Subject: 11/10/09
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Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:14:33 -0400

Rutland Town Board of School Directors
Meeting

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Open: Chairman
Stacy Chapman opened the meeting at 6:40pm with the Pledge of
Allegiance

Present: In
attendance: Board members Marc Brierre, Stacy Chapman, Jim Levins, Jim Wright;
Principal Pati Beaumont; Assistant Principal Larry Sims; Superintendent Wendy
Savery, Teachers Peter Patterson, Jackie Fleming, Paul Giambatista, Randy Dewey,
Bev Browe, Patsy MacHardy and several parents and residents

Directors Orders: All orders signed

Enrichment trip requests: Principal Beaumont informed the Board that there were 3
requests forthcoming: 6th and 8th grade enrichment trip
requests for spring 2010, and a parent-based request for the current
7th grade regarding a trip in spring 2011.

6th grade: Randey Dewey presented a request for the current
6th grade’s enrichment trip to Washington, D.C.  Estimate of 35
(out of 39) students currently committed to the trip. The group would leave
early Monday morning (May 24) and return late in the evening on Thursday (May
27).  Board member Jim Levins discussed the  history of this trip over
the last few years (it was cancelled last year) and expressed appreciation for
the efforts of the teachers.  Jim Levins made a motion to approve the
6th grade enrichment trip to Washington, D.C. from May 24 to May 27
with the understanding that all participating students are required to travel on
the chartered bus for this trip, unless a valid, reasonable medical reason
precludes the student from traveling on the bus.  Marc Brierre seconded the
motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

8th grade: Peter Patterson, Jackie Fleming, and Paul Giambatista
presented a request for the current 8th grade’s enrichment trip to
Cape Cod.  .  Estimate of 34 (out of 38) students committed to the
trip.  The group would leave early on Tuesday morning (June 1) and return
late in the evening on Friday (June 4).  This is a week later than the trip
has historically taken place and this is due to availability of lodging.
Paul Giambatista  explained in detail the trip itinerary.  The first
day includes stops at the Boston Museum of Science and the John F. Kennedy
Presidential Library and Museum as they travel to Cape Cod.  Day 2 includes
a whale watch and an oceanographic exploration and an exploration of salt water
ecosystems.  Day 3 includes the Cape Cod Museum of  Natural History
and further ecosystem explorations.  Day 4 includes a stop in Salem, MA to
explore the Salem Witch Museum and then return to Rutland Town.  The
students stay together as a group during the trip.  The team of teachers
request approval for what they consider a worthwhile, educationally sound
trip.  Jim Levins made a motion to approve this enrichment trip, Marc
Brierre seconded.  Motion passed 3-0.

7th grade: a parent group, represented by Russell Schoengarth,
presented a request for the current 7th grade to take an enrichment
trip the Washington, D.C. in spring 2011.  The trip would be with a tour
group that would take care of the planning and provide an itinerary.  The
anticipated cost would be $390 per person based on 4 people per room (includes 3
nights lodging, 11 meals, transportation).  Russell Schoengarth indicated
that the parent group had polled the parents and students and there was
overwhelming support for a trip to DC over a trip to Cape Cod (the current
7th grade students did not take a trip to Washington, D.C. last year)
and through discussions with Principal Beaumont have brought forward the trip
proposal.  The parent group plans to contract with Vermont’s Green Mountain
Tours, LLC based out of Georgia, VT.  Bill Green spoke about the many
school trips to Washington, D.C.  that he has organized over the
years.  He provided a 4 day itinerary (depart Monday, May 23, 2011 and
return late Thursday/early Friday, May 26/27, 2011.  Either teachers and/or
one of the administrators would be involved as a chaperone.  Russell
Schoengarth indicated that much fundraising has taken place along with plans for
future fundraising to help defray the costs of this trip.  Various parents
offered their opinions in support of the Board approving this trip, especially
since the 6th and 8th grade trips were cancelled last year
(2008/2009 academic year).  There was some disconnect between the desires
of the parents and the teachers and the principal as well as board concern about
the process leading to this proposal.  Board member Jim Levins expressed
his support for this parent proposal with some concerns about school liability,
and applauded their passion regarding the trip.  Board member Marc Brierre
expressed concern about the potential liability as did Chair Chapman.
Board member Jim Wright expressed concern that the trip proposal was not being
brought to the board by teachers, but by parents as well as the fact that the
Board is being asked to approve an event that will occur during the next
academic year.  Jim Levins made a motion that the Board conditionally
approve the parent request for a Washington, D.C. trip in May 2011 for the
current 7th grade class.  The conditions are: 1) that there is
adequate confirmation of insurance, 2) unanimity between teachers and
administrators for chaperone staffing, and 3) the trip’s educational component
has been investigated and confirmed to align with 8th grade
curriculum.  Marc Brierre seconded the motion.  Motion passed
2-1.

Minutes of October 27, 2009 meeting: Accepted as written

Administrator’s Reports:

Principal Beaumont:

Roof is nearly completed and finished; some painting on
overhangs, and project endbook next week.

Also, due to a calendar change (no school on the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving—used to be a half-day) and to meet the conditions
stipulated in the Master Agreement (with teachers) a request to make Devember 22
(last day before the holiday break) a half-day.  Jim Levins made a motion
to this effect, Marc Brierre seconded.  Motion passed 3-0.

Superintendent Savery:

Amendments to 3 recent support staff hire contracts
(Jess Abbott, Robin Aiken, Deb Wright) with regard to eligibility for sick leave
(after 60 days).  Marc Brierre made a motion to accept the 3 amended
contracts, Jim Levins seconded.  Motion passed 2-0, with Jim Wright
abstaining.

Update from Rutland City Schools regarding allowable
tuition for the high school.  They intitially charged us $10,200 per
student, but the State recently released the official allowable tuition rates
and Rutland City’s is $10,612.  We have been billed an additional $52,530
($412 for 127.5 students).  The superintendent mentioned that while this
amount was not in our current budget, it was within a reasonable window of the
initial charge.

Provided an update on the current budget.  The
format allows the board to see, line by line, last year’s budgeted amount as
well as current budgeted amount, and current spending and encumbered, allowing a
guide to remaining monies.

Update provided on the status of criminal background
checks for faculty, administrators, and other staff (paraeducators, substitutes,
coaches, custodians, tapestry workers, lunch monitors) at the school.
Currently 19 people are missing this criminal background check.  Discussion
followed on the costs of the checks, the time involved and the merits of
requiring background checks of volunteers and the associated costs)

Provided an update on the Board Goals from the October
27 meeting.  In very general terms, three broad areas were identified:
Enrichment opportunities, middle school versus junior high models, and
technology priorities.

The next Rutland Central Supervisory Union (RCSU) budget
committee meeting is set for November 23, from 430-630.  The RCSU board’s
next meeting is scheduled for December 17 in Proctor.

Chair Report:

The Chair mentioned an email he had forwarded to Board
members regarding the Allowable Tuition Report from the state.

Mentioned that Lisa Garcia (West Rutland Board and RCSU
board chair) passed along a reminder about a meeting requested by the Rutland
City School Board with RCSU and Rutland South Supervisory Union on Thursday,
November 12 to initiate discussion on how these schools might collaborate to
achieve the best possible for the all area students.

The Chair will not be available for the November 24
meeting.

Executive Session:  Motion made by Marc Brierre to go into Executive
Session (Title 1, Section 313) for issues related to personnel, seconded by Jim
Levins; passed 3-0 at 9:10pm.  Motion made and seconded to end Executive
Session, passed unanimously at 9:35pm

Adjournment:  Jim Levins made a motion to adjourn, Marc Brierre
seconded, passed 3-0 at 9:35pm