MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

�������������������������������������������� April 3, 2007

���������������� Elaine Merrifield Multi-Purpose Room at Troy School, Troy, NH.

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Present: Colline Dreyfuss, Jonathan Kenyon, Gene White, Tim Peloquin, Susan Oerman, James Carnie, Kenneth Colby, Karen Cota, Phyllis Peterson, Jane Fortson, Tim Aho, Doug Lyman, and Winston Wright. Absent: Robert Mitchell and William Felton.

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

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the March 20, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.� SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota commented that the nomination of C. Dreyfuss was not in the minutes. J. Kenyon made the motion to nominate C. Dreyfuss as Board Chair and K. Cota seconded the motion. K. Cota also commented that the engineering company is W.V. Engineering not W.B. Engineering as written in the minutes.� VOTE: 11.989/0/1.114/1.988. Motion passes. �

 

2.�� CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: D. Dahl informed the Board that KSC Drafting Engineering Class is holding a competition and has chosen Troy School as their project. This will address the needs at Troy School. There will be a presentation on April 27, 2007 at noon, which is open to the public. All the information and research that they are doing is free.

 

���� Troy School is in the process of writing a 21st Century Grant, which is a federal grant handled by the State of NH. This grant will provide funding to help educate and protect children after school. They are working with Winchester who has a successful Access Program. Working together would provide more opportunities for the children.

 

���� J. Smith informed the Board that the Monadnock Destination Imagination team would be represented at the State Global Competition in Tennessee. There will be a high school dance on Friday and chaperones are needed.

 

���� T. Aho read a letter that he wrote to Molly Kelly. The letter was concerning adequate education. He commented on the fact that adequate means barely satisfactory and the fact that the transportation and the facilities should be in the formula for an adequate education. The letter was given to the recorder for the minutes. 

 

3. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Kyle from MC2 passed out information to the Board regarding the newly adopted Attendance Policy. He explained that this took two nights and about 40 people to develop it. He explained that the BDA Policy is being looked at next.

 

     Mia from the high school informed the Board that the Student Government would like to attend the NH Association of Student Councils Spring Convention on May 18, 2007. The Student Government is discussing proposals for the use of listening devices in study hall and the concept of wearing hats in the school. The group has changed the voting quorum from 2/3 to 1 student from each grade or 50%. The group is also going to discuss at the end of the school year how the advisors for the different grades are working out. K. Cota has received the minutes as asked. 

 

4. Public Comments: N. Moriarty commented on the consultant that the Facilities Committee would be recommending to the Board to replace R. Parent. He said that it should be re-advertised. He asked about the money for the consultant. K. Dassau explained to N. Moriarty that this topic is a discussion on the agenda. N. Moriarty reminded the Board that the consultant warrant was shot down in 2006-2007. The company is a new company. C. Dreyfuss suggested that N. Moriarty should wait until the item came up on the agenda. N. Moriarty continued and asked what is expected for the $60,000.00.

 

5.  Curriculum Report: Alex Trombley presented a Physics Day Activity power point presentation for the Board. The activity took place at Granite Gorge. The students that participated were from the Pre Calculus Class and the Physics Class. The activity was done on snow-tubes. The students learned a lot but also had a lot of fun. The students paid for the trip and the transportation. This idea came from S. Romano. K. Cota commented on a great job.

 

Autism Program: Lori Evans the Autism teacher at Troy gave the Board an update on the program. She passed out information starting with the mission of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Program at Troy School. She explained that 1 in every 150 children is diagnosed with Autism. She explained that every student is different, unique and exceptional. The classroom provides structure and individual programs. The staff works with the family to be a team. She explained that during vacation she worked with the first responders from Troy to help them to help a child that has Autism. She has been asked by others towns to come and train them. This is done voluntarily. April is Autism Awareness Month. K. Cota asked how many children are in the program. There are 4 students in the program, 3 students at Monadnock and some at the Preschool level. We are certified for 5 students. We have 3 district students in the program. We can not enlarge our program because of space. 

 

6.      OLD BUSINESS: 1. Committee appointments: MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to appoint P. Peterson to the Finance Committee. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to appoint K. Colby, W. Felton, P. Peterson, G. White, R. Mitchell and C. Dreyfuss to the CRC. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes.  MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to appoint C. Dreyfuss, J. Kenyon, G. White, S. Oerman and J. Fortson to the Negotiating Committee. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to appoint J. Carnie, T. Peloquin, K. Colby, W. Felton, J. Kenyon, S. Oerman, G. White and D. Lyman to the Policy Committee. SECOND: K. Cota VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to appoint J. Kenyon to the Budget Committee. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to appoint W. Wright as the CCC representative. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes. C. Dreyfuss explained that all Board Members are part of the SAU Board. She said that she would make a copy of the appointment list and give to the Board. W. Wright can not make the Facilities Committee Meetings, which are on Wednesday.

 

Current Status of Grant: D. Hodgdon explained that the NH Voluntary Public School of Choice grant was electronically submitted and the district received notice that is was error free. The New Hampshire Voluntary Public Choice Program grant is 205 pages. The district should know by  June 1, 2007 if they would receive the grant award. The grant period will begin on Oct. 1, 2007. Judd Gregg is a strong supporter and will be doing everything in his power to help the districts receive the funds. K. Carter was for her participation in writing along with  supportive data and editorial review. The grant as written will support the Choice Programs that are currently in place.

 

7.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

1.      Community Relations Committee: K. Colby had set the next meeting for April 10, 2007 at 5:30 PM.

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota passed out information to the Board on the discussion at the committee meetings. She explained that there is a problem in the water system. MOTION: K. Cota. MOVED that the Facilities Committee ask the School Board to allow the Facilities Committee to review and approve the three bids for the Domestic Hot Water System repair on April 9, 2007 and to allow the Facilities Committee and the maintenance department to move forward with this repair. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented that The Facilities Committee has done a wonderful job under K. Cota and he would vote to go along with this. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes.

 

K. Cota explained to the Board the events to fill the project manager’s position. MOTION: K. Cota. MOVED that the Facilities Committee recommend to the School Board to accept the proposal from Beliveau Consulting Construction to retain them as project manager with a contract worked out with Katie Chambers and not to exceed the salary and benefit cost of $60,000.00. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented that this is a part time position and not full time. You are not going to have control. He commented on the fact that the company is fairly new and that he does not think that they have the capability to complete the work. He would suggest that the board re-advertise with the salary amount. K. Chambers passed out information on Beliveau Consulting. J. Carnie asked why this had not gone to the Finance Committee and why the big rush. He commented that the Board received the information on this company 5 minutes ago. He said that what was advertised is not what we got. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to table the motion until the Finance Committee has reviewed it. SECOND: T. Aho DISCUSSION: K. Chambers does not remember taking contracts to the Finance Committee. C. Dreyfuss does not recall it either. VOTE: 3.011/6.687/3.314/1.988. Motion fails. K. Chambers explained that we had some viable candidates but they wanted more money. The members all agreed that they liked the Beliveau’s proposal. She explained that they would be receiving $65.00 an hour. She did say that this is front end loaded and then continued to explain why she would recommend this company. K. Chambers explained that the Facilities Committee would like to get this issue taken care of because of the 2006-2007 project list items that are still pending and that there are about $900,000.00 worth of items for 2007-2008 to be over seen. If some of these items are to get done over the summer we need to move ahead. K. Chambers commented that it would be a mistake to bid it out again. She would rather discuss the other candidates that they have. S. Oerman asked about liability and what if the partnership fails. K. Chambers explained that the company would provide liability. She does not feel that there would be a problem with working with us. We will make the decisions. She explained that they have their own construction crew and they would never bid. There is a 30-day clause. There is a risk on both sides. K. Chambers commented that even though it is half the time the committee was convinced on their ability. K. Chambers explained that there were 6 or 7 other interviews and the Beliveaus. The 30-day clause could start anytime during the contract. J. Kenyon commented that the Beliveaus said that they could do it. We had 7 that said no. If you put it out there again you need to increase the amount or go with this option. K. Chambers explained that they would provide certificates of insurance in liability, auto and workers compensation. They said that they would be only here in our district and commit to us. They would be reporting to K. Chambers. Incidentals would probably involve Sharon Turner. W. Wright commented that he has worked with the Beliveaus and speaks highly of them. He would suggest that they have a shot at the position. K. Chambers explained that they would commit and have the job done in the 900 hours. If they have to take a loss they would. They want to start a relationship with the district. They are not the day to day maintenance. J. Carnie commented that he is concerned with the procedure and the process. He said that this does not fit the legal bid process. He said that it is proper to put it out to bid and define the terms of employment. This is not a valid procedure in regards to the policy. T. Aho commented that the other candidates need to be given the same offer of 20-25 hours a week. K. Chambers commented that when the ad went out there was no amount. The Beliveaus wanted $75.00 an hour. The committee talked and they agreed on $65.00 an hour. VOTE: 5.666/3.939/3.407/1.988. Motion passes. K. Cota continued and explained that the Facilities Committee discussed the shed for the ATV and the hot water tank issue at Emerson. The Facilities Meetings will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. K. Craig commented that the hot water tank and the telephone issue have been solved.

3.   Finance Committee: MOTION: J. Carnie reported that the committee approved the minutes from their previous meeting. They reviewed the financial reports.  There were no legal bills submitted. The committee had a discussion with T. Walsh from Food Service and reviewed a copy of the MS22. The next meeting is on April 17, 2007. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to accept the donation from the All Sports Booster Club of a 2004 Yamaha ATV. SECOND: G. White. VOTE: 11.833/0/1.179/1.988. Motion passes.

4.      Policy Committee: The next meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2007 at 5:45 PM. 

5.      Budget Committee:  No meeting.

 

8.                  New Business: E. Cronin commented on the Monadnock Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.

 

     K. Dassau proposed that the Board consider an offer of support to the Destination Imagination Teams that would be attending the competition in Tennessee. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED that the Board contribute to the Destination Imagination Teams going to Tennessee in the amount of $2800.00.  SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 11.057/0/1.195/1.988. Motion passes.

 

9.  Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,687,428.17. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988.  Motion passes. 

10.     SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau welcomed Glen Shattler, a selectmen from Troy to the meeting. He thanked Mr. Shattler for his attendance. K. Dassau commented that regardless of the number of communications  that goes out  to the towns it is valuable to have the selectmen attend the Board meetings. He also thanked N. Dion a Troy Budget Committee Member for also attending the meeting. He thanked Ms. Romano and Mr. Sheil for their presentation. He commented on the tremendous asset that  L. Evans is to the district. He thanked D. Hodgdon for his dedication over  the last three weeks working on the NHVPSC grant and to K. Carter for her work on the grant too. The SAU Board would be meeting on Wednesday April 4, 2007 to nominate an Assistant Superintendent to take Margaret Sullivan’s place.

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT: C. Dreyfuss commented that the student of Destination Imagination had paid for their own way to the state tournament and thanked the Board for their support to Tennessee.

 

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.                PUPS Program

2.                Board Orientation

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: S. Oerman invited members of the Board to become chaperones at the middle school dance.

 

14. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 parent request. SECOND: P. Peterson. Roll call vote: W. Wright, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, T. Aho, T. Peloquin, K. Colby, J. Kenyon, J. Fortson, G. White, D. Lyman, S. Oerman and C. Dreyfuss. Motion passes.

 

15. Adjournment: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 13.012/0/0/1.988. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary