STUDENTS OF THE MONTH … Montpelier’s students of the month are pictured as follows: First row: Tobias Lyon, Kindergarten; Natalie Warner, 1st grade; Wyatt Hamrick, 2nd grade; Braelyn Harter, 3rd grade; Audrey Kinner, 4th grade. Second row: Abigail Luke, 4th grade; Kaidence Gray, 5th grade; Allyson Prasser, 6th grade; Nash Miller, 7th grade; Kameron Sisco, 8th grade; and high school student Aubrey Hoover.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Montpelier Board of Education met on Tuesday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. with members Shawn Owen, Patti Rockey, Jeremy Clinger, Nate Rose, and Dunne Gambler.
Also present was Superintendent Jamison Grime, CFO / Treasurer Carla Rice, High School Principal Suann Thorp, and Elementary School Principal Lance Thorp.
Shortly before their regular meeting was a Records Commission meeting, wherein Schedule RC-3 was approved for the disposal of records for recommendation by the commission.
After the pledge of allegiance, Gambler and Superintendent Grime awarded all of the students of the month with their certificates.
It was then announced that a seat on the board will become vacant on Jan. 1. 2024, and that anyone interested in filling the vacancy should email Nate Rose at: nrose@montpelier-k12.org .
Mrs. Thorp reported that there will be no school on October 20th, and Veteran’s Day will be celebrated on November 10.
Mr. Thorp shared that the Academic Boosters have been active this year, and that the fire department assembly was a great experience for the K-2nd grade students.
Next Thursday will be parent teacher conferences, with no school on October 20th. ELA testing reminders will be sent out, and the quiz bowl is scheduled for October 24 at Bryan.
Mr. Thorp shared that the Fall Harvest Parade will happen soon, and November 9th is Grandparents Day and the musical.
The treasurer’s report shared that the first October settlement will be paid this Friday, and an increase in state funding should be seen. It is a large concern that skyrocketing property values may contribute to less state funding.
Two bills were then discussed that could potentially impact school funding: House Bill 187 deals with averaging property sales over three years to determine property value increases or decreases, affecting how property taxes are calculated.
Senate Bill 153 proposes doing away with the 20 mil funding floor and potentially lowering it to 18 mil.
This could result in direct loss of funding for the district, as well as allow levies growth not to exceed that of the interest rate.
A finance committee meeting was scheduled for October 21st, before a motion was made to approve the minutes from the September 12, 2023 meeting as presented.
The financial report for September was accepted, including a cash reconciliation report, cash summary report, distribution report, budget versus actual report, and investment report.
Donations totaling $4,350 from the Athletic Boosters and $500 from Mr. and Mrs. Mike Owen for the Food for Thought Program was also accepted. An advance of $32,001.37 from the general fund to the cafeteria fund was also approved.
All employment recommendations were then approved as presented.
November 13-17 was declared as American Education Week, and the 2024-2025 academic calendar was approved.
The RC-3 records disposal recommendation made by the financial commission was approved, as was a settlement agreement with the Montpelier Education Association concerning grievance #1 2022/2023 and SERB Case No. 2023-ULP-07-0082 with no discussion.
The Board then entered into executive session at 6:08 p.m., set next to meet on November 7, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com