Looking to improve

Equity, Excellence and Efficiency

in education

“UNIFYING OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES”

A FORUM FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

SPONSORED BY THE

ADDISON NORTHWEST SUPERVISORY UNION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2005

6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

VUHS LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER

This forum is an opportunity for the residents of Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes and Waltham to learn about the ANWSU Governance Study Committee’s recommendation to form a unified union school district. Receive information and ask questions that will assist you in making your decision on March 1, 2005.

Noted guests

Richard Cate, Commissioner of Education

Rep. Greg Clark

Rep. Connie Houston

Rep. Kathy Lavoie, Co-Chair, Council on Education Governance

All are encouraged to attend

and participate in this important dialogue.

Addison Northwest Supervisory Union

Board of Directors’ Meeting

January 25, 2005

Special Meeting Minutes

Addison Ferrisburgh Panton Waltham Vergennes I.D.

* S. Kayhart * R. Kerschner * L. Presson * D. Ross * L. Hawley

A. Martin * A. Vigne J. Dayton J. Hayes

* D. Cousino

G. Hamilton

A. Langrock

VUES #44 VUHS #5 Administration Guests/Visitors

* A. McGrath * K. Bristow T. O’Brien Richard Cate

* N. Kamman D. Mueller D. Corcoran Rep. G. Clark

* L. Ryan L. Gutowski Rep. C. Houston

S. Bosworth B. FitzPatrick W. Hovey

ANWSU Governance Committee Members (from the community) – Nancy Larrow, David Tatlock, David Kayhart, Paulette Bogan, Scott Gaines, and Amy Johnston.

* Denotes voting members.

Linda Hawley, Chair of the ANWSU Board, called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. She recognized invited guests; Commissioner of Education, Richard Cate, Representatives Greg Clark and Connie Houston. Ms. Hawley noted that Representative Kathy Lavoie, Co-Chair of the Council on Education Governance, was not able to attend. The meeting was turned over to Kristin Bristow, Chair of the Governance Study Committee.

Ms. Bristow welcomed those attending this forum and publicly thanked the Committee members for their work over the past months. Committee members were asked to introduce themselves. Ms. Bristow thanked the ANWSU Board for their support of the Governance Committee’s recommendation. She recognized the remaining board members, seated in the audience. Ms. Bristow noted the web site, ANWSU.org, which has a link to governance information, including minutes of the Committee meetings.

Ms. Bristow thanked RETN for preparing the video, and for being here this evening. The video, depicting the reasoning for the governance change, was shown to the audience.

Commissioner Cate spoke about the governance initiative and the fact that other communities are talking about it. The state is watching and he commended the work that has been done in this regard and noted that we are ahead in the process.

Representative Clark spoke, commending ANWSU for being “ahead of the curve” and taking this initiative, and for not waiting for a mandate from the state to do this kind of thing. He clarified that a mandate is not soon in coming, but it may in a few years.

Representative Houston commended Superintendent O’Brien and the Committee for their work. Montpelier is watching and is talking about what is happening here.

Amy Johnston read a letter from Representative Lavoie, which was sent via Representative Houston.

Superintendent O’Brien and Business Manager Corcoran presented information about estimated tax rates over the next three years, under both the current system and a unified union.

A question and answer period followed until 8:00 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. by Linda Hawley, Chair.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna H. Corcoran

Recorder