Non-approved minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                            February 20, 2007

                           Mt. Caesar School Multi-purpose Room, Swanzey, NH.

                      

Present: Colline Dreyfuss, Jonathan Kenyon, Gene White, Tim Peloquin, Phyllis Peterson, Gerald Mazza, Susan Oerman, Tim Aho, Doug Lyman and Winston Wright. Absent: Kenneth Colby, William Felton, James Carnie, Chuck Johnson and Karen Cota.

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

 

MOTION: T. Peloquin MOVED to nominate W. Wright as the Board Member representing Fitzwilliam. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 9.351/0/0/5.649. Motion passes. Bruce Tatro, selectmen from Swanzey swore W. Wright to the Board. 

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to accept the January 9, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.  SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: T. Aho asked if the $198,000.00 figure was going to be used as stated in the minutes. C. Dreyfuss said yes. VOTE: 7.627/0/2.838/4.535. Motion passes. MOTION: P. Peterson MOVED to accept the February 6, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: J. Mazza. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman explained that he had asked about the cost of the special programs under the Policy discussion. T. Aho commented that the $8,000.00 per student for MC2 was for prior years. VOTE: 8.330/0/2.135/4.535. Motion passes.  

 

2.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED that the Mt. Caesar presentation be moved ahead on the agenda. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 10.465/0/0/4.535. Motion passes.

 

Service Learning Presentation-Mt. Caesar Faculty: B. Tatro introduced the faculty that was involved with the Service Learning Projects. She also listed the projects that have been done and the two that would be presented tonight. The first one was Bread for the Community. The children made loaves of bread for the Community Kitchen and delivered them. The supplies and the transportation for the children to the Community Kitchen were paid for by the grant. The second project was participation in the Empty Bowl Project at the Community Kitchen. The 1st graders crafted their bowls and brought them to the annual auction. The faculty had a slide presentation to show the children at work. The Board walked down to the technology doorway, which is also a service learning project.

 

K. Dassau commented on the Service Learning Project at Cutler. The children will be doing skits on the meanings of different face and body language.

 

K. Dassau informed the Board that L. Cota is one of the finalists for the Coke a Cola Scholarship.

 

Beauty and the Beast will be presented on March 8, 2007.

 

J. Evans has received a 4-year ROTC Scholarship.

 

K. Carter informed the Board that Patty from MC2 has received a 4-year scholarship from Keuka College.

 

K. Carter reported on her trip to Washington. The group had three presentations. It was broadcast and continually broadcast to the Dept. of Ed. offices. She would like to offer the same presentation to the Board. Cass Carlan was the student who participated in the presentation. She said that it was a unique experience.

 

MC2 is having an open house on Wednesday from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. K. Carter informed the Board that she has sent a postcard to every 8th grade student.

 

K. Craig informed that Board that the K-2 grade students would be having a show on Thursday. She is very proud of the work being done at Emerson. She commented on the Service Learning Project.

 

M. Young commented on the curriculum work being looked at by the principals.

 

S. Oerman commented on a wonderful job being done by M. Young and the middle school. K. Dassau said that the administration would concur.

 

K. Dassau mentioned the minutes being sent by email. The Board had no objections.     

 

3.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Will Jays from MC2 reported that the government council is discussing the attendance policy and making changes that would work for MC2.

4.   Public Comments: P. Bauries asked if the attendance policy changes at MC2 need to go before the Board. C. Dreyfuss explained that they took the high school policy and adjusted it for MC2 and actually made it more strict. She also asked if there would be a written report on the trip to Washington. C. Dreyfuss explained that there is no policy for written reports on trips.

 

T. Aho commented that the $198,000.00 figure that P. Apple quoted had nothing to do with retirement. He then commented on the step increases and early retirement.

 

5.      Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon explained the NECAP Test Results overview and the tracking of students from one year to the next. He explained that because the testing is done in the fall the children are tested on what was taught the year prior. D. Hodgdon explained the following topics: Reading state testing results, Testing terminology, Definition of Proficiency, Reading non-proficient levels, Math non-proficient levels and Data from Language Arts results. T. Peloquin asked how 45% of last year’s 5th graders could not score proficient. D. Hodgdon commented that the students only failed on this test. There are several factors that we need to look at. Are we teaching in the way that the test is administered? We have to look at how the students are performing in large groups. T. Peloquin asked if the teachers are comfortable with the number and are they accurate. K. Dassau explained that except for Emerson all the elementary schools did not make AYP. NCLB we need to take seriously. We have our own school data. The requirement is to teach to the test. D. Hodgdon added that we take it seriously but it is just a snap shot. D. Hodgdon commented that we can not ignore it but we need to use other data to improve the students to the best of their ability. J. Mazza asked if the books go along with this program. D. Hodgdon commented that the books are older. We teach the curriculum and the text is to support it. D. Hodgdon commented that the ratings are similar throughout the state. B. Tatro commented on the vocabulary of the test. They need to make sure the children can understand the test. T. Peloquin asked why Emerson and not everyone else. K. Dassau said that is a question that needs to be addressed. P. Bauries asked if this test is part of the determination of a student entering college. D. Hodgdon said that it is a tool to help the performance of the child. D. Hodgdon continued to explain Data from Math Results, Data from Mean Scaled Scores for Reading and Math and Subgroups. D. Hodgdon explained that the state standards were approved last June. We did initial work to look at the grade level expectations. K. Dassau explained that this is a response to the federal government requirement. J. Kenyon commented that the scale slides upward every year. D. Hodgdon explained that because we need 100% proficiency, every three years the level of performance is higher. There is an escalating process that takes place.   D. Hodgdon explained the penalties involved for not making AYP. D. Lyman asked if the government offers any money. D. Hodgdon explained that there are entitlement grants, which are not adequate. K. Dassau informed that they continue to cut special ed. funding.

 

6.      OLD BUSINESS:

1.       District Clerk Update:  K. Cota was not present for the report.

7.   SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

1.      Community Relations Committee: The committee has not met.

2.      Facilities Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the Emerson boiler is temporarily repaired. The sewer back up at Troy has been cleared up. The committee is reviewing the maintenance and custodian job descriptions. They discussed the architects and are interviewing Banwell and Kaestle Boos.

3.      Finance Committee: MOTION: S. Oerman reported that the committee discussed the assets and monthly expenses. There was discussion on the revenues, the federal grants and state grants. The committee discussed the attorney billing and had a discussion on food service.

4.      Policy Committee: MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept Policy IGBGA-E, Home Education. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented on the Rulemaking. C. Dreyfuss explained that those are the RSAs that you are reading and the motion is for page one.  G White commented that the state says that we have to follow an outline, the RSAs attached is the outline, and then adjust it as we see fit, which is page one. D. Lyman asked what RSA 541 was. C. Dreyfuss said that her guess was how to make rules. D. Hodgdon informed the Board that there are 128 home schooled students. He explained that they are limiting it to 2 classes. The principals can change the number in individual situations. J. Mazza asked if the 128 students were in the ADM. D. Hodgdon explained that they were not. He explained that a home schooled student could not receive a diploma unless they are enrolled at Monadnock. W. Wright asked if we adopt this do we have to get an okay from the state. D. Hodgdon said that the state said it is up to the Board. D. Hodgdon said that within the RSAs there is flexibility. VOTE: 9.689/0.776/0/4.535. Motion passes.   

5.      Budget Committee:

6.      The Cheshire Career Center:

7.      Surry Withdrawal Committee:

8.   New Business:

9.  Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,381,378.65. SECOND: G. White DISCUSSION: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to hold check number 511620 in the amount of $7000.00 for Accelara until the donor dollars are received. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau explained that ultimately the funds are coming. H. Wolhandler is doing the work.   K. Chambers advised them to hold the check. She said the funds would be coming this week. VOTE: 9.286/1.179/0/4.535. Motion passes. DISCUSSION on manifest: K. Chambers explained the Upton and Hatfield bill. She also explained that the funds to Steelman Productions were for the curtains. The contingency she believes was not used. VOTE on manifest: 10.465/0/0/4.535. Motion passes.  

10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau welcomed W. Wright once again to the Board.

 

     MOTION: S. Oerman. MOVED to accept the retirement of Joyce Leclerc from Cutler School as of June 2008. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 10.465/0/0/4.535. Motion passes.

    

    K. Chambers passed out a sheet titled “Tax Comparison 2005/06-2006/07”. K. Chambers reviewed the sheets with the Board. This information will be going on the school web site.

 

     T. Aho commented on the MS27 and the amount to be raised by taxes. K. Chambers explained that has been corrected and would be posted soon.

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      MRPSOC Computers

2.      MC2 Washington Review

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

14. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM. SECOND: G. White. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary