Approved minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

October 17, 2006

Gilsum Elementary School, Gilsum, NH.

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, T. Warner, Dir. of Technology, K. Chambers, Business Manager. Principals: B. Tatro, J. Smith, D. Dahl and D. Mousette.

C. Dreyfuss called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.

MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to elect Susan Oerman as the new Troy School Board Member. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 7.966/0/0/7.034. Motion passes. B. Tatro swears S. Oerman in as the new member.

1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the October 3, 2006 Board Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon corrected that the structural cracks are in the walls of the gym and the gym is moving away from the main building. K. Chambers corrected that the limit per person would be $2500.00 regarding the mileage and that no Board action is required on this issue. VOTE on amended minutes: 6.787/0/2.200/6.013. Motion passes.

Minutes of the Board’s budget work session on October 10 were distributed for approval at the November meeting.

2. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau reported on the article on the front page of the Sentinel about the Service Learning Project at Cutler.

Heather Gigliello has been nominated by the Swanzey Golden Rod Grange as a finalist in the NH Grange Teacher of the Year Program. She has been invited to the State Organization’s Annual Dinner on 11/4/06 at the Best Western in Keene.

Eight HS Students competed as Members of the MRHS Special Olympics Team this past Saturday at Yankee Lanes in Keene. All 8 received Special Olympics Participation Medals and Certificates. Three of our tutors and several staff members volunteered their services for the day at the regional event.

MRHS students helped to unload 1900 pumpkins this morning. These pumpkins will be distributed to students at MRHS, MRMS, Mt. Caesar and Cutler schools where they will be carved as part of the Pumpkin Festival being held this weekend.

Student Government elections were held today. Results of the voting will be available tomorrow. A school wide town meeting was held today. This is the second year that this type of meeting has been held as a means to have student voice their opinions about issues in the building.

Kim Carter is unable to be here tonight. She is attending the Wilderness Orientation Trek Exhibitions tonight. MC2 students are helping to plan Monadnock Region Civic Index Forum in partnership with the Keene Chamber of Commerce and New Hampshire Institute of Politics. It will be held at Keene High School on November 14^th from 7-9 PM.

The Board received a thank you note from G. Kornfield thanking the Board for granting his early retirement.

1. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Elections were today, results tomorrow.

4. Public Comments: Cathy and Jeff Clesson from Fitzwilliam explained to the Board that they have a child attending Wells Elementary School through the Choice Grant. They would encourage the Board to look at this program and support it after the grant goes away.

5. Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon handed out information to the Board about the most recent workshop day.

1. Approval of High School Course of study: J. Smith handed out a list of the 5 new courses of study to the Board. He explained that there is no additional staffing. MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept the 5 new high school courses of study as proposed by J. Smith. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked if there would be additional space needed or funds. J. Smith explained that there are no additional costs and that they are giving the students the credit for the work they are already doing. J. Smith explained the reason for the moving of the Public Speaking Class to drama. B. Tatro asked if the teachers were receiving any additional stipend for the additional classes. J. Smith explained that they are not receiving additional monies. It is giving the kids a choice. J. Smith explained the ability for the students to explore different math avenues besides calculus. E. Cronin explained the benefits to the Board. J. Smith explained that colleges would recognize the math classes. VOTE: 7.866/0/1.121/6.013. Motion passes.

6. Old Business:

1. New Hampshire Technical Community College: J. Smith reported that he met with the President of NHTCC and the V. Pres. of Academic Affairs. They are looking for 2 classrooms for 2 nights a week and 1 science lab for 2 nights a week. Maintenance has said that there would be no inconvenience. J. Smith explained that the science labs do not have microscopes that they need. NHTCC will purchase the microscopes and allow MRHS to use them in exchange for free lab rent for one semester. The president of the school is in agreement but has to propose it to their Board. The rent will be $25.00 an hour for the classrooms and $50.00 an hour for the science labs. C. Dreyfuss asked how long the classes were. The classes run 1-½ hours per night. K. Cota asked about liability insurance. K. Chambers explained that they would provide the Board with a certificate of insurance. Anyone can sue anyone though. It would not prevent us from being sued but their insurance would be used first. B. Tatro asked about damages. K. Chambers explained that their insurance would cover first and then the districts. J. Smith commented that he is not looking for action until a lease has been presented. He asked for a sense from the Board. Everyone present said yes except S. Oerman needed to read the information first.

