Upcoming School Board Meetings

[David Bardaglio]

Hi All,

Here is an e-mail I received from Amy Mellencamp today. This is similar to the previous information about the "replacement" Finance Committee amendment.

Note that we have been asked not to speak at the May 13th Finance Committee meeting. And they asked us to present "some consolidated comments" at the full Board meeting. Any volunteers? It might eb good for them to hear form different folks.

Should I send this out to the larger BHS Hockey Supporter Group?

Thanks - David

 

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Re: Restoring 15% Sports Budget Cuts and the Upcoming School Board Meetings
Date:	Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:20 -0400
From:	Amy Mellencamp <amel...@bsdvt.org>
To:	David Bardaglio <dbard...@burlingtontelecom.net>
Cc:	Nancy Knox <nk...@bsdvt.org>, Jeanne Hulsen <jhu...@bsdvt.org>

 

Hello David.  This is the information I have for next week's meetings.  I have been in contact with Keith Pillsbury.  The suggestion is that parents not plan to come or speak at the Finance Committee on Monday evening and instead come to the full board meeting on Tuesday with some consolidated comments during the Comments and Questions time.  Keith has also indicated that the committee does not need additional information or reports at this time, feeling they heard sufficiently and well from parents and administration at the last meeting.  Jeanne Hulsen and I will plan to be present at the portion of the Finance Committee related to the motion below, in case there are questions, but not to make a presentation.  There are a number of items on the Finance Committee agenda so the evening will be a full one for them. 

This is the motion that is being presented at the meeting:

• Motion: That the finance committee replace its recommendation to the board, voted at the April 9, 2013 finance committee meeting, concerning the FY14 co-curricular and athletics program with a recommendation that

• 1)      the board re-affirm its commitment to the district’s co-curricular and athletics program as an essential means to address the high-level board goal of “an inclusive and equitable district that supports the rigorous academic, social, cultural, and emotional development of all students”, and

• 2)      the board request the superintendent to seek adjustments in other budget areas of the FY14 budget in order to maintain the FY13 program level for co-curricular and athletics activities in FY14, and to report to the board on the effectiveness of such efforts

The superintendent will be asked to find the funds and the specifics of that will be the work of the Business Office with Jeanne after the board's action.

This is the best information I have at this time, and I do thank you for the advocacy and support of everyone in conveying the importance of co-curriculars to students and the school community.  They are so integral to the experience of education and life.  I am glad to talk to you on the phone on Monday to review this and talk more as needed.  What would be the best number to reach you at?  My very best.

 

[barbara....@gmail.com]

Hi Folks,

In my opinion, the proposed newly worded motion lacks backbone. It would be an effective motion if it read:

"superintendent WILL MAKE(instead of SEEK) adjustments in other budget areas of the FY14 budget in order to maintain the FY13 program level for co-curricular and athletics activities in FY14...."

The SEEK gives the superintendent wiggle room. She might say other unforeseen expenses (lawyers and consultants) have occurred and the 15 percent cannot be restored.

Despite other School Board concerns, and despite all the public input on the importance of athletics and CC, postponing public comment on the newly worded motion until after it is voted on by the Finance Committee is a questionable process in my opinion.

I can appreciate his wish for better time management in the meeting. A more positive approach would be to limit new comments to 2 or 3 minutes as is the practice at the begining of City Council meetings.

If you guys trust KP and JC, then I'll go along and probably not ask for the wording edit. But my bet is that KP and JC will use the softly worded motion to keep their flexibility and justify not fully restoring the 15 percent. We'll regret trusting them.

It also seems very wrong to me that Keith doesn't want us to attend the Finance Committee meeting. It raises the question: what does he not want us to hear? Is there disagreement among the Finance Committee on the wording of his proposed motion? His request of us to not attend Monday's Finance Committee meeting flys in the face of transparency.

Regardless of his reasons, full transparency and due process should not be compromised.

I feel it is very important for many of us parents to attend the Monday night Finance Committe meeting. Our quiet presence will keep the appropriate amount of pressure on the FC to serve us well. If we speak afterwards it should be new insights/opinions.

Clearly, KP wants to use the FC drive his own agenda and without public comment that may sway other FC members thinking.

Remember, he and JC are why we are in this situation of trying to restore the 15 percent and protect varsity hockey.

Best wishes,
Barb

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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From: David Bardaglio <dbard...@burlingtontelecom.net>

Sender: bhshocke...@googlegroups.com

Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 09:33:02 -0400

To: BHS Hockey Parents<bhshocke...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: {BHS Hockey Parents} Upcoming School Board Meetings

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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bhshockeyparen...@googlegroups.com.
 
 

[David Bardaglio]

Hi All,

I think it is too late to try to get the wording on the motion changed.

And I agree that we should attend the Monday Finance Committee meeting, but honor their request not to speak.

David

 

On Fri, 10 May 2013 16:42:47 +0000, barbara....@gmail.com wrote:

Hi Folks,

In my opinion, the proposed newly worded motion lacks backbone. It would be an effective motion if it read:

"superintendent WILL MAKE(instead of SEEK) adjustments in other budget areas of the FY14 budget in order to maintain the FY13 program level for co-curricular and athletics activities in FY14...."

The SEEK gives the superintendent wiggle room. She might say other unforeseen expenses (lawyers and consultants) have occurred and the 15 percent cannot be restored.

Despite other School Board concerns, and despite all the public input on the importance of athletics and CC, postponing public comment on the newly worded motion until after it is voted on by the Finance Committee is a questionable process in my opinion.

I can appreciate his wish for better time management in the meeting. A more positive approach would be to limit new comments to 2 or 3 minutes as is the practice at the begining of City Council meetings.

If you guys trust KP and JC, then I'll go along and probably not ask for the wording edit. But my bet is that KP and JC will use the softly worded motion to keep their flexibility and justify not fully restoring the 15 percent. We'll regret trusting them.

It also seems very wrong to me that Keith doesn't want us to attend the Finance Committee meeting. It raises the question: what does he not want us to hear? Is there disagreement among the Finance Committee on the wording of his proposed motion? His request of us to not attend Monday's Finance Committee meeting flys in the face of transparency.

Regardless of his reasons, full transparency and due process should not be compromised.

I feel it is very important for many of us parents to attend the Monday night Finance Committe meeting. Our quiet presence will keep the appropriate amount of pressure on the FC to serve us well. If we speak afterwards it should be new insights/opinions.

Clearly, KP wants to use the FC drive his own agenda and without public comment that may sway other FC members thinking.

Remember, he and JC are why we are in this situation of trying to restore the 15 percent and protect varsity hockey.

Best wishes,
Barb

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

---

From: David Bardaglio

Sender: bhshocke...@googlegroups.com

Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 09:33:02 -0400

To: BHS Hockey Parents

Subject: {BHS Hockey Parents} Upcoming School Board Meetings

Hi All,

Here is an e-mail I received from Amy Mellencamp today. This is similar to the previous information about the "replacement" Finance Committee amendment.

Note that we have been asked not to speak at the May 13th Finance Committee meeting. And they asked us to present "some consolidated comments" at the full Board meeting. Any volunteers? It might eb good for them to hear form different folks.

Should I send this out to the larger BHS Hockey Supporter Group?

Thanks - David

 

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Re: Restoring 15% Sports Budget Cuts and the Upcoming School Board Meetings
Date:	Fri, 10 May 2013 08:16:20 -0400
From:	Amy Mellencamp

To:	David Bardaglio
Cc:	Nancy Knox, Jeanne Hulsen

[Marian Steimke]

I just read this:

NewAthletic Advisory Committee

Join usforthe organizationalmeeting of a new AthleticAdvisory Committee on Monday, September 30

at 7:00 p.m. in the BHS Library. We will build on the positive support and spirit of parents and students

formiddle and high school co‐curricular programsin the face of potential budget cutsthis pastspring.

Thanksto thissupport, we have full funding for athletics and activitiesthis year. This committee will

provide advice and counselto BHS on such topics as ongoing supportforschool athletics, program

evaluation and viability, parent and student communications,the recruitment and retention of

energetic, diverse and qualified coaching staff, and facilities use andmaintenance. Middle school

parents are welcome too

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