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