NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2006
7:00 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Approved Minutes
Present: Board members Cheney, Gray, Kaplan; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 3 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order - Deb Kaplan called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Kaplan seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, and the executive session of February 1, as submitted. The motion was unanimously approved.
3. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Deb Kaplan announced that the next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library.
The Annual District Meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, 7:00 PM at Tracy Hall and voting will take place on Tuesday, March 7, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in Tracy Hall.
Voters will also be voting on their Norwich District Warrant Articles.
The Dresden School District Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 2, 7:00 PM, in the Richmond School Gymnasium for the discussion phase, and March 7, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for the voting phase. Norwich voters will vote at Tracy Hall in Norwich and Hanover voters will vote at the Richard Black Community Center.
Communications to the Board
b) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen referenced the Vermont School Boards Association Legislative Bulletin he enclosed in the packet regarding proposed bill to create a uniform state-wide school calendar. He noted that school districts that cross state lines such as Dresden are not beholden to the Vermont calendar. He also referenced the bulletin’s review of the Legislature’s various proposals regarding the Teachers Retirement system. A member of the public referenced the bulletin’s article discussing a consideration about changing the calculation for determining those who qualify for reduced taxes.
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed his written report, highlighting that five students enrolled at Marion Cross School recently, which meant that there had been a net increase of 16 students since the start of the school year, and also yielded the highest enrollment since Mr. Edson became Principal in 2003-04. Mr. Edson also reported on private school enrollment trends on the national and regional levels. Board members asked for similar trend information from Vermont and New Hampshire. Linda Gray agreed to serve on the committee that will review the Enrichment Grants. Mr. Edson also reported that a Marion Cross School sixth grader sang the national anthem at a Dartmouth hockey game.
4. PTO Report
PTO Chair, Cinny Bensen announced that the next PTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 6, at 8:30 AM in the Art Room. Deb Kaplan, who is leaving the School Board, was thanked for her help with the PTO and the School Board. The PTO sponsored a recent pair of science assemblies that were very successful. The PTO is hosting a spelling bee as a fundraiser on Friday, April 7. There will be a sale of summer bulbs as a fund raiser, too.
Ms. Bensen also commented that March 1 was the deadline for new PTO gift award requests. She briefed the Board on “Turn off the TV Week” reporting on a variety of activities planned in Norwich. Ms. Bensen sought Board input for the PTO Newsletter.
5. Business Requiring Discussion
a) The Board discussed the NECAP forthcoming results, which are expected to be released on March 22. Dr. Gersen indicated that the test scores from Vermont schools will be released without ranking comparative school results, and that NECAP test interpretative training for school administrators will occur in April. If these workshops happen in a timely manner, Mr. Edson should be able to provide a presentation about the test results at the April Board meeting. Dr. Gersen chose to issue the results based on the students’ 2004-05 grade level since the tests were taken in October at the beginning of the school year. Thus, the tests taken by this year’s third graders will be shown as a measurement of their second grade performance level. He emphasized that three years of test scores are really needed to develop trends in the testing. He reported that in the future the State planned to issue NECAP results in December or January.
b) Board Goals Update
Rob Edson updated the Board on progress made on Board Goal #1, which deals with teacher evaluation. He reported that he and the staff are revising many aspects of the evaluation process for the first time since 1999. He indicated that 15 teachers opted for a formal evaluation and 21 teachers selected an alternative method from among six choices within the “support system” method (mentor, peer, Critical Friends, etc.). The Principal noted that he attended 12 parent-teacher conferences. Members of the public asked if parents could play a larger role in the teacher evaluation process. The Principal noted that he has asked other Vermont principals and has not found other schools that incorporate parent feedback into teacher evaluations. Board members indicated their interest in trying to work out something appropriate, recognizing that most parents aren’t professional educators. Linda Gray noted that the SAU #70 Board has a long-range planning committee that is developing a process for an open dialogue and community profiles.
Rob Edson also outlined the steps he has taken relative to Goal #4, the Local Action Planning process. He said that staff is working on improving writing and math skills with new local assessments next fall. Rob Edson reported that the new Wilson Reading Program has a writing component with it and the kindergarten is applying for a grant to bring the Wilson Reading Program to kindergarten next year. The LAP followed up a parent survey and decided to incorporate the Arithmetic Developed Daily program at all grade levels. He indicated that there have also been formal observations of writing and math in classes.
Dr. Gersen described the ongoing communication with more groups in the community, which addresses Goal #2. He noted that Goal #3 is addressed by the Dresden K-12 curriculum development expectations in all subject areas.
c) The Board discussed the JGDB Policy and Procedure about Harassment and Bullying. Some edits were submitted and one change suggested that Item II, sections A and B be combined, and approved the first reading.
6. Pubic Input
The public asked if the Board Meeting Agenda can be posted on the SAU and Marion Cross School Web sites.
7. Future Agenda Items
It was suggested that future agenda items would include the policies under review and the NECAP assessment reports when they become available. Board reorganization would occur at the April meeting.
8. Executive Session
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to go into Executive Session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of negotiations and personnel matters. The motion passed unanimously. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:36 PM. The Board returned to public session at 9:15 PM.
9. Adjournment
Linda Gray moved and Margaret Cheney seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:15 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM. |
