These minutes have yet to be voted on as approved.
Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, June 14, 2010
Regular School Board Meeting at 6:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Peg Stewart, Elaine Carpenter, Robin Freeman, Lea Wimette, Kim Lesny, Ben Langelier, Chris Hogan, Olivia Snyder, Bruce Chattman, Michael Clark, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Chris Sumner, Ann Dunn, Julie Morin
Public: Michelle Varney, April Beyor, Penny Aceto, Marlene Karr, Helen Hartmann, Greg Hartmann, Mary Ellen LaPine, Theresa Rebeor, James Bengaff, Jan Rocheleau, Nancy Mead, Deb Mucia, Terri Santee, Jennifer Gomo, Janice Lynch, Cynthia Pease, Mike Cain, Liz Stratton, Michael McGrath
1. Call to Order - Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:40PM. Michael Clark introduced Olivia Snyder as the new student Board representative.
2. Consent Agenda
Regular Meeting Minutes of May 10th
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the minutes of May 10th, 2010. Kim Lesny seconded and motion passed unanimously.
New Hire
Action: Kim Lesny motioned to approve the hiring of Katie Wyndorf as a 1.0FTE Middle School Language Arts teacher. Elaine Carpenter seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
3. Correspondence
Action: Lea Wimette motioned to approve a 2 day unpaid leave request for Melinda Mascolino. Robin Freeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
4. Public Comment - none
5. Policies *
a. D14. Support Services Policy –A group of para-educators was present to highlight some areas of the policy changes that they found to be concerning. The Board listened to the concerns brought forth and will take them into consideration. The policy, with any changes, will be brought back to the retreat to be reviewed. The Board also decided to include information on requesting unpaid leave to the policy.
6. Reports
a. Superintendent
I wish to express my appreciation to the Fairfax School Board for the opportunity provided for me to serve the students and community for the past 1½ years. During this time, we were able to institute a comprehensive three-year professional development plan based on student results and incorporated within the FWSU/School Action Plans. At their meeting on May 25th, the FWSU Board approved the Action Plan, which you will recall is a statutory responsibility to support curriculum development and related professional development. This Action Plan also forms the base for the Consolidated Federal Program Grant as well as the LEAP Grant. At the meeting on June 14th, you will be provided with a review by the Principals on the BFA components within the SU Action Plan. In addition to the numerical goals for AYP, please also attend carefully to the continuous progress within each student sub-group. The gains demonstrated in these categories are reflective of the work done by teachers through vertical teaming and resulting changes in curriculum and instruction.
The move of central office to the location at 4497 Highbridge Road (Rte 104A) is on schedule to occur during the first few weeks of June. We have already begun the transition by moving the Special Education office and will follow with HR, Curriculum & the Superintendent offices as soon as the new section of the building is completed. During this period of time, there may be temporary lapses in email and phone connections.
As everyone is well aware, the fiscal challenges for next year are significant and will require the school board to begin your budget work earlier than usual. The recently passed legislation (H-792; Challenges for Change) requires that the Commissioner of Education develop reduction targets by August 1, 2010. These targets will be at a supervisory union level totaling $23.2 million state-wide, or approximately 2%. The actual amounts per supervisory union, however, will vary based upon spending history and other factors such as student/staff ratios and per-pupil costs. In addition to these reductions, Fairfax is currently receiving approximately $272,071 in revenue for FY2011 from ARRA funding. This funding source is not expected to continue in FY2012 and will require additional funding from the education fund resulting in increases in the state property tax rate, or be transferred to local school budgets which will result in either property tax increases, budget cuts, or a combination thereof.
The Legislature passed a voluntary merger and supervisory union duties bill (H.66). This bill became law on June 4 without the Governor’s signature who stated that the bill did not go “far enough” to reduce property taxes. The bill requires that each supervisory union discuss whether to formally explore a merger within the SU or with neighboring districts, and to vote by October 2012 whether or not to engage in a formal merger planning analysis. The bill also includes reduced education property tax incentives for districts to merge into K-12 Regional Education Districts, resulting in a lower tax rate over a four-year transition period of 8¢, 6¢, 4¢, and 2¢ respectively. There are also funds available to support (reimburse) expenses up to $20,000 for the costs related to planning a merger. To qualify for incentives, new regional districts must meet a variety of conditions among which are to include four (or more) school districts and/or have a total enrollment of at least 1,250 ADM.
The bill also includes requirements to centralize special education, financial management, HR management, curriculum, and professional development at the supervisory union level. In addition, there will be no exceptions to collective bargaining at the SU level, each supervisory union and district must have “minimum and optimal class size policy” adopted by January 15, 2011. I recommended that the FWSU Board develop these polices at an earlier date in order that they may be shared with and applied by the local boards during the FY2012 budget process to provide for consistency in budget development. It is important, therefore, that the Boards review existing class size, student/adult, student/teacher, and student/paraprofessional ratios to establish a base-line of data for FY2011 and develop class size standards in the context of program efficacy and costs. I have developed a template for this purpose and Natasha will work with principals and business office to provide base-line information using FY2011 staffing data as it becomes finalized throughout the summer.
