Moretown Elementary School Board Meeting

Present: Board members Amy Bolger, Deb Hunter, Jay Pilliod, Lisa Ransom and

John Schmeltzer

Principal Roberta Barone

Superintendent Bob McNamara

Business Manager John Pike

The meeting was called to order at MES at 6:00 p.m. by Deb Hunter.

The Board reviewed the most recent draft of the 2008 budget. Business Manager John

Pike walked the Board through various items in the expense and revenue categories (e.g..,

in expenses, he noted that the Harwood Union Assessment is currently at a 5.3% increase

over last year; in revenues, he reviewed the increased Special Education Reimbursement

and EEE Grant). John also noted proposed changes from the FY’07 Budget to the

FY’08 proposed/draft budget. He reviewed a handout comparing currently proposed

budget for Washington West schools. John was especially helpful in explaining

complex items including but not limited to how tax rates are calculated, the education

spending per pupil and the CLA. The board agreed to look carefully over the worksheet

and other supporting materials in advance of the next meeting, scheduled for January 16^th,

at which it is expected that the budget will be finalized.

John Pike left the meeting at approximately 6:35.

On a motion by John Schmeltzer which was seconded by Deb, board members, Bob

McNamara and Roberta Barone went into executive session at 6:38 to discuss progress

of contract negotiations meetings. The board emerged from executive session at 6:45.

Bob reminded board members of two upcoming workshops this month: on 1/22, there

will be a session with John Halligan on "Bullying, Cyber-bullying and Youth

Depression." John Halligan, who is from Underhill, Vermont, lost his thirteen year old

son Ryan to suicide in 2003. Students, parents and community members are encouraged

to attend the 6:30 p.m. presentation, which promises to be powerful. On 2/20 there

will be a Superintendents’ Seminar on The Responsive Classroom which will focus on

the role of democracy in schools. The speaker is well-known and has been working with

Fayston.

Bob left the meeting at approximately 6:50.

Roberta noted that there will be an assembly to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr’s

Birthday on 1/15/07; this is the first time such an event has taken place at MES. Students

are excited to share what they have learned about this great man. Grades 1-6 will present

at this school-wide assembly.

John noted that the meeting to vote on the HUHS budget will take place on the 9^th at 7

p.m. Three MES board members need to vote; over the next couple of days, board

members agreed to check personal schedules and confer via e-mail to ascertain who

would vote.

Deb circulated a letter to the Select Board and the School Board from the Moretown

Planning Commission, in which it was strongly suggested that a soils survey be

conducted as soon as possible to determine where, how much and what type of soils are

present in the "Option E" lot. The goal is to ascertain the capacity of that lot’s land to

support development as it relates to septic capacity. Deb stated that nothing else of note

has happened since the previous meeting.

On a motion by Amy, seconded by Lisa, the board voted unanimously to set the

‘07/’08 tuition rate at $11,275.00.

On a motion by Deb, seconded by Jay, the board moved to warn the "Model Policy and

Procedures on Prevention of Harassment of Students." Such a policy is needed to

comply with revised harassment policy standards.

On a motion by Jay, seconded by Lisa, the board approved the following board orders:

# 58 for $34,341.51.; #59/60 for $12,858.54; #61 for $5,033.49 and #62 for $29,708.30,

all dated 12/21/06.

On a motion by Jay, seconded by Amy, the board also approved these board orders: #63

for $30,306.78; #64, for $11,480.77; #65 for $4,621.61 and #66 for $9,424.91. All were

dated January 2, 2007 with the exception of #66 which was dated January 4, 2007.

In a motion made by Lisa and seconded by John, the board unanimously voted to approve

the minutes from the 12/6/06 board meeting. On a motion by Amy and seconded by

Deb, the board further unanimously voted to approve the minutes from the 12/12/06

meeting.

Other business

Good news: Jay noted that our October proposal was a success and we were awarded the

$5,000.00 in grant funds from Lowe’s! (The money will be used for landscaping in front

of the school and to repair the sidewalk.)

Jay also noted that he cannot attend future Consolidation Committee meetings. On a

motion by Deb, seconded by Jay, the board unanimously agreed to have Lisa attend the

next meeting, scheduled for 1/10.

Adjournment

On a motion by Amy, seconded by Jay, the meeting adjourned at 8:03.

Clerk Amy Bolger