Minutes from April 8, 2010

DRAFT (to be approved April 29th)

*Present: 12 Stakeholders, 4 Steering Committee
Facilitator: Heidi Krantz
As planned, individual groups gave presentations. Please note that large amounts of data, charts, etc were quoted. This scribe did not record all. Individual presenters may offer copies of data online or at subsequent meetings.
*Presentations:
Group 1…Tuition Comparisons
Jeanine Young presented tuition comparisons of grades 7-12 in over 20 area schools. This is what schools charge, not necessarily what it costs per student. She noted that if Craftsbury students are tuitioned out we have no control over the tuition numbers and the numbers seem to fluctuate regularly. Hazen is probably the only school that would provide transportation.
George Hall looked at Craftsbury student numbers and projected future numbers. He also commented on how budget is divided between the Academy and Elementary school, cost per student in Academy and Elementary and which costs are constant regardless.
Ann Ingerson volunteered sharing a spread sheet she has created next time that helps untangle and understand assumptions, results, and related costs. She reminded group that a number of grants come into the schools which alter costs and also looked at the census which indicates a stable population.
Kent Young spoke with Rita Davis. Some service costs will increase yet he feels there could be financial savings if we tuition out older students.
Group 2…Transportation
Elinor Osborn spoke with Wildcat busing. The use of three buses currently costs Craftsbury $105,000 annually. If students are transported from the Academy to Hazen for instance, the route would have to start earlier and thus elem. kids would be dropped off earlier so Academy kids could get to Hazen on time.Thus Elem. Kids would be at school longer and supervision would be needed. Wolcott Elem kids have longer day due to this situation. If Craftsbury goes to tuition out with school choice, we have no cost control. People wondered about other transport ideas-van pool, ride shares, etd.
Group 3…Consolidation on One Campus
Kent Young looked at building and space issues if K-6 moved to the Common. He went over current rooms in Minden and also potential Academy renovation ideas. As to overall costs for just K-6, Kent felt, since some costs are fixed, that we would have no financial savings.
*Following these presentations Heidi opened a discussion on where this group wants to go with the process. The stakeholder numbers are dwindling, summer is coming, people may be ready to end or have a break. Some people requested to take a summer break, then continue in fall; some would like to meet weekly now and wrap up; some felt we were just in the middle so we need to carry on. The group voted for now to continue to June17.
*Gayle would like the group to write down 3-5 top points gleaned from the two panel discussions. We have a panel planned May 20 and more may be organized.
The next meeting is April 29 (Please note we are not meeting during the school break.)
At the April 29 meeting Group 4 (Comparisons of academic offerings) and Group 5 (Alternative Models) will present. Ann Ingerson will also share her “assumptions & results” spread sheet.

Respectfully submitted by Susan Houston, scribe