targeted literacy and math interventions for students based on their level of readiness and assessment data.
Vertical teams will be using the teacher In-Service day on Monday, January 18 to continue their work on identifying Power Standards and assessments of student learning.
The middle school Student Council successfully raised and delivered 1,777 food items for the Franklin-Grand Isle Counties Food Drive (Cram the Complex). Thank you to all the students and staff in grades PreK-12 that donated food, as well as their time and energy to this worthy cause. Specifically, I would like to acknowledge Mrs. Klein, Mrs. Griswold, and Mr. Daniels for organizing this worthwhile cause.
The 2nd quarter will end on Friday, January 22 and report cards will go home on Monday, February 01.
I have a parent letter going home next week detailing educational activities and upcoming events. You will receive a copy.
Respectfully,
Thomas Walsh
High School
PREPARED BY : MICHAEL J . CLARK
DECEMBER FACULTY MEETINGS
December 15
Update and explanation of the new Educational Support Team (EST) processes and
procedures. Explanation of this year’s budget process.
December 22
Review of Maroon Notebook rubric and time to work collaboratively on assigned
Maroon Notebook.
COMMUNITY BULLET-IN
The December Community Bullet-In went out.
OUT OF COUNTRY FIELD TRIPS
Mr. Hebert and Mr. Griffin have requested to take a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Montréal. I
support this trip. As per board policy regarding out of the country fieldtrips, the board will need to approve
this field trip before it can happen.
EMPTY BOWL PROJECT
Empty Bowl Project was a big success at B.F.A.-Fairfax. The week before holiday vacation, Mrs. O'Brien's
International Foods class and Mrs. Garland's Ceramic class sold ceramic bowls accompanied with soup and
bread. The International Foods class made a delicious vegan minted noodle soup and vegetable bean and
noodle soup and served it with apple bread and bread sticks.
$303.00 was raised with 100% of the money going to the Fairfax Food Shelf.
With the holidays being a time to share with our neighbors, the B.F.A.-Fairfax School community is doing
their part to make their community a great place to live and learn.
Page 13
SAP ( SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION TO GROW INTO A STUDENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)
The Howard Center continues to try to find a good match for B.F.A High School and is in weekly contact
with me regarding the process. They are interviewing a new batch of candidates this week; hopefully, there
will be a suitable match.
SENIOR CAMP
As of progress report time, 28 seniors were identified as failing or in danger of failing one or
more courses. As a result, I have worked with the EST and the Guidance Department to implement
interventions in order to make sure that struggling seniors have additional support to help them
successfully finish their first semester classes. We have come up the following three interventions:
Ø There are 13 seniors who are failing multiple classes or a class that is required for them to
graduate. These students will be required to attend “Senior Camp.” Senior Camp will be
held in the computer lab upstairs, during workblock. I will supervise and support these
students. Students in this category can maintain their senior privileges by coming to Senior
Camp; however, if they do not come I will revoke their Senior Privilege and assign them to a
supervised study hall in the Support Center. Seniors may exit Senior Camp by improving
their performance in the classes they are currently failing and providing me with a note from
their teacher indicating that they are now passing. Guidance and I met with 10 of these
students on Wednesday and informed them that Senior Camp starts on Monday, January 11.
We will finish meeting with these students on Thursday.
Ø There are 11 seniors who are currently failing one class that they do not need for graduation.
Guidance is meeting with these students and explaining to them that they are expected to
attend workblock with their regularly assigned workblock teacher. They should use the
workblock time to do the work that will help them gain passing status in the class they are
failing. Guidance will notify the workblock teachers of these students so that they know to
expect the students. If these students do not attend workblock I will revoke their Senior
Privileges and assign them to a structured study hall in the Support Center. If these students
improve their performance in the class they are currently failing they may get a note from
their teacher and provide it to their workblock teacher, at which point they may again use
their Senior Privilege to not attend workblock.
Ø The final 4 students are on IEP’s. Each case manager will develop an individualized plan to
address their student’s situation.
Additionally, 49 students in grades 9-11 are also failing one or more class. Guidance is in the
process of sending notification to each workblock teacher with a student who is failing. The best
practice of workblock teachers will be to check in regularly with their students and to help support
them when they struggle. Hopefully, the notification from guidance helps workblock teachers
become aware of struggling students in their workblock.
We will plan to use this system, or a system similar to it, after progress reports are distributed
each quarter.
COMMUNITY FITNESS CENTER/ART ROOM
I believe we have the community’s support to move forward with the Community Fitness Center and Art
room. In addition to the Fairfax News article I produced and the Principal’s Forum I held, the posting I
placed on VTGrandpa.com has had more than 500 views and has only received support. I have included the
postings. I believe the next steps will be to identify sources of funding (grants) as well as refining exactly
what equipment we would like to have in the Fitness Center and the Art Room. I have worked with Emily
Garland regarding the Art Room and plan to meet soon with the PE teachers. Additionally, I will
coordinate with Katrina and Chris regarding possible funding sources.
GRAND ISLE HIGH SCHOOL FAIR
The Grand Isle High School Fair will be held on January 19 from 6:30-8:30. I will be at the fair with a
former Island student who is now attending B.F.A.
GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL FAIR
The Georgia High School Fair will be held on January 27. The Guidance department and I are planning our
presentation.
Additionally, Westford and Fairfield will be holding informational meetings during the school day for
students. Our Guidance department will go and present at these meetings.
IMPORTANT JANUARY EVENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL
5 Registration Deadline for 2/6 ACT Test
9 Alumni Basket Ball Game 7:00 p.m. Gym
18 Martin Luther King Holiday No School
21 Exam day
22 Exam day
25 Quarter 3 Begins
Elaine Carpenter questioned Michael Clark as to how Senior Camp went for the start up. Michael Clark reported on Senior Camp.
Action: Barbara Murphy motioned to approve Mr. Hebert’s and Mr. Griffin’s field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Montréal, Quebec on 1/13/10. Robin Freeman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
c. School Board
Ben Langelier reported that he had received complaints from the fans about some of the cheering at the basketball games. People were offended. In response, Ben had conversations with some of the student fans. Mike Brown stated that he also has had some conversations to hopefully bring an end to the inappropriate cheering.
Chris Hogan also reported on the cheering at the games.
Robin Freeman reported on the SU meeting. The SU Board kept its budget at a 0% increase.
Elaine Carpenter announced that there would be a gubernatorial candidates’ forum on January 25th. All the gubernatorial candidates will get together to talk about education. She reported that there was a VSBA meeting coming up.
Kim Lesny attended a presentation about The Roots of Success that highlighted the results of the study. She thought the H1N1 vaccination clinics went well. She has been reading up about consolidation.
Peg Stewart thanked the custodial and maintenance staff for all the hard work they’ve done with all the snow.
6. Board Business
a. Approve Bus Bid – This bid is for the full amount but a grant will pay for half up to $40, 000 if one of our current buses is decommissioned and if the bus is delivered this fiscal year.
Action: Barbara Murphy motioned to accept the bid from W.C. Cressey & Son for $81,141.00 contingent on it being able to be delivered by June 30, 2010. Robin Freeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
b. Approve FY11 Tuition Rate – Chris Sumner explained how she came up with the proposed tuition rates. The Board discussed the rates as proposed and the impacts on the budget.
Elementary - $9200
Middle and High - $10,500
Strive - $8200
Resource Room and Case Management – at cost
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to accept the tuition rates as listed above. Elaine Carpenter seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
c. FY11 Budget – Chris Sumner distributed copies of the FWSU FY11 budget for the Board members to take a look at. The Fairfax FY11 budget was discussed. Elaine spoke to the letter that was submitted to the Board from the teachers in support of Nancy Lynch’s AV position. Peg Stewart requested waiting to decide on the cutting of the AV position and the Technology Integration position until next Monday when the numbers are firmer. An early retirement buyout was offered to long term teachers and they will know how many, if any, will opt for this buyout by next week’s budget meeting. Discussion took place on further cuts to the budget.
Action: Barbara Murphy motioned to accept the original December 14th proposal for further reductions to the budget which included: reducing all raises for support staff (not including Para-Educators) and administrators to 2%, eliminating the Technology Integration position, eliminating a bus purchase as well as the cost of the driver and maintenance of the bus, reducing the Bookkeeper position by .2FTE, but retaining the 4th kindergarten session. There was no second.
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to accept further reductions to the budget which included: reducing all raises for support staff (not including Para-Educators) and administrators to 2%, eliminating a bus purchase as well as the cost of the driver and maintenance of the bus, reducing the Bookkeeper position by .2FTE, but retaining the 4th kindergarten session. Elaine Carpenter seconded. The motioned passed with one abstention.
7. Policies
a. D1. Personnel Recruitment, Selection, & Appointment – Tabled
b. D15. Criminal Record Checks – Tabled
c. D2. Professional Development – Tabled
d. Support Services Policy – Tabled
- Executive Session (Title 1 §313 (1) & (2)) – The Board entered executive session to discuss teacher negotiations at 9:45PM.
9. Adjourn
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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