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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, April 13, 2009
Regular Meeting at 6:30pm ~ Community Library
Present: Peg Stewart, Elaine Carpenter, Robin Freeman, Kim Lesny, Adam Benay, Bruce Chattman, Scott Lang, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Mary Lynn Riggs
Public: Robert Trubia, Taylor Trubia, Diane Chattman, Kristen Greenia, Susan Bosland, Brad Bosland, Lisa Schukei, Rebecca Gonyaw, William Skerrett, Jennifer Skerrett, Frank King, Briana King, Frankie King, N. LaCross, Kara LaCross, Pamela Cook, Bob Harris, Cheri Harris, Patricia Hendee, AnneMarie McGuiness, Logan McGuiness
1. Call to Order – Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
2. Elementary Drama Presentation – The Elementary Drama Club presented their play, The Test, to the Board.
3. Consent Agenda
Minutes- Regular Meeting: March 9th – The minutes will be corrected to show the VSBA representative is an elected position.
Correspondence - Capital Improvement Update
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the Consent Agenda and Robin Freeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
Action:Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the hiring oftwo teachers in the elementary: Kristy French as a .8 FTE Early Education teacher and Jessica Eaton as a 1.0 FTE Grade 4 elementary classroom teacher. Kim Lesny seconded and motion passed unanimously.
4. Public Comment – Carolyn Branagan, Fairfax and Georgia legislative representative, gave an update on what is going on in the legislature. Elaine questioned the details of S. 136. She is also concerned about the mandates that are being passed on to the local school boards.
5. Reports
a. Superintendent – Bruce Chattman reported that he has met with resident Roy Hill regarding a grant he is pursuing to obtain stimulus monies to benefit dropout students. He also reported that Scott Lang accepted a position and will be going to Mansfield Academy, an alternative high school. Elaine questioned about the Medicaid reimbursements of S.127.
b. Principals
Elementary
A few weeks ago the drama club presented a short play that centered on the state assessments (NECAPS) that are given. The play does a nice job of poking a little fun at the pressures that students, teachers and principals feel during the time the testing occurs. While accountability is important the play helps to put things in perspective. I thought this performance was appropriate at the board level as we have spent a good deal of time talking about test scores over the last two years. I hope you enjoy the presentation.
Another reason this play is timely is that we have recently received our adequate yearly progress (AYP) report from the Department of Education and grades 3-8 continue to be identified as a school that does not meet AYP in the categories of free and reduced lunch for mathematics and students with disabilities in both reading and mathematics. This is our third year of identification. Tom and I are meeting with our School Improvement Coordinator in early May to get more information as to next steps in the identification process.
Lisa Delorme
Middle School
v The Geo-Bee Team is currently practicing for competition in May. The team is comprised of students from grades 6-8 and coached by Mrs. Skerrett, Ms. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Daniels.
v Middle school sports are also underway. Teams are eager to get outside.
v There are several co-curricular activities underway or beginning soon. First, the Middle School Drama club will perform Be Careful What You Wish For, on Thursday, April 09 and Friday, April 10, at 7:00 pm.
v We will be hosting Sarah Cover from April 13-17. Sarah is a local dance teacher and performer, who will be working with all of Mr. Scott’s Physical Education classes. This will be Sarah’s third visit to our school. Her time is always extremely popular with our students. On Friday, April 17, students will perform their dances and Sarah’s dance troupe will entertain the middle school.
v I have received several requests to develop a weight/fitness room. This is an issue that requires some guidance from the School Board. I do not feel comfortable moving forward on this issue without input for all of you. I would like to find some time on the agenda to discuss this matter when time permits.
v We are beginning the transition process for students in grades 5, 6 and the students from Fletcher. During this process, we meet with Fletcher and Grade 5 students in their classrooms to answer questions and discuss the middle school. Also, we hold a parent information night for both groups of students and parents. Finally, we conduct a Step-up Day where students are able to meet their teachers and get a tour of the building.
I am in the process of completing my next parent letter that will detail educational activities occurring in the middle school.
Respectfully,
Thomas Walsh
Elaine questioned the weight room and how to proceed forward. It will be looked at over the summer and discussed at the retreat.
Tom distributed a diagram of what the different administrators are in charge of to make it easier for the board to see who to direct questions to.
High School
Since our last report, the high school has been involved with a marvelous concert by the BFA Band and Chorus – one performance for the students and staff in the high school March 17, and an evening concert March 18. Students have also participated in the Northwest District Music Festival and Dylan Kirkes represented BFA at the New England Music festival.
BFA hosted a Town Meeting on Underage Drinking and Substance Use on March 25. The meeting was open to students and adults in Franklin West; however most of the participants were BFA student co-curricular participants and their coaches and advisors.
There was a coffee house hosted by the BFA Drama and music Departments on Friday night, March 27. There were one act plays, dancing and a wide range of music genres performed. The event was attended by families, faculty, adults in the community and students. Part of the proceeds will help support a field trip for music students to see a musical in Boston on April 11.
Seniors who had not applied for early acceptance are just beginning to get their acceptance notices and financial aid packages. The uncertain economy has placed financial aid in a precarious position, however we are hopeful that the stimulus package will assure that none of our students have to delay or forego college or other post secondary learning due to finances.
After the spring break, there will be a whirlwind of activity. The prom is May 16 aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III. The senior class trip will be the first week of June and graduation, June 13 is only 37 school days from Monday night’s board meeting (April 13).
You will receive a more detailed calendar in mid to late May, but please mark yours now for graduation on June 13 at 10am.
Scott Lang, High School Principal
c. Financial – A written financial update was provided for the Board.
d. School Board Members
Adam Benay reported that he is going on the trip to England. Student Council wants to address the rule on iPods at school. Students want to be able to listen to music at their work block. They will soon begin the process to choose a new representative to the Board.
Robin Freeman reported on the elementary drama program and the spring elementary concert. He also reported on the SU meeting and the work to consolidate some district policies. The SU will be looking at moving to a new space.
Elaine Carpenter reported that she attended a work session to develop the Action Plan for the district. At the VSBA meeting they spent time with the senate education committee discussing educational issues.
Kim Lesny reported on the stimulus money and how and when it is coming and on some ways that it may be spent.
Peg Stewart gave the highlights of the meeting she attended on capital improvements.
6. Board Business
a. Parks & Recreation Agreement – Katrina Antonovich presented the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the use and maintenance of the recreation park. The Board reviewed the document and brought up concerns. Some recommended changes in the language were noted.
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to authorize the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Fairfax and Bellows Free Academy (BFA) Fairfax and the Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department once the changes have been made. Kim Lesny seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. VAMLE Grant Update – Katrina Antonovich is the treasurer of the Vermont Association of Middle Level Education. She is also the northwest representative for Vermont. She stated that studies show that students make the decision to drop out in 6th grade. The association will be coordinating a summit to address the dropout rate and prevention in Vermont. She also reminded the Board that the VAMLE organization sponsors a Scholar Leader Dinner which two Fairfax students can attend.
c. English Department Trip to England - Adam Benay gave an description of what the upcoming trip to England will be.
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the English Departments request to take students on a trip to England. Robin Freeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
d. Baseball Trip to Cooperstown – Mike Brown has submitted a request for the varsity baseball team to travel to Cooperstown, NY. They will be traveling with the South Royalton, VT team.
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to approve the request for the varsity baseball team to travel to Cooperstown, NY on April 24th and 25th. Kim Lesny seconded. Passed unanimously.
e. NECAP/AYP Presentation – Mary Lynn Riggs, FWSU Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave a presentation on the NECAP data as it relates to Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). She stated that a district wide Action Plan is being developed to address the needs.
7. Policies
a. Staffing & Job Descriptions Policy
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the Staffing and Job Descriptions Policy. Robin Freeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
b. Personnel Files Policy
Action: Kim Lesny motioned to approve the Personnel Files Policy. Robin Freeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
c. Role of Policy
Action: Kim Lesny motioned to approve the Role of Policy. Elaine Carpenter seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
d. Policy Development & Adoption
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to approve Policy Development and Adoption. Elaine Carpenter seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
e. Policy Dissemination, Administration, and Review
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve Policy Dissemination, Administration, and Review. Robin Freeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
f. Volunteer & Work Study Policy – 1st Reading – Policy will be brought back at the next meeting.
- Adjourn – the meeting was adjoured at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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