Rumney Memorial School
School Board of Directors Minutes
January 12, 2010
DRAFT

Board members present: Chris McVeigh, Jill Mazza Olson, Coleen Austin, Beth Holtzman, Julie Moore
Administrators: Adam Rosen, Principal; Carole Freeman, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development; Lori Bibeau, Business Administrator

1. Call to Order: Coleen called the meeting to order at 6:09.
1.1 Amendments to the Agenda: 1.4. Public comments/correspondence. 4.5 Open Board Seat.
1.2. Reception of Guests: The following guests were welcomed: Maribeth Domanski, Jen Donovan, teachers; Shaun Fielder, Peter Bluhm, Middlesex Budget Committee.
1.3. Reading of the School Board Goals.
1.4. Public comments/correspondence: Board members have not heard feedback specific to the decision to move the preschool. Adam has spoken with the parent of a student with special health needs who has some concerns about nurse availability at Doty. Adam, Leslie Johnson (pre-K teacher), and Jen Miller-Arsenault (Early Education Coordinator) are writing a letter to parents of next year’s potential pre-K students to solicit input on their needs, concerns, and plans.

2. Consent Agenda
2.1. Approve minutes from December 1, 2009 and December 15, 2009. Jill moved to accept the minutes. Chris seconded. All in favor.
2.2. Approve Board Orders: none.

3. Principal’s Report: Adam reported the positive news that an indoor air quality study was good and that recent cleaning of the heating units has resulted in improved efficiency. He is pleased with the work of Vermont Heating and Ventilating and recommends a service contract with them for the coming year.
Adam gave a report on the writing program at Rumney and the work that led to last year’s dramatic improvement in writing scores. He outlined the writing program at different grade levels and brought samples of student work. Much of the writing instruction this year has been tied to the author visit from Natalie Kinsey Warnock. Unfortunately, this year’s NECAP exam was used only to norm test items and no individual scores will be reported, so there will not be a qualitative measure of student writing from a standardized test.

4. Discussion Agenda
4.1. Presentation from Jen Donovan, Spanish Teacher: Jen gave a lively PowerPoint presentation that included audio and video clips of student work. The Spanish program has been in place at Rumney for 8 years. Grades K-2 receive 30 minutes of instruction twice a week, grades 3/4 have 40 minutes twice a week, and grades 5/6 have 40 minutes once a week. Beth asked why the 5/6 students have less instructional time. Adam and Jen said it is because of scheduling difficulties. Coleen asked how the program affects the grade 6 to 7 transition into Spanish at U32. Jen is working with the other elementary level Spanish teachers in the district with a consultant to address this. Coleen asked Jen to send home the resource list for parents of community and internet opportunities for Spanish language. The board expressed thanks to Jen for her presentation.
4.2. Executive Committee Report: see enclosure.
4.3. Discussion of Draft #3 2010-2011 Proposed School Budget: To present a budget that is level-funded except for costs associated with increased enrollment, Adam was asked to cut $14,000 from Draft #2. Most of this cost saving came from adjustments to health insurance. Draft #3 shows a 4.18% increase related to increased enrollment and a 3.99% increase overall, reflecting a 0.19% decrease in spending not related to the increased enrollment. Coleen expressed concern that the amount budgeted for health insurance for the new kindergarten hire is not enough. It was decided to add $6,000 to ensure that health insurance will be covered without tapping into the fund balance. This results in the following figures:
Total budget: $2,084,774
Increase due to increased enrollment: 4.48%
Decrease due to below-level funding other budget items: 0.19%
Overall budget increase: 4.29%.
Lori explained the effect on tax rates from the common level of appraisal, the state-wide tax rate, and the elementary and U32 budgets with equalized pupil changes. The total combined impact for Middlesex is $0.062. Lori will work with Coleen to summarize this information for the town report.
4.4. Process for hiring new teacher: A committee will be formed composed of faculty and staff members, a parent, and a board member. There was discussion about whether to look for a teacher with a preK-3 endorsement or a K-6 endorsement. Carole suggested advertising for someone with experience in kindergarten and then hiring the best candidate based on qualifications and experience rather than specifically the endorsement they hold. She also suggested watching the candidates teach in the kindergarten class as part of the interview process. It was agreed that it is difficult to project beyond the next several years as to what the needs will be for this bubble class and for school staffing overall. The hiring committee will bring the two best candidates to the board. Julie offered to be the board representative to the hiring committee.
4.5. Open Board Seat: The 3-year board position will be open for the March election. Chris is running for the 2-year position. Petitions must be in by January 18. Current board members will speak with people they think may be interested and encourage them to run.

5. Action Agenda
5.1. Approve final budget for FY 2010-2011. Chris moved to approve the budget for FY 2010-2011 in the amount of $2,084,774. Julie seconded. All in favor.
5.2. Approve Warning for the 2010 Town Meeting. The budget total was filled in along with the days and dates for the informational meetings (Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 at the Middlesex Town Hall and Monday, March 1 at 6:30 at the Rumney School Library). The signature page was changed to show that Beth Holtzman is the Vice Chair. Board members signed the warning.
5.3. See 5.2.

6. Items for Future Agenda
6.1. Designate Board Member to Serve on Action Planning Committee.
6.2. Joining the Worcester Board for VSBA Phase I Planning. Doty school board members will be invited to the February 2 meeting with Ray Proulx, who will be conducting the planning process.
6.3. Determine which board members will attend budget informational meetings.

7. Adjournment: Jill moved to adjourn at 8:48. Chris seconded. All in favor.