001last night. Maybe I just >> You got it. Got it. >> All right. All right. It is 5:30 and I want to welcome everybody to the Mount Anthony Union School District's meeting for March 18th. Um I am not aware of any newly elected board members. Is that correct? Okay. So, my my name is Tim Payne. I'm the superintendent. Uh my only task in this portion of the meeting is to call for nominations uh for the chair. Um and so that is my one and only task. Are there any nominations for member to be elected chair? >> Like to nominate Stephanie. >> I'll second that. Are there any other nominations? Hearing none. Uh, all those I can ask since there's a single nominee in motion, I can ask for a vote by voice. All those in
002favor? >> I I >> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, seeing none, I can then turn the meeting over to the chair. Congratulations to the chair. >> Um, I was just reviewing our agenda and do not see the off the the other officers. Um, >> we can walk right through your checklist as far as vice chair. >> Oh, so we can just keep going with it even though it's on. Okay, great. >> Absolutely. >> Okay, thank you. >> I'll take care of that for you. Perfect. Um, okay. So, then we're going to go into nominations are in order for the vice chair of man. Nomination for the vice chair. >> I'll nominate Scott. >> Okay. A nomination for Scott. >> I'll second. >> A second. Third. >> Any other nominations? Okay. Uh, see that we have
003one nomination. Are you willing to accept it? >> Yes. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Um, and then we will move on to the nominations. So, we have uh Scott Mciny as the vice chair of board and we will move on to nominations for the clerk. >> I nominate Beth. >> Okay. We have a nomination for Beth Wallace. Do we have a second? Sure. If I can. Are there any other nominations? >> Something on there if someone's not here to accept it. >> Cuz she's walking in now. >> She's walking in now. >> Congratulations. >> We have a first and a second nomination for you to be as clerk. >> Sure. Somewhere here. Um I nominated. Well, thanks. All uh any other any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> Okay, Beth
004Wallace was the clerk. >> Okay, we will move on to representatives of the SPS board. Um the only three members are to be elected. Uh are there any nominations? >> I nominate Katie. I'm sorry, I messed up. We're only nominated SCSU. Okay. >> So, we have a nomination for Katie. Um, we have a second. Do we have other nominations? >> We have an nomination for Scott. >> Nominate Stephanie. >> Nomin. >> Hold on. We're cruising right along. Who that giant? I'm not Richard, that's for sure. Scott, who nominated Scott? Sorry. >> Uh, Susan >> and second. >> Second for Scott. >> I can't remember. I think one was the >> okay for Stephanie nomination came from >> Yes. >> and second >> me Scott. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Are there other nominations? Given that
005there are no other nominations, we can vote on them together. Uh all in favor? >> Okay. Scott, Katie, and Stephanie on SBAC. uh for committee assignments. Um we have the following committees this year. We have a service policy and I believe we were going to add an additional um oh no that that one is going to come from SPS. So never mind it wasn't I think that was we were going to talk about facilities but that's going to come from the SVU SPSS side. So, um, are there any, uh, board members that are interested in the A committee? I've been serving on it for, uh, the last year. I do not always do the best job of making the meetings. Um, >> I can do it, Stephanie. >> Uh, Susan for a um, about food
006service. Do you know if this is a food service contract here? Uh I believe it is. >> Okay. So that may involve some some energy. Um I think food service doesn't normally or on the off years doesn't. Is there someone that's interested in uh participating on the food or one or two people participating on the food service committee? >> I've done it before. If I if you need someone, I can do it. I've done it on the contract here. So you know what that entails? Okay, we'll put Susan on it for now and if we have to we I can take the egg committee and then um policy which is probably uh well which is definitely a very important committee. Um, Lan, are you willing to serve on it with other individuals to continue? Um,
007>> well, I'm going to serve on it, but it the conflict I had before is because ironing out all of that in terms of when we want to meet. If you meet the uh on the on the Monday night is a that we normally meet, there may be a problem that at the same time 4:30 or what along that line. I got to get all that squared away. >> Okay. Why don't we put me on on it to start? And um >> I'll stay on it. >> You want to stay on it also as well as you, Glenn? Okay. So, Katie and >> Glenn and Beth. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Beth. I'm sorry. We can How many? We can have as many. >> I'll be on the elementary. >> It's a committee. >> Yes. Okay.
008So, and Beth. Sorry. >> Okay. >> Is Beth on that list, too? >> Beth is on the policy committee. two request one for exe uh executing contracts. >> Okay, so we'll move on to item one from the agenda author authorization to execute contracts. Um, we have handages. >> Uh, can I have a motion to authorize the superintendent or his or her designate to execute on behalf of the school district purchase orders agreements for consulting services, grant agreements, and other contracts arising from affecting the routine operations of Mount Anthony Union High School District 14. The superintendent or designate shall not execute any contracts resulting from a public bid process or any employment agreements and any long-term contracts without express authority from the board. >> A motion by Glenn second. >> Second by Sandy. Any discussion on
009this motion? >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. Um, and then the second I think that is the authorization of a chair, vice chair to approve off-site bull warrants. Um, uh, this is a motion to authorize or can I you going to Okay, this is a motion to authorize the superintendent. Oh, wait. I'm sorry. >> No, that was it. I'm sorry. I thought Renee had sent us other documentation, but Okay. So, can we have a motion for the chair or vice chair to sign approve offcycle boards? >> So, move. >> Okay. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> We'll move on to public comments. >> Under public comments, I noticed that a lot of us ran on a poll and got reelected. I hope that's because people think we're doing a great job, but
010how does anyone know there's a vacancy? The only reason I knew my term was up was when Renee told me. Is there How would people know to run for the board? >> Well, I know that on the SPSU's site where uh we are all listed as board members, it gives the the dates that we are up for reelection. Um, that's where I see it, but I'm not sure where somebody else from the community would see it. I We can ask. >> I think it was in the banner as well at some point. >> It was >> I do read. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Any other public comments? >> Okay. Um, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. We have minutes, warrants, retirements, resignations, and nominations as well as field trips um on
011this consent agenda. Can I have a motion to approve them all as presented? >> So moved. >> Have a motion by Scott, second by Glenn. Any discussion? minutes there's it says the community needs to be better informed about all events that happen at Mount Anthony schools. That's not happening. I went to the pops concert and as usual it was a great event but there weren't a lot of people there and the only reason I knew is my wife saw it on Facebook. person next to us said that their uh their dental hygienist told them about it. We got to do a better job of letting people know what's happening and then there's the email that we all just got. I don't think we're doing a good job of telling folks all the good things that
012happened at Mount Anthony. And I I thought there was a mechanism that that was going to happen, but I'm not sure how. Is there a way between Bennington banner and anyone's the school district here that sends that information out to the banner? >> We do have a connection with the banner. We have a we have a public information officer in the central office. Um, the feedback I've received recently in the community is the lack of sports coverage, but I think folks are aware of the fact that the banner is in the process of trying to hire up for staff on that. I'm also aware, I can Adam, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but uh, so the central office has a social media presence. We send out a weekly newsletter. The high school
013has an equivalent in that there's a person who manages social media and events going out in that as well. >> I mean I definitely think that that's an area that we can work on and it is challenging you know I know with the banners you struggle with Susan do you want to I should speak >> Sure. Um, we have hired a sports um a sports editor. It's Nate Potter, who is a MAU graduate, and he does not graduate until May. Um, he is trying to do some part-time coverage. I have personally spoken to mo most of the winter coaches. I haven't spoken to any of the spring coaches yet, but we're happy to take um stories or pictures or any uh thing from the coaches or even parents. Um the newsroom welcomes it. I know
014that I've gotten I got stuff on Nordic from Scott and and Stephanie. I've gotten basketball stuff. So, feel free to send me anything and we're happy to get that in. Secondly, I can um set up another meeting with Katie and our interim editor right now. Our um editor is out on maternity leave. So, we have someone filling in for her. You may recognize Sue Allen, but Charice isn't due back until April. But I can set up another meeting with Katie um and our editor to um open those um channels again um and possibly I I I think the offer is out there and we'll extend it again publicly that we would um welcome a a column from the SPSU um bi-weekly or or monthly on on what's happening like we do from the town of
015Bennington. So, um, right now those are the options and then and and publicly if there is something special going on, we we are a very small newspaper. We have a very small handful of reporters, but if there's something that you think feels needs coverage, um, let us know and we'll happily if we can assign someone to cover it. And would you and so if there were significant student achievements and you received um you know a write up on that >> perhaps >> happily happily get it in >> I don't think all the >> is there a way for like there to be some kind of I don't know Google form for example where it's available to all the schools in our community to then notify central office of events that are taking place so that
016>> they could be promoted. >> I can abs I had a conversation today with high school staff who's already exploring that. So I'm happy to add that to the tool tool box. >> Um any other question? >> Oh, sorry. >> I mean that that gets to the point that I don't think the onus is on the banner. I think we don't have control over the banner. We have control over the information that we share to families and students and media outlets and the Facebook page. um in terms of frequency and scheduling things. I actually see on our Facebook page quite a bit of sports information less so of of other information. So that would not be my concern, but it sounds like if we could implement a system. Well, I mean I think but >>
017who is the person responsible for putting information? You know, like it's great that we have things we want to say, but if we don't know who to get the information to or how to do that, then it doesn't go anywhere. Anyways, >> yeah, it sounds like a system that the superintendent can staff to look at and set up. Just a follow up on Dave's comment about what members turn they're on the SVSU website. They have every name listed on their board and mountain and so forth and just you just hit it at everything. >> Are there other discussions um for consent agenda? I would like to recuse myself because of my affiliation with EF regarding the one um field trip field trip. They also uh in the packet is the official resignation of the of
018uh principal Magguire from the middle school. All in favor? I >> um finance. So we do not have any finance operations or policies unless you have anything Tim and we're going to move on to uh the student representatives report. So this Friday we have the spring fling coming up. Um and we had the pops concert last week um on the 12th and 13th. That was a great show. If anybody got to see they did a really great job. Um this week uh every morning there mock AP tests. Um, so sophomores through seniors are all doing those in the mornings. >> Then do you want to talk? >> Uh, yeah, sure. Um, the drama club right now is also um uh doing rehearsals for the play that goes wrong which is going I think opening night
019is April 9th. So there'll be um three four shows uh that Friday, Saturday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Two shows on Saturday. Um, also this p uh like two weeks ago um a lot of a lot of MAU students went up to district festivals um which is just like a a whole bunch of different schools come together and they do like um a concert. Um we're also uh kind of in between sports sports seasons right now but there have been a lot of like open gyms, clinics and like signups happening. And then there's this um so obviously um this is from um our robotics club. Um we're actually not affiliated affiliated with Mount Anthony, but we do have students who come from um there including me. Um but we are a community based team. Technically he's
020also enrolled in MAU technically. Um, but we draw students from Cambridge and also we have like people from Highland Hall, Husk and so so we're really community based. Um, but about two weeks ago we went up to the Vermont State Championship where we placed first first which is like a big deal for us because like we've never done that well before. However, that means that we got an invitation to go to World Championship in Houston, Texas. Obviously that's going to be kind of expensive. Um, so we're actually in uh the process of looking for like sponsors and like funding and I still fly. >> Yes, I got you. >> Um, but so yeah, so we're just going to like drive the robot around, show you a little bit what it does. Um, yeah. >> I
021am um You sure? >> Our team is uh a team familiar with First Tech Talent, international um organization that basically helps kids build sense and also potential teachers in those the careers. Um, and there are there are like teams from like all sorry it's kind of loud. There are teams from I guess all over the world. And part of why we want to go to Houston, we might not do great in the World Championship, but it's like there it'll be such a great opportunity to see like other teams and other like what other teams are doing and like other like higher levels of this sort of like engineering process. that is just like a really good opportunity for people who want to like go into like engineering fields. We have a lot we have a
022couple seniors who are see who are going into like um some people are going to like mechanical engineering. You want to do >> software like it's just a good opportunity to see like what other people like are doing and stuff. So every year there's like a game that we have to design our robot to play in and so um and you have to play with another team so it kind of builds sportsmanship as well. Um but So, there's a collector on here, but it also launches. >> Bring it over there. >> It'll go across my head. It's good. That was a great throw back then. >> All right. Give me multiple choices. >> There you go. >> Yeah. Now, you you also hosted an event in town, though. So, talk a little bit about that.
023>> Oh, first. So, um Vermont is kind of obviously a small state and so things like this aren't really like there aren't as many things as like in New York for example, there's like hundreds of like there there's hundreds of hundred more teams. Um so, there's usually one competition um every year in the state and that's the Vermont State Championship. However, it is you don't learn you learn so much more in that one day when you're at the state championship than you do like the rest of the season. So, we wanted to be able to like have that experience like multiple times. So, we hosted a qualifier at actually the middle school uh that was in January and that basically allows us to like know have the experience of like the actual competition day without
024like the stress of like this is it. This is like if we don't do well, we can't go anywhere else. And it just like we learned so much from that day that like it without that our we wouldn't be doing as well. We wouldn't like be going to worlds. Um >> yeah, when you're at the qualifier when you whenever you're competing cuz you know when you're just at back at base, you know, you're working on the robot, you know, there's only one team on the field, it's just you. You're just throwing things. There's not like the time limit. You're not going back and forth doing match over match >> versus at the qualifier. You'll be doing all of that with multiple teams on the field and you you get to see what it's actually like
025to compete. There's always different things, different >> like you learn from all the other teams there and you also learn from how the game is actually played. And then you when you come back you're like now I know well we have static discharge from the field that we need to account for. That was one of the things we made. >> Yeah. And like for you see all the shields on the outside. So one thing you can do that we didn't realize is that you can like block other robots and that can cause damages. We actually lost a wheel and our collector was broken on the first at the base of qualifier. So that's why we had the shields. Um but like that kind of thing is like it like without the qualifier we wouldn't have
026learned that we pro probably would have gotten really damaged at the state championship. We wouldn't be where we are now. So, uh, and then we also actually attended another qualifier in Northfield, Vermont, uh, which was like, I think midFebruary. Um, but yeah, and actually being in this school year, we also started another like sister team. Um, and they also did very well at um, the championship and there they got an invitation to the New England Premier event, which is an event that draws um, people from like all it's like also international there. Um, last year I think there were people from like Kazakhstan or something like that. Yeah, >> I can't remember. But there's like people like there's Canada, >> Vietnam, Kazakhstan, like there's like people from all over and they're going there and it's
027crazy because they're a rookie team and like you don't rookie teams do not do that well but it's you know but yeah. >> How many teams did you bring to Bennington? >> I think we brought like 11 or 12 and we also had people from Massachusetts as well come up >> and then when you go to Vermont and compete how many teams are you competing against? There are going to be way more world but >> and I think you're going to name very well. Two or 300. >> Yeah. Two or 300. >> You guys just tell us your names again. >> No. I'm Althia and this is Cal and that's our mentor bet. We love them. >> When is Worlds and when is New England's? >> Uh New England's is I think April 17th and
02818th. Um Worlds is April 29th through May 2nd. >> So it's like a it's a whole thing. Yeah. So if someone wanted from the community wanted to contribute, how what's the best way that they could reach out? >> Oh, there that there is a QR code. We have a website and a um yeah, sorry. So there uh we have put up flyers throughout the town throughout town. We also have a website. Um I remember what it's like >> the URL. It's robotics.banvt bvt uh.com. >> Yeah. And there's a page. I think it's >> I think that will >> um but there is a page there. Um and we also have um an Instagram you can also follow. Okay. >> Um >> it's just FTC18650. That's our team number. Um >> yeah.com. Um but >> donate.
029>> Yeah. There's a donation page. They are tax deductible donations which you know that's kind of nice. Um so yeah hopefully orange community members >> hopefully. know putting up flyers. We're >> graduating seniors. Are you looking for members for next year? >> We are. We are looking for members. That is We have a lot of seniors this year. Uh he is our main programmer. He is our He's graduating. That is not good. Um >> I'm graduating. It's not good for us. >> This guy graduated. But yeah, so we are looking for uh people ages like kids aged like 11 through like 17 uh who are interested in STEM who like are interested in engineering, anything like that. You don't need to have previous knowledge to join. Um come and we'll teach you. You'll learn along
030the way. It's it's really fun. Like I don't know. I I'm not very like good at like mechan like mechanical stuff. Um but I have a lot of fun. And the event you hosted was very cool. Teams working together, had a very, you know, collaborative group. It was a cool place to go watch. So, nice job. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, >> any other questions? >> Well, this is a perfect opportunity for me to say if you do have a press release to send into the banner, we'd be happy to run that. And even if you wanted to stop in to the office, I might be able to see what I can do a little bit more to get that QR code out there. >> Oh, that that would be great. Actually, I think
031we did run a there was >> you have this information in it. I >> think we maybe we'll send in another one with this stuff. >> That would be actually really helpful. Thank you so much. >> Um, yeah. >> So, what I was going to say, I'm just asked a question. when you first started out you said you wasn't really affiliated with the school at a club or doing something or vice versa. I was a little bit viewed. This is un and I said what Mike said here it is a club that is sponsored through the high school. Is that right? We are not sponsored through the high school, but however, SPSU does let us use their space in the Bono Beach school and they've let without that we wouldn't be able to do what
032we done, but um we draw we don't we aren't like affiliated with the high school, but we draw students from the high school and from the middle school. >> Um so yeah. >> Yeah. So it's not a an affiliated Mount Anthony club and activity, but Mount Anthony students do. There's a lot of there's clubs at Southwest Tech that aren't nec, you know, there's a bunch of offerings that aren't necessarily just Mount Anthony. >> It's got to be some perks out there associated with the school in some form of fashion. >> They want to look into that >> u than to just say using the space and maybe some other opportunities if not at >> and the competition was up at the middle school. I know. Yeah, that's >> I would research both schools, the technical
033center and Mount Engineer again and talk about what you're doing and what connections and what are the perks and what the benefits that that you may be able to get association along that line. It's got to be something out there. You might even look to the like fifth and sixth grades too, you know, in an effort to grow your >> Yeah, we um >> Yeah. Uh last year after our season was like over, we visited the middle school and um and also a couple elementary schools as well and just like brought a robo. We like drove it around. Um we actually that's why we had we had so many kids new kids come in in the beginning of this year that we didn't have like it was too many people to fit on our team.
034So we just started that new team. Um, so that's >> Yeah. >> Did you throw balls at them to get >> I don't know. >> But yeah, any other questions? >> Thank you so much. >> We will move on to the um high school. Um, thank you to our student reps and for the >> demonstration of the the robotics. That's excellent. And then I just want to give uh our ad Mikey here a chance to speak for a moment. >> Yeah. Just see if you guys have I come three times a year before each of the seasons. Um, you know, I come in the fall, come in the winter, and this is uh prior to the spring season. I included three things in the packet. won the memorandum of, you know, coaches and who's um
035who's in line for um for coaching this spring. We just have currently still one open um you know, position that we're still uh in the process of filling for middle school baseball coach at the blue team level, but everything else has been has been filled. coaches meeting on Sunday where we go over all the protocols and um you know kind of certifications of of stuff um and pitchers and catchers report on Monday. So so Sunday is our meeting and then Monday starts uh essentially the spring season. Um I gave you a wrapup. I know that was something that the board has uh asked for in the past um based on the the previous season. Um, I would say we had a successful uh winter all in all. We had a state championship team and a
036parade to to go with it uh for for Nordic ski for the boys. Um, we had a co- undefeated league champions for for swimming. Um we had uh state runnerup for uh for wrestling um this year and we had five individual state champions um from indoor trap and wrestling. Um, and then I did want to include just for your information the letter from the VPA head, um, you know, just kind of, you know, talking about our wrestling kids and our wrestling program. um and to get that letter the end of the uh the end of the meet even though I know the um the team wanted to come in first, but uh I thought it was just a real appropriate letter that I wanted to share with you guys on um you know how they
037how how classy the coaches and the and the team was throughout the whole process. I know it was a you know difficult season for them like completely um but I wanted to share that with you and just you know sometimes it's it's nice to get um you know kind of recognition you know beyond the um the the mat and the playing fields and everything like that. So and open to any questions that anybody may have >> for the public who will be watching Mike here I would single out Coach Frank. Yes, >> an outstanding coach. He coaches multiple teams over the time. My kids have actually benefited from his coaching and given the challenges of this season, he has gone above and beyond as usual. He's an outstanding coach and that letter speaks to his
038staff and his kids. So, >> well done. >> 100%. Y agreed. >> Would it be appropriate for our clerk to send letters of congratulations to the folks you just mentioned? Yeah. >> And I can get details if you want like I did that in the in the past. >> Dave, would you like a letter to go to the ski coach as well? There's that staff won a state title this year. And I think the swimming uh of interest. Vermont doesn't recognize swimming, but they do recognize championships in rock climbing and bath fishing. >> Huh. >> But I think we should send them. Okay. I can help you with that. >> Thank you. Another Great. Good. >> Thank you, Mike. You're welcome. And, uh, thanks again to the student reps. So, um, they make my job
039easy. I'll keep my report during the brief here so we can keep things moving. Um, not to be redundant, but I will also just mention the pops concert from last week. Uh, it was really a a highlight for the entire community. As Dave mentioned, he was there saw their opening night. um and continue to be just completely astounded by the talent that we have from our students at Mount Anthony. Um and I'm sure that the upcoming play that goes wrong coming up in uh in a few weeks here in April will display the same kind of talent as well. Um right now, uh we are in the midst of our VT CAT testing week at the high school. So, Monday through Friday, we are running a two-hour delay schedule, and students are coming in testing
040in the mornings, and then we run our regular classes according to a shortened day. Uh, after the testing is completed, uh, Monday and Tuesday, we did 9th grade English tests. Today, we finished nth grade with their math test. Uh, Thursday and Friday, we'll be doing 11th grade science testing, and that will wrap up our BTC testing for school year. At the same time, concurrently, it's mentioned by the student reps, we had some mock AP testing happening. This has been an ongoing request from the AP teachers and students to get some practice before the actual AP exams come in uh later in the spring. So, we are utilizing the testing schedule this week to run these mock AP exams in pre-calc, US history, AP literature and language, uh, chem chemistry, physics, AP euro, stats, and AP
041environmental. So, get an opportunity for about all of our AP classes to get some practice before the actual exams. I did also want to specifically give some congratulations to one of our outstanding students, uh, McKinley Keabber. Uh, he was recently selected as a Vermont presidential scholar and he was recognized as a at a ceremony at the state house uh earlier this week on March 16th. Um he was selected along with only 27 other Vermont students and he's now going to be entered into consideration as one of two students who will be selected from the state of Vermont as a uh US presidential scholar at the national level. So very impressive accomplishment from Kinley. He's dedicated a lot of time and effort over his four years in high school to uh achieve this amongst many other
042achievements. Um and then just of note, I mean looking ahead, we know uh later in April we have our April break coming up. Um and thanks. Um all right. So I with the with the ending of the year as you can imagine there's a lot of different events going on here at both schools. Um so I've decided to kind of focus my report on now to up until the next board meetingish and so that way I don't overwhelm people too much with dates talking through May and everything. Um so I will come back in April and share some other important dates for the end of April and May. Um so I want to highlight our annual winter carnival. I gave a heads up at our last meeting that it was coming up and it it
043took place on Saturday the 7th. Um, a thank you to Dan Amadon, teacher at the middle school, longtime teacher of the middle school, uh, Christy Whitman, uh, longtime teacher at the middle school and the PTSA who really spearhead and coordinate the whole event. Um, it was well attended. uh you know, lots of smiling faces, a lot of um you know, younger uh children and families from the community that come. Um got to go and hang out for a while there and uh it's just a good time. Uh so I appreciate their efforts. Just want to highlight that. Um I'll try not to hang on testing too long. I know we we have an obligation to report on testing. Um might not be the most exciting topic, but it's it's a very important topic. Um, so
044we also are doing some of our VT testing uh this week. Uh, that was on Tuesday, uh, and Wednesday. Today, uh, we did the ELA test. Um, I've said her name, I think, five or six times, and I'll I'll say it again happily. Probably come back and say it again next meeting, too. Rachel Kit, uh, my testing coordinator. Um, again, I just the what goes into being a testing coordinator, it's unless you you're walking next to the person through the process, as I am on on many levels or if you're in the role, um, it's hard to understand how much work it is. Um, especially on top of other responsibilities. So, um, she's doing an amazing job and I I really appreciate everything she's done to, uh, problem solve when things get tricky or something
