Attached and pasted below are the unapproved minutes from last week's
school board meeting.
MORETOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Special School Board Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 20. 2005
FOR APPROVAL
Present:
Board members - Deb Hunter, Ray Daigle, Mary Nowlan, John Schmeltzer,
Karen Horn
Principal Roberta Barone
Superintendent Bob McNamara
Meeting called to order at 6:09 pm by Chair, Deb Hunter.
Bussing Issues
Moretown parent Ericka Naikus addressed the board concerning her
dissatisfaction with the length of time her children must spend on the
bus each day. She also stated that there seems to be persistent
confusion about routes and pickup times. Ms. Naikus was aware that
Moretown is currently operating only three busses instead of the usual
four due to a lack of drivers, and inquired as to what was being done
to find new drivers. She also presented the board with a letter
outlining her concerns
Roberta responded that she was aware of the long bus rides and that
they stemmed from a number of issues including increased enrollment, a
dearth of drivers, and increased gas prices that discouraged high
school students from driving their own cars to school. The Bus Barn had
informed her that the lack of the drivers was a state-wide problem and
that the advertising was going to be done in conjunction with needs
elsewhere. Bob said that some drivers had left for new opportunities
and some had taken positions at places that offered better benefits.
Roberta indicated that she would include a notice in the school
newsletter advertising for drivers. She also said that as a result of
the ongoing concerns, routes could possibly be changing again, but that
parents would be informed well ahead of time of schedule changes.
Deb thanked Ms. Naikus for coming before the board with her concerns.
She took her phone number in order to inform her directly of any
developments in bussing issues. Ms. Naikus left the meeting at 6:45.
Champney request
Roberta presented the board with a letter from Jennifer and Jonathon
Champney requesting that their preschooler Joseph be allowed to get off
the bus if his grandmother is visible to the bus driver, but not
directly at the bus stop. Typically, preschoolers must be met at the
bus stop by an adult; however, because of a disability, the grandmother
would not be able to get there. The Champneys stated in their letter
that this would not be a regular occurrence, but simply a backup plan.
On a motion by Karen, seconded by Deb, the board voted unanimously to
give Deb permission to write a letter granting the Champneys their
request due to the following circumstances: the Grandmother's house is
visible to the bus and is on the same side of the street as the stop;
the child need not cross any street unaccompanied. Also, the bus
driver's line of sight had been found to meet the necessary vision
requirements. Finally, this is not the primary plan for pickup.
Superintendent's report
Bob announced that there will be a joint board meeting for all
Washington West school boards Nov. 17 from 7 to 8:30 pm at Harwood. He
also announced that there will be a two-and-a-half hour seminar on
media literacy held sometime in late October. Details will be
forthcoming.
Principal's Report
Roberta announced that the school year is off to a great start with
Moretown's enrollment up to 170 students. She said that a general focus
of this year's professional development will be inquiry and problem
solving, i.e., getting students to engage in learning versus simply
being on task. The goal is "mental sweat", or hard thinking.
Roberta also announced that an instructor from Vermont Institutes came
to the school to demonstrate the use of "smart boards", interactive
large computer screens that can be used for instruction.
Methodist Church Septic
Mr. Washburn, an employee with American Consulting Engineers and
surveyors, presented the board with a letter from Robert Townsend of
American Consulting. The letter states that the board of Moretown
Methodist Church has continued to search for septic solutions so that
bathroom facilities can be installed.
Last year, the church had approached the board about waiving a rule
concerning a 25' setback from the property line in order to put in a
leech field. Due to concerns about contamination of the school's well,
the board declined.
The new letter states that the engineers hired by the church believe
that soil conditions would make contamination unlikely. However, before
conducting the appropriate--and costly--testing, the Mr. Washburn asked
that the board commit to waiving the setback requirement if the testing
indicates that no contamination is likely to occur.
After extensive discussion, the board decided to put the issue on the
agenda for the next meeting. Because of concerns about the potential
significant public health risk, the board asked that in advance of the
next meeting American Consulting provide more specifics regarding the
proposed system, including specs on the system and a work plan. The
board declined to waive the setback requirement. Mr. Washburn left the
meeting at 7:30 pm.
Paraeducator contract negotiations
On a motion by John, seconded by Karen, the board entered executive
session at 7:32 pm to discuss para educator contracts. The board
emerged from executive session at 7:37 pm.
Washington West update.
Karen announced that contract negotiations for the unified teachers
contract between Moretown, Waterbury/Duxbury and Warren is due to
reopen next year. Meetings laying the groundwork for the negotiations
will be held in advance of the negotiations and board members from each
board are being asked to sign up for various subcommittees.
New Employees
On a motion by Deb, seconded by John, the board signed contracts
offering positions to Kari Austin as a half- time special ed
paraeducator; Tina Palmerio as a speech paraeducator; and Margaret
Bentley as a part-time librarian.
Planning Commission Meeting
Deb announced that the planning commission would like some
representatives from the school board to attend their next meeting
Sept. 26 to discuss town planning and septic issues. Roberta and Deb
will attend the meeting.
Policy Concerning Temporary Non-Nesidents
The board discussed the draft of the policy concerning temporary
non-residents. Bob suggested that any policy must conform with federal
regulations concerning homeless individuals. He and Roberta will meet
to research the regulations and formulate wording for the policy for
the next meeting.
Municipal Bond Bank Refund
The Bond Bank refinanced the 1995/96 series bonds, thus reducing
Moretown's interest obligation over the reminder of its loan by about
$21,000. On a motion by Deb, seconded by Karen, the board voted
unanimously to sign documents allowing Moretown to get its $4,383
refund for FY 06.
Minutes Adopted
On a motion by John, seconded by Mary, the minutes of the Aug. 9
meeting were unanimously approved.
Board Orders
On a motion by John, seconded by Karen, the following board orders were
unanimously approved for payment: #8 in the amount of $36,023.48; #9
in the amount of $47,255.30; #10 in the amount of $41,896.93, #11 in
the amount of $343.60.
Dog signs
Deb reported that she had talked with Select Board Member Paula
Mastrobernadino and Paula had suggested that the school board consider
installing a sign similar to that at a local veterinarian's office on
the fields near the school. The vet's sign requests that owners clean
up after their dogs and provides plastic bags to do so. After some
discussion the board declined to take action due to fears that the bags
would cause additional littering and encourage people to use the school
dumpster to dispose of their dog's waste.
Adjournment
On a motion by Deb, seconded by Mary, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15
pm.
APPROVED
Date: __________________
_________________________________________
Mary Nowlan - Board Clerk
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