MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                                 May 16, 2006

                        Monadnock Regional Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

                      

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Asst. Superintendent of Curriculum, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology, L. Biron Business Manager and Jude Bischoff, Director of Student Services.  Principals: K. Craig. B. Tatro, S. Rashid, D. Mousette, D. Dahl and M. Young. 

 

C. Dreyfuss called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the May 2, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.  SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon commented that he had asked for the reports as well concerning the accreditation. VOTE: 10.259/0/0/4.741. Motion passes.

 

2.   CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau informed the Board that the MRMS/HS would be receiving a $200,000.00 gift from the J. Phillips Estate. The donation is primarily for music at the school. 

             

3.   STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: No report. 

 

4.   Public Comments: None.

 

5.   Curriculum Report:

 

a.      Middle School Report-M. Young: M. Young and a group of Middle School teachers gave a power point presentation on the work that they have done for the upcoming school year. Information was passed out to the Board. They spoke about teaming, homerooms, Accelerated Reading, courses, discipline and more. M. Young said that he is very proud of his staff for the work they have done. He thanked the School Board and the SAU for their support. D. Mousette asked if they would be sharing this information with the parents of the middle school students. M. Young explained that there would be an open house on June 5, 2006 and that this information will be shared. He will also be going to the different elementary schools to speak to the sixth graders. W. Felton commented on the fact that they have eliminated study halls next year. He felt that some students need the time. M. Young commented that they want to give the children the maximum amount of learning time. He said that if students fall behind help is available after school. S. Rashid thanked the staff and M. Young for continuing what they are doing in the elementary schools. He said that it is the most comprehensive program he has seen.

b.      Multi-grade classrooms: K. Dassau explained that this issue was placed on the agenda at the request of a Board Member. K. Cota asked if there were enough children at Emerson to have single grade classrooms. K. Craig answered that there were. She commented that she and her staff have worked very hard to form the classrooms on the needs of the children and the numbers. W. Felton commented that the Board knows where he stands on multi-grade classrooms. He commented that the teachers in those classrooms have to work harder. He asked if they receive a battle fee. K. Craig commented that they receive $1000.00 extra. There was a question about transporting a student to another school at the expense of the district. K. Dassau said that he was not been confronted with the issue. K. Craig commented that Troy also has multi-grade classrooms. T. Majoy, teacher, commented that the curriculum in multi-grade classrooms is taught in cycles at skill level. V. Gill, teacher, commented that in the multi-grades classrooms you are aware of the older students on the academics. It was stated that the state testing by the multi-grades students is the same if not better than the other students. P. Peterson commented that the parents and students should have a choice on the single classroom or the multi-grade. J. Friedman commented that his son did great in a multi-grade classroom in the Northern Schools. J. Skelton, parent, commented that she has three choices and that the staff is doing the very best they can. K. Dubicki, parent, commented that she has children at the school and that she always has a positive experience at the school. She gives the staff her full support on this issue. D. Dahl commented that you could have a classroom of 33 students and the dynamics could work or you could have a classroom of 14 students and the dynamics might not work. He would hope that the Board would support their decision because it is what they feel is in the best interest of the children.   

 

6.            OLD BUSINESS:

 

a.      Default Budget for 2006-2007: K. Dassau requested that this report be moved to the Finance Report. No objections from the Board.

 

7.            SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1.      Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the committee met on May 15, 2006. The committee members are contributing a lot of positive information and they are very close to a full Board presentation. He commented again that there is no budget for this committee. 

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met on May 9, 2006. She passed out the minutes of the meeting to the Board. The next meeting will be on May 30, 2006 in Surry at 6:00 PM.

MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept page 13 and 14 of the CIP plan as written and approved by the Facilities Committee. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: 10.259/0/0/4.741. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid of $20,975.00 for the Roof Replacement at Cutler School. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked which roof. C. Dreyfuss answered and explained that this was the lowest bid. VOTE: 10.259/0/0/4.741. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid of $6,850.95 for the Duct Cleaning at Cutler School. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 10.259/0/0/4.741. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid of $11,350.00 for the Soundproofing in the Multi-purpose Room at Cutler School. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked what was budgeted for this project. K. Cota reported it was $20,000.00. VOTE: 10.259/0/0/4.741. Motion passes. K. Cota thanked the Board for trusting the Facilities Committee.

3.      Finance Committee: B. Tatro reported that the committee met earlier this evening. He reported that the status of the assets is in good shape. He reported that the committee was given information on the MC2-Surry School. This issue will be discussed on the June 6, 2006. K. Dassau handed out information on the default budget titled MRSD Initial Budget Adjustments for 2006-2007 Budget. He said that the Budget Oversight Committee and the administration reviewed some of the items. He went over the items with the Board and explained that this is for review and that it is the first go around. 

4.      Policy Committee: G. White reported that J. Smith attended the meeting and discussed the Extended Learning and the Alternative Credit Programs. The committee will meet on May 22, 2006 and T. Walsh will be in attendance to discuss the wellness policy.

5.      Budget Committee: The Budget Committee has not met.  

6.      The Cheshire Career Center: No report.

 

8.            New Business:

a. Discussion of board member rotation of voting: L. Biron suggested starting the voting with a different person each time. J. Carnie commented that was a good idea. Everyone present agreed.

9.            Action on the Manifest: B. Tatro MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,484,853.98.SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon asked about two checks in the same amount to H. Mercer. L. Biron said that he would have to ask Grace in payroll. B. Tatro asked if that amount should be deducted from the manifest. L. Biron said that it is legitimate. VOTE: 5.608/0/4.651/4.741. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to accept the May 6, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 7.654/0/2.605/4.741. Motion passes.   

 

10.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau informed the Board that there would be two non-public sessions.

 

  11.  BOARD CHAIR REPORT: C. Dreyfuss explained to the Board that there is a committee being formed to evaluate the superintendent. She said that there are two members from Monadnock on that committee. She will serve and she is asking for another. J. Kenyon volunteered. She reported that she has not heard from selectmen of all the towns for the Surry Withdrawal Committee. She informed the Board that the Goal Settings Meeting conflicts with the Budget Committee Meeting. The Board agreed to set a new date for this meeting at the next Board Meeting.

 

12.    SETTING THE AGENDA:

1.      MC2 Surry Discussion

2.      Adoption of the  2006-2007 Operating Budget

3.      Goal Setting Date

4.      Criteria for MC2 Diploma

 

13.    SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS:

14.    MOTION to go into non-public session: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 IIc. SECOND: K. Colby. Roll call vote: J. Friedman, K. Cota, W. Felton, J. Kenyon, B. Tatro, G. White, C. Dreyfuss, P. Peterson, J. Carnie and K. Colby. Motion passes.

15.    MOTION to go into non-public session: MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 IIb. SECOND: W. Felton. Roll call vote: J. Friedman, K. Cota, W. Felton, J. Kenyon, B. Tatro, G. White, C. Dreyfuss, P. Peterson, J. Carnie and K. Colby. Motion passes.

 

15.  MOTION TO ADJOURN: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 PM. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: Unanimous for those present.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

  Laura L. Aivaliotis

  MRSD Secretary