approved minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                            December 5, 2006

                    Monadnock Regional Middle/High School Library, Swanzey, NH.

                      

Present: Colline Dreyfuss, Jonathan Kenyon, Gene White, Karen Cota, Tim Peloquin, Kenneth Colby, Susan Oerman, William Felton, Phyllis Peterson and James Carnie. Absent: Bruce McCulley, Charles Johnson, Tim Aho and Jason Hill.

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology, K. Chambers, Business Manager.  Principals: B. Tatro, K. Craig, M. Young, J. Smith, K. Carter and D. Mousette.

 

C. Dreyfuss called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the November 21, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.  SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers commented that there was no maximum on the Virtual High School Students as stated in the minutes.  VOTE on the amended minutes 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes.     

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: J. Smith informed the Board that they would be receiving the NEASC Report. This report would need to be released to the public within 60 days of receipt. The school status determined by the NEASC will be released in March.

 

D. Smith has been awarded as a member of the NH Coaches Hall of Fame. This induction will take place in March.

 

J. Carnie asked the Chair if she had received a letter from a citizen in Richmond. She explained that she has received the letter but has not read the letter yet. He said that he spoke to the person for 2 hours. He said that the person had asked to be placed on the agenda. C. Dreyfuss commented that the person was not placed on the agenda because it was a spec. ed. issue. They can speak under public comments if they wish. J. Carnie commented that this is an agenda item and asked that it be put on the agenda for the first meeting in January. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED that this person should be allowed to speak at the first meeting in January and that this is an agenda item. SECOND: none. K. Dassau explained that he sent a letter to the person and explained what can be discussed in public session. J. Carnie commented that this is a problem and they have serious allegations. They have the right to be put on the agenda. He said that the Chair or K. Dassau should have had communication prior to this meeting.

 

J. Smith reported on the Turkey Tussle that took place on Thanksgiving. The proceeds were divided between Monadnock and Keene and each gave them to charity. Monadnock gave to the Community Kitchen and Keene donated the proceeds to the Davis Hemingway Fund. Each school received $2300.00.

 

3.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: K. Cota explained that she had requested that the minutes from the meetings be placed in the Board packets. 

 

4.      Public Comments: R. Bauries commented that the early retirement is an illegal expenditure and should be discontinued. He suggested that the School Board look at this issue and stop it.

 

N. Moriarty commented on the fact that they are paying the attorney’s fees for the retirement issue. The Board should get out of this.

 

J. Fortson commented on the motions by the Board at the last meeting. She asked that the Board reconsider the withdrawals of the health and safety items and the roof project from coming out of the capitol reserve. She commented that the funds in the account are the only way this district will ever have a building project. She commented that the voters have always passed the maintenance items. She also suggested that the $200,000.00, which is excess from the insurance be used to fix these items. She also suggested that the Board consider a warrant for $200,000.00 for a building fund as we do for Spec. Ed.

 

J. Kenyon asked when members of the School Board or the Budget Committee go up to Concord are they representing themselves or are they saying that they are there as a member of the certain Board. K. Dassau explained that they are entitled to public information. C. Dreyfuss commented that we will never know and the result would be the same.

 5. Curriculum Report: J. Smith reported that he and other staff members are developing a school improvement plan because they have not made AYP for the past two years. He explained that they have realigned the whole English Department. He continued to explain what they did to the 9th through 12th grade classes. K. Cota commented on the testing in May for the AP Classes and asked why they want to increase the AP Classes. J. Smith explained that it is a national program. He explained that there are students that end school in May. He explained that it is a very structured and organized test. He commented that the AP Classes are a worthwhile thing. Heather explained that many of the AP Classes start when school ends in the summer. They have an extensive reading list. K. Cota asked if the teachers of the AP Classes receive any additional training. J. Smith explained that they attended an AP Institute. Heather explained that it is a long and intensive week with a week of prior preparation before coming to the institute. J. Smith explained that they are doing away with the 9th and 10th grade Honors classes, not the AP classes, which are not offered until the 11th grade.  

