Regional Governing Board Meeting Minutes: September 17, 2007

Lamb called the meeting to order at 6:30PM and read through the Agenda.

Peaslee moved and the Board motioned to accept the Agenda. All were in favor.

Consent Agenda:

Johnson questioned who actually commented (page 4 of the August 20th Meeting Minutes) that CDC is separate from SVSU and that CDC modifies SVSU policies to reflect that distinction. Lamb noted that both he and Johnson commented. The Minutes will stand as submitted.

The Board moved and motioned to accept the Consent Agenda. Peaslee abstained with the remaining voting in favor.

The Consent Agenda included:

- Approval of the RGB August 20, 2007 Meeting Minutes

- SWVRTSD Payroll Warrant # 9 & 10 8/16/2007 in the amount of $ 24,342.66

- SWVRTSD Payroll Warrant # 13 & 14 8/30/2007 in the amount of $ 66,292.54

- SWVRTSD Vendor Warrant # 12 8/24/2007 in the amount of $ 84,883.53

- SWVRTSD Vendor Warrant # 17 9/07/2007 in the amount of $ 42,045.63

- Nominations for Service Position:

Transportation Services Thomas Haskins

Safety Services Bruce Gabrus

Technology Coordinator Michael Lawler

Policy Services Bruce Lee-Clark


Policies for Adoption:

Johnson responded to the one comment at the Policy Warning(s) meeting, a question regarding the use of the word “sex” versus “gender”; “sex” is the correct verbiage. All the Policies Warned at the last meeting are back for Adoption at this time without any changes. Leon then read, and the Board voted on, the policies one at a time.

# 5002C Student Harassment

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5002C.

All were in favor.

# 5075C Substance Abuse

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5075C.

All were in favor.

# 5090C Interrogation

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5090C.

All were in favor.

# 5180C Tobacco

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5180C.

All were in favor.

# 5185C Anaphylaxis

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5185C.

All were in favor.

# 5200C Fund Raising

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5200C.

All were in favor.

# 5265C FERPA

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5265C.

All were in favor.

# 5266C Educational Support

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5266C.

All were in favor.

# 5400C Safety Policy-Students

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5400C.

All were in favor.

# 5411C HIV-AIDS Policy

Corcoran moved and Kinney seconded a motion to approve the Adoption of Policy # 5411C.

All were in favor.

Lamb noted that all the above Policies have been adopted. Johnson reported that the Policy Committee will be meeting again on September 24th to continue reviewing more policies.

Committee Reports:

Finance Committee:

The Committee met this evening prior to the RGB Meeting. Their work involved visiting and reviewing options regarding the payroll processing change and software conversion. The Committee had many questions and will get back to the Board at a later date.

Outreach Committee:

Corcoran noted the Committee last met on September 4th. They have developed a questionnaire for college advisors and worked on walking tours of the CDC.

Ericksen reported on the plans for the upcoming Open House, Thursday September 20 from 6:30 to 8 PM at the CDC. Program students, mostly 2nd year, will hold a Student Forum at the Open House and share of their personal experiences at CDC.

Education Committee:

The Committee did not meet and will reschedule.

Johnson spoke of the gardening work done by staff in the CDC entryway. He stressed the importance of being “green” and environmentally friendly. There is room for growth in this area and CDC should be there to meet the challenge.

Oller inquired as to the upcoming agenda/ topics the Committee would be addressing. Discussion centered on the upcoming tasks before the committee. Johnson summarized by suggesting the Timeline be broken down by month, meeting, and topic, so that people could anticipate what would be discussed when.

Facilities:

Peaslee noted that the lease is sitting on a desk at SVSU Central Office. Mt Anthony has approved and signed and it is waiting for Lamb’s signature. Lamb will go to Central Office to sign it.

Chairman’s Report:

Lamb reported the following:

- The next RGB Meeting will be a travel meeting at Stamford Elementary School on the third Monday, October 15.

- The November RGB meeting is also a scheduled travel meeting to be held in Dorset dependant on the weather.

- He, Montgomery and Ericksen (with Knapp’s help) had a very productive visit with the Superintendent of the Hoosick Falls School District last week. They are working closely to see if CDC can provide Tech Ed services for their students. Lamb noted that they may need Knapp’s help with this endeavor.

- They also met with the folks at Berlin Central School and will be talking to other schools along our shared borders.

- He has spoken with Oyama re Student Representatives for the CDC Board. Oyama has asked for recommendations from the instructors and two students will be chosen.

