| A
description of the meeting, who was there, action items and
the next meeting date.
MINUTES
OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, March 31, 2005
Present:
Peter E., Rob B., Joe B., Dave C., Laurie S., Steve
H., Dick K., Bruce G., Frank S., Bob S., Dick K. Lynn C. Staff:
Ray Pellegrini and Bob Johnson Guests: Lu
Van Zeeland and Peter Perkins
Welcome:
Peter E. welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Steve
H. for hosting us at Burr & Burton Academy. All agreed
that the view was spectacular. He also mentioned that the
last agenda item would be changed and that rather than make
a decision on the salary recommendations, the Executive Council
could have a conference call in two weeks.
Minutes:
The minutes from February 3rd and 4th were discussed. Laurie
Singer’s name was listed twice as being present. Dick K. moved
acceptance with that correction, seconded by Rob B. Minutes
were approved.
Reports:
President’s
Report - Peter talked about his recent involvements
on behalf of the VPA
- He
talked about the excellent NASSP convention. The quality
of the speakers and workshops were particularly noted.
- He
complimented Ray and Bob for the outstanding basketball
tournament. He felt that they were more positive and better
organized.
- He
complimented Ray and Bob for the outstanding basketball
tournament. He felt that they were more positive and better
organized.
- He
represented the VPA at the National Board Certification
Awards program at the Capitol Plaza last week.
- He
complemented Ray and Bob for the great PR on the spelling
bee. Ray talked about the great job Bob did in “hanging
in there” through some frustrating times as he facilitated
the involvement of Vermont in the program.
- He
felt that the One Act Play competition was great.
- He
participated in and enjoyed the Aspiring Principals workshops.
NAESP
Report: Please see Dave’s written report.
NASSP
Report: Bob S. gave the following information orally.
- He
announced that Joe Mitello, from RI (Region 1) has been
elected as the NASSP President-Elect.
- He
discussed the role of the coordinator as being mostly about
recruitment for NASSP membership.
- He
gave details about the merger study between the NAESP and
NASSP not going forward due to about half of the states
not agreeing to contribute the necessary resources.
- He
mentioned the changes in the summer leadership program over
time that shows that although they may not consider merging,
they are working closer together than in the past. This
summer, for the first time, we will be in the same hotel
for the leaders program in D. C.
- We
had a brief discussion about developing “talking points”
for membership.
- Bob
recommended that we make use of speakers from NASSP. He
used Bill Bonds as an example.
NASSP
Board Report:
Bruce G. gave a brief report on behalf of the board. His items
included:
- We
have 163 NASSP members from Vermont
- He
complimented Gerry Tirozzi for the job he does as Executive
Director.
- He
mentioned that the NASSP was the first group that Secretary
Spellings met with.
- The
NASSP Board is considering revamping the position of Past-President.
- The
NASSP position paper on corporal punishment ruffled some
feathers from southern states. In future they will get drafts
out for input.
NFHS
Board Report: Steve H. reported:
- He
is attending the annual NFHS Legal Meeting in April.
- The
Board received an audit and the federation is in great shape.
- He
explained the evaluation system they used for Bob Kanaby.
Federal
Relations Report: Dick T. reported on his recent
Federal Relations trip to D.C. He met with staff members in
Senators Leahy and Jeffords offices. He stressed the importance
of responding to action alerts.
(Bob S.
recommended that Dick T. overlap with Madeline Y. at state
leaders in July. This was accepted as a great suggestion.
Ray will include Dick in the planning and the proposed budget.)
Executive
Director’s Report: Ray P. reported on the following:
- The
budget will be presented and discussed at the meeting on
May 3rd so that we can use the information from the winter
season. Frank S. recommended that we deal with the issue
of some activities having extra fees. We agreed that this
would be on the agenda for the joint EC/ASC meeting on May
3rd and continue the conversation at the summer retreat.
- Ray
gave out the suggested schedule for the meetings on May
3rd
- Ray
gave out a draft of a memo and a survey that he proposes
we use to get more input on the issue of high school AYP
(ACT versus custom made). There were suggestions for revision
of the survey and that we host another meeting.
- Executive
Council Terms-Dick K. and Madeline Y. will run for their
second terms.
- Executive
Council Terms - Dick K. and Madeline Y. will re-up. Peter
E. will make the nomination at annual meeting.
- Ray
presented a draft for News for Parents, the new publication
that we will have. Frank suggested that there be something
about how we are a member organization and views expressed
by the “VPA” are those of the members.
- Ray
reported that as previously discussed, the principal awards
will be given out on the first night of the leadership academy
on August 2nd. In the fall, we will have a joint business
meeting with the State Board of Education.
- Ray
gave an update on the work being done to prepare for the
summer leadership academy.
- He
reported on the meetings with VAMLE and ideas for collaboration.
Director
of Student Activities Report: Bob Johnson
- Recommendation
from ASC on Public to Public. Bob J. reported on the ASC
recommendation to change the Public to Public policy to
Member to Member. It was moved by Bob S. and seconded by
Dick K. to approve and send to the annual meeting for a
vote. After a long discussion, Bob S. called the question.
Motion approved.
- Bob
J. gave a brief report on student and divisional alignment
appeals.
- Bob
J. gave a brief report on the actions taken by the Appeals
Board.
- Individual
Spelling Bee winner - Jacob Hubbard (Rochester)
- Update
on Winter sports season. It was a great season. Ray P. and
Bob J. talked about the decision to hold the postponed basketball
games on Sunday.
Guest
Speakers: After lunch, Peter E. introduced our two
guests, Lu Van Zeeland and Peter Perkins. They presented information
on Engaging Students through Respectful Teaching: Moving High
School Reform Forward . Their presentation to us related to
the materials that you were sent. He talked about the relevance
of their work with the change movement. They handed out materials
about dialogue education. There was a general discussion about
a pilot. Bob
S. asked if we could get names of people in schools where
they worked to be able to get testimonials. Ray P. will meet
with them, get those lists and peruse this further.
Music
Concerts and Religious Music: Dick K. presented a
concern about the “HS Newport Festival,” which had five pieces
selected by the conductor and they were all heavily Christian
music. He had students from Stowe who asked about the pieces,
and when Dick K. checked further he was told by a music teacher
that he had no say, it was up to the Vermont Music Educators
Association (VMEA). He felt that Ray P. should send a letter
on behalf of the VPA to express concern about this issue.
There seemed to be consensus. Ray P. asked if Dick K. was
sure that this was indeed a VMEA sponsored event. Bob J. said
that this was their regional festival that was held in Newport
each year. Ray P. suggested that rather than send a letter,
he conduct an investigation to be sure that it was a VMEA
event before sending a letter. He was concerned about making
an accusation that might be wrong. If it was their event,
he would then speak to Steffan about the concern and ask about
the policies they have or should have regarding selection
of music. Ray P. will report back to the Executive Council
with what he learns.
Strategic
Plan: The draft of the strategic plan was presented
by Ray P. Bob S. moved and Bruce G. seconded that the plan
be approved. Ray P. explained the process for input and revision.
After the discussion the plan was approved. It will be sent
out to the membership and posted on the web in July when the
current plan expires.
Mascot
Legislation: After some discussion, it was generally
agreed that this should be a local decision. It was also agreed
upon that dignity was important and that we and/or the VSBA
might consider developing guidelines to help communities have
the discussions, particularly when someone is offended.
Executive
Session: Peter E. and Ray P. presented the recommendations
for salary and benefits for the VPA staff for FY 2006. After
the presentation, some questions were asked and then Ray P.
and Bob J. left the room so that the council could discuss
the recommendations and decide when to have the conference
call.
After
Executive Session, the salary and benefit recommendation (see
memo) were approved. There was a discussion that although
the council felt that the VPA was moving in the right direction,
we should develop a formal evaluation process. Ray P. asked
for volunteers to work on the process. The sub-committee will
be Peter E., Bruce G., Steve H. and Rob B. At the May 3r meeting,
we will pick a time to meet and we will develop a draft process
to be presented to the Executive Council at the summer retreat.
Meeting
adjourned at 2:35 PM
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