FWSU Superintendent Replacement – The position was advertised and the board received ten applications. From among the applications, it was determined that there were two individuals who the FWSU Executive Committee believed could be a good match for FWSU and interviews were to be scheduled for the week of May 24-28. One of the candidates informed the District that she accepted another position but the Board determined last week to proceed with the interview of the remaining candidate, Ned Kirsch. The interview was held on Friday, May 28th and the feedback was very positive. The position was subsequently offered to Mr. Kirsch and he has this week accepted the positions. My planned last day at work will be June 25th and Mr. Kirsch will begin on July 1st.
In the interest of even greater participation by school boards in working together to respond to the challenges being confronted by school districts in Vermont, an invitation was sent by the Chair of the South Burlington School Board (Richard Cassidy) inviting board members, superintendents and principals to a Champlain Valley Summit on June 29th from 4:00-8:00 PM. Natasha previously sent a copy of the invitation to all board members. If you plan to attend and have not yet informed Natasha, please let her know immediately so that you may be registered.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bruce Chattman
Superintendent
b. Principals
Elementary
This month I would like to highlight the Four Winds program. Four Winds Nature Institute is a non-profit organization advancing the understanding, appreciation and protection of the environment through community based natural science education. BFA elementary currently has two Four Winds coordinators, Anita Wimette and Amy Rogers, and about 20 other parents who volunteer to help teach our children to connect to the world around them. These parents attend a monthly training which is held at BFA and then schedule a time in the classroom to teach children the lesson of the month. These lessons are all organized
around a yearly theme.
At the end of the year we celebrate with a Four Winds morning. The day is organized by our parent coordinators. It begins with a slide show highlighting the year. This main event is put together by Julie Filiberti. It is the high point of the year for many of us. It documents ways that students make meaningful connections with nature and each other during the year. The pictures are set to music and are enjoyed by all. After our morning presentation teachers and Four Winds parents engage students in culminating activities that center around the yearly theme.
Other end of the year activities that support the whole child are our running club and the variety show. On Saturday, May 28th our running club culminated with about 75 students participating in the Yam Scram at the waterfront in Burlington. At our yearly variety show students showcase their talents. We have had so many participates in the last few years that we have extended it to two afternoons instead of one.
It has been a great year. Thank you for your continued support.
Lisa Delorme
Middle School
We are very excited to present Katie Wyndorf as a candidate for the Grade 7/8 Language Arts position. Katie was selected through a three step process. First we reviewed over 75 applications and selected four candidates. Next, we interviewed the four candidates and asked them a series of questions to gain better understanding of their beliefs and actions regarding middle level education. Finally, we narrowed the field to two candidates and we watched them teach a lesson for fifteen students. Katie was unanimously selected by the committee and students as the most qualified candidate for this position.
I am attending a conference in Boston during the first week of July with two teachers and Michael Clark on developing Professional Learning Communities. I attended this conference last summer with a team of teachers and found the content to be consistent with the work we are doing in our Vertical Teams.
Thank you for your efforts and support throughout this school year. I am looking forward to the summer recess and then the opportunity to resume the work of teaching and learning.
Respectfully,
Thomas Walsh
High School
BUS UPDATE
We received the bus we purchased under the Bus Replacement Grant. Chris, Dell, Georgia, and I have worked out the initial details to purchase the replacement for the van using ARRA special education money. Dell is also investigating an opportunity we have to upgrade a 1996 bus with over 140,000 miles to a 2001 bus with about 100,000 miles at no cost to BFA Fairfax. Essentially another school who participated in the bus exchange program is on a 10 year replacement cycle for buses and can give us their 2001 bus. Our obligation would be to scrap the 1996. After Dell and Scott finish reviewing the maintenance record of the 2001 bus we will make a decision.
CLASS DAY
Class Day is on June 14th at 1:00.
GRADUATION
Graduation plans are on track. I have revised the format of the graduation ceremony to be less principal centered and instead highlight students. The most obvious change will be that student will do almost all of the introductions and speaking during the ceremony. I have been working with students to refine their speeches and introduction and I am looking forward to this change. Several students with speaking roles have expressed excited they are for this change.
SUMMER BEST INSTITUTE
I am taking a group of 8 teachers to the Summer BEST institute to begin the work of revamping workblock to a Support Block. At the May 25 Faculty meeting I presented the formalized idea of revamping workblock to a support block. This is one of the major initiatives for the high school next year.
NEW STUDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM POWERSCHOOL
We have selected PowerSchool ® as our new student management system. Powerschool has many features that will significantly improve data management at BFA. It also has a parent portal which parents can use to stay informed about their student’s progress. I have meet with a team of teachers and have an outline of a plan for implementation at the high school.
SENIORS
This has been a challenging year for seniors. Changing principals changed expectations and interactions for many members of the senior class. For some of the class this has been a positive change and they have talked with me about how glad they are that I am doing the things I am doing. Others are upset and are grieving the loss of Mr. Lang. As a whole I’m proud of the leadership in this class and we continue to work on promoting unity within the class. As I have reported I have already begun a process to help the class of 2011 be united and positive all year next year. Promoting class unity in a systematic way will be one of the goals of support block.
Submitted by Michael Clark
Michael Clark noted that they were able to obtain the 2001 bus that was mentioned in his report. This was at no cost to BFA and they will be scrapping the 1996 bus.
c. Financial – Chris Sumner submitted an updated financial report.
d. School Board
Ben Langelier thanked the Board for allowing him to serve for two years.
Chris Hogan reported on softball and baseball and the Frisbee Club team. VTLSP is sending Students to the SADD conference this summer.
Olivia Snyder introduced herself to the Board.
Robin Freeman reported has been involved in the superintendent search and other supervisory union items.
Lea Wimette reported that she attended the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade concerts this spring. She thanked Sue Hogan for a job well done single handedly.
Elaine Carpenter reviewed the information from the VSBA retreat.
Kim Lesny reported that the library will no longer have access to a copier and questioned the Board on a plan to have the library and the school share a copier and whether the library would charge for copying if they did. The Board feels that the library should purchase its own copier. Kim commented to Lisa how smoothly all the end of the year activities have gone in the elementary.
Peg Stewart reported the library will have a new librarian in August. She attended the recognition ceremony for 8th grade graduates and attended the Class Day activities. She’s been researching the storage shed on School Street. It can be demolished and rebuilt within a year. Otherwise a permit must be obtained and the requirements of the permit would not allow a structure to be built. The electric bill due is $30.00. The Board decided this storage shed will be an item addressed at the retreat. She is still researching the possibility of grant funding for the white house. She also noted that the playground needs attention. It is a community playground and there is a community volunteer who would be willing to come and replace the memorial stones for the walkway. It will cost to do the repairs on the equipment and only woodchips were budgeted. The playground should be inspected monthly and someone will need to be trained to do the inspections. Todd Granger will be doing a walkthrough of the playground and noting the needed repairs.
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to disconnect the power from the storage shed on School Street. Lea Wimette seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
7. Board Business
a. Action Plan – Lisa Delorme discussed the Action Plan. It is a work in progress and they are at the end of the first of three years. Robin questioned the usage of the VCAT system. The administration responded that information is put in but my not be utilized to its full extent. Training for the VCAT system is provided for teachers at the technology institute. Robin also questioned 1:1 computing and Tom explained what the pilot program would be.
Action: Lea Wimette motioned to approve the Action Plan and Kim Lesny seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
b. New Student Management System – Ann Dunn presented the plan for the new student management system along with the process that was undergone to research different systems. After this process they are recommending entering a contract with Pearson for their product called PowerSchool.
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve PowerSchool as the new student management system. Robin Freeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
c. Approve Food Service Bid – This will be tabled until the August meeting.
d. Approve Audit Firm Bid FY10-12
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to approve the bid from Fothergill, Segal & Valley for audit services for next year. Kim Lesny seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
e. Approve Tax Anticipation Note - The Chittenden has quoted an interest rate for FY11 of 1.98% with a guaranteed investment rate of 2.27%. This is an increase in the net yield from FY10 of .07%.
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to approve to borrow a tax anticipation note from Chittenden in the amount of $2,477,000.00. Lea Wimette seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
f. Approve Capital Improvement Fund Transfer
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to place 50% of any of this year’s surplus into the Capital Improvement Fund. Elaine Carpenter seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
g. FWSU Superintendent Vacancy – Ned Kirsch has accepted the FWSU Superintendent position.
h. Set Date for Joint Meeting with Fletcher School Board – The Fletcher Board is concerned about their small school and would like to begin a discussion with BFA about consolidation to see where Fairfax stands as they consider options. The Board set this meeting for July 14th at 6:30 in the Fairfax Community Library.
i. Set Date/Location for August Board Retreat –The Board chose Wednesday, August 4th from 1:00PM to 7:00PM in the FACS room.
8. Other –Chris Sumner reported that Fairfax is now below Fletcher and Georgia in terms of Free and Reduced Lunch and the allocation of Title 1 grant money is based on the Free and Reduced Lunch statistics. Since Fairfax will receive less money, the Board supported keeping the existing staff structure.
9. Executive Session (Legal Matter)
The Board entered Executive Session at 9:35PM.
The Board exited and adjourned at 9:45PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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