MRSD School Board minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

Present: Colline Dreyfuss, Jonathan Kenyon, Gene White, Karen Cota, Bruce Tatro, Kenneth Colby, William Felton, Phyllis Peterson, Jeff Friedman, Charles Johnson, Bruce McCulley, Richard Thackston and James Carnie. Absent: Jason Hill and Tim Aho.ï¿½

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology and L. Biron, Business Manager.ï¿½ Principals: K. Carter, K. Craig, B. Tatro, S. Rashid, D. Mousette, D. Dahl and J. Smith.ï¿½

C. Dreyfuss called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.

1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to accept the May 16, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.ï¿½ SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: P. Peterson said that she meant that the parents of the students at Emerson should have a choice.ï¿½ VOTE: 10.577/0/.809/3.614. Motion passes.

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau explained that the $200,000.00 donated by J. Phillips is being named after her parents. It will be the Sadie and Mark Carlton Fund. The school received $24,000.00 a year ago and after the estate is settled an additional $20,000.00 should be coming.

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K. Dassau explained that Emerson School students went on an ecology trip and raised the funds themselves.

Sixth grade graduation will be on June 19, 2006.

S. Rashid thanked Hamshaw Lumber and Gomarlos for their donations to Cutler School.

S. Rashid explained to the Board that his sixth graders went on a whale watch as a field trip. He said that he received a message on his answering machine from the general manager of the tours. S. Rashid played the tape for the Board. The general manager said how wonderful and polite the students were and the fact that others on the boat also thought so. He said that they were the best group of the year. He said that whatever they are doing at Cutler School they are doing a great job.

S. Rashid reported to the Board that the mural is up. The next two steps are to have a title and a description. Out of 85 titles and descriptions the first place is a title of PEACE by PIECE. ï¿½Rashid continued and read the description to the Board. He said that he is very proud of his children.

J. Smith mentioned that the rest of the senior projects will be presented on Wednesday from 6:00-8:30 PM. All are welcome.

3. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: No report.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Alisa Fox passed out information to the Board regarding the multi-grade classrooms at Emerson. She explained to the Board that she is not in favor of the multi-grade classrooms. J. Friedman arrives. K. Dassau explained that the proper procedure is to contact the principal, if not satisfied contact the superintendent and then if still not satisfied the Board. K. Craig informed the Board that she never had a meeting with A. Fox. A. Fox’s concern was with the lack of choices and that she has no input on a specific teacher. She asked where the accountability was. She said that multi-grade classrooms do not work for her child. C. Dreyfuss suggested that A. Fox begin at the local level and start the process over. She agreed.

A. Killeen commented that she was mentioned in the packets and wanted to comment. K. Dassau commented that this conversation should not take place at a Board Meeting. She agreed.

R. Thackston voiced his dissatisfaction with being replaced by an alternate at the past Budget Committee meeting and resigned from that committee. R. Thackston leaves the meeting. J. Kenyon commented that he did not replace R. Thackston on the Budget Committee but was nominated to fulfill the position as an alternate.

5. Curriculum Report:

a. NCLB/Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Report-D. Hodgdon: D. Hodgdon explained that he sent the results of the testing from October in the Board packets. He explained that there are target levels that need to be made collectively and in various sub groups. He explained that the high school did not make AYP. He commented on the safe harbor rule which if a school increases at least 10% they will make AYP. The state wants to reward the schools making progress but ultimately they will need to make the 100%. He commented that Emerson was the only one to make AYP. D. Hodgdon passed out a sheet titled Observation on the AYP Reports for the MRSD. He explained that he is trying to set aside grant money to form a group of teachers that can dig deep into the assessments and data to find the individual needs of the students and then to work with them on their findings. He commented that they would be looking at the map testing. D. Hodgdon said that socioeconomic status is determined by free and reduced lunch. He said that the free and reduced lunches might not be accurate because some of the parents do not fill out the forms. B. Tatro asked what the plans are to improve the students. He explained that he is forming a group to look at the data and look at the needs of each student. He said that in reality this would not affect the testing this coming October. G. White asked what students are being tested and D. Hodgdon said 3-8^th graders. J. Carnie asked about the students being tested in the high school. D. Hodgdon said that by law the 10^th graders are tested. J. Carnie asked about the MC2 students. D. Hodgdon said that they are included in the high school. B. McCulley commented on the percentages for the different schools and asked about the reasons for the difference. D. Hodgdon said that this is the first time that we have used this particular testing. B. McCulley asked if they would look at the individual grade levels. D. Hodgdon said that they would do that in the individual schools. He said that the summer is a very productive time.

b. Monadnock Community Connection Course of Study: K. Dassau commented that this topic was brought up by J. Carnie. The information was sent in the Board Packets. J. Carnie explained that he was requesting the criteria for graduation on the MC2 students. He asked why MRHS was handing out the diplomas. J. Carnie has asked for the past two or three years for this information. He has been told that MC2 was a high school or a program. He said that they could not have it both ways. The grant says that it is the first public high school in the State of NH. C. Dreyfuss asked J. Carnie what the big deal was. He said that it is for clarification purposes. K. Dassau explained that this is a program and that there is a process to make it a stand alone school. K. Carter said that the graduation requirements are based on the state standards. K. Carter said that MC2 is a program under MRHS. K. Cota explained to the Board that she attended a gateway and that it was informative and an eye opener. She suggested that the other Board Members participate in a gateway. J. Kenyon said that he attended two gateways and thought it was an excellent education process. He said that the MC2 program adheres to the standards and would put it against any standard. But still had reservations. J. Carnie commented that it has nothing to do with being good or not, just asking for the information.

6. Old Business:

7. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the committee met on June 6, 2006. They have one goal underway which is to change the web page. He said that T. Warner, K. Dassau and D. Hodgdon were great contributors for suggestions on this idea. The next meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2006. At this meeting J. Smith will be in attendance and they will discuss their second goal. They have an idea of getting some publishing done. It could be a weekly or monthly issue. He mentioned that the committee still does not have a budget.

2. Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met on May 30, 2006 in Surry. They discussed the moving of the MC2 Program to the Surry School and they toured the facility. K. Carter gave a list of the pros and cons for the move. K. Cota read the list to the Board. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from Servpro of Keene Inc. of $69,250.00 plus a 2.5% contingency for the duct cleaning of 6 elementary schools and the MRHS. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota explained that this information went out by email. Some members said that they had not received this. B. McCulley commented that they need consistent protocol on receiving information. K. Cota read the rational to the Board. This was the lowest bid. This is from the 2006-2007 budget. This is for every school except Cutler. VOTE: 11.386/0/.703/2.911. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from Monadnock Flooring and Decorating of $5,605.00 plus a 10% contingency for the Rubber mating in the entrance of the Troy School. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota read the rational. VOTE: 11.386/0/.703/2.911. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from A.L. Johnson and Sons of $15,600.00 plus a 2.5% contingency for the re-roofing of the Welding Shop. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota read the rational. L. Biron explained that they were not aware of the asbestos. That is the increase in the cost at about $3600.00 more. P. Peterson asked if this figure included the disposal. K. Cota answered yes. VOTE: 11.386/0/.703/2.911. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from A.L. Johnson & Sons of $13,075.00 plus a 5% contingency for the Troy School roof repair of the valleys and slate. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: 11.386/0/.703/2.911. Motion passes. J. Carnie commented that the Facilities Meeting was scheduled for 6:00 PM and did not start until 7:20 PM. He said that this is not the first time. K. Cota did agree with J. Carnie but she explained that they were going to discuss important issues and felt that they should wait for the third member to arrive. J. Kenyon said that he forgot about the meeting and apologized.

3. Finance Committee: B. Tatro reported that the committee met at 6:00 PM earlier this evening. They discussed the MC2 issue and voting to support the move pending answers about the $11,000.00 paid to Antioch from the grant. K. Dassau explained that D. Gurian had said that she believed that the funds could be used for other purposes. B. Tatro explained that he would like to have that in writing. K. Dassau handed out the MRSD Budget Adjustments for 2006-2007 by Account Number to the Board. He reviewed the information to the Board and explained that the Board can change within the bottom line.

c. MC2 Proposal: MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to allow the MC2 Program to relocate to the former Surry Elementary School. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: B. Tatro commented that they do not have all the information in order to vote. B. McCulley felt that it is premature to act on this. He said that it would be a slap in the face to Finance with unanswered questions. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to table the motion until after the next Finance Meeting. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss announced that she would allow people to speak that she acknowledged before the motion. J. Kenyon commented that the Finance Committee has questions about the $11,000.00 but they are moving into a building that is not occupied. How does this affect the move? B. Tatro said that there is no rush. K. Dassau commented that there are sensitive dramatics with the slap in the face comment. He said that D. Gurian gave us her assurance. K. Carter commented that she has a schedule for the month of August. Moving a school is not an insignificant task. K. Dassau suggested modifying the motion. C. Johnson asked if we do not get the $11,000.00, does it kill the move. He asked for the basis. J. Carnie said that we do not have to do anything because we have a contract with Antioch. The $11,000.00 will make a difference. W. Felton commented that the Finance took a vote and it was passed. He suggested that the Board vote or send it back to committee. B. McCulley said that the $11,000.00 might affect his vote. K. Cota commented that she thought that this is more about D. Gurian and not about the $11,000.00. J. Carnie read something from Roberts Book of Rules concerning tabling. VOTE: 9.484/2.606/0/2.911. Motion passes. K. Dassau explained that he believed that this was resolved. It was commented that D. Gurian is not part of the administration. B. Tatro commented that we are the administrators of the grant and she works for us.

4. Policy Committee: MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept the Wellness Policy as presented by the Nutrition and Wellness Committee and reviewed and amended by the Policy Committee on May 22, 2006. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: W. Felton commented that the committee did have a quorum and voted unanimously. W. Felton passed out information that he copied from two articles having to do with this issue. VOTE: 12.089/0/0/2.911. Motion passes. MOTION: G. White MOVED to have the Nutrition and Wellness Committee expand their membership to include principals, physical education teachers and coaches. The committee will review the Wellness Policy and develop work plans to facilitate the implementation of the Nutrition Education and Physical Activity parts of the policy by January 2007. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: G. White explained that rational behind the motion. VOTE: 12.089/0/0/2.911. Motion passes.

5. Budget Committee: C. Dreyfuss explained that R. Thackston was not able to attend the last meeting so she asked J. Kenyon to step in. Earlier in the meeting R. Thackston who was the Budget Committee rep. stepped down. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to nominate J. Kenyon as the liaison to the Budget Committee. SECOND: B. McCulley. DISCUSSION: W. Felton commented that the Budget Committee tends to be anti-public education and hopes that with J. Kenyon’s proactive point of view can change one or two members. J. Friedman left the room. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to accept R. Thackston’s resignation as liaison to the Budget Committee. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 11.386/0/0/3.614. Motion passes. MOTION to nominate J. Kenyon to Budget Committee: 10.910/0/1.179/2.911. Motion passes. J. Kenyon reported that the Budget Committee is looking into the situation where you can create a work order and sign for it. They discussed the issue of mailing political information. K. Dassau explained that the building principals would discuss this with their staff. J. Kenyon said that there was a large discussion on the over projections of the budget.

6. The Cheshire Career Center: J. Smith reported that they are in the process of hiring a new director. He is serving on the committee with two students from Monadnock.

8. OTHER SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS:

New Business:

a. School Approval Proposal/MC2: K. Dassau explained that the Board could choose to have the MC2 as a stand alone school. G. White asked if this was complete would the MC2 be part of the SAU or a charter school. K. Carter said that it would be part of MRSD. K. Carter said that this is for information only. K. Dassau explained that they would like to do the application process and wanted some direction from the Board. C. Johnson asked for the advantages. J. Carnie said that it would be clean and would need a vote from the voters. K. Dassau said that he does not think that is true. He would like to see the basis of the comments. N. Moriarty also commented that the voters should vote. He asked about tuition. K. Carter explained that the receiving district sets the tuition.

b. G. White commented on different graduations within the district and asked that the Board Members try to attend at least their town. June 15, 2006 is MC2 graduation.

9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: G. White MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,575,003.92. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon had a question about Keating Plumbing. L. Biron answered him. VOTE: 10.207/0/1.882/2.911. Motion passes.

10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: W. Felton asked to go back to New Business and commented on the trailers used for classrooms. He said that the NEASC Team would not be impressed. He suggested four classrooms and that the Facilities do a little at a time although more costly. K. Cota said that the Facilities have been discussing it. K. Cota commented that until the Board decides to promote their ideas it would not happen.

K. Dassau informed the Board that there are two non-public sessions. He also reminded the Board of the SAU Meeting on June 7, 2006 in the Ford Building. K. Dassau discussed the idea of emailing all appropriate information to the Board Members.

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

a. Surry Withdrawal Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the list for the members of the committee is in the packets. She said that the committee would meet to set a date for their first meeting.

b. Superintendent Evaluation Committee: C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that the date for the Evaluation Committee would be set at the SAU Meeting tomorrow.

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1. MC2 Move ($11,000.00)

2. 2006-2007 Budget

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: N. Moriarty commented on the need for the Oversight Committee. He also commented on the fact that the hiring of the Spec. Ed. teacher should be looked at. That money could be spent somewhere else. K. Dassau commented that there are 7th graders in with 21 year olds.

F. Conroy commented on the busing being safer at Surry than Antioch. K. Dassau said that it is comparing Surry to MC2 not Sullivan. K. Carter explained that the MC2 students are dropped off in the Pizza Pie parking lot because the bus cannot turn around at Antioch.

14. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: RSA 91-A:3 II b: Nominations: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II b-nominations. SECOND: W. Felton. Roll call vote: C. Johnson, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, J. Kenyon, C. Dreyfuss, W. Felton, K. Colby, G. White, B. Tatro, B. McCulley and J. Freidman. Motion passes.

15. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 11:03 PM. SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: Unanimous for those present.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary