Non-approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2007

Monadnock Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

 

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

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

 

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

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the November 20, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes.� SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented about a vote being rescinded regarding the tuition paid to the Harrisville Program. K. Dassau reported that no vote was rescinded regarding the tuition. He explained that when the grant kicked back in the tuition was the same as before. J. Carnie commented that we own the grant and voted to pay the $2500.00 per student. The Board determines the amount.� C. Dreyfuss clarified the Steering Committee for the grant sets the amount. D. Lyman was not present at the non-public session. J. Kenyon said it makes sense to bring the 6th graders to the Middle School rather than bring the elementary schools up to code.� VOTE: 11.591/1.897/0.809/0.703.� Motion passes.

 

MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to change the agenda and have the Student Government Report presented now. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes.

 

2.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Jonathan Laford from MC2 reported that they had an open session and voiced their complaints. The complaints were sent to Governor�s Council then off to the appropriate committees to discuss. They are half way done with the process.� Mia and Rob are the representatives from the high school. Mia reported that they have lined up their meetings with the Board Meetings so that a member would be in attendance. She reported that after a survey it shows that 26% of the student body thinks that the Student Government is working. They are discussing a possible Student Court and Mediation Council. Mia explained that the minutes of their meeting would go to the Board. Mediation Council was explained.

 

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: D. Hodgdon reported that Charlotte Lesser has received a grant in the amount of $6100.00 from the Walker Foundation. The money would be used to prepare video pod casting. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to accept the Walker Foundation Grant in the amount of $6100.00. SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: E. Jacod explained that being videotaped is beneficial for the children to understand how they come across to others. B.Tatro explained that this is the second Walker Foundation Grant that Charlotte Lesser has received. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to table the motion in order to post the Public Hearing. SECOND: E. Jacod. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes.

 

K.Craig reported that teachers from Emerson, herself and K. Dassau and D. Hodgdon attended a Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference. She commented that it was a great conference.

 

D. Dahl invited the Board to the Annual Troy Holiday Show on Monday Dec. 17, 2007 at 7:00 PM.

 

K.Dassau reported that in 2007 the Town of Sullivan voted to form a committee investigates the feasibility to withdraw from the District. Consequently, as a precursor to setting up this committee, the Selectmen are challenging the MRSD on the legality of the teachers early retirement benefit and they have hired an attorney. The Town of Sullivan’s attorney, Beth Fernald has hence filed for declaratory judgment on the proper notice of the early retirement article.

 

In addition, the Town of Sullivan filed a letter with the Department of Revenue challenging the tuition rate and the Board’s authority to manage its bottom line calling the Board’s actions “decisions which appear to be improper or illegal.” The letter is being treated through the Attorney General’s Office Criminal Bureau.

 

The notice has been filed in Superior Court. Attorney Apple will be preparing a response and will be in attendance at the next meeting.  

 

4.      Public Comments: N. Moriarty commented that he does not need the Board Chair commenting on his Budget Committee Meetings. He asked that she refrain.

 

5.      Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon passed out the highlights of the School Improvement Plan for Troy. He explained that this is only a portion of the entire plan. Troy has four strategies and two objectives. There are activities that the District is required to identify. They need to know what resources will be used; who will be overseeing this process and a sense of what is required.

 

NEASC Report: J.Smith reported that there has not been an official response from the NEASC. They are developing competencies. He has worked on 3 networks with the Dept. of Ed.

 

6.      NEW BUSINESS: 

1.       Voting Order: P. Peterson had requested that this go on the agenda. MOTION: P. Peterson MOVED to rotate the voting order. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: K. Cota asked P.Peterson why. P. Peterson said that the first person to vote does not have time to think. J. Carnie explained that it is not a problem with the computer to rotate the order. He commented that last time this was changed it was in non-public session, which is a problem. He commented that it was an illegal vote. T. Aho would agree. W. Felton commented that it did not work before. Anyone can pass on a vote. It is legal. C. Dreyfuss commented that people should vote their own conscious not what someone else votes. VOTE: 6.325/7.792/0/0.703. Motion fails.

