03/14/2019
By Neil Allen
Standard Correspondent
On Monday, the Woodstock Central Modified Unified School District held its annual and reorganizational meetings at the Teagle Library at Woodstock Union High School Middle School (WUHSMS).
At the meeting, district officers were elected, district officers and board were given stipends for the upcoming school year and the number of board meetings doubled.
During the annual meeting, the approximately 30 residents chose Matt Maxham as moderator, Tim Bishop as clerk, and Calista Brennan as treasurer for the school district. Each term is for one year.
Paige Hiller of Woodstock made a motion to provide compensation for the moderator at $50 per meeting, $6,500 for the treasurer, and no compensation for the clerk. The motion was seconded, then Jim Haff of Killington made an amendment to add $5,000 stipends for the chair and vice chair, and $50 per meeting, including regular and committee meetings, for up to $2,000 for each board member based on attendance.
A resident asked how much they’re currently receiving. The only officers who currently receive a stipend is the treasurer, which is $6,500, according
to the board.
“Historically, moderators have received $50-100 per meeting from the towns,” said Hiller.
Another resident asked if there would be a change to the taxes.
“It would come from the budget as is,” said Haff.
See SCHOOL BOARD - Page 4A
Matt Maxham, standing, leads the Woodstock Central Modified Unified School District annual meeting held in the Teagle Library at the Woodstock Union High School Middle School on Monday, March 11.
“Why is it changing?” asked a resident.
“Last year we made the same motion and it was only defeated by a few votes,” said Haff. “The chairs work 600-700 hours per year.”
Hiller added, “Each town board gave members a stipend.”
The total cost to the district would be no more than $42,000, according to Rayna Bishop, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent.
Jennifer Iannantuoni of Killington said, “I’ve been on school boards for 14 years. What I think is fair is mileage. I spend over an hour of driving for each meeting.”
One resident said that she supported it stating she felt they were “more than due” the support and another suggested that it would be a motivating factor for the board members to attend meetings.
The amendment passed unanimously. Then during the discussion for the full motion, it was asked why the clerk was not getting paid.
“Tim is a board member,” Haff said.
“I’d be double dipping,” said Bishop.
Sam DiNatale asked where the funding would be coming from.
“It is not coming from the school budget, it is from the SU (Supervisory Union) budget. We’re not taking from a child,” replied Haff.
The motion passed with a few dissenting votes.
During the reorganization meeting, Haff nominated Hiller as chair and Iannantuoni as vice chair. They were approved unanimously. Tim Bishop was chosen as board clerk.
Hiller discussed the need to move to two meetings per month with one held at the WUHSMS and the other at an elementary school in the district, stating there was just too much work to be done for just one meeting a month.
“In the third hour in a meeting after a long day it is very difficult to make decisions,” said Hiller. “The meetings would be two hours max, hopefully an hour and a half. That is the goal I’m setting for myself.”
The meeting schedule for the rest of the school year was set at last year’s reorganizational meeting, requiring an amendment. The additional school board meeting dates for the current year will be April 1, May 6 and June 3.
The two meetings a month will be the official schedule starting on July 1 for the second and fourth Mondays of every month — depending on when Barnard’s school board meetings are. There are no meetings in July and August. Hiller announced that the first meeting for the next school year will be in September to allow parents and staff to settle into the new school year.
Superintendent Mary Beth Banios reported that the strategic planning committee for Portrait of a Graduate met last Friday and got the last of the feedback from the 30-35 members. She said they are close to the final product in draft form, which will be presented to the towns via forums on April 11 and 25. The completed product should be ready for the board by June, according to Banios.
Banios also reported that the Pre-K class for Woodstock Elementary School was full.
The next meeting will be on April 1, location to be announced.
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