FACULTY MEETING MINUTES
Union Institute/Noble Hall
PRESENT: Richard Anderson, Cara Berryman, Dennis Bonanza, Jim Candon, Jeff Cassarino, Kathi Cassidy, Diana Chapman, Wade Cole, Chris Colwell, Sheila Commo, Anne Cote, John Cross, Kris Degenhardt, Pauline Dwyer, Anne Emerson, Jenny Estey, Alan Frost, Barb Hagen, Lisa Harrington, Audrey Irons, Anna Jeffrey, Dan King, Mary Koen, Sue Kuzma, Mark Lather, Steve LaTulippe, Tod Lessard, John Long, Bob Lucenti, Paul Major, Eric Marchese, Mary McCallum, Katherine Miller, Maryanne Murphy, Broni Plucas, Mary Poulos, Gene Rembisz, Bob Salzman, Bob Sattelberger, Lynn Sibley, Guy Smythe, Sharon Strange, David Strong, Claire Swaha, Scott Tomlinson, Peter VanWageningen, Bob Walsh, Tony Washburn, Tom Woods
Guests: John Gorczyk, Jan Steinbauer
ABSENT: Al Clark, Dianne Lawrence, Mo McIntyre, Mary Nelson, Bobbi Shutts,
Introductions and
Announcements:
Bob Lucenti called the meeting to order at
Steve was asked to introduce Eric Marchese, our new
correctional instructor at the Bennington Community Site and Mary Koen was
asked to introduce Sharon Strange, our new Title I instructor at
Roll Call was taken by Sheila.
Dave Strong made a motion
to accept the meeting minutes of October 27, 2005. John Cross seconded the
motion. The motion was called, and it passed unanimously.
Bob Lucenti shared the affirmative vote, to move forward with NEASC accreditation, with the Department of Corrections Policy Executive members and Commissioner Hofmann. Commissioner Hofmann was happy with the response as was Mr. Gilbert, Chair of the VT School Board Association. There were many congratulations and positive responses from around the state for our efforts in moving forward with this accreditation.
The issue continues between the Department of Education and Community High School of Vermont as to who is responsible for special education services for the non-correctional and correctional students attending school in the community-based sites. The debate includes determining our status as an independent or public school. There will be work in the legislature in January to help determine our independent/public school status. We will be following up with this discussion at our December faculty meeting to help prepare for January's legislative session. Dan King asked if the community sites were in jeopardy of closing. Bob responded no, Commissioner Hofmann was a strong supporter of the community sites; he has attended a graduation and has seen the coordination between both facility and community sites and realizes that it is needed and necessary if these kids are to graduate. He also supports troubled community students attending the program. Bob also stated that a student with a GED does not lose his/her rights to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and to work toward a high school diploma. Tom Woods asked who was drafting the bill for the legislature. Bob responded that, Bill Reedy, General Legal Counsel for the Department of Education would be drafting the bill.
Bob received a call from Associated Press reporter, Dave Gram who would like to do a story on the CHSVT. Bob gave him the names of John Cross, Mary Nelson and Dan King and he may also show up at Southern State. He is impressed with the way the faculty works together as a student moves from site to site to keep them on track towards completion of credits and eventually graduation.
CHSVT is looking for a short-term contracted employee to work as a technical assistant in the facilities' student computer labs to help get them organized and working to capacity. Please contact central office, if you know of anyone who might be interested.
Bob handed out a graph from the DOC division of planning that shows a decrease in population of youth in prisons and a large increase of diplomas awarded to those youth.
Bob shared a thank you note, to the faculty, from Mary Jo Scott.
Mary Koen shared information about the Title I monitoring that is continuing throughout the facilities. She discussed the program and how the Title I money is to be used. 30% of the money is being used for transitional services and some for the career resource center.
Bob Lucenti met yesterday, November 16th, with the Department of Labor (VDOL), formally the Department of Employment and Training, to discuss the career resource centers and how it will be used to help place our students in gainful employment. The career resource centers are tied in with work force development. The plan is to educate offenders, train them, and help them get a job through the resource center. The center would show employers that these offenders are "better" and more capable of long-term employment commitments.
The CHSVT State Advisory Board met at CCWC for their
November 2nd meeting. Tom Woods brought four of his students to the board to
discuss their success at the CCWC. The board members were very impressed with
the four students and board member, Dave Muholland, suggested that Tom check into
enrolling the students at
Local Site
Announcements:
Dan King announced that Anna Jeffrey has started a gym class
at the Y. It is a great program because it keeps the kids engaged and coming
back after lunch. Kris Degenhardt inherited eight new computers and is putting
together a resource center for the students at the
Sue Kuzma will be graduating four students in
Diana Chapman had seven students involved in quilt making for babies with HIV, terminal illnesses, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The project is available throughout the state. The students were recognized in the local newspaper for completing eight quilts for the organization. Diana has also had two students who recently have had poems published.
Kathi Cassidy brought books to distribute if anyone is interested.
Mark Lather received a thank you note from Ted Kessler for
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta. Ted said that this has been the best
fundraising year ever for his organization thanks in large part to the donation
of the canoe and other items that were made and donated from the
Bob Sattelberger and the St. Johnsbury Regional Correctional Facility recently held a job fair for its students. Bob said that it was a pretty simple thing to put together and was a great way for the students to earn some credit.
John Cross announced that the elves are busy making toys for the families of deployed soldiers.
Claire announced that Planned Parenthood is looking to do health classes. Claire says that they have a great curriculum.
Maryanne Murphy announced that they will have three
graduates under the age of 22. She is also working with Ryan Crehan from the Department of Land Conversation. They are
raising beetles for the Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol
Program. The beetles will be introduced into the environment to control the
spread of Purple Loosestrife. They will be working with a science teacher at
the
Cara announced that CCWC will be graduating one student on December 9th.
Steve LaTulippe thanked the staff for all of their support and kind words during his family's difficult time and congratulated Jeff Cassarino on his successful football season with his son. Steve reminded all the facilities they are all "gatekeepers" of their individual programs and that, if problems arise from "outside" sources, don't hesitate to contact central office for assistance and support.
Jan Steinbauer, Director of Literacy Programs at the Vermont Humanities Council (formally VT Council on the Humanities), was on hand to provide information to the faculty on programs available regarding literature and history, among other subjects. The Humanities Council received a grant to allow them to work with the facilities to provide books and presenters to come and present to the classes. Connections is the name of the program. They will provide a free guest reading-discussion leader for a series of three sessions. Free gift books for each student are part of the program as well. Current funds for January 2006-June 2006 allow for one 3-session series for each facility including presenter and books. Hopefully, more funding will allow for more series in the future. Maryanne Murphy has had the opportunity to work with Jan along with her American Literature class. Maryanne said that it encouraged outside reading because the books stayed with the students. Information can be found at central office or by emailing Jan at jsteinbauer@vermonthumanities.org or checking out the website at www.vermonthumanities.org.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Curriculum
Committee - Tom Woods
Barb Hagen reported on the curriculum committee by reviewing how to use the curriculum manual and handing out CD's to each site. New forms will be sent out and put on the education drive as they become available. Barb encouraged staff to issue credits to all students even if they already have a high school diploma. Counting of assessments is still being reviewed with central office, and they are hoping to have a decision by December's meeting. All teachers are being encouraged to use the new credit request form via email with the syllabi on the same page. Al Frost was thanked for giving the staff access to the transcript database.
Local Standards
Board - Mary Poulos
Local Standards Board will be meeting on Friday, November
18th. The electronic portfolio training has been moved to
Curriculum Content
Committee - Jim Candon
The curriculum content committee has not met since the last faculty meeting. They will be meeting on Monday, November 21st.
Technology
Committee - Pauline Dwyer
The committee has not met since the last faculty meeting. Elections will be held today for the two vacant positions on the committee. Pauline announced that a representative from Apple will be attending the next committee meeting to showcase some of their products. At this point, Pauline turned over the committee report to Dave Strong for elections as her position is one up for renewal. There are seven positions on the technology committee. The committee consists of Scott Tomlinson, Dave Strong, Dennis Bonanza, Al Clark, Pauline Dwyer, Al Frost and Steve LaTulippe. Scott had recently stepped down as chair and Pauline had become interim-chair until elections. Pauline and Dennis's terms were up as of November 2005.
Jim Candon nominated
Pauline Dwyer. Mary Poulos seconded the nomination.
Steve LaTulippe
nominated Dennis Bonanza. Jim Candon seconded the nomination.
Dennis Bonanza
nominated Jeff Cassarino. Jeff declined the nomination.
Sue Kuzma moved that
nominations be closed. Jim Candon seconded it.
Pauline Dwyer
nominated Cara Berryman. Cara declined the nomination.
Jim Candon moved that
Sue Kuzma vote the slate. Jim Candon seconded.
Since Pauline Dwyer and Dennis Bonanza were the only ones nominated for the two open positions on the technology committee, Dennis and Pauline will be filling the positions.
John Gorczyk announced that computers have been purchased
for Northwest for the career resource center and three more are slated for
Cara Berryman announced that they have three computer
stations that they are willing to donate to
Library Committee
- Mary McCallum
The library committee met a week ago with Bob Lucenti and discussed looking at the reference collection at each site. They are putting together a list of base reference books that should be available at each site. Budget allotments will be impacted per site after determining which reference materials need to be purchased to make each site equal in availability. John Gorczyk said that the career resource center may be able to assist in obtaining reference materials for the sites. John will communicate with Mary as to how they may help. The committee will be meeting on November 30th, to identify the needs of each facility.
Dave strong has concerns about not pursuing the VT Online Library and feels that it can be an important reference for students. Dave is looking to central office to see if it is worth looking into again or if it is too much of a security issue. Bob L. does not feel that it is a safety issue. Gene suggested that there be a sub-committee to figure out if it is worth pursuing. Claire asked if the community sites were being looked at differently than the facilities when determining whether the online library would be available. Bob L. said that yes, the street sites would be treated differently.
Mary McCallum said that there should be a check list survey available by the next faculty meeting to determine which reference materials were available and needed at each facility.
Special Education
- Mary Koen
Mary met with Mia Karvonides and Karin Edwards from the Department of Education to work on the legislative report due on December 15th. They will be meeting again on November 18th. Data seems to be a big issue. We are still trying to get the message across to the Department of Education that our regular education program provides the services needed for special education students. The Department of Education would like to see an ESS (educational support system) program developed at CHSVT. An ESS provides support for students on an ACT 117 or 504 plan who are not considered special ed.
Mary is looking for an enrollment count after October 1st, from the street sites.
Mary handed out a survey to all instructors to complete about their knowledge and skill levels in various areas of education and whether or not they would like additional training in any of the fields.
Steve L. announced that Dave Muholland, State Advisory Board member, has offered to conduct trainings or workshops on disabilities. You can let Steve know if you are interested.
SELECT COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Beryle Gardner -
Cara Berryman
The committee will not be meeting until spring. A donation of $1,000 has been received from the Vermont Retired Teachers' Association in recognition of Shirley Atchinson. The donation was sent after an impressionable presentation by two of our students at the last association meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Bob Sattelberger sent out surveys to the faculty, via email, a few weeks ago to get an idea of degrees held, tenure, and salary range. After researching, it was found that the average teacher, in the same position in a public school earns more; He requested that a review of job descriptions be conducted to look at the options of possibly asking for a larger salary or less days in the school year. More research will be done on this committee to determine the next step.
Digital Divide contracts are up for renewal. The deadline to submit names for the program is close of business on Friday, November 18th to Mo in central office.
Mary Koen reminded staff that special education money needs to be spent, as these funds can not be carried-over to the new fiscal year.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of faculty
members for NEASC training - Bob Lucenti
Two faculty members are needed to attend a
NEASC training on school self-evaluation to be held on January 18th, in
John Cross nominated
Barb Hagen. Gene Rembisz seconded the nomination.
Katherine Miller
nominated Jim Candon. Sue Kuzma seconded the nomination.
Mark Lather nominated
John Cross. Jenny Estey seconded the nomination.
Maryanne Murphy
nominated Tom Woods. Dave Strong seconded the nomination.
Pauline Dwyer
nominated Diana Chapman. Anne Cote seconded the nomination.
Bob Sattelberger
nominated Pauline Dwyer. Pauline declined the nomination.
Anne Cote nominated
Dave Strong. Claire Swaha seconded the nomination.
Kris Degenhardt
nominated Dan King. Anna Jeffrey seconded the nomination.
Dennis Bonanza
nominated John Long. John declined the nomination.
Sue Kuzma moved to
close the nominations. Mary Poulos seconded.
The nominations closed and paper was handed out for voting. Steve LaTulippe, John Gorczyk and Mary Koen counted the ballots. Barb Hagen and Jim Candon were chosen to attend the training. Dave Strong and Tom Woods tied for alternate. Another ballot vote was conducted. Dave Strong was chosen as the alternate.
Plan for December
meeting and gift exchange
Bob L. asked if everyone was interested in a gift exchange again this year. All were in favor. Bob asked what the spending limit should be. Last year's limit was $7.77. Jim Candon made a motion that the spending limit for this year should be $8.88. Tony Washburn seconded. All were in favor. Maryanne Murphy is concerned that the quality of gifts has declined over the past few years. Anne Cote suggested that we get more creative than wine and beer. The December meeting will be held on December 29th. Place to be determined. We are looking for possible places, as well as, considering entertainment. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to contact central office.
Bob L. handed out a New York Times article titled America's Learning Deficit for staff to take back to their facilities and read.
The meeting adjourned at
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Commo