Board Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2007
Monadnock Community Connections (MC2),
Present: Jonathan Kenyon, Gene White, William Felton. Ken Colby, Tim Peloquin, Phyllis Peterson, Jane Fortson, Winston Wright, Susan Oerman, Ed Jacod, Tim Aho, Colline Dreyfuss, Doug Lyman and James Carnie. Absent: Karen Cota.
Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and K. Chambers, Business Manager. Principals: B. Tatro, K. Craig, D. Mousette, D. Dahl and K. Carter.
1. Public Hearing: Per RSA 198:20-b, the
purpose of the public hearing is to consider the acceptance and expenditure of
unanticipated funds. K. Dassau explained that
C. Dreyfuss has asked for a 10-minute recess for the MC2 students to show members of the Board what they have been doing over the past 3 and ½ weeks of school.
2. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: S. Oerman. MOVED to accept the September 18, 2007 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie said that he did not say there was no reason to seal the minutes and there was no time element in the motion as noted in the minutes. He said that he read the reasons to seal according to the state statute but the motion did not state a reason to seal. VOTE: 9.399/0/5.354/0.247. Motion passes.
3. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau welcomed Tabby Ball to the Board table as the MC2 Student Government Representative.
There is a vacancy on the Budget committee. M. Carney from has Sullivan resigned. Anyone interested should contact the Sullivan Selectmen.
On Oct. 6, 2007 there would be a Deliberative Session for the Surry Withdrawal Warrant Article. The meeting would start at 10:00 AM in the MRMS/HS.
There would be a meeting with the Swanzey Selectmen, the Swanzey Board Members and the Swanzey Budget Committee Members on Oct. 24, 2007 at 6:15 PM.
The Facilities would be holding their meeting at 7:30 PM on October 24, 2007.
There would be a special SAU #38 Board Meeting on Oct. 3, 2007. There would be discussion on Surry wanting to stay in the SAU #38 among other items.
K. Dassau informed the Board that every school would be required to have an Emergency Response Plan by June 2009. On October 16, 2007 there would be a workshop at the local government center. W. Kassotis has received a grant, which would provide Emerson with a management tool from Raptor Ware. This tool scans licenses of people entering the school. It gives a lot of useful information. K. Craig explained and gave a hand out to the Board. E. Jacod commented on the information received and the potential identity theft. K. Craig said that the vendor said that it is secure as paying your bills on line. T. Peloquin said that identity theft is done by using social security numbers.
K. Chambers explained that J. Schumann is the new Laidlaw Manager and that the name of the Bus Company is going to be First Student Transportation. The new name would not affect the District’s current contract.
K. Dassau passed out the Emerson Notes.
J.Fortson reminded everyone that they are in need of volunteers for the Mt. Caesar Playground on Oct. 5,6 and 7, 2007.
4. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Taby Ball from MC2 reported that they have not started the Government Council. They would be starting it in October. They had an ARC meeting and a community meeting around respect in which they used Roberts Rules.
5. Public Comments: N. Moriarty commented that the District lost
another $73,000.00 in health care from not switching health plans this month.
He commented to the chair that he does not help her run her meeting so he would
appreciate if she would not help run the Budget Committee Meetings. He
commented on the bonuses and the raises and new hires and asked when something would
go to the kids. The Board keeps skimming the savings. He commented that the
Board is really not operating under the default. C. Dreyfuss responded that the
rebidding of the health insurance saved the District.
6. Curriculum Report: D. Hodgdon explained
that he with principals and teachers, looked at the requirements for schools in
need of improvement, the tasks and to set up a plan. At the district level 4
members of the District would be attending a Root Cause Conference. This
conference is paid for through funds to do this process. D. Hodgdon listed the
funds that would come to the District and individual schools to help develop
these plans. There would also be money for professional development.
B. Tatro reported on AYP. She handed
out information to the Board. The information gave the improvement in reading
and the improvement in math in the separate sub groups. The MAP scores wee also
given for spring of 2007. She continued to list information on how they are
going to address AYP. B. Tatro explained that the NECAP Testing is done by
pencil not computer. J. Fortson commented on a reading assignment that her son
has each night. She explained that he is enjoying it and asked if every
classroom is requiring it. It was explained that the teachers encourage the
students to read. T. Aho asked about the PUPS Program. B. Tatro explained that
the state has not come for the building inspection. T. Aho asked how the
children are chosen for the program. W. Felton asked if there were all single
grade classrooms at
K. Craig also gave the Board the fall 2006 Assessment Data and then information on how they would be addressing the AYP issue. Emerson did make AYP but they are always looking to improve. K. Craig commented that Emerson does have multi-aged classrooms and they did make AYP. She believes that multi-age does add to success.
NEASC Report: K. Dassau reported that J. Smith is at Rachel’s Challenge tonight. K. Dassau reported that the NEASC, AYP and Facilities are all related. He reported that a group of administrators are working on the high school education master plan. There is a report due to the NEASC on November 1, 2007 and he is fairly confident that it will show major improvements to their concerns. T. Aho commented that on the DOE 25 there is a 33% increase over last year for the high school student. He said that this information should also be in the report. K. Dassau informed the Board that the hiring of a professional architect and an educational consultant are huge positive items to report.
7. OLD BUSINESS: DOE 25/MS25: K. Chambers explained that at the last meeting the DOE 25 and the MS 25 were passed out for review. MOTION: W. Wright MOVED to accept the DOE 25 as presented. SECOND: J. Kenyon. VOTE: 14.050/0/0.703/0.247. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Kenyon MOVED to accept the MS 25 as presented. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE: 14.050/0/0.703/0.247. Motion passes. K. Chambers passed the DOE 25 and the MS 25 to be signed by the Board. T. Peloquin did not receive the information and did not be signing the forms.
Off-site Program MC2: K. Carter passed out an off-site program plan for MC2. She explained to the Board that she had spoken to J.Smith and that they would like to recommend Option 1, which is the principal of the regular school, has supervision over the off-site program. She gave the reasons why they chose Option 1. She explained that the report would be large and is due by Dec. 10, 2007. She would be bringing information to the Board Meeting for review and any questions. The Board would be asked to vote on the plan by Dec. 10, 2007. K. Carter explained that if MC2 were to move to the MS/HS the program would still be considered an off-site program. It could possibly change by determining the supervision issue. T. Aho asked K. Carter how much of the $676,000.00 grant extension money MC2 would receive. K. Carter said that she does not know. C. Dreyfuss asked that T. Aho keep the questions at task. K. Carter said that she does not administer the grant. J. Carnie asked what portion of the grant are you receiving. C. Dreyfuss commented that this does not have to do with the off-site program. K. Carter is looking for input from the Board and a vote by Dec. 10, 2007. She would also be sending the next meeting information in the Board packets for review. T. Aho commented about Option 2 and the distinct budgeting process. K. Carter said that it would be independent from any other school. She said that she is not trying to hide anything. T. Aho responded to say that no one is saying that she is trying to hide anything.
8. New Business: T. Peloquin asked the format for the Deliberative Session. K. Dassau explained the agenda and read the warrant to the Board. T.Aho asked about videotaping. K. Dassau explained that some one from the high school dept. would be handling the taping. J. Carnie asked the effect on the district if Surry was to withdraw. K. Dassau explained that he thought it was a 4% increase per town. J. Fortson commented that she thought there would be savings on the aide. K. Dassau commented that he would doubt it with the huge spec. ed. population throughout the district. K. Dassau explained that if Surry was to remain in the SAU he does not know what that budget would be but Surry would pay their portion. K. Dassau commented that the SAU #38 budget is due Nov. 3, 2007 and if Surry is successful he is not sure that Surry’s part would be complete. T. Aho had asked K. Chambers if the district would be missing the $920,000.00 and he said that K. Chambers said yes. Another impact would be space. C. Dreyfuss commented that this discussion could take place at the Deliberative Session. J. Carnie asked how valid J. McCulla’s numbers were at the time. C. Dreyfuss commented that these questions are being brought up at a meeting prior to the Deliberative Session. K. Dassau commented that the warrant is signed. C. Dreyfuss said that you want these people to jump through hoops to get the information prior to Saturday. J. Carnie said that the Board spent a lot of time on when to set the meeting but did not discuss the issue of cost. C. Dreyfuss commented that we did not discuss it but it has been months and no one asked.
C. Dreyfuss would like the administration to set information aside for the members that are not present.
9.
SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Community Relations Committee: K. Colby reported that at the Sept. 27, 2007 meeting between 35 and 40 people attend to hear the results of the Accelera Survey. The CRC would like to have another meeting in another part of the district in order that everyone can hear the presentation. The committee is also looking at D. Lyman’s request to have an advertisement for MC2. The Board asked for the information from the survey and S. Oerman explained it was on the web site and sighted the address. T. Aho asked for the questions that were asked on the phone. C. Dreyfuss would ask for them. D. Lyman also wants a copy. K. Dassau asked if that was what the whole Board wants. J. Carnie commented that information at the meeting was passed out to a few people. C. Dreyfuss commented that there were private donations for the survey. W. Wright reported his experience as a person being surveyed as well as W. Felton. C. Dreyfuss suggested that members of the Board attend the Husky Hoopla and hand out information to the voters about the AYP, facilities and other issues. Anyone interested contact K. Colby.
