MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                               October 4, 2005

                                                    Surry School, Surry, NH

                      

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

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

 

R. Thackston called the meeting to order at 7:13 PM.

 

1          CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of Sept. 20, 2005 Board Meeting. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to approve the Sept. 20, 2005 minutes. SECOND: A. Gross VOTE: 8.688/0/2.293/4.019. Motion passes.

 

Minutes of Sept. 26, 2005 Board Meeting. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to approve the Sept. 26, 2005 minutes. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 5.367/0/5.614/4.019. Motion passes.

 

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: R. Thackston commented that he had received information from the Facilities Chair and the Budget Committee liaison and would like to share that information with the Board. He said that he had received an email from C. Dreyfuss, the Facilities Chair. She was requesting that the Board reconsider the vote taken on Sept. 26, 2005. She had determined that the bidding process was defective. R. Thackston said that he would ask the Board to revisit the issue in the  form of a motion.

 

K. Cota arrives.

 

He explained that the vote on Sept. 26, 2005 had not been unanimous and the quorum was slight but within policy. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to revisit the bidding process and start over on the bidding process for the septic. SECOND: B. McCulley. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss explained that the policy states that the packets be mailed to all firms that are interested in the bidding process and a contractor that had shown interest never got a chance to bid. The bidding on the septic was never advertised. She felt that it was only fair and good business practice that everyone should have a chance to bid. J. Kenyon asked about the time to complete the septic job. C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that Rob Hitchcock will set deadlines and then another special meeting will be held to open the bids and choose a company to complete the job. B. Tatro commented that the bids should be opened at the Board meeting and not by anyone else. C. Johnson asked if the Board is liable because they had already awarded it to Lawrence. K. Dassau said that they do not have a signed contract and that the Board could reconsider. C. Johnson disagreed. The second was changed to B. Tatro because B. McCulley did not attend the meeting in question. VOTE: 8.061/.809/2.358/3.772. Motion passes.   MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to follow policy set forth by the Board and advertise the Septic System Project in the Keene Sentinel and the Union Leader due in the SAU Office no later than 4:00 P.M. on Friday, October 14, 2005 – the bids to be opened at a Special Board Meeting on Oct. 17, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. at MRHS Library. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: B. McCulley recommended the Union Leader because of the timing and made a friendly amendment, to which C. Dreyfuss agreed. VOTE: 10.419/0/.809/3.772. Motion passes. The Board asked that the bids be clocked in for the time of arrival to the SAU, that the meeting be posted, and that it followed the language of an emergency meeting used in the previous special meeting for this purpose.

 

R. Thackston asked K. Cota to inform the Board of the motion passed by the Budget Committee. The motion is as follows: To ask the School Board to seek legal opinion on whether it was legal to change the petitioned Warrant Article Ten about MC2 and is the resulting outcome binding on the School Board and the Budget Committee. She reported that the Budget Committee met on Sept. 27, 2005 and heard a presentation from K. Carter and D. Hodgdon. R. Thackston commented that the Board has received a request from the Budget Committee and, although not binding on the Board, it should be considered. C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that she spoke to D. Hatfield at another meeting and asked him about the article. He responded by saying that the article was non-specific and not binding. K. Cota felt that if they were to receive a legal opinion it would answer the question and give direction. There was a request that the lawyer be different from Mr. Prigge, who allowed the changing of the article. J. Carnie asked for the wording of the original article before it was changed. G. White read the original article. J. Carnie commented that the original article was very specific. B. McCulley commented that the voters voted on the amended article. MOTION: G. White MOVED to amend the motion to request an opinion in writing on whether petitioned articles are binding or not binding. SECOND: B. McCulley. DISCUSSION: B. Tatro commented that the Board already received a legal opinion and that it is irresponsible to spend more money on this issue. He said that the people who wrote or support the article should seek a legal opinion. C. Johnson questioned petitioned articles if they are not binding on the school board.  J. Carnie felt that the Board is obligated to look at something that the voters supported. VOTE on the amendment: 9.240/1.988/0/3.772. Motion passes. After clarification during a brief recess, the board voted on the motion as to whether it was legal to change the content and intention of the petitioned article #10 of the MRSD 2005 Warrant at the annual Deliberative Session and when or if the vote on a petitioned article is binding upon the Budget Committee and the School Board. VOTE on the amended motion: 8.061/1.988/1.179/3.772. Motion passes. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to have the Board ask John Tee a school attorney from the office of Upton, Sanders and Smith to render an opinion on this issue. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: 8.219/1.830/1.179/3.772. Motion passes.

 

K. Dassau reported that he has received the Emerson News and Notes for the Board.

 

J. Smith informed the Board on the most recent awards to MRSD students. He reported that 3 students have received merit scholarships on their academic performances. The following students received the awards: Rory Burke, Katelyn Giles and Matthew Dubois. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to have letters sent on behalf of the Board to the three students to congratulate them for their accomplishments. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772. Motion passes.

 

R. Thackston reported that J. Friedman was not able to make the Board Meeting nor will he be able to make the Surry School Study Meeting. He apologizes for this.

 

3.            STUDENT COUNCIL CONCERNS: No representative present.

 

4.         PUBLIC COMMENTS: F. Conroy commented on the paving of the Gilsum Parking Lot. He asked if the job had been put out to bid. C. Dreyfuss informed him that the paving project was on the project list for 2003-04 and was carried over to the 2004-05 project list. L. Biron said that the paving was part of a special maintenance warrant article. F. Conroy thought that it was irresponsible to pave the parking lot when you could not afford to keep Surry open.

 

W. Imon commented that the Board was wise in getting an opinion from the attorney concerning the petitioned articles.

 

T. Matson requested that the school website be updated. He said that the voters voted wisely and gave the Board direction on the MC2 School. He does not feel that the Board needs a lawyer to decide.

 

5.        SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

             Board Committee Reports:

1.      Facilities Report: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met on Sept. 20, 2005. The committee discussed the “needs” with H. L. Turner. Their report will be back in 3-4 weeks. A Facilities Analysis from H. L. Turner is about $25,000.00 which is not covered by the $5,000.00. H. L. Turner will provide detailed bills to the committee. The next meeting will be on Oct. 10, 2005 at 6:00 PM and the committee will prioritize the maintenance projects for 2006-2007.

 

2.      Community Relations Committee: A. Gross said that a meeting had been scheduled, but there was no quorum. He said that attendance is a real problem,  the committee has an important message to get out, and asked for suggestions to solve the attendance issue. R. Thackston would suggest that the committee organize a different combination of members without prejudice. He would also suggest that the Policy Committee review the policy on committees and quorums. He said that, if the Board had a more liberal policy, they might not have these problems. A. Gross had no suggestions on removing or appointing members. B. McCulley said he would gladly step down. R. Thackston asked if anyone would volunteer to fill B. McCulley’s position. R. Thackston informed the Board that 4 people are required for the committee. R. Thackston informed the Board that they would revisit this issue under Old Business this evening.

3.      Finance Committee Report: B. McCulley reported that the committee met this evening at 6:00 PM. The committee discussed the septic bid. The committee discussed the Facilities Director Position and the charge asked of them. They voted for a $60,000.00 salary to be built into the budget. They gave the basis for the salary. MOTION: B. McCulley. MOVED to recommend the Board authorize a salary package of $60,000.00 plus benefits for the Facilities Director Position. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: B. Tatro would like it clarified that it would be next year’s budget and subject to the School Board process. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to amend the motion to have the $60,000.00 and benefits for the Facilities Director Position in the 2006-2007 budget cycle. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: The salary was agreed upon by the Finance Committee, if the Board chooses to go that route. R. Thackston said that the Board would look at the budget to include the $60,000.00 plus benefits. It is then up to the Budget Committee and voters. VOTE on amendment: 9.086/2.142/0/3.772. Amendment passes. Vote on amended motion: 9.086/2.142/0/3.772. Motion passes. C. Dreyfuss asked about the $40,000.00 being taken from the renovation line. She said that the Facilities Committee had asked to have those funds saved. They were going to prioritize on Oct. 10, 2005. How can they prioritize if they don’t know what budget line items they are taking funds from?  J. Carnie commented that the pool is empty. C. Dreyfuss asked what the Facilities Committee is to do if all the money is used up. R. Thackston said that they would need to push the projects to the next year. B. McCulley underscored that the board is facing  an expense overrun of $578,000.00. B. McCulley informed the Board that the next Finance Committee meeting would be in Gilsum on Oct. 18, 2005 at 6:00 PM.

4.      Policy Committee Report: G. White passed out copies of the unapproved minutes from the Sept. 13, 2005 meeting. The committee has not met since, but will be meeting on Oct. 11, 2005 at 5:30 PM. MOTION: G. White MOVED to have the Board instruct the Policy Committee to review the policy regarding committees and quorums. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked why this motion. R. Thackston said that with the difficulty with the attendance, it would merit a review. J. Carnie does not think that it should be easier. R. Thackston said that the motion is for the Policy Committee to look at the policy and bring back a recommendation in a reasonable amount of time. R. Thackston explained that the motion is to have the Policy Committee look at the policy, not necessarily to change it. VOTE: 10.107/0/1.12/3.772. Motion passes. R. Thackston was not sure if the Chair of the Board was a member of all the committees. He is not sure of the policy on that. 

5.      Use of Surry School Study Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee will be meeting on October 5, 2005 and he would encourage everyone to attend.

6.      CCC Report: A. Gross passed out a report to the Board. He informed the Board that a regional agreement would need to be signed by the Board. W. Cotton will be attending a board Meeting and speaking about this issue. The Board commented on the drop of students attending the CCC in 1997-1998. This was due to the new block scheduling at Keene High School.

7.      Budget Committee: K. Cota gave her report earlier in the meeting.   

 

            6. OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:

                      

A.     New Business: Budget Presentation 2006-2007-Dr. Dassau: K. Dassau asked the Board if they would like to table the Middle School/High School Scheduling 2006-2007, the Middle School/High School Morning Attendance, K-8 and the Middle School Concept, Board Chair Report and Superintendent’s Report. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to remove the following items from the agenda tonight: Middle School/High School Scheduling 2006-2007, Middle School/High School Morning Attendance, K-8 and the Middle School Concept, Board Chair Report and Superintendent’s Report. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772. Motion passes.  K. Dassau passed out the expense report/revenue sheet to the Board. He passed out the 2006-2007 Budget to the Board but emphasized that it is not complete. He said that the administration, nurses and contracted services are not in the budget. He informed the Board that next Tuesday the Board will be having a joint meeting with the Budget Committee. K. Dassau explained that he would like the Board to take the budgets home and review them for Tuesday. On Oct 15, 2005, the principals will be in attendance for that meeting. He explained the expense report summary of accounts and the amount overspent for 2004-2005 was $210,147.00. The administration had examined the budget and identified possible cost savings for Northern School supplies ($31,000.00) and the Alternative Education position, which J. Smith has not filled and has assumed responsibility for. K. Dassau explained that he is not saying that the district has not overspent, but that the situation may not be as bleak as originally thought. B. McCulley commended the superintendent for the useful summary. There is a Regular Education Programs total reduction in the amount of $350,000.00 which is a result of hiring new staff for more experienced staff. K. Dassau did comment on the gas and the heating oil, which are an unknown variable at this point. K. Dassau emphasized that the budget, which is broken out by schools, is a draft and the coversheets are works in progress. They will be corrected and fine-tuned.

B.     Old Business: MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to accept B. McCulley’s resignation from the CRC and would like to nominate R. Thackston to the CRC until a better plan is formed. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 10.049/0/1.179/3.772. Motion passes.

C.     Action on the Manifest: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,667,043.61. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss asked if the work performed by Dillon was complete. L. Biron responded that it was complete. K. Cota asked if the balance sheet would be handed out. L. Biron passed it out. K. Cota questioned the Toadstool Bookstore payment. L. Biron asked that she send him an email on that. VOTE: 8.007/0/3.221/3.772. Motion passes.  

  

7. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: K. Cota commented on the fact that the web site was not up to date. She said it was a disservice to the community. C. Dreyfuss said that the elementary websites are not up to date either.

 

MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to amend the non-public section of the agenda and reverse the order of the hearings. SECOND: A. Gross. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772.  Motion passes.

 

8. 9:32 PM Non Public Session. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to enter into non-public session for the purpose of discussing personnel under RSA 91-A:3 (c). SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. Roll call: C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, G. White, K. Cota, B. Tatro, J. Hill and R. Thackston. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772. Motion passes.

B. Tatro asked to excuse himself from the next non-public because he is related to one of the people involved.

 

9.  10:04 PM Non-public Session. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to enter into non-public session for a personnel hearing under RSA 91 A:3 (e). SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. Roll call: C. Johnson, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, A. Gross, J. Carnie, B. McCulley, G. White, K. Cota, and R. Thackston.  VOTE: 10.049/0/0/4.951. Motion passes.

 

Non-public minutes sealed.

     

  10. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to adjourn at 10:45 PM.     SECOND: G. White. VOTE: 10.049/0/0/4.951. Motion passes.

         Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

         MRSD Secretary