Non-approved minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Meeting Minutes

�������������������������������������������� March 20, 2007

��������������������� Monadnock Regional High/Middle School Library, Swanzey, NH.

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

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, Tom Warner, Dir. of Technology and K. Chambers, Business Manager.� Principals: B. Tatro, J. Smith, D. Dahl, D. Mousette, S. Rashid and K. Carter.

 

1.      School Board Organization:

1. Swearing in of Recently Elected Members: K. Cota swore in W. Wright, S. Oerman, D. Lyman, G. White, J. Fortson, T. Aho, T. Peloquin and R. Mitchell.
2. Selection of the following officers:

Chairperson: MOTION: T. Aho MOVED to nominate J. Carnie as Board Chair. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented that the Board has a lot of dealings with the state and funding problems. We need to solve all the problems. The solution to the problems is to move forward and put our findings in a proper process. J. Carnie will see that this happens. He is an honest man. J. Carnie will deal with fairness not just a select few. We want fairness across the whole Board. T. Peloquin asked to hear from the candidates. C. Dreyfuss commented that she has helped build better communication with the district. The School Board and the administration have a united front. She does not have a personnel agenda. She supports the contracts and the budget. She commented that J. Carnie is against both. She is someone that supports the Board�s decisions. J. Carnie commented that the Board has some critical problems and not a lot happened last year. The Board is divided and we need to stop that. Five members have voted together on each and every vote. The district was not in favor of some of those votes. We need to get some of these issues off the table. We have voted over and over on the Choice issue brought up by an interest group. We need to get a contract and the teachers involved to have a contract to get our accreditation. We need an education committee. We waste a lot of time on some of the issues. The Board needs information in a meaningful fashion. J. Kenyon commented that J. Carnie is a person with an agenda. That is not in the best interest of the Board or the citizens. He pushes his agenda over whatever is on the Board�s agenda. J. Kenyon commented that C. Dreyfuss is not one sided. He has never seen C. Dreyfuss use her position as the chair on an issue. He believes that she is a fair Board Chair. K. Cota commented on the countless hours that C. Dreyfuss has worked as Board Chair for the kids. She is a face that K. Cota is proud to have as the chair. The meetings have been long but we have a lot of work to do. The MRPSOC Grant has taken up a lot of time as well as personnel agendas. W. Felton commented that C. Dreyfuss is a person who has demonstrated an even hand for education. S. Oerman asked how many years C. Dreyfuss has been chair. C. Dreyfuss said 1 year. VOTE: J. Carnie-2.918, C. Dreyfuss-9.789/ 1.179/1.114. C. Dreyfuss voted Board Chair.

 

Vice Chair: MOTION: W. Felton MOVED to nominate G. White as Board Vice-Chair. SECOND: K. Colby. VOTE: 10.810/.776/2.300/1.114. Motion passes.

 

School District Clerk:

 

School District Treasurer: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to nominate Nancy Carlson as School District Treasurer. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes. K. Cota swore in Nancy Carlson.

 

Committee and Delegate Review: C. Dreyfuss explained that the Board Members should sign up for their committee choices and then she would appoint them. C. Dreyfuss explained each committee to the Board. J. Fortson asked if the same negotiating team does the support staff and the teacher’s contracts. C. Dreyfuss commented that it had been done both ways. The committee would have to decide once established. K. Dassau commented that the Budget and negotiations are about the same time of the year and a lot of work.

 

2.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the March 6, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes as presented.  SECOND: K. Colby. DISCUSSION: J. Kenyon had asked if once the minutes were approved are they final. The minutes reflected that was a statement when in fact J. Kenyon said it was a question.  VOTE: 8.822/1.121/3.943/1.114. Motion passes.  

 

3.  CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau informed the Board                that K. Craig’s comments in the annual report were not accurate. She sent the correct report for the Board.

 

     J. Smith announced that Doug Smith has been inducted to the Athletic Association Coaches Hall of Fame.

 

     J. Smith reported that the school has received an anonymous donation in the amount of $700.00 for theatre productions.

 

     Two teams from Destination Imagination will be going to the State Level. History has it that we usually have at least one team going to the nationals.