2. Facilities Committee: J. Kenyon reported that the committee met
a few times. They covered the 2008-2009 project list, discussing if there is a
need for a Facilities Director, looking at the SAU building and their roof,
looking at Surry as a possible forth district the impact on the SAU building or
any building, discussion on the emergency response, KB’s two options reviewed
and the health and safety projects. C. Dreyfuss explained that the SAU roof was
being checked for asbestos and to see if the decking was ok. They both came
back fine and that item would be going out to bid. K. Dassau commented that
there would not be a place to put another person at the SAU if the Surry
options was to pass and they remained in the SAU as the 4th
district. T. Peloquin commented that Surry would allow the use of the
3.Finance Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee reviewed the DOE 25 and the MS 25. They looked at possible debit financing. They were presented the legal bills and the financial reports. They would be looking at different options and would ask the Facilities Committee for a full request on any projects. T. Aho commented that with a specific amount it might change the financing so the information as soon as possible is better.
4.
Policy
Committee: G.White reported that the committee has not met. They would be
meeting on Oct. 9, 2007 and discussing a Bidding Policy and a Volunteers
Policy. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to remove T. Peloquin from the
Policy Committee. SECOND: J. Kenyon.
VOTE: 9.819/1.897/3.037/0.247. Motion passes.
5. Budget Committee: J. Kenyon reported that the committee met in Sullivan on Sept. 25, 2007. K. Cota invited the committee to the October Facilities meetings. They would be discussing the master plan. They reviewed multiple expense reports. They discussed the health insurance. They voted on the traditional meeting schedule for the budget process. The Superintendent discussed AYP, all day Kindergarten but no space available, the Surry Deliberative Session, the MRPSOC extension and Accelera. The next meeting is on November 3, 2007.
6. CCC: W. Wright reported that he attended a breakfast at the CCC.
He said it was delicious. He said that the information is not going out to the
Monadnock kids about the CCC. Hinsdale would be pulling out of the program and
going to
10.
Action on
the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED
to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,257,249.57. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION:
K. Chambers would be looking into W. B. Mason. There are two checks in the
same amount.
11. Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau reported that the budget would be ready on October 5, 2007. There would be a work session on Oct. 9, 2007 with the Budget Committee. The driving issue in the administration’s development of the budget is the improvement of student learning and instruction responding to the NEASC and AYP issues. There are proposals for additional staff. In school the most important relationship is that of the student and teacher. The principal sets a tone for the building, but the most important relationship is the student/teacher relationship. Further, it is important that all students have a personal relationship with at least one adult. Especially at the secondary level where a personal connection is made and the student is more likely to succeed. For the last few years he’s heard in response to budgets, that increased personnel (teachers, support staff, specialists), and salary adjustments for our staff, that somehow this does not benefit kids. That is simply not true.
12.BOARD
CHAIR REPORT:
13.SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:
1.
Budget
2.
Full day
Kindergarten
3.
PUPS-Mt.
Caesar-placement process
14.SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: N. Moriarty commented that a separate MC2 budget is not a drive factor if it is in a separate building. He commented on the bonuses for the nurses. He said that issue should have gone in front of the voters. He said that the skimming of the money in July would come back to haunt the Board. K. Dassau commented that if you are saying that skimming is the authority to stay within the bottom line than the School Board is guilty.
K. Craig commented that she would encourage the Board Members to go to other Town events were the vote is not as positive as Swanzey and give the information out. Emerson would be having Harvest Night on Oct. 17, 2007. She also commented that Fitzwilliam would need to know the impact if Surry was to withdraw.
15. MOTION to enter into non-public Session: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to enter into non-public session
under RSA 91-A: 3 II (b) nominations: RSA 91-A 2 (e): approval of sealed
minutes. SECOND: S. Oerman. Roll call vote: E. Jacod, W. Wright, P.
Peterson, J. Carnie, T. Aho, T. Peloquin, K. Colby, W. Felton, J. Kenyon, J.
Fortson, G. White, D. Lyman, S. Oerman and C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 12.153/2.600/0/0.247. Motion passes.
16.
Adjournment: MOTION:
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording Secretary
.
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