Board Meeting Minutes
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.
Also present: K. Dassau, Interim Supt., D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum, and D. Most, Assistant Business Manager. Principals: D. Stockwell, D. Mousette, K. Craig, Kim Carter, D. Dahl, B. Tatro, Asst. Principal Joe Smith and Resource Officer Wayne Kassotis
1 CONSENT AGENDA:
Minutes of
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
[K. Cota and C. Dreyfuss arrive.]
K. Dassau informed the Board that
the
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
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
5.
Northern
Schools Committee: D. Mousette informed the Board that the committee will
be meeting on
6.
The
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
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
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 7th 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
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 6th 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
5. Superintendent Search Committee:. R. Thackston appointed B. Tatro, J. Carnie and R. Thackston to the committee.
6.
MRPSOC Grant
Report from
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
E. 21st 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
9. Board Chair Report: No report.
10.
SETTING UP THE NEXT MEETING’S AGENDA:
1. Committees
2. Mr.
Majoy –
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
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Secretary