Board
Meeting Minutes
December 4,
2007
Monadnock
Middle/High School,
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vote being rescinded regarding the tuition paid to the Harrisville Program.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Dassau reported that no vote was rescinded regarding the tuition.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
3.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: D. Hodgdon reported that
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
In addition, the Town
of
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
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.
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
10. Superintendent’s
Report: There will be an SAU Meeting
on Dec. 5, 2007. First there will be a tour at the new
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:
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
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