THE MISSION OF THE MT. ABRAHAM UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD, THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP OF SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND HOME, IS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AT A REASONABLE COST.

Mt. Abraham Union High School Board Meeting

November 7, 2006

7:00 PM

Mt. Abraham U.H.S. Library

Members Present: Lanny Smith, Catherine Shahan, Wendie Puls, Kim Farnham, Jane Low, Wanda Bouvier, Jim Runcie, Carol Eldridge, David Thompson, Chris Brady, Pam Jennings

Members Absent: Robert Fuller, Joel Bouvier

Others Present: Supt. Evelyn Howard, Assoc. Supt. Nancy Cornell, Principal Paulette Bogan, Karen Wheeler (minutes), Lauren Parren, Julie St. Martin, Mike Ferland, Dick Merrill, Bob Donnis, Brent Crum, Amanda Bodell, Cyrus Levesque

Chair L. Smith called the meeting to order at 7:03.
Visitors’ Business: Bob Donnis mentioned being on woodchip heat tonight. Lauren Parren expressed her gratitude to board for their hard work in providing excellent education at a reasonable cost.
Principal’s Report:

a. P. Bogan reported results of student polls. About 200 students voted.

b. Celebrating Success - Congratulations to Staff Members – Julie St. Martin from Mt. Abe and Robin Shalline from Beeman were recognized as Outstanding Teachers of the Year. Janet Logan-Robnett obtained a $5,000 grant for student tutoring. Justin Bouvier won the National Anthem contest which provides Mt. Abe music dept. $1,000. Congratulations to the Field Hockey team who won their 5^th straight state title, and 6^th in 7 years.

c. Parking Changes – Three proposals were submitted; one from faculty, one from N. Reuss, and one from the Student Senate. (see Principal’s Report for details) Student’s proposal was selected and is in force with no problems.

d. Award Assembly Changes – more kid friendly, fun activities. Nov 17 – first assembly. (Kiss the pig contest and Pie contest)

e. Community Forum Update – final meeting was October 26. Minutes enclosed in Principal’s Report. Action steps outlined. Plan for students to hold similar forum.

f. Anti-Bullying Efforts – sample speech from N. Yannett. On-going effort.

Superintendent’s Report

a. ANESU Budget meeting is planned for November 28. Supervisory Union will be asked to approve a budget for setting assessments in each district. Budget will be approved for implementation in March. Also included is flow chart of district personnel. Overview of how budget was put together with assumptions. E. Howard answered questions on proposed budget. If board has further questions contact E. Howard or L. Smith.

b. Policy Distribution for Comment

i. Curriculum Development

ii. Environmental Responsibility

iii. Executive Sessions

iv. Educator Supervision and Evaluation

If there are questions or comments speak to Policy Committee reps.

c. A Quick Update – No questions.

Board Items:

a. Receive Assessment Report - PowerPoint presentation by Nancy Cornell was reviewed. New ninth grade teams were put in place to decrease the drop out rate. At risk for drop out – moving frequently during school years, being held back in elementary school. Post secondary education numbers shown. (50% of students entering college do not graduate within 5 years- [national average].) MAUHS average SAT verbal and math scores are significantly higher than state and national scores. NECAP scores for 7^th & 8^th graders were lower than state percentages. NECAP for grade 10 showed significant improvement in 2 out of 3 categories, equal to state scores. N. Cornell spoke about NECAP scoring methods for writing tests. Gender gap and SES gap was shown. Males and low income students scored lower. Differences were bigger in reading and writing. 10^th gr. Math – boys scored higher. Discussion about ways to improve learning for all students and how to close the gender gap. E. Howard answered board questions about data tracking.

b. Receive Department Budget Reports – Mike Ferland, Julie St. Martin

i. Science

ii. Math

iii. Drivers Education

Mike and Julie spoke about short and long term goals for these programs, and pointed out requested expenditures. Paulette brought attention to list of unpaid teacher volunteer positions.

c. Reflection on Budget Development Process – L. Smith requested feedback on process. Consensus was that budget reports by department is very helpful, including assessment results. Next meeting: Budget reports for English, Social Studies, Foreign Language, Food Service. First Dec meeting: Athletics, PE, health. E. Howard asked board to consider what they want to happen, what are dreams and goals for their time on this board, and pointed out handout from P. Bogan with some ideas. Faculty groups are currently meeting to make recommendations, school board members needed to serve on a couple of committees. Background information from 3 publications: “High Schools on the Move, Breaking Ranks for High Schools, and Breaking Ranks for Middle schools”. L. Smith requested feedback from staff on what their dreams and goals are. Board wants more time to reflect on this topic. W. Puls mentioned the difference between goals for this year versus goals for last year. No continuity in terms of follow-through this year. J. Low requested overview of Personal Learning Plan.

d. Adopt Policies:

i. Bloodborne Pathogens

ii. Board Meetings

iii. Board Member Conflict of Interest

iv. Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

J. Runcie moved to adopt 4 policies above; K. Farnham seconded. Voted and approved.

e. Request for Sinking Funds to purchase new choral risers. L. Smith said money won by Justin Bouvier in National Anthem Project was spent immediately on new risers. More are needed.. There are over 60 students in chorus this year. P. Jennings moved to table request until price is determined; seconded by C. Eldridge. Voted down. Further discussion ensued. Risers are not safe. J. Runcie moved to allow use of sinking fund to purchase risers not to exceed $4,850; seconded by J. Low. Voted and approved (10 – 1[Puls]).

f. Update on Woodchip Project & Paving – Woodchip Project is finished and working well. There is a meeting this Thursday to discuss paving issues. Some puddles were patched, but still not acceptable.

Pay Orders (Jane, Wendie, Jim)

DO #	Amount	PR #	Amount
8	$578,103.64	8	$249,211.77
0	$0.00	8A	$37,504.96
0	$0.00	8B	$108.39
0	$0.00	8C	$215.30
Total	$578,103.64	Total	$287,040.42

Question about payment to Burlington Tech Center for student who attends Rice. E. Howard explained. Question re: Invoice from NAEIR for fall catalog. E. Howard will research. C. Eldridge moved to approve pay orders as above; seconded by W. Puls. Voted and approved.

Minutes 10/17/06: Question about snow plow budget discrepancy - $7,000 vs. $9,000. Suggestion to work from one set of data to avoid errors. W. Puls moved to approve minutes as above; seconded by J. Runcie. Voted and approved.

Other:

a. J. Bouvier sends his regrets for his absence tonight, due to illness.

b. P. Jennings asked to have Visitors business before any votes. Agenda should show “Visitor’s input on agenda items” at #2, and “Other Visitors Comments” at end of meeting. P. Jennings moved to allow public input (with time constraints) prior to a vote on any agenda item. W. Puls moved to table this motion until the next meeting; seconded by J. Runcie. Voted and approved.

c. This Saturday at 10:00 is Senior Craft Fair at Mt. Abe.

d. Bob Donnis spoke about concerns with gender gap in test scores and asked about process for addressing this. He asked for clarification on earlier statement of 50% students who don’t graduate college in 5 years. It is not just a Mt. Abe problem. He also asked if there was a community celebration for the new wood chip plant.

e. Concerns were expressed about adults and students driving through new landscaping out front.

Executive Session T.1 Ch.5 § 313 (a)(7) Student Matter – cancelled.

J. Runcie moved to adjourn at 9:20; seconded by W. Bouvier. Voted and approved.

Minutes submitted by

Karen Wheeler