MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board Meeting Minutes
October
15, 2002
Gilsum Elementary School
7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER
Present: Don Arguin, Winston Wright, Chairman, Dixie
Gurian, Patricia Smith, Stephen Mettling, Gene White,
Alan Gross, William Felton, Robin Marra, John Morin
and Larry Colby. Absent: Jonathan
Kirstein, Gus Lerandeau, Richard Thackston, and Geordie Fifield.
Also present: C. Cardine,
Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt., L. Biron, Business
Manager and D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum.
Principals: S. Rashid, D. Stockwell, D. Mousette, K. Craig, and Betty Tatro.
1. CONSENT
AGENDA:
Minutes of October 1, 2002
MOTION: R. Marra
MOVED to approve the minutes. SECOND L. Colby VOTE:
8.09/0/1.15/5.76 Motion Passes.
2. CITIZENS
CONCERNS: None
3.
STUDENT
COUNCIL CONCERNS: None
4.
CORRESPONDENCE
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: C. Cardine reported on the following: Joshua
Zitta a senior at MRHS is a semifinialist
in the 2003 Merit Scholarship Competition. Congratulations Joshua.
The Cheshire Career Center will hold its first meeting of the Cheshire Center Regional Advisory
Committee for the 2002-2003 school year on October 28,
2002.
The District is looking into a program called TULIP which stands for
Tenant Users Liability Insurance Policy. This will allow groups to use the
school grounds and facilities and be covered by the district’s insurance.
James Kahn completed three AP Examinations receiving grades of 3 or
higher on a 5-point scale and qualified for the AP Scholar Award.
Matt Heath is MRHS’s first State Champion in
Golf capturing the New Hampshire Class I Golf State Championship Title.
Congratulations Matt.
Coach Pickering’s alternative physical education class
were honored guests at a special football game. Free admission and
special seating was arranged for the child and their parents.
S. Rashid reported to C. Cardine that some 6th
graders took it upon themselves and formed a recess camp where they became the
counselors. They were teaching 4th and 5th graders games
and playing very respectfully.
5. OTHER
SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:
A. Board Committee
Reports:
1.
Policy
Committee: D. Arguin commented on the cover page that was
sent out with the policies to be viewed. The cover page shows the members in
attendance, the policy and the rational for the policy. At the upper right hand
corner of the cover page is the Document Identification, the school MRHS , Policy and the date. The first policy is Policy XXX Confined Space
Policy XXX is because this is a new policy and does not currently have a policy
code designation. D. Arguin will consult the NHSBA policy manual for code
determination. This policy complies with the NH Dept. of Labor. MOTION: D.
Arguin MOVED to accept Policy XXX Confined Spaces Policy as a first
reading. SECOND R. Marra. DISCUSSION: B.
Fowler was involved in this policy and said it looks great. VOTE: 9.24/0/0/5.76.
Policy
BGB policy Adoption. D. Arguin informed the Board that this
policy would eliminate having the two readings and adopt at the posted meeting.
The Board would receive the information in the packet and would be able to
review. MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED to change Policy BGB Policy
Adoption as presented. SECOND: S. Mettling. DISCUSSION:
D. Gurian said that she would have to vote against this change. She
understands that the Board has a chance to review but having the two readings
allows the public to participate. D. Gurian will vote no. L. Colby commented
that he would agree with D. Gurian, the public needs time to review and
comment. R. Marra feels that the citizen’s comments
are important but it may seem that the first review is for the Board members
who did not review prior to the meeting. W. Wright said that many people call
him and he feels that the first reading and second reading sessions need to be
there. K. Dassau commented that with the current policy it takes two meetings
to delete outdated policies. L. Colby suggested that the Board amend to an
emergency situation. K. Craig informed the Board that the principals are not
receiving the policies in their board packets. C. Cardine
thought that the principals were receiving them and will assure policies are
included in the future. D. Arguin commented that in the current policy the
Board can make an emergency change. A. Gross wanted to know how the Board could
publicize the agenda and the policies. L. Colby suggested that every parent
group receive a packet from the principals. VOTE: 4.05/5.19/0/5.76 Motion
fails.
D.
Arguin presented the next policy. Policy IJL Library Materials Selection and
Adoption: Book Selection Criteria and Procedures which also include IJL-R and
IJL-E. MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED to accept as a first reading with
the changes to Policy IJL Library Materials Selection and Adoption: Book
Selection Criteria and Procedures. SECOND L. Colby.
DISCUSSION: K. Dassau commented that updating this policy would put it
in the 21st century. W. Wright commented Elementary Library Services
Director Charlotte Lesser and MRHS Librarian Deb Stavseth
on an excellent job done with the Policy Committee. VOTE: Unanimous.
2.
Communications Committee. D. Gurian informed the Board that the committee did
not have a report at this time. R. Marra would like
to ask the Communications Committee to help in getting the information about
the policy adoption out.
[7:45
PM William Felton arrives.]
3.
Facilities Committee: B. Fowler reported
that the committee met on Sept.
27, 2002 and discussed the deferred maintenance
and the special projects for the 2003-2004 school year.
He commented that some of the Board Members have received a packet and the
others will be receiving their packets tonight. No date is set for the next
meeting.
4.
Finance Committee: C. Cardine informed the Board that the 10.8 million
dollar grant has been awarded to the Monadnock Regional School
District. The first year the district will be receiving $839,000.00, 100% of what
was requested. Monadnock will be the financial agent and receive 1.9% of the
amount each year for a carrying cost. C. Cardine
asked if there were any questions. He explained that the first process is the
planning phase, a grant manager will be hired by Antioch and C. Cardine
will meet with members of all the area schools that were mentioned in the grant
and help explain what will happen. C. Cardine
explained some of the areas and resources that will be accomplished by the
grant. Training for new teachers, staff development, tuition reimbursement, six fifteen passenger vans will be purchased, gas, insurance
and School Board training. He mentioned that every detail has been thought out.
He commented that this is the best grant that has ever been received by
Monadnock. L. Colby congratulated
everyone involved in the grant process. G. White asked what the District would
need to do to meet the grant requirements. C. Cardine
said that the District would become a model to allow people to move around. C. Cardine said that at the meetings decisions will be made on
what will be done between the districts. This money will be able to assist a
school that may be in trouble. This money will be used to offer specialized
courses where the students from another district may attend. This money does
pay for some rents but will not pay to build a new building. C. Cardine said that
Monadnock is the fiscal agent but all four districts and the colleges involved
cooperated on the effort. D. Hodgdon commented that the paraprofessionals will have
funds to help them receive an associate’s degree in their area. C. Cardine said that there are funds to pay for a position at
the State Dept. of Education. A. Gross asked about the library. C. Cardine said that
the the budget, meaning the Monadnock Regional School
District Budget, includes a new librarian position at the elementary school. J. Morin asked if the deficit effected the amount received by the district. C. Cardine said that
the fact that the deficit was addressed and corrected gave credence to the
district’s ability to manage such a grant. MOTION: R. Marra MOVED
that on behalf of Monadnock and
the surrounding districts that the grant be accepted. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE:
10.38/0/0/4.62
B.
New
Business: R. Marra reported on
the recent retreat by the Board. He passed out review sheets on the events of
the retreat. The reason for the meeting was to talk about the options for the
Jr. and Sr.
High School
in Monadnock. The school was built to hold 900 students there are now over 1300
students. The members looked over the mission statement and came up with a new
statement that they would like to present to adopt as policy. The new mission
statement will read “The Monadnock Regional School District will strive to
provide the best education for every child.” From the discussion came the idea
of a new school. The members at the retreat wanted to talk as a full Board
about this idea. W. Felton asked if the space numbers needed to come from the
state. L. Biron said that 27 acres would be needed as
far as the equation would go. R. Marra said that the
existing high school would be the junior high. A. Gross wanted definite numbers
on the cost of the new school. The tax impact and the tax rate. L. Biron commented that there will be a 55% reimbursement to
the district from the state. Once L. Biron has the
cost figures he will be able to talk to the bond bank and have them run a schedule. W. Felton commented that the bond rate
is very low. W. Wright asked what percentage of the voters would need to agree
60% or 66%. L. Biron responded that 60 % would be
needed. MOTION: R. Marra MOVED to
change the mission statement to read “The Monadnock Regional School District
will strive to provide the best education for every child.” SECOND: P.
Smith DISCUSSION: L. Colby would like the word “possible” be added after
the word best. VOTE: 10.38/0/0/4.62 Unanimous. MOTION: R. Marra MOVED to have the Monadnock Regional School
Board direct the administrative team to prepare a warrant article for a new
school and renovations for March. SECOND: D. Gurian. DISCUSSION: D.
Gurian said that she is in favor of the motion because she feels that this is
the right time to do this. L. Colby stated that he is pleased to take this
proactive vote. K. Craig asked about the 21st Century Committee. She
commented that this was not the group’s decision. R. Marra
said that the recommendation was a pay-as-you-go recommendation and it was
voted with a hand full of members. He said that it was commented to
pay-as-you-go because of the deficit but now that there is no deficit, or very
little, there is no problem. W. Wright commented that if the Board feels that
this is a go then he will work his darnedest to do this. He said that the
conversations need to involve the Budget Committee and the Selectmen. W. Wright
asked D. Stockwell’s opinion. D. Stockwell
said that it was a convincing retreat. He said that no member came up with a
negative reason. K. Sportello
asked how long it would take to get the figures together. B. Fowler responded
by saying that the figures could be ready in one or two months. L. Biron said that he has had a preliminary conversation with Baybutt Construction. W. Felton commented that the building
would be two floors. L. Biron said that the new
school would be built for 1200 students. L. Biron
defended the 1200 student mark because he explained that Keene
is well built-up and the people are going to the surrounding towns. Buildings
and businesses are bringing families to the area. D. Gurian commented that
every bond project has been turned down. She asked what the Board can do to get
this one passed. She suggested having tours at 7:00 AM. D. Gurian commented
that we are in this together and that we have our work cut out for us. J. Morin
asked if the Board is talking about 5 months or 17 months?
It would be 17 months if it is not voted for tonight. S. Mettling
commented that he would like the MRHS to be the area’s school of choice. W.
Wright commented that he will vote yes for the proposal. W. Wright asked why
the MRHS wants to draw students. J. Morin responded that the MRHS should be a
model school. D. Stockwell commented that the 1200
student space will be used. D. Arguin explained that the Board needs to show the
need and the benefits of this new project. He feels that it should be presented
well to the public. L. Colby commented that the retreat participants did not
respond to a sales job but the facts. It was an idea whose time has come
convinced by facts. A. Gross said that now that the deficit is almost gone, the
grant has been awarded, the interest rates are low and with a new mission
statement, as D. Stockwell said, we need to make a
commitment as board members to convince voters of the need and not just by a
vote. J. Morin asked why the Board was requesting a warrant instead of creating
one themselves. W. Wright said that the administration
would prepare it and the lawyer would review it. L. Biron
said that the Dept. of Revenue Administration requires a standard format. R. Marra commented that calling the question requires a 2/3
vote. VOTE: Unanimous. The Board applauded the decision. W. Wright
thanked R. Marra for chairing the retreat and thanked
the committee for a great job.
October 23, 2002 there will be
a budget meeting at 7:00
PM.
A
change in the agenda. W. Wright reported that the Gilsum School Tour will take place at the break.
C.
Old
Business: At the last budget
committee meeting the budget committee asked that if anything is done with the
MRHS it be put on the ballot as a separate warrant article. P. Smith asked if
it would be possible to have a tour of the building on Nov. 2, 2002 with the Budget Committee. C. Cardine
said that would be a good idea.
C. Cardine passed out information to the Board Members.
The first was the cost per student at a specific building. He cautioned that
these figures will not match the cost per pupil numbers from the state.
C. Cardine passed out a Statistical Data Sheet
to the Board Member. W. Felton asked if the rank order concerning the cost per
student would be different then the state. C. Cardine
said that the state only does the whole elementary, high school and middle
school. D. Arguin commented that the information is good but worries if the
information is not clear. He stated that it needs to be strongly stated. L.
Colby asked if these figures include special education. C. Cardine
said that special education is among the whole district.
D. Curriculum Report: Gilsum School tour will take place at the break.
E. 21st Century Report: Report at the next meeting.
F.
Action on the Manifest: R. Marra MOVED to approve the manifest in the amount of $1,330,635.16 SECOND: J. Morin VOTE: Unanimous.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: C. Cardine informed the Board that he does not have a report
he feels that he has spoken enough for tonight.
7. SETTING
UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:
1.
Policy
Committee
2.
Communications
Committee
3.
Facilities
Committee
4.
Finance
Committee
5.
CCC
Report
6.
Bi-Annual
Treasurers Report for Dec.
9 :35 PM Chair Wright declares a recess.
9 :30 PM Chair Wright declares a recess. Board tours the
Gilsum Elementary School.
10:00PM Return to Public Session. After reviewing the Gilsum
facilities and the multi-purpose room. It was discussed that much needed to be
completed. R. Marra MOVED that the
superintendent and administrators take necessary action against the contractors
to satisfactorily complete the work. SECOND by J. Morin. VOTE: Unanimous.
8. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
10:10 PM L. Colby MOVED to enter into non-public session
for the purpose of student personnel. SECOND: D. Gurian. VOTE: Unanimous.
10:25
PM P. Smith MOVED
to return to public session and to seal this portion of the non-public
minutes indefinitely. SECOND: D.
Gurian. VOTE: Unanimous.
Public Session
D. Arguin MOVED
that the board provide transportation to any student residing on an unsafe
road. SECOND: R. Marra. Discussion. Issue
needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis. R. Marra
MOVED that the issue be given to the
Transportation Committee for review. SECOND:
D. Arguin. VOTE: 9/1.38/0/4.62. Motion Passes.
9. Motion to Adjourn.
10:30 PM A. Gross MOVED to adjourn. SECOND: S.
Mettling. VOTE:
Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Aivaliotis
MRSD Board Secretary