Non-approved minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

June 15, 2004

Monadnock Regional Junior and Senior High School Library, Swanzey, NH

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

Also present: C. Cardine, Supt.; K. Dassau, Asst. Supt.; L. Biron, Business Manager; and D. Hodgdon, Curriculum Director. Principals: D. Mousette, K. Craig, S. Rashid and E. Tatro.

Before opening the meeting R. Marra recognized W. Bartels. W. Bartels presented R. Marra with a new gavel and pedestal.

R. Marra reminded the Board of its mission statement: to provide the best education for every child.

1. CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of June 1, 2004 Board Meeting. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to approve the minutes. SECOND: D. Gurian. DISCUSSION: K. Cota would like the minutes to reflect that she was unaware that she would be discussing the Informer at the next Community Relations meeting as noted in the minutes. VOTE: 7.589/0/1.268/6.143. Motion passes.

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

C. Cardine handed out a school report from D. Hodgdon to the Board. C. Cardine handed out a Choice Matters newsletter to the Board.

C. Cardine reported that Seniorita O’Brien had received a thank you letter from a student for the experience he had received while in her class.

3. STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: No report.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS:

D. Connell, on behalf of the Taxpayers Association, voiced opposition to any proposal to add 20+ classrooms and a field house.

J. Carnie commented that the Board should be more specific in stating the reasons for going into non-public session under RSA 91a.

R. Bauries commented that he has received little information on the middle school concept. He read a letter from his wife posing several questions and asking the Board to postpone voting on the matter.

5. Other School Board Business:

A. Board Committee Reports:

1.Community Relations Committee: D. Gurian reported that the next meeting would be on June 16, 2004 at 5:30 PM. This will be the meeting in which the committee will be setting its annual goals.

2.Facilities Committee: B. Tatro reported that the committee met on June 11, 2004 and received an update on the renovations to the locker rooms and the bathrooms at the high school. The committee also discussed the Gilsum floor and at this time there is no good solution. The committee has visited Cutler, Mt. Caesar and Troy elementary schools to review their needs.

K. Cota informed the Board that the Facilities Committee would like to waive the bidding process for the girls and boys locker rooms. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to waive the bidding process on the Stromgren quote for the boys and girls locker rooms. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: W. Felton commented that the motion should be presented to the Board in writing at least 48 hours before the meeting. He asked for the quote amount. The amount being asked for is $59,413.00. K. Cota commented that she was not pleased with doing it this way but the process needs to be started. L. Biron said that the locker rooms and bathrooms have needed work for sometime. He said that other contractors were asked but Stromgren was the only contractor that responded. Not to waive the bidding process would delay the work two weeks. W. Felton said that if there would a vote to suspend the rules he would be willing to vote on this motion tonight. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to suspend the rules for the purpose of accepting the recommendation by the Facilities Committee. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked for a point of order and asked if 2/3 of the entire Board was needed in order for the motion to pass. R. Marra said it was only for those Board Members present. VOTE: 9.666/0/0/5.334. Motion to suspend the rules passes. Voting on main motion. VOTE: 8.963/.703/0/5.334. Motion passes.

B. Tatro asked for a motion to accept the analysis from Honeywell. L. Biron commented that this would not need a motion from the Board since they are already under contract and the analysis is at no charge. L. Biron said that as soon as a letter of commitment is signed the work would begin.

3. Finance Committee: W. Wright stated that the next meeting would be on June 25, 2004. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to accept the Developmental Grant for Emerson School in the amount of $4500.00. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 9.666/0/0/5.334. Motion passes. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to accept several Challenge Grants for the purpose of renovations to the high school gym floor. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 9.666/0/0/5.334. Motion passes. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to hire and pay Amer Electric $9200.00 from the present budget for the purpose of connecting the alarm systems to Southwest Mutual Aid. SECOND: B. Tatro. DISCUSSION: Honeywell has ceased operations in this area and has moved to Minneapolis. VOTE: 8.552/0/1.114/5.334. Motion passes. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to accept the First Amendment School Grant in the amount of $12,000.00 (this is the first year of a three-year grant). SECOND: W. Wright. DISCUSSION: C. Cardine explained that the guidance position was not coming out of this grant. VOTE: 9.666/0/0/5.334. Motion passes.

4. Policy Committee: W. Felton indicted that the Policy Minutes were sent in the Board’s packets. MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to accept the Policy Committee proposal that states The Monadnock Regional School Board accepts and approves of the concept and implementation of a Fine Arts Academy. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: W. Felton commented that the rationale is to indicate that we think that the administration is moving ahead in the spirit of the policy. VOTE: 7.743/1.114/.809/5.334. Motion passes. W. Felton reported that the next meeting will be on July 27, 2004.

5. Ad Hoc Advisory Committee: R. Marra reported that the committee would be meeting on June 21, 2004.

B. New Business:

1. Hearing Date: R. Marra stated there were several potential hearings (2 Level C grievances and a student issue) and that they should not be at the end of a regular meeting. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to have an extra meeting on June 22, 2004 at 6:00 PM. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 7.308/0/2.358/5.334.

2. August Meeting: R. Marra explained that he and the Supt. would be out of town on August 10, 2004, which is the Board’s scheduled meeting and has asked to change the date to August 17. The Board will discuss this at the next meeting.

C. Old Business:

1. Unsealing Records Report: R. Marra distributed a memo concerning non-public minutes from the 2004-05, 2003-04 and 2002-03 school years that are currently sealed. With the exception of portions of four meetings the committee [R. Marra, C. Dreyfuss and K. Dassau] recommends that the non-public minutes from these years be unsealed. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to unseal the non-public minutes as presented by the committee except for the noted portions of the April 6, 2004, October 7, 2003, June 3, 2003 and February 19, 2002 minutes. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE: 9.666/0/0/5.334. Motion passes.

D. Curriculum Report:

1. Student Presentation: Amy Mayfield, a 2004 graduate of MRHS, gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Board on her research with the NH Dept. of Environmental Services. She wanted to find out if the high levels of mercury in the lakes were due to the mercury paint used to protect the logs many years ago. In the course of her research she learned how to use various pieces of equipment and work in the lakes with the divers. Because of this project she has since volunteered at the Dept. of Environmental Services studying the lakes and ponds.

2. Cutler School Presentation: Students from a Cutler 6^th grade classroom did a PowerPoint presentation to the Board on their recent project. The students had received a manuscript from a young author and, after reading it, decided to incorporate it in their classroom by doing a project that consisted of many parts. The students produced a talk show and a commercial, created posters, performed a skit, and developed a newspaper page and a book jacket. From this experience the students met and worked with: Robert Goodby, a professor from FPC; C. Weisburgh, a Sentinel Reporter; J. Cleary, an author; A. Fredericks; and J. Hof. K. Cota commented on a great job and asked how long the manuscript was. The teacher said it was 73 pages but other things were done in the classroom. C. Dreyfuss asked if the manuscript was published and asked if the students would recommend the book. The students said that they enjoyed the book. S. Rashid said that he is very excited about what the students are doing and that they will be missed.

3. Emerson School: K. Craig showed the Board a CD produced by 1^st grade teacher Dawn Hanson. The CD consisted of pictures of the first graders together with music and each first grade parent received a copy of the CD.

A. Gross arrives at 9:03 PM.

4. Middle School Curriculum: C. Cardine reviewed the history of when a middle school curriculum has been discussed or mentioned. Last year the Board requested a recommendation on whether to proceed with such a curriculum, and the A-team returned with a positive recommendation in September 2003. C. Cardine explained that any action plan for a middle school would not be implemented for at least 18 months so as to allow appropriate time for staff development.

C. Cardine asked D. Hodgdon to review some of the information about a middle school curriculum that previously had been provided to the Board. D. Hodgdon discussed the differences between a middle school curriculum and a junior high approach. He explained that he met with the junior high teachers to see how they felt about a middle school model. While they do not agree with all aspects of a middle school curriculum, they are working to figure out what structure will best meet the needs of all students. D. Hodgdon reviewed the results of a survey that was given to the teachers, and noted that there were far more positives than negatives.

R. Thackston arrives at 9:25 PM.

D. Hodgdon commented that if the Board decides to go in this direction a group of teachers are concerned that a lot of staff development will be needed. He noted that this whole process would be a positive thing in the eyes of the NEASC. In terms of whether the MRSD should adopt a middle school curriculum, 59.2% of the teachers surveyed agreed and 37% were neutral. [27 teachers completed the survey.] C. Dreyfuss asked whether any proposed addition to the current building would be dependent upon the curricular model adopted. D. Hodgdon commented that there is flexibility in the classrooms so you could probably go either way. D. Gurian said that this is a recommendation from the administration and we need to meet all the needs of the students.

MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to accept the administration’s recommendation and move towards a middle school curriculum. SECOND: D. Gurian DISCUSSION: K. Cota explained that the focus has to be on the classrooms. C. Cardine said you can build the classrooms; we gave you a recommendation on the curricular model (which has implications for the configuration of the classrooms). K. Craig said that research shows students at the middle school level have different needs. She urged the Board to vote in support of the middle school concept. W. Felton commented that he would be voting against the motion because the Board is asking for a particular program. R. Thackston said that a middle school is a good idea he is concerned that it is the wrong time. He will be voting against the motion because of the timing, not the idea itself. D. Gurian commented that the Board should not be making decisions on the children because of politics. M. Mathis said that the programs are very important and that we need rooms regardless of what curriculum is adopted. We need to educate based upon what is best for our children. S. Johnson feels that it should be limited to the 7^th and 8^th graders, that including the 6^th graders will kill the idea. [MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to extend the meeting past 10:00 PM. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE: 10.752/0/0/3.134. Motion passes. ] B. Tatro commented that we need the additional space, adapting the new way of learning is a whole different issue. J. Gomarlo asked if the price of the middle school was the same as the junior high. She asked if it enhances the NEASC and commented that if we are already teaching this concept do you need approval by the Board. S. Johnson asked why do we need to vote on this at this time? [R. Marra handed the gavel to W. Wright.] R. Marra said that he didn’t hear a single person say they were against the middle school concept. We as a Board asked the administration to come up with a recommendation, which they have give us. Moreover, this is not new to this district. We were elected to lead. We know that a middle school curriculum is the best way for the students. We need to vote now so there will be adequate time for staff development. J. Friedman said that he would be voting in favor of the middle school because from his experience it works. VOTE: 6.105/3.379/1.268/3.134. Motion passes.

E. 21^st Century Report: No report.

F. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED the manifest in the amount of $2,864,882.41. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 11.863/0/0/3.137. Motion passes.

6. Superintendent’s Report:

C. Cardine reported that the Class of 2004 has donated money for a new school sign. The information about the sign was passed out to the Board Members. S. Johnson asked if it was high enough for vandals.

C. Cardine received an opinion from the State Board of Education on the voting of a School Board Member on the Budget Committee. Sarah Browning advised the Board to get a legal opinion on this topic. Upton and Hatfield explain that there position is the same as the letter dated April 13, 2004 and that the representative to the Budget Committee from the Board has the right to vote.

7. Public Comments:

D. Connell stated that if you are considering any building you need to take the taxpayers into consideration.

J. Carnie asked whether D. Gurian should be voting on the MC2 School because of an apparent conflict of interest. C. Cardine thought it had been discussed in public session. J. Carnie stated that the minutes do not show a discussion. C. Cardine thought that the original comment came from G. White. The attorney has been called for a legal opinion.

8. Board Chair Report: R. Marra described the new way of handling non-public session. He said that the Board will identify the reason for going into non-public and they will come out of non-public after each individual topic is discussed.

9. SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:

1. Committee Reports

2. Discussion on meeting change.

3. Payment schedule-Select Board

4. A Team-Goal Objectives

5. Mentoring MC2

6. Search Committee Discussion-D. Stockwell

10. NON PUBLIC SESSION

11:00 PM D. Gurian MOVED to enter into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3(a) for the purpose of discussing personnel. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 10.440/000/000/3.383. Motion passes by a roll call vote.

11:20 PM R. Thackston MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 11.866/0000/0000/3.134. Motion passes.

11:20 PM W. Wright MOVED to enter into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3(c) - matters which, if discussed in public, would likely adversely affect the reputation of any person. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 11.866/0000/0000/3.134. Motion passes by a roll call vote.

11:45 PM S. Johnson MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 11.866/0000/0000/3.134. Motion passes.

11:45 PM J. Friedman MOVED to enter into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3(a) for compensation for public employees. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 11.866/0000/0000/3.134. Motion passes by a roll call vote.

SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 11.866/0000/0000/3.134. Motion passes.

11:59 PM M. Mathis MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: W.Wright. VOTE: 11.866/0000/0000/3.134. Motion passes.

Minutes of meetings attached.

11:59 Public Session

The Board set the following meeting dates: June 22, 2004 for a student hearing. Date for a Level C grievance hearing not set.

11. Adjournment

12:01 AM M. Mathis MOVED to adjourn. SECOND: S. Johnson. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion Passes

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Secretary