Approved minutes

�������������������������������� MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

������������������������������������������������������� Board Meeting Minutes

����������������������������������������������������������� Non-public Session

������������� �����������������������������������������������������July 11, 2006

�������������������������������������������������� MRHS Library, Swanzey, NH

 

8:40 PM � Present: Jason Hill, Ken Colby, Karen Cota, Phyllis Peterson, James Carnie, Jonathan Kenyon, Bruce Tatro, Gene White, Richard Thackston and Colline Dreyfuss.

Also present: D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, Business Manager Katie Chambers and Laura L. Aivaliotis, Recording secretary.

Also present: Mr. Fleischmann, Ms. Piedmont and their daughter Bodhi.

 

D. Hodgdon explained the situation to the Board.He said that Bodhi had attended the KMS Arts Academy and is now entering the 9th grade. KHS does not have a program. She wants to continue with KHS because Latin is not offered at MRHS. There are also social aspects. The Keene School Board did not accept the tuition wavier. They are asking the Board to find an exception to allow Bodhi to attend KHS. The cost at KHS for the 2004-2005 school year was $10,347.00. K. Cota commented that these are friends of hers and will not be participating in the discussion. R. Thackston asked if it was an educational hardship. D. Hodgdon said it was not. P. Peterson said that she is concerned that there are others to follow. Several kids from the Northern Schools are paying tuition to go to Keene. R. Thackston said that he is sympathetic but he will vote against this request. J. Kenyon commented that these are friends of his but would agree with R. Thackston. He commented that Latin is offered at MC2. V. Piedmont suggested putting this discussion on hold and using it as a possible communication with KHS. C. Dreyfuss commented that there does need to be a discussion. The only exchange would be from an educational hardship. J. Carnie said that we are talking about choice. Keene needs to tow the line. He said that he has a copy of the grant and has opposed MC2 and MRPSOC because of lack of information. Keene is a partner in the program. C. Dreyfuss commented that KHS is not a choice school. R. Thackston suggested that K. Dassau give it one more swing. C. Dreyfuss commented that we have been down this road and that we would be opening up a can of worms. MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED to ask the Superintendent to attempt negotiations with KHS under the School Choice for Bodhi Piedmont Fleischmann. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon commented that he gets it but the mechanics are not there. We have families paying out there. R. Thackston said that the motion serves to open conversation. It is reasonable to have the conversation. J. Carnie commented that the statements have been made. KHS says that it is not a school of choice. V. Piedmont commented that she is not asking for money but for some creativity. VOTE: 2.142/8.123/.247/4.488. Motion fails. MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED to turn down the request brought to the Board by V. Piedmont and P. Fleischmann to allow their daughter to attend KHS. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 10.265/0/.247/4.488. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to go back into public session at 9:31 PM. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 10.512/0/0/4.488. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

Recording secretary