- Congratulations are in order to Mike Lawler for his recommendation for Outstanding Teacher, the article about him in the Bennington Banner and the past student’s Banner Letter to the Editor. Congratulations are also in order for Building Trades (Jim Gilbert) and their house which recently sold in auction to a MAU teacher.

Peaslee noted there are many great things that happen at CDC that aren’t heard about, for instance the car project with Tom Haskins. Johnson concurred that there needs to be more publicity regarding the good things done. Oyama noted that Ericksen will now be helping re PR.

There was brief discussion on CDC’s fall enrollment with Oyama noting the numbers and the enrollment report will be available October 15.

There was brief discussion re this Meeting’s agenda being printed in the classified section of the Banner on Saturday. No one at CDC was responsible for this error.

Superintendent’s Report:

Knapp began his report by passing out three handouts:

1. A job description for Superintendent

2. An Evaluation Form Draft (created by Knapp)

3. Title 16 V.S.A. § 242. Duties of Superintendents

Knapp also

- Congratulated Mike Lawler on his nomination for Teacher of the Year.

- Spoke of the Hoosick Falls’ Superintendent’s dilemma regarding the distance involved for his students to participate in technical education and noted that the HF students would benefit from a CDC alliance.

- Advised the CDC that enrollment/ demographic projections indicate a drop in enrollment at MAUHS of 200-300 students. He recommended a proactive approach for CDC involving marketing and out-of-state growth.

- Reported on GE’s projected growth. In the next six months they are looking to add 100 machinists. The jobs are starting in the 52-53K per year salary range. There are still good jobs left for machinists. The downside of this for the Bennington community is migration of its youth.

Johnson added that currently the fastest growing field is horticulture/ landscaping.

- Brought up that there could be potential problems if CDC uses a different software then SVSU. If the choice is made by CDC to use a different software, if is advisable to correct any conflicts before January 1, when SVSU will be switching over. He also mentioned that a major payroll processing firm was accused of phishing and is considering filing bankruptcy.

- VSPA held workshops in Manchester and training and workshops are available on DVD.


There was discussion regarding CDC and their superintendent contract evaluation and committee work. Knapp suggested that the two questions CDC should contemplate are:

1. What are you not getting from the superintendent that you would like to get?

2. What might the superintendent be doing for you that you’d like done differently?


Director’s Report:

Oyama spoke of:

- Mike Lawler and noted that Bob Montgomery and herself wrote a recommendation for Mike regarding the Teacher of the Year Award from UVM.

- This coming Thursday, September 12, CEC will be hosting an OPEN House from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. There will also be a tour of the CDC facility.

- The house built by Building Trades recently sold at auction with an instructor from MAU being the winning bidder.

- On September 19th and 26th DECA and FBLA students will be traveling to Burlington to participate in an all day leadership training. Donna reported on the following FBLA officers for the 2007/08 school year:

Stephanie Lorette President

Hogan Sennett Vice-President

Yesenia Dunleavy Secretary

James Weber Treasurer

Kory Buck & Chris Monroe Reporters

Emily Adams Historian

Michele Fawcwtt Parliamentarian

- On September 27 at 5:30 PM the Horticulture Advisory Committee will be meeting to discuss the direction of the program. So far the Advisory Board has national search for a replacement with candidates replying from as far away as Alaska. Advertisement has been placed in national horticulture publications. An issue has been teaching licenses, i.e. someone who can be certified in Vermont. Lamb expressed the need to advertise much earlier than the position needs to be filled. Oyama noted their goal was October/ November, leaving enough time to develop the Program.


Executive Session: None

Other:

Johnson inquired as to if the correction for Field Trip procedure has been made. Oyama noted that it has.

Oller inquired about the letter being sent out regarding duplicating classes. The letter has not yet gone out, and it was noted that the letter will only be sent (is only applicable) to Vermont schools. Montgomery reiterated that the Board of Education’s Tech Education regulations are the basis for the letter.

At 8 PM the Board moved and motioned to adjourn and the motion carried.


Attachments:

RGB August 20, 2007 Minutes

Payroll Warrants 9, 10, 13, 14

Vendor Warrants 12, 17

Treasurer’s Report

Nominations for Service Positions (4)

August 2007 Revenue & Expenditure Reports

Michael Lawler Recognition Letter

Vermont School Board Association Brochure

Woman Can Do 2007 Flyer