MRSD School Board - minutes Dec. 7, 2004

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2004

Monadnock Regional High School Library, Swanzey, NH

Present: Tim Aho, Karen Cota, Alan Gross, Dixie Gurian, Chair Robin Marra, Richard Thackston, William Felton, Bruce Tatro, Bruce McCulley; John Morin, Gene White, and Winston Wright. Absent: Colline Dreyfuss, Jeff Friedman, and Marianne Mathis

Also present: C. Cardine, Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt., L. Biron, Business Manager, D. Hodgdon, Curriculum Director, T. Warner, Technology Director. Principals: D. Mousette, S. Rashid, D. Stockwell and B. Tatro.

R. Marra reminded the Board of its mission to strive for the best education of every child.

1. CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of November 16, 2004 Board Minutes and Non-Public Minutes: MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to approve the minutes. SECOND: B. Tatro DISCUSSION: W. Felton clarified comments in prior minutes. VOTE: 9.175/0/3.134/2.691. Motion passes.

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

C. Cardine read a letter to American Track for the work done.

He announced there is a Cheshire Career Center meeting on December 8 at 7:40. Destination Imagination Victories: Gareth Thomas Grade 11 Alex Twombley Grade 10 and Gawain Thomas grade 9 participated in Tech Effects a new program of Destination Imagination. The team placed first in the Tech Effects competition held at Winnesquam on November 27, 2004. Jerry Kuhn coached the team.

Allison Robinson was commended for her work on an NEASC visitation at Limestone School in Maine

Mr. Cardine read a letter of appreciation from parents to Dan Stockwell regarding their son's success beyond MRHS.

Mr. Cardine showed a design for a project thermometer (fundraiser for gym floor) suggested by the MRHS Art Department

A copy of the Choice Matters Newsletter was distributed

Mr. Cardine also discussed the state reimbursement to schools as it stands this year. The state has shorted Building Aide, Catastrophic Aide and Vocational Education Aide. The district will compose a letter regarding this shortfall.

A. Gross took the opportunity to comment that the paving behind the Cutler School was well done.

G. White commenting on the superintendent’s report on state aide asked the board if the would like to write a letter to the governor indicating their displeasure. R. Marra responded that if there is no objection a letter will be written to town representatives, senators, and the governor. No objection.

R. Marra announced a letter had been sent to the Swanzey selectmen re the request to waive permit fees for the district. There has been no response.

R. Marra reported that the Town of Swanzey’s motion to reconsider the Wilcox decision was decided by the court in favor of the district.

3. STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: Board Chair R. Marra reminded the Board and public that the winter holiday performance is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 9-11.

4. School Board Committee Reports:

1. Community Relations Committee: D. Gurian will contact the committee members to plan a date.

2. Facilities Committee: B. Tatro reported that there is a joint meeting with the Finance Committee on Friday December 10 at 8am.

3. Finance Committee: W. Wright reported there is a joint meeting with the Facilities Committee on Friday December 10 at 8am.

4. Policy Committee: W. Felton referenced the committee’s one-page summary enclosed in the Board packet. The Policy Committee will meet on December 14 at 5:45 to further discuss the bidding policy and food service nutrition. W. Felton had asked K. Dassau to investigate a federal grant opportunity.

5. ADHOC Committee: R. Marra will be meeting with committee chairs to discuss setting a meeting date and time.

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No comments.

6. OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS

A. New Business:

Committee Appointments. R. Marra appointed B. McCulley to the technology Committee. W. Wright MOVED to approve B. McCulley’s appointment to the Technology Committee. SECOND: R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.309/0/0/2.691. Motion passes.

Northern Schools Committee. R. Marra is still waiting for member responses. He will report further at the next meeting.

B. Old Business:

1. Board Goals Discussion: Board approved goals as discussed. Agreed to adopt. W. Wright MOVED to approve. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 10.512/0/0/2.691 Motion passes. R. Marra will prepare a master document for distribution and posting to the district web.

2. State Aid Summary: C. Cardine is presently working on a report documenting the district’s receipt of state aid.

3. Credit Request. C. Cardine presented a proposal to the Board to allow the district to borrow a line of credit form the Bank of New Hampshire. J. Morin MOVED to approve. SECOND: A. Gross. Discussion. R. Thackston asked if the district does not borrow the money what happens? L. Biron answered we are not able to meet payroll on 12/31. VOTE: 12/309/0/0/2.691 Motion passes. A public hearing is scheduled for December 14 at 7pm in the Monadnock Junior/Senior High School Library.

4. MRJr/SHS Mission Statement. D. Stockwell presented building’s mission statement per the NEASC requirements. A. Gross MOVED to accept the MRHS mission statement. SECOND: R. Thackston. Discussion of rubrics. VOTE: 11.533/0/.776/2.691 Motion passes.

C. Curriculum Report: Middle School Task Force Update: D. Hodgdon's report was deferred until the board meeting on 12/21/04.

D. 21st Century Report: Tour of MRPSOC Web Page: C. Cardine used the overhead monitor to demonstrate the Monadnock Regional Public School of Choice web site. T. Warner discussed the maintenance of the building web sites.

E. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: B. McCulley announced he will be abstaining due to his employer’s corporate policy. J. Morin MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,540,830. SECOND: A. Gross. Discussion. T. Aho asked about Antioch New England invoices. VOTE: 8.741/0/3.321/2.938. Motion passes. [K. Cota leaves]

7. Superintendent’s Report: Report items covered above.

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Budget Committee Chair J. Gomarlo sought clarification on the public hearing scheduled for December 14. The Budget Committee is also meeting that night at 7pm. There will be a joint meeting of the MRSD School Board and the Budget Committee as scheduled.

9. Board Chair Report: No report.

10. SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:

1. Committees

2. Cheshire Career Center – A. Gross

3. Middle School Task Force Update

11. NON PUBLIC SESSION

8:53 PM. R. Thackston MOVED to enter into non-public session for RSA 91-A:3(e) - consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE: 12.062/0/0/2.938. Motion passes. Roll call vote was taken.

R. Marra declared a brief recess.

9:45 PM A. Gross MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: T. Aho. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

Public Session

Middle School Principal Search. A. Gross MOVED to begin the search process for a middle school principal. SECOND: R. Thackston. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

W. Wright MOVED to continue the meeting past 10 o’clock. SECOND: J. Morin. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

10:10PM G. White MOVED to enter into non-public session for RSA 91-A:3(e) - consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 12.062/0/0/2.938. Motion passes. Roll call vote was taken.

10:45 PM. R. Thackston MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

12. Adjournment

10:47PM A. Gross MOVED to adjourn. SECOND: J. Morin. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion Passes

Respectfully submitted,

Ken Dassau

Asst. Superintendent

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Non-Public Board Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2004

Monadnock Regional High School Library, Swanzey, NH

Present: Tim Aho, Alan Gross, Dixie Gurian, Chair Robin Marra, Richard Thackston, William Felton, Bruce Tatro, Bruce McCulley; John Morin, Gene White, and Winston Wright. Absent: Colline Dreyfuss, Karen Cota, Jeff Friedman, and Marianne Mathis

Also present: C. Cardine, Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt. L. Biron, Business Manager, Atty J. Hoppock

The administration and board discussed an employee grievance issue.

R. Marra informed the Board of a support staff arbitration scheduled for January.

9:45 PM A. Gross MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: T. Aho. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Non-Public Board Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2004

Monadnock Regional High School Library, Swanzey, NH

Also present: C. Cardine, Supt., K. Dassau, Asst. Supt. L. Biron, Business Manager, Atty J. Hoppock

Atty Hoppock discussed pending litigation with the board. J. Morin MOVED to seal the record while litigation is pending. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 10.941/0/1.121/2.938. Motion passes.

10:45 PM R. Thackston MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.