2. Budget Development 2007-2008: K. Chambers explained that she had 4 issues. She explained that the Board and the Budget Committee have both scheduled a budget work session on Oct. 24, 2006. The Board decided not to meet on Oct. 24 and encourage members to attend the Budget Committee’s work session in Troy. She explained that unless there is an objection from the Board she would move the high school Special Ed. Director from the 2400 account to the 1200 account. K. Chambers explained that the new alert system that was approved by the Board would be in the amount of $7038.00 for the 2007-2008 budget. She asked the Board if they would like to place this in a warrant article. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to place the $7,038.00 for the AlertNow System in a warrant article until it gets going. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: 8.987/0/0/6.013. Motion passes. K. Chambers asked the Board if they would like to bid out the brokerage for the health insurance issue. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to allow K. Chambers to shop for a broker for a flat fee but to be approved by the Board. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: S. Oerman commented that the Board is limiting themselves with the flat fee. K. Chambers would agree. J. Carnie commented that the Board is doing this backwards. We need to decide whether we want to have different health insurance policies. K. Chambers explained that she is not qualified to shop for health insurance and it would make sense to shop for a broker. K. Cota would suggest a friendly amendment: to bid out for a brokerage, flat fee or otherwise and approved by the Board. J. Kenyon would agree on the amendment. J. Carnie commented that if the district is not changing insurance companies it makes no sense to look at different brokerage firms. It is placing the cart before the horse. K. Chambers commented that our insurance company might sharpen their pencils. J. Carnie commented that L. Biron had said that the new company might give a good rate the first year and then change. He wanted to make sure that the questions he brought up are being considered. K. Chambers commented that you would never know until you go through the process. We should at least find out. VOTE: 8.987/0/0/6.013. Motion passes. G. White asked about the property and casualty insurance. K. Chambers said that she could call someone about that issue.

1. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the committee met on Oct. 10, 06. They hope to have a presentation at the next Board meeting. The next meeting would be on Oct. 30, 06.

2. Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met but did not have a quorum. The committee had a brief discussion on the project list and Mt. Caesar. They would be asking the Finance Committee how to fund any main projects. K. Chambers handed out a sheet on the truck issue. She explained that maintenance has been looking for a truck for $14,000.00 to replace the old state truck. The state truck did not pass inspection and the dump does not work. The best they could get was a truck for $16,377.00 at Fairfield’s. She said that this is the lowest bid by far. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the truck from Fairfield’s in the amount of $16,377.00 and to have a check cut prior to the next manifest. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: It was asked how the truck books out. K. Chambers said that she did not know. K. Cota asked why this truck. K. Chambers explained that they have been driving this truck, making deliveries in it and that it was the lowest bid. J. Carnie asked if this is a recommendation from the Finance Committee. K. Cota explained that the Facilities did not have a quorum. K. Colby suggested the approval contingent on the book value and the mileage. B. Tatro asked what the rush is. K. Chambers said that the dealer would not hold the truck for two weeks. K. Cota and J. Kenyon agreed upon a friendly motion: to check the book value versus the mileage and equipment on the truck. T. Warner would look the information up on the Internet and get back to the Board. Motion postponed until later tonight.

3. Finance Committee: B. Tatro reported that the committee did not have a quorum. D. Gurian passed a handout to the Board and the public. She explained the information on MRPSOC to the Board. K. Cota asked if the amount of money next to the person’s name is going to that person. D. Gurian answered no. The Board asked questions about the increases and decreases. D. Gurian answered. S. Oerman asked D. Gurian if she could bring the actual opposed to the budgeted when it is said and done. D. Gurian said she could. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to appoint S. Oerman to the Finance Committee. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 8.987/0/0/6.013. Motion passes. T. Warner gave the information to the Board that he found about the truck in question. B. Tatro amended the motion to go back and negotiate the price down to $14,800.00. B. Tatro would authorize K. Chambers to negotiate $15,800.00 for the truck from Fairfield’s. C. Dreyfuss commented that this is bizarre. Let the people in the business department do their job. K. Chambers was asked if she gathered the information on the truck. She said no. B. Tatro would withdraw his amendment. VOTE: 2.447/6.540/0/6.013. Motion fails. J. Kenyon commented that the ford on the list looks decent. He asked which vehicle would be better in the long term for the district. MOTION: G. White MOVED that the Board appoint K. Colby and B. Tatro to a committee of two to work with K. Chambers to purchase a truck no greater than $16,377.00, cut the check prior to the manifest and bring the information back to the Board. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: 7.808/0/1.179/6.013. Motion passes. The next Finance Meeting would be on Nov. 7, 06 prior to the Board Meeting.

4. Policy Committee: G. White reported to the Board that the policy being proposed is titled: Students Participating in Alternative Programs in Other School Districts. He explained that the MRPSOC may not continue and the district would need to have a policy in place for the students that are already involved. The committee decided to continue on a one to one exchange. MOTION: G. White MOVED to accept the Students Participating in Alternative Programs in Other School District Policy. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked if anyone had calculated the cost for the students in this program. K. Dassau explained that the 5 students attending Harrisville are $85,000.00. K. Dassau explained that the policy is far from perfect. We are the only District that has one. Harrisville and Westmoreland are looking at a policy. This is to start talks. T. Peloquin asked how the Board says yes to a low tuition and no to a high tuition. K. Dassau commented that the Board reserves the right on a case by case basis. This is a first look at the policy. Approving this policy does not mean that the Policy Committee would not be coming back with a new policy. D. Hodgdon commented that this is to begin the process and respond to parents that are asking questions. K. Cota questioned the first paragraph and asked who is paying. K. Dassau explained that was not the intent. J. Carnie commented that this is the most ill conceived policy yet. The amounts are not written, there are no limits in the number of students and he will not vote for this. The policy should be sent back to the committee. VOTE: 2.358/5.608/1.021/6.013. Motion fails. The next Policy Meeting will be on Nov. 6, 2006 at 5:45 PM. C. Dreyfuss is removing herself from the Policy Committee. MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED appoint S. Oerman to the Policy Committee. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 8.987/0/0/6.013. Motion passes.

1. Budget Committee: J. Kenyon reported that the Budget Committee would be meeting in Troy on Oct. 24, 06 at 7:00 PM. K. Dassau commented he was impressed with the number of Board Members, Budget Committee Members, principals, and staff members in attendance at this past Saturday’s budget meeting.

6. The Cheshire Career Center: No report.

7. Surry Withdrawal Committee: T. Peloquin reported that the Committee would be meeting on Oct. 19, 2006 at 7:00 PM.

8. NEW BOARD BUSINESS:

1. Lacrosse Club Request: E. Cronin is requesting that the Board consider Lacrosse a varsity sport. The start up cost of $4000.00 has been taken care of and the buses are being covered by things that they are not doing in the budget. There was a question about Title 9. E. Cronin explained. E. Cronin explained that they might need replacement uniforms next year. Not an entire team only a few. The players purchase their own equipment. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the Lacrosse proposal as written. SECOND: B. Tatro. VOTE: 7.808/0/1.179/6.013. Motion passes. Dr. Magee thanked the Board for their decision.

2. NHSBA Resolutions: K. Dassau asked the will of the Board on the NHSBA Resolutions. He explained that in the past the Board had gone through each resolution and made some of there own or has sent a representative to attend the meeting. The Board decided to move along on the agenda.

9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED the manifest in the amount of $1,448,506.18. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 7.808/0/1.179/6.013. Motion passes.

10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau thanked the Gilsum staff for their hospitality and refreshments.

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to approve the retirement of C. Kahn and L. Lowell for the end of 2008. SECOND: J. Kenyon DISCUSSION: K. Cota questioned the criteria for C. Kahn. K. Dassau asked that the request for C. Kahn be tabled. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to approve the retirement of L. Lowell for the end of 2008. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 8.987/0/0/6.013. Motion passes.

MOTION: B. Tatro MOVED to approve the early retirement application for R. Allen consistent with the contract language. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 7.619/0/1.368/6.013. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to approve the early retirement application for A. Killeen consistent with the contract language. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 7.619/0/1.368/6.013. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to approve the early retirement application for P. Swingle consistent with the contract langauge. SECOND: J. Kenyon VOTE: 8.740/0/.247/6.013. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to approve the early retirement application for J. Crowder consistent with the contract language. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 8.740/0/.247/6.013. Motion passes.

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to approve the early retirement application for A. Donovan-Monether consistent with the contract language. VOTE: 7.619/0/1.368/6.013. Motion passes.

K. Dassau explained that the 2006-2007 apportionment were in the Board packets. K. Chambers explained that the numbers on the paper are consistent with the numbers she submitted.

K. Dassau welcomed S. Oerman to the Board.

No non-public session tonight.

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT: No report.

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1. October 10, 06 Minutes

2. Truck purchase information

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.

14. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 PM. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 8.987/0/0/6.013. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary

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