Addison Northwest S.U.

Unified Union Study Committee

Session # 6

 September 14, 2004

6:00 P.M.

Vergennes Union High School Library

 

Agenda

 

  1. Call To Order

 

  1. Action on Minutes of August 10, 2004

 

  1. Public Comments

 

  1. Study Committee Comments

 

  1. Governance from the Principals’ Point of View
  2. Discussion & Analysis

A.         Transportation

B.         Assets & Liabilities

            1.          Facilities Needs

  1. Action on Recommendations as Desired/Appropriate
  2. Review of Time-Line

 

  1. Next Meetings:  September 28, 2004 – Open Invitation to District Staff

     October 12, 2004 – Winton Goodrich, VSBA

 

  1. Other Business

 

  1. Adjournment

 

ANWSU Governance Study Committee

Meeting Minutes

September 14, 2004

Vergennes Union High School Library

 

Committee Members                                                                Administration              Guests/Visitors

Kristin Bristow                         Laurie Gutowski                       Tom O’Brien                Diane Cousino

Samantha Kayhart (7:00)          Amy Johnston                           Donna Corcoran           Allison Vigne

Adela Langrock                        Nancy Larrow                          Wayne Howe               Greg Hamilton

Linda Hawley (absent)              David Kayhart                          Donn Marcus

Dennis Mueller                         Scott Gaines                             Manya Bouteneff

David Tatlock                           Paulette Bogan            

Karen Petersen                         Sid Bosworth                           Consultants

                                                                                                Ray Proulx

 

1.  Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by K. Bristow at 6:10 p.m.

 

2.  Approval of Minutes:  Motion by D. Kayhart, seconded by K. Petersen to approve the minutes of August 10, 2004, as written.  So voted and the motion carried.

 

3.  Public Comment:  None this evening.

 

4.  Study Committee Members’ Comments:  None this evening.

 

5. Principals’ Points of View – Wayne Howe, Principal of ACS, indicated that when he was hired there was an understanding of the sense of unity here due to the kinds of efficiencies already in place and the support of peers.  He stated some of the things he sees as assets, should the consolidation/unification take place:

  • Elementary students feed into one middle/high school
  • Because there are small numbers of staff at ACS, it helps to work with others for input/exchange of information and data
  • Consolidation of teacher incentives – by S.U. contract – mentoring, etc.
  • Staffing of fractional people would become more stable
  • Good will of administrators – do a lot together already
  • Professional development – opportunities would be more efficient
  • Special education students could be grouped for better instruction & efficiency
  • Speech/Language Pathologists – hard to obtain/retain under the current system
  • Health Assistants – could be overseen by one S.U. Nurse – for cost savings to individual boards
  • School Advisory Councils would be needed at each school – if the boards became one – there needs to be a place for a local voice
  • Administratively –the Superintendent reports to every board – would only need to make one report
  • Consistent purchasing, etc. – at ACS purchasing, accounting (except for payroll) is done differently than in the other schools
  • Buildings & Maintenance – services could be consolidated, i.e. annual rug cleaning, bulk purchasing of supplies & materials, etc.
  • Transportation – would need to be explored
  • Food Service – cross training of agents – a possible different delivery of services
  • A spirit of good will already exists between the schools, boards and administrators

 

In response to what disadvantages he could see, Mr. Howe indicated that the current system only perpetuates the myth of local control and he can only see the positives.  The difficulty will come in “selling” the idea to our communities.  Mr. Howe distributed copies of his report (copy attached to the file copy of these minutes).

 

Manya Bouteneff, Principal of the Middle School, reported that this idea of consolidation jelled for her when the two school boards agreed to allow Sandy Bassett to move to the High School when Mr. Coffey resigned.  The big picture is what she sees with the consolidation – everyone doing what’s best for our students.

 

Donn Marcus, Principal of FCS, reported that he came here from a K-12 system in Maine and since being here (starting his 5th year) has seen many things that are already being consolidated.   If we really look at what we can do – utilizing building spaces is key. Unification would allow greater flexibility of programs, etc.  We are seeing many children with specialized needs and have formed a great collaborative with Baird and the Addison County Counseling Service.  However, could services be delivered more efficiently?  We have common policies and practices – how can we make this happen more?  What’s good for one school should be good enough for all schools and all students.  Foreign Language and music (both choral and instrumental) are just two examples of instruction that varies school to school.  Best Practice – should apply to ALL students.  Transportation - irregardless of where students live – in one system, it wouldn’t matter.  Purchasing – buying in bulk makes sense for better pricing, etc.

 

Carol Barnes, Interim Principal at VUES, reported that from her perspective we are living the consolidation this year.  We are fortunate to have a great staff and great administrators.  The Administrative Council stands at the ready to make this work.  We already share mentoring, team building resources, portfolio development, connected math, report cards, and summer school.  She agreed with Wayne and Donn in regards to purchasing, transportation, etc.  We are lucky to work in a district where people are willing to work together for the common good for all students.

 

Amy Johnston indicated that she has talked with some Ferrisburgh parents and they have some fear about doing this consolidation.  They are happy with their school – the budgets, how things are going, etc.  She asked the Principal of FCS how he would answer these concerns from his parents. 

 

Mr. Marcus indicated that his answer would be: “We are not moving away from what’s good at FCS; we are looking at making those things available to all kids.  The possibility of doing things better at all schools for all students, including at Ferrisburgh.”  We need to shift the attitudes.

 

Nancy Larrow asked if all 3 elementary schools have assistant principals.  The answer is no, only at Vergennes.

 

Paulette Bogan noted that when we reviewed the budgets, Ray (Proulx) indicated that he saw no monetary savings by consolidation because the district already does many things jointly.  Where would savings take place in terms of staffing, etc? 

Wayne Howe indicated that we want all students, when they arrive at 7th grade, to have the same comparable skills.  Looking at what we offer (in terms of programs, etc.) and how we deliver it to our students should be the same throughout the supervisory union.

 

Dennis Mueller asked about the utilization of facilities in regards to programs - are we looking at utilizing buildings K-3, 4-6, etc.

            Donn Marcus indicated that if we had a grades preK-2 for example, instructionally we could maximize services and offer more intense instruction.  If we look at these kinds of things it could cut staff and possibly administrators.

 

Kris Bristow indicated that moving staff and administrators around is a great thought to have, even though it might be a few years away.

 

Manya Bouteneff indicated that we are looking at serving more children in better ways.  If there is a clear mission of this “unified board” it would not be dependent on having the same people in place – the programs and instruction for students are key.

 

Sid Bosworth asked if each school would be evaluated as a whole or separately, in terms of the standardized assessments.

            Wayne Howe indicated that the larger the number, the better the data.  He explained that if you have a class of 15 3rd grade students (for example) – one student with low scores would make the overall results look bad.   If we were looking at a class of 50 – 1 student with a low score would not affect the results that much.

 

David Kayhart asked the Principals their perception in regards to equity.  Do all students have the same opportunities?  What are the differences within the 3 elementary schools?  Extra-curricular opportunities – are they the same in all schools?

            Kris Bristow indicated that Betty Lewis is working on a survey and compiling the differences.

            Wayne Howe indicated that ACS is providing the basics for its students – but it could be better (foreign language, for example is not offered).

 

David Tatlock asked for clarification of what happens at all 3 elementary schools.  Should we be looking at middle school teachers for answers in terms of where the disparities are?

            Donn Marcus indicated that there are several assessments that we can look at - the 6th grade Terra Novas for example. 

Superintendent O’Brien suggested using Connected Math as an example.  Mr. Marcus indicated that the reasoning behind changing to the Connected Math Program was to get more 9th graders taking higher end math classes.

 

Superintendent O’Brien reported that money savings seems to be the question.  We will see some, but how much is anyone’s guess.  He attended a meeting recently and found out that The Wallace Foundation funding looks at two things, 1) a bottom up approach – not mandated by the state, and 2) proposals/plans that improve student achievement - not necessarily saving money.

 

6.   Transportation:  Donna Corcoran distributed information regarding the current bussing

system (copy attached to the file copy of these minutes).  When she met with Bet-Cha Transit late summer regarding bus routes they took a preliminary look at “what if” and the conclusions reached are that the there would be less time on the busses for students; there would be a slower rise in / or leveling of annual costs due to lower mileage and less driver time; and the possibility of separating K-6 and 7-12.

 

7.  Assets and Liabilities:  Facility Needs

  • Facility Needs – Donna distributed information regarding identified needs, that would

be addressed through building projects at ACS and FCS and the possible costs involved (copy attached to the file copy of these minutes).  Enrollments are stable at Addison.  Ferrisburgh student numbers are lower than expected.  Dennis Mueller indicated that the high school enrollments are up by 50 students more than expected.

Dave Kayhart asked 1) are these building projects on a fast track for completion and 2) if spread over the 5 towns (vs. the individual towns) what would the cost be?

            Donna indicated that both ACS and FCS Boards are looking at now vs. waiting but neither has made any definite decisions.  The second question will be answered shortly.

            Adela Langrock noted that FCS enrollment is the same as expected.  Numbers were up on the first day, but then lost a couple.

            Ray indicated that there are approximately 135 students enrolled elsewhere – either in private schools or being home schooled.   It may be important to keep these numbers in mind, in case they decide to enroll in our schools.   Sam Kayhart indicated that the students enrolled at Champlain Valley Christian School are there for other reasons.  It has nothing to do with the quality of education in our schools.

  • Assets – Donna distributed information regarding building values (copy attached to the

file copy of these minutes) for the 3 elementary schools – the High School is owned by all 5 towns already.  If building projects at ACS and FCS were done and included in the assets after a unionization , the bottom line is that there would be a minimal difference in net assets for the 5 towns if spread throughout the S.U.

 

Scott Gaines asked what we are using for value of the buildings.  Donna noted that currently it is the insured value.  Ray indicated that reappraisal is very expensive and we would hold off having it done until definite decisions are made.

Dennis Mueller indicated that this is a politically charged issue – people paying a share for a school that’s outside their “own.” 

Ray indicated that this is just 1 of the 12 decisions to make – how to approach this issue.  There are several options to consider, reappraisal being one of them. 

Kris Bristow indicated that tax rates would be another way to look at it.

            Dave Tatlock noted that with the difference in buildings – taxpayers may resist paying for a better facility for someone else’s students.

            Dennis indicated that if we look at it from the point of equity for all students – some towns will pay more for it than another.

 

Actions on Recommendations:  Ray indicated that 2 meetings are scheduled – one on September 28 and the other on October 12 – with the idea being that by October we would make a determination in order to make a March vote.  Two major items remain.  1)  Answer the 12 pieces that are required by law in order to form a Unified Union District, and 2) decide what kind of information we want/need to bring to our communities.  This can be accomplished.  The Committee has much data that has been collected, i.e. numbers, information from your administrators, including special education and curriculum reports, etc.

            Adela Langrock indicated that she sees it more as an issue of bringing the information to townspeople as the difficult part.

            Ray indicated that we have two projects to complete: 1) the report with information for communities, and 2) the Articles of Agreement – which means answering the 12 steps required, approve the document and move forward.

            Ray reviewed the information sent with the agenda regarding the findings/data analysis and discussed with the Committee how to and what to include in the report for the state and what to send to the communities.  The second part is to approve the steps, etc.

            The first item is a pre-k through grade twelve educational system/district.

Motion by David Kayhart, seconded by Sam Kayhart, to approve a PreK-12 Unified Union School District.  So voted and the motion carried.

            The next item is the Master Agreements with staff.  Ray explained that if/when we unify, all contracts become null and void unless at the time of unionization we incorporate them into this agreement until they sunset.

Motion by David Kayhart, seconded by Sid Bosworth, to incorporate all current Master Agreements with staff into the unionization agreement until such time as they sunset.  So voted and the motion carried.

            Ray explained that the only issue with the contracts is the Reduction in Force Article because of seniority.

 

Kris Bristow recommended that we stop here.  There is too much left on the agenda and it’s too late to be working on these important issues.

 

Superintendent O’Brien indicated that the district staff will not be invited to the next meeting as planned because there is too much left to do.

 

The next meeting is September 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the VUHS Library.  Sam Kayhart and Amy Johnston will be in charge of the food.

 

The meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 8:40 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                   

                                                                                    Sally A. Bushey

                                                                                    Recording Secretary