Attendees:

Meeting Date:	May 18, 2006
Minutes Submitted On:	May 21, 2006
Board Attendees:	Ellen Pratt (EP), Peter May (PM), Benjamin Cragin (BC)
Administration Attendees:	Amelia Stone (AS)
Community Attendees:	Linda Kerr, Beckie Coffey, Paulina Essunger, Susan Kochinskas, Dan Foster, Deb Smith, Linda Cassidy, Angela Walton, Casey Murrow, Pat Mousel, Jan Blanchard, Maureen Ward, Cheryl Struthers

Location:	PCS Writing Room
Meeting called to order at:	7:10 pm
Meeting called to order by:	PM
Finish time:	8:10 pm

NOTE: These minutes should be considered a draft that awaits approval and possibly amendment by the board at its next scheduled meeting.
AGENDA TOPIC	MOTION	MOVED BY	SECONDED BY	DISCUSSION	PASSED
Staffing				The board held this meeting to continue its discussion of the potential for hiring another teacher for the primary grades, considering the size of the incoming kindergarten class (currently projected to be 22 children) and its commitment to maintaining a teacher – student ratio of 1:16 in the kindergarten class. AS reported that it would not be cost-effective to hire another teacher for the primary grades. Funds are not available in next year’s budget to hire another teacher without cutting into programming. The group discussed possible configurations of the K-2 classrooms. The potential for eliminating a wall between 2 existing classrooms to accommodate the incoming kindergarten class of 22 was discussed. AS reported that potentially there could be 1 kindergarten teacher, 1 full-time para; and one part-time kindergarten teacher in that classroom. The board reiterated its desire to maintain the teacher student ratio of 1:16 in the kindergarten class. EP asked AS to talk to the supervisory union’s business manager about the dollar amount the school will realize from it inclusion of the preschool class children (3 and 4 year olds) in the school census and the potential for Medicaid funds to help defray the costs of staff/programming in the kindergarten. The board will continue this discussion at its May 25 meeting.

AGENDA TOPIC

MOTION

MOVED BY

SECONDED BY

DISCUSSION

PASSED

NOTE: These minutes should be considered a draft that awaits approval and possibly amendment by the board at its next scheduled meeting.

Staffing

The board held this meeting to continue its discussion of the potential for hiring another teacher for the primary grades, considering the size of the incoming kindergarten class (currently projected to be 22 children) and its commitment to maintaining a teacher – student ratio of 1:16 in the kindergarten class. AS reported that it would not be cost-effective to hire another teacher for the primary grades. Funds are not available in next year’s budget to hire another teacher without cutting into programming. The group discussed possible configurations of the K-2 classrooms. The potential for eliminating a wall between 2 existing classrooms to accommodate the incoming kindergarten class of 22 was discussed. AS reported that potentially there could be 1 kindergarten teacher, 1 full-time para; and one part-time kindergarten teacher in that classroom. The board reiterated its desire to maintain the teacher student ratio of 1:16 in the kindergarten class. EP asked AS to talk to the supervisory union’s business manager about the dollar amount the school will realize from it inclusion of the preschool class children (3 and 4 year olds) in the school census and the potential for Medicaid funds to help defray the costs of staff/programming in the kindergarten. The board will continue this discussion at its May 25 meeting.

Respectfully submitted by: Ellen Pratt, Board Clerk

This represents my understanding of this meeting. If you have any changes, please submit them at the next board meeting.

Linda Kerr, Beckie Coffey, Paulina Essunger, Susan Kochinskas, Dan Foster, Deb Smith, Linda Cassidy, Angela Walton, Casey Murrow, Pat Mousel, Jan Blanchard, Maureen Ward, Cheryl Struthers