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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, April 9, 2007
Regular Board Meeting at 6:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Chairperson Peg Stewart, Jeff Loller, Lauri Fisher, Rachelle Howard, Dustin Howard, Clara Pedley, Scott Lang, Thomas Walsh, Lisa Delorme, Armando Vilaseca, Sheila Rivers
Public: none
1. Call to Order - Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
- Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes- Jeff Loller moved to accept the Regular Meeting minutes of March 12, 2007. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. Reports –
Scott Lang reported on the high school making AYP. Next year the AYP measurements will be based on the NECAP results. The NHS induction will be May 7th. Implementing VSRI has been a bit of a challenge in the high school. The program will morph into the Vermont Literacy program and will focus on content based teachers. Scott will provide more information as they get closer.
Lisa Delorme reported the upcoming elementary drama production will be on the 18th. The enrichment committee held its last meeting. She reported on many staff changes in elementary: Barb Nason, Jill Wells, Susan Parker, and Priscilla Boyce will all be leaving after the end of the year. She reported on attending the National Elementary Principals meeting last week.
Tom Walsh reported that middle school drama will be performing The Velveteen Rabbit next Thursday and Friday evenings, April 19th and 20th. They are performing for the elementary on Monday morning. Thursday, April 12th, in the evening is the 8th grade’s presentation of their conflict unit. The 6th grade’s Perpetual Motion Science Night will be on Wednesday, April 18th. He reported that John Halligan, whose son committed suicide as a result of cyber-bullying, will be giving a talk to the middle school students in May. They will follow-up by discussing the issue in their community groups. The 6th grade will be traveling to Montreal on May 4. Tom also presented the Safe-School data for February 7th thru March 26th.
Armando Vilaseca reported he still hasn’t received the engineer’s report on the white house, so discussion on the issue will be held until the next meeting. Negotiations will be updated in an executive session. The Board chose the date of Tuesday, July 31st for the summer retreat.
Clara Pedley reported on the scholars bowl competition. Helping Hands will be providing an Easter themed breakfast for the seniors. VTLSP will be hosting a coffee house. Seniors will be traveling to Montpelier for history. The Prom will be held on May 12th at the Echo Center. Underclassmen are having another dance a week prior to the prom as a fundraiser.
Dustin Howard reported on the senior class meeting to make graduation decisions. The Student Council is bringing in Marco the Magician to do an assembly on April 18th. Student council is sponsoring Hats On Day on May 1st to raise money for cancer research.
Lauri Fisher reported on the FWSU meeting.
Jeff Loller reported on the graduation requirements committee meeting.
Peg Stewart attended the steering committee meeting. She attended the recent meeting with commissioner Cate concerning his redistricting ideas. She distributed papers from this meeting to the Board which included the commissioner’s proposal. Peg stated that she and Armando attended a private meeting with the governor at Chris Santee’s house and discussed a variety of issues. There is a Health and Wellness fair at the school on Saturday, April 14th from 9:30-noon in the Multipurpose room.
c. Resignations – Action: Lauri Fisher moved to accept the resignations from faculty members Gretchen Hanish, Susan Parker and Priscilla Boyce. Jeff Loller seconded. Unanimously approved.
d. Tuition Waiver – Action: Jeff Loller motioned to grant a tuition waiver to the Syverson family for the remainder of the school year. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed unanimously.
3. New Business
a. NECAP Presentation – Sheila Rivers presented a BFA Accountability Update. “Students with Disabilities” is the only subgroup at BFA that has failed to meet AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress). This is the first year of corrective action. The administration has been planning ahead for this and is already taking correction steps. They have been providing supplemental instruction in addition to classroom instruction. Likewise, one of professional development’s main focuses this year has been on differentiated instruction which helps target the needs of students in this subcategory. Following the presentation, the Board asked questions on the data and the improvement process.
b. Hat Policy –Student Council has asked to have the Hat Policy removed from the school policies. They see it as a school expectation or rule to be outlined in the school handbook. Discussion took place and it was decided that removal of the policy will be brought for action next meeting.
Action: Lauri Fisher moved to waive the Hat Policy for the Hats On Day on May 1st. Jeff Loller seconded. Passed unanimously.
c. 2007-2008 School Calendar – The Board reviewed the new calendar and changes were highlighted.
Action: Jeff Loller moved to accept the 2007-2008 school calendar. Lauri Fisher seconded. Passed.
d. White House –The Selectboard acknowledged they received the Board’s letter concerning the Town’s lease of the white house. The engineer’s report is not back yet so discussion on the possibilities will wait until the next meeting.
e. Parks and Recreation – The Board reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Operation, Usage and Maintenance of the Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department.
4. Policies
a. Gifts to School – Policy will be brought for Action next meeting.
b. Parental Involvement – The Board discussed the removal of the policy because it was covered in a previous policy. Board will address it at the next meeting.
5. Other – Lauri Fisher was approached about the iPod policy. She wanted to express dismay at the school’s prohibition of technology when the school is promoting technology usage and that there are some students who can benefit from the use of the technology. Scott Lang responded that these electronics are not permitted during school hours but that they will be reviewing the usage during non academic times.
Tom Walsh explained the opportunity to have the school’s lockers electro-statically painted. This project could be completed before June 30th which would be covered under this year’s budget. The cost for the project would be approximately $5000 - $6000. The Board requested references from the company who will be doing the project.
Action: Jeff Loller motioned to allow up to $6000 to be allocated to the repainting of the lockers pending the company’s references are favorable. Rachelle Howard seconded. Passed unanimously.
Tom Walsh reported that the newly installed floor tiles are coming up. This is due to a problem with the glue that the installers used. The tile installers are coming back to redo the job at no cost to the school.
Peg Stewart requested information on why the school is over in the co curricular budget. Scott Lang will research the issue and report back to the Board.
6. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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