Michael L'Esperance, Bennett Dawson, Charles Thomas via phone
2016.10.10 APPROVED 1
Fairfield School District Minutes August 8, 2016
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Present for a Quorum: Michael L’Esperance, Bennett Dawson, Charles Thomas via phone.
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Unable to attend: David Gaudette
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Administrators Present: Kevin Dirth, Martha Gagner, Jill Ballou
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Others: John Baxter, Damien Boomhower
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Call to Order Bennett Dawson called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Review - Student Issue added to 11 Visitors: none A. *Interview Potential Board Member – Damien Boomhower Michael L’Esperance made a motion to enter executive session at 6:22 to interview a potential Board member because doing so in open session could put all parties at a substantial disadvantage; second by Charles Thomas. The motion passed unanimously. Executive session ended at 6:30. Charles Thomas made a motion to appoint Damien Boomhower to the Board to fill a vacant seat; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Consent Agenda Michael L’ Esperance made a motion to remove items C, D and E from the consent agenda as they will require some discussion; second by Charles Thomas. The motion passed unanimously. Charles Thomas made a motion to approve the consent agenda; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion carried unanimously. B. Approval of Minutes – June 13, 2016, June 17, 2016 and July 7, 2016 minutes Items C, D and E were removed from the consent agenda. C. Supervisory Union Report - Kevin Dirth reported that his newsletter was attached with the Board materials. Kevin welcomed Jill to her first meeting. In addition he said that the whole administrative team attended that VPA Conference, the third day was just the administrative team and they discussed some ideas for moving towards unification. He also said that there with the two added meetings for the Maple Run Board and the negotiations for that Board as well, he will be using the agenda to judge whether central office administrators have to attend regular Board meetings. D. Principal’s Report - Jill Ballou provided hard copies of her report. She thanked her staff, John Baxter, Brenda Goodhue and others for their support to her. She has met with many teachers already as well as some paras, and she is impressed with that. There are four (possibly five) new students this year. Professional development has been very busy. VMI is a partnership with the University of Vermont, and is very competitive and Page 1 of 3
2016.10.10 APPROVED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
aggressive program. She has learned how to create an Instagram, twitter and facebook that are all aligned so she can communicate with the community regularly. She reported that she went to BEST with four others and it was very informative. They created a parent handbook that was a little more inclusive than what was previously used. They also created a new teacher handbook that has clear expectations. Summer school just wrapped up for 18 students. There were a few bus glitches, but John Baxter rode the bus and helped with the new driver. There is a vacancy for the outdoor classroom coordinator. Ms. Ballou offered a tour of the work that has been done over the summer, but Bennett Dawson asked that we do this after the work is complete. Jill reported that her World of Difference article was on Facebook and it was in the messenger. 55 students were recognized nationwide for being an active school and they will be able to purchase some equipment with their winnings. On Aug 25 at 5:30 there will be a kindergarten orientation. E. Student Representative - Quincy Fournier wasn’t present as school hasn’t yet begun. 6. Old Business F. Unification – Kevin Dirth reported we are moving forward, and have held several meetings. They just had two retreats, which Dr. Dirth enjoyed because it was not about governance. They meet on the first and third Wednesday each month. Mike L’Esperance added that the retreat was very beneficial for how to operate an effective board. G. Negotiations – Kevin Dirth reported that there isn’t anything right now for the current negotiations, the next meeting will be on August 30. Maple Run has sent an invitation to the associations to begin negotiations. H. Building – Charlie Thomas reported he hasn’t had a chance to get together with Jill Ballou yet, so he has nothing other than what has already been reported. Good news is that there was no asbestos reported on the boiler. John Baxter reported that he called in the company to test it because he had not been able to identify the material so it is required. 7. New Business I. Funding for Fairfield Community Center summer field trips Charles Thomas made a motion to cover $750 for transportation for the summer field trips for the Fairfield Community Center, which is the same as last year; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion passed unanimously. J. VEHI/VSBA Petition Request – Kevin Dirth explained that there is a petition to replace one of the VTNEA positions on the VEHI Board with one VSBA member. Charles Thomas made a motion to approve signatures on the petition for changing the makeup of the VEHI Board; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion passed unanimously. K. * Employee Matters – There were no employee matters to discuss. L. * Student Issues – There was a student issue added to Executive Session. Page 2 of 3
2016.10.10 APPROVED
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8. Other Business M. FY17 Financial Report - The financial report was included for the Board’s information. The Fairfield Center School appears to have a fairly substantial surplus from FY16 but the numbers have not been finalized yet. 9. Communications – There was nothing to discuss 10. Agenda Items for Future Meeting – Consent Agenda discussion and building update 11. Potential Executive Session N. Student Issue was added to the agenda. Discussion of this in open session would place both parties at a substantial disadvantage. Charles Thomas made a motion to discuss the student issue in Executive Session at 6:56; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion passed unanimously. Executive Session ended at 7:12. 12. Adjourned at 7:12
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Respectfully submitted, Brenda Comstock
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Page 3 of 3
Fairfield School District Minutes August 8, 2016
2
Present for a Quorum: Michael L’Esperance, Bennett Dawson, Charles Thomas via phone.
3
Unable to attend: David Gaudette
4
Administrators Present: Kevin Dirth, Martha Gagner, Jill Ballou
5
Others: John Baxter, Damien Boomhower
6
1. 2. 3. 4.
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Call to Order Bennett Dawson called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Review - Student Issue added to 11 Visitors: none A. *Interview Potential Board Member – Damien Boomhower Michael L’Esperance made a motion to enter executive session at 6:22 to interview a potential Board member because doing so in open session could put all parties at a substantial disadvantage; second by Charles Thomas. The motion passed unanimously. Executive session ended at 6:30. Charles Thomas made a motion to appoint Damien Boomhower to the Board to fill a vacant seat; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Consent Agenda Michael L’ Esperance made a motion to remove items C, D and E from the consent agenda as they will require some discussion; second by Charles Thomas. The motion passed unanimously. Charles Thomas made a motion to approve the consent agenda; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion carried unanimously. B. Approval of Minutes – June 13, 2016, June 17, 2016 and July 7, 2016 minutes Items C, D and E were removed from the consent agenda. C. Supervisory Union Report - Kevin Dirth reported that his newsletter was attached with the Board materials. Kevin welcomed Jill to her first meeting. In addition he said that the whole administrative team attended that VPA Conference, the third day was just the administrative team and they discussed some ideas for moving towards unification. He also said that there with the two added meetings for the Maple Run Board and the negotiations for that Board as well, he will be using the agenda to judge whether central office administrators have to attend regular Board meetings. D. Principal’s Report - Jill Ballou provided hard copies of her report. She thanked her staff, John Baxter, Brenda Goodhue and others for their support to her. She has met with many teachers already as well as some paras, and she is impressed with that. There are four (possibly five) new students this year. Professional development has been very busy. VMI is a partnership with the University of Vermont, and is very competitive and Page 1 of 3
2016.10.10 APPROVED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38
aggressive program. She has learned how to create an Instagram, twitter and facebook that are all aligned so she can communicate with the community regularly. She reported that she went to BEST with four others and it was very informative. They created a parent handbook that was a little more inclusive than what was previously used. They also created a new teacher handbook that has clear expectations. Summer school just wrapped up for 18 students. There were a few bus glitches, but John Baxter rode the bus and helped with the new driver. There is a vacancy for the outdoor classroom coordinator. Ms. Ballou offered a tour of the work that has been done over the summer, but Bennett Dawson asked that we do this after the work is complete. Jill reported that her World of Difference article was on Facebook and it was in the messenger. 55 students were recognized nationwide for being an active school and they will be able to purchase some equipment with their winnings. On Aug 25 at 5:30 there will be a kindergarten orientation. E. Student Representative - Quincy Fournier wasn’t present as school hasn’t yet begun. 6. Old Business F. Unification – Kevin Dirth reported we are moving forward, and have held several meetings. They just had two retreats, which Dr. Dirth enjoyed because it was not about governance. They meet on the first and third Wednesday each month. Mike L’Esperance added that the retreat was very beneficial for how to operate an effective board. G. Negotiations – Kevin Dirth reported that there isn’t anything right now for the current negotiations, the next meeting will be on August 30. Maple Run has sent an invitation to the associations to begin negotiations. H. Building – Charlie Thomas reported he hasn’t had a chance to get together with Jill Ballou yet, so he has nothing other than what has already been reported. Good news is that there was no asbestos reported on the boiler. John Baxter reported that he called in the company to test it because he had not been able to identify the material so it is required. 7. New Business I. Funding for Fairfield Community Center summer field trips Charles Thomas made a motion to cover $750 for transportation for the summer field trips for the Fairfield Community Center, which is the same as last year; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion passed unanimously. J. VEHI/VSBA Petition Request – Kevin Dirth explained that there is a petition to replace one of the VTNEA positions on the VEHI Board with one VSBA member. Charles Thomas made a motion to approve signatures on the petition for changing the makeup of the VEHI Board; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion passed unanimously. K. * Employee Matters – There were no employee matters to discuss. L. * Student Issues – There was a student issue added to Executive Session. Page 2 of 3
2016.10.10 APPROVED
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8. Other Business M. FY17 Financial Report - The financial report was included for the Board’s information. The Fairfield Center School appears to have a fairly substantial surplus from FY16 but the numbers have not been finalized yet. 9. Communications – There was nothing to discuss 10. Agenda Items for Future Meeting – Consent Agenda discussion and building update 11. Potential Executive Session N. Student Issue was added to the agenda. Discussion of this in open session would place both parties at a substantial disadvantage. Charles Thomas made a motion to discuss the student issue in Executive Session at 6:56; second by Mike L’Esperance. The motion passed unanimously. Executive Session ended at 7:12. 12. Adjourned at 7:12
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Respectfully submitted, Brenda Comstock
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