BURLINGTON BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday, November 9, 2004, 7:00 p.m.
Board Meeting
Ira Allen Administration
150 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
Commissioners:
Kate Baldwin, Philip Baruth, Marrisa Caldwell, Kate Charles, Katherine Connolly, Barbara Crook, Tara Donnelly, Tom Fleury, Michael Green, Chris Haessly, Paul Hale, Fred Lane, Keith Pillsbury, Loyal Ploof
Administrators:
Lyman Amsden, Superintendent
Sara Jane Mahan, Human Resources Director
Scott Lisle, Business Manager
Betsy Liley, District Grants Coordinator
Paul Irish, District Technical Director
Absent:
Jeanne Collins, Director of Special & Compensatory Education
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion
(Connolly/Fleury) to approve the agenda. Commissioner Greene said that an
executive session would be needed. The motion was approved.
4. COMMENTS/QUESTIONS
Karen Downey and
Allegra Miller submitted a list of requests to enhance music education in the
Burlington schools.
Heidi Western – said children have received many positive music experiences in the schools, but there is a need to do more at all levels.
Sharon Failton – Representing a group of para-educators urging the adoption of a livable wage for para-educators in the Burlington school system. Paid $9.25 per hour, or roughly $10,000 per year. Requests livable wage in next contract negotiation.
Rose Munwell of Vergennes – Recounted successful negotiations in Vergennes for para-educators, who are now paid between $10 and 11.25, along with health insurance. Recommends up to $11.92/hour for para-educators.
Suzanne Clark –
Spoke in support of the Livable Wage campaign. November 17 is Para-educator
Appreciation Day.
Emily Mulvaney – Organizer of the Livable Wage campaign. Hoping to educate Burlington voters on connection between city employees and schools. Current livable wage is $11.92/hour, or roughly $24,000 per year.
Parents are concerned about lack of strings program in the middle schools.
Hiram Heinsiack – Music programs have done well in Burlington, but we
need to fix gap between middle school and high school.
5. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Presentation by Betsy Liley regarding outstanding S.A.P. educator in Vermont: Jan Shamberger. Comments by D.G. regarding Jan’s contribution to the high school.
Presentation regarding the District’s school scores by Bonnie Clamp and Stephanie Philips. Second graders are above the state average in reading. In grade 4 NSRE tests, Vermont is generally at the state average, although there have been some declines recently. At 8th grade level, Burlington students are generally even with or ahead of state. 10th grade students are generally below state level.
Supt. Amsden pointed out that it’s easier to get 4th and 8th graders to take a test than 10th graders. Also, Burlington has a much higher turnover rate than elsewhere in the state. Finally, the District is required to test people regardless of their language skills, despite the fact that much of the test is language-based.
Test results do not require any action under AYP until the 06-07 school year (if then). Actual details are embargoed until end of next week. Right now, no failing schools in the District. However, Supt. is very concerned about future impact of No Child Left Behind Law.
Supt. Amsden has prepared a chart listing expiration of Board
member terms, so that Board members up for re-election can begin planning.
a. Set dates for budget hearings
Finance
Committee has proposed dates for presentation, hearings, and submission of budget
to
City Council. First presentation is set for Dec. 14, 2004.
6. COMMITTEE UPDATES
a.
Finance Committee
Commissioner Hale presented the report of the Finance Committee.
b.
Curriculum &
Policy Committee
Commission Pillsbury presented the report of the
Curriculum & Policy Committee. Commissioner Haessly raised a question
regarding the protection of children with gender identification issues.
Superintendent Amsden said that the issue was under consideration with Attorney
McNeil. Commissioner Green said that the discussion was more appropriate for
executive session.
c.
Technology Committee
Commissioner
Haessly presented the report of the Technology Committee.
7. OLD BUSINESS
There
was no old business before the Board.
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consent
Agenda
Motion (Hale/Fleury) to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried.
b. Approval of BHS mission statement
Motion (Haessly/Connolly) to approve the BHS mission statement. The motion carried.
Question by Commissioner Haessly regarding the aftermath of the RTA defeat by the voters. Commissioner Pillsbury said that the RTA board is meeting on November 10th and will be discussing what to do next. Commissioner Pillsbury is not inclined to support the disbanding of the RTA board. There may be support for working for a 4-year, degree granting institution. Commissioner Haessly recommended that the Board considered a proposal put forward by the BFA/Fairfax school boards.
Motion
(Haessly/Ploof) that the Curriculum Committee consider the BFA/Fairfax
proposal. The motion failed 3-11.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (Haessly/Connolly) to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board
went into executive session at 8:42 p.m.
The Board came out of executive session at 8:49 p.m.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Motion (Lane/Green) to adjourn. The Board adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________
Fred Lane, Clerk