MRSD School Board minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Monadnock Regional Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

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

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

1. School Board Organization:

a. Supt. Dassau opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. R. Thackston, a Justice of the Peace, swore in the following members: W. Felton, C. Dreyfuss, K. Cota, B. McCulley, K. Colby and P. Peterson. Introductions were done and K. Dassau explained the weighted vote to the new members.

b. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to nominate C. Dreyfuss as Board Chair. SECOND: W. Felton. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to nominate R. Thackston as Board Chair. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: C. Dreyfuss ï¿½yes and R. Thackston ï¿½no. 11.061/3.939/0/0. C. Dreyfuss is Board Chair. C. Dreyfuss now takes over the meeting from K. Dassau.

MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to nominate G. White as Board Vice-Chair. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 12.082/1.897/1.021/0. Motion passes.

K. Schnyer will be stepping down as School District Clerk and if anyone is interested contact L. Biron.

MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED to nominate Nancy Carlson as School District Treasurer. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 15/0/0/0. Motion passes. R. Thackston swore in N. Carlson.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Committee and Delegate Review: C. Dreyfuss asked that the Board to take a week to review what committees they would like to serve on. She informed them that they need to choose wisely. T. Aho suggested that the committees either be 6 or 8 members. J. Carnie suggested that the Board get rid of the SAU Committee because every Board Member is able to attend. T. Aho said that he would disagree. R. Thackston said that he would agree with J. Carnie. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to eliminate the SAU Committee. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: It was mentioned that it would be the responsibility of the 5 members to attend. At least there would be 5 members in attendance. W. Felton said that it is premature and the SAU Board should discuss this at their next meeting. B. McCulley said that the group should have the responsibility to represent the School Board. R. Thackston and J. Carnie pointed out that everyone should attend and everyone has a vote. K. Dassau explained that the voting procedures for the SAU would be in the next Board packet. VOTE: 8.764/3.943/2.293/0. Motion passes.

2 CONSENT AGENDA:

Minutes of February 28, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes and Non-Public Minutes. MOTION: C. Johnson. MOVED to approve the February 28, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 11.686/0/3.314/0. Motion passes. Minutes of March 21, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to approve the March 21, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes. SECOND: R. Thackston. VOTE: 10.325/0/4.675/0. Motion passes.

CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: J. Smith reported to the Board that Mary Fay has been chosen Teacher of the Year.

J. Smith reported that the following athletes have been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame: David Stabler, Peter Guyette, Charles Lepisto III, Debra Wright Beach, Albert R. Furlong and “Pete” Pitsas.

K. Dassau read a letter to the Board from P. Bauries. The letter suggested that the Board form an education committee. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED that the Board form an Education Committee. SECOND: B. McCulley. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston explained that the Board had a Curriculum Committee and it folded into the Policy Committee. He said that he has mixed feelings and would hate to see the Board form the committee without thinking it over. K. Cota said that she thought it is a good idea. J. Carnie felt that it was a good idea. B. McCulley commented that the purpose of the entire Board is for education but other items arise that distracts the Board. W. Felton commented that this is coming off the cuff. B. Tatro commented that this is a committee with no charge or direction. C. Dreyfuss commented that the Board does not need another committee. VOTE: 4.682/7.818/2.5/0. Motion failed.

4. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: C. Dreyfuss asked that the minutes of the Student Government Meetings be included in the Board’s packets.

5. Public Comments: N. Moriarty informed the Board that the Budget Committee has voted to request a permanent secretary position. N. Moriarty informed the Board of the idea about the Savings Sub Committee. N. Moriarty said that he would like to suggest that remedial reading for non Special Ed. Students be stopped.

K. Cota wanted to give credit to the Middle School and High School for allowing the participation of the students to the New England Heritage Tour.

