RUTLAND TOWN BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING

Regular Meeting       

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

OPEN:  Chairman Stacy Chapman opened the meeting at 7:11 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT:  In attendance were: Board members Stacy Chapman, Lyn Gallipo and Jim Wright.  Also in attendance were Superintendant Wendy Savery, Principal Pati Beaumont, Asst. Principal Larry Sims, teachers and five residents.

CONSENT AGENDA:   

Director’s Orders:  All Directors' Orders were signed as presented.

Minutes:  The minutes of August 5^th, 18^th, and 31^st were adopted as written.

Committee Reports: None

PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS:  Roger Hemingway was in attendance to ask that his children be picked up by the bus because of safety concerns.  Larry Sims agreed that the route the children must take is a safety hazard and the stop will be added to the bus route.

• A comment was made on how well the fifth grade situation is working.
• Kindergarten - A discussion was held on the Kindergarten class sizes.  The two classes currently have 19 students each.  The parents present discussed the class sizes as the teachers are stressed and are speaking of their concerns about meeting expectations.  Pati presented a chart showing the extra support the teachers will be provided with.  The board and Administration feel the discussion is premature as there has not been a day that all students have been present as yet.  The Board will continue to monitor the situation and another discussion will be held at the next board meeting in two weeks.

TEACHERS/STAFF COMMENTS / PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS: 

• The 3^rd grade class is very happy with the Lion Quest, a responsive classroom program, they are using.

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: 

• Opening Day - Pati thanked the PTO for the wonderful breakfast and stated that about 400 community members were present Opening Day.  The school year is off to a great start.
• Long Term Sub - Jim Wright made a motion to approve the long term Speech Language sub.  Lyn seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

• Softball League - The season went very well and the League has asked to voluntarily repair one of the fields not currently in use.  The board has no objections.
• Mediation Session - The Mediation session was held in executive session at the request of the Mediator.   The Board believes they have the best teachers in the area but their position is driven by the economy and the reality is they must meet the expectations of the Townspeople regarding the tax burden.  Regretfully no resolution was made and negotiations will move to the next step (Fact Finding and Arbitration).
• Roof Project - The roof project is quickly coming to a conclusion and has not been a problem with the opening and running of the school.  Pati spoke about the streaks on parts of the old roof.  This is not mold as some have suggested.  It is only wear and tear of the old roofing.

RUTLAND TOWN BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEETING              Page 2         September 01, 2009

AGENDA ITEMS: 

• Discussion on the starting time (6:30 vs. 7:00) for meetings.
• Kindergarten class
• Roof Project
• Negotiations

MEETINGS:            Tuesday - September 15^th - Regular Meeting at 7:00 pm in Library.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:   Jim Wright made a motion to go into Executive Session per 1 VSA, Section

313; personnel.  Jim Wright seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously at 7:50 pm.   Executive Session was declared over at 8:18 pm.

ADJOURNMENT:   The meeting was duly adjourned at 8:19 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynette Gallipo