approved minutes
Board Meeting Minutes
Monadnock Regional
Middle/High School Library,
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
1.
CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept
the
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
J. Smith reported on the Turkey Tussle that took place
on Thanksgiving. The proceeds were divided between Monadnock and
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
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
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
7.
SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Community Relations Committee: K. Colby
reported that the
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
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
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
6. The
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
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
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
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
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
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording Secretary