Approved  Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD

December 2, 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 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 read the letter of resignation from K. Goodenough. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the resignation from K. Goodenough. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 10.671/1.021/0/3.308. Motion passes.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to accept the November 18, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 7.760/0/5.11/2.129. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the two sets of November 18, 2008 Non-public Minutes as presented. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: 11.074/0/1.797/2.129. Motion passes.  MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to unseal the November 18, 2008 Non-public Minutes regarding RSA91-A:3 (b) Nominations. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 11.850/0/1.021/2.129. G. White explained why the minutes were not in the packets.

 

2.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: R. Skrocki reported that committee met today. The focus of the meeting was attendance. The students seem to attend the in-school meetings but not the after school meetings. There is a new attendance policy in place. The students would need a valid excuse. If they do not attend the after school meeting they could not attend the meeting during school. They also discussed the hallway sub committee. Each club would adopt a hallway and prepare a bulletin board and decorate for the upcoming holidays or events. This is not final. We are still working things out. 

 

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: J. Smith reported that Cutler received their 5- hour visit from 3 members of the DOE. They looked at 12 random District policies. They spoke to K. Dassau, himself and the entire staff about the policies. It was reported that overall report from the DOE should be good but there would be suggestions.

 

B. Pickering reported that N. Novak and C.Kruse played taps in Troy for the Veterans celebration. The American Legion thanked the girls for their participation.

 

The NHIA Soccer Committee commended the Girls Soccer Team for not receiving any yellow or red tickets during the season.

 

L. Sutton reported that they hosted the Honors Breakfast for the students and the parents. There were 31 new members in the Junior National Honor Society.

 

K. Craig received a letter from the Bogcrowic Family. The family thanked the staff for being caring, loving and honest with their children and family.

 

D. Mousette reported that they would be hosting a Winter Extravaganza. The money raised would go to the Keene Community Kitchen and Toys for Tots.    

 

 

4.      Public Comments: G. White explained that the public would be able to speak as long as they are respectful of others and that the comments are brief. The Policy Committee is looking into recommending the NHSBA Policy on Public Participation.

 

P. Bauries commented on the increase in her tax bill and if spending money was the best way to educate children. She asked if after she asks a question whether she would be getting an answer. She commented that the minutes of the last meeting were not at the SAU. She was informed that the minutes would no longer be on the web site. She asked how many members knew that the Reverse 911 was being used to ask the voters to vote. She asked why there was no public hearing for the high school infrastructure and the new middle school. G. White explained that most of the questions would be answered at tonight’s meeting. K.Dassau explained the lack of availability on the minutes. He said that the book in the SAU office, which is designated for the minutes was not updated. They would be posting the approved minutes on the web site instead of posting them twice. The Committee Minutes are not getting to Marie.

 

M.Hoefer commented that he supports a strong accredited high school and education. He was very upset at the last meeting. The schools have an anti-bullying policy and we need to do that here. He commented that we argue about minutes but the RSA states that the “he said she said” is not necessary. Families are leaving the District. We are forcing them out. He stated that the motion to adjourn could be done at anytime. The lengths of the meetings are a concern. At times it is hard to make decisions late at night.

 

K. Cota commented that the budget has to educate all the children. We need to look at the student’s needs. We need to make the renovations to the high school. If we wait the cost would be more. She commented that there were two public meetings for the warrants and the Master Plan is on the web site. She asked that the sub committees not to have their meetings any earlier than 5:30 PM.

 

K. Goodenough apologized to the voters for her recent resignation. She said that she is not a quitter. She asked that the Board stop making their decisions on the assumption of the opposing side. Remember why you are here not for an individual agenda. The action here should be to improve student achievement. She said that it had been a very frustrating 9 months. She would suggest that the Board act more professional and work together. Prove that this is not a lost cause.

 

Cay Dilello commented that she was very disappointed in the last meeting. The Board has an obligation to act more professional. Please be more professional.

 

Lisa Cashman would agree with K. Goodenough and M. Hoefer. She would suggest that the Board work together for the education of the children and an accredited high school. D. Lyman commented that the school is accredited. We have not lost the accreditation status.

 

B. Hutwelker commented that he does not agree with all the comments. He is very impressed with the Board and Budget Committee’s work ethics. You all share what is best for the students. He does appreciate the interest and motivation to serve the community. He said that he has full confidence in G. White that he would not allow that behavior at the last meeting to be permitted again. No School Board Member should be threatened. He commented on the increase in the tax for the School District. The public needs to know the information regarding the warrants. The repairs to the auditorium was a good thing that happened. T. Aho said that he said he spoke of the lane jumps because of the grant money. He said that it would cost $200,000.00 to $250,000.00 a year for the 5 years. It does not seem that the students are improving by the increases.

 

5.       NEW BUSINESS:

1.      School Resource Officer Report: Mr. James Fisher reported that last year he had 19 criminal investigations going on in the school and this year there are 20. He said that he has found an increase in morale and behavior this year. J. Fisher explained that he has students come to talk to him about concerns. He explained that he covers the 7-12 grades. There are no investigations in the middle school. J. Fisher explained that last year there were 5 drug cases the first week of school last year. This year there are no drug cases. B. Pickering explained that there is a feeling of safety. Part of the day he is part of the staff. The Swanzey Police has been very cooperative. J. Fisher explained a typical day at the school. 

2.      District Clerk: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to nominate Michelle Cloutier of Fitzwilliam to the School District Clerk position. SECOND: S.Oerman. VOTE: 12.871/0/0/2.129. Motion passes. B. Hutwelker swore M. Cloutier in as the new School District Clerk.

6.      OLD BUSINESS:  

1.   2009-2010: K. Dassau explained that the principals were instructed to reduce the budget by 1 million dollars. They met last Monday and today to finalize the list. They would be bringing the final list to the Finance Committee. Once reviewed the Board may agree or not agree. E.Wammack explained that the budgets were mailed out. The adjustments have been made for the salaries and the increase in medical and dental. He passed out Location 8 Section to the Board to add to the budget notebook. T. Aho asked for the MC2 Program to be separate from the high school budget. We need to think about those cuts before we close the Sullivan School. The Finance and the School Board should receive this information. He commented on the health care savings being spent. He said that the GMR is not what we should be using in the budget. The difference in the GMR was not a savings. K.Dassau explained that the MC2 information was given to the Education Committee. J. Carnie would agree with T. Aho. He said that he would like to see the MC2 numbers for the last two years. He would also like to see the amount of surplus for the health care. The health care was an over estimate not extra. The money belongs to the taxpayers. K.Dassau explained that for several years the Board has set the Default Budget now it is the responsibility of the Budget Committee. This conversation should be with the Budget Committee. It was commented that the School Board does not set the default. J. Carnie commented that it is the Board’s right to use the bottom line within the stipulations of the law. W. Wright asked what they would like to reduce the budget by. J. Carnie commented to have the Finance Committee review the MC2 figures. K.Dassau commented that he would have preferred the information before the day it was due. The administration was directed to reduce the budget by 1 million-dollars. D. Lyman commented that the Finance Committee had asked for MC2 to be under a separate heading more than 2 months ago. K. Dassau explained that it was done. He would bring it forward again.

2.      2009/2010 Project List: MOTION: R.Smith MOVED to table the motion on the 2009-2010 Project List until the next Board Meeting. SECOND: E.Stanley. DISCUSSION: R. Smith explained that the Facilities Committee would be reexamining the list. VOTE: 11.850/0/0/3.150. Motion passes. (S. Oerman missing from vote).

3.      Chapter RSA 191C:8-Weighted Vote: J. Carnie asked the Board what they were going to do. K. Dassau explained that it was never an issue in the Procedures Manual. K. Dassau explained that there is an RSA. If someone disagrees there would have to be a legal opinion. J. Carnie commented that it was brought up by the SAU Procedures Manual Committee. The Board needs to decide. J.Carnie commented that Monadnock should get 2/3 of the vote because they pay 2/3 of the budget. K.Dassau explained that the history of the weighted vote was that it was never used. J. Carnie commented that he would like the members to know the ramifications. K.Dassau commented that it is a serious issue that 3 districts can not have a cooperative understanding.

 

7.      CURRICULUM REPORT:

       1.   NEASC Report: B. Pickering reported that there would be a Grant Visiting Team on December 9, 2008. There would be a series of interviews in regards to extended learning opportunities and to where we are going. T.Aho said that he said that the NEASC should be notified to let them know that Monadnock is one of the top ten contributing to education in the State. 

2.      AYP Report-D. Hodgdon reported that there are 3 District Wide Committees for the District in Need of Improvement that are working on the math, mentors and database. There are Reading Groups going to the schools to talk about reading and efforts to increase achievement. They would be going to the middle school next week. The Science Group had a day-long meeting. It was supported by the State but not monetary support. They are examining scores to look for areas of inquiry. They are working on digital portfolios and goal setting in the upcoming months. D. Hodgdon explained that the Fall Testing scores should be out in April.

8.   SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:

            1.  Community Relations Committee: The committee has not met.

            2.   Facilities Committee: MOTION: R.Smith MOVED to remove the New Middle School Warrant from the ballot. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: R.Smith explained that this is not the time with the present economy. W.Felton explained that there should have been a 48-hour notice on something so important as this. This is not the way to do this. He would be voting against it. J.Carnie asked if there was any proposed change to the infrastructure of the high school. R. Smith explained that they would have the numbers at the next meeting. J.Fortson asked if we go ahead with the infrastructure would we still see the trailers.  She would like to table the motion in order to look at the middle school and the infrastructure together and with the 12 million know what is included and look at the project list. MOTION: J. Fortson. MOVED to table the motion until the next meeting to postpone the removal of the new middle school building warrant. SECOND: S.Oerman. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman would agree with the motion on the new middle school today. He does not believe that we would get any of the warrants maybe the health and safety. W.Wight commented that we have not heard from the middle school principal. We need input from her. Health and safety we usually get. D.Lyman would agree that we need something but not both. J.Fortson commented on the 12 million-dollars for the 9-12 grades, 7-12 grades would look different. E. Stanley commented that everyone on the Facilites agreed to remove this. W.Felton commented on the procedure. E.Jacod would disagree with the two warrants together. Offer a middle school plan and a 7-12 infrastructure. G.White commented that the renovations were 9-12 grades. S.Oerman agreed with J. Fortson. She did not know that the original motion was going to be made tonight. She would like to see the numbers. VOTE to table: 5.672/7.199/0/2.129. Motion fails. Motion to remove the Middle School from the warrant VOTE: 7.569/4.123/1.179/2.129. Motion passes. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to go with New England Linen for the mop heads, uniforms and mats for the School District in the amount of $32,270.68. SECOND: E.Stanley. DISCUSSION: J. Fortson asked about the mats for the summer. B. Mitchell commented that they could save depending on the school but if you start cherry picking the cost would not be the same. He explained that the uniforms, mop heads and some of the mats were already in the budget. They went out to get the bids for the rest of the mats and the other already budget items. The cost with the new vendor was within a few hundred dollars. J. Carnie asked where it was already in the budget and why the 52 weeks when school is not always in session. K. Dassau explained that the buildings are always in use. B Pickering commented that the MS/HS is always in use. This building never closes. B.Mitchell commented that we are only adding the mats. T.Aho asked which account would be increased. E.Stanley supported the mats saying they would save on flooring and tiles. R. Smith explained that it was a 3-year contract. S.Oerman asked if this was the maximum price. B.Mitchell explained that it was the maximum price and could be lower. B. Mitchell explained that it is $32,270.68 for 3-years but if you look back 3 years you would find that it was about the same cost. The Board questioned the current account budgeted at $18,000.00. They thought perhaps a budget transfer for the rest. K. Dassau explained that the Board approves all budget transfers. J. Fortson explained that the default budget has the $18,000.00 amount. It was not a budget transfer. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to table the motion until the next meeting when the board has the answers to their questions. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: 10.513/2.358/0/2.129. Motion passes. The next meeting is on December 9, 2008 at 4:00 PM.

a. BeTTYS Subcommittee: No report.

3.   Finance Committee: D. Lyman reported that the committee has not met. The next meeting is on Dec. 4, 2008 at 8:45 AM.

4.   Policy Committee: S. Oerman reported that the committee met on Dec. 1, 2008. The committee discussed Policy BEDH-Public Participation. The committee used the NHSBA policy along with the current policy, made changes and it would be in the next packet for approval on Dec. 16, 2008. The committee discussed Policy BEDC-Quorum/voting and BBBB-MRSD Policy on School Board Elections. These policies would be on the future agenda. Attorney Apple would be drafting a warrant article based on the motion of November 18, 2008 regarding the 15 members board. Policy IJOC-Volunteers and Policy AC Non-Discrimination would be on our next agenda. The Policy Committee had reviewed the voting order and decided that it should stay as is. MOTION: S.Oerman MOVED to accept Policy BEDB Agenda Preparation and Dissemination as presented. SECOND: W.Wright. VOTE: 11.074/0/1.797/2.129. Motion passes. The next meeting is on Dec. 15, 2008 at 5:30 PM. 

