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Fairfax Board of School Directors
Monday, June 9, 2008
Regular Meeting at 6:30pm
Fairfax Community Library
Present: Chairperson Peg Stewart, Angela Baker, Elaine Carpenter, Robin Freeman, Clara Pedley, Adam Benay, Ben Langelier, Armando Vilaseca, Scott Lang, Lisa Delorme
Public: none
1. Call to Order -Peg Stewart called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.Clara introduced Ben Langelier as the new student representative board member.
2. Consent Agenda –Elaine commented on the positives of having the principals’ reports included in the minutes.
Minutes - Regular Meeting: May 12, 2008
Hiring/Resignations
- Hiring of John Viau for the postion of Driver Education Teacher (1.0 FTE)
- Resignation of Genevieve Lepeltier
Correspondence
Action: Angela Baker motioned to approve the Consent Agenda and Elaine Carpenter seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Public Comment – none
4. Reports
a. Principals
Elementary Principal’s Report - submitted by Lisa Delorme
The year is quickly coming to an end. We are wrapping up 07-08 by looking critically at the elements of time and early intervention. Over the years we have added health education, technology, and foreign languages to the curriculum but have not extended the school day. As we develop the core curriculum it has been recommended that we spend 90 minutes a day of instruction in both literacy and mathematics. To reach this goal and teach curriculum additions we will be moving to a block schedule in the elementary school next year. The schedule developed will
include 90 minutes of both mathematics and literacy, a 45 minutes physical education, music and art rotation, and an intervention/enrichment block. This block will be used for new curriculum implementation as well as title 1 and special education interventions.
I would also like to take this opportunity to update you about the kindergarten intervention we have put in place for next year. We have decided to call this program reading and math club. Kindergarten intervention does not sound likemuch fun at all! Last week a group of teachers and I visited an extended kindergarten day program in Swanton that has been in place for four years. As a result of this visit we have decided to split the teachers into two separate classrooms with about 6-8 students in each classroom. They will teach targeted students four days a week and spend Friday afternoon planning and using data to inform instruction. This visit also helped us to develop a schedule for the extended day. I am anticipating that this early intervention will have an effect on the academic success of our students both in the short and long term.
Upcoming special events:
Variety shows: June 11th and 12th at 1:00
Last student day: June 13th
Inservice day: June 16th- The focus will be on curriculum and assessment. This discussion will be facilitated by Sheila Rivers.
Middle School Principal’s Report - submitted by Tom Walsh
The end of the school year is Friday, June 13. It has been a productive and successful year. I want to thank all of the staff for the great work they do each day. We are fortunate to have both teachers and staff members that work so hard to meet the needs of our students in and out of the classroom.
The Geo-Bee team participated in the State Tournament on May 17 in Northfield. Our students competed valiantly and represented our school admirably. We had a successful week during the Artist-In-Residency with Cynthia Pease. Many thanks to Marc Choiniere and all of the staff that supported this project. We are still preparing all of the tiles for a summer installation. Our hope is to have the Mandala complete for the first day of school.
We held a Step-Up day for incoming sixth graders, seventh graders, and incoming Fletcher students. Students had an opportunity to meet their new teachers, see classrooms, and ask questions.
The sixth grade team had a successful trip to Lotus Lake in Williamstown on May 15 and 16. The teachers and students reported that they had a positive experience. The sixth grade party was held on June 6. Students danced, ate, and enjoyed each others company.
The seventh grade team will attend the The Sports and Fitness Edge on Tuesday, June 10. We are looking forward to a fun day of swimming and playing.
The eighth grade students participated in a dinner/dance on Friday, May 30. We had a nice meal together and an enjoyable dance put on by the seventh grade. Next they will attend the Quarry Hill club on Tuesday, June 10. We are hoping for nice weather. Finally, grade eight students and families will come together on June 12 to celebrate their time in middle school.
High School Principal’s Report – submitted by Scott Lang
We received our ongoing accreditation from NEASC after our special report which was submitted in early March. The Commission lauded the high school’s work on Differentiated Instruction and is looking for the choral music curriculum – K – 12 to be in place as well as school wide rubrics for assessing the learning goals listed with our mission statement. The five year report is due next March which means that in the year 2010 – 11 we will begin the self study for our next decennial evaluation.
Todd Stanley was named Valedictorian of the Class of 2008. Isaac Barbour was named Salutatorian. Both students will speak at graduation. They also will be recognized on Class Day.
Class Day will be held at 8:30 on Wednesday, June 11. Students will be recognized for their work and there will be a number of scholarships and other awards as well.
Graduation rehearsals will be held on June 12 and 13, from 12:30 – 2:30. The Alumni Banquet will be held in the high school gym on Friday, June 13. A social hour runs from 5:30 to 6:30. Seniors are required to attend this event.
Graduation will be held at 1pm on Sunday, June 15. If you would like tickets, please call Karen McNall in the Guidance Office. The Class of ’08 invited retiring BFA teacher George Ligon to be the Graduation Speaker. The Senior Class Gift should be observable from the Graduation Tent – bushes that spell out BFA have been planted. Project Graduation will run on Sunday night after graduation. Students will sign in between 7 – 7:15pm.
Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17 will be in service days for the high school.On Tuesday, we will culminate our year of work on Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design. About fifteen BFA middle and high school teachers are participating in a week long summer institute on DI in Colchester. Several of our teachers will be leaders in that course.
b. Financial – Chris Sumner submitted a written financial report.
c. School Board Members
Clara Pedley reported on the Seniors’ end of the year activities.
Adam Benay reported on boys baseball and band.
Robin Freeman reported on the elementary spring concert.
Elaine Carpenter commented positively on the elementary concert. She also reported on some compliance issues with act 62 that the school will have to address in the spring.
Peg Stewart reported that a SR2S traffic study will be taking place on Wednesday. She noted that there has been an abundance of vandalism lately. It will be addressed at the retreat.
Angela Baker reported that she has been noticing smoking in the cars on school property in the morning. Some discussion of enforcement followed.
5. Old Business
a. Approve White House Lease
Action: Robin Freeman motioned to approve the Lease Agreement between the Fairfax Town School District and the Town of Fairfax regarding the White House building. Elaine Carpenter seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. School Meals Program Cost Increases ––Nicole Fournier was present to discuss the reasons for the price increase in the school lunch program. The elementary lunch will increase to $1.75 and the middle school will increase to $2.00. High school lunches will remain at $2.00. All free and reduced students will be entitled for a free breakfast next year.
Action: Angela Baker motioned to approve the School Meals Program cost increases and Robin Freeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
6. New Business
a. Approve Tile Replacement Bid
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the tile replacement bid from Tri-State Flooring for $31,900 to replace tile in the elementary 1st floor. Angela Baker seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. Approve Tax Anticipation Note
Action: Angela Baker motioned to approve the tax anticipation note with TD BankNorth. Robin Freeman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
c. Retreat Agenda Items – The Board listed out topics of discussion for the summer retreat. These included: budget, security (cameras and procedures), unified arts, student parking, policies (enforcement), school use, allergy policy, background checks, educational topics, deficiencies in NECAP assessment, Board meeting schedule, update on inservice, goals for upcoming year,
d. Approve Bank Resolution to Issue Administrator Credit Cards
Action: Angela Baker motioned to accept Chittenden Bank’s proposal for no-fee credit cards for the administrators. Robin Freeman seconded. Passed unanimously.
7. Other –The Board gave thank yous and said goodbye to Clara Pedley for her two years of dedication as student representative to the Board.
8. Policies
a. Copyright Policy
Action: Elaine Carpenter motioned to approve the Copyright Policy and Angela Baker seconded. Passed unanimously.
b. Support Services Personnel Policy
Action: Angela Baker motioned to approve the Support Services Personnel Policy and Elaine Carpenter seconded. Passed unanimously.
c. Criminal Record Check Policy –This policy will be brought back for review at the August meeting.
d. Volunteer & Work Study Students Policy – This policy will be revised and brought back for review at the August meeting.
9. Executive Session – The board entered at 8:00pm and exited at 8:10pm. No action was taken.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Filiberti
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