MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                               October 18, 2005

                                                    Gilsum School, Gilsum, NH

                      

 

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Dir. of Curriculum and L. Biron, Business Manager.  Principals: J. Smith, D. Mousette and B. Tatro.

 

R. Thackston called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM giving time to the Finance Committee to wrap up their meeting. 

 

1          CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of Oct. 4, 2005 Board Meeting. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to approve the Oct. 4, 2005 minutes. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: 10.981/0/.703/3.316. Motion passes.

 

2.        CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau informed the Board that he was served papers on behalf of the district from the sheriff’s office by petition of Frank and Nicole Conroy, Surry. A hearing is scheduled to be held on Oct. 24, 2005 at 1:30 PM.

 

3.                  STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: J. Smith reported to the Board that Student Council has been recast as the Student Government Council. Elections are being held and he anticipates student representatives to be at the next board meeting.

 

4.       Public Comments: None.

 

5.        SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

             Board Committee Reports:

1.      Community Relations Committee: A. Gross reported to the Board that the committee had a meeting on Oct. 17, 2005. There are no minutes yet. MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to place in the 2006-2007 school year budget funds for a half time public relations person and a half time grant writer. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss asked about the compensation and A. Gross explained that they have not discussed it. R. Thackston commented that the grant writer could fund itself.

 

J. Morin arrives.

 

J. Kenyon is concerned over the fact that the Board said there is no money for a Facilities Director and now they are asking for another position. A. Gross pointed out that both positions are important and should be put in the budget. D. Hodgdon explained his role in grant writing. A. Gross commented on a penny wise and a pound foolish. He said that Keene has had a half time PR person. C. Dreyfuss recalled a conversation in Roxbury questioning grants. A. Gross thought that conversation was on the MC2 School. J. Carnie feels that the Board would be jumping the gun. VOTE: 2.358/7.602/2.903/2.137. Motion fails.  A. Gross informed the Board that they would be passing out a survey to the principals to find out about community involvement. The next meeting will be on Nov. 17, 2005 at 7:15 AM.  

 

2.      Facilities Committee: C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that the committee was rained out and they do not have a date for the next meeting.

 

3.      Finance Committee: B. McCulley reported that the committee met this evening at 6:00 PM. Some members of the committee signed the MS25. Some members felt they did not have time to review the information and did not sign. They hoped that the next time they could look at the information in advance before signing. The committee reviewed the current status of the budget. B. McCulley reported that they are $789,083.00 over the appropriated budget. The deficit, Spec. Ed., the Autism Program, the Septic and the trailers are major parts creating the over expenditure. On the positive side regular ed. is down $355,000.00.  The committee received information on the projected cost of oil and it was reported that it will be about $100,000.00 more than last year, which is what they projected. The committee received a report from L. Biron on being able to offer their retired employees two health insurance options with no cost to the District. L. Biron explained that the employer that offers this option to their employees would receive a stipend. The stipend would be divided among the three districts.  MOTION: B. McCulley. MOVED to allow the District to provide Medicomp with prescriptions or Medicomp without prescriptions to their retired employees. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. Motion passes. R. Thackston asked if the balance sheets had been passed out. B. McCulley explained that he did not have one. C. Johnson asked about the $355,000.00 savings in regular education. L. Biron explained that it came back from benefits and staff. 

 

4.      Policy Committee Report: G. White informed the Board that they have not met.

 

5.      Use of Surry School Study Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee met on Oct. 5, 2005 and they had a fair turnout. Everyone in attendance was from Surry. A possible usage for the school is a K-8 school. A committee from Surry will be meeting to discuss the options of leaving the SAU. The committee discussed cost and value of the building. R. Thackston explained that leaving the SAU is a lengthy task.

 

6.      Budget Committee: K. Dassau reported that the Budget Committee met on Oct. 15, 2005 and they reviewed the elementary budgets as well as the MC2 budget. K. Dassau informed the Board that the Budget Committee and the Board have scheduled a meeting on Oct. 25, 2005 but not together. R. Thackston asked the will of the Board concerning the meeting. The School Board would cancel their meeting and would have the option of attending the Budget Meeting and hearing the middle school and high school budgets. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to cancel the Board meeting scheduled on Oct. 25, 2005 with the option of attending the Budget Committee’s meeting. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. Motion passes.

 

7.      The Cheshire Career Center: A. Gross reported that the Regional Advisory Committee would be meeting on Oct. 26, 2005 at 7:30 AM.

 

J. Carnie commented that he would like a report from the MRPSOC Steering Committee Rep. and a report from the MC2 Rep. on the list of Board Committee Reports. K. Dassau informed J. Carnie that the MC2 representative is an advisory position to the director not a committee representative of the Board. R. Marra is the representative on the Steering Committee as a parent not a rep. for the Board. R. Thackston stated that D.  Gurian said that she would be willing to give a report on the MRPSOC Grant. J. Carnie felt that the Board Member has an obligation to give a report. R. Thackston said it is a great idea.

 

G. White would suggest moving the Old Business item up on the agenda. R. Thackston commented that it is structurally incorrect. MOTION: G. White MOVED to change the agenda and move Old Business after the Committee Reports on the agenda. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. MOTION passes.     

 

            6.OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:

                      

A.    Old Business: Septic Issue: R. Thackston reported that the Board had

tabled the discussion on the acceptance of the bids for the septic. He explained that C. Dreyfuss moved the motion to accept the SUR bid in the amount of $167,359.00 and J. Kenyon was the second. He explained that there was a part of the SUR application that was not filled in and the information was being asked for. R. Thackston received a phone call from Linwood Patnode owner of SUR and said that his bid was lower because he is a resident of the district and felt a moral obligation. J. Morin asked about the Certificate of Liability and G. White said there was no problem with it. J. Carnie asked if the installer’s number and the person was his or someone else. The installer is Frank Lucius and he read the number. C. Johnson asked if SUR was installing it or F. Lucius. C. Lawrence commented that state law says that the person whose number it is on the bid should be there to install it. J. Carnie asked if there was any discussion last night that the Board should be aware of. R. Thackston said that the Board asked for the missing information. G. White asked if the Board treated Lawrence Construction fairly. He said that Lawrence stated that he had to turn down 2 other jobs because he felt that he had a job based on the Board’s first decision. He said that ethics, fairness and the possibility of a suit all played in this. G. White said that this bid is purposely under bid to get the job. B. McCulley asked if SUR was aware of the Lawrence bid before he bid. He commented that the ultimate issue is to make sure the citizens and the district have the best quality of work. R. Thackston said that he spoke to two separate attorneys and the Board did not create a contract. C. Lawrence explained that he prepared the bid on the plans given to him. He said that he did propose a savings to Rob Hitchcock. He said that they have not asked for a legal opinion on this issue but have been told that they have a case. He commented that the Board accepted an incomplete bid, which was in violation of their own policy. J. Carnie suggested that the Board do the bidding process once again. B. Tatro said that we all like the number from SUR but they were not complete. R. Thackston said that we continued to a time specific and we are in the same discussion in the same time frame. C. Johnson commented that Line Item 2 states that they need to be a licensed contractor in NH. R. Thackston said that SUR installs septic systems in NH. C. Dreyfuss motioned to call the vote. C. Lawrence had asked to speak and J. Carnie reminded the Board of that before calling the vote R. Thackston said that he could speak. C. Lawrence commented that if he had been 1 minute late on bringing his bid to the SAU it would not have been accepted. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to call the vote. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 10.663/1.021/1.179/2.137. Motion passes. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept SUR’s bid in the amount of $167,359.00 for the new septic system for the MRMS/HS. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: 6.217/6.646/0/2.137. Motion fails. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to accept the Lawrence bid in the amount of $216,500.00 for the new septic system for the MRMS/HS. SECOND: C. Johnson. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss asked why the $49,000.00 difference on the bids. C. Lawrence said that he is willing to save where they can for the district. He explained that the plans required sand bedding. He explained that there is plenty of sand at the site and that amount could be a savings to the district. R. Thackston commented that there is no reason to believe that the district would receive that money because you do not have to give it back. J. Carnie said that he would vote no. He would like to see a third bidding process. C. Dreyfuss explained that the policy would allow the Board to reject any or all bids. C. Lawrence explained to the Board that a third bid would not serve the board or community and that he would respectfully withdraw his bid. He commented that mistakes on the bidding process were made by the Board. B. Tatro and C. Johnson withdraw their motion. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to reconsider the earlier vote on accepting SUR’s bid in the amount of $167,359.00 for the new septic system for the MRMS/HS. SECOND: A. Gross. DISCUSSION: C. Johnson commented that he was totally disappointed in the whole process. J. Morin said that he was as well. G. White would be voting against because he is not sure that they are qualified. VOTE: 8.675/4.188/0/2.137. Motion passes. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon commented that he would agree with everyone that the process was really messed up but we have one bid and we need to get this project completed. C. Johnson said that he would like it recorded that he is totally opposed to the whole process. VOTE: 9.696/1.988/1.179/2.137. Motion passes.       

 

B.     New Business: Middle School/High School Scheduling 2006-2007: J. Smith reported that he did not have a great deal to report on this issue. He did remind R. Thackston of the letter for the NEASC and wanted to ensure that he was going to be receiving it. R. Thackston said yes. J. Smith reported that they need to decide on a time schedule before they can make a lot of decisions. They are concerned about the 5D lunch size but have reduced it by 120 students.

 

Middle School/High School Morning Attendance: J. Smith said that they have possible options however they would like to have input from the new Student Government. C. Dreyfuss asked about the timeline. J. Smith said that after the election and by the end of November there would be a change in the morning routine. J. Smith explained that the classes are 75 minutes long after 25 minutes the class will have a 25 minutes lunch and than return to the same class and finish. He said that the teachers came up with the proposal. 

 

C.    Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon informed the Board that it was the same information from the last meting. He said that his charge was K-8 in conjunction with the Middle School attempt next year. He said that it is not the structure but the philosophy. He said that he tried to identify some of the components that are built into the concept Middle School. He explained the advantages and disadvantages of the K-8 concept. He commented that SAU #29 is looking at a K-8 model. He said that there are some philosophical beliefs but also a decline in the elementary population. R. Thackston asked if it would be impractical to have a middle school in Surry and a K-8 in another and give the children the option. D. Hodgdon said that nothing is impossible. He commented that the MC2 School is designed to do something like that. B. McCulley commented on the report D. Hodgdon gave on Differentiated Instruction and he asked how it would play in this structure. D. Hodgdon commented that it could play in any environment. D. Hodgdon said that they are looking at different methods for students that have different ways of learning. MAP testing allows the district to reach more children. A. Gross explained that he had a problem with 5 year olds and 14 year olds in the same building. D. Hodgdon said that there are some models that do exist.

 

D.    Action on the Manifest: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,397,089.06. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 7.349/0/5.514/2.137. Motion passes.  

 

7.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau thanked D. Mousette and his staff for their hospitality and attendance.

 

        D. Mousette invited the Board to look at the completed climbing wall in the gym. He commented on how nice it was having the Board at Gilsum. He said that it was a rough start with the flood but the bus company and the staff did a great job.

 

        K. Dassau informed the Board that there were 3 teachers who wished to retire in the near future. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to accept the resignation of C. Dejnak. SECOND: G. White. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. Motion passes. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to accept the resignation of C. Stone. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. Motion passes. MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to accept the resignation of L. Kolarik. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: A. Gross commented on the fact that it was a pleasure for his children to have him as their teacher. His children have done well. K. Dassau explained that a letter would be sent to the retirees to let them know of the decision by the Board.

 

8.    BOARD CHAIR REPORT: R. Thackston said that he does not have a report but would like to discuss something in non-public. The issue was suggested by the board attorney.   

 

9.    SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      Discussion on grant writing to support or not support

2.      Cost per pupil

3.      Add MC2 Advisory to committees

4.      Arrange MRPSOC update

5.      Jed Butterfield Accreditation Report

6.      Look at policy to extend past 10:00 PM

 

10.  SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: B. Tatro asked about the pending litigation against the Board. K. Dassau explained that he was aware of the petition in August but this is the first he had actually saw the petition.

 

The Board toured the new multi-purpose room and saw the climbing wall. 

 

11. 9:35 PM Non Public Session. MOTION: A. Gross MOVED to enter into non-public session for the purpose of discussing legal under RSA 91-A:3. SECOND: J. Kenyon. Roll call: C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, J. Hill, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, G. White, B. Tatro, J. Morin, J. Friedman and R. Thackston. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. Motion passes.

 

        12. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to adjourn at 9:41 PM.     SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: 12.863/0/0/2.137. Motion passes.

 

         Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

         MRSD Secretary