NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2007
7:55 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Callaghan, Gray, Sachsse, Vitt, Williams; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 1 member of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order –Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes
Linda Gray moved and Cary Callaghan seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 7, the special meeting of March 13, and the executive session of March 7, as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, 7:00 p.m., at the Marion Cross School Library.
Committee Assignments were reviewed (Document of the roster was attached to the original meeting minutes).
A Board Retreat was tentatively set for Thursday, May 10 at 4 - 10 p.m. Principal Edson will invite teacher representatives to attend the meeting.
Mary Sachsse reviewed the Principal’s response to a letter to the Board about a child walking away from the school and described some steps that were taken in response.
b) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen reminded the Board that Staff Appreciation Week was scheduled for May 6-12. Any Board member who can help with this should contact Chair Sachsse.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Assistant Superintendent Aubin reviewed the financial report focusing on accounts with large variances, which were mostly associated with special education. Mr. Aubin expected the fund balance will remain close to the projections used to set the budget. He also reported that bids for the electrical upgrade and photovoltaic solar installation were received and were about $10,000 under budget.
4. Public Input
Ames Byrd of the Norwich Energy Committee distributed a document updating the biodiesel fuel conversion in the school busses and outlining additional energy saving proposals. Mr. Byrd reported that First Student asked to delay announcing the fuel conversion of the Norwich busses until it is fully operational. The Board indicated its desire to issue a press release once the conversion is confirmed. An energy audit of the school was conducted and leakages in the building shell may be addressed this summer. Mr. Byrd proposed that the school consider converting heating fuel to biodiesel to further reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, Mr. Byrd urged the Board to consider converting the hot water heating system to solar. The Board thought it would be instructive to issue a report describing the school’s carbon reduction efforts and other cost saving options.
5. Communications and Reports Continued
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed his written report and mentioned that the Walk to School Day is scheduled for April 27. He noted that, based on a recent analysis done through the Safe Routes to School initiative, 50 percent of the students live within two miles of the school. Mr. Edson expressed a concern about the increasing second and third grade enrollment. He also announced his slide show about Gambia would be held on April 26.
6. PTO Report
Mr. Edson, reporting on behalf of Deb Kaplan, indicated that the PTO Spelling Bee was very successful with 32 teams participating.
7. Business Requiring Discussion
Mr. Edson reviewed that LAP Parent Survey Results, noting that parents’ curricular concerns appeared to be consistent with the NECAP results. The staff is developing specific objectives to ask in future surveys. The LAP Committee expressed a concern that too many surveys are being conducted. It was suggested that the LAP parent survey be combined with the Quality of Education Committee survey and timing of the surveys be coordinated.
Because the Investment Policy was to be addressed by the Dresden Budget Committee, detailed discussion was deferred. The Board believed the Norwich Investment Policy could mirror the Dresden one with the exception of statewide references.
Mr. Aubin presented the Norwich Audit, emphasizing that it incorporates generally accepted accounting principles such as capital fixed assets and general balance sheets. The auditors had no findings with regard to the Norwich School District’s financial report. Mr. Aubin acknowledged that the audit report, which was delivered in late March due to the firm’s workload, would be more useful in November or December. Board members suggested that the audit should be bid out again to get a better delivery date. Mr. Aubin reported that he forwarded the audit to the Finance Committee.
8. Future Agenda Items
An update on wood chip boiler project.
9. Business Requiring Action
Linda Gray moved and Carey Callaghan seconded a motion to accept the Friends Grant as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously and the Board’s gratitude was expressed.
Carey Callaghan moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to approve the 2007-08 school calendar, as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Linda Gray moved and Carey Callaghan seconded a motion to approve the Norwich non-union salaries as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
10. Executive Session
Carey Callaghan moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to enter executivesession in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of a personnel matter. The motion passed unanimously. The Board entered executive session at 9:11 p.m.
11. Business Requiring Action
Carey Callaghan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to elect staff members for the 2007-08 school year, as listed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
12. Adjournment
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:24 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
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