Minutes of reg sch bd mtg Feb.5, 2008

Cavendish Town Elementary Board Minutes

February 5, 2008, 6:00 p.m.

Present

Board Mike Ceravole-Chair, Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Jim Ballantine, and Sharon Huntley

Administration Joan Paustian-Superintendent, and George Thomson-Principal

Public/Staff

Meredith Austin-Business Manager

Call to Order

Mike called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.

Approval of Minutes for January 8 and January 15, 2008

Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8^th and January 15, 2008 as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

Reports

Superintendent

Joan gave the board a memo from Commissioner Cate on Quality Counts grading six different aspects across the country. She said the three year comparison in the town report is not comparing the same information because of the changes from the state. Discussion ensued. The tuition rate for FY‘09 is $11,000.00 per student. On January 18^th they had a “secure the building” drill at the school with the police. The police went into each classroom to make sure the children were in a safe place. She felt it went very well. They met with the students and staff in the multi purpose room afterwards to discuss why these drills are so important. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont asked what the system is to notify parents in case of an emergency. George said they are looking at an automated system called Alert Now that is used around the state. Discussion ensued. George said they made the changes that the police suggested regarding the lock down drill. Joan said the Green Mountain board is interested in looking at purchasing the Armory. The building would house the WSWSU offices, the Early Ed Program, and the Opportunities Program. If it is used for education they can acquire it at a minimal cost. It won’t be available until 2011. Discussion ensued.

Principal

George gave the board the budget summary. He said everything on the revenue side is not current because there have been some checks that have come in. George went over some of the changes. George said we had our fourth snow day today and have had 2 delayed openings. They had an ice jam on the side of the building and some classrooms had leaks. The new bus is on the road and running well. Discussion ensued. He said they are in the process of updating their assessment plan. Dr. Bont asked about national assessments. Joan said there are national standards that are used as guidelines for state assessments. Discussion ensued. Winter vacation is coming up. George will be gone next Thursday and Friday and vacation week. Joan said she and Linda will be at the National convention in Florida next week. George said they made about $550.00 at the bingo night, there will be a St. Valentines Day dance this Friday and there will be a talent show and silent auction on March 28^th.

Board

None

Committee Reports

None

Budget Preparation for informational and Town Meetings

The town informational meeting is set for February 25^th at 7:00 p.m. Mike gave the board some handouts regarding the budget. Discussion ensued regarding the deficit. Joan’s recommendation is to put bullets next to the high surplus or deficits lines and explain those. Mike asked the board to call him with any suggestions.

Tuition Money Information

Joan said CTES has two students from Ludlow and Plymouth. Meredith looked into asking the sending towns for the monies they receive for those students. She found out that there is no money because the sending town can’t count these students when they are raising taxes because they are not enrolled in their schools. Discussion ensued.

Policy-first read- Cavendish Trust FundsJoan discussed the stipulations in the three trust funds. She asked the board to read the policy. Discussion ensued. Jim asked Sharon if she is on the policy committee and she said yes she is. Sharon asked how they can protect money that is earmarked for something else. Jim said the initial investment is not locked up in this policy. Joan said she doesn’t know if this board has the authority to do that. Meredith agreed. Discussion ensued. Meredith said she thinks the policy should also say the use of 75% of the interest must be approved by the board. Mike said they are going to get legal advice on how to protect the principal in one of the trust funds.

Other Business

NoneExecutive Session

NoneAdjournment

Jim made a motion to adjourn. Sharon seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia M. Walsh MackRecording Secretary


	Cavendish Town Elementary Board Minutes February 5, 2008, 6:00 p.m. Present Board Mike Ceravole-Chair, Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Jim Ballantine, and Sharon Huntley Administration Joan Paustian-Superintendent, and George Thomson-Principal Public/Staff Meredith Austin-Business Manager Call to Order Mike called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Approval of Minutes for January 8 and January 15, 2008 Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8^th and January 15, 2008 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Reports Superintendent Joan gave the board a memo from Commissioner Cate on Quality Counts grading six different aspects across the country. She said the three year comparison in the town report is not comparing the same information because of the changes from the state. Discussion ensued. The tuition rate for FY‘09 is $11,000.00 per student. On January 18^th they had a “secure the building” drill at the school with the police. The police went into each classroom to make sure the children were in a safe place. She felt it went very well. They met with the students and staff in the multi purpose room afterwards to discuss why these drills are so important. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont asked what the system is to notify parents in case of an emergency. George said they are looking at an automated system called Alert Now that is used around the state. Discussion ensued. George said they made the changes that the police suggested regarding the lock down drill. Joan said the Green Mountain board is interested in looking at purchasing the Armory. The building would house the WSWSU offices, the Early Ed Program, and the Opportunities Program. If it is used for education they can acquire it at a minimal cost. It won’t be available until 2011. Discussion ensued. Principal George gave the board the budget summary. He said everything on the revenue side is not current because there have been some checks that have come in. George went over some of the changes. George said we had our fourth snow day today and have had 2 delayed openings. They had an ice jam on the side of the building and some classrooms had leaks. The new bus is on the road and running well. Discussion ensued. He said they are in the process of updating their assessment plan. Dr. Bont asked about national assessments. Joan said there are national standards that are used as guidelines for state assessments. Discussion ensued. Winter vacation is coming up. George will be gone next Thursday and Friday and vacation week. Joan said she and Linda will be at the National convention in Florida next week. George said they made about $550.00 at the bingo night, there will be a St. Valentines Day dance this Friday and there will be a talent show and silent auction on March 28^th. Board None Committee Reports None Budget Preparation for informational and Town Meetings The town informational meeting is set for February 25^th at 7:00 p.m. Mike gave the board some handouts regarding the budget. Discussion ensued regarding the deficit. Joan’s recommendation is to put bullets next to the high surplus or deficits lines and explain those. Mike asked the board to call him with any suggestions. Tuition Money Information Joan said CTES has two students from Ludlow and Plymouth. Meredith looked into asking the sending towns for the monies they receive for those students. She found out that there is no money because the sending town can’t count these students when they are raising taxes because they are not enrolled in their schools. Discussion ensued. Policy-first read- Cavendish Trust FundsJoan discussed the stipulations in the three trust funds. She asked the board to read the policy. Discussion ensued. Jim asked Sharon if she is on the policy committee and she said yes she is. Sharon asked how they can protect money that is earmarked for something else. Jim said the initial investment is not locked up in this policy. Joan said she doesn’t know if this board has the authority to do that. Meredith agreed. Discussion ensued. Meredith said she thinks the policy should also say the use of 75% of the interest must be approved by the board. Mike said they are going to get legal advice on how to protect the principal in one of the trust funds. Other Business NoneExecutive Session NoneAdjournment Jim made a motion to adjourn. Sharon seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Virginia M. Walsh MackRecording Secretary