STATE EDUCATION BOARD
MINUTES
Members Present: Dwight Davis, Richard Fraser, Blanche Kelley, David Luce, Don Messier, Dave Muholland, Wilma Paronto and Albert Pearce
CHSVT Administration Present: Bob Lucenti, Director
Stephan LaTulippe, Principal
Maureen McIntyre, Business Manager
SESCF Staff Present: Mark Lather, Vocational Instructor
Maryanne Murphy, Correctional Instructor
Kathy Astemborski
Guests Present: Caitlin Bisson-Hoyt
Students Present:
Jess
The meeting was held at the Southeast State Correctional
Facility in
The meeting was called to order at
1.
The residents in attendance shared their thoughts regarding
the
Vanessa will be graduating later this month. She expressed excitement about working with
VSAC, because she plans on continuing her education. Laura just recently graduated. She needed all 20 credits when she started
her high school education with CHSVT.
She began while at the Chittenden Regional Facility in
A short discussion took place regarding the Master Gardening Class. You earn one credit by attending this class. It teaches all about plant science. They have created a new garden, which is a mother/child garden. They also have a vegetable garden. The gardening class and the work crew tend the large vegetable garden at the facility. The legislature put $36,000 in the FY06 Capital Bill to allow the Southeast State Correctional Facility to purchase a large green house.
The Board asked if there was anything that needed
improvement. The residents told the
Board that the computer lab is a concern.
They feel the computers are down more than they should be. They also think the education program could
use a computer adjunct faculty. Mark
and Maryanne, Instructors at
Dave Luce asked the ladies how the vocation program will affect their lives when they are released. For example, how will woodworking help them? They answered that they could open a small business in woodworking. They also stated that even if they don’t plan on using the skill as a business, it will be a useful hobby. Mark Lather told Mr. Luce that he has seen tremendous growth in their woodworking skills and their self esteem.
Blanche Kelley asked the women if they have what they need. For example, clothing, books, stuff like that. Blanche asked because she knows of many folks – retired teachers, churches, etc. – who would love to donate clothing. The women seem to have their basic needs met. Maryanne Murphy shared that they have a reading program, Connections, and books are donated through this program. She also has a good relationship with a local book store that donates books (new ones) to the facility.
The Board was wondering if the facility helps with job
placement for the residents prior to release.
Bill Soule, the Facility Superintendent, said
this is a challenge due to geographics. Most of the residents are from the
Maryanne Murphy talked a little about the Workforce Development Program, which is funded with a federal grant. Through this program, the Habits of Mind (HOM) curriculum is taught. Vermont Correctional Industries is interacting the HOM with their jobs. At first, the women were having difficulty accepting it. Over time, they have begun embracing the HOM, or are “open to continuously learning,” which is one of the “habits”. They are in the third phase of this program. Chris Leslie, Administrator for the Workforce Development Program, is at the facility three days a week. To date, the Living Unit Supervisors, Caseworkers, VCI and CHSVT staff is all on board with the program. With a little more time, all facility staff should be involved.
Some final comments from the residents were that they would like to see more night or weekend classes. They also thought the facility needed more computers, other than what education has. Bill Soule suggested that maybe more recreational activities were needed on the weekend instead of more classes. He also reminded folks that weekends are the primary visiting time. The residents closed their presentation by stating that CHSVT has really improved their life. The Board thanked the ladies for coming to the meeting.
2. Review and Acceptance of Meeting Minutes
and Agenda:
Dwight
3. Bob Lucenti –
Updates & News:
Bob briefly spoke about the women’s presentation. He touched upon the transition piece and shared that those who participate in school, the work program, counseling, etc., while incarcerated, are given priority with employment.
Dwight asked about the “good time” status. Bob said the good time statues have been changing for 20 years. Depending on when a person was sentenced, good time could be different as it presently has four sets of rules. The Department of Corrections went to the legislature this year and asked them to do away with good time. The House rewrote the statue for good time, but that was totally withdrawn. The Senate has submitted something, but Bob did not know where it was at – whether it has been done away with, or we have another set of rules.
Dave Luce stated that incentives, such as good time, work. Bob Lucenti stated that education has their incentives and Corrections has theirs. For example, the teaching staff at the sites is an incentive because students realize that these teachers really do care, and they provide quality opportunities. Dave Luce feels that there needs to be more incentives other than the “good time” program.
Bob continued his update by talking a little more of the Workforce Development Program (HOM). It is a three year, $1,021,000 federal grant. The purpose is to teach the entire staff, including officers, the HOM. This is a research grant and there should be some strong data within six months. He mentioned the Board may want to invite John Holt to a future meeting to share data on this program.
The woodworking program built a canoe. This canoe will be donated to Camp Ta Kum Ta, which is a camp for children with cancer. There will be a ceremony at SESCF when the boat is given to the Camp.
Bob also addressed the difficulty of hiring adjunct faculty
at
Bob updated the Board on the Special Education legislation regarding the transfer of funds from the Department of Education to the Department of Corrections. Presently, it looks like we are receiving an increase, but actually we are not. The legislation states that we will be receiving $320,000 for special education within the CHSVT. For 20 years, we have been receiving the same amount of funds for special education, which is $163,437. This was not enough to provide special education in all the facilities. Therefore, we supplemented the special education program with our Corrections Education general fund money. The general fund dollars supplementing the special education program totaled $183,563. What happened was the legislature deducted approximately $156,000 from our general fund allocation, and moved it in with the $163,437. Therefore, we gained in the special education transfer, but lost money in our general fund, and did not receive an actual increase of funds.
4. Stephan Latulippe – Update:
Stephan shared a draft copy of a letter he wrote, from the
Board, to the Commissioner of Corrections regarding the education space at the
new
5. Corrections/Education Policy:
Bob Lucenti shared the education policy with the Board. He would like the Board to look at this policy and recommend to the Commissioner of Corrections that this policy go through the Corrections policy process. There were a few changes with the numeric order under section two, Purpose. Also, the Board would like section eight added. Section eight would be Custody and its definition of terms as defined by the Department of Corrections. More discussion took place regarding whether we should add a section for Court of Appeals. However, the majority of the Board thinks it is already addressed. If the Commissioner doesn’t like this policy, then he will talk to Bob, or the Agency of Human Services Secretary. The Board said that once these changes are made, Bob should start it through the process.
The policy had been tabled until now because we were waiting for the new Corrections Policy Director to be hired, which has happened. We also tabled the policy because we recently were appointed a new Commissioner and wanted to allow him time to get familiar with the Department.
Dwight Davis made a motion to accept the policy, as amended. Dave Muholland seconded the motion. There was no more discussion. The motion was called, and it passed unanimously.
6. Liaison & Advocacy:
Bob Lucenti and Stephan LaTulippe updated the Board on the re-creation of the Local
Advisory Board in
The Board again reminded central office staff that we need to be proactive in getting all the Local Advisory Boards to send their meeting minutes to the CHSVT central office. The State Board would like all local board minutes put together in a packet and distributed at their monthly meetings.
7.
Dwight Davis and Stephan LaTulippe
updated the Board on the recent visit by New England Association of Colleges
& Schools. Bill Bennett, Director of
the Commission on Independent Schools for the New England Association of
Schools and Colleges, Inc. came to
He said new rules, for the NEA, will become effective on
Mr. Bennett mentioned that he is aware that we have been in an adversarial position with the VT Department of Education. He has promised that will not happen with this association. He feels our course offerings are totally appropriate for our school. He also stated that the approval from the NEA is good for ten years. The application fee is $1,175 and the membership fee is $800. The other cost to complete this process will be a $2 student fee, and we will need to cover the accommodations for the folks from their association in October.
Bob Lucenti shared that the CHSVT faculty are aware of this, and will be considering NEA approval too.
Dave Muholland suggested that the Board write a resolution supporting CHSVT moving forward to attain school approval through the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.
Richard Fraser made a motion to accept Dave Muholland suggestion of a resolution from CHSVT State Education Board supporting school approval from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Dwight Davis seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. The motion was called and it passed unanimously.
Richard Fraser moved
to adjourn the meeting at
8. FY06 State Education Board Meeting
Schedule:
The Board decided where each of their next ten meetings will be held throughout fiscal year 06. The locations are as follows:
Respectfully Submitted,
Maureen McIntyre