045doesn't go just right. and she's uh she's just uh been at you know anywhere I need her with a smile on her face with a calm head and you know making sure that uh you know testing is running smoothly and it's it's been a you know good week. Uh we have uh testing next no sorry the week of uh on March 24th and March 25th we'll be doing our map our map test for BTC. Um we do have MAPS testing our last round coming up in May but I'll get to that in my next report. Um, we have half days this week, tomorrow and Friday for sixth grade students only. Just want to repeat that for sixth grade students only. Um, as Mr. Payne always says, send me his reports. If your seventh and eighth
046grader comes home and says they have a half day, they don't sixth grade students. Um, that is for parent teacher conferences. Um, and that's in line with the rest of the district. uh you know as we offer those uh conferences up through sixth grade for all parents. Um and I just appreciate the sixth grade teachers with the extra commitment that it takes to uh you know factor in you know 20 meetings through the week on top of your other responsibilities. Um they appreciate the half days I think but they don't they usually need more than just the half days to get that done. So, um, we have a big event coming up at the middle school. Um, and, uh, oh my goodness, I didn't write I'm gonna have to come back to you with the
047exact date. I didn't write the date down, but it's a Patriot Challenge day. It's going to be a half day. It's coming up, uh, in uh, the end of this month. I think it's a week from Friday, I want to say. I can I'll double check fact check myself on that. Um, but >> thank you so much. And that is is that a week from a week from Friday, I think. Yes. >> Yep. 27th. Save me. Thank you. Um and uh this time we're just f for this half it's going to be a half day afternoon and we're only focusing on the components of the team cheer and the lip sync battle. Um I do encourage you to to come up and check it out. Um just you know Mr. Payne, I don't know if
048that would be reaching out to to me or you uh you know to do that, but I'd love to have visitors. It's a it's a event again that I can't put into words. It is by far my favorite my f my my favorite days at the middle school as principal is standing in the in the gymnasium and seeing the entire 500 student uh you know student body um all the teachers everybody you know dressed up different props coming together as a team. It's a very middle school event and it's it's a lot of fun and it it it just makes it's a good vibe. So I would love to have people come and check that out. Again, they'll be doing the team cheer and lip uh each team, the seven instructional teams will be focusing
049on a team cheer and a lip sync battle and their judged events and there are awards and things that that go out after the events. Um my student council is uh working on uh my eighth grade student council is working sorry seventh grade student council in collaboration with the other student councils is working on a talent show uh for uh Friday April 3rd that is going to be 4 to 7:00 p.m. We're still trying to generate interest for more acts. We only have a few acts so far. Um it's a scary thing to you know get up and perform obviously and as Adam was saying for the Pox concert um you know we're trying to we're trying to generate some interest at the middle school level for that. Um so I'm hoping that we're going
050to be able to have that event on April 3rd and uh again student council is really driving that work which is awesome. Um and then I have a family night uh that is coming up uh and that is in April. Um uh it's going to be the focus of how you can support youth in building healthy relationships. Uh and in addition to that, it's going to be uh making safe and safe decisions online. Um it's going to be offering school resources, community resources. It's going to be interactive art activity, food, door prizes. Um uh yeah, and so I just putting a plug in for that. Oh, I know what I was going to add to that. our guest speaker, Jenna Kaslin from the Child Advocacy Center is gonna be our guest speaker that night. So,
051that is our family night. And what is that date? >> Uh, I've got it. I didn't put my date down. I was I messed up on it, so I'm going to pull it up in a minute. Now, this one I do have the date. Uh, but I'm going to come back and talk more about this. Um, but it's u our career fair. >> Um, I do have a flyer right up. I can tell you the date of our family night. Um, our career fair is going to be at the end of April, April 29th. Um, but I'll come back with more more details about that before event. But I just want to put a plug in that Hannah Green and the counseling department uh they do amazing job and there's a ton of community support
052for the event. We have a lot of uh you know community um businesses uh and people in community coming out that shared their careers and there's some really cool engaging activities that Hannah and the counseling department have the school counselors have developed so kids can interact and engage with the uh with the visitors and not just you know there's some focus uh to what you know through their conversations that they're having and such. Um, so I will let you know that is my report for tonight, but I will let you know that my date for my family night here with just a click. It is April 16th at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16th. I'll stop right there. That's all I have. Any questions? Does he have to answer? I I just one you both mentioned
053um testing and it sounds and I know you do a lot of testing. Were you comfortable with the results of the MAP test for January? >> Are we were you comfortable with the results that you had for your midyear? >> We uh we had excellent when it when it comes to testing what I always am pushing and trying to focus on is growth. um not proficiency comes if you're making growth. >> Sure. >> So I always try to focus on growth. So we do a lot of work on what students growth measure projected growth measure is for the maps and we do uh celebration days. We've started this the last couple years. We do like celebration events if we meet certain growth growth measures and we we had uh excellent growth measures in comparison to
054norm data across the country. even um we had a very high percent like we met our we exceeded our uh goals in our CIP plan uh for multiple grade levels in both uh in both subjects ELA and math and so um you know proficiency I look more at the growth than the proficiency and our growth is is fairly good. >> The ELA came in two parts. Does it come in two parts? Uh we don't do the language usage test. Um several years ago that was uh from like the curriculum office and the superintendent's office that was a a choice. Um and I think most schools have not been giving that. I can't speak for all the schools but we do reading >> uh reading and math. We don't do language usage. Um, and really the
055we get great results from the maps, but if you look at the number of testing days, especially at the middle school, when you factor in map testing, VTCAP, eighth graders for the science, NATE testing, which we're the lucky recipients of every uh year. Um it's it's a uh you know because we're selected every year to to do the NATE and you know I get an email says congratulations you're the um you know you're doing you're randomly selected to do the NATE but it's it's been every year um since you know what the last 15 years. So uh so we've opted not to do the language usage just because we we feel like we're sometimes feel like we're only testing kids and we want to you know do the other good work that we do with
056them >> in the high school. >> Yes. Likewise. I mean, as Chris said, not to be redundant, but focusing on growth >> results though. Were you comfortable with your with the results of the Matt testing as >> Yeah. Yes. We were happy to see growth across for our reading and our math uh Matt tests. Um looking at the winter tests and comparing um fall to winter and then year-long, you know, previous winter to this winter. um being continuing to see uh those markers trending upwards. Um so yes, >> thank you. >> I think it would be helpful to revisit this in the future and give principles time to you know present show the numbers to the board. that might be a might elicit more questions. And >> yeah, we do a lot of work through
057our data team um on kind of, you know, boiling those results down into uh better, more bite-size pieces so people can really kind of understand and digest that. Then we, you know, report back to the staff. So that's something we could do a little bit of Yep. notice. Yeah. So >> any questions? >> Thank you. So on to the superintendent report. >> Um I'll I'll make this quick. Um for folks who are following along in activities in Mont Pillar, it's a flurry of activity uh around educational reform. Um I understand that a new map was provided today within the last three hours. Everybody's got a map. Uh there I will just say this that we are doing our best to update the tab on the SPSU's website that says act 73. So you can click
058there and you can keep track of it. We had a conversation with uh Senator Bongards on Monday. Um and um not much to pro, you know, no major breakthroughs. The House and the Senate are pretty separate. Each one of them has a competing map. Uh an amendment was offered on Friday. It's listed on the legislative page. It has no map attached to it. Very vague language. All that needs to be hashed out. But um also sat with the superintendent association. Everybody seems to be of the thought uh that there will be a flurry of activity and perhaps a grand plan hatched on Friday. Um I do have some concerns. Uh I don't hear a lot of conversation around changing the finance mechanism which I talked about this last night at the elementary school board. um
059given the fact that our school budgets went up uh 1% 2% and 4% and yet as a citizen of Palo I'm looking at a 15 cent increase in taxes um there's a disconnect and we talked about that a little bit tomorrow uh yesterday we're going to continue to talk next week about it but trying to explain to fellow residents of we can do all the work we want at the board level to keep costs down and our taxes will continue to go up at an unsustainable rate. I encourage everyone who hears me, sees me out in the community, or reads about me in the paper, hopefully in a positive light, that you contact your legislator this week because you got to be convinced that there are other communities reaching out and advocating for themselves. Whether
060it's a map that favors them, choice options, relief on taxes, um, yeah, it's important. I have real concerns. I shared this last night. If there if we only get bogged down in maps and we don't change the way we determine money, we will be back here in November staring down the barrel of increased taxes and we will have done all the work we want. The elementary school board took the very brave step of going to a 0% increase for next year and that will give us less than two cents relief on taxes. That is unsustainable. So, I will be uh working to uh get that message out. The board is fully committed to that. Uh wish us luck. We're looking at a midappril revote um of the budget. Uh the other piece I wanted to
061update this board on is this. Uh you will notice under the consent agenda under resignations, Chris will be leaving us at the end of the school year. Chris, I have every intention to embarrass you later. and with a thank you note uh in front of the board. But um as a part of that process, we have been working through a search process. We have completed interviews at this point and we are at the stage of um reaching out to candidates making offers and when I have a candidate, I will most likely be requesting that this board come back into a special meeting so we can move forward with that process. Um, yeah, I I will leave it at that right now and Chris, I will put a little note that I you can anticipate further
062comment on this when we go forward. So, all right. >> Thank you. Um, I have a questions. >> Sure. Um, one, can we just maybe Sandra, do you remember when we were looking at the policies for uh, superintendent hiring principles, the board really only needs to approve of the assistant superintendent, right? Is that right? Is that I think that was an SU or something, >> but it's not correct. >> This is the one we were just Yeah, the um, >> I just want to make sure that that's clear. This was in the discussion. This was around the discussion of the board like of like whether principles go on the hiring like like when I had um principal Carmichael on the non form right and that so I that was the policy question around it. Um
063>> um Leon, I'm looking at you. >> I I mean >> I know we always have N and we always um approve or not. Uh I remember seeing langu really specific language around assistant superintendent and superintendent or maybe it's just yeah >> but not but not principles basically that that uh in a negative way the board could like um not accept a nomination from the superintendent for a certain position but that doesn't apply to principles. I don't think >> I think it does because they hire teachers also. >> Yeah. All right. I'll look I'll look for whatever I'm I'm remembering. I can offer that when I bring a name I will make sure that policy is attached to it so we make sure we >> okay I I'm hope I was actually trying to not
064hold you up >> I prepared to share it but I >> with the way the time since I won't see you folks again possibly for a month there may be I just want to inform the chair there may be a need for a special meeting to come back inform you of the progress and um because there are candidates who are going to need to be followed up with things like that so so so just to clear it up and all the board approves all of the hiring >> I know that the nominees I know >> at any point in time so that's part of responsibility to that >> it's on policy 4020 and in it it has um >> administrative appointments that's administrative appointments >> other than the superintendent >> that includes others Okay. All
065right. Thank you. >> Okay. As specific action or as part of the consent agenda nomination form. >> Um this is the screening process. Um looking at it quickly >> 40 something. >> The superintendent will recommend the candidate. Um but the board and may request um additional candidates. I mean it says in the event that the recommended is candidate is not appointed the board may request a review of additional candidates as recommended by the superintendent or the reposting of the position. >> Yes. So just like other positions um the boards >> okay >> but it comes from superintendent >> right >> but it's it's the ad it's I think it's the dual it's the administrative position right not necessarily the teaching position position we do go through >> we do go through the non process and
066the put the non form on it and we approve them in the minutes from like >> you don't have to approve them if you If for example um you a a teacher is recommended that has no credentials, the board is not obligated to hire a teacher without credentials or without a license or without um what's necessary and I think that's um statute. Yes. >> Well, that wouldn't be policy then, right? I mean stat like statute I mean we if we can't hire a teacher that's not licensed as opposed to >> well we can hire a teacher that is not licensed they can go in a provision but this policy specifically says when an administrative position becomes vacant >> right not not we're not not teachers >> right this is for so I just want to
067clarify like we're bumping the conversation together like the process like I personally would advocate um and intend unless I hear strong reasons not to. I intend to run like the to put the like inform the board in advance in advance of uh the agenda going out >> who the superintendent is recommending and that name will go on. >> Yeah. And if you know if we need to if the board makes a decision but they do not we will come out and publicly make that decision. >> Well that can be done in public because it's part of the consent agenda. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Yes. So that is >> I think historically we don't always put names on the consent agenda. >> We do at the elementary level. >> The one from an administrative. >> Yeah.
068The one that you're actually recommending. Yes. Yes, you do. >> I will make sure that procedure and policy is followed. >> Well, so I mean one is like as we've always done it, right? Historically, not all districts have put their um administrative positions on the consent agenda. They put the position on the consent agenda. They do not put the recommendation from the superintendent. >> Oh, it's executive session. >> That is in some, you know, I would argue that it would go, it should just go on the consent agenda for discussion and then >> you know what you're approving. >> We just hired a principal. How did >> I put it on? No, frankly, I put it on the the consent I put the principal's name on the consent agenda because if the board to provide
069clarity for from a board action versus a recommendation from the superintendent, right? So, like I think we can be if we decide not to approve the superintendent's recommendation, we will transparently, you know, not approve it. >> We got to have a very good reason, >> right? >> Exactly. because I was trying to avoid that actually. I was trying >> trying to clarify super. >> Well, Dan, I think the reason that you wouldn't want to is um maybe they aren't certified. >> Well, I mean, but then he had a right. I mean, the you can say that, but then we knew that we have certain positions that we have and get waiverss from the state for and all this other kind. >> But that could be a reason why. >> It could be. >> Yeah. But
070I'm saying if we if it's everything else the superintendent is going to bring that for us, we we definitely need to have a a a real good reason as though executive session to talk about why we can't accept the nomination. >> If it's a Yeah. >> I'm just I think I I'm just I I like some clarity and transparency. >> If you wanted No, that's fine. I mean, we we can follow the policy, but the policy doesn't dictate whether someone's name goes on the consent agenda or not. >> I mean, that that's >> that is >> right. >> It does not happen all across the state in every district >> that the board approves the assistant superintendent. And I I think it's a to I think where Leon's point was going >> to it's a
071it's a dangerous place to be in when you have a superintendent bringing a name forward and the board overrules what that person says. It's not a good message for whoever the superintendent is and it's not a good message for the candidate. And I frankly I I don't think I think that that policy overall should be be revisited and it should be consistent with how it's being done, excuse me, in other parts of the state because um it's it's not it's not a good recipe. >> AB I absolutely agree with you. It's um from 2014, so it absolutely should be reviewed. >> Put that on the policy committee's agenda. Yeah, I think that sounds great. >> Two more questions. >> Allow me. >> Um, a couple of months ago we talked about when we would receive
072a presentation on the results of the student services evaluation. I thought you had said March. >> Um, so it's not on the agenda this month. Do we know when we can expect that that presentation? >> So the at this point the report has been returned to us. There is a working group uh it is led by Beth as assistant superintendent, interim assistant superintendent as she likes to point out to me. Um that is working its way through it with the intention of being able to share out that information. I I the group has met twice. They meet they've carved out a calendar and I'd like to have them go through that and come back to the board and share the information. Do you have a timeline on like with respect to the calendar when >>
073Well, I think you had wanted the report itself. >> Yeah. I mean, I think the init or the the presentation. What I'm asking about today is the presentation because I thought that was going to be shared. >> No, that was that my intention with that would be like by the end of the school year, we would have gone through each of the recommendations that were made and had suggestions. Um I think though the last time we talked about um the audit itself it was uh we were waiting for the reorg to happen before we were going to release that. But I mean I can I can definitely give a presentation on where we are at this point. We've gone through I think we should not do it for the purpose of this agenda just because
074it's not listed. Sorry. I'm sorry. No. Okay. Yeah. But we can set I mean we can put it on. Are you comfortable putting it on? >> Would it be would it be okay for April? Yep. Is that soon enough? >> Yeah, I think when we were talking about and I'm forgive me I'm confused between the audit and the report but there was concern about providing a document um without context and so I guess that's the presentation that I'm thinking of. >> So to clarify so we we contracted with someone to do an audit and that individual Dr. Megan Roy generated a report which I have then handed to a collection of teachers, special educators, administrators to sit down and digest it because it does not give a hey here's step one through 10 to reform
075student services. It gives some observations. It also gives some recommendations. Thought it would be helpful for the group to go through it and then come and make a presentation and saying we've gone through it. These are the recommendations. Do you have any questions? anything that we can clarify or gain more information from. But if Beth's Beth sounds like she's confident, be happy to come back in April and give you a presentation. >> A thorough like we've gone through each of the recommendations, but I can give you where we're at right now. >> That would be great. Any sort of information would be helpful. Um, and then just the last thing I I wanted to kind of underscore was that it came to my attention that there was another legislative breakfast this past Monday and we
076had asked to be notified of those events so that we had the opportunity to participate and we were not. Um, and the reason I think that that is so important is because it's included in the district quality standards from the agency of education. It's actually 113.35 and 36 that the board maintains an ongoing relationship with locally elected officials and that seems to be the best format you know loose structure for uh developing and maintaining those relationships. So I will um just emphasize that request to be >> as a calendar that like are you meeting every month on this first month? Okay. So there's not like at one point in time it was consistent enough that people could put it in their own calendar and manage it and manage it. So >> I'm not aware of
077uh previous practice. I can only say that I've been attempting to meet with them every six to eight weeks. Um I need to find some I need to revisit this with chairs and now that we've reorganized it'll be a new set of chairs. we meet in this space. Um and so um just capacitywise if I make the um the invitation to all um yeah >> I've attended them before and it's not like we've run out of space. >> Understood. Understood. Um >> yes, I will revisit that. >> A lot out of them. That's why I'm kind of a broken record here. Uh it was really helpful and I understand the the last meeting was well attended people in person. So >> they were in town for the B. That's how I caught and gave everyone
078my um two cents as I was >> I think we're I want to and I want to be clear though because it's um I've been talking about it. I've been trying to share that hey we're making an effort to connect with our elected officials and all that. Um the purpose is to the original purpose was giving access to elected officials for directors and board members. Um, I share that because I've now encountered people in the community who are like, "Hey, I'm planning to go to the legislative breakfast." So, I can revisit that with expectations with chairs and board that I'm happy to grow the list to all existing board members, but for the purposes of this group, it's not also bring a friend from the community to that meeting, and I'm trying to say this
079diplomatically, but the purp we're spending time and energy to get these folks in the room. I really wanted to benefit directors and board members. Uh yeah, I'm just trying to be I'll leave it at that. >> Yeah, it's not an open legislative forum. There are other opportunities for that. Yes. >> Um totally understood. As someone who attended several I think it was last year. >> Yes. >> Um you know that the quality standard is around board the board maintains. So if the intent is directors and board members, you'd have to know. >> Understood. >> I agree. And maybe we could have a some sort of signup sheet to limit the the or >> I think Beth makes the example. You we revisit the mailing list, just put every board member on it. I'm not sure
080why that changed that, but that's on me to go back and revisit that. Thank you. I at this point it was it's not going to the chairs >> we had people attending in it. So that's on me. >> Okay. >> Can I address this? So, Scott, under the uh duties of the superintendent from the state of Vermont Secretary of Education, it specifically states that the superintendent will nominate a candidate for employment by the school district or union if the vacant position requires a licensed employee and that the board will decide to hire or not hire. And if the board deci declines to hire, then the superintendent nominates a new candidate. Yeah, I don't I just want to be clear. I don't think anyone's debating whether we should be like overseeing licensed professionals. That one policy
081that you referenced was for an administrative position, right? And I understand that that's a like that's a statute that so we hire >> this all this is all employment. No, I I understand my statement was that that the from my I set the agenda and unless there's a reason not to, we will be putting the nomination the name of the person nominated on it. So if the board does choose to not go forward with the nomination, the board will own that and come out and announce that rather than having and you know have it in public like have it in the public and have it be clear as to there's a lot of there we we have had a um history in our community of creating chaos by not having this those types of pieces
082of information on the uh agenda. And that create there is a small community and it like there is a lot of um I mean I particularly I've actually I think in my time during in the school systems in some capacity I've witnessed it twice and it it does not it's not productive and so I think if we're bringing if the superintendent is bringing somebody to us we can put it on the nonform like an an administrator in the same way that we can as a teacher right I mean we put teachers names on it. If we chose not to go forward with a teacher for whatever reason, the board would then come out and make that statement, right? And we will do this in foreign administration. >> So you're saying that the discussion piece is
083an executive session, but the nonpiece is in the >> Yes. Thank you. >> Like who we're not who he is nominating will be transparent to the public. >> Thank you. >> Right. >> Does anybody have other strong feelings about it? I mean, I I've just I've just witnessed it be chaotic. And I don't I I think we if there's a nomination, it should go on there and we can >> we can act as a board and like the way that we should last. >> Long time ago change 2014. Is that when you said the house? >> Yeah. But I was actually reading from state law. Those have not changed. Our behaviors as boards, I believe, need to change, which is why the name of the person being nominated on the agenda. That's the only statement
084that's making. >> But to Scott's point, policy committee should discuss whether that should be the process in the future in terms of Yeah. Yeah. of policies too >> should be added to the list. Yeah. Okay. Any other items? Is there an SPSU update? I don't know when the last time has met. >> We've met in the in between. >> The last one listed I think is in December. The last meeting are from December or from December. >> Okay. And we've met as this board since. So I've had two two opportunities to give an SU update, but we haven't met since. So >> great. Then if there's no discussion that we'll move on to the chair's report. Um I wanted under this I just wanted to give an update on negotiations. Uh the we have been
085participating in I've been participating in the negotiations as well as Scott and Chris Murphy um and and um the chair of Southwest Tech. Um as of the last meeting I think we have tenative agreements on salaries. We are still there are um we're still negotiating on language and I believe that will be the bulk of the meeting and I think it's scheduled for the 31st. Um I'm hoping to wrap that up. Uh I also wanted to thank uh Principal Magguire for his service to the school. I know you're going to be with us for a bit, but I since we did since I did I just wanted to call out that your uh resignation was on the consent agenda. So, I want to make sure we say also thank you. Um I did get a
086email uh directed to chairs and um that is about testifying about uh Senator Bongard's second proposal. Uh and that I missed the email. I guess it went out yesterday and it is it is for tomorrow through the 20 the 20th. So I'll forward that to you in case you haven't gotten it. You can sign up. I this came from the over here. Um, and I think that is the only other item I had on mind. >> The uh Vermont School Board Association, Beniton Area needs a representative. They have not had one since Jackie was on it. >> Yes, >> we need a school board. I did um correspond that is right and I did correspond with um the current president of uh the VSBA and uh outlining what this role would be and I would
087urge anyone from any of our boards to join or um generally there's a one monthly meeting um with the exception of June and October where there are other events uh they've cut back in person meetings most of them are in zoom uh there's typically an annual board retreat and October there's a conference if it's worth it. Um there's two reps from each re region. Uh one typically serves on a resolution committee which is an annual process and one is on the policy committee. There's other opportunities but not obligations to serve. Um so if anyone's interested please let me know. I will forward Jim's email uh to whoever is interested. >> Everybody should have got a copy of it. I mean, he sent a message to everyone, but I like like followed up to understand. >>
088Thank you for following up. >> Uh, okay. Any other items for discussion? >> Can I just ask if if someone is interested in being that representative, is that something that becomes a motion and is voted on or >> That's not my understanding. No, I think you reach out um they have a big like when you go to their website there's a big thing that says like missing seats and >> I just contact Jim School Board Association and you're you're member of the >> Yeah. >> school districts or one of the other down here that you can do that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Great. Uh can I have a motion to adjurnn? So much second. Great. I guess I just want to tell the time.