Board Meeting Minutes
Monadnock Regional Junior and Senior High
School Library,
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7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER
Present: Don Arguin, Dixie Gurian, Gene White, Alan Gross, William Felton, John
Morin, Chair Robin Marra, Sam Johnson, L. Colby and W. Wright Absent: Patricia Smith, Gus Lerandeau,
Richard Thackston, Stephen Mettling and Geordie Fifield.
Also present: C. Cardine, Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt., L. Biron, Business Manager,
Tom Warner, Dir. of Technology and D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum. Principals:
D. Stockwell, D. Mousette, D. Dahl, K. Craig, S. Rashid and B. Tatro. Student Council Representative: B.
Dahl.
1.�������� CONSENT AGENDA:
Minutes of April 1,
2003.� MOTION: D. Gurian. MOVED
to approve the minutes.� SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: Chair Marra explained that he would like the minutes to
reflect when an item is discussed at another time other than the order of the
agenda.� VOTE: 9.56/0/1.11/4.33 Motion
Passes.
Chair Marra explained that he would request that the agenda be changed as� follows: Correspondence and Announcements, Student Council Report and then Citizens Concerns once again.� He will have a sign up sheet for citizens wishing to speak at the meeting. This way he will be able to allocate enough time for the concerns. Chair Marra will be adding another spot on the agenda for Citizens Concerns at the end of the meeting. These changes will take place at the next meeting.
2. ����� CITIZENS CONCERNS: R. Bauries asked if persons would be possible to
sign up before the meeting. R. Marra responded there would be a sign up sheet
at the SAU office.
3.������ STUDENT
COUNCIL CONCERNS: B. Dahl gave a list of the upcoming events. Saturday there will be an
Easter Egg Hunt for the children of Swanzey. Saturday will be the performance
of I Never Saw Another Butterfly. The
Prom will be held on May 3. Project Graduation will be hosting an open
microphone. On May 13th and 14th there will be two spring
choral concerts. Season openers for baseball, softball, tennis and track.
Everyone is welcome. J. Morin asked if the Board could have a list of the
events.� A list will be included in the
Board�s packet.
4.������ CORRESPONDENCE
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: C. Cardine reported that the New School Board Orientation would be on
May 18, 2003 at Bow High School.
C. Cardine reported that he
would be sending a letter to the editor of the Keene Sentinel concerning House
Bill 608. He distributed a copy of the letter, information on the cooperative
school district, and a spreadsheet explaining the effects of HB 608 and 717 out
to the Board.� C. Cardine then explained
the effects of House Bill 608 and House Bill 717. The passage of both these
Bills would take funding away from the district. He told the Board that he
contacted the representatives and recommended that they do so also.� C. Cardine went to Concord to get information
on the cooperative district and has historic information on the Monadnock
Regional School District provided by the state department.� This is a compilation of past studies of the
district initiated by various member towns.
��� 5.��� ��
OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:
����� A.�
Board Committee Reports:�
1.
Policy Committee: No report. D. Arguin will
meet with the members to establish a meeting time.
2.
Finance Committee: A chair was elected and the
budget was discussed. The next meeting will be on May 2, 2003 at 8:45 AM in the
Maintenance Bldg.
3.
Community Relations
Committee: D.
Gurian distributed the minutes from their last two meetings to the Board
Members. A committee chair has not as yet been elected. The committee has
decided to hold their meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday
of the month at 5:30 PM in the Board Room in the Wilcox Building. D. Gurian
reported that the reorganization meeting would be on May 3, 2003 from 9-12. The
place will be determined.
4.
Facilities Committee: L. Biron reported that the
committee did not have a quorum. General discussion.
5.
CCC Center: A. Gross reported that the
demolition work has started to the facility. For the next year and a half the
classes will be shuffled around. The completion of the project should be in
August of 2004. C. Cardine reported that the CCC would like to extend the
amount of time in which Monadnock, Hinsdale and Winchester students are at the
CCC Center. It is not possible to have the additional teacher this year but it
will next year. The auto certification class will be available and will extend
the participant’s school day.
W. Felton asked about the
difference in the calendar for Keene and Monadnock. C. Cardine said there was
only one day that was different.
L. Colby asked how the
faculty would get the information about the Staff Development. R. Marra commented
that the committee has not met. L. Colby was sent an agenda in order for
someone to receive it.
B.
New Business: No new business.
Old Business: Additional Committee
Appointments. R. Marra reported that
the following Board Members will be added to the following committees: S.
Johnson and G. White to the Community Relations Committee, D. Gurian to the
Finance Committee, W. Wright and R. Marra to the SAU Committee and R. Marra to
the Policy Committee. A. Gross asked to be added to the Facilities Committee.
W. Felton asked how many members are on the SAU Board. C. Cardine explained
that every Board Member is a part of that committee. D. Gurian explained that
each of the three Boards have only three votes. R. Marra explained that the SAU
Board meeting would be at Emerson on May 7, 2003 preceded by dinner. It is the
Hinsdale Boards turn to hold the Board chair. MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED to
accept the appointments as presented by Chair Marra. SECOND: J. Morin VOTE: 9.56/0/1.11/4.33.
Motion passes.
Motion Postponed from March 18, 2003 Meeting: MOTION: R. Marra
read the motion presented by
R. Thackston on March 18, 2003. At that time the motion had been moved by R.
Thackston, seconded by W. Wright. After much discussion a motion to postpone
was moved by W. Wright and seconded by A. Gross. DISCUSSION on the postponed motion: D. Arguin commented that there
were problems in the wording and wished that the person who made the motion
were here to explain. He would like to discard the motion. R. Marra explained
that the article would need to be voted on. W. Felton felt that it would be
premature to vote on the motion before the retreat. R. Marra asked if that was
a formal amendment. L. Colby agreed with W. Felton and will vote no on the
motion. W. Wright had a question about the spending of the $60,000.00. It
seemed to him that the Board has no control of the money. He does not agree
with that. VOTE: 0/9.56/1.11/4.33. Motion fails.
Default Budget: C. Cardine explained the work that had been done by the A Team and the
SAU concerning the cuts to bring the budget to the default number. He also handed out a packet to the Board
Members. This was followed by a Power
Point™ presentation. He said that they
are looking at the following options: scheduling at the high school, using the
Wilcox building to reduce the special education out of district costs,
eliminate the Alternative Credit Program, eliminate the School-to-Career
Program, eliminate the auto shop, discuss buses and denying requests for
additional staff. D. Stockwell explained
that he would be looking at split scheduling.
Scheduling: A team visited a
Junior-Senior school in Vermont that has split schedule. They have 450 students and 25 rooms.
Monadnock has a slightly different situation with 1200 students and 56 rooms.
D. Stockwell commented that the elimination of the Alternative Credit Program,
elimination of the School-to-Career Program, eliminating the auto shop and send
the children to the CCC would make two classrooms available. Mr. Smith,
the person who does the scheduling said that each and every teacher would need
to be identified as either a high school teacher or a junior high teacher. Mr. Smith handed out a diagram. On the second page of the hand out were the
foot prints for the high school. The
shaded areas showed the high school classes and the junior high classes. The areas that were not shaded will be used
by both. Another possibility would be an
8th class that would be on M-W-F. This class would extend the day to
3:50 PM. D. Stockwell explained that
there would not be any new counselor, science teacher or math teacher. W.
Felton asked how many classes the teachers usually have. D. Stockwell explained
that they usually have 5 classes. A stipend is paying the teachers that are teaching
the extra class, because of the lack of another teacher. A. Gross asked about
the ISS classroom. D. Stockwell
explained that the class is shared between the junior high and the high school
students. He also said that it is actually a half a classroom. D. Hodgdon
commented that the School-to-Career effects grades K-12. J. Morin asked about
the extra math and science teachers. D. Stockwell explained that the teachers
are currently teaching 6 classes by hiring the extra teachers they would each
have a normal workload. J. Morin asked about the class size. D. Stockwell
explained that about 12-30 students are in the classes. R. Marra said that by
looking at the foot prints of the high school and with the split scheduling the
classes would be disrupted with the passing of students. C. Cardine explained
that the school they toured had 450 students and 2 floors, which made the split
scheduling easier. R. Marra suggested lengthening the passing time for less
congestion in the hallways. C. Cardine said that at the district meeting the
split bells were suggested. This is not
in concrete. They are honoring what was
suggested. D. Stockwell commented that there is not a good alternative. S. Johnson commented that the administration
is reacting to the commands of the people but would like to know if in D.
Stockwell’s experience he feels this is a good idea. J. Smith commented that
the administration has to look at each individual teacher and see if they are a
junior high teacher or a high school teacher. The junior high academics will be
forced to a morning schedule. He said that educationally he is not sure how
sound this would be. D. Stockwell said
that it is not a positive experience in a school of this size. The simpler the better. He said that they are charged to look at
this.
C. Cardine explained that
the budget was cut 1.3 million dollars and then an additional $962,183 to reach
the default number for a total of $2,262,183.
The SAU reloaded the staff lists with the changes that have occurred
since January, i.e. teachers leaving, new hires, and changes in insurance
packages and checked the members benefits they were able to come up with about
$62,500 and the bond payment (which was in version 2) of $214,250 for a total
of $276,750
extra dollars.
The administration and SAU managed to cut most of the 1,985,433.00 additional
out but are still missing $13,719.00. He explained that if an aide had to be
hired tomorrow there would be no designated money. C. Cardine read a list of
the cuts to each school. C. Cardine also
read a list of programs that are included as dropped in the list. There will be
no new staff hired. There will be no new
grant writer position. They recommended
keeping the preschool at Emerson. They
listed cutting the School-to-Career Program and the Alternative Credit Program.
C. Cardine explained that he is asking the Board about the possibility of
cutting the late buses, the mid-day buses and the auto shop. L. Biron passed out a sheet of paper to the
Board Member with the possible cuts listed. C. Cardine explained that he is
looking for help with the $13,719.00 in additional cuts. W. Wright asked what
the effects would be with cutting the mid-day and the late buses. C. Cardine
said that the mid-day buses would affect the Kindergarten. W. Wright commented
that the mid-day buses would impact the parents. C. Cardine asked D. Stockwell
how many children would be effected by absence the late buses. D. Stockwell
replied that about 200 student use the late buses. Some of the students are
receiving extra help with their studies. C. Cardine commented that the health
insurance is to the dime and there is no play. C. Cardine said that $100,000.00
of the private tuition costs was reduced in anticipation of developing a
special education program at the Wilcox Building and Northern Schools. C. Cardine said that they would take the
maximum benefits coming from the federal grant.
The seniors would be able to take college classes at Keene State. This would be available to the seniors in
Monadnock, Hinsdale, Winchester, and Keene and Transportation would be
available from the grant. W. Wright commented that he understood that the cuts
were coming from academics not from sports. C. Cardine explained that sports
are taking a substantial cut. L. Biron
informed W. Wright that it was Account 1420 in the budget. C. Cardine commented
that he would not let the science labs go another year the way they are now,
they will be repaired. G. White asked what purchased services in the athletics
account included. C. Cardine explained
that they are physicals for the athletes and the referees. G. White commented
on the new sports. D. Stockwell responded by saying that hockey had already
been added. C. Cardine said it would be funded next year. R. Marra asked when
the Board needs to decide on the additional cuts. C. Cardine said that he would
like to know the Board’s opinions now. D. Arguin commented that with cutting
the Alternative Credit Program and the School-to-Career Program the Board is
loosing site of its goals. R. Marra asked if version 7 had the cuts already
taken out. L. Biron commented yes. W. Felton asked about the Northern Schools.
C. Cardine said that he had a meeting with about 50 parents for about three
hours to discuss the budgets and cost of each student. He explained that the
parents clearly want their own schools. G. White suggested that they eliminate
the 2:30 PM bus and just have the late buses. C. Cardine said that he needs to
look into this suggestion. K. Dassau explained the possibility of having a
Behavior Support Program in the district. He said it would be for students in
grades 3-8 with emotional and behavior needs.
These children make up the largest portion of the out of district
placements. He explained that the Wilcox building was discussed as a possible
location. The foodservice and Title One would be relocated. This would house
the 7-8 grade students. The Northern Schools would be a consideration for the
3-6 grade students. There would be a maximum of 6 students in each class. K.
Dassau has invited Dr. D. LaFleur to be in attendance at the next Board
meeting. G. White asked if the federal government gave the district the amount
of funding that they had promised what would the percentage be. K. Dassau said
that the amount would be “huge.” R. Marra asked for a motion to allow K. Dassau
to prepare a program proposal for the full Board. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to
allow K. Dassau to prepare a special educational program proposal for the full
Board at the next meeting. SECOND: W.
Felton. VOTE: 8.44/0/2.24/4.33. Motion passes. R. Marra reminded the
Board that C. Cardine has asked the Board to make a choice from the screen. L.
Biron explained that the insurance rates would be set in mid May. S. Johnson
asked about an answer on G. White’s proposal. C. Cardine said it was a
contractual issue. L. Colby commented that he would like to know the impact of
not having the midday buses. C. Cardine said he would have that information by
the next meeting. A. Gross asked how many students the auto shop closing would
effect. J. Smith said that it is a junior high and high school course. The
course changes every six weeks. There are about 100 students with about 15 high
school students. K. Craig asked if it was possible for her to move ahead with
the preschool registration. C. Cardine said that he is not recommending cutting
the preschool. J. Hartwell was concerned with the babysitting situation with
the possibility of a bus situation. J. Gomarlo commented that the parents who
can not bring their children to kindergarten are the children who need it the
most. The Board is shooting itself in the foot. K. Craig commented that the
students still showed up with the cuts 7 years ago.
Planning for Board Retreat: A. Gross asked what the Board would be discussing
at the retreat? R. Marra told him that
this was the purpose of the discussion. D. Arguin commented that it should be
one clear and specific goal. Too many will only receive half the attention. He
feels that the discussion should be around Article One failing. C. Cardine agrees
with D. Arguin. The biggest problem is space, space, and space. He said that
this would be a full night of discussion. J. Morin asked if they are saying
that we are not allowed to discuss anything else. A. Gross feels that the Board
needs to review the goals and look at where we are going. R. Marra suggested
discussing the goals at the next meeting.
W. Wright asked how many Board Members would be attending the meeting.
R. Marra said that everyone said that they would make every effort to attend. MOTION: W. Felton MOVED the junior high and high school facility needs as the primary
discussion at the Board’s Retreat on April 29, 2003. SECOND: W. Wright VOTE:
Motion passes.
C.
Curriculum Report: Mr. Barth explained to the
Board that the teachers would be holding a Learning Fair. The fair would be
held on May 5, 2003 which is an early release day. The fair will be preceded by
a lasagna dinner to allow the teachers to add money to their student
scholarship fund. Twenty teachers have agreed to participate in this fair. The
band members will perform and the junior national honor society will be
present. The presentations for the night
will range from computer to math presentations. The group hopes to some day make
the Learning Fair into the Senior Presentation Night. The flier whom the Board
has received will go out with the student report cards.
E. 21st
Century Report: C. Cardine updated the Board on the Schools of Choice grant. Keene Middle School would be forming a Fine
Arts Academy with limited access to 6th graders from Monadnock,
Hinsdale and Winchester next year.
Hinsdale would receive $20,000.00 for a virtual high school on the
Internet that all schools in the program will have access to. The auto certification program at CCC would
be funded. He explained that the member districts were invited to a gathering
featuring Paul Ezen, Asst. Commissioner of Education for NH, to hear about No
Child Left Behind on Monday evening. There were about 55 people in attendance.
The topics at the meeting were MC2, virtual high school, academy, KSC, parents
outreach letter, D.Hodgdon’s letter to staff, aspiring principals fellowship,
Joe Smith, education by design run through, Antioch, Masters degree profession,
new staff and the fact that every school would at sometime have a full color
brochure of their school.
F. Action on the Manifest: D. Gurian MOVED to approve the manifest in the
amount of $1,197,246.67 SECOND: L.
Colby VOTE: 9.49/0/1.18/4.33 Motion passes.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: C. Cardine reported that since Oct. there have been
7 drop outs, two from the 9th grade, three students from the 10th
grade, one from the 11th grade and one from the 12th
grade. C. Cardine passed out a list of suspensions. There were 9 in the 7-8
grades, 20 in the 9-10 grades and 5 in the 11-12 grades. C. Cardine did say
that some were repeats. J. Morin asked if there were any physical assaults. C.
Cardine said there was hitting of a student by a student. A. Gross explained
that for years studies have shown students pairing up with a staff member in a
mentoring program works. He said that there is a mentoring program within the
school now. D. Arguin said that the last time mentoring was mentioned you said
that a member would come and speak to the Board. R. Marra said that someone
would come on May 20, 2003 to explain the program. D. Stockwell mentioned to
the Board about a Youth Risk Behavior Survey. He explained that the survey
gives the district statistical data for grants. Parents may opt out of having
their children take the survey. The student names are not used. R. Marra asked
when the survey would be conducted. D. Stockwell had concerns because the
survey would be the same week as the state testing. C. Cardine commented that
the administration was telling the Board about the survey in case there were
any questions.
CITIZENS CONCERNS: Mrs. Bauries was concerned with the number of students who had dropped
out and was under the impression that the MC2 School would help this problem.
C. Cardine explained that there were 7 students for the whole year that dropped
out. He explained that Monadnock’s dropout average is at 4.5% with the state
average at about 6.5%. He said that he would like to see 0%. T. Warner
commented that the dropout rate reflects withdrawals.
7. SETTING UP
THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:
1.
Policy Committee
2.
Community Relations
3.
Facilities Committee
4.
Finance Committee
5.
Special Education Presentation
6.
Default Budget Discussion
7.
MC2
8.
Board Goals
8. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
9 :50 PM A. Gross MOVED to enter into non-public session
for the purpose of personnel. SECOND :
W. Wright VOTE : Unaniomous.
10:45 PM A. Gross MOVED to return to
public session and to seal this portion of the non-public minutes indefinitely.
SECOND: L. Colby VOTE : Unanimous for those present.
Motion to adjourn. W. Wright
MOVED to adjourn the meeting
at 10 :50 PM. SECOND : G. Lerandeau VOTE:
Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Aivaliotis
MRSD Board Secretary