Non-approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

December 18, 2007

Monadnock Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

 

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, K. Chambers, Business Manager and Attorney Apple.  Principals: K. Craig, B. Tatro, D. Dahl, D. Mousette, K. Carter and S. Rashid.

 

C. Dreyfuss reminded the Board that it is the job of the Chair to maintain an orderly meeting, to keep on topic and keep the agenda moving. 

 

Public Hearing: Per RSA 198:20-b, the purpose of the purpose of the public hearing is to consider the acceptance and expenditure of unanticipated funds. C. Dreyfuss opened the Public Hearing. K. Dassau explained that Mt. Caesar and Cutler have each received an anonymous donation in the amount of $3250.00. He explained that each elementary library would be receiving part of the NH Charitable Foundation, Walker Fund of $6051.00 to be spent on video pod casting kits. The last anonymous donation is for the MS/HS Library in the amount of $600.00. This grant is specific to which books could be purchased. C. Dreyfuss closed the Public Hearing.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the anonymous donation in the amount of $3250.00 for Mt. Caesar. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.  

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the anonymous donation in the amount of $3250.00 for Cutler. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the NH Charitable Foundation Walker Fund Grant in the amount of $6051.00 for the pod casting kits for the 6 elementary school libraries. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the anonymous $600.00 gift for the MS/HS Library. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 13.110/0/0/1.890. Motion passes.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the December 4, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes.  SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: C. Dreyfuss said that she had commented that during the roof article discussion she said that Multi-State was not qualified for the job. K. Cota said that the Board tried to pass a warrant article for two years and it was defeated so she suggested reactivating the Building and Grounds position. J. Carnie asked if Academy Roofing was the lowest bid and if they have the qualifications. C. Dreyfuss explained that they were not the lowest bid but the best bid and that they did have the qualifications needed. The difference is $9000.00. W. Felton commented that it was a mistake a few years ago letting the position go and now we are correcting it in regards to the Building and Grounds Director.   VOTE as amended: 12.407/0/0.703/1.890. Motion passes.

 

2.   STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Allison Dreyfuss and Monique explained that the council is working on the Mediation Group. They said that they would be getting the minutes to the Board. They have solidly agreed on issues that they would be bringing to the teachers and then the School Board. The Climate meeting was not very effective there were only 3 people there.

 

 

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Monadnock Middle and High School have just completed there holiday show.

 

J. Miller reported that the children from the after school program in Troy have formed a Good Wishes Greeting Card Club and the Blanketeers. He explained that the children read about a 4-year-old who was not well and wanted to receive letters. The children wrote to him and also gave the first fleece blanket they made. The grandmother of the boy wrote the children and thanked them. J. Miller read the letter.

 

MC2 will be holding graduation for 4 graduates on December 19, 2007. 

 

4.      Public Comments:

 

5.      NEW BUSINESS: 

1.      Report from Board Attorney: Surry Withdrawal Report: Attorney Apple reported that the State Board of Education met and has prepared the Town of Surry a Certificate of Withdrawal. Attorney Todd will be going to India for a sabbatical but will be a part of the process. Upon the Certificate the date of operation for the Town of Surry will be July 1, 2008. They will have to prepare a budget and appoint a School Board. The members will be appointed until the election. T. Peloquin will be appointed to the Board for Surry. As of July 1, 2008 Surry is responsible for their students. He is happy to communicate any concerns to Surry regarding one member on both Boards. Conflict of interest may arise. J. Fortson asked if Surry has a right to vote in the March election. Attorney Apple commented that he is not sure. They cannot vote on matters arising after July 1, 2008. R. Todd has said that it is a gentle person’s agreement that they will not vote in March. K. Cota asked about the deputy clerk and the other issues involved in the voting for Surry in March. Attorney Apple said that Surry would be voting for their district. Attorney Apple explained that the Surry School Board Member and the Surry Budget Committee Members would not be voting because it effects after the July 1, 2008 date. Attorney Apple reported that there has not been a discussion on the SAU issue. He explained that after July 1, 2008 students from Surry are Surry’s responsibility and if a student wishes to stay they would pay tuition and be considered an out of district student if the MRSB chooses. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to direct the administration to develop a separation package for the Town of Surry SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie was asked to define a separation package. He said it is all costs that we feel are related to Surry. W. Felton asked for the 48 hour notification and rational. He said that this is shooting off the hip. He will not be voting on this because of the process. K. Dassau explained that there is no dollar amount just to get the information to the Finance Committee. C. Dreyfuss explained the 48-hour importance to the Board. J. Carnie would withdraw his motion and E. Jacod would withdraw his second. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to place this item on the agenda. SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: W. Felton suggested that the Finance Committee asks the administration for the information and bring that back to the Board. J. Carnie commented that it was a suggestion from the administration to bring it to the Board. VOTE: 8.810/3.537/0.073/1.890. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to direct the administration to start to develop the separation package for the Town of Surry. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie suggested that the administration look at some of the possible issues as soon as possible. There are a lot of problems. The administration may have to look at some of the legal issues. The long term for some of the contracts. J. Fortson commented that Attorney Apple is present and is aware of what we are asking. D. Lyman commented that this process might help Surry develop their budget. VOTE: 10.049/2.358/0.703/1.890. Motion passes.

