MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                                 May 2, 2006

                                   Emerson Elementary School, Fitzwilliam, NH

                      

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Asst. Superintendent, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology and L. Biron, Business Manager.  Principals: K. Craig, B. Tatro, J. Smith and K. Carter. 

 

C. Dreyfuss called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to pass over approving of the minutes until the Board had time to review them.  SECOND: J. Carnie.  VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.

 

2.   CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: No report at this time.

             

3.   STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: No report.

 

4.      Public Comments: Jan Ray Thompson commented on the dedicated MC2 staff. She asked that the program continue and be supported by the Board. 

 

A. Fox commented that she disagreed with the multi-grade classroom configuration being proposed at Emerson.

 

J. Kottke commented that she also disagreed with the multi-grade classrooms. She said that, if the configuration remained, she would expect to send her child to another school at the district’s expense.

 

F. Conroy commented on the eleventh-hour tactics by the principals concerning the Surry School lease. He would ask that the Board support Surry in withdrawing from the district. He questioned the square footage of the Sullivan and the Surry Schools based on additional information provided by the district.

 

T. Small commented that he had a comfort level with a house built next to Surry School when it was an elementary school rather than a high school.

 

L. Levesque commented that he hoped the Board would incorporate the appropriate information in the report that is forwarded to the state in order for Surry to pull out. He asked whether or not it made sense to have MC2 move to Surry with Surry wanting to leave the district.. 

 

R. Bauries questioned the vote on the Surry Village Charter School and questioned that MC2 should move to the Surry building both as a citizen and as a Budget Committee Member, because of the extra income lost.

 

D. Gurian questioned a previous comment about Antioch hating MC2.

 

5.   Curriculum Report:

 

a.      Emerson Curriculum presentation: K. Stewart, M. Fitzgerald and J. Rathbun, a fourth grade teacher, gave a power point presentation to the Board. The presentation was Technology Everywhere at Emerson. It focused on the fourth grade, which did a project on the counties in NH. They explained to the Board the many steps the children took to prepare the information on their report. This project integrated social studies, writing, English and technology. The students finished projects were hung in the hallway at Emerson and available on the web page.

b.      Accreditation Update: J. Butterfield reported to the Board that, of the reports for seven standards, six of the seven have been approved by the faculty. He said that a huge amount of work has gone into this process, including all the workshop days, early dismissal days and many hours of additional staff time. He said that he is very proud of the staff. He also reported that the entire curriculum has been revised and aligned with the mission statement and state standards. The visit is scheduled for Sept. 24 - Sept. 27, 2006. The School Board will be asked to participate. He noted that the reports show strengths and weaknesses, but the process will be helpful in setting a course for the next ten years. W. Felton asked about the physical facility. J. Butterfield commented that it is part of one standard and will be examined by the visiting committee. R. Thackston asked if the school will be approved. J. Butterfield said that there will be some questions.  He provided information on the various levels of status possible, but conjectured that the school is unlikely to lose accreditation.  K. Cota asked about the reports. J. Butterfield said that they are unofficial, internal documents intended to be used for the visiting committee. J. Smith said that the results of the visiting committee’s report would not be received until the end of next March.

 

6.            OLD BUSINESS:

a.      Consideration to Move Monadnock Community Connections School to the Surry School Building: K. Dassau explained to the Board that K. Carter or the principals are prepared to answer any questions from the Board on the rationale of moving the program to Surry. J. Carnie asked if the information given by F. Conroy on the square footage of the buildings is accurate. K. Dassau explained that the square footage in the lease agreement is accurate. Both Surry and Sullivan were previously underestimated. L. Biron said that the square footage of Surry is 5,369 sq. ft. given by the insurance company. C. Johnson asked about the program and the MRPSOC Grant. K. Dassau explained that the MC2 Program is different from the choice grant. R. Thackston commented that before the MRPSOC grant, the MC2 initiative sought and received funds from other sources. K. Cota suggested that the board determine if MC2 is being successful and, if so, to decide if it was going to support it even after the grant should end  K. Cota commented that if we can keep kids in school it is worth it. MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED to move the MC2 Program from Antioch to the Surry Elementary School Building. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: K. Carter said that the program is working, but she did not believe that it is possible to make a direct comparison with the high school. R. Thackston told K. Carter that she is entirely too polite. She knows the program works and has asked the Board on more than one occasion for their support and guidance. He commented that there needs to be alternatives for the students. The program has been undermined by the School Board. He would like to allow her to go after the grants. B. McCulley commented that he is concerned that all of the discussion has nothing to do with the motion. He said that he has not seen any additional rationale since the last meeting. After K. Dassau explained the rationale, B. McCulley said that he is looking for more. K. Dassau commented that he is here to answer the questions of the Board. J. Kenyon asked if the MC2 students use the same testing and would this move impact the internships. K. Carter explained that absolutely they use the same testing. In response to a question about the impact of MC2’s move to Surry, she said that there is no question that the distance will have an impact. She indicated that the benefits out weight the down sides. G. White commented that the Board should not rush into this decision. The Finance and the Facilities Committees should take this issue up at their meetings. J. Carnie commented that there is a motion on the floor. He commented that the per-pupil cost needs to be established. He questioned whether or not the school is truly a public school. He commented on the $500,000.00 budget. He said that in the grant it says that there would be 25 students in the 9th grade and 100 by the 4th year. He questioned whether or not the school was truly working. By law, he emphasized,  the district had to vote on this program. B. Tatro called for a point of order. B. McCulley said that the motion is premature. There is a lot of information that the school board does not have, including the transportation costs. MOTION: B. McCulley MOVED to table the motion until the first meeting in June. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: 11.931/1.179/0/1.890. Motion passes. MOTION: G. White MOVED that in the interim the Facilities and the Finance Committees would be presented specifics by the administration. The Committees would analyze the moving of the MC2 Program and bring the findings to the first Board Meeting in June. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.

 

E. Winter had asked to read a letter from the Board of Selectmen from the Town of Surry. The letter asked that the Board support the Surry Village Charter School.

 

b.      Grant Writing: K. Dassau commented that this was a topic at the last meeting by the Board in regards to the MC2 Program. He asked about the protocol on allowing the administration to move ahead with grant writing. K. Carter commented that she would like to be directed to either apply or not. She commented that the grants are calculated into the per-pupil cost and she would not waste her time if they were going to count against her. She said that the grants defray costs and enhance the program. MOTION: G. White. MOVED to have the School Board instruct the appropriate person or persons to renew the MRPSOC Grant. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: R. Thackston commented that it is appropriate to apply for all grants. He said that the School Board can turn down any grant received. C. Johnson commented that the motion narrows it to just the MRPSOC Grant. We should go after all grants. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to have an amendment to have the School Board apply for any and all grants that are available to the district. No SECOND: R. Thackston commented that it should be two separate motions. C. Johnson withdrew his amendment. B. McCulley would support the application for the MRPSOC, but questioned all other grants. J. Kenyon wanted to stipulate alignment with the district goals and mission. He commented that, since the Board has spent a great deal of time on the MRPSOC Grant discussions, he wondered of it was worth renewing it. J. Carnie commented that the NCLB Legislature and grant are a tremendous burden on NH. The bottom line is cost. C. Dreyfuss commented that the 3 to 1 vote was for the MC2, not the MRPSOC Grant. K. Carter commented that grants are major ways to help with the legislative mandates and D. Hodgdon confirmed her comments. MOTION B. Tatro MOVED to call for the vote. SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: 11.931/1.179/0/1.890. Motion passes. Vote on the main motion: 10.001/3.109/0/1.890. Motion passes. MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to apply for all other grants. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: It was commented that MRPSOC was a result of a process that was sloppy. J. Kenyon commented that the grants should be in accordance with the district goals, policies and mission statement. R. Thackston commented that K. Carter had been held up with applying for 3 grants, because the Board had not given her direction. He would like the administration to apply for the grants without the Board’s micromanaging. The Board can approve when they are presented. K. Carter commented that she appreciates having direction. She explained that every administrator writes grants. J. Carnie commented that the Board continually does not take into account what the legislative body feels. W. Felton commented that the board is the elected legislative body. L. Biron commented that the business department handles 77 grants, which they manage properly. MOTION to amend: B. Tatro MOVED to apply for all grants in accordance with the district goals, policies and mission statement. SECOND: C. Johnson VOTE: 10.968/2.142/0/1.890. Motion passes.

c.       Tuition Rates: K. Dassau explained that the Board had asked for this item to be on the agenda. He said that he included the state’s per pupil cost. He explained that they are sending tuition bills to other districts with an amount calculated based on the state’s formula. C. Dreyfuss asked what the Board wants and noted that the state provides a model. R. Thackston commented on the information C. Cardine had given the Board. J. Kenyon asked if they are asking for cost per pupil per facility.  R. Thackston said “yes.” C. Johnson commented that when we break it down we might be nit picking. K. Cota asked if there was a problem with C. Cardine’s information. R. Thackston said it was excellent. K. Cota asked why we can’t bring that information back. R. Thackston said that we need to have a meeting to do that. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to schedule a workshop to discuss the per pupil cost. SECOND: R. Thackston. DISCUSSION: C. Johnson commented that if you go with the handout, the board could save a weekend. VOTE: 9.761/2.235/1.114/1.890. Motion passes. The meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2006 after the Board Orientation.

 

J. Kenyon and C. Johnson leave for a moment.

 

MOTION: R. Thackston MOVED the Public Hearing to this time on the agenda. SECOND: B. McCulley. VOTE: 11.122/0/0/3.878. Motion passes.

7.            New School Business:

a. Public Hearing for withdrawal of funds from Tuition Reserve and Maintenance Reserve accounts: L. Biron explained the reason to the Board for the Public Hearing. He explained that he had been in contact with the Budget Committee on these issues. (J. Friedman leaves) MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to allow the administration to withdraw $62,000.00 from the Emergency Maintenance Account. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 10.419/0/0/4.581. Motion passes. (J. Friedman, J. Kenyon and C. Johnson arrive back to the meeting.) MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to allow the administration to withdraw $52,000.00 from the Emergency Special Education Account. SECOND: W. Felton VOTE: 10.419/.809/1.882/ 3.069. Motion passes.  

 

8.            SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1.      Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the CRC had met twice since the last meeting and will be meeting on May 15, 2006 at 5:30 PM. 

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee has not met.

3.      Finance Committee: B. Tatro reported that the committee met prior to this Board meeting and reviewed the MRPSOC grant.

4.      Policy Committee: G. White passed out non-approved minutes of the Policy Committee and asked that anyone with questions call. The next meeting will be on Monday, May 8, 2006 at 5:45 PM.

5.      Budget Committee: R. Thackston reported that he was unable to attend the Budget Meeting. 

6.      The Cheshire Career Center: No report.

7.      Nutrition Committee: K. Cota reported that the Nutrition Committee has done a lot of work on the proposed policy. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to send the proposed Nutrition Policy to the Policy Committee for review and then for the Policy Committee to send a recommendation to the full Board. SECOND: C. Johnson. VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.

 

8.   MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to accept the April 18, 2006 Minutes as presented. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: G. White asked if E. Towle, who was accepted to Harvard, would be attending Harvard. It was explained that she has been accepted to several prestigious schools. VOTE: 8.928/1.824/1.179/1.890. Motion passes.

 

Principal B. Tatro announced to the Board that on April 21, 2006, the third graders gave a performance with the theme being Fitness Healthy Living. The money raised on the performance will be used for a new sign for the elementary school.

 

 

9.            Action on the Manifest: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED the manifest in the amount of $886,135.43. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 8.710/0/2.2/2.911.  Motion passes.

 

10.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau informed the Board that there is no need for a non-public session. He asked the Board what materials they would like him to bring for the Saturday meeting. J. Friedman asked about the exact average cost. K. Dassau explained that it is on the DOE web site.

 

  11.  BOARD CHAIR REPORT: C. Dreyfuss reminded the Board that there is an SAU meeting tomorrow on May 3, 2006 at 7:00 PM. She informed the Board that C. Kahn has requested that the Board start negotiations with the teachers. She would like to schedule a meeting with the negotiation team.

        

         The Board Orientation is May 6, 2006 and should last about one hour and a half.

 

         The Board Goals Meeting is on May 23, 2006.

 

12.    SETTING THE AGENDA:

1.      Default Budget 2006-2007

2.      M. Young Middle School Report

3.      Multi-grade classrooms

 

 

13.    SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jan Ray Thompson commented that the MRPSOC Grant benefits more than the MC2 Program. She also said that all MC2 graduates have 100% acceptance.

 

K. Craig explained that the parents understand the situation about the multi-grade classrooms. It is a huge struggle and we need a budget to support it.

 

14.  MOTION TO ADJOURN: MOTION: C. Johnson MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: Unanimous for those present.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

  Laura L. Aivaliotis

  MRSD Secretary