Present: Board members Foster, Gray, McNally, Sachsse, Vitt; Administrators Greenbaum, Aubin, Weissmann, Edson; and approximately 12 members of the public.

1. Call to order

Chair Sachsse called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

2. Report of Chair

Chair Sachsse said that the next Board meeting will be Thursday, January 22, 7:00 p.m., Marion Cross School Library. This will be the Public Hearing and Budget Adoption. The next regular Board meeting will be Wednesday, February 4, 7:00 p.m. in the Marion Cross School Library.

The Chair announced that two (2) Board seats are up for reelection in March, Paul Foster's which is a two year position, and Margaret McNally's which is a three year position. This is a correction from previous announcements in which Paul Foster's seat was incorrectly identified as a three year seat. Filings take place any time from now until January 26, 2004. 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 Monday, January 12 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 2. 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 for one year, Clerk for one year, Treasurer for one year, and Auditor for three years .

3. Public comments

There were no public comments offered.

4. PTO report

PTO Chair Dawn Carey reported that author Joanne Deake's visit was fabulous, that there were a number of well attended public events, and that the PTO hopes to have Ms. Deake back again. She also reported that the gift making festival was packed and realized a good profit. Ms. Carey said that the PTO has formed a financial steering committee which hopes to develop a concrete financial plan for the PTO moneys. She announced the family fun night on Friday, January 23, and the next PTO meeting of February 3.

5. Business requiring discussion

a) 2004-05 budget discussion - Assistant Superintendent for Business John Aubin continued the budget presentation begun at the January 8 meeting by reviewing budget comparison data which compared the Marion Cross School with other Vermont schools districts. This data provided a sampling of what budgets might look like for the next six years. Concerns were expressed about how close the school's budgets might come to the Act 68's excess spending provisions.

Principal Edson then followed up on questions that had been raised at the January 8 Board meeting.

Music program - Mr. Edson distributed information showing the percentage of students participating in the various music programs. He said that the administration, faculty, and Board will be reviewing the unified arts in the context of the whole day as well as several other factors. They hope to have something to report at a Board meeting before the next budget season.

Class configuration update - Mr. Edson reviewed 2004-05 class configuration proposals which were revised following the January 8 meeting. He said that administration and faculty had a very productive look at the various formats, detailing the pros and cons for each option. They will be meeting again in two weeks to continue the discussion.

Budget changes - Mr. Aubin reviewed budget changes made since the January 8 meeting, totaling a decrease of $5,033. Administration will budget for 16 FTE classroom teachers for 2004-05. The current budget proposal is $3,741,098.

b) School District Warrant - Superintendent Greenbaum reviewed the draft warrant by article. Edits were suggested by Board members and the public. During discussion of the proposed article to rescind the District's action of May 13 (Act 144), the members of the Norwich Finance Committee present at the Board meeting agreed to address this article at Town Meeting. Mr. Greenbaum asked the Board if it wished to include the capital reserve article for special education and the capital reserve article for repairs and capital improvements in the warrant. Consensus of the Board was to include both articles. A final draft of the warrant will be brought back to the January 22 meeting for final review and approval.

6. Executive session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of negotiations and personnel matters

Paul Foster moved and Margaret McNally seconded a motion to enter executive session in accordance with Title 1, Section 313 for discussion of negotiations (8:45 p.m.). The motion passed unanimously.

7. Return to public session

The Board returned to public session at 9:20 p.m.

8. Adjournment

Paul Foster moved and Geoffrey Vitt seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary B. Davis
Recording Secretary