Board Meeting Minutes
7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER
Present: Don Arguin, Winston Wright, Chairman,
Also present: C. Cardine, Supt., K.
Dassau, Asst. Supt. and L. Biron, Business Manager. Principals: D. Dahl,� D. Stockwell, D. Mousette, B. O�Connell, and
Betty Tatro.
1.� ������ CONSENT
AGENDA:
Minutes of
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2.������� CITIZENS
CONCERNS: L. Colby, a citizen from Gilsum, commented that
he
had heard that some
schools in the state were discussing the possible attack on
3. STUDENT
COUNCIL CONCERNS: B. Dahl
reported that no meeting had
taken place
so there was no news to report. W. Wright stressed that the Student Council be
included in the expansion and renovation process.
4. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Anne Nichols wrote a
letter thanking the
teachers in the high school math department for coming through when the
department was without one teacher. The math teachers have been taking an extra
class in order to cover the missing teacher’s load. This situation of coverage
seems to be working out fine and will continue for the rest of the year.
Doug Gagne wrote a
letter of thanks to Barry Fowler and his department for the space found for his
guidance office.
C. Cardine had
received another letter from a student at the MC2 School thanking the Board for
the chance to attend.
The Emerson newsletter
and the Surry newsletter were passed out. C. Cardine asked the audience from
Surry if they had received the notes previously. The audience responded with a
show of hands. They had received the notes. The Curriculum Notes from D.Hodgdon
had been given to the Board previously.
5. OTHER
SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:
A. Board Committee
Reports:
1.
Policy
Committee: D. Arguin informed the Board that the Policy
Committee will generally be holding their meetings on the 1st and 3rd
Wednesday of the month at
2.
Communications
Committee. D.
Gurian passed the job descriptions of the media person and the grant writer out
to the Board Members. Any suggestions
can be addressed to C. Cardine or D. Gurian.
D.
Gurian passed out the business cards to the board members that would let the
public know important dates in February and March. D. Gurian also mentioned
that banners will also be hung to make people aware of the meetings.
W.
Felton felt that members of the school staff should have some of the
responsibilities that the Communications Committee has taken on. D. Gurian said
that this is only the job description and that a staff member may do some of
the jobs. W. Felton asked if this was going to be two full time positions. D.
Gurian responded that she would like to start with the proposed job description.
3. Facilities Committee: R.
Thackston reported that a Swanzey Citizen and
members from the Swanzey Fire Department came with
their concerns on the use of the unscheduled meetings at the
The committee has been discussing with Barry Fowler
the situation of the $800,000.00 deferred maintenance. The committee is not
ready to bring a proposal to the full Board as of yet.
The committee discussed the options for the
expansion and renovations to the high school. This was only discussion. No
decisions were made. G. Lerandeau mentioned that the discussion for the full
Board on this topic will be
4.
Finance
Committee: C. Cardine informed
the Board that he would need a
motion to accept the grant from the State Department
of Education in the amount of $70,000.00. MOTION: G. Lerandeau MOVED to accept the grant as described by C. Cardine. SECOND: R. Thackston DISCUSSION: D.Arguin asked what code these funds would be under. L. Biron responded
fund code 2.
VOTE: Unanimous.
C. Cardine told the Board that there will be good
news coming from
B.
New Business: B. Tatro is in search of a board member
volunteer to serve on the Best Schools Initiative Committee. B. Tatro informed
the Board that the district received a grant which will focus on the preschool
aged children. The group has and will be working with the state department to
develop a program. The volunteer will need to be available seven Fridays over the school year and the time
will be
C. Old Business: R.
Marra mentioned that three meetings ago C. Cardine passed out a letter
expressing his concerns about the high school space situation. C. Cardine wanted each Board Member to come up with
ideas and solutions as well as having this be the Board’s main focus. On
D. Curriculum Report:
E. 21st Century Report: K.
Carter was not present. The MC2 Program was having a parent meeting and open
house. D.Stockwell reported that the open house for the junior high will be
C. Cardine mentioined
that the grounds around all the schools
in the
F.
Action on the Manifest:G. Lerandeau MOVED to approve the manifest in the
amount of $926,542.51 SECOND: R.
Thackston VOTE: Unanimous.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: C. Cardine
informed the Board that they will be receiving the full auditors report at the
next meeting. The auditors were very happy with the results. L. Biron reported
that there were no surprises and the auditor was pleased that none of his
people have threatened to quit because of the process. K. Dassau mentioned that
today is the 100th Anniverary of the first school nurse being
employed. A round of thanks was given to the school nurses for all they do.
7. SETTING
UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:
1.
Budget
and Board Meeting
2.
Retreat
3.
Policy
Committee
4.
Finance
Committee
5.
Facilities
Committee
6.
Communications
7:45 PM Chair Wright
declares a recess. Board tours the SurryElementary School.
8:00 PM G. Lerandeau MOVED to enter into non-public session
for the purpose of discussing negotiations. SECOND: R. Thackston. VOTE: Unanimous.
8:36 PM G. Lerandeau MOVED to return to public session and
to seal this portion of the non-public minutes indefinitely. SECOND: R. Thackston. VOTE: Unanimous.
C.
Cardine distributed copies of the Right-To-Know Law for inclusion in the board
member binder.
9. Motion to Adjourn.
8:37 PM G. Lerandeau MOVED to adjourn. SECOND: R.
Thackston. VOTE: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Aivaliotis
MRSD Board Secretary