Vergennes Union High School Board Meeting
Monday, December 14, 2009
Vergennes Union High School Library
Minutes
Board Administration Guests/Visitors
K. Bristow T. O’Brien Wm. Scott C. Spaulding
C. Cousineau E. Webbley L. Hodsden C. Brady
L. Gutowski P. Reynolds P. Maneen A. Kepes
R. Kerschner L. Rowell D. Rowell
D. Jochum J. Palmer A. Langrock
C. Wyckoff S. Husk J. Stetzel
N. Kamman Several Winooski football players,
parents and coaches
Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m., by K. Bristow, Chair.
Minutes of the November 9, 2009 meeting were approved on a motion by D. Jochum, seconded by C. Cousineau. One typo noted – remove the plural of Sea(s) Association under the Principals’ Reports on page two. So voted and the motion carried.
Public Communication: M. McGrath spoke on behalf of his son and other athletes that play football at Winooski and have earned their spots on the team. He would like to see the program go forward with Mount Abraham but grandfather the athletes that are at Winooski now.
E. Webbley explained that there are four; two seniors and two juniors, currently at Winooski and the decision would have to be made by the VPA in terms of a waiver or grandfathering those students.
Eric Bushey, Senior Captain at Winooski and others spoke about the family created with these athletes and the need to keep them on the team.
Dan Rowell from the Friends of Vergennes Football indicated that he supports the idea of grandfathering the four athletes at Winooski, but the best program long-term would be for us to join with Mr. Abe.
Lee Hodsden explained that he and others have worked to start a football program here and/or form the cooperative program with Mt. Abe. He understands and supports the athletes that want to stay at Winooski.
Chair Bristow indicated that the Board will do whatever it can to help with the VPA.
Mr. Webbley indicated that we need to think about the potential of having athletes from the same school playing against each other on the field.
Peter Maneen indicated that the Mt. Abe Board will be considering this issue this month as well. Discussion ensued relative to Title IX and the language for the Cooperative Agreement. Chair Bristow commented that the best option for us is the Cooperative with Mt. Abe, except for the four athletes at Winooski and we need to think about them as well.
Peter Maneen indicated that he and Jeff Stetson (the A/D at Mt. Abe), will finalize the language and prepare the Agreement for approval by both boards in January.
N. Kamman moved that the Board take action this evening so that A. Kepes, Principal at Mount Abraham, has something to take back to his Board. Motion died for lack of a second. Board consensus was to support moving forward with the Cooperative Agreement.
Board Communication(s): Chair Bristow reported that she and the Superintendent will be in Montpelier tomorrow at the State Board of Education meeting regarding their action on the Articles of Agreement for the Unified Union.
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VUHS Board Meeting
December 14, 2009
Page 2 of 3
R. Kerschner asked if no parking signs could be put up on the right. It is a major traffic hazard. Mr. Maneen indicated that signs do not make any difference – people park in the fire lane, which is clearly marked. We need to have the police department start ticketing vehicles. Mr. Kerschner suggested that we get the word out through newsletters, or some other means, giving people adequate warning.
Reports to the Board:
Student Representatives – None this evening as students are involved with the concert.
Principals’ Reports –
Mr. Webbley reported that Daniela Stapleford and Jonathan Kauffman represented VUHS at meetings in Middlebury, along with two students from New York, concerning the Champlain Bridge.
Mr. Webbley noted that Rebecca Coffey would be out for an undetermined time due to her infant daughter having surgery tomorrow.
Mr. Reynolds reported that Team Odyssey has finished its Expedition with the UVM medical students. Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM will be Team Millennium’s last Hunger Banquet, which will finish their Expedition.
Mark Conrad, the new Northeast Director of EL, was here last week and met with staff regarding student led conferences and other outcomes.
Mr. Reynolds indicated that letters continue to go out to parents that have students who have missed 10 days of school. About 10% of the middle school students have been sent home ill, excused or have undetermined reasons for their absences and letters are sent regardless of the reason. He wanted the board aware in case they receive feedback.
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. O’Brien reported that the first snow day of the season was last Wednesday and we tried out the automated calling system, which went very well with only one or two calls to staff that are no longer employed.
The ANWSU Board meeting will be held on January 13th at 6:00 PM and the report from the VT Council on Rural Development will be presented. Commissioner Vilaseca will also be in attendance at that meeting.
R. Kerschner commented that the Forums were very helpful and he learned a lot about the Unified Union initiative. He also likes what he is hearing from the Commissioner.
Hannaford Career Center Report: C. Wyckoff reported that their budget is at a 1.7% increase over the current year, with the expectation that $89,000 will be saved in retirement benefit offers. She explained that the Assistant Director is retiring and the board is looking to restructure.
Governmental Relations Network Representative: K. Bristow indicated that there is nothing to report this evening.
Approval of Bills: Bills were reviewed prior to the start of the meeting. Motion by L. Gutowski, seconded by N. Kamman, to approve bills in the amount of $926,364.12. So voted and the motion carried.
Personnel: Winter Coaches
Superintendent O’Brien reported that one addition, Jeff Kauffman as Varsity Indoor Track, was being added to the list sent with the board agenda.
Motion by R. Kerschner, seconded by C. Wyckoff, to approve the list of coaches and the addition as presented. So voted and the motion carried.
VUHS Board Meeting
December 14, 2009
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Other: NEASC Accreditation
Mr. Webbley distributed copies of a paper “Why He is Opposed to Renewal” which is on-line. Discussion ensued relative to making a decision without public input. Chair Bristow suggested that an article be put in the paper. R. Kerschner suggested that this paper or a synopsis of it be sent with report cards in clear, concise language that people can understand. Superintendent O’Brien suggested that the Board make its decision in February. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Webbley explained the consequences of AYP after being identified, and the data that needs to be reported to the state eight times a year and the fact that it is impossible to find the time to do both.
Mr. Reynolds noted the loss of federal Title I monies, now that we are a Title I school. He suggested that he defer his next Principal’s Chat date of January 28th to Mr. Webbley, to discuss the NEASC issue and that date could be included in the article in the newspaper. R. Kerschner expressed concern about the accountability once the current administration is gone.
Consensus was that discussions will continue as to a date for public input, if the 28th is not a viable date. Information will be put out to townspeople in some way prior to the February board meeting.
FY ’11 Budget Development: Superintendent O’Brien distributed copies of an article that appeared in the December 10th edition of the Addison Independent – “Factors Pressing on School Taxes” by Eric Davis, which speaks to what we are facing.
Copies of the next draft of the budget were distributed, at a 0.15% increase – as close to level funded as possible. Mr. O’Brien explained that some savings will be gained in the health insurance amount, since 4.5% was budgeted and it appears (as of today) that the rate will be lower than that. He noted that by the January meeting, the administrators hope to have an additional $124,500 trimmed from the budget. Calculations of the second question were reviewed and discussion ensued relative to the cost per pupil, exceeding the threshold, and the need for conservative spending. R. Kerschner noted that with teacher negotiations beginning, the state is setting the bar with a 3% cut for state employees. Mr. Reynolds noted that further cuts to the budget mean staff and he would rather it not. N. Kamman indicated that the board needs to look out for the interests of our students. R. Kerschner commented that next year will be worse and we need to be cognizant of that and the fact that taxpayers cannot take on any more. Mr. Webbley indicated that school boards need to be a voice for two things: 1) loosen teacher licensing regulations to allow for some flexibility with staffing assignments and 2) stop with the unfunded mandates! Discussion ensued as to how to the board wants the administration to proceed. Board consensus was to “shoot for level funding” and bring us the “list” is January.
Adjournment: The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally A. Bushey
Recording Secretary