Present: Chris Tormey, Tim Gochey, Gemma Yamamoto, Mike Celley, Regina Quinn, David Larcombe, Bonnie Vandenburg
1. Meeting
was called to order by Chris Tormey, Chair at 6:04 p.m.
2. Approval of
Minutes
a. The
minutes of October 1, 2007 were approved on a motion by Tim Gochey,
second
by Chris Tormey. So voted.
3. Public
Comment
Bonnie Vandenburg came to
say thank you for the job that the Board does. She was so
appreciative for the help
the students gave the community at the apple festival. She said
the students were so
helpful, kind and polite. She
wanted to give a donation to the school
as a thank you.
4. Student
Report:
There
are no student representatives at this time.
5. Principal's
Report: Regina Quinn
a. 2008-2009
Programmatic Priorities with Budget Implications - Regina spoke about programmatic priorities to the
Board. The information she
presented is as follows:
Comprehensive Assessment
System
Action: Develop a comprehensive assessment system
featuring tools and protocols for monitoring student performance across grades
and across content areas.
plans.
The statewide assessments measure only a narrow selection of grade expectations
– schools are required to systematically assess all studentsÕ progress on
the other standards and to use the data they collect to improve student
learning.
Potential Budget Implications:
¯
Release time to provide
time for teams to work on assessments.
¯
Stipends for Curriculum
and Assessment Committee (currently Steering Committee) to assist in the facilitation of this work.
¯
Possible stipends for
summer work/training.
Action:
Increase the use of technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of information
management systems.
Rationale: For the
long-term viability of our high school, we will need to dedicate time, energy,
and funds towards keeping our programs vibrant and responsive to the needs and
interests of students in Cabot and surrounding towns.
Potential Budget Implications:
¯
Attendance and
scheduling software (or enhancements to current systems)
¯
Technical assistance
¯
Hardware and equipment
Bus Support:
Action: Provide well-managed bus transportation with
more reasonable travel time for students
Rationale: There
are currently two Cabot bus runs. Some students ride the bus for well over an
hour – sometimes approaching 90 minutes. It is very difficult for
students to be quiet and remain seated for that length of time and for the
drivers to maintain good behavior.
Potential Budget Implications:
¯
Reduce length of trip
and/or place a second adult on bus.
Action:
Formalize, strengthen, and manage the ESS system
Rationale: Schools
are required to have an educational support system in place to ensure that
studentsÕ needs are identified and addressed. These supports include:
á teams
of teachers, parents, other specialists, and students meeting to discuss
strengths, challenges and strategies to address those challenges.
á Individualized
Education Plans for students who are determined eligible for special education
services.
á 504
Plans for students with disabilities who are not eligible for special
education.
In previous years, the
Educational Support Coordinator was responsible for overseeing and managing the
ESS process.
Potential Budget Implications:
¯
Continue stipends for
Team Leaders and shift focus of their work towards the ESS system.
Specialized High School Programs:
Action:
Support enhancements to high school programs that may attract students
to our school, or
that provide an alternative for Cabot students who currently
choose to attend
other programs
Rationale: For the long-term
viability of our high school, we will need to dedicate time, energy, and funds
towards keeping our programs vibrant and responsive to the needs and interests
of students in Cabot and surrounding towns.
Potential Budget Implications:
¯
Stipends for program
development
¯
Facilities improvement
b. New
Students - We have new students
coming in all the time. We
currently have a total of 217 students, which includes the preschool.
c. VAST
(Vermont Academy of Science & Technology) - We have some students who are currently attending VAST. They are getting their senior year
credits taken care of, as well as getting some introductory college
credits. There is no additional
cost to us for this program.
d. NECAP
Testing is just about over. The majority is completed. We are just finishing up with the
students who were sick. However,
it should all be finished by the end of this week.
e. Cell
Phones - Regina touched briefly on
cell phones and the need for written procedures on their use at school.
6. Superintendent's
Report: George Burlison
a. Woodchip
Project Update - David Larcombe gave
an update on the woodchip project.
The Board reviewed the most recent minutes from the latest committee
meeting that explained what had been done since the last meeting.
7. Board
Discussion
a. FY2009
Budget Program & Fiscal Objectives - David discussed with the Board the
budget program and fiscal objectives.
In preparation for the Board meeting he emailed to the Board a workbook
similar to the one distributed about this time last year, that presents the
effects of changing the Education Spending per Equalized Pupil relative to FY08
on:
- Total Expenditures - Actual Homestead Tax Rate - Tax bill, if paying based on Homestead value - Tax bill, if paying based on Income - used increases of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% over FY08. The Board discussed these scenarios at length. In the end, they decided to work around a 7% increase in the equal pupil spending. David will update the workbook with this information and resend to the Board.
8. Board
Action
a. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board approved David Hale as
Varsity Girls' Basketball Coach for 2007-2008. So voted.
b. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board approved Rick Hudson
as Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach for 2007-2008. So voted.
c. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board approved Raymon
Bothfeld as JV Girls' Basketball Coach for 2007-2008. So voted.
d. On
a motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board accepted a donation
from the Alumni Association in the amount of $445 given to Ruth Kaldor's Art
Class in memory of Chris Kaldor.
So voted.
9. Adjournment
On a
motion by Chris Tormey, second by Tim Gochey the Board adjourned the meeting at
9:30 p.m. So voted.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanna Brickey
Transcriber