MRSD School Board minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Interim Supt., D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum, and L. Biron, Business Manager. Principals: D. Mousette, K. Craig, D. Dahl, K. Carter and B. Tatro, and Vice Principal Joe Smith.

1 CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of May 17, 2005 Board Meeting. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to approve the minutes. SECOND: B. Tatro. DISCUSSION: K. Cota would like the following correction: Page 2 she stated that the statement was misleading because the AVA would not be to full capacity for six years. J. Carnie would like the minutes to reflect that while discussing the manifest he would abstain on the voting of the manifest until he receives the information asked for on the MRPSOC Grant not the MC2 School. VOTE: 8.764/0/1.585/4.651 Motion passes.

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENT: R. Thackston informed the Board that the Northern Schools Committee has requested a change on the agenda. MOTION: A. Gross. MOVED to change the agenda by allowing the Northern Schools Committee Report to come after the first Public Comment Section. VOTE: 10.349/0/1.114/3.537. Motion passes.

3. STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: No representative present.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: N. Moriarty commented on the possible Spec. Ed. overrun for 2005-2006. He said that everything should be in the budget when being prepared. He said that there was no mention of this in C. Cardine’s Report.

G. Bednarski commented that after the chair election R. Thackston stated that he

would listen to the citizens. He said that since then R. Thackston has been dragging his feet to allow citizens on the agenda and now finding out that the Board changed the petitioned article to allow the selectmen to fill the Board vacancies. R. Thackston commented that the Policy Committee reviewed the RSAs and made a recommendation to the Board. G. Bednarski would encourage the Board to fix the situation or they will hire a lawyer and bring the Board to Superior Court because the Board is breaking the law. He would like an answer from either the Chair or Vice Chair. T. Aho commented that he had no objections to the change in the amount of days and felt it was sufficient time for the selectmen to nominate. G. Bednarski said that he was concerned with the fact that the Board changed the wording from “appoint to nominate “. G. Bednarski was concerned that the Board changed the whole purpose of the article. B. Tatro commented that the committee reviewed the RSAs and they give the Board authority to appoint. The committee did take the information into consideration. He said that the Board could not give up the responsibility as elected officials. R. Thackston said that the Board did review it and there was a discussion before it was accepted. G. Bednarski commented that the state allows the communities to make their own decisions. B. McCulley commented that the Board is doing the best they can and would like to get back to the business of the district. J. Carnie commented that he did not vote to accept the policy. He said that the RSAs are conflicting. The public offered a different method. The Board wants to go back to the old fashion way. He said that the policy was amended and took a different prospective than the voters wanted. G. Bednarski would like the policy brought up again. J. Kenyon agreed that the towns should be able to appoint their representatives. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to send this issue back to the Policy Committee for review. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 10.349/1.114/1.179/2.358. Motion passes. J. Carnie asked N. Moriarty to comment on the article since he wrote the article. N. Moriarty commented that all the towns would be appointed by their selectmen.

D. Connell commented that the Board should have gotten an opinion from an attorney before voting on the petitioned article to fill the School Board vacancy.

5. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Board Committee Reports:

1. Northern School Committee: B. McCulley as chair of the committee presented the Board with a power point presentation. He also handed out information to the Board so they could follow along. He explained the charge the committee accepted from the School Board 5 months ago. He explained the committee composition, the 11 meetings which they held and their locations. He mentioned that a major part of the committee’s work comprised of a survey which they distributed to the 3 communities. He reviewed the committee’s expectations for immediate, short-term and long-term solutions. The committee came up with many scenarios and came up with a recommendation to the Board. They agreed to recommend that the Board have single classrooms in two schools. Gilsum would house the 4, 5, 6 and K and either Surry or Sullivan would house 1, 2, and 3 grades. The third school would be used for other things. The committee would ask that the Board act by the next meeting in order that the students would know where they will be attending school. They ask that a new committee be formed to explore options of use for the third school. The committee explained the reasons for the recommendation. Caroll Lothrop was a member of the committee and commented on the hard work in which the Board does. She said that the members had an open and honest discussion during the meetings. She thanked L. Biron, the administration and D. Mousette for all the support and additional information they supplied when requested. She said that she was very proud that the committee did what was best for the children. B. McCulley added that L. Biron did a fantastic job providing information and D. Hodgdon provided a lot of support and T. Stepenuck helped in the posting and the minutes. He said that they were not members of the committee but deserve recognition. R. Thackston commented that the committee did a tremendous job on a difficult task. He said that because there is no educational committee perhaps this recommendation should go to a particular committee. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the recommendation of the Northern Schools Committee then set up additional meetings on which of the two schools Surry or Sullivan would be used. R. Thackston added that the Board would need a method and if it should be sent to a committee. SECOND: A. Gross. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked why the committee decided to house the Kindergarten with the 4, 5, and 6 grades in Gilsum. D. Mousette passed out additional information to the Board. He said that the Kindergarten requirement is to have an area of 1200 sq. ft and to have the older students as mentors to the Kindergarten. Gilsum has sufficient amount of space for the requirement. He said that at no time would the older children and the Kindergarten be together. This is also a central area for the outlining towns. J. Carnie said that he understands the reasoning for the Kindergarten but considers 1, 2 and 3 for the same reasons. D. Mousette said that the facility at Gilsum is for the higher level kids. Monadnock Schools mimic it and it gives more opportunities for extra curriculum activities. B. Tatro asked about the child’s process of learning. Two teachers spoke and assured the Board that the Kindergarten teacher and the first grade teachers are in close contact. R. Bauries asked if the budget would be cut $308,000.00 if this plan was implemented. D. Mousette explained that two teachers have already been cut. The savings would be cutting one additional teacher. C. Johnson asked if it would be possible to speak to the administration. R. Thackston added to ask the administration for a recommendation. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to request a plan of action from the administration. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: R. Marra commented that K. Cota already had a motion on the floor. R. Thackston explained that C. Johnson’s motion was invalid and asked if there was anymore discussion on K. Cota’s motion. VOTE: 10.825/0/1.817/2.358. Motion passes. MOTION: C. Johnson. MOVED to request that the administration go back to the Board to implement a plan. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota said that it is important to see any facility changes that may occur. A. Gross explained that when the members talked about the amount of money saved on closing it was minimal base on what is best for the students not the funds. C. Dreyfuss asked which of the Schools, Surry or Sullivan, was most current and up to date. L. Biron said that they are equal. J. Carnie asked that the request from the administration be done by the next meeting. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

2. Community Relations Committee: A. Gross reported that the committee has not met but will be meeting on June 14, 2005 at 7:00 PM.

3. Facilities Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met on May 20, 2005 and June 3, 2005. The next meeting will be held on June 10, 2005 at 8:00 AM. She reported that the committee discussed the facilities director, the two options that were discussed with the School Board last time. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss. MOVED Option 1 to ask the Board to hire a director of Facilities. The proposed position will start July 1, 2005, or as soon as a thorough search has been completed. The position will carry a 1-year probation period or Option 2, Spread the current work load over Mike Pratt and Sharon Turner. Hire a Clerk of the Works for any building addition proposal for this year. And Proceed with a search for a Facilities Director for 2006-2007. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented on the fact that the District needs to have a Director of Facilities. He said that he spoke to Mike Pratt and it does not behoove him to do this. R. Thackston said that the Board is now discussing personnel so the Board needs to change the structure. J. Carnie commented that there are two options. R. Thackston said that they are drifting off. He asked if there was any further discussion on the motion. B. Tatro asked where the new position is budgeted. J. Carnie commented that the Board needs to vote on the motion. C. Johnson asked what would happen if the motion was accepted. He asked if the person making the motion could clarify the motion. C. Dreyfuss commented that the board would need to vote yes on Option 1 or Option two. A. Gross asked that the motion be withdrawn and each option be voted on individually. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to vote on the motion at the next meeting. SECOND: J. Carnie DISCUSSION: J. Carnie said it was the logical way of voting. R. Thackston said that it would be the second pass through. VOTE: 10.349/2.293/0/2.358. Motion passes. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to hire a Director of Facilities. The proposed position will start on July 1, 2005, or as soon as a thorough search has been completed. The position will carry a 1- year probation period. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked where the money would come from. K. Cota suggested recommending this to the Finance Committee. She did say that things get shifted. She said that it would not be a huge problem if some lines got cut to accommodate a director. She commented that the biggest part of the budget is the health insurance, the staff and then the facilities. It is irresponsible of us. There are assets of 42 million-dollars. She felt that not having a director has cost the district money. She said that it does not have to be a $100,000.00 job. The cuts can be found somewhere. B. McCulley asked how much it would cost if we do not do this. A. Gross said that he was going to vote against this motion but he has been persuaded by the facilities members and has changed his mind. J. Carnie is not against the concept but has a concern with doing it now. He would support putting it in the next budget. He is not convinced that we need a facilities manager now. C. Dreyfuss commented that the current facilities are all over the place. She heard comments that the Board does not have a lot on their plate, where is the building proposal. She knows how she feels about it and would like to know where it is sitting with the rest o f the members. B. Tatro is concerned with the public’s perception if we say we can find the funds. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to amend the motion to be effective next year 2006-2007. SECOND: R. Marra. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon commented that it would make sense to have a Facilities Director on board now. R. Thackston commented that he felt it is imperative to hire a facilities director now. He said that the Board has been criticized for not having proper planning. He does not feel that the Board can operate a district with out a Facilities Director. He said he would vote against the amendment. J. Kenyon said that he does not want to be in a position of cost overrun. This action makes sense. Vote on amendment: 3.414/9.228/0/2.358. Motion fails. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie would like to see a motion with a dollar amount. R. Thackston suggested that the Board adapt this and give it back to the administration. Have them prepare a job description and compensation package to bring back to the Board. B. McCulley commented that at some point it should go to the Finance Committee. R. Thackston asked for this to be put on the next agenda. A written proposal from the administration and have it then go to committee. VOTE on original motion: 9.228/1.114/2.3/2.358. Motion passes. C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that the committee would be interviewing three architects on June 10, 2005. Marinace, H. L. Turner and Cindy Lewis. K. Cota reported that the May 21, 2005 meeting information is still being put together. K. Cota reported that at the June 3, 2005 meeting the committee discussed the septic situation. They have asked the administration to bring back ideas to proceed with options. T. Aho commented that the committee would be asking for $2000.00 for design of a failed system. B. Tatro commented that it is proper that they send it to Finance. K. Cota commented that after it goes to the administration it would go to Finance.

4. Facilities Committee: B. McCulley asked if the Facilities Committee could spend money. R. Thackston explained that they could not. B. McCulley commented that the Facilities Committee never took an official vote. L. Biron suggested that the committee continue up to $2000.00. T. Aho said that the committee would need to find out what they need for a design. L. Biron informed the Board that he could take the funds out of the Maintenance Repair Fund.

5. Finance Committee: B. McCulley reported that the committee met at 6:00 PM this evening. He said the Facilities Committee were talking about the septic and sewer needs. The modular classroom is going forward. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to allow the spending of $37,500.00 for the purchase and transport of the modular from Greenland to Swanzey. SECOND: B. Tatro. DISCSSION: K. Cota asked if the $37,500.00 covered the set up. L. Biron said it did and the district would have to pay for the moving of the ramp and the hook up of the power. K. Cota asked if L. Biron needed any more money for those items. L. Biron said that the funds would come out of the 2005-2006 budget. K. Dassau commented on a deficit and also excess revenue. VOTE: 11.528/0/1.114/2.358. Motion passes. B. McCulley reported that the committee had a discussion on the desire for more information on the expenditures under the MRPSOC Grant. He said that they have not received all the information but are making progress.

6. Policy Committee: Representative not present. Report will be given later in the meeting.

7. The Cheshire Career Center: A. Gross reminded the Board that they will be asked to review and vote on the contract.

8. Negotiations: C. Dreyfuss was informed that she should set up a meeting with C. Kahn to begin the negotiations.

6.OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:

A. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,897,654.54. SECOND: C. Johnson. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked about the $5000.00 to Salem School District. L. Biron informed her that was a tuition payment. T. Aho asked about the $10,000.00 payment to Home Health Care. K. Dassau informed him it was a Spec. Ed. contract. It is part of their IEP, student occupational therapy evaluation. It was asked if the District owed $600,000.00 to Bank of NH. L. Biron said that the bottom line is zero. He said that the towns have paid up all except for the month of June. VOTE: 6.312/1.121/5.209/2.358. Motion passes.

B. New Business: It was asked why C. Cardine was still receiving expense checks from the District and why he was visiting the schools and identifying himself as the Superintendent. K. Dassau explained that he has not retired yet. His retirement date is June 30, 2005 and the expense checks are possibly the school course reimbursements. He also commented that C. Cardine can only walk about 20 feet at a time and he has not heard that he is out and about.

1. Setting the Board Summer Dates-July and August: K. Dassau wanted to ask if it is the will of the Board to meet on the dates set or did they want to add any more. No discussion was had.

2. Summer Health Course: J. Smith informed the Board that 14 students are looking to take a required health course in which they were unable to because of their schedules during the school year. The cost will be $1200.00. This process was allowed last year. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to fund the Health Course in the amount of $1200.00 for the 14 students which will take place this summer. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

C. Old Business:

1. Superintendent Search Committee: R. Thackston reported that he had received a report from the secretary of the committee. He announced that W. Wright had been appointed chair of the Search Committee. The committee met twice and discussed the procedures of the search. The committee will place an ad for the new superintendent in three newspapers. The chair authorized M. Sullivan to have K. Dassau place the ads. The committee is moving forward with the charge from the Board. T. Aho asked who was on the committee. R. Thackston informed him who was on the committee.

2. Discussion on the position of the Dir. of Facilities: This discussion was done under the Facilities Committee Report.

D. Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon informed the Board that he had included a report in the Board packets. He said that work would take place over the summer for teacher training and mentoring. R. Thackston asked if measuring the testing with the number of kids in the Northern Schools is good or bad. D. Hodgdon said that when the committee discussed that they were talking about the results. They help if improvement is needed but the downside is that the results are in the paper.

7. Interim Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau thanked J. E. F. Craig and staff for their hospitality.

He reported that P. Swingle has received the Bank of America Minor League Neighbor Award.

He reported that D. Snyder has been nominated to the “Who’s Who in American Teachers.” She was nominated by a student.

He also reported that M. Morrison and his students have been thanked by the Fish and Game for their help in assisting of the stocking of the salmon.

He passed out two copies of the MRS of Choice pamphlets to the Board.

He informed the Board that the resolutions are on the next agenda of the NHSBA. The Board might want to draft some resolutions. The NHSBA meeting will take place on July 8, 2005.

K. Dassau passed out a list of graduation dates for the elementary schools.

K. Cota asked if there was any recognition of D. Stockwell. K. Dassau informed the Board that it took place two weeks ago.

R. Marra suggested that the Board invite D. Stockwell to the next Board meeting in June to recognize him for his years of service. K. Dassau will let him know.

9. Board Chair Report: MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to accept the resignation of A. Noel. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

R. Thackston asked that if anyone on the Board is interested in attending any of the graduations to let the chair and the principal of the particular school know.

N. Carlson has asked the chair to attend the Selectmens meetings with him.

10. SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:

1. Committees

2. Facilities Director

3. Northern Schools

4. MRPSOC Grant information

J. Carnie commented that the manifest once again was one big number under the MRPSOC. He said that he has asked 5 or 6 times at least. He hopes that the format gets straightened out.

Policy Report: C. Dreyfuss said that she did not attend the meeting. The next meeting will be on June 28, 2005 at 5:30 PM. The discussion will be on the food payment issue. L. Biron commented that the architect interviews would be held in the maintenance office.

11. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: R. Bauries asked if the Board was going to make the decision on where the funds would come from to cover the Facilities Director, the modular transport and set up, and the septic or is K. Dassau going to do that. R. Thackston said that the School Board is responsible for the resources. The School Board will make the decisions.

R. Thackston would like to invite M. Sullivan and W. Temmen to give the presentation that they did at the SAU Board meeting concerning their plan of action and PR for their building project.

A. Gross commented on the amazing job that the Troy Band did. He said that there were about 120 kids from the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades.

The Service Learning Fair was held with a lot of excellent projects.

K. Cota commented on the Spring Concert and the Band Concert. She said they were awesome. She informed the Board that C. Dreyfuss spearheaded the chorus for the Spring Concert.

12. 9:49 PM Non Public Session. RSA 91-A3 II B-nominations: A. Gross MOVED to enter into non-public session for the purpose of nominations. SECOND: C. Johnson Roll call: T. Aho, C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, K. Cota, B. Tatro, J. Friedman, J. Hill, R. Marra and R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

13. 10:03 PM MOTION: R. Marra MOVED to extend the Board Meeting past 10:00 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 12.395/.247/0/2.358. Motion passes.

14. 10:04PM Non Public Session: RSA 91-A3 II B-nominations: A. Gross MOVED to enter into non-public session for the purpose of nominations. SECOND: J. Kenyon. Roll call: T. Aho, C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, K. Cota, B. Tatro, J. Friedman, J. Hill, R. Marra, and R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

15. 10:07 PM Non-Public Session: RSA 91-A3 II e-grievances J. Kenyon MOVED to enter non-public session for the purpose of grievances. SECOND: T. Aho. Roll call: T. Aho, C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, K. Cota, B. Tatro, J. Friedman, J. Hill, R. Marra and R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

16. 10:12 PM Non-public Session: RSA 91-A3 II a-compensation: A. Gross MOVED to enter non-public session for the purpose of compensation. SECOND: J. Kenyon. Roll call: T. Aho, C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, K. Cota, B. Tatro, J. Friedman, J. Hill, R. Marra, and R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

17. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to adjourn at 10:20 PM. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 12.642/0/0/2.358. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Secretary