HIGHGATE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Minutes HIGHGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY

October 16, 2014 6:15 PM

Present: Connie Beyor, Chairperson, Nola Gilbert, David Roddy, Liza Comiskey and Richard Flint. Others Present: Marcel Choquette, Principal, Winton Goodrich, Superintendent, Lora McAllister, Assistant Business Manager. Connie Beyor called the Meeting to Order at 6:26pm.

Agenda Revision Board Meeting Minutes Approval of October 8, 2014 Approval of September Financial Report Executive Session for Negotiations, Contract and Contract Side

Letter.

Approval of Prior Board Meeting Minutes (Action) Connie Beyor handed out a revised copy of the October 8, 2014 minutes. David Roddy moved, seconded by Richard Flint, to approve the amended October 8th minutes. The board approved the motion on a 5-0 vote. Financial Report Approval - David Roddy moved, seconded by Richard Flint, to approve the September financial report. The board approved the motion on a 5-0 vote. Cassidy Property -The board discussed the use of the Cassidy property this past summer and the receipt of $500.00, payment for haying. The property is dedicated for education use. Win suggested that a letter of agreement be drafted that reflects the parameters of the use of the 20 acres of land, and put it out to the community to see who would like to hay the land. The teachers can compete for the $500.00 mini grant, possibly for gardening/agricultural learning purposes. Anticipated Executive Session - Richard Flint made moved, seconded by David Roddy, to enter executive session at 7:05 and invite Lora McAllister and Marcel Choquette for Contract Issues. The board approved the motion 5-0 vote. Exit Executive session at 7:53pm. The board signed the contract side letter. Budget Development: The board would like the staffing to remain about the same. The legislature passed legislation about educating 3 year olds for ten hours a week in addition to the 4 year old pre-school programs. We can apply for a grant that will provide 30 hours a week for both groups. Currently, Franklin Northwest does not have enough capacity in the schools for all pre-school children. Win stated that we need to know the birth rate in Highgate for each year. Administrators are researching programs within the Supervisory Union for students with Autism and other disabilities, rather than tuitioning them outside the SU. The board needs to analyze what Highgate is doing? Math Studios and SWIFT can help us to determine how effective our programs are? Bonnie Poe is the technical assistance coordinator. Win agreed to deliver a presentation on what has changed and what do we anticipate changing?

Every six weeks, the schools will have an article in the St. Albans Messenger. Win is working on an article about the Supervisory Union for the newspaper. Carousel Meeting-Feedback Connie Beyor thought it was hard to have a local board meeting after the carousel meeting. She felt that it was a difficult decision to make within 20 minutes after receiving the information. Richard Flint stated that the school will need to begin thinking about upgrading the tractor for plowing the sidewalk and possibly sharing with the town. Win has been getting quotes on tractors for Franklin, and could share the quotes with Highgate. The board will discuss further at their next board meeting. Adjournment Connie Beyor declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30pm. Respectfully submitted, Nola Gilbert Highgate School Board Clerk