OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
Town of Halifax, Vermont
JOINT SELECTBOARD/SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES–DRAFT
June 4, 2019
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. Selectboard members Lewis Sumner and Bradley Rafus, and School Board members Homer (Chum) Sumner and Paul Blais were present, as were Steven Cohen, Stephan Chait, and Robbin Gabriel.
Changes and/or Additions to Agenda
None.
New Business
Cael Scholarship Awards
Steven Cohen distributed a sheet summarizing the scholarship fund’s activity for the year. He advised that all accounts have now been moved from TD Bank to Brattleboro Savings & Loan and he expects transferring funds from money market to a fourth CD will earn better interest in the coming year; perhaps $1,600 to $1,700.
Paul Blais wondered about the accuracy of a Selectboard/School Board meeting announcement, as there is no longer a Halifax School Board, just Halifax representatives to a joint Southern Valley board. Chum Sumner said that according to the terms of the will, the scholarship fund was for Halifax use only, and when the merged school district was formed Halifax and Readsboro agreed that several existing funds, including the Cael Scholarship fund, would remain separate. Therefore having the Halifax representatives meet with the Selectmen to award the scholarships seemed the logical thing to do.
Two applications were received. One was incomplete; it was missing the required EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) portion of the application. Chum Sumner made a motion to give Melanie Dow a $1,000 scholarship award, payable in two increments. Paul Blais seconded the motion, which passed, 4-0. Lewis Sumner made a motion to turn down the application from Maria Page, as it was incomplete. Paul Blais seconded the motion, which passed, 4-0. Gabriel will notify the applicants and Twin Valley School of the results
Steven Cohen suggested posting an informational notice on the Town web site advertising the availability of the scholarship and explaining the application process. Chum and Lewis Sumner said the schools shared that information with students, but the it could also be posted online.
Old Business
None.
Other Business
None.
Hearing of Visitors
None.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Selectboard Secretary