6.  Old Business:

Budget Development 2007-2008-K. Chambers: K. Chambers passed out information to the Board on the email from S. Rourke, the warrant draft and the budget changes. K. Chambers explained that the Emergency Notification System Account from last year has a balance. The $7038.00 would go to the new system in a new account. K. Chambers explained that she put the Choice Programs approved in for the bottom line and discussion. There is a draft item for the gym not on the warrant but on the list. S. Oerman explained that the money to repair the stage comes out of the special fund when paid in full. K. Chambers said yes. K. Chambers explained that there is a correction on the budget change sheet. The 4th block of numbers should be the 1200 Account not the 2400 Account. The other correction is that the total of the high school evening classes would be 18. K. Chambers explained the letter about the Virtual High School for 2006-2007. There has been no decision by the Board. The MRHS Students to attend KSC were added with no final decision. The KMS and the Harrisville Program are not in the budget. K. Cota commented that there is a policy in the process of being written. How can we make a final decision? G. White commented that he would hesitate to call it a policy it is more like a procedure that we would be bringing to the Board during the Policy Committee report. J. Kenyon explained that it is a procedure rather than a policy. It deals with the students already in the programs. This does not limit the policy ongoing. J. Carnie asked the cost of the students attending KSC. The budget is $5400.00. D. Hodgdon passed out an explanation in a brochure of each Choice Program. J. Kenyon said that he is comfortable with the numbers but would like to see a presentation. C. Dreyfuss was concerned about the time issue. K. Cota commented that we are out of time for the presentations but after would be nice. K. Cota said that she is concerned that the Board said that they support Choice Programs but they are saying yes to some and no to others. She suggested placing them all in the budget. T. Peloquin commented that he thought we were waiting for the numbers from the Policy Committee. J. Kenyon suggested that the Policy Committee hand out the Procedure for Current MRSD Students in Non-Special Education Out-of District Programs. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to move the Policy Committee Report forward on the agenda. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes.

 

Policy Committee: G. White passed out the procedure to the Board. He said that the document was put together by D. Hodgdon from a conversation last night. It is far from finished. He would like the Board to look over the information and bring back input to the Board in the next two weeks. It states the situation as it is now. There was general agreement from the committee on page 1 not so much on page 2. The money issue is still up in the air hoping to have a discussion among the districts. The issue of new students entering this program has not been addressed. T. Peloquin asked about the students that want to enroll. Is that the second part? K. Dassau asked if the Board would like to budget something. J. Carnie explained that he was not opposed to the first page but page 2 is the crux of the whole program. You need to really look at the numbers. C. Dreyfuss commented that she was OK with putting in the numbers as proposed. J. Kenyon asked if any of the programs hindered on helping the district reach AYP. He said that he is not saying fund them all he is saying we need to look at each program. How much value to the students and parents as cheaply as possible? T. Peloquin commented that the Choice Programs are wonderful but you can have 60 kids in the programs and 600 kids getting wet from the leaking roofs. C. Dreyfuss explained to W. Felton that the Board voted to support choice programs. T. Peloquin commented that in theory we support choice programs. C. Dreyfuss commented that if you support them you need to take the next step. K. Cota asked if we receive another grant after putting the money in the budget could we back that money out. K. Dassau said that there could possibly be a contingency fund similar to the insurance line this year. He does not see a similar grant. J. Carnie commented that if the Choice Programs are so good than the Board should put it before the public. We are talking about out-of-district students. He said that he has no problem with the first page and our students the problem is with the out-of-district. C. Dreyfuss asked if it made sense to take a page at a time. We need to formalize the budget and take one step at a time. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept page one of the Procedure for Current MRSD Students in Non-Special Education Out-of-District Programs as presented by the Policy Committee. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: S. Oerman asked about the changes in the wording. G. White explained that it is in there. G. White asked about the figure for Harrisville and KMS. It was explained that it was in there. It was asked what are the exceptions a parent can request. It was explained that was on a one on one basis. W. Felton commented that this does not address the bits and pieces of the issue. There is no guarantee that this would be followed through. C. Dreyfuss explained that it deals with the students in the program. J. Carnie said that the one on one exchange is mentioned on this document. D. Hodgdon explained that if it is not in the budget there are steps if they wish to continue. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept page 2 of the Procedure for Current MRSD Students in Non-Special Education Out-of-District Programs. No Second. J. Kenyon withdrew his motion. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to have the administration plug in the numbers for World Language Immersion program and the KMS Arts program into the budget. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers suggested that in the motion the current tuition plus 2% to allow for next year. K. Cota and K. Colby would accept that friendly amendment to their motion. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept page 2 of the Procedure for Current MRSD Students in Non-Special Education Out-of-District Programs. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie said that he could not see going that route. We need a lot more number. He suggested getting more numbers and putting it before the voters. He would suggest sending it back to the Policy Committee. J. Kenyon would agree. This is a procedure to deal with the students already in the program. We need to take the lead. G. White commented that he appreciates and agrees with J. Kenyon but is uncomfortable with voting on this tonight. We need to do a little more as a committee. W. Felton commented that G. White has presented the material and the Board as a whole has discussed it. We should now vote as a Board. VOTE: 2.605/7.496/0/4.899. Motion fails. The next policy meeting is on Jan. 3, 2007.

 

MOTION: G. White MOVED to have the Board reconsider the vote at the last meeting on Warrant Article Number 5 and Warrant Article Number 6 on the 2007-2008 Warrant Article Draft. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: G. White commented that at the end of the last meeting members of the Board were concerned about the depleting of the reserve. He also commented that there was concern from some Budget Committee Members and J. Fortson. VOTE: 9.151/ .950/0/4.899. Motion passes. K. Cota asked if it is possible to approve the articles without stating the funding. C. Dreyfuss asked why. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $428,832 for the purpose of roof repairs at Monadnock Regional Middle/High School and the Mt. Caesar Elementary School. This will be a non-lapsing warrant article per RSA 32:7 and will not lapse until the roof repairs are complete or June 30, 2010 whichever is earlier. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: K. Cota explained that the rational is to have money in reserve for a building project. Taking from the capitol reserve would not increase taxes. T. Peloquin commented that there is a million-dollars what are you going to spend it on. You have to fix what you have. G. White said that he would vote to take it out of the capitol reserve. The work is too important. It is a health situation. J. Kenyon would agree and we can not afford to let it go. T. Peloquin suggested using the funds and than put a warrant article to add to the capitol reserve. J. Fortson commented that it would not make sense not to use the insurance buffer. K. Chambers commented that it would be premature to use that money with the district only half way through the year and not knowing about Special Ed. She commented that if the Budget Committee supported a special ed. expenditure when needed than it may be considered. J. Kenyon commented that if we use the insurance buffer the voters would say that money should have gone back to them. J. Carnie commented that he was in favor of the way it was originally written. He does agree with G. White these items need to be done. VOTE: 2.358/7.743/0/4.899. Motion fails. MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept Warrant Article Six on the 2007-2008 Warrant Draft as presented. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 7.743/2.358/0/4.899. Motion passes. MOTION: G. White MOVED to see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $348,098 for repair of health and safety related maintenance items throughout the District’s school buildings. This is a Special Warrant Article in accordance with RSA 32:3 VI. This will be a non-lapsing warrant article per RSA32:7 and will not lapse until the maintenance projects are complete or June 30, 2010 whichever is earlier. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: G. White asked if all of these security issues need to be addressed. He said to go to the public and see if they are as scared as the rest of the Board. K. Cota commented that the security issues are part of the bigger picture. She does not want to deplete the reserve but we are falling apart. We have the money. J. Kenyon commented that it was the will of the Board to use what we have and put the roofs up but the safety and health issues rate less. You can not assume that they would be safe. Shot or burned, you are down. T. Peloquin commented that a safety issue did happen in Monadnock many years ago. We are way behind. We have the emergency phone call for what. J. Carnie said to reword the motion. He commented that if you feel this needs to be you can reasonably hope that it would get done. C. Dreyfuss commented that she had received information from the NHSBA and all of it was about security and safety. The big picture is the bottom line is to take it out of the capitol reserve. VOTE: 4.500/5.601/0/4.899. Motion fails. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept Warrant Article Five as written on the 2007-2008 Warrant Draft. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: K. Cota explained that the work needs to be done and we need to take the funds out of the capitol reserve. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes. MOTION: G. White MOVED to add a warrant article to raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000.00 to be added to the 1975 Capital Reserve Fund. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers suggested that the Board create a new warrant article instead of adding it to the original which is over 30 years old. P. Peterson withdrew her second and G. White withdrew his motion. He asked that K. Chambers come back with wording for the new capital reserve article.        

 

7.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

1.      Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the Nov 27, 2006 meeting was cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec.11, 2006.

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported on the number of meetings the committee has had since formed in April and on the attendance of the committee. She explained that the committee heard from R. Parent on the repairs needed to the gymnasium. The total $187,000.00 would include a new roof, new gym floor, new doors and repairs to the bleachers. She reported that $40,000.00 has been raised from fundraisers. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to bring to the full board a gym warrant article totaling $187,000.00 minus $40,000.00 already raised for a total of $147,000.00 to be raised and appropriated for repair of the gym, roof, floor, bleachers and doors. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: It was reported that the ventilators and the wall situation are not in this article. G. White asked if they meant the ceiling. K. Cota explained the situation with the ceiling. She said that it is cosmetic not structural. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes. The committee heard from R. Parent regarding the oil tank situation. The committee decided to go ahead with the work now that would eliminate a possible breakdown in the winter. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from American Tank and United Oil Recovery Inc., for $9099.00 plus a 20% contingency of $1820.00 for a total of $10,919.00, money to be spent from the expendable trust for maintenance for cleaning of the MSHS Fuel Tank. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 8.980/0/1.121/4.899. Motion passes. K. Cota reported that the new rigging would start to be installed next week. It has been determined that the stored paint and the catwalks need to comedown. The committee heard from K. Chambers on the outside bleachers. It has been the practice that the Cheshire Fair borrowed the bleachers each year for over 30 years. K. Chambers has received an inspection report and is questioning whether we should continue the practice. K. Chambers reported to the Board that the bleachers are not in good enough shape to travel. She would recommend that they stay put. J. Smith reported that the gentlemen’s agreement was that the Cheshire Fair was to replace the blanks if they become damaged. B. Tatro commented that the Cheshire Fair Grounds have agreed to store the Mt. Caesar playground equipment until the spring. K. Chambers will get a price for repairs. W. Felton commented that the repair cost should be shared. P. Peterson asked that K. Chambers negotiate and see what she can do. The movement of the bleachers has done damage. K. Colby said to get a figure and then negotiate. T. Peloquin said that no one said to continue the movement of the bleachers. K. Cota commented that she is not ready to decide that. K. Colby commented that they are storing the playground equipment. J. Smith suggested negotiating a deal for ice time. K. Chambers will bring back the cost of the bleachers for the Board. The next Facilities Meeting is on Dec. 12, 2006 at 7:00 PM.    

3.      Finance Committee: MOTION: J. Carnie reported that the committee had received the asset reports and the 4 year rate increase on the insurance. The committee had a discussion on the Resource Officer. He said that originally it was a three-year contract covered mostly by the grant. He said that the Town of Swanzey was supposed to help. The Finance Committee will agree to go along with the contract and ask the administration to get in touch with the Town of Swanzey and have them contribute what they had originally agreed on. K. Chambers said that it was a verbal agreement. J. Carnie is asking that the administration contact the Town of Swanzey regarding the original agreement for the next Board Meeting.

4.      Policy Committee: Report given during Old Business.  

5.      Budget Committee: J. Kenyon reported that the Budget Committee discussed the issue of paying for copies of items requested through the SAU. He said that most of the conversation was about MC2. The next meeting is on Dec. 12, 2006.  

6.      The Cheshire Career Center: No report.

7.      Surry Withdrawal Committee: K. Dassau reported that there was a discussion on relocating MC2. Discussion of Surry being the 4th district will take place with the SAU Board on Dec. 6, 2006. The committee also discussed the weighted vote. The next meeting is on Dec. 7, 2006. J. Fortson explained her suggestion for the weighted vote. A motion was made for the administration to recalculate the percentages with Surry and without Surry.

 

8. NEW BUSINESS:

 a. Calendar 2007-2008: K. Dassau explained that it is the first draft. J. Kenyon had suggested an extended winter break. K. Cota suggested eliminating the Feb. and April break so not to go further into the summer. K. Dassau commented that that suggestion was not seen with any favor. K. Dassau said that it is the will of the Board. He said that Cheshire Career Center usually drives the calendar but there were variables last year from the schedule. P. Peterson said that she experienced the eliminating of Feb. and April break having a March break and it was a disaster.     

 

9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: G. White MOVED the manifest in the amount of $931,346.53. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes.

 

10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau explained that the Board would be having a presentation from the Local Government Center at the next meeting.

 

     K. Dassau reported that no one has applied for the school district clerk position.

 

     MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the retirement/resignation of June Donegan as of June 2008. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau explained that this is a regular retirement and that she requests the right to rescind prior to June 2008. VOTE: 10.101/0/0/4.899. Motion passes.

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

 

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      Insurance Presentation

2.      Adm. Discussion with Town of Swanzey regarding Resource Officer

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: J. Fortson commented that if the public feels strong about the warrants they would raise and appropriate them. She thanked the Board for the time to reconsider.

 

J. Carnie explained that the last time we entered non-public it was to discuss retirement, which would not have had an adverse effect on that person. K. Dassau commented that there given that there is a 15 member board he would not want embarrassing or illegal questions asked in front the public. It is a safety net.

 

14. Motion to enter non-public session: MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (c). SECOND: K. Colby. Roll call vote: P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, T. Peloquin, K. Colby, W. Felton, J. Kenyon, G. White and S. Oerman. (C. Dreyfuss missing at the vote) VOTE: 8.922/0/0/6.078. Motion passes. C. Dreyfuss returns.

 

15. Motion to enter non-public session: MOTION: G. White MOVED to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (c). SECOND: W. Felton. Roll call vote: P. Peterson, J. Carnie, T. Peloquin, K. Colby, W. Felton, G. White, S. Oerman and C. Dreyfuss. (J. Kenyon left the room at the time of the vote.) VOTE: 7.554/1.121/0/6.708. Motion passes. J. Kenyon returns.

 

16. Motion to enter non-public session: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3(b). SECOND: J. Kenyon. Roll call vote: P. Peterson, J. Carnie, T. Peloquin, K. Colby, W. Felton, J. Kenyon, G. White, S. Oerman and C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 9.854/0/0/5.146. Motion passes.

 

17. Adjournment: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 11:15 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 9.854/0/0/5.146. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary