RNESU ALL BOARD MEETING November 5, 2015 Board Members Present:

BARSTOW: Chittenden: Elizabeth Stahura Deborah Singiser Mendon: Michelle Erickson Erica McLaughlin Chris Gandin BRANDON: Lisa Kenyon Debbie Boyce Michael Lufkin Erin Gallivan Devon Fuller GOSHEN: Diane O'Classen Dave Bishop LEICESTER: Michelle Pierpont Hannah Sessions Connie Carroll Mark Raishart

PITTSFORD: Bonnie Bourne Margaret Daly Clarence Greeno, Jr. Sue Markowski Michelle Rawls WHITING: Rebecca Bertrand Carol Brigham Tara Trudo SUDBURY: Laurie Bertrand Darlene Kelly

Also Present: Jeanné Collins-Superintendent Brenda Fleming-Director of Business & Finance Marsha Bruce - Director of Special Services Judi Pulsifer - Neshobe Principal Jim Avery - OV Principal Ed Barnwell - Sudbury/Whiting Principal Deb Alexander - Lothrop Principal Renee Castillo - Barstow Princial Steve Stitzel Cady White Jennifer Tinsman Cathy Petrics Bill Petrics Jennifer Filo Derrick Smith Marielle Blais Lee Kahrs

OV: James Rademacher (Pittsford) Richard White (Brandon) Angela Ouellette (Leicester) Sue Bloomer (Sudbury) Robert Howland (Pittsford) Ellen Kurrelmeyer (Whiting) Kevin Thornton (Brandon) Colleen Maxwell (Pittsford) Peter Werner (Brandon)

1. Call To Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:06 PM by Richard (Dick) White, Chair of the RNESU Executive Committee. 2. Approval of Agenda Dick White requested a change to the agenda; reversing Items 4 and 5, with the executive session held prior to the appointment of a Board Negotiation Council. A motion was made by Mike Lufkin and seconded by Dave Bishop to approve the agenda as amended. The motion passed unanimously. 2.

Review Preparation for Announced Paraprofessional/Bus Driver Strike

Dick White advised the meeting was called to talk about the proposed strike that is looming. Mr. White stated at the RNESU meeting on October 29th, an announcement was made that the paras and bus drivers would impose a strike commencing November 16, 2015. The RNESU Board has expressed the desire for the schools to remain open if possible. Mr. White requested the Superintendent report on what she has been able to determine. Jeanné Collins advised that if school is open, there will be a need to provide transportation for students on IEP’s that will require three drivers. The district will be unable to provide transportation for non-IEP students, cocurricular or sporting events. There will need to be 51% of the student population in each school attending. Page 1 of 4

There is no legal requirement to offer transportation and it is not an impediment to open. The district has 61 paras and 35 will need to be covered. There will be resources identified and if staffing is met and required enrollment is obtained the schools will be able to remain open if that is the direction of the Board. If it is discovered that the enrollment is not met or if there are safety concerns, the Superintendent will ask for a special meeting to determine whether to remain open. Clarence Greeno asked if there has been consideration given to using an outside source for busing. It was noted that the private vendors are already providing transportation for surrounding districts and it would require this district to have to change schools hours. This option is not being pursued at this time. Darlene Kelly asked how the triaging was done for the paras. Jeanné Collins reported that Marsha Bruce started by reviewing who receives para services through IEP’s and looked at those students who have the most needs. The schools’ psychologists are also willing to assist. Diane O’Classen asked what the para qualifications would be. Jeanné Collins advised it would require a high school diploma. The district is reviewing the substitute list for people that would have already completed the background checks and finger printing. There will be some cross-training where possible. It was questioned whether the district can predict the cost increase associated with the strike and it was noted that this is not possible to predict fully. It was questioned whether parents could be encouraged to set up carpooling. Jeanné Collins stated after tonight’s meeting, the district will get the word out and perhaps there may be ways that things could be set up through the PTO and social media. Angela Ouellette questioned if there will be transportation for the Hannaford Center and Stafford Technical Center. Jeanné Collins advised that the district is seeking two additional drivers to do those runs. The Centers have been notified of the impending strike and the possibility that there will be no transportation. It was noted there is a commuter bus that goes from Rutland to Middlebury and may be an option. It was questioned whether students would be allowed to drive themselves to the Centers and it was noted that this would be supported. The extra-curricular activities will also be maintained, but transportation will not be provided. Sue Markowski questioned whether the after-school programs will remain in place. Jeanné Collins stated if the schools are open, those programs will continue. Dave Bishop asked if the Technical Centers possibly had an extra bus or driver who could potentially help. This option has not been considered. Darlene Kelly stated there previously was an agreement with Proctor to provide transportation to Stafford Technical Center. Jeanné Collins will be in contact with the school regarding this subject. 3. Opportunity for Citizens to Address the Board Dick White questioned if there were comments from community members. He stated it is the assumption that the schools are going to stay open and it will not require a vote. The Board will task the Superintendent with arranging the services required and if 51% of the students are not in attendance, a special meeting could be called. Clarence Greeno asked if the Board can give the Superintendent the authority to close the schools if the 51% attendance is not met or if she determines it unsafe to remain open. Jeanné Collins stated the school day would finish and if this scenario exits, she would call a special meeting. If there is not 51% in a given school, it would not count as a school day as the students are required to complete 171 days. Bill Petrics stated the teachers are required to attend, but if 51% of the students are not present, how does that affect the teachers. Jeanné Collins stated there needs to be a discussion if all days that would qualify for snow days are used. Page 2 of 4

Michelle Rawls asked if there are any additional measures taken, such as discussion with the staff, with regard to the picket lines outside the schools, as this is the biggest concern collectively. Jeanné Collins noted the informational picketing was very respectful and the Vermont NEA has done a nice job of working with the Association regarding the picket lines. The picket lines will have to be on the edge of school property and not intervene with anyone at the school or disrupt practices. She noted this has been a very respectful time. Bonnie Bourne stated both Lothrop and OV do not have ideal access off Route 7 and it may behoove the schools to get additional support for traffic control. Erin Gallivan agreed that this would also be the case with Neshobe, with all the additional cars at the school. Bill Petrics asked if the requirement is 51% attendance per school. Jeanné Collins confirmed that it is per school. She would look at the decision to close on a supervisory union basis, but on a day to day count it would be per school. Darlene Kelly asked what kind of support the students will receive regarding the strike. Jeanné Collins stated students should not be drawn into the disagreement of the adults, but administratively there can be conversations at the various age levels. Ms. Kelly stated that at OV the students are aware and they can’t ignore the situation. Ms. Collins stated communication has to come from the school to the parents. Dave Bishop stated there have been a lot of comments about the upcoming play and whether it will go on. Jeanné Collins stated if the school is open, the play will be on. With students who are not in school because of transportation, the school will accommodate them. It was noted there have been comments that other staff may choose to not come to school in solidarity for the paras and bus drivers. Jeanné Collins noted the teachers and other staff are aware of what their duties are. It was noted that the paras and bus drivers pay will be affected if the schools remain open. Jennifer Tinsman thanked the boards for acknowledging the taxpayers and asked them to stand firm on this subject. She noted they are not a Board of Directors of a company that can take away from a profit margin. The taxpayers are paying more of their health premiums every year and the plan that is being offered is a premium plan. She values her children’s education and with the increased budgets the schools are going to have to start cutting enrichment programs for the children. Dick White thanked the individuals who attended the meeting to show their support and concern. A motion was made by Sue Markowski and seconded by Lisa Kenyon to enter into executive session at 6:30 PM with all board members, Cady White, Steve Stitzel and the Superintendent present for the purpose of discussing the status of negotiations, which premature general public knowledge would clearly place the board and the parties involved at a substantial disadvantage. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Executive Session (Negotiations) The Board came out of executive session at 7:34 PM. 5. Consider Appointment of Board Negotiation Council to Negotiate Resolution to Strike Dick White asked for a member of the Neshobe Board to make a statement. A motion was made by Debbie Boyce and seconded by Mike Lufkin to authorize the RNESU and Brandon Board to authorize the current existing Para and Bus Driver Board Council to meet with the union to hear and discuss their proposal. The motion passed unanimously. Page 3 of 4

Dick White asked for a member of the RNESU Board to make a statement. A motion was made by Laurie Bertrand and seconded by Hannah Sessions to authorize the RNESU Board to authorize the current existing Para and Bus Driver Board Council to meet with the union to hear and discuss their proposal. The motion passed unanimously. The members of the existing Board Negotiation Council are Cady White, Jim Rademacher, Lisa Kenyon, Darlene Kelly and Devon Fuller. 6. Adjournment: A motion was made by Clarence Greeno and seconded by Hannah Sessions to adjourn the RNESU All Board meeting at 7:39 PM. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Charlene Bryant Recording Secretary

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