HEARING REPORTS … Carla Rice, on the far left was giving her Treasurer’s report at the August 10 Montpelier School Board meeting. Listening from left to right were Superintendent Jamie Grime and Board members Kimberly Friend and Nate Rose. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
The Montpelier School Board began the August 10, 2021 meeting as usual with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance, followed by Superintendent Jamison Grime leading in the meeting’s agenda.
The Board began by appointing a delegate, Kimberly Friend and Alternate delegate, Shawn Owen, for the annual OSBA business meeting which will be held on November 8, 2021.
With no public participation or Legislative Report that evening, Grime took the time to explain that the school will not be requiring masks in the building at the beginning of this school year unless it becomes mandated, as it is for anyone riding a bus.
He shared his thoughts, “We will do anything that is mandated of us, but we are not going to go above and beyond,” and asked if that was acceptable to everyone.
He said that some superintendents are asking students to go back to wearing masks all day long but he feels that is not necessary.
He also said, concerning quarantines he feels it is unnecessary to make all children stay at home every time they are near someone who may have COVID.
He said he believes that if they maintain three feet between each other, they might avoid quarantines, it would be in the best interest of everyone and they will just quarantine people who are showing symptoms. This will keep people who are perfectly healthy, still active in school.
They will continue sanitizing, using water bottles, keeping plexiglass in cafeteria, using strategies that keep the school clean, but he does not want to do anything that is against their civil liberties.
Patti Rockey who was present for the meeting said that she applauds his decision. Grime said that it needs to be the parents who are making the decisions about their own children.
There were also no Principals’ reports so the board moved on to the Treasurer’s report. Treasurer Carla Rice shared a detailed update on specific items in the budget for the beginning of the year.
One highlight was that the Fair School Funding Plan is coming into being after three years of formation and this will fund students in whatever district in which they are attending.
The Board heard and voted to approve the following Financial Recommendations:
-To approve the financial reports for June and July 2021 as presented
-To accept the following donations: $500 to Nurses Fund and $500 to Workbook Fees from St. Paul’s Methodist Church; and $100 to Nurse’s Fund from Class of 1965
-To approve the FY 22 Amended Certificate adjustments and FY21 appropriation modification as presented
-To approve the Student Activities FY2022 funds
In the are of employment of certificated staff, the board voted to approve:
– Resignation of Meredith Ford, Kindergarten, effective July 1, 2021; of Chelsea Green, Vocal Music, effective July 8, 2021; and of Kayla Rethmel, Elementary teacher, effective August 2, 2021
-Employment of James Gee as Band Director; Stephanie Kirkum as Vocal Music teacher; Bailey Graber as Elementary teacher
-Rescind 2021-22 supplemental contract for Laura Zumbaugh – Instrumental Music; for Chelsea Green for Vocal Music and Musical; and Mentor Year 2 supplemental for Jennifer Martin (Kayla Rethmel)
-Certificated Supplemental contracts for the 21-22 school year list
Employment of Classified Staff was the next area of recommendations approved:
-Employ Matthew Meyer as a Paraprofessional
-Employ Paul Ledyard as Concession stand manager for 21-22 school year for all but Football Concessions
-Resignation of Molly Collert, cook, effective August 12, 2021
-Employ Linda Cummings as a cook
-Resignation of Scott Goodnight, bus driver and add him to the Substitute Bus driver list for 21-22
-Add Gloria Reeder to the substitute cafeteria list for 21-22 school year
-Add Tami Richmond to the substitute secretary list for the 21-22 school year
In other business, the Board approved:
-Updates to the classified manual holiday section
-NOESC substitute teacher list for 21-22 school year as emailed monthly
-Updated bus routes effective July 1, 2021
-Joseph Brigle to secure workers for High School and Jr. High School Athletic events for the 21-22 school year, to be paid per approved rate schedule.
-Paying groups that work concession stands $500 for each boys or girls varsity basketball game, and $200 for all other games. Groups working concession stands will be paid up to $750 for working special day-long events (i.e. wresting invitational, craft show, foundation games, etc.).
The amount to be paid will be determined by the superintendent. Payment will be made from the General Fund and deposited to the appropriate Student Activity Fund.
An Executive Session to discuss “The appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of an employee or the investigation of charges or complaint against an employee, official, licensee or student” was called and two representatives from the Teachers’ Union were invited to stay for the meeting.
No action was taken and the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
