Present

Board: Sue Aldrich, Carolyn Herz, John Hollar, Charlie Phillips, Steve Robinson, Rick Vanden Bergh, Lowell VanDerlip

Administration: Superintendent Steve Metcalf

Students: Allie Francis (arrived at 7:40 p.m.), Emily Parker

Public: Rhonda Brace, Martha Fitch, Sarah Hinckley, Dennis Maranville, Sharon Pine, Pat Powell, Claudia Pringles, and others

1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.

2. Executive Session On a motion duly made and seconded, the board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session at 6:30 p.m., with the superintendent remaining. On a motion duly made and seconded, the board voted unanimously to leave Executive Session at 7:07 p.m.

a. Personnel

3. Return to Open Session 7:08 p.m.

4. Adjust/Review Agenda The limitations policies being reported on are 2.1 and 2.6, not 2.6 and 2.7 as indicated on the agenda that was mailed to board members. Superintendent Metcalf asked that the board act on a teacher’s request to be released from her contract, as well as the addition of one teacher contract and one administrator contract.

5. Public Comments Dennis Maranville voiced his opposition to the possibility of the city taking control of the operations of the Recreation Department. Mr. Hollar assured Mr. Maranville that the school board had no interest in that either. Rhonda Brace, an instructional assistant for the district, inquired if the board had any questions in regard to her leave of absence request. Superintendent Metcalf told Ms. Brace her request would be dealt with administratively according to the Negotiated Agreement. Two members of the Montpelier Special Education Parent Group and a third interested parent expressed concern about the scope of the support services reorganization. Items discussed included summer services, insufficient transition time, poor communication, IA reductions and assignments, and staff resignations.

6. Consent Agenda

a. Minutes of May 21, 2008

b. Warrants

c. Teacher and Administrator Contracts

d. Authorize Superintendent to Submit Consolidated Federal Program Grant and to Receive and Expend Federal Funds

Mr. VanDerlip moved, seconded by Mr. Phillips, to approve the consent agenda including minutes of the May 21, 2008 meeting, Warrants 57 and 58 dated June 5, 2008 in the amounts of $495,531.00 and $19,205.82 respectively, and the recommendation to offer teaching contracts to Nancy Post (physical education - MSMS) and Paulette Fiorentino-Robinson (ELL - UES). Motion carried 6-0, Mr. Robinson abstaining.

7. Continue Discussion of MSAC Site The discussion focused on the development of a proportional dues structure for Montpelier and out of town members of the senior center. The board expressed the need for equitable funding from members before the senior center proceeds with plans to expand or build a new facility.

8. Hear Report on Superintendent Limitations 2.1 and 2.6 Written reports were provided and discussed.

9. First Hearing – Parent Involvement Policy This policy is required of all schools receiving Title I funds. The policy contains a requirement that it be reviewed annually with parents. The mechanism for meeting that requirement was discussed. The policy will be warned for vote on adoption at the June 18, 2008 meeting.

10. Appoint Bargaining Committees Mr. Phillips and Mr. Vanden Bergh volunteered to serve on the bargaining committee for the Montpelier Education Association. Mr. Robinson volunteered to serve on the bargaining committee for the Montpelier Educational Support Staff Association.

11. Appoint Subcommittee for Indicator Reports Messrs. Hollar, Vanden Bergh and VanDerlip volunteered to serve on the subcommittee for indicator reports.

12. Approve Teacher Contract Release Superintendent Metcalf presented a letter from Lorraine Utton requesting that she be released from her contract for the 2008-2009 school year. Mr. Phillips moved, seconded by Mrs. Herz, to release Lorraine Utton from her contract, with regret. Motion carried unanimously.

13. Approve New Teacher Contract Mrs. Aldrich moved, seconded by Mr. Phillips, to approve the recommendation to offer a full-time EEE teacher contract to Brenda Bolio. Motion carried unanimously.

14. Approve Administrator Contract Mr. Phillips moved, seconded by Mrs. Aldrich, to authorize the superintendent to offer Jessica Diem a contract as Director of Support Services for the amount of $68,500. Motion carried unanimously.

15. Announcements/Review Meeting (+/∆) Superintendent Metcalf updated the board about a recent change to the 2008-2009 school calendar. Three additional student days were added for the purpose of unanticipated closings. This changes the last scheduled day of school for students from June 16 to June 19. The revised calendar will be distributed to eNews subscribers and in the handbook. Mr. Phillips indicated he was disturbed by some of the characterizations made by Pat Powell during the public comments portion of tonight’s meeting and expressed the hope that Superintendent Metcalf would follow up on it. Mr. Robinson wondered if the district could set up a blog as a way for the community to communicate with the board.

The following comments were made:

+ Excellent concert produced by Lorraine Utton (Mrs. Aldrich).

+ Fabulous high school play performance (Mr. Hollar).

+ Great job on the fourth grade concert (Mr. Vanden Bergh).

16. Adjournment On a motion duly made and seconded, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:58 p.m.

Heather Michaud

Recorder