CAEL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

(3 SELECTBOARD MEMBERS & 3 SCHOOL DIRECTORS)

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

June 11, 2025

6:00 PM AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY

The meeting was called to order by School Board Chair Paul Blais at 6:00 PM in the Halifax Elementary School Library. Also present were School Board members Cassie McLaren and Wade Ryan; Selectboard members Rhonda Ashcraft, Randy Pike, and Lori Marchegiani as voting members, and Edee Edwards as a guest; and Trustee of Public Funds Steven Cohen. Bill Bazyk, Superintendent of the Windham Southwest Supervisory Unit, was also present. No one attended virtually, and the meeting was recorded.

Steven Cohen reviewed 2025 Cael scholarship fund availability by sharing a report. Interest earned for the year was $3733.40. Because of stock market gains, Cohen had put an additional $10,000 into a new CD for 3 years with a step (an option to increase the interest rate once during that time).

Cael scholarship requests were reviewed. Only one application was received.

Edwards asked, and Cohen confirmed the award was typically split in two with 1/2 of the money being sent out at the start of each semester. Edwards agreed to follow up with the recipient because the Selectboard did it last year also.

Pike made a motion to award Mason Swinburne the Cael Scholarship in the amount of $2000 to be paid at the start of each semester. Blais seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

Under hearing of visitors, Pike started to mention the town office and meeting room, but this was determined to be best handled in the school board meeting following this.

Marchegiani made a motion to adjourn. Ryan seconded. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting closed at 6:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Edee Edwards, secretary pro tempore

Recording link: Cael Scholarship Meeting – 2025/06/11 17:52 EDT – Recording