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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, December 4, 2006
Regular Board Meeting at 6:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Chairperson Peg Stewart, Greg Beeman, Jeff Loller, Lauri Fisher, Dustin Howard, Clara Pedley, Scott Lang, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Armando Vilaseca, Chris Sumner
Public: Nancy Mead
1. Call to Order - Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:35PM.
2. Approval of Minutes – Action: Jeff Loller moved to accept the Regular Meeting minutes of November 13, 2006. Greg Beeman seconded. Motion passed.
3. Correspondence - none
4. Public Comment - none
5. Reports
a. Principals’ Reports-
Scott Lang reported that Commissioner Cate would be at BFA next Tuesday at 1:00PM. The results from last year’s NSRE are back and BFA has received a checkmark. Over the next months, Scott will be presenting to the Board what BFA is now doing and what they will need to do to address the issue.
Lisa Delorme reported that the math consultant from the Bridges program met with all elementary teachers today. She noted that teachers are excited about the new math program and the results they are seeing. Last Friday 40 instrumental students traveled to the Flynn Theatre to see the VSO perform. Elementary report cards go out on Friday, December 8th.
Tom Walsh passed out Safe Schools data for the first 50 days of school and reviewed it for the Board. He reported that the Safety Committee has been busy. They collected data from the “Clear the halls” drills and met to begin to look at the input. They have decided to postpone another drill until January. Tom also reported he has met with a group of teachers and students who are interested in updating and expanding the cross-country trail system. Because parts of the proposed upgraded trails would cross private property the school will need to look into liability issues. The Board recommended that a formal presentation be made to them and that the liability issues are addressed before the Board can give its approval.
b. Financial Report – Chris Sumner did not have a financial report for this meeting. The audit is complete.
c. Board Reports –
Clara Pedley reported that Helping Hands is having a desert at the senior center on December 16th and that they have adopted a family and have been collecting items for them. She attended the Governor’s Youth Leadership Conference along with 3 other students. The Scholars Bowl tournament was last week and BFA was 0 and 2.
Dustin Howard reported Project Grad received a grant from Franklin county Youth Initiative. NHS is participating in Operation Happiness. BFA will hold a seasonal concert at 7:00 on Wednesday, December 6th.
Lauri Fisher reported she will be attending the SU Budget meeting on Wednesday and if other Board members have anything to bring to the SU Board to see her.
Greg Beeman reported the Program Planner position of the library is not yet filled but they do have a couple of people who have shown interest. He reported on the recent FBPA meeting. The new leaders of the organization will be introduced to the business teachers at the school to encourage local job shadowing opportunities. They will also be looking for a new logo for the organization and will be asking the art department for assistance in an art contest to have the students help in designing one.
Jeff Loller reported that they have set meeting dates for contract negotiations.
Peg Stewart reported that the new representatives to the House, Carolyn Branigan and Gary Gilbert, would be present at the Board meeting on January 8th. The joint meeting with the Selectboard will be rescheduled to January 22nd. Peg also distributed brochures on the Department of Health Substance Abuse Winter Programs that the Board members can sign up for.
d. Superintendent’s Report – Armando Vilaseca reported that he is still spending time visiting the school and learning about how it operates.
6. New Business
a. Technology Presentation – Doug Reaves gave a report on what upgrades have been made to the technology hardware at the school over the past year. He then highlighted some of the needs for the upcoming budget. He answered questions from the Board.
b. Overnight Field Trip –Nordic Ski Team is requesting the Board’s permission to travel to Mt. Ste Anne, Quebec from December 7-10th. This is planned as a cultural trip as well as for training. The students will miss classes on Thursday and Friday. Fundraising has provided the funding for the trip.
Action: Greg Beeman motioned to allow the BFA Nordic Ski team to travel to Mt. Ste Anne on December 7 – 10th, 2006. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously.
c. Additional English Teacher for 2nd Semester – Scott Lang expressed the need for a part time second semester English position. Because tuition students in grade 9 is up and scheduling has allowed the class sizes in English to be quite large, they are asking for a .33 FTE teacher to teach 2 sections, one freshman section and one 11th grade section. This position would be for this year only.
Action: Jeff Loller motioned to approve the hiring of a .33 FTE English teacher for the 2nd semester of this school year. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
d. FY2008 Budget – Chris Sumner presented a draft beginning budget and highlighted some of the specific changes from last year’s budget. Questions were taken from the Board on the budget. Discussion ensued on how to proceed in the process.
7. Other – Peg Stewart stated that the Safe Routes To School (SR2S) committee needs formal approval from Board to send a traffic plan to the State. Charlie Swanson, a Fairfax selectman, is an engineer and will put together the plan for the committee. The state will then make recommendations on the plan.
Action: Greg Beeman motioned that the Board give its approval for SR2S to send a traffic plan to the State. Lauri Fisher seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Executive Session
Board entered executive session at 9:05pm.
Board exited executive session at 9:15pm.
No Action taken.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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