Meeting
Date:

7/27/07

Minutes Submitted On:

7/29/07

Board Attendees:

Ellen Pratt (EP), Anne Fines (AF), Benjamin Cragin (BC), Peter May (PM)

Administration Attendees:

Amelia Stone, Ron Stahley

Community Attendees:

Putney Central School

Meeting called to order at:

 4:37  pm

Meeting called to order by:

PM

Finish time:

7:00 pm

AGENDA TOPIC

MOTION

MOVED BY

SECONDED BY

DISCUSSION

PASSED?

Approval of Minutes
June 14 meeting
June 26 meeting

To approve the minutes of the June 14 meeting

To approve the minutes of the June 26 meeting

BC

AF

Yes

Communications

The board received a communication from a community member taking issue with the board’s decision to take action on an energy conservation issue. The board appreciates the feedback from the community. 

Committee Reports:  Finance/School Forest/Early Education Outreach Advisory Committee
Negotiations Committee

Pamela Cubbage, Anne Kerrey, and Steve Batchler from the Putney Conservation Commission reported that the Commission is interested in  conserving the land that directly affects the Town’s public water supply. The Putney Central School Forest makes up a large portion of this land and the Commission would like the school board to consider putting the School Forest into a permanent conservation program so that it will not be developed, thus protecting the public water supply.  PM said that the school board cannot act on this without town approval. RS said the decision would have to be taken up at Town Meeting, with townspeople voting on it.  The school board members will look over the material the commission distributed (letter to the Selectboard outlining the proposal) and will continue the discussion at its Aug. 30 meeting.

Warrants

To approve warrants #1121 Fast in the amount of $1,480; and #1122 Regular in the amount of $67,759.71

PM

EP

yes

Administrators’ Reports

AS reported that enrollment is currently 189 Putney students, 12 tuitioned students, and 15 preschoolers, with a total of 201. Teachers return to school on Aug. 28. Students return Tuesday, September 4.
New carpets are being installed in the primary wing. New tile has been installed in the main entry.
The Safe Routes to School grant will be sent out in early Aug. Thanks to Pamela Corbett for her good work on this. Hoping to make the change in bus pickup/drop off permanent (busses dropping off/picking up outside the glass hallway; parents picking up/dropping off using the horseshoe driveway in front). The grant would include extending the sidewalk on the school side of Westminster West Rd., installing a bike rack with a concrete pad in front of the school.

RS distributed the WSESU Action Plan 2006-07.

Unfinished Business

New Business:

Energy Audit Review

Head Start Agreement for 2008-09 School Year

Café Services Agreement Renewal for 2007-08 School Year

Review progress on board goals from last year and agreement on goals for upcoming year

Set fall Meeting date with Dummerston School Board

Possible Consideration of K-1 Teacher Appt.

Request for Tuition Waiver

Policy Review: “D9 Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace – 1st Reading
D12 Harrassment of Employees – 1st Reading
Other

Energy Audit – discussion deferred until Aug. 30 meeting
EES/Putney Central School preschool agreement-AS distributed a draft. Recommends voting on it at Aug meeting.

K-1 opening. Received over 24 applications. Interview team identified 5 candidates. The team has a unanimous recommendation to offer a one-year contracted position to Maureen Ward.  PM moved to provide a one-year contact to MW. BC seconded.  Motion passed. The board thanks the hiring committee for their participation in this effort.

Café Services is entering its 3rd year of a 3-year contract. This winter the food service contract will be put up for a new bid. PM moved to affirm the 3rd year of the 3 year contract. Should there be a change in personnel under the contract, AS should participate actively in the selection of new personnel. BC seconded. Passed.

The new art teacher has asked that her son attend PCS and that we waive the tuition.  The board did not take action on this matter and will review a draft policy related to offering tuition subsidization to staff at its next meeting.

Board goals discussion. 
The following are the board goals for the upcoming year:
To optimize enrichment activities, including expansion as appropriate of Asian Studies program
The board reaffirms its commitment to early education and will seek to partner with early ed programs in the community
To consider physical plan improvements including those related to energy efficiency
To explore the creation of a school endowment.

Upcoming Meetings

August 30 4:30
School Forest Putney Conservation Commission’s
Energy Audit
Approval of EES/PCS Preschool agreement

September 13, 2007
Develop topics for a meeting with the Dummerston School Board

September 25, 2007 4:30 at Dummerston School
Meet with Dummerston School Board at 6 pm

Future agenda:
Update from Volunteer Coordinator