5.   Budget Committee Rep.: R. Smith reported that the Budget Committee met and discussed the warrant articles. They had not received their budgets. B. Pickering gave a presentation on the Dept. Heads. The next meeting is on Dec. 17, 2008.  

         6.   Cheshire Career Center: W.Wright reported that there would be a meeting on December 11, 2008 with a lengthy agenda. Currently we are using the current contract.

7.   Education Committee: J.Carnie reported that the next meeting is on Dec. 11, 2008 at 4:00 PM.

9.   Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of  $1,103,291.17. SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: The board had questions E.Wammack answered. He would be looking up Town of Peterborough and asking C. Boyle about Government Connections for the bidding process. VOTE: 11.850/0/1.021/2.129. Motion passes.  

 

10. Superintendent’s Report: MOTION: S.Oerman MOVED to accept the request of early retirement for Nancy Gagne. SECOND: W. Felton. DISCUSION: K. Dassau explained that the Board had approved her regular retirement already. She would be put in the pool of applicants and the Board at the next meeting based on seniority would choose 7. VOTE: 9.051/.776/3.044/2.129. Motion passes. K. Dassau explained that there was no recusing from K. Cota because no one asked her to be on the Search Committee for the Project Manager position. J. Carnie said that either K. Dassau or the Chair made the assumption. K. Cota applied for the position. Who made the decision on who should be on the Search committee. K. Dassau explained that it is an informal process. J.Carnie commented that W. Felton was put on the committee. K. Dassau explained that there is a lot of effort for a person that did not get the position. J. Carnie commented that some people were passed by on sitting on the committee. K. Dassau explained that there is no formal process. J. Carnie commented that he has no problem with Board Members applying for a position. The School Board should have known. There was a real effort not to give the information to the Board. The Chair and the Superintendent should not have held the information. K. Dassau explained that the applicant process is confidential. J. Carnie explained that the issue is that a School Board Member applied for the position. K. Dassau explained that she did not get the position. J. Carnie said that it is different between an employee and a public official. K. Dassau would disagree. J. Carnie commented that it was a cover up. D. Lyman commented that there is no formal practice for hiring a person. W.Wright explained that the Board has given the charge to the Superintendent to search what the process is.

 

      K. Dassau responded to the America Reads issue. He said that N. Moriarty participated in the program, which is housed in Keene. He was asked not to continue at Mt. Caesar but after discussions B.Tatro found him a spot and he continues to be a volunteer at Mt. Caesar. D. Lyman commented that N. Moriarty was told that he was not able to continue because of his articles to the Keene Sentinel. K. Dassau explained that he would agree with N. Moriarty because he has no other information otherwise. J. Carnie asked if N.Morarity was told that he could not participate because of the articles. K. Dassau explained that America Reads took that position. J. Carnie said that someone was told that America Reads did not have the problem but people in the District did because of the articles. He said that there is a problem because of discrimination. K.Dassau explained that everything has been corrected. D. Lyman said that it does not solve the original problem, which is a possible violation of the first amendment rights. We could have been sued. Did it happen that way? N.Moriarty stated it and it was not by America Reads. J. Fortson commented that she was told that there were not enough placements but N. Moriarty has tenure and should have been given a placement.B. Tatro explained that she received an email from S. Borden regarding placing N. Moriarty in another school due to the articles. B. Tatro saw that N. Moriarty wanted to stay at Mt. Caesar and found him a room. D. Lyman wants a copy of the email from S. Borden.

 

      K.Dassau informed that Board of the SAU Meeting on Dec. 3, 2008 in Winchester at 7:00 PM.

 

      At the next meeting Attorney Apple would be present for pending litigation. 

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

 

12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA

1.      Uniforms and scraper mats

2.      Infrastructure warrant

3.      2009-2010 Budget

4.      Reverse 911 message

 

J. Carnie asked who used the Reverse 911 for the teachers contract vote and what the message said. G.White and W. Lechlider used the Reverse 911 and encouraged the voters to get out and vote. The message went to all parents.

 

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: N. Moriarty commented that America Reads said that Mt. Caesar caused the issue. He said as he pointed to the employees that K. Dassau or B.Tatro or the employees started this. B. Tatro said that she would back track the issue.

 

      E. Stanley commented that we as a Board are obligated to listen to what everyone has to say.

 

      S. Oerman asked for a list of the items from the 2007-2008 budget that are going into the 2008-2009 budget. E.Wammack would be getting the answers and giving them to the Finance Committee. 

 

14. Adjournment: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 PM. SECOND: D.Lyman VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary