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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, June 11, 2007
Regular Board Meeting at 6:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Chairperson Peg Stewart, Jeff Loller, Lauri Fisher, Angela Baker, Dustin Howard, Clara Pedley, Armando Vilaseca, Scott Lang, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Adam Benay, Chris Sumner
Public: Carolyn Branigan, Patricia Hendee, Jamie Rigoni, Karen Seaman, Susie Jones, Robin Freeman, Robert Flannery, Meg Baker, Christel Michaud, Paula Dearborn, Fred Griffin, others.
1. Call to Order –Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. Peg welcomed and introduced the new student Board member, Adam Benay.
2. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes – Lauri Fisher motioned to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 14, 2007. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed.
b. Correspondence – none
c. Reports
Principals Report
Scott Lang reported on Class Day last Friday. Almost .5 million dollars in scholarships were given out. Graduation is 1:00PM on Sunday.
Lisa Delorme reported on the many things happening in the elementary: Spring concert, Four Winds Day, hiring a new 4th grade teacher, running club running in the YAM Scram.
Tom Walsh reported on taking the 8th grade to Quarry Hill, Step-Up day for the middle school last week and the 8th grade Dinner Dance.
Board Reports
Clara Pedley reported on final exams and the English trip to Montreal with the poetry class and AP English classes. She reported on the Genesis poetry magazine that was put together highlighting student prose.
Dustin Howard gave an update on the plans for this year’s Project Graduation. The senior class trip to Six Flags was successful. They have given a class gift of a 40” LCD screen for the lobby. Dustin thanked the Board for his experience as a School Board member.
Rachelle Howard attended the YAM Scram and gave a report on it.
Lauri Fisher welcomed Adam Benay and thanked Dustin for his service.
Jeff Loller commented on the runners from the elementary. He attended the recreation path grand opening and thanked those students who participated in the Fairfax-Fletcher-Westford Band playing at the event.
Peg Stewart attended the interactive Safe Routes to School presentation. Fairfax could receive up to $250,000 from the program.
Financial Report - Chris Sumner gave a financial report. There will be a projected surplus because of the increased revenue.
d. Hiring
Joshua Safan – Special Education Teacher
Paula Thompson – Remedial Math Teacher
Courtney Boutin – 4th Grade Classroom Teacher
Chelsie Henderson – Choral Music Teacher
Action: Jeff Loller motioned to approve the Consent Agenda. Angela Baker seconded. Passed unanimously.
3. Public Comment
Carolyn Branigan spoke about the year’s legislative session. She urged the Board to feel free to contact her on any issues. Lauri Fisher thanked her for her quick response on items she has been contacted about.
Patricia Hendee represented Fairfax Success by Six and spoke of the conflict that has arisen over the use of the elementary gym for their Open Tot Gym occurring on Saturday mornings in the winter months. The Youth Basketball program has requested the use of the gym for 2 of the Saturdays currently used by SX6. Jamie Rigoni spoke to the issue and the displacement of the organization. Karen Sieman spoke to the value of the program. Other parents spoke to the importance of the program including Susie Jones, Robin Freeman, Robert Flannery, Meg Baker, and Christel Michaud. Peg Stewart let the Public know that the Board would be making no decision on the issue because it was not an agenda item. It was agreed that the topic will be brought up and discussed at a future meeting and Peg will let the organization know when. Tom Walsh stated the school will give the Youth Basketball program until June 30th to give the dates for their additional two Saturdays.
4. New Business
a. Trail Committee – Update – Fred Griffin presented information on the new cross country trail that is being projected for the community. The organizers, Dan Gibson, Dave Stanley and he, have contacted all private land owners that the trail is planned to cross and they have given their consent. Upon completion there will exist a 3K trail covered by woodchips. It will be a walking/running only path. They have raised money toward the labor and materials for its completion and will need to put in 3 bridges. It can be up and running by fall with the Board’s approval to continue. The trail will fall under public use of private land, similar to what the VAST system runs on, so liability will be covered. It will be a community project that will benefit the school and the students.
b. FEA Evaluation – Tom Walsh reviewed the updated Professional Staff Evaluation System and highlighted the changes for the Board.
Action: Lauri Fisher motioned to approve the Professional Staff Evaluation System for 2007-2008. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously.
c. Impact Fees – The school was notified of another new subdivision of 10 units off Lawton Road. Discussion took place on the impact this may have on the school.
d. Parking – The Board noted the issues of crowded parking lots, dangerous drop off and pick up areas and unenforced speed limits. Most other schools charge students to park and have an attendant present at high traffic times to monitor parking lot issues. BFA is in need of procedures and policies and enforcement to remove cars from areas where they are not allowed to park. Discussion took place and various ideas were mentioned. One possibility would be to have the students pay to park to offset the cost of someone to supervise. Discussion will be continued at the Board retreat.
e. Tax Anticipation Note
Action: Jeff Loller motioned to approve the Tax Anticipation note for $1,190,072. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed.
Action: Rachelle Howard motioned to have Jeff Loller be the signer of the Note. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed.
f. Audit Bids – Chris Sumner presented the 3 audit bids that she received. Bids were discussed and differences due to implementation of GASB 34 requirements were noted.
Action: Lauri Fisher motioned to approve the audit bid from A.M. Peisch. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed.
g. Local Education Agency Plan (LEAP) Grant – The Assurance states, “The school board authorizes its supervisory union board members to vote in favor of the Local Education Agency Plan (LEAP) provisions that state that Franklin West Supervisory Union will comply with all the requirements of Part A and B of, as amended by the reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA); and, that the grant funds will only be used to supplement State, local and other Federal funds and not to supplant those funds.”
Action: Lauri Fisher motioned to give the approval for FWSU members to vote for the LEAP grant. Rachelle Howard seconded. Passed unanimously.
h. Approve Action Plan 2007-2008 – The presentation of the Action Plan was tabled until the Board Retreat.
i. Board Retreat Topics – Topics for discussion include: the Action Plan, an action item to allow the trails to use the facilities, building use, white house renovation, parking, kindergarten. The Board decided that the August 13th meeting will better accommodate SX6 instead of the retreat. Rachelle noted that she would like a discussion on the use of a bus monitor for safety. Angela requested data showing the school’s bus issues and behaviors before a discussion takes place on it. Looking at a communication plan was also brought up for an item of discussion.
5. Policies
a. Kindergarten Entrance Age Policy – Armando showed policies from other school districts in the area. The state is trying to get everyone on the Sept. 1st entrance date. Lisa stated the teachers’ concerns of not enough time to do all that is required and still allow enough time for exploration and play. Armando will get data on programs in other schools and research on full day vs. half before a discussion can take place.
b. Travel Expense Policy – Policy will be brought back at a later date and the Board will decide to either update the current policy or move to a policy based on the IRS rate.
6. Other – The Fairfax Town Planning Committee is putting together a plan for the town and is looking for things that the Board would like to see in Fairfax. Suggestions were taken.
7. Executive Session – The meeting was adjourned at 8:45PM and the Board entered Executive Session.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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