MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board Meeting Minutes
March 18,
2003
Monadnock Regional Junior and Senior High
School Library
7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER
Present: Don Arguin, Winston Wright, Dixie Gurian, Gene White, Alan Gross,
William Felton, John Morin, Robin Marra, Patricia Smith, Gus Lerandeau, Richard
Thackston, Sam Johnson, Geordie Fifield
Absent: L. Colby and Steve Mettling
Also present : C. Cardine, Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt., R. Cloutier, Asst. Business
Manager and T. Warner, Dir. Of Technology. Principals: D. Stockwell, D.
Mousette, D. Dahl and B. Tatro.
Supt. Cardine called the
meeting to order. He explained to the audience and the Board the reason why he
was calling the meeting to order instead of the Chair. He said that it is an
organizational meeting. New Board Members will join the Board and then the
Chair and Vice Chair will be nominated. He explained the 15 member board and
how much each member from each town counts as a vote. Supt. Cardine introduced
Sam Johnson the new Board Member. He
introduced Kathy Schneider the new School District Clerk and then swears her
into the office. Supt. Cardine swears S. Johnson in as the new School Board
Member. As a group Supt. Cardine swears in R. Marra, A. Gross and G. White back
into office. Supt. Cardine reads the Board’s Policy: School Board Member Board
of Ethics Code to the members in attendance and than asks each member to sign
the policy.
Supt. Cardine asks for
nominations for the Board’s Chair. MOTION:
D. Gurian MOVED to nominate R.
Marra as the Board’s Chair. SECOND: W.
Felton. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston
commented that he knew coming through the door that this nomination was a done
deal. He feels that R. Marra has much vested in Article One. He said that he
respects and likes R.Marra but he will not be voting for him because of the
situation. VOTE: 10.63/1.02/1.11/2.24.
Motion passes.
Supt. Cardine swears in
the School District Clerk Nancy Carlson to office.
R. Marra takes over the
meeting and asks for nominations for the Vice Chair. MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED to
nominate D. Arguin as the Board’s Vice Chair SECOND: J. Morin. DISCUSSION:
R. Marra commented that he would abstain unless his vote is to decide a
tie. VOTE: 9.76/1.11/1.89/2.24.
Motion passes.
R. Marra handed out a sheet to the Board Members with the list of committees. He commented that the list had been changed by the Policy Committee by approval of the Board. He asked that the Board Members list their preferences for the committees by indicating the most preferred to least. He said that each Board Member would be assigned to at least two committees each. R. Marra read the list to the members and the audience. He would like the handout back no later than next Wednesday. R. Marra also passed another handout to the Board Members. He would like to get the views of the each Board Member on what they think are the two most critical issues of the district.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
Minutes of March 4, 2003and
February 1, 2003, the Deliberative Session. MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED
to approve the minutes. SECOND W. Felton VOTE: 11.58/0/1.18/2.24 Motion
Passes.
2.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: N. Moriarty read a letter in
which he had prepared for
the Board. It
read as follows: In December I asked you to put in $60,000.00 to design the
modernization of the existing high school and you ignored me. In January I
asked the Budget Committee to put in the $60,000 and they voted me down. At the
Deliberative Session I made the amendment to add $60,000 and the amendment
passed with the support of your people. It also passed on March 11. From what I
have heard and read after the vote, I expect that the Board will continue to
support the high school. However, you have $60,000 dollars to design the modernization
of the existing school- and I expect you to come up with a modernization plan
for the voters in March 2004. There will be calls for studies and probably
delaying tactics. I realize that every solution provided by the modernization
of the existing school takes a bullet out of your gun. However, the students
deserve your completion of this design-i.e.,replace the two trailers, a new and
separate cafeteria, modernize the science labs, etc. Something needs to be done
and done quickly. This is an alternative that is far greater than a band-aid
that will meet the vast majority of the objectives and requirements. Signed
Neil Moriarty. Dated 3-18-03.
J. Tommila
congratulated the Board Members for their appointments and commented that he
had been there at one time. He said that the people had spoken, the votes
counted and now we need to work together to find the best solution for the high
school. He would offer voluntary participation. He would like to meet with the
administration to brainstorm. He commented that this offer was made in good
faith and he wished it would be received in the same spirit. He suggested
non-cost management issues. He suggested homeroom classrooms, separate jr. and
sr. high, the junior high bells offset from the high school by 10 minutes,
interchange the classrooms and eliminate the courses that are not important to
our students. He suggested use of the CCC Center. He asked about the Monadnock
Connection. Where is it going and how can we use it. He said that negative
connotations are out there. Comments such as: if you don’t vote on the new high
school you are anti-education. He feels that there is no doubt something has to
be done but he feels it can be smaller and affordable.
G. Johnson a
member of the Budget Committee commented that his first year on the Budget
Committee was a learning curve and the second year an enlightening and
frustrating experience. He said that there are people who are constantly voting
against taxes and they are not considering what is best for the children. He
said that there is bickering, the Sentinel prints a story and the people
believe it. He said that he was going to make a statement that sounded bizarre
but he would suggest dissolving the Monadnock Regional School District.
R. Stivington
told the Board that she is a widow on a fixed income. Her taxes have gone up
$800.00, she can not afford them and would suggest the Board going along with
N. Moriarty’s plan.
W. Hasbrouck
said he had a lot of concerns as well as the others. He has two or three suggestions.
He feels that it is cost vs. education. He said that it almost seems that you
can not have a good education with out money. It is not the pie in the sky. He
said that we need to provide a good basic education. We do not need to compete
with the private schools. This education is force education by the taxpayers.
Some of the taxpayers do not even have children in the school system. He said
we need to balance needs and wants. He commented that a good school is what we
make of it. He was flabbergasted when he heard what the science teacher had
said about the science labs. These issues should have been dealt with by the
regular maintenance staff and should have been in the deferred maintenance
account. He suggested that the Board look at this. He suggests that the Board
look at the courses being offered. There is a Film Class. He asked if the
district could really afford to offer this class. He commented on the default
budget and the fact that he wanted it cut but not as much as it was. He was
considering the elderly. He said he was well off and could handle it but he had
concerns for the others. He said that the way he sees it if you combine the
Northern Schools you can save two teachers which is about $100,000. He also
suggested that the Board look at class size and unless there is a minimum of 10
or 12 children don’t offer the course.
3.
STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: None.
4.
CORRESPONDENCE AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS: C. Cardine would like to congratulate the Monadnock Regional Varsity
Hockey Team for their State Champion Title.
C. Cardine commented on the
outstanding job done by the cast and crew of Guys and Dolls.
C. Cardine received a letter
from K. St. Pierre regarding the comments that the paper had written about what
she had said. She wanted to make sure that the Board knew she has concerns
about the overcrowded conditions but she supports the Board.
The forth grade at Cutler
School received a thank you note from the Governor’s office. The students had
sent suggests on how NH could be a better place.
R. Thackston asked R.Marra
when he could address the comments made by the citizens. R. Marra said when
reviewing the Warrant Articles.
5.
OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:
A.
Board Committee Reports:
1.
Communications Committee: D. Gurian commented that the
committee’s new name would be Community Relations. She said that the next
meeting would be Thursday. At that meeting thank you notes would be written and
sent. The committee will regroup later. C. Cardine informed the Board that
there were 35 donations for the advertising of the new high school plans. A
total of $4290.00 was donated, $1812.00 used and several outstanding bills.
2.
Policy Committee: None.
3.
Facilities Committee: P. Smith told the Board
that the next Facilities meeting would be Monday at 8:45 AM at the Maintenance
Building.
4.
CCC Center: C. Cardine informed the
Board that he is going to negotiate with Keene and double the amount of time in
which the students would be at the CCC Center. They would leave about 10:30 AM
or 11:00 AM and have two full periods. Math or English would be added to their
schedule. The number of students that attend the CCC Center has decreased from
120 students to 29. The grant will pay for the extra teacher and Keene,
Winchester, Hinsdale and Monadnock will benefit from this. C. Cardine said that
he is talking to the auto dealers to institute an after school certification
program.
R.
Marra asked if the same members of the Finance Committee could hold their
meeting as scheduled until the new members are assigned. The members are W.
Wright, D. Arguin and D. Gurian.
G. Lerandeau arrives at 7:40 PM.
B. New Business: P. Smith asked if the
warrant article that was passed should effect
the votes of the individual towns. C. Cardine responded
that the weighted vote
was approved by the state. It would need to be a
petitioned article possibly to
change the formula. He believes the formula is based on
population. R. Marra
commented that the weighted vote is based on the 2000 census.
