Approved minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

November 7, 2006

Sullivan Elementary School, Sullivan, NH.

                      

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, K. Chambers, Business Manager.  Principals: B. Tatro, K. Craig, D. Dahl, D. Mousette and Assistant Principal, D. Gagne.

 

C. Dreyfuss called the meeting to order at 7:14 PM.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the October 17, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.  SECOND: J. Carnie.  DISCUSSION: T. Aho questioned the early retirement applications accepted by the Board at the last meeting. K. Dassau explained that only 5 early retirements are accepted and if there are more they will all go into a pool. There is no 18-month notification. They need to request prior to December 1 of 2006. J. Kenyon noticed a grammatical error. The word grader should be greater on page 4.   VOTE on amended minutes: 8.922/0/0.776/5.302. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the October 10, 2006 Workshop Minutes. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 4.487/0/5.211/5.302. Motion passes.     

 

2.  CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau informed the Board that Heather Gigliello was honored by the NH State Grange as Teacher of the Year.

 

      K. Dassau reported that the students from MC2 would be participating in the Civic Index Community Forum scheduled for November 14, 2006.

 

      K. Dassau reported that part of the J. Phillips donation would be coming soon for the Board to accept. This donation in the full amount of $250,000.00 is designated for music and the arts.

 

      D. Mousette welcomed the Board and the public to tonight’s meeting. He recognized and thanked the teachers and students in the 2nd and 3rd grades for the baking of the cookie and refreshments. He informed the Board that the 1st graders along with the teachers would be baking cookies for the fire dept. during fire prevention week. They have received a $1000.00 from Target for the RIF program. The water bottles given to the Board and all the children in the Northern Schools are to make them aware of the benefits of drinking plenty of water. They will be having a Veterans Day celebration and will be dedicating the new flagpoles.

 

      K. Craig reported that T. Stark would receive the Heissman Award. He was chosen out of 135,000 applicants.

 

3.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:  

 

4.   Public Comments:

5.   Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon reported on two State Initiatives that would be affecting our district. The first is an AYP Growth Model for 2006-2007. The second initiative is the High School Redesign Process. K. Cota commented that they are asking for what MC2 is already doing. K. Cota asked if there was a time frame. D. Hodgdon said that they have not talked about a time frame but would like to move fairly soon. They will encourage schools to do this but will not be required to do this. T. Aho commented encouraged without funding. D. Hodgdon explained that they could allocate our resources.

 

6.  Old Business:

1.      Budget Development 2007-2008: K. Chambers explained that the overall increase in the health insurance would be 1.9%, which is a huge difference from last year. She asked them why and they said they had a good year. Monadnock’s budget will reflect the changes but did not get the new numbers yet. It is a significant difference in the budget. She is developing a list of changes to bring to the Board at the next meeting. She asked if besides the AlertNow and the Facilities Warrant Article if there were anymore warrant articles to come forward. She commented that the School Board needs to make decisions on the Choice Programs. T. Aho commented on MC2 and the per pupil cost. He asked if K. Dassau has had conversations with the other districts on this issue. K. Dassau explained that he is looking as far as he can. He explained that the Board needs to look at not only the students going out but coming in. Do we want to pay tuition to Harrisville, the policy has been sent back to the Policy Committee. Harrisville and Westmoreland have been in discussion with Monadnock on this issue. J. Carnie asked if the Board could expect to see a 1 million-dollar reduction in the budget because of the health insurance increase of only 1.9 %. K. Chambers said yes. J. Carnie asked why the reduction in the percentage - she said that she does not know. J. Kenyon commented that there is overcrowding at the high school and MC2 is in Surry with extra space and the school is moving in the direction that the state wants. NEASC praised MC2. K. Cota commented that the Board should plan something in our budget for the Choice Programs. C. Dreyfuss is asking for the dollar amounts on the choice programs for the next meeting.  

7.      SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1.      Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the next meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2006 at 5:30PM. 

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee has met three times since the last Board Meeting. The committee is working on a 07/08 Project list for Health and Safety items and what article they would like to see on the ballot. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to recommend to the full board that the district buy a trailer for Mt. Caesar for the purpose of moving the reading and library class to make room for the expanding 2nd and 3rd grade classes for the 2007-2008 school year (provided the board support the Mt. Caesar proposal.) SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota explained that the Board would need to decide if they want to put it on a separate warrant article or in the budget. G. White offered a friendly amendment that this would be for the 2007-2008 school year. J. Carnie explained that he would not be voting in favor of this motion. He said that the trailers are one of the biggest heating costs. He explained how they had finally gotten rid of the ones that they had previously. He swore not to vote for them again. K. Cota said that the trailers are school approved. It was commented that we have an immediate need. This may not be the best solution. VOTE: 8.577/1.121/0/5.302 Motion passes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to have the trailer placed on the ballot as a separate warrant article. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: K. Cota explained that it would be reasonable to have the trailers in the budget along with the teachers. If you are going to make it separate it should all be separate. J. Kenyon explained that this district does not support a budget. K. Cota commented that the School Board manages the bottom line. It is risky to put it in a separate article. J. Carnie withdrew his second and J. Kenyon withdrew his motion. MOTION: G. White MOVED to include the temporary 2 room mobile facility for Mt. Caesar in the 2007-2008 general budget. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 8.577/0/1.121/5.302. Motion passes. K. Cota explained that a pipe had fallen from the ceiling onto the stage. They are working to get three bids for a safe temporary fix and then later redoing all the stage rigging. She also said that the boiler shut down. There was a temporary fix but Mike is looking to get three bids to have the tank cleaned. The next Facilities Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 9, 06 and Nov. 14, 06 both at 6:00PM.     

3.       Finance Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee met earlier this evening. They reviewed the legal bills and the committee voted on the following three transfers to bring to the full Board: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to approve the transfer request for Cutler. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie explained the transfer. VOTE: 8.677/0/0/6.323. (S. Oerman not present during the vote) Motion passes.  MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to approve the elementary library service transfer SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie explained that it was a straight swap. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to approve the transfer request for Mt. Caesar. SECOND: G. White DISCUSSION: K. Chambers explained that a Sullivan student who requires a tutor has moved to Mt. Caesar and so has the tutor. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes. The committee also discussed the facilities needs and how to finance those items.

 

J. Carnie explained that the committee accepted the proposal from the Marauders Football Team. S. Clark of the Marauders purchased the goal post on behalf of the Marauders. The Team is asking that the posts be accepted in lieu of the remaining $2000.00 due to be paid by the Marauder’s annual contract with the District. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to accept the Marauder’s proposal as presented. To accept the goal posts in lieu of the $2000.00 which is the remaining balance on the contract with the District, and to have a letter for clarification in the future. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie explained that Seth Clark was in charge of the goal posts and the district is the benefactor of the goal posts. VOTE: 8.519/0/1.179/5.302. Motion passes. T. Aho asked for the breakdown of the legal expenses. K. Chambers passed the breakdown out to the Board Members. C. Dreyfuss asked that this information be in the Board’s packets.

 

4.      Policy Committee: G. White explained that two policies being presented to the Board tonight were in the Board’s packets. MOTION: G. White. MOVED to accept Policy DPA: Principal Retirement Benefits Policy as presented. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked if it is legal. G. White assured her that the part presented was okay. G. White commented that this policy affects about 8 or 9 people. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes. MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept the NHSBA Policy IMBA: Online/Virtual Education as presented as the MRSD Policy. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: G. White explained that the committee did not change a word of the policy. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2006 at 5:45 PM. G. White asked the Board prior to the work on the Choice Policy if there is any commitment from the Board. T. Aho asked if Monadnock had to accept the students from Winchester if Keene kicks them out. K. Dassau explained that there is no obligation on Monadnock’s part. J. Kenyon commented that there should not be a discussion on an individual choice program but the whole group. K. Cota commented that the Choice Programs are wonderful. She said that any policy that we look at we would need to look at diversity. It is great but how to fund it is a different story. J. Carnie commented that there are so many ramifications. He said that if MC2 is an open enrollment school than we would need to know the per pupil cost. K. Dassau explained that MC2 is a program not a school. MC2 is a unique program, which is not duplicated anywhere. D. Arguin commented that the Board should look at the policy and lead the way with the conversation with the other districts. J. Kenyon commented that the question G. White is asking is does the Board want to support the programs and have the conversation with the other districts, not how are we going to fund them. C. Dreyfuss commented that it would be a crying shame if we lost these programs. T. Aho commented that we could not afford the programs. He also said that it is a good program, J. Carnie commented on the number of students at MC2. He said that there are 16 students from Monadnock. He commented that if it is such a great program then give it to Keene. K. Cota commented that the program has had such a bad wrap all this time that is why the number of students is not increasing. P. Peterson suggested possible equal funding a pool of resources for the benefit of the children. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to ask the Policy Committee to develop a policy to support Choice Programs in our district. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 8.577/1.121/0/5.302. Motion passes.  

5.      Budget Committee: J. Kenyon reported that the committee met in Troy on Oct. 24, 2006. The committee reviewed Sullivan, Gilsum and Troy Elementary Schools budgets with their principals. The next meeting is on Nov. 14, 2006 at the high school.

6.      The Cheshire Career Center: No report.

7.      Surry Withdrawal Committee: T. Peloquin reported that the Committee would be meeting on Nov. 9, 2006 at 7:00 PM. 

8.      NEW  BOARD BUSINESS:

 

9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED the manifest in the amount of $ 1,814,182.23. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked K. Chambers about the AlertNow check. K. Chambers will be looking into that. T. Aho asked about Upton and Hatfield. K. Chambers explained. E. F. Lane check was for the members of the NEASC Visiting Team. The Keene School District reimbursement was explained.  VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.   

 

10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau asked the Board a few questions about the fact that the Board supported the application for a grant but asked who will write it, who would be the vendor or the service provider, who would manage the grant and if the window is narrow does the administration have authorization from the Board to draft the grant. These questions will be in the Board’s Packets.

 

     K. Dassau explained that he is asking the Board to adjust the salary of the School District Clerk to $1000.00. MOTION: P. Peterson MOVED that the Board adjust the School District Clerk salary to $10.00 an hour not to exceed $1000.00. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota commented that it was a lot of money for a month of work. VOTE: 7.554/1.121/1.023/5.302. Motion passes.  

 

     MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the retirement of L. Jakubowicz for the end June 2008. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

     MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the retirement of S. Ojala for the end of June 2008.  SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

     MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the retirement of Mary Faye for the end of June 2008. SECOND: J. Kenyon DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss commented on what a really great teacher she is. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

     MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the retirement of Peg Saunders for the end of June 2008. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

     K. Dassau explained that Anita Donovan-Monether is requesting early retirement for the end of the 2007 school year. She is asking to remove herself from the 2008 pool and go into the 2007 pool. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept A. Donovan-Monether’s movement from the 2008 pool to the 2007 pool. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that the original motion should be rescinded. K. Colby withdrew his second and K. Cota withdrew her motion. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to remove A. Donovan-Monether from the 2008 early retirement pool. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 8.995/0.703/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

     MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept A. Donovan-Monether’s early retirement application for the end of 2007 pool. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: It was asked if there is anything in the contract that says the Board would have to accept more than 5 early retirements. It is written in the contract that the Board could consider others. VOTE: 8.995/0.703/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

     K. Dassau thanked D. Mousette and the staff for the refreshments and hospitality.   

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT: No report.   

 

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      Wellness Policy

2.      Mt. Caesar Collaborative Proposal

3.      Choice Policy

4.      J. Phillips donation

5.      Federal Grant parameters

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: T. Aho informed the public about the amount of money the early retirement members would receive for the next 7 years. He suggested that the Board should negotiate the dissolution of this in the contract. There is no benefit to the children or the district.

 

D. Arguin commented on the remarks made by Board Members concerning the Choice Programs.

 

J. Carnie commented that if he does not agree with a decision made by the Board that he would stand up at the Deliberative Session and speak out about that issue as a voter.

 

14. 10:30 MOTION to go into non-public session: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 IIc. SECOND: G. White. Roll call vote: Unanimous. Motion passes.

 

10:50 MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to go back into public session. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

15. Adjournment: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 PM. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 9.698/0/0/5.302. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary