Board Meeting Minutes
Monadnock Regional
Junior and Senior High School Library,
7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER
Present: Don Arguin, Dixie Gurian, Gene White, Chair Robin Marra, Sam Johnson,
Winston Wright, William Felton, John Morin, Gus Lerandeau, Larry Colby and
Richard Thackston. Absent:�� Patricia Smith, Alan Gross and Geordie
Fifield
Also present: C. Cardine, Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt., L. Biron, Business Manager
and D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum. Principals: D.Mousette, S. Rashid, K. Craig
and B. Tatro.
R. Marra reminded the Board
that they have assembled because of the Board�s�
mission statement� �The Monadnock Regional School District will
strive to provide the best education for every child.�
1.�������� CONSENT AGENDA:
Minutes of June 17, 2003
Board Meeting. MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to approve the minutes as revised
by R. Marra. SECOND: D. Gurian.� VOTE:
9.399/0/0/4.487. Motion Passes.
2.������ CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: C. Cardine explained to
the� �
Board that a MRHS graduate
Narra Martineau will be a New England Patriots cheerleader this football
season.
C. Cardine circulated a
letter written to D. Stockwell from a teacher explaining their positive
experience at the school.
The Board acknowledged the
superintendent�s birthday and extended their best wishes.� Happy Birthday Superintendent Cardine!
3. STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS: R. Bauries asked if the $60,000.00 of additional money added to the
warrant article would be discussed tonight. R. Marra commented that it is on
the agenda. R. Bauries explained that the group would be watching the Board
during this discussion to make sure that the money is spent on what the voters
have asked or the group will be filing a motion in Superior Court.
5. Other School Board Business:
A.
Board Committee Reports:
1. Community Relations Committee: D. Gurian explained that in the Board
Packet the committee sent a
report of their July 8th meeting, which could speed up the building
proposal process. The committee has three action items for the Board’s
consideration. MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED that the MRSD hire an educational
consultant and that no more than $20,000 dollars be spent for this purpose. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston asked where the money for the consultant
would come from. D. Gurian explained that the money could come from the funds
approved in warrant article eight. R. Thackston said that he opposed taking the
money out of the $60,000. R. Marra asked L. Biron to refresh the Board on the
use of the money. L. Biron explained that the state auditor was not specific
but the money could be used for maintenance activity. D. Gurian commented that
she would like to honor R. Thackston’s concerns and would like to know if the
funds could come out of some other source. L. Colby asked to hear the entire
warrant article concerning the additional money. R. Marra explained that the
additional funds were added during the Deliberative Session. R. Thackston
commented that he was one of the principle participants in the amendment and it
is clear in his mind that it was not the intent to use the money to hire a
consultant. R. Bauries asked if the Board would like to review the tape of the
Deliberative Session. He said he has the tape and has had it reviewed by an
attorney who said it is for the purpose of the present high school. R. Bauries
also explained that under RSA 32:10 a special warrant article is considered a
single purpose. L. Colby said that he would like to move forward and do what is
best for the children and the taxpayers. He asked that the Board vote on the
$20,000.00 and move forward. G. Lerandeau asked if there would be additional
money from another source. W. Wright asked what the purpose of the consultant
would be. D. Gurian said that the consultant would advise the district on the
best academic use of the facility. W.
Wright would like clarification from the Dept. of Revenue as to whether these
funds could be used to hire an educational consultant. R. Thackston asked why the Community
Relations Committee is presenting this to the Board and not the Facilities
Committee. G. White commented that the Board has been wasting time on this
issue and the Facilities Committee has not had a quorum in some time. W. Felton
commented that the committee is being proactive and would like help from
experts with the decision.
John Morin arrives at 7:30 PM.
D. Arguin commented that he would like to give all the information to the architect and if there are gaps hire the consultant if needed. S. Johnson had questions and concerns about the elementary schools’ facility needs. G. Lerandeau said that there needs to be a game plan first before we spend the money. L.Colby said that it is important that we get outside information. We need to know what is physically possible and educationally valuable. G. Lerandeau said that he would like to see this go ahead or be amended. R. Thackston asked the Board if they wanted to waste time with a legal challenge. R.Bauries again asked the Board if they would like to look at the tape.
MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED the question. SECOND: W. Felton VOTE: 5.427/5.151/0/3.308. Motion to move the question fails. DISCUSSION: G.Lerandeau asked if we were going to vote on an unfunded motion. L. Biron commented that some architectural firms have consultants included on their teams. VOTE on motion to hire educational consultant: 7.602/2.976/0/3.308.
MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED that
the consultant be charged with providing the Board with an independent
assessment of the best educational model for MRSD children, families and
communities and that the report be completed by August 22, 2003. SECOND: W.Felton. DISCUSSION: W. Wright said that he has a problem with the word
“best”. He said it should not be one way and that the board should have more
options. R. Thackston said that there may be a court challenge that could add 3
or 4 weeks to the schedule. R. Marra explained that the previous motion did not
specify where the funds were coming from. We will ask the administration to
find out if the funds in the warrant article can be used before any funds are
spent. L. Colby said to take the word best out. D. Gurian recommends taking out
the words “best educational model”. G. Lerandeau asked who would do the hiring.
D. Gurian said the Supt. should do the hiring. G. Lerandeau asked if there are
names. D. Gurian said that the Supt. has five or six names. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to amend the motion to read: The consultant be charged with providing
the Board with advantages and disadvantages of different educational models at
the present facility by August 22, 2003. SECOND:
D. Gurian VOTE: 9.557/1.021/0/3/308.
Motion to amend passes. VOTE on main
motion as amended: 7.602/0/2.976/3.308. Motion passes.
MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED that the timeline be observed. SECOND: W. Felton. MOTION to amend: L. Colby MOVED to have the Sept. 2, 2003 meeting changed to read Monadnock Regional School District discussion on consultant report rather that Monadnock Regional School District vote on building plan. SECOND: G. White. VOTE: 9.557/0/1.021/3.308. Motion to amend passes. W. Felton suggested having the Sept. TBA meeting as the public forum. R. Marra explained that the Community Forum was to be modeled by the Monadnock In the 21st Century Forum. The meeting will be scheduled between the Sept 2. 2003 meeting and the Sept. 16, 2003 meeting. VOTE on main motion as amended: 9.557/0/1.021/3.308. Motion passes.
Facilities Committee: G. Lerandeau reported that there are many projects in the works and a full report will be given at the August meeting.
Finance Committee: W. Wright reported to the
Board that the committee met this morning. He told the Board that there
is a small surplus left from the budget but the best news is that there is no
deficit. R. Marra asked if there was
excess revenue. Superintendent Cardine
said it looks very good and could lessen the impact of reduced state aide to
education on the taxpayers. W. Wright suggested walking through the building to
review the projects being worked on. A field trip of the improvements will be
placed on the agenda for the Aug. 5, 2003 meeting. R. Marra informed the Board
that Jen Gomarlo from the Budget Committee would be the liaison to the Finance
Committee.
4.
Policy Committee: MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED to have changes to Policy BDE
Committee and Delegates as a first read. SECOND:
L. Colby. DISCUSSION: D. Arguin informed
the Board that the changes were for the purpose of committee action. A quorum
shall consist of more than 50% of the voting members of the committee. VOTE: 10.578/0/0/3.308. Motion passes. MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED to accept changes to Policy BEAA
School Board Meeting Preparation as a first read. SECOND: D. Gurian. DISCUSSION:
D. Arguin explained that the time has changed from 4 days to 48 hours. He
explained that the Board may take necessary action on any matter deemed
necessary due to an immediate or pressing concern. VOTE: 10.578/0/0/3.308. Motion
passes.
MOTION: D. Arguin MOVED
to accept changes to Policy BGB Policy Adoption as a first read. SECOND: G. White: DISCUSSION: D. Gurian would like the changes highlighted. D. Arguin
explained that there would no longer be a first and second read on policies. D.
Gurian commented that the first and second read is for the public to comment.
She feels this is valuable and that it should be left. The agenda is posted. R.
Thackston agrees with D. Gurian that it is an unnecessary change. R. Marra
relinquished the gavel to vice chair D. Arguin in order to comment that he is
in favor of the motion. He explained
that the only committee that has two reads is the Policy Committee. He said he does not want to limit the
public’s participation, but a motion to postpone could be used to continue
discussion at a subsequent meeting. R. Thackston commented that there have been
a number of times when the Board changed their minds on the second vote. VOTE: 6.481/4.435/0.776/3.308.
Motion passes. L. Colby commented on
the fact that it was suggested that the committee chairs meet. D. Arguin said
it was discussed but not brought forward. R. Marra said that the chair has the
right to do that at any time.
B.
New Business: August and
September Meeting Consideration: MOTION: G.Lerandeau MOVED to change the August 12 meeting to August 5th. SECOND: D. Gurian VOTE: 6.423/0/4.155/3.308. Motion
passes. MOTION: D. Gurian MOVED to
have the Sept. Board meeting at the MC2 School. SECOND: L. Colby. DISCUSSION:
R. Thackston asked if it was legal to have the Board Meetings out of
District. C. Cardine responded if it is the decision of the Board. VOTE: 7.199/ 0/3.379/3.308. Motion
passes.
Middle School Concept: R. Marra recommended that
the Board charge the administration to come back with a recommendation
regarding academic grade configuration. He commented that we should use the
talents that we have. R. Thackston said
it is a very good idea to have them talk about the middle and elementary schools.
D. Arguin suggested talking about the 6th grade. R. Thackston would
like to talk about the adequacy of the Northern Schools and the implications
throughout the district. S. Johnson commented on the middle combination 6,7,8
grades or possibly the 5,6,7,8 grades.
C. Cardine will address the issue with the administrative team.
C.
Old Business: Update on
Wilcox-Gilsum Special Education Programs: K.
Dassau
explained that the hiring of the Gilsum and Wilcox behavior support program
professional staff has been completed. The nominations for the new positions
will be made by the superintendent in non-public session. There will be at
least 4 students in each site. K. Dassau was pleased to report that staffing
was done within the tuition accounts with a positive fund balance at this time.
R. Marra asked about the status of the physical alterations. K. Dassau
explained that Gilsum is going forward and the work at Wilcox is still under
discussion but is expected to be completed by the opening of school. W. Felton asked if Wilcox will be “off
limits” as a conference area for staff and committees. K. Dassau replied it
will be by the opening of school. Henceforth, the staff, administrators, and
board committees will need to use areas within the schools.
Discussion on public forum (6-17): R. Marra read an e-mail from
A. Gross. The letter contained A. Gross’ thoughts of the June 17 meeting. R.
Thackston said that he got a consensus from the people in attendance that
something has to be done. L. Colby said that they were sincere and had a common
ground. W. Felton felt that a new building on the other side of the street was
not wanted. S. Johnson said that the options are somewhat limited. He said that
the Board has four options: continue to do nothing, add on and pay as you go, a
middle school or a high school. He said if a high school is the option that
would be the same as doing nothing because it would be voted down. He said he
would like to know how his fellow board members feel. R. Marra does agree that
we need to lay our cards on the table. G. White agrees with some of what S.
Johnson has said. He said he does not feel bad with the decisions we made as a
Board. He commented on his school concerns. G.
White said that his primary concern, and what he thought was the general
consensus, is the separation of the 7th and 8th grades
from the high school students, and that the elementary schools in the southern
towns, Swanzey especially are already overcrowded. R. Thackston suggested
having each town educate until 8th grade, have an additional
elementary in Swanzey or Richmond, and consolidate the Northern Schools. W.
Felton remembered when the idea of sending the 7 and 8 grades to Swanzey was
discussed. He is not sure of the public reaction if the board takes the 6th
graders. W. Wright commented that the taxpayers are only looking at the small
projects. They are looking at the tax
bill. R. Thackston is concerned that the Troy School has been passed over and
now has some concerns.
Discussion Regarding Hiring of Consultant: L. Biron will contact the
Southwest Regional Planning Commission to see if they can update the
information on the district.
D.
Curriculum Report: Supt. Cardine informed the
Board that there would be a report on the teacher mentoring program in
September.
E.
21st Century Report: None.
F.
Action on the Manifest: J. Morin MOVED to approve the manifest in the
amount of $1,200,957.30 SECOND: G. Lerandeau. VOTE: 9.399/0/1.179/3.308.Motion passes.
6. Superintendent’s Report: Supt. Cardine reported that
the Dept. of Education has approved the 50/50 funding formula.
In response to a question by
G. White Supt. Cardine reported that he has been nominated to be on an advisory
group to the President similar to the one that issued the National Report Card:
A Nation at Risk.
R. Marra informed the Board
that a three-part report on the MC2 School would be in the Keene Sentinel.
8. SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:
1.
Committee Reports
2.
Recommendation for Vocational
Coordinator
3.
Educational Consultant
4.
Field Trip to observe changes made
at the High School
9. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
9:53 PM W. Felton MOVED to enter into
non-public session for the purpose of approving the minutes of the non-public
session on June 17, 2003, personnel and legal. SECOND : J. Morin VOTE : Unanimous for those present.
10:25 PM D. Arguin MOVED to return to public session and to
seal this portion of the non-public minutes indefinitely. SECOND: J. Morin. VOTE: Unanimous
for those present.
10:28 Motion to adjourn. L.
Colby MOVED to adjourn the meeting. SECOND:
D. Arguin. VOTE: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,