Approved  Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD  

December 16, 2008

Monadnock Regional Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

 

Present: Gene White, Jane Fortson, Doug Lyman, Phyllis Peterson, James Carnie, Robert Smith, William Felton, Eric Stanley, Ed Jacod Tim Aho, Susan Oerman, Bruce Barlow and Winston Wright. Absent:  

Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and E. Wammack, Business Manager. Principals: B. Pickering, J. Smith, K. Craig D. Mousette and B. Tatro. B. Mitchell, Buildings and Grounds.

 

G. White read the new board Goal, which is to improve student achievement.

 

G. White explained that the Board accepted the nomination of Bruce Barlow as the new Swanzey School Board Member.

 

Non-Public Hearing RSA 91-A:3: G. White informed the public that non-public session was held at 6:15 PM. The result of the non-public session was the sealing of the minutes until the litigation is resolved.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the December 2, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 11.757/0/1.114/3.243. Motion passes.

 

2.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: R. Skrocki reported that several members of the committee met with B.Pickering to review the mission statement. The group made some amendments returned it back to B.Pickering and then to the entire Student Government. This is not official. Two members would go to finalize the information with the administration. The committee has finalized a proposal to allow all club members and the honor roll students a permanent pass during lunch and study hall as a reward. They would be presenting it to the administration and faculty at the faculties next meeting. B. Barlow asked for the proposed changes made to the mission statement by the committee. R. Skrocki explained. E. Jacod asked about the new attendance policy for the members. R.Skrocki explained that there has been an increase in attendance at the after school meeting. E. Stanley arrives.  

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau and the administration spoke about the weather and the delays or closings at their individual schools.

 

B.Pickering spoke on a wonderful holiday show he attended. This was T. Lippincott’s senior project. It was a very impressive and positive event.

 

J. Smith reported that Cutler is receiving $750.00 for the wellness program for snowshoes during recess.

 

4.      Public Comments: B.Arguin asked the Board to look at the economic benefits of closing the Sullivan School. She commented on the fact that D. Mousette mentioned because of the outages that the students from Sullivan are attending the Gilsum School without any interruption. She thanked the School Board for the wonderful repairs to the auditorium.

 

D. Connell asked the board specific questions concerning the use of Reverse 911 prior to the teacher’s contract vote. K. Dassau explained that his questions would be answered later in the meeting.

 

N. Moriarty asked the School Board to take $50,000.00 out of the surplus and put it in the Special Ed. Account. N.Moriarty also encouraged the Board to restore the $8000.00 for the town use of the Reverse 911 and refrain from using the Reverse 911 for political gain. He mentioned that he would be more than happy to help the other towns load the information.

 

5.       NEW BUSINESS:

1.      Early Retirement 08/09: K.Dassau informed the Board that 3 people would like to have the Board rescind their motions to retire as of June 2009. MOTION: S.Oerman MOVED to rescind the motion to accept the retirement of Kathy O’Brien as of June 2009. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman asked if she would like to retire still. K. Dassau said no. She has close to 30 years in the District. VOTE: 13.029/0/1.021/.95. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to rescind the motion to accept the retirement of Deb Schneider as of June 2009. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman asked if either teacher would be on the early retirement list. K.Dassau explained that they would be on the list. VOTE: 13.029/0/1.021/.95. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to rescind the motion to accept the retirement of Beth Audette as of June 2009. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau explained that B.Audette did not qualify for the health subsidy concerning retirement. VOTE: 13.029/0/1.021/.95. Motion passes. K. Dassau listed the members eligible for the Early Retirement. They are as follows: S.Bobbin, C. Symonds, B.Reid, B. O’Leary, N.Gagne, D.Nichols and M. Thompson. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the recipients to the Early Retirement as of July 1, 2009 presented by K. Dassau. SECOND: B. Barlow. DISCUSSION: T. Aho questioned the Early Retirement approval from the Board on M.Thompson. K. Dassau explained that the Board has approved the recipients and they notified the Board prior to the Dec. 1, 2008 date. He said that he did not bring the files. VOTE: 8.839/2.910/2.293/.950. Motion passes.   

2.      SAU Budget: K. Dassau explained that the SAU Budget had changed with the 3% pool of money for raises for the administration and the $35,000.00 for the boiler to come out of the undesignated fund balance. He explained that the members from Monadnock in attendance asked for a 3% contribution to the health care from the administration. The motion did not pass. There was no processing time. The next meeting is on Jan. 7, 2009 at 7:00 PM at Monadnock High School. The administration at the SAU would ask the Board to support a 3% pool of money for the increases and the SAU employees would add 4% contribution to the health care. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the request of the SAU administration to receive a 3% pool of money for the salary increases divided in the Spring and the SAU employees would contribute 4 % to the health care. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: J. Fortson commented that the SAU Board had voted to reduce the pool of money to 1%. She is in favor of the new motion. K. Dassau explained that the motion at the SAU Meeting was a surprise. MOTION: W.Wright MOVED to support the motion to bring back at the next SAU Board Meeting on Jan.7, 2009. SECOND: J.Fortson. VOTE: 9.953/1.121/1.955/1.971. Motion passes. (D.Lyman missing from the vote).

3.      NIMS: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED that the Monadnock Regional School Board formally adopt the Incident Command System and the National Incident Management System to develop its site-specific school emergency response plans. SECOND: R.Smith. DISCUSSION: K. Dassu explained that in the process they would coordinate with all the towns and Hinsdale and Winchester. This is the first step of the process. The SAU Board would have a similar motion. W. Wright explained that this is the first step to coordinate all the management systems in the State. K. Dassau explained that law requires this process. VOTE: 13.029/0/0/1.971. Motion passes.

4.      Audio Recording of Board Meetings: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED that the Board ask for bids for recording equipment that will be able to record the meetings and the Board. With enough equipment to record two or more meetings at once. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman explained that this would keep all members in the conversation. J. Fortson agreed with the motion. E.Jacod had concerns about the equipment availability and what happens when there are problems with the equipment. He has concerns. W. Wright said that it is a great idea but the logistics. It needs to be repaired and maintained. D.Lyman commented that he has priced one for $1000.00 and it does not erase. W.Felton commented that he is not impressed with the massive undertaking. He commented that it was done at KSC and a paper copy had to be done also. He said that he would vote against the motion. G. White commented that the motion needs to be more specific. It needs to have specifics. B. Barlow asked for the motion to be taken off the table and he would figure out the specifics with D.Lyman. He said that this is not improving student achievement. D.Lyman withdrew his motion and P. Peterson withdrew her second until Jan. 6, 2009. It was commented that the minutes have to reflect the action by the Board. There is a concern that the minutes may become lost. B. Barlow commented that there has to be a second copy of the minutes. 

5.      Uniforms and Scraper Mats: It was explained that a 3-year contract with New England Uniforms for $31,885.88 per year with the balance on the bottom line. MOTION: R.Smith MOVED to accept New England Uniforms in the amount of $31,885.88 per year for a 3-year contract. SECOND: S.Oerman. DISCUSSION: J.Fortson asked about the budget transfer for the balance. G. White explained that the motion is only to accept the bid/contract. J. Fortson asked that the Finance Committee look at the budget transfer than come back to the Board. J.Carnie is not against the item but does not believe that the Board should do this because there is only $18,000.00 budgeted not the $31,000.00. This should not be done. We need to go forward correctly on this budget. VOTE: 5.737/6.020/2.293/.950. Motion fails. G.White would send this issue to the Finance Committee.

6.       Infrastructure Warrant: MOTION: R. Smith. MOVED to remove the 11.9 million-dollar infrastructure warrant from the ballot. SECOND: E. Stanley. DISCUSSION: T. Aho explained that the 11.9 million-dollar warrant would be withdrawn and than replaced with a 1 million-dollar article pay as you go and than a smaller health and safety list. T. Aho commented that the 11.9 million was enough to receive building aid but there would be nothing on the 1 million. G.White commented that the infrastructure included some of the things that the NEASC did not have. The 11.9million would address all the code violations. It was commented that the 1 million-dollar warrant was part of the 5-year plan.  E. Jacod commented that it is a 1 million-dollar sinking fund to keep these devils happy. E.Stanley commented that the Facilities wanted the 11.9 million warrant but in today’s economy now is not the time. The new motion is the right thing to do. We have to constantly improve. E. Jacod commented that it is a running faucet. E. Stanley explained that we need to do continuous upgrades. J. Carnie does agree with the general proposal but the Board voted to have the 11.9 million placed on the ballot. The Board has to rescind. He said that you could not obligate anyone on a 5-year plan. You can only make a one-year commitment. He said that there has to be a bit of a salesmanship with the proposal of 5-years stated. The previous motion on the 11.9 million-dollars has to be rescinded. G. White explained that the earlier motion was to separate the proposal and place them as two warrant articles. There was never a proposal for a warrant article. J. Carnie commented that the minutes of Sept. 2, 2008 reflect a vote. R.Smith withdrew his motion and E. Stanley withdrew his second. E.Jacod commented that he is not against the plan but the comments he stated are a warning. Do not let the train get out of control. MOTION: R.Smith MOVED to rescind the vote of August concerning the 11.9 million-dollar infrastructure from the ballot. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 12.008/0/2.042/.950. Motion passes. MOTION: R.Smith. MOVED to remove the 11.9 infrastructure warrant off the ballot. SECOND: E. Stanley. VOTE: 12.008/0/2.042/.950. Motion passes.

7.      2009-2010 Project List: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to accept the 2009-2010 School Health and Safety Project List revised 12-15-08 as presented in the amount of $208,036.00. SECOND: E. Stanley. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that this list was reduced from over $700,000.00. B. Barlow mentioned the bleachers on the list. R. Smith explained that it is a safety issue that is used by a lot of people. It was explained that the $1500.00 for the septic design is a “just in case”. B.Mitchell explained that he has seen the sketches for the design and capacity of the system. VOTE: 14.050/0/0/.950. Motion passes. MOTION: R.Smith. MOVED to accept the NEASC Related Items Project List in the amount of $966,451.00. SECOND: J.Fortson. VOTE: R. Smith commented that they do not know if there is any reimbursement now. They are working on it. J. Fortson commented that they are not voting on the reimbursement. P. Peterson commented that this is a practical solution. R. Smith explained that there was a meeting and the use of the Master Plan to create this list. J. Carnie commented that this is one of five years and you need to tell the public. R.Smith commented that he would agree and have the CRC use W.Felton’s letter to do the PR. VOTE: 12.008/0/2.042/.950. Motion passes. E. Stanley explained that the Board has to do what they can to get this passed.

8.      Reverse 911 Message: K. Dassau explained that there was a copy of the message that went out to the parents in the packet. The numbers were from the Power School or an emergency contact. K. Dassau answered D. Connell’s questions. He said that the parents of the students were called and K.Dassau authorized the calling, an attorney was not called. J. Carnie commented that the system was misused and should not have been used for politics. It was not sent to all the voters only the parents of the students. It was most obvious going to the parents. This issue should have been brought to the entire Board on the intent. This was underhanded and done for political advantages. E.Jacod would agree with J. Carnie. It was not possible to contact the full spectrum of the voters than it should not have been used. K. Dassau explained that this was the only database. E.Jacod commented that it is used for school business not politics. S.Oerman commented that D. Connell wanted the phone numbers of the people contacted. S. Oerman has a real problem releasing those numbers. B. Barlow commented that it is clear that the Board would never do this again, now move on.

9.      NHSBA Delegate Assembly: K.Dassau informed the Board that the meeting is on Jan. 17, 2009 and anyone interested contact him.       

 

6.   OLD BUSINESS:  

1.   2009-2010 Budget: D.Lyman commented that the Finance Committee had asked the administration to reduce the budget by 1 million-dollars and the administration has responded with an excellent proposal. The plan is livable and does not effect students. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to remove or reduce the  2009-2010 proposed budget by the line items as presented in the Board packets totaling $1,015,697.00. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau explained that there is a concern in the World Language cut. B.Pickering would not submit the World Language on Level A. He needs the position to keep the AP French Program alive. B.Pickering commented on the Fine Arts Program. There are things that could be done to increase the enrollment. He commented that over the next year they would like to increase the number of credits for graduation. We need to raise the bar. J.Smith explained that 20 students in a class are doable. K. Dassau explained that the amount is not actually a person but an average salary with benefits. K. Craig was asked why Emerson was not cutting anywhere. K.Craig commented that she has large classes and her cost per pupil is smaller. She commented that she may need a first grade teacher with increased enrollment, only a heads up. K. Dassau explained that a study has to be done before closing the Sullivan School. S. Oerman commented on the 18 year-old drop out age and the increased credit requirements. She commented that there needs to be classes offered. B. Pickering explained that the Education Committee is looking at the increased credit idea. K. Dassau explained that even without the increase in credits there are students that graduate with more than the required amount. E. Jacod would support the increased credits but not with filler courses. He would support keeping French in the budget. K. Dassau explained the School to Career position and the Mentor Coordinator position. E. Jacod asked K. Craig about an extra first grade teacher. K. Craig said with the numbers do not be surprised if she would request an extra teacher. B.Pickering commented that there are not any filler courses. The students would be offered a well-balanced education. We need to offer electives to create passions. J. Carnie would like to move the Athletic Director Position to the Level C on the list. He said it was discussed at the Finance Committee. B. Barlow commented that the best community relations are the performing arts. MOTION: B. Barlow. MOVED to delete The Fine Arts Teacher from Level C. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie suggested that the Board discuss the 16 students in 3 classes. You can not justify 16 students. B. Pickering mentioned that the teacher also teaches 2 classes at the Middle School. It was not mentioned before. B.Pickering also hopes to increase enrollment. VOTE on amendment: 8.030/3.727/2.293/.950. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson. MOVED to remove the World Language teacher from the list of cuts. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: B.Pickering explained that they were going to absorb the position but now he is concerned. W.Felton commented that the Board voted to address concerns of the NEASC and asked how the changes would impact the NEASC. B.Pickering explained removing the World Language from the list is helpful. We do not want to do cuts that would effect student learning and school offerings. VOTE: 10.323/.809/2.918/.950. Motion passes. R.Smith asked if it is possible when the configuration is complete if an empty trailer could be moved to the SAU for a conference room. K. Dassau explained that the Aids are driven by IEPs. B.Barlow asked if there were any cuts besides people. K. Dassau explained that for efficiency it was not looked at. E.Stanley asked about 74 students in the Northern Schools and 1 principal. K. Dassau explained that was not looked at but could be blanketed with Sullivan. You need to have a study. B. Pickering explained that we need to have full time athletic services regarding the Athletic Director. We are going to have to ask the Assistant Principals to do services. We have a plan that would work. J. Carnie explained that he spoke to B.Pickering and he is not sure that there is the same level than with the one individual. If we eliminate the position and the person we have a problem. This is not the right route to take. R. Smith commented that he has the utmost respect for B.Pickering and knows that he would do his best. The amended figure is $905,697.00. VOTE on amended motion: 14.050/0/0/.950. Motion passes. 

 

Deliberative Session:  MOTION: S. Oerman. MOVED to move the date of the Deliberative Session to Feb. 7, 2009. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 9.144/1.179/3.727/.95. Motion passes.

 

The Board takes a 5 minute break.  J. Carnie leaves. 

 

6.      CURRICULUM REPORT:

       1.   NEASC Report: B. Pickering commented that they have been discussing the NEASC all night.

       2.   AYP Report: D. Hodgdon reported to the Board that there are committees going to each school in regards to the science and reading.

8.   SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:

            1.  Community Relations Committee: MOTION: R.Smith MOVED to nominate B.Barlow to the CRC SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 12.929/0/0/2.071. Motion passes.

            2.   Facilities Committee: MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to accept the proposal as presented in the Board packet’s from J. Lundahl regarding the new art work for the chimney at Mt. Caesar. SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: W.Wright saw no problem but suggested running it by the Building Inspector. T.Aho commented not to disrupt the chimney in anyway. VOTE: 9.209/1.021/2.699/2.071. Motion passes. The next meeting is on Jan. 13, 2008 at 4:00 PM. 

a. BeTTYS Subcommittee: E. Stanley was nominated Chair of the BeTTYS Committee. K. Goodenough would stay on as the Co-Chair.

3.   Finance Committee: MOTION: D. Lyman. MOVED to accept the principal’s recommendation as presented by the principals. SECOND: P.Peterson. DISCUSSION: It was mentioned that the Finance Committee did not recommend this proposal but decided to bring it to the full Board. Motion to amend: T. Aho MOVED to have the principals contribute 16% with the District 84% with Blue Choice as the driver and a 3% raise across the board. SECOND: P.Peterson. DISCUSSION: R. Smith said that he could not support that motion. D.Lyman commented that 10% BC Driver would be a wash with the raise. E.Jacod commented on the statement that says consistent with the MRSD Teachers contract. K. Dassau explained that it is consistent with the language in the contract. D. Mousette explained that the intent was to say that the administration would pay the 10% on the BC Driver. The teacher language got in there. If the motion passes he would take home $1600.00 less than he is now. He said that the proposal from the principals was with good intention. It had to be done in a hurry. W.Felton commented that the Finance Committee considered this then with an amendment with no consideration. D. Lyman commented that the recommendation was brought to the full Board because the Finance could not decide. This had to get into the 2009-2010 year’s budget. VOTE on amendment: .776/12.153/0/2.071. Motion fails. K. Dassau explained that it is not 10% of point of service. It is a 10% contribution. Motion to amend: D. Lyman MOVED to have the principals contribute 10% of the premium across the board. SECOND: S. Oerman VOTE: 12.929/0/0/2.071. Amended Motion: The principals would contribute 10% across the board and receive a 3.4% salary pool. VOTE: 11.908/0/1.021/2.071. Motion passes.

4.   Policy Committee: S. Oerman reported that the committee met and discussed Policy AC-Non-discrimination. An updated copy from the NHSBA would be in the next packet. At the next meeting the committee would be discussing Policy DJE-Bidding Requirements. The changes to the policy would be in the next packet. The committee started to discuss Policy IHCD-Advanced Course Work/Advanced Placement Courses. With this policy goes a number of other policies. The committee has to do some work in this area. The committee talked about getting an update on how Policy ILBAA-Competencies Competency-based Assessment was working in the high school. The next meeting is on January 5, 2009 at 5:30 PM.  

5.   Budget Committee Rep.: The next meeting is on Dec. 17, 2008.  

         6.   Cheshire Career Center: W.Wright reported that the committee met and had an excellent breakfast at the CCC. B.Pickering was in attendance. There are about 60 students attending the CCC from Monadnock. There is an issue concern the student’s social security numbers. The numbers are required for some of the programs. The parents and the students are upset. The CCC is also having budget issues like everyone else. In April they are having a Career Fair. He mentioned that scheduling is an issue. They are preparing a presentation in the spring to go before the Board. There is no contract. They are going on good faith. The old contract would continue. 

7.   Education Committee: This meeting was cancelled due to the weather.

9.   Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of  $2,051,517.79. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau explained that K. Carter is paid as a 1/5 advisor to the MC2 program for 1 year. VOTE: ????????????. Motion passes.  

 

10. Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau welcomed B.Barlow to the School Board. 

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

 

12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA

1.      Audio Recording

2.      Uniforms and Mats

3.      Warrant Articles

4.      Updated Schedule

13. Motion to adjourn: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 PM. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary