MRSD School Board minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Emerson Elementary School, Fitzwilliam, NH

Present: Robin Marra, Richard Thackston, Colline Dreyfuss, Gene White, Bruce Tatro, Alan Gross, Karen Cota, Bruce McCulley, Jonathan Kenyon, Jeff Friedman, Charles Johnson, John Morin, Tim Aho and James Carnie. Absent: Jason Hill.ï¿½ï¿½

Also present: K. Dassau, Interim Supt., D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum, and D. Most, Assistant Business Manager.ï¿½ Principals: D. Stockwell, D. Mousette, K. Craig, Kim Carter, D. Dahl, B. Tatro, Asst. Principal Joe Smith and Resource Officer Wayne Kassotis

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1ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of April 19, 2005 Board Meeting. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to approve the minutes.ï¿½ SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 6.700/1.179/1.114/6.007. Motion passes. ï¿½

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENT: K. Dassau read a letter from Jerry Kuhn, Dept. Head, describing teams from Monadnock Junior and Senior High who presented at the Imagination Destination Team State Tournament in Dover NH. K. Dassau read the names of the students and where they placed in the tournament. Their standings were impressive ranging from 3^rd place to 6th place in many divisions.

[K. Cota and C. Dreyfuss arrive.]

K. Dassau informed the Board that the Monadnock Regional High School had representation at the 2005 NHTSA State Conference in Lincoln NH. The students placed 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd in many divisions.

3. STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: No representative present.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Stillman Rogers requested that the School Board take steps to address school security.

M. Imon is also concerned for the safety of the students and the disruption of the students learning.

W. Imon said that he had attended the Budget Committee meeting and addressed his concerns to that Board and thought that this issue would be resolved but according to the paper it does not seem that it is. As a Board member T. Aho agreed with R. Bauries in the paper.

[J. Morin arrives.]

W. Imon said that he would hold the Board accountable. He has no idea how we got to this point.

T. Parker addressed that Board and said that he was not speaking as a Budget Committee member but as a citizen. He commented on the situation of needing more money to complete the cafeteria project and said that money needs to be available at the beginning of the project in order that this kind of problem does not occur.

[T. Aho arrives.]

He would suggest that the Board find the funds to prepare plans to bring forward to the taxpayers. He suggests the Board find money for plans and a facilities manager.

K. Dassau informed the Board that D. Connell is taping the meeting.

D. Connell asked the following questions: how many students attend the MC2 School, are there time requirements to check in, how much is the budget for the MC2 School, can students leave the school and is there a liability if they got hit by a car? R. Thackston commented that MRHS has a policy on open campus. K. Dassau would have the answers for the next meeting.

J. Tommila commented on the fact that four large projects have failed and he feels it is because there is not proper management. He feels that L. Biron should not be doing the job. He is over worked and has too many responsibilities. He urged the Board to hire a maintenance engineer.

A. Gross commented on the situation about the painted ceiling tiles. He would like to have them stay. D. Stockwell said that he contacted a company about a sealer but it does not meet code and the Fire Marshall said that they must come down.

5. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Board Committee Reports:

1. Community Relations Committee: A. Gross informed the Board that the committee has not met.

2. Facilities Committee: C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that the committee met on Apr. 22, 2005. She reported that the diagram handed out at the meeting was regarding the back wall. The CIP has secure entrances in the plan. They discussed the space for special education. They discussed the trailers and it was unclear if they are leased or purchased. The next meeting will be on May 6, 2005 and they will be discussing the construction of a weight lifting room and the timeline proposal. They will also be discussing the Needs Meeting on May 21, 2005.

3. Finance Committee: B. McCulley explained that the committee met prior to this Board meeting and discussed the MS 22 Forms that L. Biron will need signatures on. They discussed a request to change the staffing in special education at the MRJR/SR. High School. The committee voted to recommend to the Board. This recommendation is for consideration on the next Board agenda. The committee discussed the summary of the balance sheets and the district finances. This information was distributed to the full Board. R Thackston asked that L. Biron get information to the Board regarding borrowing money to make the manifest and asked if the funds are not collected what would happen.

4. Policy Committee: G. White reported that the committee had not met but will meet on May 10, 2005 in the conference room. He asked that the two policies be put on the next agenda.

5. Northern Schools Committee: D. Mousette informed the Board that the committee will be meeting on May 4, 2005.

6. The Cheshire Career Center: No report.

6. OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:

A. Action on the Manifest: See item 7 - New Business

B. New Business:

1. Mr. Majoy/Ashuelot Valley Academy: This presentation will be at the May 17, 2005 meeting.

2. Charge to Facilities Committee on Building Projects: R. Thackston informed the Board that he placed the next three items on the agenda due to the fact that he has had the public contact him and the items reflect the ideas of J. Tommila and T. Parker. The idea is to give the Facilities Committee a direct and clear direction. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to charge the Facilities Committee to bring forward building plans based on the needs of the students at the Sept. 6, 2005, school board meeting. SECOND: T. Aho. DISCUSSION: J. Morin made a friendly amendment to say no later than Sept. 6, 2005. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes.

3. Charge to Finance Committee on Building Projects: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to charge the Finance Committee with bringing forward to the board three different options for financing a building plan. These three options would include scenarios for $2 million, $3.5 million, and 5 million dollar building plans. These three options would also include “pay as you go” and/ or bonding and would include the tax implications to the towns. These options will be brought to the Board for approval by the June 7^th Board meeting. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: R. Marra commented that they are putting the cart before the horse. The motion is more concerned with the numbers and assumption of the size. C. Dreyfuss commented that we do have limitations because there is only so much the taxpayers will vote on. B. McCulley has reservations about the price before we know what the project is and he is not sure about the date. T. Aho said that he felt June is short notice. He would agree on having the price first. The Board will give the Facilities Committee direction on what to build for the price decided. J. Carnie said that the Finance Committee should be involved and does not approve of the limits. Everyone knows that something needs to be done and there should not be limits on either committee. C. Dreyfuss clarified motion did not come from the Facilities Committee.

J. Kenyon commented that the last project failed because the taxpayers said no. Not because there was not the need but because they said I can not do this. He said the Finance and the Facilities Committee need to work together. R. Thackston commented that the committee report back in June with the 3 options of various costs. K. Cota said that she would be willing to push up the date. R. Bauries asked if the Board is going to take into consideration the fact that teacher’s contract will be coming up as well as other items. R. Thackston said no because those are budget questions. B. McCulley asked to have a clear understanding of what the expectation of the Finance Committee is. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to call the question. SECOND: T. Aho. VOTE: 7.511/6.375/0/1.114. Motion fails 2/3 vote required. K. Cota explained that she would like to avoid the time to go to both committees. R. Marra commented on the fact that the Board just passed a motion based on the needs of the students but now it is based on the amount of money. J. Kenyon would be in favor of this motion. G. White felt that the person responsible for the motion should have contacted the Committee chair. to give a heads up. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to amend the motion to read: To charge the Finance Committee to return a recommendation to the Board on payment options and schedules by Sept. 6, 2005. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss asked how do you know what to build if you don’t know what is in the checkbook. K. Cota commented that she asked R. Thackston to have this on the agenda. She said that there was no other discussion prior to the meeting. Simply let’s do something. VOTE on amended motion: 9.464/1.361/3.061/1.114. Motion passes. VOTE on main motion as amended: 10.081/3.805/0/1.114. Motion passes.

4. Charge to Community Relations Committee on Building Projects: MOTION: to charge the CRC with creating a plan to promote the building plan that the Board approves. This plan will include information on how the CRC will involve the community and municipal departments, and will include research on professional marketing firms. This plan will be presented to the Board for their approval by the September 6^th Board meeting. SECOND: B. McCulley DISCUSSION: A. Gross doesn’t think that the committee would need a motion but is concerned with the professional services when there is no budget. K. Cota said that our neighbors were successful in promoting with professional help. K. Cota asked if she can be guaranteed the Sept. 6, 2005 date. A. Gross said he would try. J. Carnie commented that the committee would not know what the project was going to be. R. Thackston said that it was not the intent to promote unknown quantity but it was in terms of expense and methodology. A. Gross asked if there were funds available. J. Carnie commented that he would not like the conversation to start with a 22 classrooms discussion. R. Thackston that it was his impression to back and encourage the committee to creatively pursues these comments. VOTE: 12.707/0/1.117/1.114. Motion passes.

5. Superintendent Search Committee:. R. Thackston appointed B. Tatro, J. Carnie and R. Thackston to the committee.

6. MRPSOC Grant Report from June 30, 2004: R. Marra would like the minutes to reflect that the request for the MRPSOC Report was a request from a single Board Member and the Board never voted on it. J. Carnie said that he has a problem with the manifest. He explained that he would like the amount to Antioch broken down. He feels that Antioch should do the break down. J. Carnie commented on the Auditor’s Report he said that the Board is responsible and that the report states there are problems. He would not vote on the manifest until the MRPSOC is broken out and explained. J. Kenyon explained that he would abstain from voting on the manifest until the MRPSOC Grant’s expenditures are explained. D. Most explained that the grant money is in the manifest. He commented that Clukay reported problems because of the software. That has been corrected. B. McCulley explained that he was satisfied with the audit. C. Dreyfuss asked if the MRPSOC Grant expenditures could be marked on the manifest to clarify some of the questions. K. Cota commented that the Board is stepping into Budget Committee work. She suggested that the Budget Committee have this conversation and the School Board talk about kids. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to accept L. Biron’s letter as informational. SECOND: A. Gross. DISCUSSION: T. Aho informed the Board that he believes that L. Biron receives funds for taking care of the paper work of Antioch. G. White informed the Board that the Sentinel is present and would like them to know that not everyone on the Board mistrusts what is happening at Antioch. J. Carnie feels that the information is not detailed enough. R. Thackston instructed the Board to limit redundant discussion. C. Dreyfuss asked if there was a reason why the Board could not have the additional paper work. R. Marra said that he over heard someone say that L. Biron is paid for services provided to the MRPSOC Grant. R. Marra would guess that the funds are coming out of the grant not the SAU funds. B. McCulley asked to have an explanation of the accounting of the grant administration. R. Thackston said it would take 3 and ½ hours. B. McCulley would bring that to the Finance Committee. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes.

7. Action on the Manifest: R. Marra MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,314,159.34. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss asked about Stadium Systems Inc. It was explained that the Stadium Systems do the reconditioning of the football equipment. D. Most assured the Board that the funds from the towns would be available to cover the manifest. It was asked if the Board did not vote on the manifest what would happen. R. Thackston explained that the Board could hold a special meeting to vote on the manifest when the funds are made available. B. McCulley asked if we do not sign the manifest what will happen to the payroll. R. Thackston said that there is $484,000.00 to work with. C. Dreyfuss said that the number could be amended. D. Most once again assured the Board that the funds would be available to cover the expenditures. A. Gross said that the Board has an agreement with the teachers and if they are not paid that could promote a hardship for them and their families. C. Johnson asked to move the question. VOTE on the manifest: 9.386/1.121/3.379/1.114. Motion passes.

C. Old Business: K. Dassau reported to the Board on the citizens outside of the MC2 School. He said that he was informed and he explained to the Board the steps that were taken.

K. Cota would like to discuss the issue of a Facilities Manager. R. Thackston will place on the agenda at the next meeting.

D. Curriculum Report: K. Craig gave a tour of Emerson Elementary School.

E. 21^st Century Report: No report:

8. Interim Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau thanked the Budget Committee for approving the request from administration. J. Morin asked about B. Fowler’s prior position. He was in charge of Buildings & Grounds. K. Dassau suggested that this go to the Facilities Committee and than to the Board. MOTION: J. Kenyon. MOVED to extend the Board Meeting passed 10:00 PM. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes. K. Dassau informed the Board that the SAU Board will be meeting on Wednesday May 4, 2005.

9. Board Chair Report: No report.

10. SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:

1. Committees

2. Mr. Majoy – Ashuelot Valley Academy

3. Manifest Balance

4. MC2 Questions

5. School Security Policy

6. Finance Recommendation (two Teachers)

7. Facilities Manager Discussion

8. Two Policy Requests

K. Cota would like the Northern Schools Committee discussed at the next

meeting. R. Thackston said it would be on the agenda in June.

11. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: D. Gurian commented on how disappointed she was after hearing the public come with concerns about the children safety and the fact that the Board was not going to do anything. R. Thackston asked if the Board would like to revisit the agenda. MOTION: J. Morin. MOVED to add School Security to the agenda. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: A. Gross suggested that this issue go to the Policy Committee. K. Craig commented that there is policy on School Security and Procedures. K. Cota said that she is not clear when this issue comes up in a remote site. K. Dassau said that there are two issues, policy district wide and in particular specifics of a recent incident. R. Thackston suggested placing this issue on the next agenda.

M. Imon commented that she appreciated the fact that the committees will be coming together early concerning the facilities needs. She would like the Board to make sure that the District passes the Accreditation and the 100% Utilization.

12. 10:15 PM Non Public Session. RSA 91A 3 Litigation. T. Aho MOVED to enter into non-public session for the purpose to discuss litigation. SECOND: G. White. Roll call: C. Dreyfuss, G. White, B. Tatro, A. Gross, K. Cota, B. McCulley, J. Kenyon, J. Friedman, C. Johnson, J. Carnie, T. Aho, J. Morin, R. Marra and R. Thackston. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes.

13. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: J. Morin MOVED to adjourn at 11:11 PM. SECOND: T. Aho. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114 Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Secretary