Non-approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board Meeting Minutes

April 1, 2008

Troy Elementary, Troy, NH

 

                  

Present: Gene White, Phyllis Peterson, Jane Fortson, Ed Jacod, Colline Dreyfuss, Susan Oerman, K. Goodenough, Tim Aho, Robert Smith, D. Lyman, Winston Wright, Karen Cota and James Carnie. Absent: William Felton

Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and K. Chambers, Business Manager.  Principals: K. Craig, K. Carter, D. Dahl, J. Smith, B. Tatro and B. Pickering.

 

1.        CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the March 18, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended.  SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: Minutes corrected on file. J. Carnie said that he had asked for the discussion on the NH Retirement to be discussed in regular session. G. White commented that non-public session is where it should be discussed. K. Dassau explained that the minutes were sealed in non-public session and should be discussed there. VOTE: 10.976/1.121/0/2.903. Motion passes. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the March 18, 2008 Non-public Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 10.512/0/1.585/2.903. Motion passes.

 

2.   STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Rob Scrocky reported that the committee discussed the upcoming elections at today’s meeting. They discussed communicating school issues and accreditation. They discussed a PR sub committee. This group would take the place of the PAW PRINT. Their voice would be heard through the paper. He reported that there was an assembly concerning the upcoming science testing. The PR group would be taking up the conditions of the building. The committee again discussed teacher evaluation. R. Scrocky reported that there were about 16 people in attendance at today’s meeting. K. Cota thanked R. Scrocky and offered the Facilities Committee for any help.

 

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: J. Smith reported that Jerry Kuhn has received the NH Incredible Creativity Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations!

 

J. Smith reported that the Monadnock took first place in the Destination Imagination Competition and would be going to Tennessee to compete in the Global Competition. They would be requesting assistance for the trip in May. The softball trip was raised their funds through fundraisers. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to contribute $2800.00 to the Destination Imagination Team to go to Tennessee for the Global Meet. SECOND: K. Cota.  VOTE: 12.097/0/0/2.903. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED that the District purchase championship jackets for the Destination Imagination Team and advisor up to $620.00. SECOND: R. Smith. VOTE: 12.097/0/0/2.903. Motion passes.

 

K. Craig announced that Spencer Heiss would be attending the President’s Inauguration.

 

There would be a Budget Committee Meeting on April 22, 2008 at 7:00 PM in Gilsum.

  

4.      Public Comments: C. Kahn reported that Monadnock has the lowest teacher starting pay in the area at $30,000.00. She reported on the amount of teachers that have to get a second job to get by. She commented on the fact that the SAU reallocated funds in the SAU default budget in order that the staff would receive a raise. She would urge for a special meeting before school is out. J. Smith added that he has written three letters of recommendation.

 

5.      NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.            Troy Elementary Project List Tour-Bret Belliveau: B.Belliveau lead the Board on a tour through the school of the items on the list that was given in the Board’s packet. The list included: Install 2-hour separation between kitchen and classroom, install new interior finish for resource room at end of stage, redo small men’s room by MPR and make ADA compliant, complete installation of lock down hardware for top floor (8) rooms, complete carpet removal/tile installation-(5) rooms on second floor, redo stair treads on both sides of building, remodel Reading Room-moisture under wood floor and sprinkler entire building. 

2.            21st Century Learning Grant Troy-J. Miller: Jean the site coordinator for the after school program read a letter to the Board from an appreciative parent, whose child attends the program. D. Dahl reported that the summer camp innovative program is in the planning stages. The program would merge the schools, the 21st Century Program and the towns recreation department together. He is working with the staff to develop an education piece, recreation piece and a club and activity pieces. He reported that he has met with the town and they are very excited. He has spoken to K. Chambers and he would be preparing a packet for a complete presentation. D.Dahl commented that it would be a bit of a juggle with the upcoming maintenance at the school this summer but the town has offered the use of their buildings.

3.            Facilities Committee Request for Board Direction: K. Cota reported that an overview was included in the Board’s packet. She said that the bottom line is to send direction to the Facilities, Finance and CRC Committees. She said that they ultimately want a warrant article to correct the MS/HS Facilities. MOTION: C.Dreyfuss MOVED to have the Board decide to place a warrant article on the 2009 Ballot regarding facilities improvement for the MS/HS. SECOND: K.Cota.  DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented that the figure for the roofs was knocked down to a different figure. He said not to expect getting the whole 37 million-dollars in one lump sum. Possibly phasing in the 10 million-dollar bracket. G.White commented that this is not a money item. C. Dreyfuss explained that the intention of the motion so that the Board has a direction to a goal. E. Jacod commented that the motion is vague. K. Cota commented that this would set a direction and afterwards be a charge to the different committees. J. Carnie commented that the motion is vague. It does not tell us much. He felt that the Education Committee is more important. What we have to do as a District for AYP and NEASC. If we have the Education Committee in place we can find the needs. He would rather have an Education Committee dealing with this. You are putting the cart before the horse. T.Aho suggested using the Master Plan booklet. There are pictures that show lack of maintenance. Use that book to improve the facility. It is not necessary to have a new facility. C. Dreyfuss commented that the motion is intentionally vague. She said that the motion could be tightened. This is giving the Facilities direction. It was commented that this motion does not preclude an Education Committee. There is a Master Plan with an education plan. The NEASC has facilities issues. This is giving the Facilities Committee direction so that we are not working against the wishes of the Board. E. Jacod commented that we need to go in the direction that K.Cota is making. A definition that we are going to attack some of the maintenance issues, defines it better. P. Peterson commented that she thought with the Master Plan those issues would be taken care of. K.Cota reported that the Facilities Committee met and discussed the Master Plan and pulled out items for the next agenda such as the nurse’s area. We are learning from Hinsdale. Base the plan on what you teach. We have the Master Plan the foundation is education. The priority list on the agenda is being worked on. K. Cota would agree with this motion. Pull the committees together and work together. VOTE: 10.976/0/1.121/2.903. Motion passes.

4.            Education Committee: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to receive the information from J. Carnie and D. Hodgdon regarding the Education Committee and to put this issue on the next Board agenda. SECOND: T. Aho. VOTE: 12.097/0/0/2.903. Motion passes.

5.            Board Orientation Date: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED April 12, 2008 at 9:00 AM as the date for the Board Orientation Meeting. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 12.097/0/0/2.903. Motion passes.

6.            MS22: K.Chambers explained that the Finance Committee recommended the MS22 be signed and submitted as presented. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to have the MS22 signed and submitted by the Board as presented. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: T. Aho commented on the Capitol Reserve for the Sale of Surry School at $500,000.00. He said that it might not be $500,000.00. He commented that the difference in the amount of the sale should go back to the taxpayers. K. Chambers said that the effect on the tax rate would be zero. VOTE: 12.097/0/0/2.903. Motion passes.

7.            Budget Transfer: K. Chambers explained that she has asked to transfer $42,081.00 to four maintenance accounts, two District wide and two Wilcox in order to move three programs in the main office building and to prepare Wilcox for the MC2 Program. She explained that the Facilities has approved and the Finance has recommended the budget transfers. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept B. Mitchell’s proposal for the Wilcox and MC2 move and renovations as presented and the $42,081.00 budget transfer. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 10.167/0/1.930/2.903. Motion passes.

8.            Reappointment of District Treasurer: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to reappoint N. Carlson to the District Treasurer position. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 12.097/0/0/2.903. Motion passes.   

 

6.      OLD BUSINESS:  

 

1.      Default Budget: K. Chambers had hoped to hear observations from the Board. T. Aho commented that he had spoken to D. Mousette and had talked about combining two classrooms to reduce a teacher. It was promised to the voters that they would have single classrooms for 5 years. K. Dassau explained that he spoke to D. Mousette about the reduction of a teacher at Gilsum. K. Dassau said that the school board oard never agreed to a configuration to the Northern Schools but it was the recommendation of the Surry Withdrawal Committee. It is up to the Board. K. Cota commented on books specific to a student. S. Rashid explained that the books would follow the student through the grades.

2.      Surry Transition: J. Fortson reported that the committee would be meeting at the Surry School. They would be doing a walk through to see what items stay and what items do not. They would be discussing the tuition number for the students that opt to remain. The tuition number has not been approved by the State. The committee would be discussing a number for the building to be brought to the full Board. T. Aho commented that that tuition information should be out Monday. J. Carnie commented on the SAU Meeting discussion last night. He said that the Board has bent over backwards. We are not under any obligation to receive any students from Surry. Last night the SAU was told that SAU #38 has to provide services. Surry was very adamant last night. It was explained that the issues to be resolved are the tuition, accept or not and cost of building. C.Dreyfuss commented that at the end of the SAU meeting it was fairly positive. A committee would be sitting down with Surry to negotiate. She reported that C.Dreyfuss, C. Duquette and W.Temmens would be going to the State Board for a resolution. D. Lyman arrives. T. Aho commented that the contract for tuition should be very specific. J. Fortson explained that the RSA is very specific for the price of the building. It is the capital improvements to the building. K.Dassau explained that the SAU issue is not new. He explained that 24 current Surry students might request to stay at Monadnock. A motion was made to accept those students. W. Wright said that the parents need to be surveyed to see which students want to attend. He said that the town has the Surry School valued at a lot more than what they are willing to pay. There will be a lot of work at next week’s meeting. J. Carnie commented that the Surry Withdrawal issue was brought up but not resolved. This board has to understand that they have 2/3 of the cost and vote. Take a look at these issues before the next SAU Meeting. The cost of the building, tuition and the SAU issue should be on the next agenda. K. Dassau commented that Surry is responsible to survey their parents and students. K. Dassau said that Surry is not prepared to have a school in 2008-2009. They are part of the SAU and receive all the services. K. Dassau explained that Surry is willing to pay their share, which is 3.29%. S. Oerman asked if there was any feed back on the scheduling. J. Smith explained that he does not have that information.

3.      Unfunded Mandate Litigation: D. Lyman explained that the lawsuit will come about if the current bill in front of the Senate has not passed. The result would be an 8% increase in pension and that would be passed to all districts and towns. The Local Government Center is asking for money in case the lawsuit comes about. W.Wright asked for the recommendation. D. Lyman explained that they are asking for $3166.26 from each group. Any money not used would go back to the District. D. Lyman would recommend that the funds be available to them and hopefully get it back. K. Chambers explained that the funds would come from the School Board legal account. W. Wright would suggest waiting until the next meeting. Do not rush. MOTION: E. Jacod MOVED to fund our share as requested to the Local Government Center in the amount of $3166.26. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSION: D. Lyman explained that the total amount would be $500,000.00 if all members participate. There would be a full financial accounting. The funds not used would be returned. K. Cota said that it is better to have the rationale in writing in the next packet. D. Lyman explained that the Board received the rationale 3 months ago. VOTE: 7.041/4.898/1.179/1.882. Motion passes.   

 

7.                  CURRICULUM REPORT:

1.      NEASC Update-J. Smith: J. Smith passed out the informational chart K. Cota had asked for titled NEASC 2 Year Progress Report Recommendations Timeline. This information is to review and any discussion at the next meeting.

2.      AYP Report-D. Hodgdon: D. Hodgdon reported that they are moving forward with the District In Need of Improvement plan. There are three teams, several meetings and activities being planned. The AYP Results should be out on May 7, 2008 and the Science Testing would be taking place on May 20, 2008. There was a presentation to the students as part of the process to prepare them for the science test. D. Hodgdon explained that the Middle School Plan had been accepted by the State. The District Plan of Improvement had received very positive comments but two small things needed to be corrected. Troy and Mt. Caesar needed corrections. K.Cota was concerned for the preparation of the test.  J.Smith commented on the presentation to the Junior Class.

 

8.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:  

1. Community Relations Committee: the CRC would be meeting on April 16, 2008 at 5:00 PM in the high school library.

 

2. Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the Facilities Committee met. K. Cota was elected Chair, R. Smith Vice Chair and K. Goodenough, secretary. She explained that B. Mitchell would be meeting with the principals and plan on having BI-monthly reviews of all of the schools. The roofs would be worked on as soon as the weather clears. She explained that the summer would be busy with maintenance projects. The Facilities committee voted to move forward with the gym article. The Facilities would be sending the Richmond Planning Board a copy of the CIP as information to help with the town’s development of a capital plan. C. Dreyfuss and R. Smith have volunteered to update the CIP. There was discussion on the weight room donated by the Woods Family. The next meeting would be April 9, 2008 at 7:00PM.  

 

3. Finance Committee: K. Chambers reported that the committee met and would be setting a meeting for April 8, 2008. They would be discussing goal setting.

 

4. Policy Committee:  No meeting.

 

5. Budget Committee: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to nominate R. Smith as liaison to the Budget committee. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 12.097/0/1.021/1.882. Motion passes. The next meeting is on April 22, 2008 in Gilsum.

 

6.   Cheshire Career Center :  No meeting.

 

7.   Legislative Committee Report: D. Lyman asked for acceptance from the Board to sign the two letters that he had sent in the Board packets. One was addressed to Senator Molly Kelly and the other letter to Senator Bob Odell regarding HB 1436. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED the acceptance of the two letters to the Senators regarding HB 1436. SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: C.Dreyfuss commented that the letters pose an opinion and do not represent this Board. Some of the items are not true. We have a letter that the Board has not agreed on. She would be voting no on the motion. K. Cota would agree with C. Dreyfuss. The Board has not decided on their opinion. She would also vote no. E. Jacod commented that the purpose of the letter was to edit it at this meeting before it was sent. D. Lyman commented that this is based on the NHSBA recommendation. The Board discussed the Evergreen Clause. K. Cota suggested that the board be presented any bills that impact our district or education received from D. Lyman. Have him include any RSAs or current changes in the packets. Give opinion, write the letter and have the CRC review it than go and present to the Board. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to table the letter discussion until the next meeting when the process K. Cota described has been followed. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: Process as follows: Board discussion, D. Lyman writes a letter, which goes to the CRC for review and then recommendation to the full Board. VOTE: 8.277/4.841/0/1.882. Motion passes. D. Lyman gave the Board information on HB 1623 regarding the decrease in the penalty for possession of marijuana. It was mentioned that we have not heard a recommendation from the NHSBA. K. Cota suggested that when a Bill comes to the Board that it starts with the priorities of the NHSBA. She commented that this is a personnel agenda tonight. D. Lyman commented that he is hearing that this Board should not take up anything that the NHSBA does not support. W. Wright commented that he has a problem with just using the NHSBA. D. Lyman should be able to look at other issues. We need to look at them all. S. Oerman commented that the Board has a policy on marijuana. D. Lyman asked for clarity. K. Cota asked for the list from the NHSBA on what is coming up. G. White said that D. Lyman is the point person and should make the Board aware of what is coming up. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to take no action on HB 1623. SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman asked why. J. Fortson said that it is not the Board’s position. D.Lyman commented that this would reaffirm the zero tolerance. VOTE: 7.164/4.065/1.890/1.882. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to appoint D. Lyman as the point person to bring to the Board legislative information from the State. SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman suggested that his job needs to be clearer. G. White would refer it to the Policy Committee. A friendly amendment was to put “the legislative representative to the Board” instead of D. Lyman. VOTE: 7.163/0/5.955/1.882. Motion passes.

 

 

9.      Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,246,432.88. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: It was commented that the District receives three bids for the computers. It is then up to C. Boyle on which bid he chooses. VOTE: 12.09/0/1.021/1.882. Motion passes.

 

10.  Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau read a letter of resignation from K. Carter and wished her the best of luck. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the resignation of K. Carter with regret. SECOND: K. Goodenough. DISCUSSION: K. Carter commended the Board for their commitment during the tough times the Board is facing. She said that she is retiring from public education. VOTE: 11.939/1.179/0/1.882. 

 

11.  BOARD CHAIR REPORT:  G. White reminded the Board of the need for several non –public sessions. 

          

12.  SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:

1.         Education committee

2.         Tuition Cost-SAU Transition Issues

3.         NEASC Handout

4.         W. Felton’s proposal

 

13.  SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: G.White commented that the Board might consider removing the second “Public Comments” section from the agenda. He reminded the everyone that when making any comments to address the Chair and be kind.

 

C. Kahn commented on the Evergreen Claus. She explained that 60% of the staff are at the top of the scale and 38 people are looking for new jobs. T. Aho asked if people not living in the District could speak. G. White said that we allow all employees of the District to speak. T. Aho commented that the Evergreen Claus should never have been included. The Evergreen was proven to be wrong. 

 

14. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) Nominations: SECOND: K. Cota. Roll call vote: E. Jacod, W. Wright, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, T. Aho, K. Goodenough, R. Smith, J. Fortson, C. Dreyfuss, S. Oerman and G. White. Motion passes.

 

15. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(b) Hiring of an employee. SECOND: R. Smith. Roll call vote: E. Jacod, W. Wright, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, T. Aho, K. Goodenough, R. Smith, J. Fortson, C. Dreyfuss, S. Oerman and G. White. Motion passes.

 

16.  NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(e) litigation. SECOND: R. Smith. Roll call vote: E. Jacod, W. Wright, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, T. Aho, K. Goodenough, R. Smith, J. Fortson, C. Dreyfuss, S. Oerman and G. White. Motion passes.

 

17. Adjournment: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 PM. SECOND: K. Cota VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary