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MAPLE RUN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES September 7, 2016, 2016
6:00 SATEC Present for a Quorum: Al Corey, Nina Hunsicker, Steven LaRosa, Denise Smith, Nilda Gonnella-French, Jack McCarthy, James Farr Mike L'Esperance arrived at 6:30 p.m. Unable to Attend: Martha Casavant-Ries, Michael Malone. Administrators: Kevin Dirth, Superintendent; Sean O’Dell, Curriculum Director; Kathy Finck, Human Resources Director; Martha Gagner, Business Manager; Julie Regimbal, Special Education Director; Joanne Wells, Assistant Special Education Director; Derek Madden, Facilities Director, Angela Stebbins, SATEC Principal, Jason Therrien, Assistant Principal. Michelle Spence and Andrea Racek with Early Childhood Programs arrived at 7:25 p.m. Visitors: Jeff Morrill, Carly Sharon, Will Dumont. 1. Call to Order - James Farr called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approval of Agenda Al Corey made a motion to approve the agenda; second by Jack McCarthy. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Visitors A. Introductions – Kevin Dirth introduced the Directors and Administrators. B. St. Albans Town Educational Center Tour & Information – Angela Stebbins provided a handout of information on the school. Two students spoke to the Board about after school programs. Carly Sharon participated in Open Doors and sports. She has also participated in drama and student council. Will Dumont has participated in afterschool programs including Odyssey of the Mind, drama, on sound, Open Doors, cross country. Ms. Stebbins reviewed the programs offered and SATEC, and shared that this is their second year as a PBiS School. She then gave a tour of the school. 5. Consent Agenda C. Approval of Minutes of August 17, 2016 – Nina Hunsicker asked to remove the minutes from the consent agenda for corrections: line 7 shows Jack McCarthy not present, but he was, and line 17 had Nina where it should be Nilda. Al Corey made a motion to approve the Minutes of August 17, 2016 as amended; second by Nilda Gonnella-French. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Old Business D. Meeting Norms - Kevin Dirth recapped earlier discussions and reviewed the norms used by the Leadership team, and asked if this Board wants to have a set of meeting norms. It was suggested that meeting etiquette be added. Phone ringers off, utilizing phones during meetings (it was stated that being paperless means there is a need to use phones or other devices to get the agenda and other information), letting leadership know if you are going to be late. It was suggested to make this a google doc and ask folks to add to it and review at a meeting in a month. E. Mission Statement for Maple Run – Kevin Dirth recapped earlier discussion and said he would have administrators come up with some drafts and asked how involved the Board wants to be. It was suggested that a few Board members work with the administrators to come up with the mission statement. Should the mission Page 1 of 2
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statement be a “vision statement” or a guiding principle? Denise, Nilda, Jack and Nina would like to be involved. Administration will get back to the Board with a timeframe for this. F. Convocation Review - Kevin Dirth gave a brief overview and asked others who were present to provide feedback. The goal was to get people together, have some fun, network and meet coworkers. Al Corey reported that he was unable to attend but spoke to a faculty member who gave it critical acclaim. Others reported that it was good to have the interaction with teachers. G. Negotiations Update - James Farr reported that the FCSU agreed on their contract for Professional Staff, and the first MRUSD negations were held. There is another piece which is strategy that will need to go into executive session. Denise Smith made a motion to have negotiations strategy discussed in executive session as discussion in open session would put the Board at a substantial disadvantage; second by Nilda Gonnella-French. The motion passed unanimously. H. Transition Framework – Kevin Dirth explained that on the timeframe, which will be provided at each meeting, those items that are in RED means there has been changes since the last meeting. It was suggested that either the Board chair or the Superintendent write an op-ed for the paper discussing the progress. This would also help with reporting to AOE at year’s end. I. *VMERS for union and non-union employees – Kathy Finck stated that this should be discussed in Executive Session, as it pertains to individual employee benefits. Al Corey made a motion to discuss VMERS in executive session as discussion in open session would put the Board at a substantial disadvantage; second by Jack McCarthy. The motion passed unanimously.
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Respectfully Submitted Brenda Comstock
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New Business Other Business J. Superintendent Report – briefly gave his report and that a document with acronyms was created for reference. It is called “We Talk Funny”. Michelle Spence introduced Andrea Racek, Assistant Early Ed. 9. Agenda Items for Future Meeting – negotiations update and a tour 10. Potential Executive Session Al Corey made a motion to enter executive session at 7:56 p.m. inviting Kevin Dirth, Martha Gagner, and Kathy Finck. Executive Session ended at 9:10 p.m. Al Corey made a motion to approve Plan B for the VMERS retirement option for all qualified employees effective 7/1/17 for MRUSD employees; second by Denise Smith. The motion passed unanimously. 11. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
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