Approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

January 15, 2008

Monadnock Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

 

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

Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and Katie Chambers, Business Manager. Principals: J. Smith, K. Craig, S. Rashid, B. Tatro and K. Carter.

 

1.       AGENDA: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the January 2, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes.  SECOND: D. Lyman VOTE: 10.142/0/0.776/4.082. Motion passes.  

 

2.   STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:

 

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau announced that Moderator Britton is not available for the Deliberative Session. Chris Pratt from Sullivan would be running the meeting.

 

K. Dassau distributed a Keene Sentinel Profile on Diane Harty to share with the Board.

 

S. Rashid explained that the two posters are from a Service Learning Project and he would encourage people to attend.

 

4.   Public Comments:

 

5.   NEW BUSINESS: 

1.      MRSD School District Deputy Treasurer: K. Dassau explained that there was a letter from N. Carlson requesting a deputy treasurer. N. Carlson explained that this is something that should be done for a district this size. She may need someone to sign checks if she was not available. She would recommend Christine Betts. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Christine Betts as the deputy treasurer for the School District. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers would second what N. Carlson said about having a back up. K. Chambers would like a friendly amendment to recommend $200.00 per year and if the job becomes more active ask the Board to reconsider the salary. VOTE: 10.918/0/0/4.082. Motion passes.

2.      Replacement of ½ Ton Pickup: K. Chambers explained that the District has a ½ ton pickup whose value in repairs exceeds the book value. She had asked the Maintenance Dept. to price a new vehicle for the Board’s consideration. The Facilities asked K. Colby to look for a vehicle. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to authorize the purchase of a 2005 GMC Sierra K 2500 Truck. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that the Finance Committee was in support of the recommendation. VOTE: 10.918/0/0/4.082. Motion passes. J.Carnie asked how they were going to finance the truck. K. Chambers explained that they went through various accounts to cover the purchase. K. Chambers enclosed a budget transfer sheet for the purchase. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to approve the budget transfers dated Jan. 15, 2008. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 10.918/0/0/4.082. Motion passes.  

 

3.      OLD BUSINESS:

1.      2008-2009 Budget Warrant: K. Chambers explained that the School Board would have to make a decision on Articles 1, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11.

