Present: Chris
Tormey, Tim Gochey, Niall McCallum, Roman Kokodyniak, Regina Quinn, George
Burlison, Cecilia Gulka
1. The
meeting was called to order by George Burlison, Superintendent at 6:08
p.m. George officially welcomed
Niall McCallum, our new Board member.
2. Reorganization
of the Board
a.
The Board nominated Chris
Tormey for Chairperson of the Board on a motion by Tim Gochey, second by
Roman Kokodyniak. There were no
other nominations. The Board voted unanimously to elect Chris Tormey as the
Chairperson of the Board.
b.
The Board nominated Tim
Gochey for Vice Chairperson/Clerk
of the Board on a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Roman Kokodyniak. There
were no other nominations. The
Board voted unanimously to elect Tim Gochey as the Vice Chairperson/Clerk of
the Board.
c. The
Board will select the three representatives to the WNESU Board at the next Board meeting on April 7th.
d. The
Board nominated Roman Kokodyniak
and Lillian Alexander (student
rep) as Board representatives to the Policy Committee on a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim
Gochey. So voted.
e The
Board nominated Tom Considine to
continue as representative to the UDAG Committee on a
motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey. So voted.
f. The
Board determined that they would continue to post the Board Agendas and Minutes
as they have in the past (Times Argus, Hardwick Gazette, local businesses).
They would also like to use the Cabot Chronicle, as well.
g. The
Board determined that they would continue to follow the Board meeting schedule
as it is
now,
every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
3. Public
Comment
There was no public comment this evening.
4. Student Report: Lillian Alexander & Jesse Feltus
There
was no student report this evening.
5. Principal's
Report: Regina Quinn
a. Vermont Teacher
of the Year - Regina explained to the
Board the application process for VT teacher of the year and who her
recommendation was for that award.
b. Consolidated
Federal Programs - Regina discussed
some of the goals she's been working with faculty and staff on and a position
that she feels would be important for the 2008-2009 school year.
Goal 1:
To
enhance the capacity of PK –
12 teachers to use multiple sources of data to systematically:
o
monitor student
understanding in mathematics and literacy,
o
diagnose misconceptions
or lack of understanding,
o
and provide targeted,
early intervention to address studentsŐ instructional needs.
Actions:
1. Provide
training in assessment development for a team of teacher leaders across grade
levels:
o
Develop an assessment
blueprint that outlines key learning objectives to be monitored across grades.
o
Inventory and gather
existing research-based assessment tools and protocols currently in use.
o
Modify existing
assessment tools and protocols used at particular grade levels for use across
grades.
o
Develop and pilot
additional assessments as needed.
o
Develop a manageable
data collection system, including protocols for administering assessments and
utilizing assessment data.
o
Plan and provide
training and implementation support for all staff.
Source:
Title IIA
2. Establish a targeted intervention
center to provide intensive, short-term, supplemental instruction in literacy
and mathematics to address gaps in student understanding.
o
Determine instructional
priorities in literacy and mathematics, based on analysis of NECAP, DRA, POA
and other assessment data.
o
Provide training in
research-based intervention approaches to address priority areas.
o
Design pre- and
post-assessments, to identify students for intervention, and to gauge the
effectiveness of the intervention.
o
Design supplemental
instructional interventions .
o
Establish protocols for
follow-up with classroom teachers and ongoing monitoring of students after
intervention.
Source:
Title IIA
Goal 2:
To
enable Cabot School faculty and staff to provide positive learning environments
for all PK – 12 students, with a focus on the promotion of positive
behaviors and the prevention of disciplinary infractions.
Actions:
1.
Provide initial training in Positive Behavioral Supports (Spring and
Summer).
2. Provide time and technical assistance
for team to plan implementation and revise existing planning room model in
advance of the 2008-2009 school year.
Source:
Title IIA
Goal 3:
To
prepare faculty and staff to enhance student learning through the innovative
use and integration of technology.
Actions:
1. Provide a summer 2008 camp and
follow-up through the 2008-2009 school year for faculty and staff featuring:
o
Multimedia production in
literacy and humanities (including web design, video-editing, working with
images, publishing, and multi-media production to communicate learning).
o
Mathematics and Science
applications to enhance conceptual understanding: (including spreadsheets,
geometer sketchpad, graphing calculators, and computer-based lab equipment).
Category:
Teacher Professional Development
Purpose:
Professional Development
Source:
Title IIA and Title V
Elementary Assessment & Intervention Specialist
Purposes of this position:
To
provide early intervention services to support primary studentsŐ success in
literacy and mathematics (K – 6).
To
prevent the need for more intensive remedial services and referrals for special
education in upper grades.
Qualifications:
Elementary
Teaching certification (K – 6) and experience with primary grade
assessment tools and protocols in mathematics and literacy.
Responsibilities:
o
Provide intensive, supplemental services to boost studentsŐ skills in literacy and
mathematics. Students in need of services will be identified through local
assessment measures.
o
Assist in the
development and implementation of assessments, and the analysis of results.
o
Document student
progress before, during and after intervention.
o
Communicate with
studentsŐ sending teachers about strategies, results, and types of follow-up
they can do in the classroom to support continued progress.
o
Conduct a follow-up
assessment several weeks after the intervention to determine the degree to
which students maintain the gains they achieved during the intervention cycle.
o
Maintain records of
assessments, student data, and intervention strategies utilized.
o
Collaborate and plan
with other intervention faculty to ensure that services are coordinated across
grades and across content areas.
o
Advise Steering
Committee on refining and extending this intervention model at the middle and
high school levels so that it has the greatest positive impact on student
learning.
Structure:
o
Two half-days per week
(20% FTE)
Funding
Sources:
o
Medicaid Reimbursement
Funds (purpose of these funds is to support intervention and prevention)
o
Title II funds
George
suggested that we only need to post this position (.20 Elementary Assessment
& Intervention Specialist) and Chris agreed. Regina will post the position as soon as possible.
c. Teacher
Appreciation Day will be on Monday,
May 5th.
d. Testing - Regina distributed reports on NECAP testing and
explained some of results with the Board.
Executive
Session
The
Board entered Executive Session on a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim
Gochey at 7:12 p.m. to discuss personnel.
The Board returned to open session on a motion by Tim Gochey, second by
Chris Tormey at 7:53 p.m. So
voted.
6. Superintendent's
Report: George Burlison
a. FY2008
Financial Update was distributed to
the Board. George reviewed it with
them and answered questions. We
are currently in a good financial position.
b. Contract
Renewals/Process Update - George
discussed the process for contract renewals. He will send a list of expected renewals to the Board before
the next meeting. Chris asked
Regina to talk about what is being done this year as far as evaluations. Regina said she has spoken with Charlie
Wanzer about observing in everyone's classrooms and setting goals. The evaluations haven't taken place
yet.
c. Petition - There are petitions circulating for a revote on the
Cabot School budget for 2009 and the new Music building.
7. Board
Discussion
a. District
Meeting (Presentation Format Review)
- The Board felt their presentation went very well and
didn't
seem to be too long. The Board
hasn't heard anything negative about the presentation itself. Roman asked if we could have the school
district meeting in the morning rather than the afternoon. Chris said we'd have to discuss it at
the district meeting in 2009 to get it pre-approved by the voters in order to
do it in 2010.
b. Fundraising
for New Music Building - Chris has
been talking with David Larcombe, the Business Manager about fundraising. An account will be set-up through the
Superintendent's Office to accept donations for the new Music Building. This money would only be used for the
new Music Building. The Board
would like David to address the question:
if this is going to be an ongoing fundraiser, would it make more sense
to put this into a separate account through the WNESU or does it make more
sense to have a bank account at the Merchants Bank under Cabot School?
c. School
Board Goals - Roman asked the Board
to focus on their Board goal priorities and bring them to the next Board
meeting for discussion.
8. Board
Action
a. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Roman Kokodyniak the Board approved the
Elementary Assessment and Intervention Specialist position (.20) to be funded
by Medicaid and Title II funds for the 2008-2009 school year. 3 - Yes, 1 - No
b. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the School Board agrees to: accept donations that come in to
support the new Music Building, setup a designated account for those funds, to
keep track of those funds, and to use those funds only for the purpose
designated (supporting the new Music Building). So voted.
c. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board approved Jackie
Scribner be rehired as Vocational bus driver for 2007-2008. So voted.
d. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board approved the following
coaches/assistants for 2007-2008:
Kathy Menard Girls'
Softball - Head Coach
Clyde Whitney Girls'
Softball - Assistant Coach
Joanna Christman Girls'
Softball - Assistant Coach
So voted.
9. Adjournment
On a
motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board adjourned the meeting at
9:24 p.m. So voted.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanna Brickey
Transcriber