Norwich Board of School Directors
Regular Meeting and Budget Presentation
Thursday, January 4, 2007
7:12 P.M., Marion Cross School Library
Present: Board members Gray, Sachsse, Vitt, Williams; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and approximately 15 members of the public.
1. Call to order
Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 6, as submitted. Board members made numerous changes to the minutes. The amended minutes were approved unanimously.
3. Communications and reports
a) Report of Chair:
(1) Calendar – Chair Sachsse announced that the next Board meeting will be Thursday, January 11, 7:00 p.m., in the Marion Cross School Library. This will be the second of three budget meetings, the other one being the public hearing/budget adoption on Thursday, January 18.
(2)Board filings –Chair Sachsse announced that one (1) Board seat is open in March (Margaret Cheney). Filings take place any time from now until January 22, 2007. Candidates must present a petition with 35 signatures to the Norwich Town Clerk.
Ms. Sachsse also announced that the Dresden School District has filing dates from Tuesday, January 16 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 5. Filing for School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Deborah Carter, or at the SAU Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, Hanover. Positions open are: Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer for one year terms; Auditor for three year term.
(3) Other matters – Chair Sachsse updated the Board and public regarding the bus parking concerns. She said that all but two busses will park off-site, while the remaining two busses will turn around so that the exhaust will blow more toward the woods and away from the neighboring houses. Hopefully, this should improve air quality for the school and playground.
b) Reports of administrators:
Superintendent’s Report - The Superintendent’s report was incorporated in other areas of the agenda.
Assistant Superintendent/Business – Mr. Aubin’s report was incorporated in other areas of the agenda.
Principal - Principal Rob Edson distributed written copies of his monthly report at the start of the meeting. He reported that enrollment is currently at 316 students, an increase of four students since the beginning of the year. Mr. Edson noted that teacher John Girard was honored by faculty and students on Thursday for his forty years of teaching, and presented with an embroidered jacket on behalf of the school. Finally, Mr. Edson announced that his trip to Gambia has been delayed by one week because the school in Gambia will be closed the week he had planned to visit. He will now be away the first week in February.
4. PTO report –PTO Chairperson, Deb Kaplan, reported that the food drive for the Haven was a big success and that the next drive will be held on January 28 in conjunction with Family Skating Day, from 2:30 – 4:30. This skating event is co-sponsored with the Recreation Department, and there will be a bonfire and hot chocolate after the skating.
Ms. Kaplan also reported that author William Jaspersohn will be conducting workshops at Marion Cross School on January 8 and 22. The workshop on the 22nd is sponsored by the Marion Cross School PTO, the Norwich Woman’s Club, and the Norwich Historical Society. Parents and community members are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and attend the workshop.
5. Public input
A member of the public asked whether grade two, with a class size now matching that in grade three, would receive extra teaching staff (as grade three did in the fall). Principal Edson noted that the increase was so new that he had no definitive answer yet, but would monitor grade two.
6. Business requiring discussion
a. Board candidate interviews – The Board interviewed two candidates for the vacancy left by the resignation of Margaret Cheney. Mary Bender and Carey Callaghan discussed why they wish to become a member of the Board and answered prepared questions from the Board. Following the regular business of the meeting, the Board went into executive session to determine which candidate it would appoint.
b. 2007-08 budget presentation – Assistant Superintendent for Business, John Aubin presented the 2007-08 budget proposed to increase by $480,804, or 11.49%. He cited growing enrollments and increased staffing as one reason for the rise, along with special education costs. He noted that Vermont reimbursements will cover 60-80% of the special education budget increases, and that the tax rate is projected to increase by .12% or $.0017. The cost of medical insurance will increase 7.5% and the Dresden assessment will increase about 1/6%, reflecting two years of a proposed teacher contract wand a decreasing Norwich share of Dresden costs. Mr. Aubin reviewed the significant changes to the budget and answered questions from the Board and public. Principal Edson explained that the budget included staffing for a modest 15-minute extension of the kindergarten day. He noted that his goal is to do what is right for 5 year olds, and adding a distinct block of teaching time while still enabling the children to be home by lunch was appropriate. For the next meeting, the Board asked Principal Edson to be prepared to discuss whether one teacher is enough for the projected enrollment for next year, and also to put together some class configuration options for next year. The discussion will continue at the next meeting on January 11.
c. School District Warning – Dr. Gersen reminded the Board that it will see the draft Warning two more times before the document becomes final. He asked that Board members send any edits and/or additions to him.
7. Correspondence
Chair Sachsse noted that the District had received a letter from Upper Valley Teacher Institute wanted to express its appreciation to Wendy Thompson for excellent work.
8. Future agenda items
No items were brought forth for Board consideration.
9. Executive Session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of a personnel matter.
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to enter executive session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of a personnel matter at 9:03 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
10. Return to public session
The Board returned to public session at 9:50 p.m.
11. Appointment of new Board member
After due consideration, the Board decided to leave the vacated Board position open until the election in March.
12. Adjournment
Stan Williams moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:51 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary B. Davis
Recording Secretary |
