There was a slight reordering of the agenda. The Chair suggested the joint discussion with the Norwich Select Board followed by the Marion Cross School program review of the LEEEP Program.

2. Joint discussion with Norwich Select Board

Chair Sachsse invited Select Board members Liz Blum, Suzanne Stofflet, Ben Ptashnik, Jack Candon, and Alison May to introduce themselves as well as the introduction of School Board members. The Chair outlined the topics to be discussed:

Rerouting of Route 5 North traffic down River Road
The space needs of the Norwich After School Program
Encouraging a greater connection with Marion Cross School and the wider community
High Occupancy Vehicle lane across Ledyard Bridge

Both the Norwich School Board and the Norwich Select Board felt the need to investigate the truck traffic on Church Street. There was a brief discussion regarding the River Road construct, possible signs indicating vehicle weight limits, monitoring the Church Street traffic, amongst other items. It was suggested that the Town Manager write a letter to the Vermont Department of Transportation regarding investigating the possibility of rerouting the Route 5 North truck traffic down River Road.

The Norwich After School Program (NASP) space needs were discussed. Possible building sites included the Norwich Historical Society, Norwich Congregation Church, Tracy Hall, Grange, and Marion Cross School. The concern regarding the use of MCS was the potential administrative burden placed upon the Principal. Norwich Historical Society may be a possible space due to the convenient locale and available room. The Norwich School Board and Select Board discussed defining further the NASP space concerns along with having discussions with the coordinator, Pic Connor.

The third topic discussed was the possible future connections of MCS with the Norwich community. Some suggestions included generating a town e-mail list that would provide school updates, community potluck at Old Home Day, further PTO outreach, displaying MCS student work around town, including the newsletter on the MCS web site.

The final topic discussed was the idea of creating a High Occupancy Vehicle lane across the Ledyard Bridge to facilitate faster bus travel to HHS. With funding from SAU #70's EPA Grant on transportation, Norwich resident and traffic consultant, Lucy Gibson, has investigated use of "Queue-jumping" devices by busses and laid the groundwork with appropriate state and federal agencies for a trial of these devices.

There was a brief discussion on the Athletic Fields Committee work to date and the possibility of a May 13 public meeting that would help identify issues for a community survey, results from which could then frame a charge for a new committee.

Chair Sachsse thanked the Norwich Select Board for joining the School Board meeting.

3. Business Requiring Discussion

a) LEEEP Program

The Principal introduced the LEEEP program coordinator, Lindsay Putnam and reminded the Board that Ms. Putnam thoroughly discussed the program at a fall Board meeting. As review, the Principal stated that the LEEEP program has been operating as a grant funded, enrichment program at the Marion Cross School for the past six years. Over this time, the program has become incorporated into every class and grade level. The Principal presented written information describing what the program currently offers to the school and community. It was originally intended that the salary for the environmental educator position would be $20/hour. In actuality, the stipend has varied each year according to how much money was raised, but has not always met that goal. It is the LEEP committee's hope that the position eventually be funded as part of the school budget at a minimum of 50% full time.

The Principal and Board discussed the current level of funding, the position's funding via Enrichment grant and Medicaid grant, the rationale of a grant-funded position, and how the program could be further defined with faculty input. There was consensus that the LEEEP program is part of the MCS program, with funding through the budget if needed. The Board thanked Ms. Putnam for the excellent write up of the LEEEP program as well as for participating in the evening's discussion.

4. Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the regular meeting of April 7 were reviewed.

Linda Gray moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 7, as submitted. The minutes were approved unanimously.

5. Communications and Reports

a) Report of Chair

(1) Calendar -

Chair Sachsse announced that the next regular Board meeting will be Wednesday, June 2, 7:00 p.m. at the Marion Cross School Library.

(2) Special Dresden District Meeting The Chair announced that there would be a special Dresden District Meeting for the teacher contract approval on May 26 and 27. The discussion phase would take place on Wednesday, May 26, 7:00 p.m., in the Hanover High School Gym, and the voting phase on Thursday, May 27, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Tracy Hall for Norwich residents and Richmond Middle School Gym for Hanover residents.

The Superintendent announced the Athletic Fields Discussion on Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the HHS library. Also, on Thursday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. the Richmond Middle School groundbreaking ceremony will occur at the Lyme Road site.

(3) Committee Assignments The Chair noted that she had not yet assigned a Board member to the Enrichment Grant Committee. Deborah Kaplan volunteered for this assignment.

(4) Other Matters -

Chair Sachsse stated that there were no additional matters to discuss.

b) Communications to the Board

Chair Sachsse reported that there were no communications to the Board.

c) Reports of Administrators

Superintendent's Report -

The Superintendent shared with the Board a copy of the Vermont School Board's Resource Directory. Additional copies are available for $15/copy.

Assistant Superintendent/Business

Assistant Superintendent John Aubin had no formal written report for the Board this month.

Principal's Report

Principal Edson presented a Unified Arts Program Summary of the Art and PE presentations.

Principal Edson updated the Board on MCS enrollment. The total number of students is at 308.

The school is in the process of filling three positions for next year: grade 1, physical education, and grade 5.

The Principal presented a well-written summary of the Marion Cross School philosophy focus group feedback. The Philosophy Committee would be meeting on Thursday, May 6 to begin to draft a Philosophy document.

Ginny Moore is leading a study group of faculty members over the next several months, looking at the issue of multi-age classrooms. Committee members have visited Chesterfield School in Chesterfield, NH and are planning visitations to other schools next fall as well.

Andy Hodgdon from the town of Norwich informed the Principal that the school could get a 100kw or 150 kw generator for free from the US government. If installed, the generator would provide emergency power capable of running the school. The Principal will pursue the issue of installation cost, etc. with Jonathan Brush.

The Principal noted the calendar of MCS events via his Principal's newsletter. He also mentioned that the Vermont Business Roundtable has honored MCS as a Medallion School based on the school's statewide assessment results. The Principal chose not to have MCS participate in the final stage of this process due to the fact that he is opposed to the manner in which the state assessment results are being used to determine quality schools. The Principal believes that the value of these tests are in looking at the long-term trends of the results rather than reacting to fluctuations on an annual basis.

d) Committee Reports

Local Action Planning Committee

Principal Edson stated that the current LAP is posted on the school website at www.marioncross.org. The committee is considering goals for next year. The areas being discussed include: writing, math, school climate, and class configurations.

Philosophy Committee

The Principal updated the Board during the Principal's report.

6. PTO Report

Dawn Carey was not in attendance so the Principal shared the following PTO update:

May 3 7 is Teacher Appreciation Week. Many thanks to MCS teachers!

PTO officers were selected for the 2004-2005 school year: Chair Cinny Bensen, Vice Chair Margo Doscher, Treasurer Veronica Thurston, Secretary Deb Hall.

The PTO would like to purchase a much-needed Yamaha electric piano for the music department.

Margaret McNally moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to accept with gratitude the PTO gift of a Yamaha electric piano. The motion passed unanimously.

The PTO will give a $995.00 check to the Norwich School District in order to purchase the electric piano.

The MCS Library Book Sale will take place on June 4 & 5 at Tracy Hall, with the proceeds to go to the MCS library.

7. Public Input

There was no public input at this point in time.

8. Business requiring Action

a) Board Educational Goals -

Margaret McNally moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to approve the Board Educational Goals for the 2004-05 school year as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

b) Set 2004-05 tuition rate -

Margaret McNally moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to set the Marion Cross School tuition rate for the 2004-05 school year at $10,006. The motion passed unanimously.

c) Approval of tuition status

Deborah Kaplan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve tuition status for Brittany and Alexander Bauman as Marion Cross School students for the 2004-05 school year. The motion passed unanimously.

d) Draft Policy BCBIA, Method of Public Participation in Board meetings -

Linda Gray moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to approve Policy BCBIA, Method of Public Participation at Board meetings, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

e) Draft Policy BCBD, Agenda -

Deborah Kaplan moved and Margaret McNally seconded a motion to approve Policy BCBD, Agenda, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

f) Resignations

Margaret McNally moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to accept with regret the resignation of Terri Ashley effective June 30, 2004. The motion passed unanimously.

Linda Gray moved and Margaret McNally seconded a motion to accept with regret the resignation of Riley O'Connor effective June 30, 2004. The motion passed unanimously.

Board members expressed deep gratitude for Terri Ashley's and Riley O'Connor's years of dedicated service at Marion Cross School and wished them well in their future endeavors.

g) Nominations

The Superintendent places in nomination Heather Cook as a teacher at Marion Cross School for the 2004-05 school year.

Deborah Kaplan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to elect Heather Cook as a teacher at Marion Cross School for the 2004-05 school year. The motion passed unanimously.

The Superintendent places in nomination Melanie DeVoid as a teacher at Marion Cross School for the 2004-05 school year.

Margaret McNally moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to elect Melanie DeVoid as a teacher at Marion Cross School for the 2004-05 school year. The motion passed unanimously.

h) Appointment of School Physician for the 2004-05 school year

Linda Gray moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to appoint Dr. Virginia Brack as School Physician for the 2004-05 school year at an annual stipend of $300. The motion passed unanimously.

The Board expressed appreciation to Dr. Brack and feels fortunate to have her as the school physician.

i) Authorization for hiring between May 5 and September 1

Margaret McNally moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to authorize the Administration to fill teacher vacancies between now and the regular meeting of September 1 by offering a one (1) week period to obtain telephone or e-mail votes from Board members and that three (3) affirmative votes must be obtained before a contract is issued. The motion passed unanimously.

j) Approval of LEAP Grants

Assistant Superintendent for Special Services Jane Weissmann provided information regarding the LEAP provisions.

Linda Gray moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to approve the provisions of the Local Education Agency Plan (LEAP) for the Norwich School District (Supervisory Union 55) for Fiscal year 2005. The motion passed unanimously.

k) Approval of nonunion salaries

Linda Gray moved and Margaret McNally seconded a motion to approve Norwich nonunion salaries as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

l) Rescind Regulation KLA, Use of Mailing Lists and Labels by School/Community Groups

Deborah Kaplan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to rescind Regulation KLA, Use of Mailing Lists and Labels by School/Community Groups as attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

9. Future Agenda Items

Future agenda items include a fourth Unified Arts Program presentation that would focus on the Music program at Marion Cross School.

The Superintendent stated that there was no need to move into executive session for discussion of negotiations.

10. Adjournment

Linda Gray moved and Deborah Kaplan seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. (9:15 p.m.)

Respectfully submitted,

Amy Nickerson
Recording Secretary