Minutes of Reg May Meeting

Cavendish Town Elementary Board Minutes

May 13, 2008, 5:00 p.m.

Present

Board: Mike Ceravole-Chair, Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Jim Ballantine, John MacLean and Jessie Goodman

Administration: Joan Paustian-Superintendent, Linda Waite-Asst. Superintendent for CIA, Meredith Austin-Business Manager and George Thomson-Principal

Public/Staff: Peggy Svec, Tracy Churchill, Jenn Harper, Sara Stowell, Ann Thompson, Amanda Tyrrell, Bruce Pollard, Deborah Hryckiewicz, Cara Tyrrell, Deb O’Brien, Diane Depalma, Jennifer Leak, Lynn Gould, and Richard Svec

Call to Order

Mike called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

Approval of Minutes for April 8, 2008

Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of April 8, 2008 as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

Discussion Pre-School – Meredith AustinMeredith gave an overview of Act 62, which helps set the tax rate. She said the cap for reimbursement is 15 three and four year olds plus Essential Early Education students. 23 three and four year olds were budgeted for next year but if all 23 don’t enroll then the excess monies are rolled over to the next year’s budget. It is up to the board to decide how the students will be chosen. It has to be non discriminatory. Discussion ensued regarding how the Legislature came up with the formula used to determine the number of students being counted. The options are to only accept four year olds, to accept four year olds and have a lottery for three year olds for the remaining slots up to 15, or to accept all three and four year olds and receive no reimbursement after the first 15. Mike read a potential preschool tuition policy. Discussion ensued. Jenn said she recommends the board finds an early cut off date to get the students names so that if there are not enough slots, then the parent would have ample time to find an alternative. Joan said the best thing for the parents to do is contact their legislators and express how this law is impacting them personally. One of the parents said she feels the students who are already enrolled in Stepping Stones should be grandfathered. The law supersedes any policy the board creates.

Reports

Superintendent

Joan said we are very fortunate to have the dedicated teachers we have in this district.

She said all schools in the supervisory union have made adequate yearly progress.

Joan reported Dr. Jon Rice, a science, and math teacher at Green Mountain Union High School has been nominated for the Vermont Teacher of the Year.

PrincipalGeorge distributed budget summaries to the board. They found out they have a second child in out of district placement that was not budgeted. He thinks they are going to end the year with a deficit. The Opportunities Program has set up a program for younger students. He is hoping these two out of district students will attend the Opportunities Program next year at a considerably lesser cost. Mileage reimbursement is very high.

They are in the process of Kindergarten screening.

End of year activities: Sunday May 18th, the 3^rd grade is putting on a play at the Weston Play House; 6^th graders leave for Keewaydin next week; no school on the 26^th for Memorial Day; The last day of school is June 13^th; The wellness committee met and worked on a wellness policy; Policy committee met and has first reads; Graduation is Thursday the 12^th at 6:30 p.m.; Arts night is scheduled for Thursday, May 29^th at 6:30 p.m.

Board

Mike said the semi annual meeting of the full board is at Flood Brook Union School, Tuesday May 20^th, at 7:00 p.m.

NECAP/AYP Reports - Linda Waite

Linda introduced herself and said she is here to discuss the NECAP and AYP reports. She distributed the 2008 CTES Annual Yearly Progress Spring Report. She explained the different levels of proficiency.

Linda explained the Annual Yearly Progress for CTES. The state determines a target score and Cavendish students met the target score in reading and exceeded the target score in math.

She explained the Academic Indicator which CTES met.

The Participation Rate was also met.Linda went over the NECAP School Summary for 2006-2007 Students in reading, mathematics and writing. Linda was asked why writing is not required under AYP. Linda said because it is not part of No Child Left Behind. Discussion ensued. She said this is only one indicator of how the school is doing, there are many more used. The Board thanked Linda for her report.

Approval of Contracts

Joan recommends a 4% increase for the following CTES employees:

George Thomson, Principal, Irene Pearson, Administrative Assistant, and Tim Lee, Head Custodian.

Jim said they should have the In Lieu Of health insurance agreement in Irene’s contract.

Dr. Bont moved to approve the contracts with the amendment to Irene’s contract. Motion approved 4:1.

Hiring

George is recommending the board hire Leigh Dakin as a .85 FTE School Nurse at CTES. Dr. Bont made a motion to approve hiring Leigh Dakin as the CTES School Nurse as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

Cavendish Trust Fund Accounts Update

Mike said they are paying taxes on the interest for these funds.

The Trust Company of Vermont charges only 1% of the White trust account and $150.00 for probate court. Mike is asking the board for permission to proceed with the process of moving the funds.

Chittenden Bank said they may give them a transfer cost of 50% of the trust fund balance.

Jesse made a motion to give Mike permission to pursue the transfer of the trust fund accounts. Motion passed unanimously.

Parent Request

Mike said Julie Bostock and Stephanie Cartwright wrote a letter requesting their students remain at CTES for the remainder of the 2007 2008 school because they have moved out of Cavendish. Jesse made a motion to allow the students to remain at CTES for the remainder of the 2007 2008 school year. Motion passed unanimously.

Ann Thompson, 5^th grade teacher at CTES is requesting her son attend CTES for the 2008 2009 school year. Ann explained why the request was made after the deadline. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont made a motion to approve this student attending CTES for the 2008 – 2009 school year, understanding the circumstances. Discussion ensued. Motion approved 4:1.

First Read PoliciesF-11 – Pre-School TuitionMike read the policy. Jesse made a motion to accept this as the first read and to be possibly voted on at the next meeting. Jenn said she thinks the policy should include dates. The board agreed. Joan recommended the parents involved to reach out to all the parents of four year olds and try to get a commitment to enroll their child in the preschool and come back to the board with a number. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont made a motion to make a motivating goal if less than 15 four year olds register then three year olds would be included and no one would be bumped. The deadline would be April 1^st and the lottery results would be available May 1^st. Motion approved 4:1.

George said these two policies are both mandatory.

F-28 – Wellness PolicyThey used the Vermont School Board Association Policies which meet all requirements.

G-7 – Educational Support SystemCTES has a policy but it needs to be updated so the committee used the wording from the Vermont School Board Association Policies.

These policies will be voted on at the next meeting.

Other Business

John reported on the water damage. He explained the proposal for fixing the damage. Joan said they will need at least three bids. John said they currently have two bids and will ask for another. Mike made a motion to allow the facility committee to choose a contractor who meets the criteria needed, not to exceed $16,000.00. Motion approved unanimously.

Adjournment

Jim made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia M. Walsh MackRecording Secretary


	Cavendish Town Elementary Board Minutes May 13, 2008, 5:00 p.m. Present Board: Mike Ceravole-Chair, Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Jim Ballantine, John MacLean and Jessie Goodman Administration: Joan Paustian-Superintendent, Linda Waite-Asst. Superintendent for CIA, Meredith Austin-Business Manager and George Thomson-Principal Public/Staff: Peggy Svec, Tracy Churchill, Jenn Harper, Sara Stowell, Ann Thompson, Amanda Tyrrell, Bruce Pollard, Deborah Hryckiewicz, Cara Tyrrell, Deb O’Brien, Diane Depalma, Jennifer Leak, Lynn Gould, and Richard Svec Call to Order Mike called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Approval of Minutes for April 8, 2008 Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of April 8, 2008 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Discussion Pre-School – Meredith AustinMeredith gave an overview of Act 62, which helps set the tax rate. She said the cap for reimbursement is 15 three and four year olds plus Essential Early Education students. 23 three and four year olds were budgeted for next year but if all 23 don’t enroll then the excess monies are rolled over to the next year’s budget. It is up to the board to decide how the students will be chosen. It has to be non discriminatory. Discussion ensued regarding how the Legislature came up with the formula used to determine the number of students being counted. The options are to only accept four year olds, to accept four year olds and have a lottery for three year olds for the remaining slots up to 15, or to accept all three and four year olds and receive no reimbursement after the first 15. Mike read a potential preschool tuition policy. Discussion ensued. Jenn said she recommends the board finds an early cut off date to get the students names so that if there are not enough slots, then the parent would have ample time to find an alternative. Joan said the best thing for the parents to do is contact their legislators and express how this law is impacting them personally. One of the parents said she feels the students who are already enrolled in Stepping Stones should be grandfathered. The law supersedes any policy the board creates. Reports Superintendent Joan said we are very fortunate to have the dedicated teachers we have in this district. She said all schools in the supervisory union have made adequate yearly progress. Joan reported Dr. Jon Rice, a science, and math teacher at Green Mountain Union High School has been nominated for the Vermont Teacher of the Year. PrincipalGeorge distributed budget summaries to the board. They found out they have a second child in out of district placement that was not budgeted. He thinks they are going to end the year with a deficit. The Opportunities Program has set up a program for younger students. He is hoping these two out of district students will attend the Opportunities Program next year at a considerably lesser cost. Mileage reimbursement is very high. They are in the process of Kindergarten screening. End of year activities: Sunday May 18th, the 3^rd grade is putting on a play at the Weston Play House; 6^th graders leave for Keewaydin next week; no school on the 26^th for Memorial Day; The last day of school is June 13^th; The wellness committee met and worked on a wellness policy; Policy committee met and has first reads; Graduation is Thursday the 12^th at 6:30 p.m.; Arts night is scheduled for Thursday, May 29^th at 6:30 p.m. Board Mike said the semi annual meeting of the full board is at Flood Brook Union School, Tuesday May 20^th, at 7:00 p.m. NECAP/AYP Reports - Linda Waite Linda introduced herself and said she is here to discuss the NECAP and AYP reports. She distributed the 2008 CTES Annual Yearly Progress Spring Report. She explained the different levels of proficiency. Linda explained the Annual Yearly Progress for CTES. The state determines a target score and Cavendish students met the target score in reading and exceeded the target score in math. She explained the Academic Indicator which CTES met. The Participation Rate was also met.Linda went over the NECAP School Summary for 2006-2007 Students in reading, mathematics and writing. Linda was asked why writing is not required under AYP. Linda said because it is not part of No Child Left Behind. Discussion ensued. She said this is only one indicator of how the school is doing, there are many more used. The Board thanked Linda for her report. Approval of Contracts Joan recommends a 4% increase for the following CTES employees: George Thomson, Principal, Irene Pearson, Administrative Assistant, and Tim Lee, Head Custodian. Jim said they should have the In Lieu Of health insurance agreement in Irene’s contract. Dr. Bont moved to approve the contracts with the amendment to Irene’s contract. Motion approved 4:1. Hiring George is recommending the board hire Leigh Dakin as a .85 FTE School Nurse at CTES. Dr. Bont made a motion to approve hiring Leigh Dakin as the CTES School Nurse as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Cavendish Trust Fund Accounts Update Mike said they are paying taxes on the interest for these funds. The Trust Company of Vermont charges only 1% of the White trust account and $150.00 for probate court. Mike is asking the board for permission to proceed with the process of moving the funds. Chittenden Bank said they may give them a transfer cost of 50% of the trust fund balance. Jesse made a motion to give Mike permission to pursue the transfer of the trust fund accounts. Motion passed unanimously. Parent Request Mike said Julie Bostock and Stephanie Cartwright wrote a letter requesting their students remain at CTES for the remainder of the 2007 2008 school because they have moved out of Cavendish. Jesse made a motion to allow the students to remain at CTES for the remainder of the 2007 2008 school year. Motion passed unanimously. Ann Thompson, 5^th grade teacher at CTES is requesting her son attend CTES for the 2008 2009 school year. Ann explained why the request was made after the deadline. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont made a motion to approve this student attending CTES for the 2008 – 2009 school year, understanding the circumstances. Discussion ensued. Motion approved 4:1. First Read PoliciesF-11 – Pre-School TuitionMike read the policy. Jesse made a motion to accept this as the first read and to be possibly voted on at the next meeting. Jenn said she thinks the policy should include dates. The board agreed. Joan recommended the parents involved to reach out to all the parents of four year olds and try to get a commitment to enroll their child in the preschool and come back to the board with a number. Discussion ensued. Dr. Bont made a motion to make a motivating goal if less than 15 four year olds register then three year olds would be included and no one would be bumped. The deadline would be April 1^st and the lottery results would be available May 1^st. Motion approved 4:1. George said these two policies are both mandatory. F-28 – Wellness PolicyThey used the Vermont School Board Association Policies which meet all requirements. G-7 – Educational Support SystemCTES has a policy but it needs to be updated so the committee used the wording from the Vermont School Board Association Policies. These policies will be voted on at the next meeting. Other Business John reported on the water damage. He explained the proposal for fixing the damage. Joan said they will need at least three bids. John said they currently have two bids and will ask for another. Mike made a motion to allow the facility committee to choose a contractor who meets the criteria needed, not to exceed $16,000.00. Motion approved unanimously. Adjournment Jim made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Virginia M. Walsh MackRecording Secretary