Approved as Amended

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

                                                 July 10, 2007

                            Monadnock Regional MS/HS Library, Swanzey, NH.

                      

 

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

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

 

1. Swearing in of the Town of Gilsum Board Member: Bruce Tatro, selectmen from Swanzey, swore in Ed Jacod as the new Gilsum Board Member.

 

2. Public Hearing called to order under RSA198: 20-b. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the acceptance and expending of unanticipated funds: J. Smith explained to the Board that Chris and Mary Wood, the parents of Jamie Wood, have donated $70,000.00 to MRMS/HS and the community for the purpose of constructing a new Weight Room, Athletic Training Room and Team Meeting Room in his memory. J. Smith explained that the Weight Room is their dream. Any other use of the funds would need to be considered by Chris and Mary Wood. MOTION: T. Aho MOVED that the Board accept the funds in the amount of $70,000.00 for the purpose of constructing a Weight Room, Athletic Training Room and Team Meeting Room. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes.  

 

3.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the June 19, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes as amended.  SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: The corrected minutes are enclosed.  VOTE: 9.240/0/4.581/1.179. Motion passes. 

 

4.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Alexandra Grindle, the Program Director at Ferry Beach Ecology School, sent a letter to K.Craig complimenting her staff and students.

 

K. Cota informed the Board that the Facilities Committee would be inviting the Budget Committee to attend the presentation of the master plan on July 24, 2007 at 7:00 PM.

 

S. Rashid explained to the Board that he had also received compliments on his staff and students from various field trips.

 

S. Rashid read a list of positive actions done by the staff in lieu of their being no contract.

 

S. Rashid commented on the Service Learning at Cutler. He is very proud of the 6th graders who worked with the senior citizens on their autobiographies.

 

J. Carnie commented that the Board had received a letter from Attorney Bradley’s office. The Town of Sullivan and DRA also received the letter and he feels that it is public record.   

 

5.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:

6.   Public Comments: R. Bauries commented on the letter, on which J. Carnie commented, that came from Attorney Bradley’s office. He said that he would like the letter in the minutes as a public document. K. Dassau explained that the Board would discuss this document during non-public session. T.Aho commented that this was discussed at the Sullivan Select Board Meeting and is on their web site. R. Bauries commented that he would wait to read the letter, but if it is not discussed by the Board, he would read the letter at the next meeting.

 

N. Moriarty commented that the letter from Chris and Mary Wood should be attached to the minutes. 

 

 

7.      Curriculum Report: Curriculum and Grant Information:

1.      Curriculum and Grant Update: D. Hodgdon explained that the grant is on hold. We should be hearing about it by the end of this month. 

2.      NEASC: J. Smith explained that the response to the letter sent by him to request a change in the probation status was not accepted. The response had the same concerns as in the original letter indicating the school’s placement on probation. The Commission on Public Secondary Schools could reconsider after the special progress report due in November. J. Smith explained that the curriculum work and the Facilities recommendations would be done by November. The next step is voter support.

 

8.  New Business:

     1. Petitioned Agenda item-Cigna Insurance-N. Moriarty: N. Moriarty and 24 other people had signed a petition in order to put the Cigna issue on the agenda. He explained in a slide show that they would like the Board to vote in favor of changing the health insurance carrier to Cigna and to call a special SAU Board Meeting. D. Lyman commented on the lawyer’s fees if the Union were to file an unfair labor practice. J. Carnie asked how much the Board spent to hire the people who in turn presented the Cigna Company. For the District and the SAU it cost $50,000.00. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to change the insurance carrier to Cigna and to call a special meeting of the SAU as soon as possible. SECOND: W. Wright. DISCUSSION: W. Felton said it was a violation of policy not to give the Board 48 hours notice before discussing such a topic. C. Dreyfuss explained that N. Moriarty followed policy. He did not do the rationale, but he did meet the criteria. J. Kenyon commented that the motion asks the Board to violate the contract. K. Cota agreed with J. Kenyon. K. Dassau commented that there is an opinion from the attorney, which is contrary to the motion. J. Carnie asked where it is illegal in the contract. T. Peloquin commented that it is the attorney’s opinion. T. Aho commented that the Board should take a vote to show where they stand and to convince the staff that we need the money to help with the NEASC problems. C. Dreyfuss read Article 9 of the contract to the Board. J. Carnie questioned whether all the teachers received a presentation on the Cigna switch. He said that, if they were not all notified, then they would be violating the contract. J. Carnie commented that we asked the attorney to take appropriate action. C. Dreyfuss explained that the conversation took place in non-public session. W. Wright asked if all the teachers were asked. It was noted that, if an action were taken contrary to the teacher union decision on this matter, there could be an unfair labor practice filed, resulting in a cost to the district. It was asked to consider the fact that the Board is forcing the teachers to do something they do not want to and that could affect the negotiations. P. Peterson would like a letter providing a rationale and to make sure all the teachers were notified. W. Felton commented on the fact that we are on probation. We need to concentrate on the issue at hand. This would make a bad situation worse. T. Peloquin said that this is a huge decision. We are again putting the cart before the horse. P. Peterson commented that she would like to see a contract with the teachers. MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to table the motion until there is a decision from the attorney. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 12.8/0/1.021/1.179. Motion passes. Five minute recess.   

 

9.  OLD BUSINESS:

     1. 21st Learning Grant: The Board agreed to move this item on the agenda. J. Miller passed out information to the Board. He is asking the Board to approve the position of Project director. This position would oversee the three sites in Winchester, Gilsum and Troy. MOTION: K. Cota. MOVED to accept Jeremy Miller to the Project Director position, which administers/oversees the 21st CCLC projects at all locations in both districts. MRSD will pay 50% of the total cost of the Project Director’s package within the grant parameters at no cost to the district.  SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 11.833/0/1.988/1.179  Motion passes

 

10. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

1.      Community Relations Committee: The next meeting will be on July 17, 2007 at 6:00 PM.

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met on June 26, 2007. R. Bauries informed the committee that the Taxpayers Association would support a building plan, but will not be held hostage by the NEASC report. K. Cota reported that the committee prioritized the health and safety issues. They reviewed the old project list. M. Pratt gave an update to the committee. R. Smith gave an update on the playground. The Committee would be asking the Board to look at bids through email and scheduling a meeting to approve the bids.   

3.      Finance Committee: J. Carnie explained that the committee reviewed each transfer proposal and stated their recommendation. The Board voted on each item. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to approve various high school transfers, which would move funds to line items to reflect actual use of funds. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: The Board asked about the cut in textbooks. J. Smith explained that they are on track with the textbooks. Math is current and English textbooks are needed. J. Smith commented that this transfer is how he feels it would be working best. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to approve the transfer to allow the assistant principal to year round status. SECOND: K. Cota DISCUSSION: J. Smith explained that there was a savings with veteran employees leaving. J. Carnie commented that he does not see a need for a full time position during the summer. J. Smith explained that the extra time would be help for the AYP and NEASC work. This work has to be done outside of school hours. J. Fortson asked if there is a raise built in to the 2007-2008 budget. K. Chambers explained that it is not there. VOTE: 8.915/4.906/0/1.179. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to approve the funding for a half-time reading teacher at Mt. Caesar. SECOND: D. Lyman DISCUSSION: S. Oerman explained that there is a half-time reading position at Cutler and that person might be available to work with Mt. Caesar students. J. Kenyon commented that there is more than enough work for a full-time position at Mt. Caesar. J. Carnie explained the committee’s rationale on the half-time position. C. Dreyfuss commented that, in a presentation in Richmond, B. Tatro explained that Mt. Caesar did not make AYP, because of reading issues. MOTION to amend. G. White MOVED to amend the motion in reflect the original request from the administration for the full-time reading position in the amount of $56,779.00. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: T. Aho explained that the board is not taking away half the position, but giving a half-time position. C. Dreyfuss explained that the need is in reading. VOTE on amendment: 8.370/4.430/1.021/1.179. Motion passes. DISCUSSION on amended motion: J. Carnie commented on the amount of 1st and 3rd grade teachers. He suggested 5 teachers in each grade. K. Dassau explained that B. Tatro has already hired a teacher. D. Lyman would like to see the savings from the insurance go to the NEASC. C. Dreyfuss commented that it is going to the NEASC issue. VOTE: 9.073/3.727/1.021/1.179. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to reallocate the Tech support position in Mt. Caesar, Troy and Emerson. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 12.7/0/1.121/1.179. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman. MOVED to approve the various item transfers in the proposal for Emerson. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 13.821/0/0/1.179. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to approve the 3rd teacher at MC2 in the amount of $13,268.00 to meet minimum staffing requirements. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: The Board asked questions about the number of students at MC2. D. Lyman suggested sharing the teachers at the high school. J. Smith commented that the teaching is so different that mechanically he could not see it working. K. Carter explained that they have taken in $9,000.00 in summer school tuition. They are really only looking for $4,000.00. J. Kenyon commented that the NEASC report commended MC2 many times in their report. T. Aho gave the budget figure for MC2. VOTE: 10.2/3.621/0/1.179. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to allocate the funds for one full-time special education teacher at Cutler. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: S. Rashid explained that it is Cutler’s perspective that the school needs a special education teacher. The enrollment in the collaborative has topped at 6 students. T.Peloquin commented that he feels it is a feeding frenzy on the funds. T. Aho asked why not transfer from the District-Wide Special Ed. Account. K. Chambers explained that the funds could be taken from that source. (K. Cota leaves the meeting). MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to amend the motion to take the funds out of the District-Wide Special Ed. Account for the Spec. Ed. position at Cutler in the amount of $31,279.00.  SECOND: T. Peloquin. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau would not suggest taking the money from the Capitol Reserve. This would become a Cutler line item. VOTE on amendment: 10.037/3.537/1.426. Motion passes. VOTE on amended motion: 12.765/0.809/0/1.426. Amended motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to allocate $14,675.00 for hiring of a nurse for three days, 1.5 days in Gilsum and 1.5 days in Sullivan. VOTE: (D. Lyman left) 13.574/0/0/2.447. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman. MOVED to approve the transfer proposal as presented for the Maintenance Project Manager. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: (D. Lyman left). 12.553/0/0/2.447. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to approve the non-union wage increases for 06/07 except for the principals and the M/H Spec. Ed. Director, in the amount of $35,533.00. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: (D. Lyman returns) 8.733/3.727/1.114/1.426. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to approve the non-union wages increase for 07/08 in the amount of $40,537.00. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: (S. Oerman missing from vote) 5.672/5.544/1.179/2.447. Motion passes. 

 

MOTION: G. White MOVED to allocate the Choice Programs in the amount of $170,037.00. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSSION: T. Aho asked about the amount for the Harrisville Program. MOTION to amend. T. Aho MOVED to amend the motion and to accept the Virtual High School, Advanced Learner Program (KSC) and the KMS Art/Music in the amount of $65,338.00. VOTE: 12.765/0.809/0/1.426. Motion on the amendment passes. MOTION to amend: J. Kenyon MOVED to amend the motion and accept the Harrisville World Language Program in the amount of $86,112.00. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 4.651/8.923/0/1.426. Motion on the second amendment fails. VOTE on the amended motion: 12.65/0.809/0/1.426. Motion passes. J. Carnie commented that he was very frustrated with the work that the committee has done and the amount of time taken up on the transfers.

4.      Policy Committee: G. White reported that the committee would meet on July 23, 2007 at 5:45 PM.  

5.      Budget Committee: The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25, 2007 in Sullivan.

6.      Cheshire Career Center:   

 

11.  Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $ 2,423,013.73. SECOND: J. Kenyon.  VOTE: 11.989/0/1.585/1.426. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED the manifest in the amount of $829,657.05. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 11.989/0/1.585/1.426. Motion passes.

 

12. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau welcomed Ed. Jacod to the Board.

 

      K. Dassau reported that the Swanzey Selectboard invited the Swanzey Board Members and the Swanzey Budget Committee Members to a meeting on June 27, 2007. It was a very positive meeting.

 

      The Board would be introduced to the Middle School Nominee tonight.

 

MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the resignation of Craig Shields, Patrick Cogan and Ron Schilb. SECOND: S. Oerman VOTE: 13.574/0/0/1.426. Motion passes.

 

K. Dassau reported that there is no movement on the Surry situation. The election date is Nov. 6, 2007.

    

13.BOARD CHAIR REPORT: The Board agreed to meet on Sat., July 28, 2007 at 9:00 AM for the New Board Member Orientation. 

 

      

14.SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      Committee Reports

2.      Grant

3.      Troy Grant

 

15.SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: Barb Arguin thanked the Board for their approval on the KMS Art/Music Choice Program.

 

16. MOTION to enter into non-public Session: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) nominations: SECOND: J. Kenyon Roll call vote: J. Kenyon, G. White, C. Dreyfuss, D. Lyman, T. Aho, J. Fortson, E. Jacod, J. Carnie, W. Wright, W. Felton, T. Peloquin, P. Peterson and S. Oerman. VOTE: 13.754/0/0/1.426. Motion passes.

 

17. Return to public session: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to return to public session. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 13.754/0/0/1.426.Motion passes.

 

T. Aho leaves the meeting.

 

 

16. MOTION to recess to a non-meeting for negotiation purposes: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to enter into non-public session for a non-meeting for negotiating purposes. SECOND: J. Kenyon. Roll call vote: J. Kenyon, G. White, C. Dreyfuss, D. Lyman, J. Fortson, E. Jacod, J. Carnie, W. Wright, W. Felton, P. Peterson and S. Oerman. VOTE: 12.798/0/0/2.202  Motion passes.

 

17. Return to public session: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to return to public session: SECOND: E. Jacod. VOTE:12.798/0/0/2.2012. Motion passes.

 

18. Adjournment: MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 AM. SECOND: E. Jacod. VOTE:12.798/0/0/2.2012 . Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

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