2.      Retirement System: Attorney Apple reported that the hearing went forward and there is no decision yet.

 

3.      Petition for Declaratory Judgement Issue: Attorney Apple explained that the Town of Sullivan is asking to see if the Early Retirement was properly warned. Attorney Apple accepted Service of Process on behalf of the Board. A response should be back by January 31, 2008. The issue will be heard the first half of the year by a judge not jury. There will be evidence. He explained that there is a lot of work for this issue. He explained that he would suggest not going into non-public session when discussing this issue. He said that he will use the fact that during negotiations the teachers and the Board agreed to phase out Early Retirement. He informed Attorney Fernald about this information and she filed the suit anyhow. Attorney Apple commented that legal fees would be running between $10,000.00 and $15,000.00. He feels that we would defeat on procedural grounds with the following: this issue has been in effect for 7 years, question the authority of the Sullivan Selectmen and a number of defenses. J. Kenyon asked if it is legal after taking the oath for the School Board and the Budget Committee to work with the Town of Sullivan on the lawsuit. Attorney Apple commented that he has not formulated an opinion. There is policy that suggests that all members support the action of the Board. Attorney Apple commented that it is a problem discussing strategy on this issue is the members of the Board who are supporters of the lawsuit sit in on the conversation. The Board could enter into non-public session and not allow the conflict of interest people to enter or the honorable thing would be for the members to excuse themselves. The Attorney would use the Town of Sullivan raising the $25,000.00 to study withdrawal from the district as an affirmative defense.

4.      Early Retirement and Budget Transfers: Attorney Apple explained that the Town of Sullivan’s attorney has sent a letter to the Director of the Department of Revenue and the Department of Education. The Department of Education raised the complaint of Early Retirement and has asked for an investigation. Another issue is a funding decision that was made using budget transfers from the health savings, inappropriate use of funds. The next issue is the MC2 tuition paid by out of district students. The mention of funds wrongly used sent a red flag to the Department of Education and a criminal investigation was formed. Attorney Apple explained how the process worked. Attorney Apple has made a response to Attorney Fernald. He explained that if the Board did anything wrong it is a civil matter. He explained that budget transfers are used throughout the state as long as you do not go over what the voters voted on. There is no support for a criminal wrongdoing. Criminal matters would go away but there might be a civil inquiry. He commented that the Board could have resolved some of these issues prior to this point. Attorney Apple commented on the lowest bidder for the school roof not receiving the job. Attorney Apple said that there is no state statute about accepting the lowest bid. He does not feel that this is a serious issue. G. White commented on a frivolous lawsuit. Attorney Apple said that he has never encountered one. He commented that the chances of recovering the legal fees are fairly low. Other costs for the 2 letter issues could cost the District between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 if fully investigated proceedings. Attorney Apple explained that he responded to the roof issue and felt that is a done deal. K. Dassau commented that there are serious allegations on the Sullivan web page. Attorney Apple explained that he is not sure about corrections on the web page but we can use strategy to make the corrections. Attorney Apple explained that the statute is very clear and gives authority to do budget transfers. It’s unfortunate that the allegations were made. The law is very clear nothing was done wrong. W. Felton commented that is depressing that we might loose our accreditation and we have this group of people moving away from educating children. Attorney Apple explained that he has been occupied by the Sullivan issue but promises to get the teacher and support staff contracts finished. Attorney Apples leaves the meeting.

5.      MRSD Auditor’s Report-David Clukay: D. Clukay explained the different financial statements that are prepared for the audit. He handed out a boilerplate letter that describes the audit process. He explained that there was no disagreement with the management and no difficulties doing the audit. J. Carnie asked that in a case of any pending litigation would the District have to notify your office. D. Clukay explained that it would depend on the litigation. D. Clukay explained that they have received notification.

6.      Appointment of District Clerk: K. Chambers explained that she had received notice from three people that were interested in the job. MOTION: K. Cota. MOVED to recommend the hiring of Carolyn Bennett as the District Clerk. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 11.122/0/0.809/3.069. Motion passes. K. Colby left the meeting absent from vote.    

 

6.      OLD BUSINESS:

1.      2008-2009 Budget Warrant: K. Chambers explained last week at the joint meeting that there was a decrease in the unemployment compensation by $7463.00 and a decrease in the student transportation with respect to Surry in the amount of $52,515.00. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to approve the decrease of $59,978.00 in the proposed 2008-2009 budget. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 10.049/1.179/0.703/3.069. Motion passes. K. Chambers passed out suggestions for bringing down the numbers. She said that it was food for thought and would like any suggestions at the next meeting. She passed out the language for the warrant articles. She explained that Surry would have to be removed from the warrants. J.Carnie commented that the Finance Committee voted to remove Article Ten and Article Eleven in order to reduce the bottom line. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to withdraw Article Ten and Article Eleven from the list of 2008-2009 proposed warrant articles. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 10.049/0/1.882/3.069. Motion passes. K. Chambers explained that Article One is statutory language.

2.      School Board Goals: K. Dassau explained that the Board has not revisited the goal since 2004. The Technology Goal is no longer operational. We do have a mission statement and goals that we should revisit many of them. D. Hodgdon is making sure that all the goals and the district goals are being looked at. C. Dreyfuss asked that the Board review the goals in the packet for the upcoming meeting. G. White suggested that the Board and the administration meet as a group and make recommendations but wait until spring. All agree with G. White’s suggestion. This would be on the April agenda. W.Felton suggested that the Board submit suggestions prior to the meeting in the spring.

3.      Skills Tutor Software Purchase: K. Dassau explained that the School Board and the Budget Committee had a presentation on the Skills Tutor. This software has to be purchased prior to the first of the year in order to receive the discount. L. Sutton would request it at least for the middle school. J. Carnie would recommend to the full Board that they review the information and get input from the administration. MOTION: J. Carnie. MOVED to recommend that the Board receive information from the other principals regarding the Skills Tutor Software and whether to fund the program. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers explained that this would have to be budgeted in the individual budgets. K.Craig commented that it may be appropriate for some schools but it is not necessary for Emerson and we do not have the funds. B. Tatro would agree with K. Craig. The program has a lot of pluses but does not dovetail that well with our plan of improvement. D.Mousette explained that his children would be attending the middle school. He does believe that they would use it and it could also be used for the summer program. He does not have the funds. D. Dahl said that he has had a chance to use the software and there is value in the regular class. There is huge value in our 21st Century program. He felt that he could find the money. S. Rashid agrees with the Dave’s. We feed into the middle school. This is a great tool but he has no funds in his budget. L. Sutton explained that it is a great program for the middle school but she has no funds in her budget. K. Dassau said that it is a cost of $8400.00 per site. J. Fortson suggested that Gilsum and Sullivan share. She also mentioned $49,000.00 from the Keene Middle School Arts Academy. K. Chambers explained that it was part of the health savings and that is a concern. K. Carter commented that they have a much less expensive program. She said that it might not be right for MC2. W. Felton commented that you could get anyone to administer this program. L. Sutton commented that it drills different skills. It is not in place of a teacher or class. This will help with AYP it is a supplemental. J. Kenyon suggested getting more bids as per policy. K. Cota commented that the Board could not act until they bid it out. K. Craig commented that we have the teachers and we do not need the program. It is not personalized enough for them. That money could be spent somewhere else in the school. G. White commented that the principal said that they do not have the money. He is also not happy with having to make a decision by the end of the year. He suggested that if the principals who like the program budget for it in the 2009-2010 budgets. That would give them time to see if anything else is out there. The Board discussed the pros and cons of the program. C. Dreyfuss suggested waiting two meetings to think about it. D. Lyman asked if it was the Chair’s decision to table the discussion. C. Dreyfuss assumed that was what the Board wanted. S. Oerman leaves. MOTION: D. Lyman. MOVED that the Board table the Skills Tutor Software issue until 2 meetings out. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 9.796/1.114/0/4.090. Motion passes.

7.      CURRICULUM REPORT:

1.      AYP Report: MOTION: W. Felton. MOVED that the Board move forward the discussion at the next meeting when D. Hodgdon is present concerning the School Improvement Plan and AYP. SECOND: T. Peloquin. VOTE: 10.010/0.0809/0/4.090. Motion passes.

2.      NEASC: There is no change in the status. 

8.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

1.      Community Relations Committee: G. White handed out information to the public on behalf of the School Board at the Holiday Show. They were very good handouts. Some people were in support of a new building. S. Oerman handed out fliers prior to a basketball game. J. Fortson asked what information in the handouts was approved by the CRC and she would assume that she as a Board Member would have seen it first. G. White will be passing around the fliers.

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met on December 12, 2007. They approved the advertisement for the Director of Building and Grounds. They discussed the MC2 Program and that they would be getting a price to be able to accommodate the program at Wilcox. The Swanzey Health Inspector thought that building a new Middle School would receive more support than renovations and expansion to the current building. The Chair volunteered to write letters to the donors of the gym floor to update them and see if they have any input. The committee would be discussing the presentation that KB would be giving to the Board regarding the Master plan. The Committee decided to revisit the roof article. They have decided not to include the HS/MS roof in the amount of $700,700.00. It should be part of the bigger project and the district could receive state aid which is currently 57%. She would be giving the rational for the next meeting. K. Cota thanked the CRC for the handouts.

3.      Finance Committee: J. Carnie commented that the Board already did the 5 motions. He would like information for the entire Board on the proposed building project in the amount of 37.5 million-dollars.

4.      Policy Committee:   

5.      Budget Committee: The Budget Committee met on Dec. 10, 2007 and Dec. 11, 2007. On Dec. 10, 2007 they discussed the cost to the taxpayer, the Surry Withdrawal average increase per town is roughly 4%, there were no questions on the contracts, and no budget cut recommendations and the Sullivan lawsuit update. On Dec. 11, 2007 the committee had the Skills Tutor presentation, the Committee voted to remove N. Moriarty as Chair; they voted J. Ells as Chair and supported the contracts. The next meeting is on Jan. 3, 2008. 

6.      Cheshire Career Center: W. Wright reported that the next meeting is on Jan. 4, 2008

 

MOTION: J. Kenyon. MOVED to accept the December 4, 2007 Non-Public Board Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 8.065/0/2.845/4.090. Motion passes.  

 

9.      Action on the Manifest: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $ 1,188,324.70. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: Some Board Members have not seen the manifest. They are reviewing and then voting.

10.  Superintendent’s Report: There is no need for non-public.

K. Dassau wished everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday.

 

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:  

    

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

 

J. Carnie is concerned that the contracts were discussed in an informal manner. He has a difficult time agreeing on a contract that he has not seen. He has seen some things floating around in an informal manner. It has been well over a month and there is no copy. He is not prepared to vote on it. C. Dreyfuss commented that in Sullivan the Board agreed on the contracts. J. Carnie said that he is really getting upset that they are not ready. The public needs to know. He had requested this information a month ago. K. Dassau explained that Attorney Apple is very busy with the Sullivan Issue. He offered to get another attorney from that office. C. Kahn commented that she has attended many meetings and has not been asked a question. She would be happy to answer. G. White explained that everyone has a copy of the old contract and the changes. J. Carnie said that he has requested it in writing. C. Dreyfuss explained that Attorney Apple would get it to the Board as soon as possible.  DISCUSSION on the manifest: K. Chambers said that Stromgren was the final payment for the auditorium vents. VOTE: 9.889/0/1.021/4.090. Motion passes.  

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

15. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM. SECOND: D. Lyman VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

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