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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, March 13, 2006
Regular Board Meeting at 6:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Chairperson Peg Stewart, Greg Beeman, Jeff Loller, Rachelle Howard, Lauri Fisher, Kelsey Peterson, Dustin Howard, Phil Higgins, Scott Lang, Lisa Delorme
Public: Nancy Mead, Amber Lafontaine, Caila Johnson, Dale Welch, Lauren Beeman, Emily Lavoie, John Rooney, Ashley Rabidoux, Pat Fitzgerald, Ryan Peno, Chris Wells, John O’Brien
1. Call to Order - Phil Higgins called the meeting to order. He thanked the Board for their efforts on presenting the budget and securing its passage.
2. Board Reorganization – Lauri Fisher nominated Peg Stewart to serve as Chairperson. Jeff Loller seconded. Peg accepted the nomination. Passed unanimously.
3. Committee Assignments – Lauri Fisher nominated Jeff Loller to serve as Clerk. Peg Stewart seconded. Jeff accepted the nomination. Passed unanimously.
The Board assigned its members to serve on the following committees:
Franklin West Supervisory Board – Lauri, Greg and Peg
Technology committee – Jeff and Rachelle
Library committee – Lauri and Greg
Recreation committee – Peg
Contract negotiations –Jeff and Rachelle
Enrichment committee – Rachelle
Steering committee –Peg and Greg
Rachelle recommended having a Board member on the Regional School Board. Rachelle agreed to serve on this board.
The Board thanked the administration on their hard work on the budget.
4. Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting:February 13, 2006 – Greg Beeman moved to accept the minutes. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously.
Regular Meeting:February 20, 2006 – Jeff Loller moved to accept the minutes. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
5. Correspondence – Lisa Delorme distributed copies of the letters of resignation from Carolyn Brooks and John Simko. She stated that next year plans are that Carolyn, in her retirement, will be working in the kindergarten in a para-ed position and doing home visiting in the afternoon. Lauri Fisher motioned to accept the resignations as of the end of this school year of Carolyn Brooks and John Simko. Greg Beeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
6. Public Comment – Nancy Mead made a suggestion that the school should go first at town meeting. The Board agreed and Peg stated that it will be the schools turn to go first next year and then a request will be submitted for subsequent years following.
7. Reports
a. Principals’ Report
Lisa Delorme reported that Run Girl Run will be extended to elementary school through a program entitled Girls on the Run. Jill Nye-McKeown is organizing the program that will be facilitated by Lindy Carpenter and Carol Keszey. It is open to girls in grades 3 through 5. They will be meeting twice weekly after school and culminating with a race in late May. The elementary will be hosting an artist in residence next week. Gary Dulabaum will be featured at an assembly and will be working with the lower elementary grades following. Because the elementary was not able to have their annual Hike Day last fall, plans are for it to be combined with ELF Day on June 1st. The students will use Madeline Mann’s property here in Fairfax to hike and do ELF activities. ELF volunteers are planning and organizing the day.
Scott Lang congratulated the Varsity Cheerleaders on their 2nd place finish. Last Friday the high school hosted the Vermont Dance Collective for a program on the history of dance. Scott distributed a 2006/2007 Program of Studies booklet. He gave thanks to Karen McNall for putting the program together and to the students who contributed artwork for it. Scott highlighted some of the recent additions to the high school program. Rachelle questioned if the school has looked at increasing the graduation requirements. Scott said they haven’t looked at that.
b. Superintendent’s Report – Phil reported they are just about done with social studies and science curriculum development. The superintendent search is going according to schedule. Phil thanked Adrian and Natasha for their work in moving the process forward. Next year’s contracts should be out by next week.
c. Board Reports
Kelsey Peterson reported that NHS is sponsoring blood drive tomorrow. Spring sports are beginning to get underway. Scholars Bowl team is entering the 3rd round this coming weekend.
Greg Beeman reported that he has been monitoring the work being performed in the moving of the dirt.
Jeff Loller attended the course fair last week.
Peg Stewart reported the community will be able to meet and speak with the superintendent candidates next Monday, March 20th. The Behavior Risk Survey will be presented to the public on March 29th. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
8. New Business
a. Eagle Scout Project Presentation – Pat Fitzgerald presented his proposal to refurbish the nature path located by the school and rebuild some bridges (5 to 7). He has checked with the town to be assured he doesn’t need any permits. He needs the landowner’s permission. Peg recommended contacting Jim Boomhover for exact specifications on the sizes of the bridges to accommodate the snow machine groomer and to come back to the board with the specific plans. Lauri Fisher moved to approve Pat Fitzgerald’s Eagle Scout project. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. Adopt 2006-2007 School Calendar – Phil noted that any half-day releases are not included on the calendar. Jeff Loller moved to adopt the 2006-2007 School Calendar. Greg Beeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
c. Franklin County School Choice Agreement – Discussion ensued on the meaning of “minimum transfer limits”. Greg Beeman moved to accept the Franklin County Public School Choice Collaborative Agreement for the school years of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously.
d. Side Letter re: Co-Curricular Positions –Jeff Loller moved to approve the side letter amendment adding five Co-Curricular positions – Varsity Football Coach, Varsity Assistant Football Coach, Varsity Assistant Cross-Country Coach, Middle School Cross-Country Coach, and Varsity Nordic Skiing Coach – to Appendix C of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2004-2007. Greg Beeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
9. Policy Review
a. Wellness Policy – Jeff Loller moved to accept the Wellness Policy with footnotes removed. Greg Beeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. Use of School Facilities –Greg Beeman Moved to accept the Use of School Facilities Policy. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously. Tom Walsh has sent a letter to Rev. Maffin explaining the agreement for long-term usage will end on June 1st.
c. Kindergarten Entrance Age Policy – Policy will be brought for action next meeting.
d. Student Conduct & Discipline Policy – 2nd reading will take place next meeting.
10. Other – Scott Lang wanted to correct the information that was reported out to the community regarding the bus purchases. In actuality there will be two more bus purchases to complete the 5-year cycle. Scott will address and clear up this mistake in the Fairfax News.
Peg received information on a new development proposed off of Buck Hollow Road. This will contain 10 new single-family units. The Board must fill out a school impact questionnaire for this development. Discussion ensued on the impacts of all these developments and what the Board needs to do to address the growth. It was agreed that the Board should address the topic at the summer Board retreat.
11. Executive Session (Personnel)
12. Upcoming Meetings
March 27, 2006
:: Regular Meeting at6:30pm in the Fairfax Community Library
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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