HIGHGATE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Minutes Missisquoi Valley Union Middle/High School Room E4

October 8, 2014 8pm

Present: Connie Beyor, Chairperson, David Roddy, Nola Gilbert and Richard Flint. Absent from the meeting- Liza Comiskey Others Present: Marcel Choquette, Principal, Winton Goodrich, Superintendent, Lora McAllister, Assistant Business Manager, Channel 16 Recorder Call to Order: Connie Beyor called the meeting to order at 8:45pm continuing the board meeting location change from the Missisquoi Valley Union School Library to Room E4. Agenda Revision None

Comments and Correspondence from the Public

Approval of Prior Board Meeting Minutes- Connie Beyor had revisions to the 9-22-14 board minutes –exit of executive session time change and name change from Laroche to Larocque. Motion to approve the 9-22-14 board meeting as revised-Richard Flint moved and David Roddy seconded the motion. Board approved 4-0 vote.

Old Business Business Manager’s Report

● Financial Report- The August 31, 2014 financial report summary was approved at the 9-22-14 board meeting. The long version of the 9-30-14 financial report was not approved. Richard Flint moved, David Roddy seconded the motion to table financial report ending September 30, 2014. The board approved the motion on a 4-0 vote.

● Check warrants – Motion to approve check warrants totaling $206,801.03. David Roddy moved, seconded by Richard Flint. The board questioned the bathroom fragrance monthly billing and requested it be changed to an annual billing. The board approved 4-0 vote.

Principal’s Report: Math Studios Marcel Choquette reported that they had the first session of Math Studios on Monday morning. Kyle Ashton and Marcel visited each studio class to establish leadership goals around first instruction.

Updates and Announcements: ● SWIFT Fit- Will receive data from SWIFT in the next few weeks

comparing data from one year ago. ● October 11th - Run for Your Life, the Tractors are Coming @ 8:30 a.m.   ● October 18th – First Annual 5/6 Soccer jamboree, 9-3 p.m. ● October 25th - Halloween Festival and Trunk or Treat, 5 p.m.

 Celebrations:

● Highgate won the spelling bee thanks to Spelling Team Coach Kelly Thomas. The students will be moving on to the Spelling Regionals on November 1st.

● On Tuesday, September 30, Mrs. Dufresne and Ms. Knott had writing and project celebrations within their classroom and had twenty parents and community members, along with eight staff attended the presentations.

● The Highgate kids participated in a cross country event at MVU. ● Soccer teams have done well with the girls having lost the first game of

the season and the boys are still undefeated. ● Newsletters: Marcel handed the Board samples of two newsletters

sponsored by School-Community Partnership, organized by Karen Casavant.

● October 24th - Student of the Month Recognition, 8:10-8:30 a.m. Drop Everything and Read- School-wide reading program 8:30- 9:00 a.m.

Meeting Dates

● VSBA annual conference on October 30th at Lake Morey. Board Members are encouraged to attend.

● Next school board meeting is October 16th at 6:15pm. ● November school board meeting scheduled for the 13th at 6:15pm

Executive Session Motion to enter executive session for contract issues and

negotiations update- Richard Flint moved, seconded by David Roddy and the board entered executive session at 9:35pm on a 4-0 vote. Executive Session Exit Time- 10:26pm Code of Ethics: Tabled until the next meeting Adjournment- Connie Beyor declared the meeting adjourned at 10:26pm.