 

     J. Smith met with A. Ashworth of the NEACSC on March 8, 2007 and addressed the concerns from N. Moriarty and will respond in writing. A. Ashworth commented that there are more significant concerns to worry about. The final decision on the status will be in writing on April 2, 2007. K. Cota asked that the Board receive a copy of the reply.

 

     K. Cota commented on how wonderful the performance of Beauty and the Beast was.

 

     S. Rashid would echo how great the performance was. It was performed for all the schools. S. Rashid also commented on how the school is handling respect issues. He explained that the school would be doing an American Idol Skit as part of the respect issue. S. Rashid would be trying to make a tape to share with the Board.

 

     B. Tatro reported that the PTO has helped fund a storyteller that read to the students. It was well received. They also had a Dr. Seuss pancake breakfast, which was fun for the families.  The children went to see Henry and Mudge at the Colonial thanks to the PTO. A jump-roping group from Vernon visited Mt. Caesar and performed for the children to kick off Jump rope for Heart. C. Dreyfuss mentioned that she attended a tea party at Mt. Caesar. B. Tatro informed the Board that the playground is paid for and would be installed in May.  

 

4. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: K. Cota asked that the minutes be put in the Board packets.

 

5. Public Comments: J. Fortson commented on a wonderful job that B. Tatro and co-chairs E. Stanley and Bob Smith had done to raise money for the new playground.

 

6.      Curriculum Report:  

 

7. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Review of Vote: K. Cota reported that the recount of the voting went okay except one bump in the road. It is the huge disconnect between the towns and the schools. She said that it is a shameful and upsetting issue with communications. She has heard comments that procedurally it is what had been done. She said that it was a learning curve. She was happy with the results. S. Oerman commented on the great job K. Cota had done. K. Cota would suggest that Cutler do a Service Learning Project with the towns on respect. C. Dreyfuss commented that she had been hopeful because the School Board and the Budget Committee had agreed on the budget. She is excited that it only lost by 87 votes. She said that she is glad the vote was moved closer.

 

8.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

1.      Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that the committee has not met but asked T. Warner to speak about Time Warner. T. Warner explained what labor is involved for Time Warner to connect with the school. T. Warner explained that the school has to have their own people and equipment. Time Warner is responsible for the cable to provide access. T. Aho asked that T. Warner make sure that it does not interfere with the 4” water pipe. T. Warner said that it was not that pipe. K. Cota asked if there was a grant to pay for the equipment. T. Warner said that they are few and far between. He also commented that it would not be broadcast to the entire district. C. Dreyfuss commented that the CRC is looking into all the concerns. K. Colby informed the Board that Lee Perkins had given him the impression that the school could use their equipment. J. Smith informed the Board that a newsletter to the parents was going out as promised to the CRC. J. Fortson commented that Tracking the Huskies was a great positive newsletter.

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota apologized to the Board for not having the report and recommendation in hard copy. The committee met on March 5, 2007 and chose an architect for the master plan. She explained the process the committee did in order to choose the final architect, which was Kaestle Boos. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to accept the Facilities Master Plan for the middle/high school presented by Kaestle Boos in the amount of $30,000.00. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: T. Aho asked if the master plan included what we need to do to bring this facility up to par, to get funding and to add an addition. K. Cota explained that those concerns are addressed. W. Wright asked why the committee chose Kaestle Boos. K. Cota explained that they bid the lowest price and they have a good relationship with the committee. T. Peloquin commented that the committee chose this architect for other reason that he explained not because it was the cheapest. K. Cota explained that the committee would be bringing their report in the fall. C. Dreyfuss explained that all their references were outstanding. J. Kenyon explained that they showed up at the initial interview with the code violation for the school. K. Chambers commented that Kaestle Boos would be bringing their independent education consultant and independent cost estimator. W. Felton commented that he is a stickler for the 48- hour notice but because this is needed he would go along with this motion. The engineering firm is W.B. Engineering. J. Fortson asked about the check for the services because the funds are not available until July. K. Chambers would be working with the company to make sure it is okay. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes. K. Cota informed that Board that the project manager resigned in January and it is now becoming an issue. We need to form the Facilities Committee tonight to have a committee and move ahead with the projects. T. Aho asked if this was a Monadnock or SAU position and are the benefits at 100%. K. Chambers explained that it is a Monadnock position and that the benefits are 90/10%. MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to form the Facilities Committee with the following members: W. Wright, T. Peloquin, K. Cota, J. Kenyon and C. Dreyfuss. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes.

3.         Finance Committee: MOTION: J. Carnie reported that the committee reviewed 6 items. They reviewed the expense, revenue and grant reports. He mentioned the election expenses. He explained that the district clerk account was over but the voter machines amount was under not going over the combined budgeted amount. The committee reviewed the legal bills for the attorney. The committee received additional information from D. Gurian. She addressed their concerns but not at 100% as an accountant would like to see. There have been improvements. At the next meeting T. Walsh of Food Service will be attending. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to form the Finance Committee with the following members: S. Oerman, J. Fortson, J. Carnie, G. White, D. Lyman and T. Aho. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes.  

4.      Policy Committee: No report.

5.      Budget Committee: Has not met

 

9.      New Business: 2007/2008 School Board Meeting Schedule: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to accept the School Board Meeting Schedule as presented except for the first date in January 2008 that is still in question. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE: 13.886/0/0/1.114. Motion passes.

10.  Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,716,832.60. SECOND: J. Kenyon. DISCUSSION: T. Aho asked for a breakdown of the Upton and Hatfield bill. K. Chambers passed out the information to the Board. VOTE: 12.707/0/0/2.293. (W. Felton missing during vote) Motion passes.  (W. Felton returns)

10. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT: K. Dassau explained that the State Board of Education would be meeting on the Surry Withdrawal Issue on April 11, 2007.

 

     K. Dassau explained that the recount has been posted on the web. K. Cota had checked to see that all the petitioners who had asked for a recount were registered voters and they were.

 

     D. Hodgdon informed the Board that the 2 candidates for the Director of Technology position would be visiting the SAU next Tuesday and the School Board would have an opportunity to meet with them at 4:00 PM. He explained that there was a decent pool of candidates.

 

     K. Dassau informed that Board that there had been an unfair labor practiced filed by the Teachers Association concerning the step increases and the decision ruled in favor of the School Board. Copies of the decision were distributed.

 

     D. Hodgdon reported that he has applied in the second round for the voluntary grant. The grant is due April 2, 2007. So far he has written 56 pages. When it is complete it will be submitted to the Federal Government. The grant is the NH Voluntary Public Schools Grant. J. Carnie asked who the director of the grant would be. D. Hodgdon explained that is determined by the Supt. of 38, the Supt. of 29 and the Commissioner of Education. The Financial Director would be hired by the Monadnock School district. This person would be reporting to the Board monthly. J. Carnie asked who composes the Steering Committee. The Executive Oversight Team would be the 2 Superintendents and the Commissioner of Education. The Steering Committee would consist of the project manager, 3 administrative representatives, one from Hinsdale, Keene and Monadnock, a member from the NH DOE, 3 School Board Members from the 3 towns and a high school parent from the three towns. J. Carnie asked if D. Hodgdon had a feeling about being awarded this grant. D. Hodgdon explained that we are competing with anyone in the country. He is doing his best to make this happen. People from SAU 29, K. Dassau, K. Carter and J. Smith have worked with D. Hodgdon on this project. W. Felton asked about a timeline. D. Hodgdon explained that the Board should know in June. D. Hodgdon explained that part of the proposal is to look at what we have done on the first grant. The details need to be worked out with the School Board and the administration. We are all well aware of the issues of the current grant. He explained that we do not have to put the name of the project manager. His name would be going on the grant application for now but he is not volunteering for that position. T. Aho suggested that our staff be used for this grant and not to have new staff that has to be budgeted after the grant. K. Dassau commented that it is a valuable lesson on behalf of the teachers and the students. K. Cota thanked D. Hodgdon and he received a round of applause.

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.      Donation All-Sport Booster

2.      Committee Assignments

3.      Board Orientation

4.      Revisit Goals

5.      J. Smith Calculus and Physics Presentation

 

T. Aho asked about the application for the PUPS. B. Tatro explained that they have not received approval from the state yet.

 

R. Mitchell asked if we have to vote on the computer each time. C. Dreyfuss explained that is the system in place that we have been using.

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: K. Cota reminded the School Board Members to be the voice for their towns and start to bridge the gap.

 

14. Adjournment: MOTION: K. Colby MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 PM. SECOND: R. Mitchell. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary