Dover School Board Meeting of 6-7-2010

Minutes

 

(These minutes are not official as they have not been corrected or accepted by the Dover School Board)

 

In Attendance:  Arlene Schertzer, Laura Sibilia, Rich Werner, Traci Alfonso, Jollene Mahon, Steven John (going between Marlboro’s meeting and Dover’s), Larry Morgan, Patrick Moreland, Tom Powell, Bill Anton and Helen Brown.

 

Meeting called to order:  Rich called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m.

 

Audit Discussion: 

·         Dover was included in the WCSU audit bid process.

·         Patty Westlake stated the Town of Dover and Town of Wilmington RFP went out to bid.

·         Rich asked if we wanted to put a bid out for Dover School or since we already went out to bid through WCSU, we could choose the firm chosen by them, or go on our own with whomever we preferred.

·         Patty Westlake and Helen Brown prefer to remain with Sullivan and Powers.

·         Patty stated we have $10,500. put aside for audit.

·         WCSU bid chosen was Sullivan and Powers, and their price for the Dover School District audit is $10,500.00

·         Laura moved to have Sullivan and Powers do the Dover School FY 2010 audit for the cost of $10,500.00.  Second from Jollene Mahon.  Unan.

 

Earth Tone Technologies:

·         Larry Morgan, Site Acquisition Specialist for Earth Tone Technologies, was present to explain the process of their firm placing a “tower” on school property.

-          Current towers not filling need for technology in many areas

-          Not a large metal tower – theirs blends in with trees

-          Carriers interested may locate on their polls

-          Dover has the correct elevation – there are possibly 3 other places in Dover Earth Tone Technologies would like to have their “tower”

-          Landlord generates income from Earth Tone and each carrier

-          35 year commitment needed, funding/income generated explained

·         Board had a few questions answered regarding what the tower would look like, fencing, placement, etc.

·         Rich stated the board will discuss this in executive session and get back to Larry Tuesday.

 

DEDC – Patrick Moreland:

·         Rich read Patrick a letter the school board had sent to the DEDC and the Dover Select Board quite some time ago - wish list.

-          Select board never got back to school board.

-          Rich wanted to bring Patrick up to date.

-          Patrick stated that Bill Anton has been fantastic – in touch with him often, supportive, etc.

and wanted to commend him for that.

-          Patrick and school board want to work together

-          Laura thought Patrick and DEDC should be involved with Earth Tone Technologies.

-          Patrick and Tom Powell had met with Larry Morgan – felt Larry’s proposal makes sense.

 

Marlboro School Board:

·         Met with Dover School Board to review possibilities of sharing costs, how we brought our special education costs down, what changed, how the transition was handled, etc.

·         Rich explained what Dover has done:

-          Teachers have in-service during afternoons of winter sports (6 weeks)– parent volunteers handle all winter sports events.

-          Students had too much time spent pulled out of class for support from sped.; IEP’s had more weekly time allotted for assistance to children than what the week actually had.

-          Stressed Differentiated Instruction

-          Trained our staff, which was supported by school board.

-          Administrator brought people in to work with staff (training), expected everyone to be trained.

·         Rich stated all of the above lowered our special education costs, and in a sense lowered the budget in this area.

·         Laura stated that the board supported Administration in keeping single grades in K – 3, with combination grades for 4/5 and 5/6.

·         Rich said our Pre-K program is very beneficial – saves money down the line.

·         Testing is done to see where the gaps are so these gaps can be addressed.

(It’s believed Marlboro and Dover was grouped together because we both do our own bookkeeping, we’re “neighbors”; we both have school choice, etc.)

·         Marlboro and Dover may meet jointly to discuss transportation needs to Brattleboro.

·         Perhaps grades from both schools could do same event, e.g. reading, field trips.

·         Determined that the Administrators from both schools will work together on ideas.

 

Superintendent’s Report:  (see attached)

 

Minutes and Correspondence:

·         Laura moved to accept the minutes of the 5/17/10 board meeting as typed.  Second from Jollene.  Unan.

 

Principal’s Report:  (see attached)

·         Leo Blair has accepted a full time Special Educators position at Leland and Gray for next year.

·         Bill has been subpoenaed for June 16^th involving event at previous school he was employed, so will be out that day.

·         Lunch with teachers will be from Tony’s, and will be on June 21^st at 1p.m.

·         6^th grade graduation will be June 18^th at 6:30p.m. at Dover School.

·         Have not heard about kitchen grant yet – state waiting to see if they receive funding.

 

Old Business:

·         Rich asked about Acceptable Use Policy – was left at last meeting that this would be a procedure, not policy.  Board has copy of procedure.

·         Jollene moved to accept the Acceptable Use Procedure as presented, with a second from Arlene. Unan.

·         Rich asked about policy G11.2 – this is actually part of G11, and has been completed.

 

New Business:

·         Certified staff contracts for FY’11 presented to be signed.

·         Jollene made a motion to have board chair sign certified staff contracts for FY ‘11.  Second by Arlene. Unan.

 

Work Session:

·         Hold off until another meeting.

·         Would like a time to discuss how the community is succeeding – how our Dover graduates are succeeding.

·         Bill handed out a middle/high school student’s survey for board to review.

-          Send suggestions, ideas, and changes to Bill via e-mail by next week.

-          Bill will get survey out to public, press release, computer capability, and put in newsletter.

 

Pre-K Update:

·         Bill has not heard if Dover received grant for 3-year old program as of yet.

 

Other:

·         Thanks to Frank Rucker for meeting at Dover regarding financial information to set school tax rate.

·         Tax rate will be twelve and one-half cents less than last year.

·         Income numbers may change a bit.

·         Special Ed. codes/line items have been adjusted in budget – does not affect budget numbers.

·         Laura moved to accept the Principal’s contract as presented with a second from Jollene. Unan.

 

Date of Next Meeting:

·         June 21^st, at 11:30a.m.

·         No meetings in July, 2010.

·         August 2, 2010 board meeting at 6:30p.m.

 

Financials/Pay Warrants:

·         Laura moved to approve the pay warrants as follows:   School bills in the amount of $1,040., $4,292.18 and $15,295.71; Food Program bills in the amount of $666.32; payroll in the amount of $25,619.92 and sub payroll in the amount of $553.24.  Second from Jollene.  Unan.

 

Executive Session:

·         Jollene moved to enter executive session for personnel and student at 9:54p.m. with a second from Traci. Unan.

·         Laura moved to exit executive session for personnel and student at 9:56p.m. with a second from Jollene. Unan.

-          Laura moved to accept the principal’s recommendations for pay increases for FY’11.  Second from Jollene. Unan.

 

Adjourn Meeting:

·         Jollene moved to adjourn meeting at 9:57p.m. with a second from Traci. Unan.

 

Minutes submitted by

Helen Brown