School Board meeting minutes Dec. 21

The following are the meeting minutes from the Dec. 21 Montpelier Board of School Commissioners meeting.

Note: The meeting minutes are in draft form and have not yet been approved by the school board.

DRAFT

MEETING OF THE
MONTPELIER BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS
December 21, 2011
MINUTES
Minutes Approved:

Present

Board:                    Sue Aldrich, Carolyn Herz, Ken Jones, Carol Paquette, Charlie Phillips, Steve Robinson, Lowell VanDerlip

Administration:      Superintendent Brian Ricca; Principals Pam Arnold, Peter Evans and Owen Bradley; Curriculum Director Patty Gaston; Business Manager Cindy Rossi; Recreation Director Arne McMullen

Student:                  Ben Rose

Public:                    Dave Bennett, Josh Crane, Drew McNaughton, Bill Merrylees, Brian Murphy, Jean Stetter, James Surwilo, Carl Vitzhum, and others

1. Call to Order  The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m.   
2. Executive Session  On a motion duly made and seconded, the board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session at 6:45 p.m., with the superintendent remaining.  On a motion duly made and seconded, the board voted unanimously to leave Executive Session at 7:14 p.m.
   1. Contract Matter
3. Return to Open Session  7:14 p.m. 
4. Adjust/Review Agenda  No changes.
5. Public Comments  Josh Crane (President of MHS Student Council) and Carl Vitzhum (MHS senior) spoke in support of the Community Connection Program on behalf of the MHS student body.
6. Discuss Proposed Budgets
   1. Recreation Department  A handout was provided.  Arne McMullen, Brian Murphy and James Surwilo 

presented options for a 5% or a 10% budget reduction.  Biggest effect of reduction is on seasonal employees – impact on spring sport set-ups, repairing plow damage, preparing fields.  Role of School Board is to approve the Recreation Department budget, which is presented with the school budget. City and School boards will discuss who should have oversight of the Recreation Department.  Mr. McMullen stated that reducing one seasonal employee is an efficient way to reduce the budget by 5%.  He believes that the Recreation Department can function with this 5% reduction. Mrs. Herz and Mr. VanDerlip commended Mr. McMullen for the fiscal responsibility the Department has shown over the last five years. Mr. Jones made a recommendation to approve the budget with the 5% reduction.  Mr. VanDerlip seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

1. School  See handout and PowerPoint.  Superintendent Ricca presented the school budget proposal. 

Bill Merrylees spoke: Community Connections has a fund balance, which will cover the salaries and benefits of the two staff members at MSMS and MHS.  They are willing to do this.  Community Connections is committed to reviewing their administrative staff (currently three staff), and expect they will have two administrative staff next year.  Community Connections is asking that the school board fund $10,000 at each school for program money (gas, supplies) for a total of $20,000.00.  Community Connections is beginning to actively pursue user participation fees.  Mr. VanDerlip asked for more details on how the fund balance will be used to support Community Connections next year.

Discussion about girls’ hockey and football funds in the budget – suggestion is to establish cooperative teams with other schools.

Mr. Phillips suggested we consider an early retirement buyout option for those with 20-25 years, which would perhaps ease the budget situation.  Mr. Robinson agreed that this might be reasonable. 

Mr. Robinson suggested that we consider a way to avoid the reductions at the high school (approximately $100,000+).  Board discussed ways to keep from reducing teacher jobs at the high school.  There is concern about cutting small amounts from high school jobs as this may cause us to loose some teachers.

Jean Stetter asked a question about the timeline for the implementation of the Common Core.

Mr. Phillips: if we put $100,000.00 back in the budget, how would the Admin. Team use this amount of money?  Mr. VanDerlip agreed with this suggestion.  He would like to add $100,000.00 and ask the administration to use the money to fulfill the mission and ends policies.

Mrs. Aldrich – afraid of community response to the possible loss of teachers.  She does not want to loose great teachers.  Superintendent Ricca cautioned that the reductions are not going away soon as the facts are that the enrollment at the high school is going to decrease over the next four years. Further, there are facility needs at each of our buildings.  Mr. Robinson stated that the Board does not want to loose the teachers.  However, at some point in time do we have to look at the other needs of the schools (facilities?).

Mrs. Herz was interested in learning the names of the teachers who are likely to retire over the next few years.

Mr. Phillips - there is a need to consider the ability to pass the school budget.  It will be difficult this year.

Mr. Jones would like to know if the teachers whose positions will be cut will leave.  Principal Evans reported that there are teachers who are already looking for jobs.

For January 4, Mr. Jones would like to know more about the operations side of the budget.  Are there alternate opportunities for the space?  What will the utility costs, maintenance costs, etc. be over the next few years?

1.  Consent Agenda
   1. Minutes of December7, 2011
   2. Warrants
   3. Co-Curricular Contract

Mrs. Herz moved, seconded by Mr. VanDerlip, to approve the consent agenda including minutes of the December 7, 2011 meeting, Warrants 25 and 26 dated December 22, 2011 in the amounts of $772,608.47 and $22,588.17 respectively, and a co-curricular contract (see listing).  Motion carried unanimously.

1. Announcements/Review Meeting (+/∆)  Mrs. Herz announced that she is definitely not seeking reelection. 
2. Adjournment  On a motion duly made and seconded, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:21 p.m. 

Patricia Gaston

Recorder

Co-curricular Appointment

Pellegrini, John

Basketball, Girls: JV Coach

MHS