Vergennes Union High School Board Meeting
Monday, September 14, 2009
Vergennes Union High School Library
Minutes
Board Administration Guests/Visitors
K. Bristow T. O’Brien S. Husk
L. Gutowski P. Reynolds J. Stetzel
R. Kerschner K. Cannon A. Langrock
D. Jochum
N. Kamman
C. Cousineau
C. Wyckoff
G. Cohn, Sr. Class Representative
A. Clancy, Jr. Class Representative
Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m., by K. Bristow, Chair.
Minutes of the August 10, 2009 meeting were approved as amended on a motion by D. Jochum and seconded by C. Cousineau. The amendment is to strike the board communications (a leftover from the June meeting) and to correct a typo on page 3 of 3, first paragraph. So voted and the motion carried.
Public Communication: None this evening.
Board Communication(s): R. Kerschner noted statistics from a study done by the VT Community Foundation (and others) that was in the paper recently. The article concerned the percentage of high school graduates going on to college and tracking students K-college. Many of the statistics concern many of the initiatives we are doing at VUHS.
Reports to the Board:
Student Representatives – Ann Clancy was introduced as the new Junior Class Representative.
Miss Clancy reported that she was asked to seek student input concerning the first day of school. Chaotic, WB days vs. AB days, getting new lunch numbers and the new system was confusing, were just a few of the items mentioned.
Genevieve Cohn reported that the soccer season has started, the girls have won one and lost one, and the boys have not won as of yet. The musical this year will be Oliver and the cast has been chosen. Band and chorus will be a 5-day session, every other day, with one day provided for call back, one day for practice and one day for individual lessons. Picture day was today. Homecoming is next weekend and Student Council chose movies to use for float themes. Each grade has been assigned their movie. Student Council has met once and is made up of one representative from each class with two members at large.
Principals’ Reports – Mr. Reynolds explained that the new lunch system is set up so that parents can order and pay on line through the Abbey Group. Many students found it confusing because the technology didn’t always work fast enough when they are standing in line to get lunch!
The Whole School Expedition is underway – Couch & Discovery - a short and intense expedition to bring students on board and create times for them to interact, exchange ideas, etc. The cruise last week was to explore Champlain’s discovery of our beautiful lake. The Expedition ends on September 25th.
Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 – 6:30 PM.
Additional middle school staff attended BEST this summer and brought back call back to the middle school as one of the results.
We are maintaining the middle school identity within the high school. We are collaborating on several issues, common goal setting, it is great for the kids and there has been a good turn around with older students mentoring the younger ones. The staff has been great and many changes are becoming institutionalized. We have had a very positive start to the year.
Both Principals have been invited to attend the Principals’ Learning Communities – for those schools identified relative to AYP. Mr. Reynolds noted that many of the pieces they require, we are already doing.
N. Kamman asked about the Winooski football game and about the ropes course. Mr. Reynolds indicated that Mr. Webbley attended the game and was very proud of our students and their performance. There is team building exercises going on with the freshmen at the ropes course. Sarah Cook has scheduled an after school climbing club next week. Wednesday, the 30th staff is invited after school to learn about the elements of the course. Mr. Reynolds noted that the police department and the army have asked to use it and we had to tell them no. Due to the conditions of the grant, outsiders cannot use it for the first three years.
R. Kerschner reported that he spoke with Ed Cook and the team building efforts will be on-going. Mr. Reynolds indicated that we are using Project Adventure guidelines. Mr. O’Brien indicated that Robyn Newton has scheduled some time after school for anyone that is interested, but is not sure when.
Chair Bristow asked about the new staff and when to have them meet the Board. Discussion ensued and consensus was to invite them to next month’s meeting and start at 5:30 instead of 6:00.
D. Jochum asked about the vendor for school pictures, which is much pricier compared to Addison School. Mr. Reynolds indicated that Life Touch has been used for several years and are great to work with and provide the identification tags for all students and staff as part of the package.
R. Kerschner reported that he went on the web site yesterday and it is very dismal. It is not user friendly in terms of finding things. There is no schedule posted, last years information is still up in many cases, no board minutes are posted, etc. He offered to help in any way that he can and suggested that perhaps someone in-house with the time and knowledge be paid a stipend to maintain the site.
R. Kerschner asked about the Principals’ Meetings being held again this year. Mr. Reynolds indicated that they will be scheduled on the last Thursday of the month, but the dates are not confirmed. Post cards will be sent to parents, once the dates are set.
Discussion ensued relative to the sign out front and the same message that has been there for months. Mr. Reynolds reported that many letters are missing and it is difficult to find someone willing to change it periodically. S. Husk indicated that the school to work students used to be responsible for maintaining the sign.
R. Kerschner asked if there were plans for Peace One Day this year. Mr. Reynolds indicated that the date is September 21 and there will be the usual rally. Mr. Kerschner asked about 350 Day (in late October). Mr. Reynolds will look into whether or not that is on the schedule for any kind of activity. Mr. Kerschner noted that to Google 350 Day will provide much information.
Superintendent’s Report: Mr. O’Brien distributed first-day enrollment numbers and reported that we are down 44 students district-wide. Declining enrollment is a trend that his happening more and more.
H1N1 information was sent to staff and parents to help maintain some sense of calm. Very few cases have been reported. A fever of 100 degrees or higher will result in being sent home. Guidance has been received from the state relative to closing.
We have been advised to use our best judgment (locally) for closing and the advice changes weekly. Mr. O’Brien noted that all schools are being pro-active in terms of keeping the risks downs.
R. Kerschner asked what was being done. Mr. O’Brien explained that school nurses have ordered supplies; gels, wipes, dispensers, etc., for all schools and the district office and have worked out strategic placement of the dispensers. The vaccine will be available in October and parents can opt out if they choose to. More information will be made available as we receive it. The three supervisory unions are coordinating the information that is provided. Medical personnel from Porter Medical will be available to assist the school nurses.
Superintendent O’Brien reminded board members of the ANWSU Board meeting on September 23rd, noting that it is a must attend meeting. The Commissioner of Education will be here and he is very interested in many of the initiatives that are happening here.
Mr. O’Brien noted that the Unified Union sub-committee has been meeting all summer and he will provide an update at the S.U. Board meeting.
R. Kerschner asked about the Nutrition Committee and Mr. O’Brien indicated that draft of the nutrition guidelines will be an agenda item at the S.U. meeting.
Hannaford Career Center Report: C. Wyckoff indicated that the first meeting was held last week and she was unable to attend. There is a Policy Committee meeting on the 23rd so she will be late for our ANWSU Board meeting.
Governmental Relations Network Representative Report: K. Bristow indicated that she had nothing to report this evening.
Approval of Bills: Motion by N. Kamman, seconded by C. Cousineau, to approve bills in the amount of $374,306.74. Ms. Gutowski reviewed the bills, prior to the board meeting. So voted and the motion carried.
Attendance Waiver: Superintendent O’Brien reported that he had received a request from parents to allow their son to start at VUHS. They will be moving to Vergennes in mid-September and felt this would be an easier transition. Mr. O’Brien indicated that he had approved the request, pending confirmation of board action at this meeting.
Motion by N. Kamman, seconded by C. Wyckoff, to approve the attendance waiver as outlined by the Superintendent. A brief discussion ensued relative to clarification of the needed action. So voted and the motion carried.
Policy Development: Nothing this evening.
Personnel: Mr. O’Brien presented the recommendation of Kristi Waite for the long-term French substitute position for the first semester.
Motion by L. Gutowski, seconded by C. Wyckoff, to approve the recommendation as presented. So voted and the motion carried.
Musical Stage Director and Choreographer recommendations were Robert Demic and Barbara Demic respectively. The musical will be Oliver, to be held November 12, 13 and 14.
Motion by N. Kamman, seconded by C. Wyckoff, to approve Robert and Barbara Demic as outlined. Comments were made from various board members that they were pleased to have them back. So voted and the motion carried.
Future Meeting Dates: Chair Bristow reviewed the dates of upcoming meetings, as follows:
September 16th – Regional VSBA meeting in Middlebury – with principals and superintendents invited. The agenda will include discussion of school budgets.
September 23rd – ANWSU Board meeting
October 12th – Regular Board Meeting at 5:30 to meet new staff
October 15th & 16th – VSBA Annual Conference at Lake Morey Inn. Ms. Bristow indicated that board members can register on line or call the central office and provide the needed information to Sally (Bushey) and she will register for you.
C. Wyckoff indicated that she will be involved with the National Day of Caring as part of a Service Learning Program with 5 seniors from VUHS that attend the PAHCC.
R. Kerschner noted that the Friends of Music are holding a bottle drive at Vergennes Variety from 8:00 to 1:00 on Saturday, September 19.
D. Jochum suggested that the student representatives be invited to attend the meeting on the 23rd being that the Commissioner of Education will be here. He also wondered if the public would be invited. Superintendent O’Brien indicated that all board meetings are public meetings and that agenda are posted in all five communities. He will ask A. Kirkaldy for an article in the Addison Independent.
P. Reynolds indicated that Peter Maneen and Lisa O’Brien are responsible for keeping the calendar and schedule of building use. Discussion ensued and consensus was to coordinate efforts and put the information on one calendar and post it on the web site.
Adjournment: As there was no other business, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally A. Bushey
Recording Secretary