 

2.       Building and Ground Director: K. Chambers would like the Board to entertain the hiring of the Building and Grounds Director.  MOTION: K.Cota. MOVED to hire a Building and Grounds Director paid for through the Insurance savings. This would take priority over other maintenance items and would roll forward in the budget. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers explained the difference between the Director of Building and Grounds and the Facilities Director. K. Cota explained that they changed the name two years ago and reactivated the position. She asked why wait for a warrant article this is a must position. W.Wright commented that with a warrant article the voters have a choice. W. Wright said that it bothers him that we have not saved any of the Insurance money. He does not like what they are doing. J. Kenyon explained that this position is needed. K. Cota also explained why this position is needed. J. Kenyon commented that this is not a new position. We had this position in the past. J. Fortson asked about the added funds for the extension of eligibly children in the health plan and the civil union health benefits. K. Chambers explained that she plugged in $50,000.00 for the 2008-2009 budgets. The health insurance savings is about $125,000.00 left. The Finance Committee did not recommend any additional use of the health insurance money. T.Aho explained that this position is needed and the health insurance saving is an issue. He would like to see it as a warrant article. Let the voters decide.  D. Lyman would agree. S. Oerman asked if we need a warrant for every new position. K. Dassau said no. T. Aho commented that we desperately need the position. W.Felton commented that it was a mistake 2 years ago letting the position go and now we are correcting it. VOTE: 8.342/5.955/0/0.703. Motion passes.

 

3.       Health Insurance bids: K. Chambers explained that the district has received a bid for the request for proposal from IPG. The same company as last year. K. Chambers explained that they did an outstanding job. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to award the health insurance bidding to IPG. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: S. Oerman asked why it would not be cheaper this year. K.Chambers explained that they would be working closer with the employees. T.Aho does agree with using the health insurance savings to pay for IPG. K. Dassau explained that the letters to the members of the SAU Health Insurance Savings Committee have gone out. The first meeting is on Dec. 10, 2007. K. Chambers went over the balance remaining in the health insurance savings. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes.

 

 

4.       Early Retirement 07-08: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept Richard Allen, Anne Killeen, Patricia Swingle, Joanna Marchand and Joanne Crowder into early retirement as per present contract. SECOND: W.Felton. DISCUSSION: T. Aho reported the figures that he believes the district will pay for early retirement over the years. K.Cota explained that there is early retirement in the current contract. In the new contract we get rid of early retirement in 3 years. It will totally end in the year 2015. J. Carnie commented that K. Cota said we have an obligation in the current contract. He questions if the current contract is legal. J. Carnie would ask an attorney. K. Dassau explained that a year ago it was the opinion that it was an item for negotiations. We need to honor the commitment. D. Lyman would like to hear from the attorney. C. Dreyfuss commented that it has little to do with the current contract. J. Carnie asked what the opinion of the district attorney is regarding the Sullivan action. It has a lot to do with what we are being asked for. K. Dassau recommended the Board honor the contract as is. VOTE: 10.200/0/4.097/0.703. Motion passes.

 

7.      OLD BUSINESS:

1.  2008-2009 Budget Warrant: K. Chambers explained the MS24 Revenue Calculation 2008-2009 sheet. She explained that the information is not complete. Listing of Proposed Warrant Articles. K. Chambers explained that the Facilities Director has to be removed and added to the budget. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to remove the Facilities Director from the warrant article list and add $94,954.00 to the 2008-2009 Budget. SECOND: K.Colby. VOTE: 9.151/1.897/3.249/0.703. Motion passes. MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to add $50,000.00 to the District Wide Insurance. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 10.570/0/3.727/0.703. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to add $5914.00 to the District Wide Insurance Life and Disability Insurance. SECOND: P.Peterson. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to reduce the District Wide Retiree Pay by $75,736.00 from the budget. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to increase the Technology Software by $10,487.00. SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: The principals said that the software is used a lot. VOTE: 12.467/0.809/1.021/0.703. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to add 4 Spec. Ed. Aides in the amount of $154,530.00 to the 2008-2009 budgets. SECOND: G. White. DISCUSSION: It was mentioned that none of the children are in the 6th grade now. VOTE: 11.591/0.809/1.897/0.703. Motion passes. K. Chambers explained that with the changes the increase over last year’s budget is 9.12%. The board put the CRF on hold until a recommendation from the Finance Committee. K. Chambers asked the Board if they wanted to fund any of the maintenance projects from the health insurance savings and they said no. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to approve the maintenance warrant article in the amount of $822,617.00. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: K.Dassau explained that the SAU items are the carpeting and the second year of the boiler. Both items are not in this number. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes.

 

8.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

1.             Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the committee met on Nov. 26, 2007. They discussed the Deliberative Session and the March Vote. They discussed getting information to the voters. They would be asking for volunteers to staff tables where they would be handing out information. The next meeting is on Dec. 10, 2007 at 5:45PM.

 

2.             Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee had received the roof bids from B. Beliveau. There were 6 sealed bids. Bret received references from the three lowest bidders He recommended Academy Roofing. The original 07/08 Roof Warrant Article was for $428,823.00. The bid came in at a lower estimate and will include the gym roof. The Committee along with K. Chambers has been discussing a place to house the MC2 Program. The Wilcox building has an issue with the septic system. K. Carter handed out an educational plan, which describes the facilities needs. The Committee is still working on this. The committee received an estimated cost for a new MS/HS building in the amount of $48,774,000.00. The committee asked for the cost of a Middle School and the cost of just doing the code violations, health and safety and accreditation issues. The Master Plan presentation to the Board is coming soon. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from Academy Roofing Corp for the amount of $339,600.00 plus a 10% contingency totaling $373,560.00. SECOND: J.Kenyon. DISCUSSION: the bid came in lower and now includes the gym roof. The contingency amount if not used is returned and used for other items in that warrant article. This does not include the Wilcox roof. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes. The next meeting is Dec. 12, 2007.    

 

3.            Finance Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee discussed the debt financing. The committee voted not to use anymore of the health insurance savings. They would be asking the Facilities for options A-B-and C and ask that it go before the full Board. To see if the Board even wants to support this. MOTION: J.Carnie MOVED to have the Facilities Committee give a presentation to the full Board regarding the 37million-dollar building proposal. C. Dreyfuss would ask the Finance and Facilities Chairs to prepare an outline of the discussion. W. Felton commented to be on the same page with a recommendation. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes. C. Dreyfuss asked that there be a Special Meeting for the presentation and an outline from the Chairs. The next meeting is on Dec. 18, 2007 at 5:30 PM. K. Cota commented that she has attended 3 Finance Meetings and there has not been time allowed for Public Comments.

 

4.            Policy Committee: G. White reported that the meeting had been cancelled and there is not one scheduled.

 

5.             Budget Committee: The Budget Committee met in Gilsum. They received comments from the public regarding MC2. They discussed the part time tech position, the $135,000.00 Tech Student Record Software, all day kindergarten, the facilities, the contracts and the accreditation. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2007 at 7:00PM. 

 

6.             Cheshire Career Center: W. Wright reported that the next meeting is on Dec. 14, 2007.

 

7.             NHSBA: 

 

9.       Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $ 2,064,682.10. SECOND: K.Colby. DISCUSSION: The $28,000.00 for Antioch is for the managing of the MRPSOC Grant. VOTE: 13.029/0/1.021/0.950. Motion passes. (K.Cota missing from vote)

 

10.   Superintendent’s Report: There will be an SAU Meeting on Dec. 5, 2007. First there will be a tour at the new Hinsdale facility at 6:15 PM.

 

Dec. 11, 2007 there will be a joint meeting with the Board and the Budget Committee.

 

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the regular retirement of Diane Nichols as of June 2009. . SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes.

 

 MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept Beth Audette into the 2008-2009 early retirement pool. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 11.379/0.776/2.1242/0.703. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept Betty Reed into the 2008-2009 early retirement pool. SECOND: J.Kenyon. VOTE: 11.379/0.776/2.142/0.703. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept Betsy O’Leary into the 2008-2009 early retirement pool if she does not meet regular retirement. SECOND: S. Oerman VOTE: 12.400/0.776/1.121/0.703. Motion passes.

 

11.BOARD CHAIR REPORT:  

                                                               

12.SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.             Public Hearing

2.             Attorney Apple

3.             Auditor’s Report

4.             District Clerk position

5.             Board Goals Mission Statement

 

13.SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

14. Non-Public Session: MOTION: J. Kenyon. MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) nomination SECOND: S. Oerman. Roll call vote: P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, T. Aho, K. Colby, W. Wright, J. Kenyon, E. Jacod, W. Felton, D. Lyman, J. Fortson, G. White, S. Oerman and C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 14.297/0/0/0.703. Motion passes. 

 

MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to leave non-public session. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 11.386/0/0/3.614. Motion passes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

15. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM. SECOND: S. Oerman VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary