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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, November 13, 2006
Regular Board Meeting at 6:30pm
Present: Chairperson Peg Stewart, Greg Beeman, Jeff Loller, Rachelle Howard, Lauri Fisher, Dustin Howard, Clara Pedley, Scott Lang, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Armando Vilaseca
Public: Nancy Mead, Chris Santee, Tom Snyder, Gary Gilbert, Jackie Bruning, Barbara Murphy, Karen Charboneau, Dale Bellows, Wayne Sweet, Sally Sweet, Nancy Barrows, Barb Nason, Karen McNall, Mike Williams, Peg Bushey, Toni Jiwatram
1. Call to Order - Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
2. Approval of Minutes
Action:Jeff Loller moved to accept the Regular Meeting minutes of October 23, 2006 (with correction under VII. Other - $1500 to replace $4000). Greg Beeman seconded. Motion passed.
- Correspondence – Peg Stewart received letter from president of Fairfax Education Association to schedule a meeting to begin contract negotiations.
4. Public Comment - none
5. Reports
a. Principals’ Report
Scott Lang reported the high school hosted the “High Schools on the Move” team. BFA’s high school programs were highlighted for the team. The commissioner will be at the school on December 12th. Scott has been asked to serve on the Vermont Reads board. He commended Karen McNall for sending postcards regarding parent conferences in the high school. He attended a UVM symposium on special education.
Lisa Delorme reported that parent conferences are now happening in the elementary. The enrichment committee met and half of this year’s money has been spent. The technology committee has been working on developing the technology budget.
Tom Walsh reported on the 7/8 dance. The ID card reader at the far elementary door should be up and running this week. The school conducted a successful “Clear the Halls” drill with students last week. Student led conferences are beginning in the middle school.
b. Superintendent’s Report – Armando Vilaseca reported that Grade 11 is taking part in a NECAP assessment. This test is a pilot for the NECAP test next fall.
c. Board Reports
Jeff Loller attended and reported on the band concert and the “Clear the Halls” drill. Lauri Fisher reported on the library meeting. Greg Beeman brought up a lighting issue that he was approached about. Rachelle Howard expressed her concern that she has been unable to attend the technology meetings due to her schedule. She and Greg are going to switch positions with Greg to cover the technology meetings and Rachelle will attend the steering committee meetings. Clara Pedley reported that it is Spirit Week in the high school. There was a sports banquet last week. Dustin Howard reported that the senior class has completed their first fundraiser. NHS is currently hosting a food drive. The All New England Music Festival is in Plymouth next Monday and 3 BFA students will attend. Peg Stewart reported that the Recreation Program Committee will be forming. The Safe Routes to School committee has asked the Selectboard to write to the state requesting a lower speed limit through the village and various crosswalks. The Board will meet jointly with the Selectboard on Monday, November 20th , at 7PM in the library to brainstorm and do long range planning for the school and the town.
- Public Budget Input Forum
- The Board needed to have formal approval to apply to get state reimbursement for the money already spent for roof repairs. The following article was warned and voted on:
Shall the voters ratify the School Directors’ expenditure of eighty-three
thousand, six hundred and ten dollars ($83,610) to make emergency
repairs to the roof of Bellows Free Academy Fairfax and authorize them
to apply for State Construction Aid to obtain reimbursement for a portion
of such cost?
Questions regarding the article were answered.
Action:Public voted in favor.
- The Board gathered input from the Public regarding what they would like to see included in the budget for next year. The input was:
Security cameras for outside the building
More technology instruction for the middle school
Foreign language in the elementary
½% of the budget to be put towards a Capital Improvement Fund
(Lauri Fisher polled the public on their thoughts for putting a ½ or full percentage of the budget towards saving for capital expenses.)
½ of a bus funded each year
(Lauri Fisher stated that the Board is considering putting future bus purchases on a budget plan to remove them as articles to be voted on.)
Music Program expansion
Weight room and trainer
Extending the school day
7. New Business
a. Approve Asst Nordic Ski Coach Position – tabled
8. Other
The library will be hosting the VSO on an upcoming Sunday and they are looking for a waiver from the $75 fee, as they were not aware of the charge at the time of the booking.
Action: Greg Beeman motioned to waive the fee for the library and Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
9. Policy Review
a. Graduation Policy – Action: With the clerical change of “the” to “their” in section C of the policy, Jeff Loller motioned to accept the Graduation Policy. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. Early Graduation Requests Policy (Repeal) –This policy is redundant with other policies.
Action: Jeff Loller motioned to repeal the Early Graduation Requests Policy. Greg Beeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
c. Pupil Privacy Policy Updates –Action: Jeff Loller motioned to accept the updated Pupil Privacy Policy. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
d. Grade Advancement Policy Updates – Action: Jeff Loller motioned to accept the updated Grade Advancement Policy. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
10. Executive Session (Personnel)
The Board entered executive session at 8:20pm.
The Board exited executive session at 8:30pm.
Action: Greg Beeman moved to approve Sara Villeneuve’s leave request, seconded by Jeff Loller. Motion unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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