NORWICH BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8, 2007
7:00 P.M., MARION CROSS SCHOOL
Minutes
Present: Board members Callaghan, Gray, Sachsse, Vitt, Williams; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Edson; and 4 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order –Vice Chair Williams called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes
Linda Gray moved and Carey Callaghan seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 6, and the executive session of June 6, as submitted. The motion passed with three in favor and one abstention (absent from the meeting).
3. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Vice Chair Williams announced that the next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, 7:00 PM at the Marion Cross School Library.
The Board discussed scheduling a joint meeting with the Norwich Select Board and potential agenda items. Two topics suggested were: zoning impact on school enrollment and the effect of property valuation on local property taxes.
b) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen discussed the recent meeting he held regarding the SAU 70 Faculty Survey. He reported that the teachers are enthusiastic about the project and they want to use the Critical Friends model to develop a set of survey questions. This will be accomplished at a faculty meeting in September. The survey will be administered some time in late October or early November.
Dr. Gersen also reported that each school district’s policy manual would be placed on the SAU 70 Web site. He also reported that an effort would be made to accommodate residents that have slower dial-up Internet service so that the text information on the Web site is more accessible. It was suggested that a button to provide a “low band width” option be considered.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report
Assistant Superintendent for Business John Aubin reviewed the year end financial report. The ending balance of $270,561 compared to the $150,000 projected when the budget was being developed. He noted that although the budget was overspent by more than $92,000, special education revenue offset that spending. He also announced that the expected Vermont Construction Aid in the amount of $1.7 million is expected to be delayed in a prorated fashion and it was not known at present how that will be done. The Board requested a review of the Treasurer’s activity about investing school district funds.
Reporting on behalf of Jonathan Brush, Mr. Aubin noted that the solar panel and lighting projects have been initiated with the completion expected by the start of the school year. The projects have come under budget and it is expected that there may be more support for the solar project than the 90 percent that was projected.
Principal’s Report
Principal Edson reviewed the enrollment statistics and reported that three families (with nine students) have moved out of Norwich. This has resulted in a lower enrollment than projected and will result in smaller class sizes in the middle grades.
He also reported that the PTO is slated to discuss the safety concerns raised last spring in a forum to be held during the fall.
In his update on the Safe Routes to School initiative, Mr. Edson reported that it will include a walk and bike to school event tentatively scheduled for early September. He also reported on the Town’s infrastructure studies. He also announced that the legislature is considering a bill that would change the truck route so that the big vehicles will be rerouted to avoid the school.
4. Business Requiring Discussion
The Budget Guidelines for fiscal year 2008-09 were discussed using the 2007-08 guidelines as a benchmark. The Board decided to retain the existing guidelines with only a few changes. The “Think Twice” budget process would be incorporated into the guidelines and applied to Norwich. It was suggested that the Norwich Finance Committee provide input on the budget guidelines prior to the next Board meeting. The next Norwich Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for August 21 at 8:00 AM.
A Norwich parent wrote to Dr. Gersen indicating that Norwich students are the only students in Vermont that pay for driver’s education. The Assistant Superintendent will clarify the details associated with the issue and report to the Board next meeting.
5. Business Requiring Action
Superintendent Gersen placed in nomination Ashley Morse, Jennifer Newberry, and Judy Csatari as teachers at the Marion Cross School for the 2007-08 school year.
Linda Gray moved and Stan Williams seconded a motion to elect Ashley Morse as a 55% teacher at the Marion Cross School at track 4, step 6, salary $27,667, for the 2007-08 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
Carey Callaghan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to elect Jennifer Newberry as a 55% teacher at the Marion Cross School at track 1, step 3, salary $22,214, for the 2007-08 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
Stan Williams moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to elect Judy Csatari as a .1 French teacher at the Marion Cross School at track 4, step 6, salary $5,030, for the 2007-08 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Executive Session
Carey Callaghan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to enter executive session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of a personnel matter. The motion passed unanimously. The Board entered executive session at 8:06 p.m.
The Board returned to public session at 9:50 p.m.
7. 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. |