J. Ray Thompson requested that the Board post the dates of the meetings on the web page.

6. Old Business:

1. Review of Vote: C. Dreyfuss went over each Article with the Board. She mentioned that the election had changed as well as Article Three with the recount. Article One: L. Biron is in the process of loading the numbers. K. Dassau explained that there are some changes to go through. This will go to Finance. He mentioned that there might be a reduction in staff. Article Two: This article passed in Monadnock as well as Hinsdale and Winchester. Article Three: This article did not pass. K. Cota asked that administration what the breakdown would be on the tax dollar. L. Biron said that it would be a $.33 savings on a $1000.00. Article Four: This article failed. K. Dassau explained that saying the teachers were disappointed was an understatement. R. Thackston said that the Board needs to consider this issue carefully, the decline in school enrollment and the increase in staff. He said that the School Board has the responsibility and that we need to take the bull by the horns. Article Five: This article also failed. J. Kenyon commented that comments had been made that the team did not get enough from the teachers. He said that they did not have a firm and precise comment from the Board. He said that they did their best. He said that the Board needs to give the Negotiating Team a charge. R. Thackston said that he was not criticizing the Team. T. Aho said that it was a one-year contract because the teachers were not in an agreement. It was to let the taxpayers speak. Article Six: passed. Article Seven passed. Article Eight was defeated. Article Nine passed. Article Ten passed Article Eleven passed. Article Twelve was for informational purposes. Article Thirteen was defeated. R. Thackston said that he was glad this article did not pass. He said that the charter school would not fix any problems in the district.

L. Biron informed the Board that the MS22 is being passed around and asked the Board to sign all three copies.

6. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Board Committee Reports:

1. Community Relations Committee- C. Dreyfuss reported that there is no report.

2. Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that there was no quorum at the meeting. R. Thackston commented that there is an RSA that stated that it is acceptable to discuss in a meeting without a quorum. It is acceptable but not good. K. Dassau informed the Board that they could not make a decision prior to a meeting or on line.

3. Finance Committee: G. White reported that the committee met and looked at the Budget Committee’s Oversight report. They looked at the MRPSOC Grant. L. Biron reported that there is one more bond payment and the district will be debt free in August.

4. Policy Committee: G. White asked if the Policy Committee could meet or do they have to wait for the new assignments. C. Dreyfuss commented that she would like to wait for the appointments. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED that there be no sub committee meetings until all the sub committees are formed. SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: 15/0/0/0. Motion passes.

5. Budget Committee: K. Cota reported that there is no report.

6. The Cheshire Career Center: C. Johnson reported that there is no report.

7. A. New Business:

1. 2006/2007 School Board Meeting Schedule: MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to approve the School Board Meeting Schedule as presented. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau informed the Board that S. Rashid would like to change the April 4, 2006 meeting to the Troy Elementary. K. Dassau would be checking with D. Dahl. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes.

2. 2006/2007 School Calendar: MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to approve the 2006/2007 School Calendar as presented. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked if it had been discussed about taking out a vacation and having the school year end earlier. K. Dassau explained that it was brought up and not well received by the other Boards. VOTE: 13.821/0/1.179/0. Motion passes.

3. Unpaid Leave: K. Dassau informed the Board that he had reviewed the teacher’s contract Art. 11:13: “Leaves for any and all other reason(s) paid or not paid, shall be at the discretion of the Board.” K. Dassau informed the Board that he and the principals had been making decisions on unpaid leave for teachers but believes that it is up to the School Board to make the decisions on such leave requests. He asked the Board if they would permit him to continue with making the decision or to henceforth bring the requests to the Board each time. T. Aho asked what the length of time was. K. Dassau explained that it varies, typically one or two days. Occasionally there is a request for a longer period of time of perhaps a week. K. Dassau reported in the past the Board made some of the decisions. J. Carnie MOVED to delegate the authority of teacher paid or unpaid leave per Article 11:13 to the Supt. for this year. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: W. Felton commented that the Board would be the appeals board if needed. B. Tatro commented that he has no problem with the Supt. making the decisions but the contract says different. He asked if the contract needs to be changed. K. Dassau informed the Board that Attorney Apple said that the Board could delegate the authority to the Supt. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to give the authority to the Supt. on unpaid leave. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau commented that the motion would be picking apart the article and that he would have to check with council. K. Colby asked if K. Dassau was looking for an answer on the teachers and the support staff or just the teachers. K. Dassau said that it was only the teachers. VOTE: 1.021/0/0/13.979. Amendment fails. VOTE on the motion: 11.779/2.2/1.021/0. Motion passes. MOTION: G. White MOVED to give the same authority to the Supt. for the support staff. SECOND: R. Thackston. VOTE: 11.621/1,179/2.2/0. Motion passes.

4. Transportation Negotiations: T. Aho reported to the Board that the new contract would be a 4.5% increase. It would be 3% each year for the next 4 years. In the past Laidlaw has not charged the District for the midday run and the CCC run. They have charged us the $1.25 a gallon, which has been surpassed. He said that he felt the agreement was very reasonable and that the Board should go ahead with it. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED that the Board should go ahead and negotiate the contract with Laidlaw. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: It was asked what happens if the runs are reduced. T. Aho explained that each run has a price attached to it and if one were reduced that amount would be reduced. VOTE: 15/0/0/0. Motion passes.

B. Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon handed out information on the state testing results and would explain the results after the Board has time to look at it.

C. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: T. Aho MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,254,988.37. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: B. McCulley explained that at times he would abstain because of the employer he works for. The Board asked for information on the following items on the manifest: W. V. Engineering, Melanson, Family Glass, Amer Electric, Cushing and Sons, Emerson Electric, Keating Plumbing and Heating. The Board received the answers to their questions from L. Biron. VOTE: 11.779/1.021/2.2/0. Motion passes. T. Aho asked for a copy of the grant money on the MRPSOC Grant. L. Biron said that he would put it in the Board packets but not next week because of the time crunch.

8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau welcomed P. Peterson to the Board. He welcomed the return of W. Felton to the Board. K. Dassau asked that the new members, or any member with updated directory information, to give the information to Terry. He reported that D. Dahl has agreed to hold the next Board Meeting in Troy. Retirements: K. Dassau read the retirement letter of Ms. Maxine Houle. MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED to accept M. Houle’s retirement as of August 31, 2007 SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes. K. Dassau read the resignation letter of John Woonton. MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept John Woonton’s resignation at the end of the 2006 school year. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes.

K. Dassau reported on the finalist for the Business Manager’s position. He informed the Board that Katherine “Katie” Chambers is the finalist. The Board is welcome to meet and talk with her at the Cheshire County YMCA on Lake Street in Swanzey between 3:00-4:15 PM. Those meetings will conclude the search process and a decision will be made. There is no need for non-public tonight.

9. BOARD CHAIR REPORT: C. Dreyfuss thanked the Board for their support in her position. She thanked R. Thackston for his work on the Board as chair last term.

R. Thackston reported on the meeting with the Surry people. R. Thackston reported that he made it very clear that no one in attendance at the meeting for the District has authority to make any decisions. The people from Surry explained that they would like to lease the Surry building and that they had a time crunch. R. Thackston explained that it was his position to protect the interest of the district and that no decision could be made that night. R. Thackston suggested that the people from Surry present a proposal to the entire Board. The meeting lasted about 1 hour. R. Thackston commented that the Board needs to consider all the Northern Schools. The Surry people are on the agenda for April 4, 2005. B. McCulley asked if the meeting was public. R. Thackston said yes. B. McCulley asked about minutes. R. Thackston said that there were none. W. Felton suggested that the Board receive information on the proposal prior to the meeting. R. Thackston said that it was mentioned several times.

10. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1. Nutrition Committee Wellness Policy ( in packets)

2. Budget Committee request for secretary

11. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: R. Mitchell commented on a discussion the Budget Committee had about the math texts being 17 years old.

12. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to adjourn at 10:30 PM. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Secretary

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ March 28, 2006