Board Calendar. R. Marra mentioned that he
did not see a meeting set for the MC2 School. C. Cardine mentioned that the
meetings are to be held at schools in the district. A. Gross thought it was a
great idea to have a meeting at Antioch. It will be placed on the next agenda.
Warrant Items: Review of
Vote. R.
Marra commented that the number of voters from Roxbury on Article Three jumped
significantly. He asked that the numbers be checked. K. Schneider commented
that not everyone voted on every article. R. Marra commented that contrary to
the Sentinel voters in Troy had average support to Article One. Sixty-five
percent of Surry voters voted yes on Articles One-Ten. R. Marra commented on
the support from the voters on the Teachers Contract and the MESSA Contract. R.
Thackston addressed the issue of the $60,000 in Article Eight. He said that he
would follow the Board and the Chairs lead. With the recent articles by the
Sentinel he said it is difficult to get anything done. He would like to see the
district move forward and he does not feel that he is shooting from the hip as
commented by the previous Chair. MOTION:
R.Thackston MOVED to have the
Board accept his proposal as follows: Monadnock Regional School Board will
appoint a Select Committee of not less than three nor more than five school
board members to carry–out the study for renovations and expansion at the
existing Monadnock Regional Jr/Sr High School in Swanzey. This committee shall
be empowered to expend with full board approval amounts up to sixty thousand
dollars as approved by the voters in the district in Article Eight of the
District’s 2003 Warrant to complete the following tasks:
1.
First
sixty days contact stake holders in the district’s educational needs and
determine support for the following areas at the Jr/Sr High School: Building,
Curriculum, Program Development and any other areas of concern. The stake
holders in this process should include but not be limited to the following all
eight Select Boards, PTO’s, School Administrators, Former Members of the
Monadnock in the 21st Century Committee, Voters in the District; any
other interested parties.
2.
Report
back to the full board at first meeting in June.
3.
Second
sixty days meet with design firms develop written plans.
4.
Report
back to board for review and acceptance of proposal. Board to vote on proposal
at first meeting in September.
5.
Third
sixty days committee to go back to stake holders it me with in the first sixty
days for advice, input and consent.
6.
Board
to review and formulate final version of proposal vote on wording for 2004
Warrant at first meeting in November.
SECOND: W. Wright. DISCUSSION: G.
Lerandeau asked if the full board, the 15 votes, was what R. Thackston had in
mind. R. Thackston commented that he did not mean the full board as a vote but
to bring it back to all the members for a majority vote. W. Felton thought it
needed a first and second read. R. Marra commented that it was true only to
policy. Under new business the Board can decide whether they want to take
action or not. G. White asked if there were a specific number of people for the
committee. R. Thackston said that all eight Select Boards would be asked. He
commented that it would be a large group and it would be a lot of work. J.
Morin asked if there was any accounting for this vision that all parties get to
the final decision of a new high school. R.Thackston responded by saying that
it is like asking the people who started the Constitution if they are coming
out with a king or a president. He continued to say that it could be a
possibility but the $60,000 was not allocated for that purpose. D. Gurian
commented that the Board was asked to write down the two most pressing issues
in the District, at the risk of what the audience said, the Board should delay
the vote on this motion and have a retreat to discuss the issues. G. Lerandeau
said that he would like to have a retreat to look at the issues and also when
forming the group have the interested parties come to the Board. W. Felton
feels that a retreat is a good idea because the Board needs to get their own
issues in order before we talk to these people. He said that he would like
something to present and get input on. Have two approaches the Boards and the
Selectmen. He would rather not vote tonight. D. Arguin commented that any
approach is a predisposed position He feels that if you look at renovations and
expansions you are saying that’s the best way to go or the new high school.
Find out why the people voted the way they did, go out to the towns. A. Gross
agrees with the value of the retreat to discuss our vision. He would strongly
recommend everyone attending the meeting. R. Marra commented that there is a
motion and a second, are there any other questions. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to
postpone the vote on the main motion until the April 15, 2003 meeting. SECOND: A. Gross DISCUSSION: R. Thackston warned of the wording in Article Eight
dealing with the $60,000. R.Marra read the amendment to Article Eight for those
whom where not at the Deliberative Session. G.White would vote against the
postponement. He said that the Board does not need to wait 30 days. He does not
like the fact that R. Bauries agrees with him. He does not want to wait. G.
Lerandeau said that he would like to postpone but would like to have the
retreat soon. R. Marra said that every effort would be made to have the retreat
early. G. White asked to speak. R. Marra explained to him that everyone needs
to be able to speak once on the issue before the second bite of the apple. G.
White commented that the attendance at the last retreat was pathetic. R.Marra
said that 8 people showed up. W. Felton said that he feels that there are some
Board Members that know what it is like not to attend a retreat. They will
attend the meeting. VOTE on the motion
to postpone: 7.65/4.16/2.13/1.06. Motion passes.
C. Cardine passed out a
packet to the Board Members concerning the current budget situation. He
explained to the Board and members of the audience that he is the agent of the
Board. He emphasizes that the Supt. has never had a plan or will ever have a
plan. He is asking the Board for permission to gather the administrative team
together and adjust the budget to reflect the default budget in the amount of
$25,266,937.00. C. Cardine read from page 5 of the packet which explained many
of the reasons the building is in the condition it is. The Budget Committee has
not been supportive in the articles presented by the School Board for
additions, expansions and addressing the conditions at the schools. Many times
their reason is lack of planning. The Budget Committee did not support the
budget presented by the School Board so for the third year in a row the
District will be run on a default budget. He explained the per pupil cost of
the Monadnock students. The students in the MRSD average a cost of about $7400.
Many of the area schools are much higher. The comment that the district
compares themselve to Keene is not true. C. Cardine explained the substantial
amount of increase in the medicaid reimbursement, the catastrophic aide and the
tuition from other districts. The amount of money received has helped decrease
the deficit. The district had a student from Winchester that wanted to come to
Monadnock but because of space situations the district lost $8000. C. Cardine
reported that he would be writing a check in the amount of $90,000 to Keene for
the students attending through the grant. MOTION:
G. Lerandeau MOVED to give the
Supt. authority to gather the administrative team together to adjust the budget
to reflect the cuts that we need to make in order to meet the default budget
figure of $25,266,937 and recommend the cuts and changes at the first meeting
in April. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: C. Cardine commented that
he hoped to be ready in April. The team, teachers and Board will refrain from
speculative conversation until the cuts and changes are presented.
C. Cardine presented the
Board with the cost per student of each individual school. R. Thackston had
discussed the numbers from Troy. C. Cardine commented on the Autism Program in Troy. Not all of the students are
from Troy. At the next meeting he said he would have this years figures. The
figures in the packet are last years. R. Thackston said that it would be $320,000
less if the program were not there.
D. Arguin asked if the
default number was approved by the state. C. Cardine said it had been approved
by the state. L.Biron has contacted the Board of Education in response to the
vote on Warrant Article Fourteen. He has not heard back as of yet.
S. Johnson asked about the
Autism Program. R. Thackston said that not one student was from Troy. The
training at Emerson is why the program is in Troy. K.Dassau commented that
three of the students are from the MRSD one is not. W. Wright asked if the out of
district costs and the regular tuition to operate the school should be broken
out. C. Cardine said that the accounting system was not very good and that L.
Biron has done it for this year.
J. Dexter told the Board and
Supt. Cardine that he is aware of the problems. The state Budget Committee
meets tomorrow and it does not agree with the governor and they will not vote.
They do not believe that the way to go is to cut. Personally he feels that what
you are doing in Monadnock is going well. He said that he does not believe that
the building gives the good education it is the employees. He said that Supt.
Cardine is passionate to deliver a product and it is not going on deaf ears. VOTE: 12.83/0/1.11/1.06. Motion passes.
R. Marra asked for any
further discussion. A.Gross commented to the Board that as a Board Member we
are advocates to inform and to speak to the community in formal and informal
meetings. The group took the high road even with difference of opinions and he
is proud. He would like to thank the Board and the community for their trust
with their votes and he is on the Board for the best interest of the children.
C. Cardine informed the
Board that an appropriation in the amount of $100,000, to be used to defray
costs to the MC2 School has been received by the District. The district has 5
years to spend the money. MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED to accept the appropriation in the amount of $100,000 which
was arranged by Senator Judd Gregg’s office, for the MC2 School. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: J. Morin asked if the
district would be receiving $100,000 each year for 5 years. C. Cardine said he
asked the same question and the answer was still no. R. Thackston asked if it
could be spent in 2002 or 2003. C. Cardine said it starts from October 2 of last
year. C. Cardine stressed suppliment not saplant(Curt help)VOTE: 12.83/0/1.11/1.06. Motion passes. D. Gurian would like to
thank Supt. Cardine for his work behind the lines. Supt. Cardine would like to
thank Senator Gregg.
Meeting with Legislators. C. Cardine informed the Board that he met with the
legislatures and what J. Dexter says is true. The legislature is not in
agreement with the Governor. There were about 100 people in the audience and
the selectmen expressed their concerns. G.White was very disappointed that a
lot of people that said they did not agree but nothing about what they were
going to do. J. Dexter expressed that you can not imagine how the system works.
R. Marra commented that the letter to the legislature would remain dormant until
the committees reorganize.
C. Old Business: C. Cardine informed the Board that he would be handing a Memorandum of
Understanding from Antioch New England to be signed and returned. This document
explains the rights of the children while at the school and the relationship of
the two parties.
The final report for the
reimbursement to the Gilsum Project was handed to the Chair.
R.Marra wished to express
his feelings to the Board and the people in attendance on the stellar job done
by W.Wright as he held the position of Chair of the Board. R. Marra explained
that over the past two years he has learned a lot from W. Wright but the fact
that he is a decent person and has the children best interest at heart. He
wishes to thank W. Wright.
D. Gurian explained the
yellow sheet she handed out to the Board Members. It is an invitation to a
dinner presentation. Dr. Paul Ezen will be there to help consider the
implications of the No Child Left Behind Act. It will be held on Monday, April
14, 2003 at 6:00 PM at Antioch New England.
D. Curriculum Report: D.Mousette wished to thank the community for the
support that was shown to the Teachers and the MESSA Warrant Articles. He
wanted to say that he feels that he has the best job working with the students
and thanks the Board for that. D. Mousette reported that the 5th and
6th graders from Gilsum have been invited to attend the KIDS
Consortium in Gorham, Maine. Not only are the students attending the event,
they will be presenting their service learning project. The opinion was that
the 6th graders would be attending the KIDS Consortium. The students
will be receiving free room and board because they will be presenting and the
transportation will be covered by a grant. The grant was received by the effort
of D. Hodgdon. School Board policy says that a maximum of eight students can be
in a van so the school will take two vans. D.Mousette will be away for the
consortium and Supt. Cardine has promised no cuts until he returns. C.Cardine
commented that he was glad he likes his job. The Board told the members to have
a great trip.
MOTION: G.Lerandeau MOVED to conduct
a Board Retreat at the Monadnock High School on April 12, 2003 at 9:00 AM for
the purpose of Board orientation and planning session. SECOND: R. Thackston VOTE: 13.24/0/0.7/1.06.
Motion passes.
F. Action on the Manifest: D.Gurian MOVED to approve the manifest in the
amount of $1,259,908.72 SECOND: G.Lerandeau
VOTE: 12.92/0/1.02/1.06 Motion passes.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: C. Cardine responded you have it already.
7. SETTING UP
THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:
1.
Policy Committee
2.
Vision to Action
3. Facilities
Committee
4. 21st
Century
5.
Administrative Recommendations
6.
Curriculum
7. Meeting
at MC2
8. Communications
R.Marra asked that
anyone wishing to have something on the agenda please get it in a week before
the packet.
G. White asked how often
the MC2 Report would be available. C. Cardine said every other week.
G.White said he was
curious about the group that meets to discuss the grant. He asked if the meetings
are regular and public. C. Cardine said the group is called Vision to Action.
C. Cardine said that details need to be worked out first, it is a very
complicated process.
8. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
9 :20 PM G. Lerandeau MOVED to enter into
non-public session for the purpose of approving the minutes of the non-public
session on March 4, 2003 and for personnel. SECOND : W. Wright
VOTE : Unaniomous.
9 :25 PM W. Wright MOVED to return to
pulic session. SECOND : G.Lerandeau.
VOTE : Unanimous.
Motion to adjourn. W.
Wright MOVED to adjourn the meeting
at 9 :30 PM. SECOND : G.
Lerandeau VOTE : Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Aivaliotis
MRSD Board Secretary