Article One: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to support Article One Operating Budget as presented in the1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie explained that the Finance Committee took a position and suggested changing the Operating Budget number to the Default Budget number in part because of Article Six. There was a motion from the Finance Committee to reduce to the Default Budget number. K. Chambers explained that it could be done at the Deliberative Session. J. Carnie mentioned that it is the position of the Finance Committee to bring it up at the Deliberative Session. MOTION to amend: T. Aho MOVED to make a recommendation at the Deliberative Session to change the Operating Budget amount equivalent to the Default Budget. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: T. Aho explained that the Operating Budget is reduced about $700,000.00, which is the additional money to put Article Six back to the original amount that had been presented. K. Cota commented that the $700,000.00 is from the Budget Committee’s number. In your mind the bottom line is the same but you are taking it out of the budget of schools that have a 2%-3% increase. E. Jacod commented that the Board is not giving the voters an option and leaving it open to criticism. J. Fortson explained how the Default Budget is formed. W. Wright commented that he thought there were two articles one for the Default Budget and one for the Operating Budget. K. Chambers explained that Article One is State statute. J. Kenyon commented that playing the numbers game is one thing but cutting the budget are the things that we need for the kids. What are you willing not to fund. D. Lyman commented that the 1.2 million-dollar surplus is in the budget so even by taking the $700,000.00 out there is still most of the surplus. If the budget failed we would be in trouble with the NEASC. We are reducing the budget, we get it passed and the roofs get repaired. We could still get the 57% back from Building Aid even with the project done. J. Kenyon commented that having the Operating Budget the same as the Default is that satisfactory to the NEASC. We can not guarantee that the revenues will be there. We are gambling. E. Jacod said that he would agree with D. Lyman’s rational. We should still give an option to the voters. D. Lyman commented that at one time the District had an Operating Budget lower than the Default. K.Dassau explained that the lower number was changed at the Deliberative Session. P. Peterson commented that the timing bothers her. J. Fortson is not in support of the Default and the Operating Budget being the same. She would like to see the Operating Budget lowered and done at the Deliberative Session. J. Carnie commented that the bottom line is that if you think the budget would pass you are living in a la, la land. We don’t only have the budget but the contracts. You are not going to get everything. Personally he believes that there is the surplus in the budget. The cut is not going to be drastic. Do they want to jeopardize the contracts? The voters would vote no on Article One and then all the rest. This School Board has not been serious about reducing the budget. There is declining enrollment, we lost the Surry students and there is a total increase of 29%. You will loose it all. W. Wright commented that the Budget Committee supports the number. The School Board now agrees in reverse. It is strange we should reduce it at the Deliberative Session. K. Chambers explained that the School Board would have to vote on this article. The surplus is not being carried. The budgets are built up by scratch. This is completely separate from the prior years. K. Cota commented that the School Board and the Budget Committee have agreed on a number. Both committees need to back the decision. She would not vote on the amendment. She asked what the vote on this was at the Finance. The vote was 4-2. C. Dreyfuss said this motion sends a bad message to the children and disrespect to the Budget Committee. This would pass over all the work they have done. The most disrespect would be to the voters. We need to give them an option. She heard from the Taxpayers Association that said if the School Board makes certain cuts they would support. They do not. J. Carnie would agree with a lot that is being said but hope that your reasons are exactly the same on the roofs and the maintenance. The rational and reasoning are the same. VOTE on amendment: 0/9.021/1.897/4.082. Motion fails. C. Dreyfuss commented that not going ahead and moving the number does not mean an individual can not change it at the Deliberative Session. VOTE: 9.897/1.021/0/4.082. Motion passes.

 

Article Five: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to support Article Five as presented in the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: J. Fortson commented that she would have liked the original number to remain. VOTE: 9.021/1.121/0.776/4.082. Motion passes.

 

Article Six: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to support Article Six as presented in the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: T. Aho suggested giving the voters a choice and asked if it should be increased at the Deliberative Session. C. Dreyfuss responded no. It should be put in the bigger package and receive back the 57%. That is fiscally most responsible. K. Cota explained that the Facilities have asked Brett to evaluate the next phase of the MS/HS building roofs. If we find X amount of leaking we can take the $104,000.00 from Mt. Caesar and put it at the high school. D. Lyman if the $104,000.00 at Mt. Caesar was not needed. K. Cota explained that the roofs are the same age. She did not say that the money to repair the roofs was not needed at Mt. Caesar. We are repairing for potential leaking. If they are leaking at the high school we can use that money. B. Tatro volunteered the Mt. Caesar funds. We heard comments and reassessed the roofs. J.Carnie commented that the motion for the $824,340.00 was passed in the Finance Committee. P. Peterson is confused on the phases for the roofs. K.Cota explained that the worst roofs are getting done in the first phase, we are waiting for the weather. We looked at the high school it is divided in three sections. All the roofs are 15 years or more. The next phase is the $700,000.00. The roofs at Mt. Caesar are the same age but not leaking. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to recommend at the Deliberative Session that the School board increase the amount of Article Six to $824,340.00. SECOND: T.Aho. DISCUSSION: K. Cota commented that she would respectfully disagree with this motion. This belongs in the major project. K.Chambers said that the number could be changed tonight. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to increase the amount in Article Six to $824,340.00. SECOND: T. Aho. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers explained that she spoke to N. Moriarty and he said that the Budget Committee never votes if the number is changed. It looses the Budget Committee support. E. Jacod commented that it ties K. Cota’s hands because it needs to be spent on roofs. C. Dreyfuss explained the reimbursement of a 5 million-dollar project. D. Lyman explained that it has a 3 year life and we should have the voters in 3 years and roll it into the project. K. Chambers said that it could be dangerous. We are asking for another roof article and we have not finished the one that had already passed. If we hold the $700,000.00 and the project gets a negative response from the voters. We propose a proposal for the MS/HS and it does not pass, another year does not pass and still another. We are still holding the money. J. Carnie commented that the assumption that we are not going to get the money for the projects we need. You may not get the large package passed. Better to get something than nothing. A month ago this was needed and now it is reduce because of the other articles. Get the job done. D.Lyman commented that if it does not pass in the second or third year use the funds than for the roofs. We were told this was needed. J. Kenyon commented that everything is a need and not a want. We are not paying attention to the taxpayers. We already voted and the Budget Committee signed off on it. You would be hearing from the Budget Committee if you change the number. The Budget Committee has agreed on this number. We would be breaking faith if we change the number. C. Dreyfuss commented if she had heard the comments before she would have been with them but she could not support the number after we gave it to the Budget Committee. J. Fortson commented that when she was Chair of the Budget Committee she would have entertained a change to be brought before the entire committee. She said that she would not say, no. She said that was the opinion of the School Board Chair not to do so. VOTE on amendment: 1.897/9.021/0/4.082. Motion fails. VOTE on original motion: 8.000/0/2.918/4.082. Motion passes.

