MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

June 21, 2005

Monadnock Regional Jr. Sr. High School, Swanzey, NH

Present: Robin Marra, Richard Thackston, Colline Dreyfuss, Alan Gross, Karen Cota, Bruce McCulley, Jonathan Kenyon, Jeff Friedman, Charles Johnson, Jason Hill, Tim Aho, Gene White, John Morin and James Carnie. Absent: B. Tatro.

Also present: K. Dassau, Interim Supt., D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum, and L. Biron, Business Manager. Principals: D. Stockwell, D. Mousette, K. Craig, D. Dahl, K. Carter, S. Rashid and B. Tatro.

R. Thackston called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. He apologized for the delay, the Finance Meeting went over.

1 CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of June 7, 2005 Board Meeting. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to approve the minutes. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 9.737/.703/1.955/2.605 Motion passes.

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENT: R. Thackston read a letter from Christopher Seusing in support for the Guidance Department at MRHS. He congratulated Lorna Watkins-Barth and her staff for a wonderful job they do with the students to prepare them college.

[K. Cota arrives.]

R. Thackston informed the Board that W. Temmen from Hinsdale would be giving a power point presentation on Hinsdale’s preparation for their successful school bond. The group moved to the new cafeteria for the presentation. L. Biron informed the Board that the equipment being used for the presentation was a gift from the Class of 2004. W. Temmen explained to the Board the many building projects in which they put before the Town of Hinsdale and the final one in the amount of 13.6 million-dollars that finally passed. He informed the Board that the Hinsdale Board used H. L. Turner as their architect. He gave the Board the same presentation that they gave to the voters. D. Gurian asked about the student involvement and their recommendations. W. Temmen said that the students were concerned that the school should be energy efficient and ecologically built.

[J. Morin arrives at 7:50 PM.]

3. STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: No representative present.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to change the agenda, to allow the Facilities Report to be given now. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes.

Facilities Report: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met on June 10, 2005 and June 17, 2005. The next meeting will be on June 27, 2005 to discuss the Needs Meeting outcome. On July 1, 2005 the meeting will include discussion on the facilities director job description and qualifications. She informed the Board that the committee interviewed the three architects and received information on the septic system. The committee discussed the boiler. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to select Sullivan School as the second school in the northern towns. (With Surry School being used for other purposes yet to be determined.) The rationale for the committee’s decision is as follows: The square footage of the Sullivan facility is larger than that of Surry, Sullivan has a higher school population which means we would be transporting less children and bus drop off/pick up is in a parking lot in Sullivan/in Surry it’s on Route 12A. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston asked for any comments from the administration. R. Marra expressed how disappointed he was that the Northern Schools Committee did not follow the charge and allow a year as the transition period for the schools. R. Thackston asked for the vote. G. White asked why the Board went over the Public Comment section. R. Thackston informed him that the Board is in a vote: VOTE: 6.325/5.354/2.142/1.179. Motion passes.

Public Comments: N. Moriarty commented on the Director of Facilities and would like to see it in the 2006 budget.

P. Bauries commented on how disappointed she was with the MRSB and the administration’s position of authority with the MC2 Program. She commented that she was also disappointed in Mr. Bagley from the Keene Sentinel on his article about the MC2 graduation. She also commented that the Board spends $450,000.00 for 22 students at the MC2 Program and they just voted to close a school.

D. Bauries commented on the fact that he attended a Community Relations Meeting, where he asked for an agenda but the chair said there were not enough. D. Bauries felt that the Chair did not want him to see it because there was an agenda item concerning the MC2 Program. He said that the child from the MC2 graduation was “used” and said that the $500,000.00 for the program is a scam.

Wayne Brown would encourage the Board to look at the decision on the Surry School again because he feels that Surry is getting the raw end of the deal.

Frank Conroy commented that the public never was allowed to voice their opinion before the vote. Surry is getting the short end of the stick. Please do not do this he asked.

Gaye Mihovich commented that it is not fair to close Surry. The Board needs to take into consideration the kids and the towns that pay taxes.

Mary Ann Kristiansen said that she lives in Roxbury and sends her child to Sullivan School. She said that these small schools are an asset and would encourage the Board to get creative.

Marianne Mathis explained that she was on the Northern Schools Committee and that she had to put her emotions aside and the committee did what they felt was best for the students. She said that she was surprised to hear how upset people are when the meetings held were open to the public. This decision is educationally and socially sound.

B. McCulley asked the chair to be allowed to respond to the public’s comments as chair of the Northern School’s Committee. R. Thackston said that B. McCulley could speak at the Second Public Comments. B. McCulley got up to leave.

[Jeff Friedman leaves]

R. Thackston asks for the Finance Report. J. Carnie is Vice Chair of that committee and commented that he has a problem on what has gone on. He said that B. McCulley should be able to speak. R. Thackston said that the Board voted to change the agenda and the only discussion was from R. Marra. He said procedurally we are on solid ground on the vote. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to allow B. McCulley speak as chair of the Northern Schools Committee. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: 12.097/0/1.021/2.903. Motion passes. B. McCulley explained that the committee did take the children into consideration. He said that is what drove the deliberations. He commented that it was very difficult with the timeline and to bring a recommendation back in June. He said that the Facilities Committee voted to make a recommendation but he is not sure that any school is being closed. The committee wanted to get the recommendations voted on in order that the parents and students will know where they will go next year. B. McCulley stated again the process the committee used to get to this point and this recommendation. C. Dreyfuss asked B. McCulley if it was a financial decision. B. McCulley said that the decision was based on what would be the best educationally and socially for the children. The savings was insignificant. He said that he did not understand the motion to be a vote to close the school. R. Thackston commented that everyone agrees on the accuracy of the minutes. T. Aho commented that at no point was the Board closing a school. R. Thackston said that it would be hard to reopen it. K. Cota said that the motion in Richmond never said close. It was suggested that a committee be formed to come up with an alternative use. A. Gross commented that he regrets seconding the motion in Richmond. B. McCulley commented about the community concern and emotion and that the Board should think again because the public was not allowed to speak before the vote tonight. R. Marra commented that the instruction to the committee was for 2005-2006 to be a transition year. J. Carnie suggested that it would behoove the Board to reconsider the vote. He commented that the Board is shutting down one school and asking for new classrooms. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to reconsider the vote on the Facilities recommendation to the Board. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston said that he has a problem with people commenting after the vote. He would encourage members to have the discussion now. J. Carnie asked for a point of order and asked what is required. R. Marra informed the Board that a 2/3 majority is required. VOTE: 8.781/4.337/0/1.882. Motion passes. C. Dreyfuss re-read the Facilities motion. R. Thackston commented that the decision was not based around finances but on a better arrangement. K. Cota stated that the Facilities Committee got the charge from the administration. They were also part of the discussion. D. Mousette explained how the committee worked hard and how the Facilities Co. became involved. J. Carnie asked what the third school would be used for. K. Dassau explained that would need to be discussed pending the Board’s decision. J. Carnie commented that the vote was very close the first time and now the representative from Surry is not present MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to table the motion from the Facilities Committee until the next meeting. SECOND: B. McCulley. DISCUSSION: B. McCulley felt that the motion could have been worded better and that it is appropriate to table it. C. Dreyfuss said that she is not sure that there would be a different outcome. J. Kenyon said that it was J. Friedman’s decision to leave. The point is that it was done to provide a better education for the children it was not about finances. W. Brown commented that we need to find alternatives.. B. McCulley said this decision is for the best education for the children. He said that the meetings had maximum public involvement and at some point the committee needed to make a decision but he feels it appropriate to table the motion. R. Thackston said that it would be dreadful to table the motion the Board would be defying the process and the efforts of the people in the process. We need to vote on it and move on. J. Carnie said that he disagrees with R. Thackston and felt that this does not have to be done tonight. He would like to table this so that everyone can consider the impact. He said that J. Friedman has a responsibility to his town and the district. It is in the best interest of the Town of Surry. D. Mousette commented that there are staffing issues and the kids need to know where they will be. VOTE to table the motion: 5.614/7.504/0/1.882. Motion fails. DISCUSSION on the original motion: C. Dreyfuss once again read the motion from the Facilities Committee to the Board. G. White commented that he was not at the last meeting and questioned the transition period that R. Marra mentioned. He said that in his heart he agrees with the motion but not the process. MOTION: J. Morin MOVED to amend the motion to go through the transition process as stated in the original charge. SECOND: G. White. VOTE: 5.672/7.446/0/1.882. Motion on the amendment fails. VOTE on the original motion made by the Facilities Committee read again by C. Dreyfuss: 6.325/6.793/0/1.882. Motion fails.

5. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Board Committee Reports:

1. Finance Committee Report: B. McCulley reported that the balance sheets were reviewed and passed out to the Board. He reported that the MRPSOC Expenditures were given to the committee. There are still questions but the committee will continue to work on this. They discussed the concerns on the septic and the fact that it is not realistic to tie in to the sewer. MOTION: B. McCulley. MOVED to authorize the expenditure of up to $57,000.00 for the purpose of $10,000.00 for moving the modular, $40,000.00 to rebuild the leach field and $7,000.00 for design work. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented that the amount is not even close to that figure. It will cost $7,300.00 to move the modular. He would like a motion to say $7,300.00 as the amount. C. Dreyfuss commented that the committee asked for two other bids and have not received them so how can you make a motion with no other bids. B. McCulley commented that the motion states up to $57,000.00 based on the administration request. L. Biron said that it will cost $7,100.00 to move the modular, and $7,000.00 for Carl Hagstrom for paper work. C. Hagstrom thought it would be $40,000.00 for the rebuilding of the leach field. L. Biron commented that there is not much time to get this done. C. Dreyfuss said that K. Cota asked S. Turner about the two more bids and S. Turner said that she would get them and that she does not have written documentation that the system has failed. C. Dreyfuss said that the policy states to get three bids. How can we start if we do not have three bids? MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to amend the motion and authorize the expenditure in the amount of $7,100.00 to move the modular that is out there. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: J. Morin asked if the failing system would show when the modular is moved. L. Biron said that C. Hagstrom has said that it has failed. L. Biron said that $7,100.00 would not allow the hook up of the electrical power. He said that they need $10,000.00. G. White commented that the motion was approving up to the $57,000.00 this would not stop the quotes. K. Cota said that the committee was informed about the $7,100.00 but the $10,000.00 is new to her. L. Biron said that the $7,100.00 would not take care of the electrical. B. McCulley commented that he is concerned that there is no design or bids, we have a failed system and school starts in September. We need to authorize engineering and design work. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to table this discussion until 10:03 PM. SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: 13.118/0/0/1.882. Motion passes. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to extend the Board Meeting past 10:00 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston would like to move to Item B. VOTE: 11.757/1.361/0/1.882. Motion passes.

Agenda item moved: New Business: Recognition: R. Thackston presented D. Stockwell with a framed certificate from the Board, thanking him for his 16 years as principal at Monadnock Regional High School. The Board and the audience gave D. Stockwell a standing ovation. He told the Board that he had the best group of students and he thanked the Board for the opportunity to work with them.

DISCUSSION on the amended Finance Committee Motion: J. Carnie commented that the original motion has three parts and the $7,100.00 is part of the motion. R. Thackston suggested the motion to reduce the amount to $7,100.00. B. McCulley is concerned on the amount. He would advise the expenditure for design. He would recommend that the Board vote against the amendment. K. Cota and C. Dreyfuss remove their amendment. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to authorize expenditures up to $15,000.00 for the relocation of the modular and provide necessary design work and require necessary bids. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: Subject to the Boards bidding process being followed. VOTE: 12.004/0/0/2.996. Motion passes.

MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the NH Charitable Fund-Walker Fund in the amount of $5,820.00. SECOND: C. Johnson. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau informed the Board that these funds would be used to create a circulating audio-book collection at Mt. Caesar and Cutler. VOTE: 10.825/0/1.114/2.358. Motion passes.

2. Policy Committee: G. White reported that the next meeting would be on June 28, 2005 at 5:30 PM.

3. Community Relations: A. Gross informed the Board that the Community Relations Committee did not have a quorum. A. Gross wanted to address the public comment about the copies of the agenda of the meeting. He said that he only made enough for the members. The MC2 item was on the agenda in order for the committee to talk about how they could educate the public on what is going on within the MC2 Program.

4. Negotiations Committee: C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that the committee has not met. The next meeting will be on June 22, 2005 at 4:00 PM.

6. OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:

A. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: R. Marra MOVED the manifest in the amount of $2,062,543.26. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: T. Aho asked if according to the figures on the paper is the district in the hole $750,000.00. L. Biron reported to the Board that you need to take into consideration the checks that have already gone through. We can not hold payroll. He said that there are $313,000.00 for accounts payable and those checks will be held. R. Thackston asked if the 2005-2006 funds would be used to cover the amount needed. L. Biron said that they are waiting for the grant money that is due for the 2004-2005 year. J. Morin asked if this was the last manifest with the teacher’s pay. L. Biron said that this manifest has a lot of balloon payments, stipends and retirement. There are no more summer payroll checks. J. Carnie commented that in the past he would not vote on the manifest because of the MRPSCO Grant expenditures not being explained. He commented that the Finance Committee did get a reasonable explanation but he would like to see it with the manifest on a regular basis. He said that he is pleased with it. VOTE: 10.829/0/2.042/2.129. Motion passes.

B. New Business: Done at an earlier time on the agenda. (See –Recognition of D. Stockwell above.)

C. Old Business:

1. Action on the position of Dir. of Facilities: Facilities will table the discussion on the Facilities Director until the first meeting in July.

D. Curriculum Report: No report at this time.

7. Interim Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau reported that graduation was held last Saturday and Mr. Stockwell and the staff did a great job. Jeff Stone was the recipient of the first Daniel E. Stockwell Scholarship award begun by Maxine Houle.

MC2 had their first graduate. David Painchaud also received a scholarship from the Winchester Learning Center where had his apprenticeship. J. Smith, asst. principal, Ms. L. Watkins-Barth, director of guidance, and K. Dassau participated as panelist for the students graduation gateway.

The Budget Committee will meet on June 28, 2005 at 7:00 PM at the Emerson Elementary School.

The Board has received notification in their packets about the retirement party for C. Cardine, which will be on June 23, 2005 in the new cafeteria addition at MRJr/HS.

Ken Dassau reported he will not be in attendance at the next Board meeting in July due to plans he had made in October. Dr. Hodgdon and L. Biron will be in attendance.

MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to accept the resignations of Kate Donegan and Carrie Goldsmith. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 12.871/0/0/2.129. Motion passes.

T. Aho asked K. Dassau if the MC2 graduate received the same diploma even though they do not have the same testing. K. Dassau explained that the student met the requirements of the high school. T. Aho asked if they need to take the tests that the government requires. K. Dassau explained that there is no required “government” testing. D. Stockwell commented that are required to complete 19 and ¾ credits in order to graduate. A. Gross said that he attended a gateway and was very impressed. J. Kenyon explained that the students need to meet a certain criteria. He said he was impressed. He said that when the process is followed through you have very good students.

9. Board Chair Report: R. Thackston commented on the fact that the members on the sub committees were appointed as requested and still the committee meetings are not getting a quorum. He would suggest that the members not able to attend resign and allow others to join in order to have a quorum at the meetings.

He commented on the value of the fraction in voting. He said that it speaks well for the 15-member board. He is opposed to change if someone is to walk out. He would not look to have reconsideration on a vote.

R. Thackston informed the Board that he met with the Gilsum Selectmen and the District Treasurer. He will bring a full report in August of his meeting with the different select boards. He said that he has not met with Roxbury and had learned a lot from the Gilsum Meeting.

R. Thackston commented on the fact that MC2 is a program and not a school and the fact that it is very good and different from the conventional ways of education.

R. Thackston said that G. White did not like the arrangement on the agenda. He said that the vote was done correctly. The outcome was no change in the Northern Schools. He will not put it on the agenda until someone requests that it be put on. C. Dreyfuss commented that the vote in Richmond still stands. R. Thackston said that we heard the recommendation and the Board voted it down. K. Cota said that the teachers need to have time to prepare. The Board needs to figure it out. A decision needs to be made. B. McCulley said it is his opinion that the vote in Richmond still stands. J. Kenyon commented that it was the best for the children but there are no ideas or alternatives. J. Kenyon suggests revisiting this plan in July. C. Dreyfuss asked if the Board needed to wait until July. K. Dassau commented that the administration would come back with a similar recommendation on the second school. B. McCulley is concerned about the process and the fact that the vote in Richmond was interpreted differently by others. He would have liked the vote to have been scheduled after Public Comments. R. Thackston suggested having a Board Meeting on June 27, 2005 with the first item on the agenda being the Northern Schools Discussion. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to schedule a Board Meeting on June 27, 2005 and to have the first item on the agenda to be the Northern Schools Discussion. SECOND: B. McCulley. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that some members would not be able to attend that would like to and he would suggest tabling the discussion. J. Hill commented that the Board changed their minds to make people happy. C. Dreyfuss suggested a motion tonight. R. Marra suggested that the committee address the charge. R. Thackston said that the budget is not the driver of the recommendation. J. Morin commented that if it is so urgent, why was it not done last year. He suggested giving them time to absorb the decision. R. Thackston said that they had 5 months and 11 meetings. B. McCulley said that he does not recall a transition year in the charge. D. Mousette said that they did not do it last year because they wanted to try the triple classrooms but it was not effective for the children. Based on the demographics and the numbers going down they made this recommendation to do it this fall. J. Morin understands but would like to have a transition year. D. Mousette said that it would not be in the best interest of the students. J. Kenyon asked if they do the transition year what would be gained. VOTE: 9.550/3.321/0/2.129. Motion passes.

10. SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA: This will be done at the June 27, 2005 meeting.

11. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: W. Brown apologized for interrupting earlier in the meeting. He said that the people at the Northern Schools Committee Meetings were allowed to listen and voice their opinion but not available to give suggestions at the Northern Schools Committee Meetings. He would like to have a grace period to figure out what they want and can do. He said that they need time. R. Thackston said that it is not a financial decision.

D. Gurian would suggest that the Board tell the people that yes their school is being closed. She suggested shooting straight with the people.

E. Winter would agree with D. Gurian by saying that the school is closed or shut down. He informed the Board that a special town meeting would be held to discuss this and the idea of tuitioning the students to Keene.

M. Imon commented on the confusion of shutting down the school or closing. She commented on the MC2 program or school. She commented on the fact that she felt that it is very important that the Board makes sure that the School passes its accreditation. She also commented on the positive comments from the Board and K. Dassau about the MC2 gateway.

F. Conroy commented that he would like to see a transition period for the Surry School.

An MC2 parent thanked those who spoke about the gateway and the MC2 Program. She commended J. Kenyon for listening and the fact that he came away saying this is a good thing and with an open mind.

R. Marra informed the Board that he will not be able to make the July 12, 2005 meeting and would like to inform the Board of his opinion on the Facilities Director. He would suggest that the Board not fill an existing position or eliminate a position in order to hire the Facilities Director if they were to hire one in the 2005-2006 budget year.

J. Kenyon said that he was very impressed with the MC2 gateway though he still has reservations and is still undecided but is keeping an open mind.

12. 11:29 PM Non Public Session. RSA 91-A3 II (a)-nominations: A. Gross MOVED to enter into non-public session for the purpose of nominations. SECOND: R. Marra Roll call: T. Aho, C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, K. Cota, J. Morin, G. White, J. Friedman, J. Hill, R. Marra and R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.871/0/0/2.129. Motion passes.

17. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to adjourn at 12:10 AM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 12. 095/0/.776/2.129. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Secretary