Rumney Memorial School
School Board of Directors Minutes
June 1, 2010
DRAFT

Board members present: Chris McVeigh, Julie Moore, Sorsha Anderson, Beth Holtzman, Jill Olson
Administrators: Adam Rosen, Principal; Robbe Brook, Superintendent

1. Call to Order: Julie called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
1.1 Amendments to the Agenda: 4.4 Agenda for board retreat. 5.4 Authorize principal and one board member to accept heating oil and propane bids.
1.2 Reception of Guests: Julie Smart, learning specialist; Meg Sheldon, reading specialist
1.3 Public Comment/Correspondence: Beth has received two comments from people concerned about why the board would consider consolidation or expansion at this time, and one comment from someone questioning the cost of the water system. Beth also heard that some of the elementary students were rude to their 7th grade Book Buddies when they visited U32, and in the future the younger students could be better prepared to receive their book gifts graciously.

2. Consent Agenda
2.1 Approve minutes from May 4 and May 19
2.2 Approve Board Order
Chris moved to approve the consent agenda items. Jill seconded. The motion carried.

3. Administrative Report
3.1 Principal’s Report: Adam invited board members to the volunteer appreciation reception on June 10. End-of-year activities for 6th graders include breakfast at the Wayside, community service week, and two visits to U32. Doug Wilhelm, author of The Revealers, visited the school to talk about bullying and about writing his book. Three 6th-grade students gave Advance Award presentations. Adam discussed thoughts he and the 5/6 teachers have had about possible changes to the Advance Award. Board members contributed some ideas, such as every student doing a “Passion Project” (Robbe has experience with this), participation in local/state government as an alternative to community service, having clearer milestones throughout the year, and having the Advance Award be a half-year project.
Adam reported that plans are being made for the summer program. This program has been successful in the past in keeping students from losing ground over the summer. Chris suggested reporting on the success of this program in the school notes. The pre-K visit evening at Doty school went well; almost all comments were positive. Sorsha questioned the drop-off time of 9:15 for pre-K at Doty, which will be awkward for parents who also drop students at Rumney. Adam will look into the possibility of having a more flexible 9:00-9:15 drop-off time frame.
The current fund balance is $16,030, which is 0.8% of the budget. This may increase slightly by the end of the school year. Lori Bibeau has reviewed with Adam the factors contributing to the decreasing fund balance, including staff working beyond contracted hours and more substitute time than anticipated. Chris suggested a strict policy of not working beyond contracted hours in the future. Adam also discussed food service debts. Board members suggested allowing a family to barter volunteer work time or other services if they are having difficulty paying off their food service debt. The board agreed that they do not want to deny food to students, but that payment of debts should be pursued even after students leave Rumney.
Adam handed out a summary sheet of the water project to date, including costs and expected loan forgiveness. The project should be viewed as building a public water supply for the school, rather than simply “drilling a well.” Adam would like the board to consider including in future budgets a position for a facilities supervisor. Robbe stated that she is in favor of making such changes across the supervisory union, which would allow principals to put more time into instructional leadership and less into building maintenance.
Martha Israel is working with a health team to create a plan for a student with severe nut allergies who is entering kindergarten in the fall.

3.2. Executive Committee/Superintendent Report
Robbe reported that there has been no further movement on collaboration with Montpelier. The Executive Committee has scheduled a retreat for July.

4. Discussion Agenda
4.1 Update on Literacy work with Marge Lipson, Adam Rosen, Robbe Brook, and Meg Sheldon. Meg reported that the Literacy Steering Committee is excited about the work they have been doing with Marge Lipson, literacy consultant. They have set ambitious goals for moving forward in the area of literacy, including developing higher-level thinking skills, carefully considering assessments, and creating a vertical alignment and continuum of skills through the grades across the supervisory union. Robbe cited a commitment to building a strong foundation of literacy for all students. Dr. Lipson has created reports based on observations to identify strengths and recommendations for each school. A summer literacy course with Dr. Lipson is being offered to build on this work. Meg states that the Rumney staff is interested in enriching themselves as teachers and learning how to improve their work. She invited board members to e-mail her with questions or suggestions.
4.2 First Reading, School Board Policy D16, Qualifications of Instructional Support Staff. This policy was rewritten to reflect the federal law, which states that support staff must meet the stated requirements before being hired. The law is specific to schools that receive Title I funding. Although Rumney is not a Title I school, the board would like to meet the same standards. Jill accepted feedback and suggestions from board members for this policy, which she will take back to the WCSU policy committee.
4.3 First Reading, School Board Policy F33, Bullying Prevention Policy. The policy committee accepted most of the changes suggested previously by the Rumney board. This policy will be warned for second reading and adoption at the next meeting.
4.4 Agenda for Board Retreat. Julie asked for suggestions from board members for inclusion on this agenda. There will be a discussion of new legislation, how it was shaped, and what can/must be done. The board will review goals and set new goals as needed. Other suggestions can be sent to Julie.

5. Action Agenda
5.1 Approve hire of Theresa Hait as long-term substitute for Meg Sheldon. Beth moved to approve the hire of Theresa Hait as a long-term substitute for the position of reading specialist from October 2009 through January 2010. Chris seconded. All in favor.
5.2 Approve hire of Sue Pryce as long-term substitute for Loralyn LeBlanc. Beth moved to approve the hire of Sue Pryce as long-term substitute for the position of learning specialist from the time that Loralyn begins her leave until she returns. Sorsha seconded. All in favor.
5.3 Approve Blanket Authorization for Board Orders. Chris moved to approve blanket authorization for the principal to make timely payments when the board is not meeting. Jill seconded. All in favor.
5.4 Authorize principal and one board member to accept heating oil and propane bids. Julie moved to authorize Adam and Chris to review and act on propane and heating oil bids. Beth seconded. All in favor.

6. Executive Session for Personnel, Negotiations.
The board went into executive session at 8:30 and came out of executive session at 8:36.

7. Items for Future Agenda
7.1. Approve Action Plan
7.2 Policies D16 and F33.
7.3 Discuss/approve bus routes. Adam and Robbe will meet to make a plan to compel First Student to change bus routes to ensure timely arrival of buses.

8. Adjournment
Julie moved to adjourn. Beth seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Sturgis