 

Article Seven: MOTION: J. Kenyon. MOVED to support Article Seven as presented in the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 10.918/0/0/4.082.

 

Article Nine: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to support Article Nine as presented in the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: J.Fortson. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers explained that she contacted DRA and if the amount is not known the $500,000.00 would be add to the appropriations and $500,000.00 would be added to the offsetting revenues amounts. D.Lyman asked if “No Tax Impact” wording could be added to the Article. K.Chambers explained that it could be added. She also commented that it might not be technically correct because it does reduce taxes. MOTION: D. Lyman. MOVED to add the wording “No Tax Impact” to Article Eight. SECOND: T. Aho DISCUSSION: K.Chambers explained that this money would eventually go back to the voters. VOTE: 7.446/1.114/2.358/4.082.Motion passes.

 

Article Eleven: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to support Article Nine as presented in the 1-10-08 Draft. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: J. Fortson asked why sports have this account and not others such as the play receipts. K.Chambers explained that the Athletic Director had requested this. The play receipts went to support the plays. The sports receipts went into the general fund. VOTE: 10.918/0/0/4.082. Motion passes.

 

D. Lyman mentioned a typo in Article 14. K. Chambers explained this is a petitioned article and was written word for word. 

 

J. Carnie commented that there is an inconsistent position of the Board on Article 5 and Article 6. He would like to change his vote from yes to no on Article One. New VOTE on Article One: 8.776/2.142/0/4.082. Motion passes.

 

4.      CURRICULUM REPORT:

1.      AYP Report: D. Hodgdon passed out a flow chart to the Board. The Logic Model: Transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2. This is for review and questions at the next meeting. He informed the Board that the State Test results should be here at the end of the month. He explained that the results of the testing are 1 ½ years old. The District Plan has one more step to go and must be submitted in February. We need to set priority areas and special needs. The ultimate goal is a better place in the State assessment. He may have the District Plan completed for the next Board Meeting. J. Fortson asked if they look at the same 3rd graders in the 6th grade is that information available. D.Hodgdon commented that the are doing that at the moment.

2.      NEASC: J. Smith explained that he has not received any information from the NEASC. The committee did not meet as planned. Possibly in two weeks. They are not looking for any reports prior to the November letter. They may offer suggestions.

8.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

1.      Community Relations Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met last week and discussed information that would be going home with the children about the Deliberative Session. They are trying to be fiscally responsible. They would like to reach as many people as possible. The meetings taped by MC2 are on www.MC2PA.org. There would be childcare at the Deliberative Session. It was suggested to keep the voters and non-voters separate. The CRC felt that was the job of the moderator. The next meeting is Jan. 22, 2008 at 6:00 PM.   

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met on Jan. 9, 2008. They heard updates from Brett. There was a discussion about where to house the MC2 program. J. Smith and K. Carter are still looking at options. The Master Plan is in the final draft. There are some items that need to be fixed. Brett is in conversation with KB to correct those items. The Committee has asked the administration for a copy of the educational section of the plan to have Joe and Linda review it. They are working hard to get the books complete to give to the School Board prior to the Feb. 12, 2008 Meeting to review the Master Plan. Most of the information is on the web site and she would encourage the Board to review it. David King will be present to present the project and answer questions. The Committee felt that they need to know how much it would cost to build a new Middle School and renovate the high school. We will need a conceptual design and a cost estimate of the renovations. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to allow up to $30,000.00 for a conceptual design plan for the Middle School and High School renovations. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: K. Cota gave the rational for the request in the Board packets. She explained by having the information the board will be better able to understand all of the possibilities of correcting our building needs for the MS/HS. D. Lyman asked why the committee is changing the Master Plan and now a different one. C. Dreyfuss explained that there was a miscommunication of what the Facilities was asked of the Finance. The Facilities had asked the Finance what the district could bare. What the finding would be. The tax burden and how to finance. That was the intention and to have the discussion on Feb. 12, 2008.T. Aho commented that the $30,000.00 for the conceptual design would not be done by Feb. 12, 2008. T. Aho commented that the most important piece is the site of the new building. K. Chambers reported that it was already discussed. E. Jacod asked for the declining enrollment to be clarified. K.Dassau explained that there are 200 students for the Middle School. D. Hodgdon explained that on the web site the enrollment is very specific. K. Dassau explained that increase in programs and space would be beneficial because we are always in violation. J. Fortson explained that she was in favor of the new middle school. Looking at a 2 grade or 3 grade options. J. Kenyon explained that the Board has not used all the funds that were designated for the Master Plan. There is at least $50,000.00 left. The committee is asking for $30,000.00 to do conceptual designs. J. Carnie commented that there is a complete set of plans from 1992 and it was completely support by the School Board. The building was to be put at Mt. Caesar. C. Dreyfuss commented that the 3 complete sets have been given to Kaestle Boos. VOTE: 9.088/0.809/1.021/4.082. Motion passes. K. Cota gave an update on the Project Manager’s position and the Director of Building and Grounds’position. MOTION: K. Cota. MOVED to fund both the Project Manager and the Director of Building and Grounds out of the 2008-2009 Operating Budget and in one year have the Director of Buildings and Grounds make a recommendation concerning the Project Manager position. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: J. Fortson asked if we were adding after the Budget Committee voted on the budget. C. Dreyfuss explained that the finds would be coming out of the operating budget. D. Lyman asked what items would have to be cut. He commented on the items that the Budget Committee suggested cutting. C. Dreyfuss said that they recommended reducing the bottom line. J. Kenyon said that for all the reasons K. Cota stated he would support her motion. He said that the amount of work not being done is scary. He said that the amount of work K.Cota does is incredible. If she doesn’t do it the work does not get done. We know that the position existed. We are not doing our jobs adequately. It was mentioned that the cuts made by the Budget Committee we are not bound but to the bottom line. W. Wright commented if we need these positions where are we going to cut. C. Dreyfuss mentioned dates in which the Director of Building and Grounds was discussed. This is not new news. K. Dassau explained that the Budget Member suggested reducing 2 positions, ultimately the School Board is bound to the bottom line. K. Cota is looking for a commitment to support the positions. E Jacod commented that the Budget Committee recommended no Project Manager but still the Director of Building and Grounds. C. Dreyfuss explained that was one member’s suggestion. The Budget Committee voted on a number but not in the total agreement with the cuts. J. Carnie commented that the cuts were suggested and supported by a majority of the Budget Committee. K. Cota commented that we need a vote to fund these two positions. She would hope that in a year the total dept. could be analyzed and some money can be saved in the maintenance dept. It was explained that the Director of Buildings and Grounds is not in the Default Budget. A commitment is needed so that the search committee can do something. We are in this predicament because it did not go into the default. J. Fortson commented that we voted to fund this position. It is in there that is the Board’s stand. P. Peterson commented that if you cut a position others are expected to do the job. C. Dreyfuss explained that it is ultimately the School Board’s responsibility. J. Carnie commented that maybe someone would not get books. D. Lyman heard the lecture that the School Board needs to agree with the Budget Committee and now we change the way to get the number. R. Smith commented that they were his suggestions at the Public Hearing. The Budget Committee voted on the number. D. Lyman commented that there is a 48-hour notification and we should not be discussing this. K. Cota said that it could be the next meeting but we have 10 applicants for the Director of Building and Grounds position. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to table this issue until the next meeting on Feb. 5, 2008. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: 2.918/5.707/2.293/4.082. Motion fails. Continue discussion on funding the positions in the 2008-2009 budget: J. Kenyon commented that we need the position. We came in with a number the Budget Committee reduced it. We did not vote on the cuts. We are on the same page. Brett has done a superb job. D. Lyman commented don’t take money from kids. J. Fortson commented that she did not want to see the budget transfers in little pieces. She does not want to take something necessary. Does not want to take from the kids. T.Aho commented that the Director of Building and Grounds should be on a warrant. J. Carnie commented that this was originally by a warrant article. We should have given the voters a choice and now we are in this mess. C. Dreyfuss commented that this is a need more than a vote. VOTE: 5.707/2.142/3.069/4.082. Motion passes.

3.      Finance Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee discussed Warrants 1-6 and the budget transfers. There was discussion about the Budget Committee’s legal rights and legal representation from the School Board. Budget Committee Members can be sued. The recommendation was to go to the Budget Committee and get a consensus on how to move forward and present it.

4.      Policy Committee: The next meeting is January 28, 2008.   

5.      Budget Committee: The Budget Committee will meet at the Deliberative Session.

6.      Cheshire Career Center: W. Wright reported that breakfast was excellent. He would like the Director of the CCC to be put on the agenda. There is also an agreement that has to be distributed and signed. .

9.      Action on the Manifest: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $ 1,112,066.93. SECOND: W. Wright. DISCUSSION: K. Chambers explained the payment to Government Connections. K. Chambers explained that the Tech Dept. does competitive bids and the Director of Technology is overseeing that process. Elm City Glass is for the Troy replacement windows. Dr. Paul is the facilitator for the district Improvement Process. VOTE: 9.897/0/1.021/4.082. Motion passes.  

10.  Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau reported that the School Calendar would be in draft form for review at the next board Meeting.

 

A Medicaid audit is going on at the SAU. There are 4 files that they are reviewing. The year in question is 2002-2003. The total cost is possibly $32,000.00.There would be no notification for a year. This is information only.

 

K. Dassau explained that he would be forwarding the Superior Court decision, which was a motion to dismiss. The filing fees denied. This is information only.

 

T. Aho asked for the Schedule A on the Teacher’s Contract. He commented that the Board was supposed to receive it.

 

11.BOARD CHAIR REPORT: C. Dreyfuss reported that she would be attending an Energy Savings Meeting at KSC on Friday at 8:10 PM. 

      

12.SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      Calendar

2.      Warrants

3.      CCC Agreement

 

13.SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: R. Smith informed the Board that he has purchased 2X3 fliers to be passed around the District in support of Article 3 and Article 4.

 

T. Aho asked if the step increases are in the evergreen clause. K. Chambers explained that it is in the contract and the evergreen clause was warned. 

 

15. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 PM. SECOND: D. Lyman VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

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