Cavendish Town Elementary School Board Minutes
November 14, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Present
Board: Dr. Bont-Vice Chair, Mark Huntley, Jessie Goodman and Jim Ballantine
Administration: Ed Brown – Superintendent, George Thomson – Principal
Public/Staff: Duncan Love, Paulette Martel, Richard Svec, Tracey Churchill and Jen Harper
1. Call to Order: Dr. Bont called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes of September 12, 2006: Jim made a motion to approve the minutes of September 12, 2006 with the following corrections: When a motion is not passed unanimously the vote should be noted. For example, the motions made after the letter from the bus drivers and the committee report. Mark seconded. All approved.
3. Teacher of the Year Report – Jen Harper: Jen reported on her activities of the last year and she demonstrated some of the technology she received. The Board thanked Jen for her presentation.
4. Reports:
a) Superintendent: Ed reported: The early education program is alive and well. We need community volunteers to serve on the principal search committee. Ed said John Surething is recovering. The community is putting on a dinner this Saturday and all the proceeds will go to help the Surethings get a new furnace. Discussion ensued.
b) Principal: George reported: He passed out the budget report and said we have not spent anything that was not planned. Discussion ensued. George wrote a grant for the Okemo Challenge Grant and received $7,500.00. He said next year the guidelines will be changing. They had their first Open Studio last Saturday. Discussion ensued. The new stove cost $2,825.00. Last Friday there was a district wide in-service on Differentiated Instruction. Mike Ceravole is going to be the Winter Program Director. Neecap testing is over. The PTA is planning events. The Holiday Concert is Wednesday, December 20th. George is asking the Board for $500.00 from one of the trust funds to pay for the Green Mountain Festival
Series. Mark made a motion to allow George to use $500.00 from one of the trust funds for the Green Mountain Festival Series. Jessie seconded. All approved. Dr. Bont asked if the anti bullying program is effective. George said yes, he thinks it is. Dr. Bont asked if more teacher presentations can be scheduled. George said yes, they will put it on the agenda.
c) Board: Dr Bont said the Pollard family would be willing to have some of their property used for trails. Discussion ensued.
d) Committee Reports:
5. Budget Timeline: Postponed until Mike returns.
6. Superintendent Search Committee Update: George said the committee has met five times. They have narrowed it down to three finalists. Site visits will be next. They hope to make a recommendation by March.
7. Security System: Ed said the commissioner said we should be prepared for security and the building should have the ability to be locked down. Ed asks the Principal to report on the security plans for CTES at the next board meeting. Discussion ensued. Ed said it is very important to work with the local police and fire department. Discussion ensued.
8. Negotiations: November 21st is the first negotiation meeting with the teachers. Ed said Mike would like to be on the committee and he would like Jessie to work with him.
9. Teacher Request: Ed said some of the teacher who work here would like their children to be able to attend CTES even if they do not live in Cavendish. Ed recommends the board direct the principal to write a policy, which will allow teacher’s children to attend CTES even if they don’t live in Cavendish. The policy would say there would be a waiver for the initial tuition. Any extra costs would be at the parent’s expense. Discussion ensued. The policy would be implemented immediately. Mark made a motion to approve allowing teachers at CTES have their children attend CTES and direct the principal to write a policy to this affect. Jessie seconded. Ed said the children can attend immediately. Discussion ensued. Richard asked what the urgency is. Ed said the sooner the better. 3 yes 1 no. Passed
10. Auditors Report: Postponed.
11. Other Business: A member of the rotary said the rotary would like to donate “water bubblers” to the school. Richard said he made contact with Vermont Pure and they would give a discount. He gave some prices for renting the coolers and the purchase of the water. Jessie is asking how many coolers the school would want. Discussion ensued. Mark said the committee is working on a number of options.
12. Executive Session (If Necessary):
13. Adjournment: Jesse made a motion to adjourn. Jim seconded. All approved. Meeting adjourned at 7:31p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Virginia M. Walsh Mack
Recording Secretary