Approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

January 20, 2009

Monadnock Regional Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

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

Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and E. Wammack, Business Manager. Principals: B. Pickering, J. Smith, L. Sutton, 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 Keene Sentinel was recording the meeting. This meeting is also being video taped.

1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the January 6, 2009 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: R. Smith. VOTE: 10.053/0/0/4.947. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the January 6, 2009 Non-Public Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: R. Smith. VOTE: 10.053/0/0/4.947. Motion passes. J. Carnie asked where the Non-public meeting minutes of December 16. 2008 were. J.Carnie explained that the minutes are not available and what the reason was to seal them. G.White explained that it was on the Attorney’s advice an ongoing lawsuit. J. Carnie asked if the person who moved to seal the minutes has seen any pending litigation. G. White explained that it is pending litigation and they have had this conversation. K.Dassau explained that we had this conversation and it is on the advice of the Attorney. J.Carnie commented that he would like to see the pending litigation by tomorrow. He said that there is no pending litigation. G.White commented that the Attorney recommended that we seal

2. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: R. Skrocki reported that the students met today and the new attendance policy helped. The students presented a proposal that all club students be allowed to go to the library during lunch and study hall without a pass. The faculty would like the committee to bring more proposals to them. They are talking about music between classes.

3. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Craig informed the Board that Spencer Heiss had attended the Inauguration. The teachers are holding a dinner fundraiser where Spencer Heiss will explain his process and experience.

B. Pickering reported that the Big Brother Big Sisters are sponsoring Hot Jazz in the auditorium on Saturday at 7:00 PM.

NHIAA has recognized scholar athletes carrying a “B” average and participating in two sports. B. Pickering read the names of the students.

D. Mousette reported that on Jan. 21, 2009 Gilsum would be hosting Kids Power. Everyone is welcome.

4. Public Comments: D. Coffman explained that he had asked at the Public Hearing for a list of big projects unrelated to Article One and a 2 to 3 year trend on spending. G. White explained that he gave K. Dassau his notes from the Public Hearing and information would be ready for the next meeting. He commented that the Budget Committee voted down W.Lechlider’s proposal to cut the budget. He would suggest if the budget is cut at the Deliberative Session that the Board look at the oil line. He would prefer that someone on the School Board do the cuts. He felt that the budget and the warrants would not pass if not cut.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

1. 2009-2010 School Calendar-draft: To be reviewed next time.

6. OLD BUSINESS:

1. 2009/2010 Budget /Warrant-Article One and Article Two: MOTION: J.Fortson MOVED to accept Article One for discussion. SECOND: D. Lyman DISCUSSION: J.Fortson commented that she does agree to cut the budget. The School Board is not aware of what is in there. The $260,000.00 cut is doable. She would be voting no on the motion for the budget. E.Stanley explained that he does not agree with all the cuts proposed by W.Lechlider but some of the cuts would get us below the default budget and get the budget passed. He does not want a budget not supported by the School Board going into the Deliberative Session. K. Dassau explained that the Budget Committee saw the budget. The administrative team wants a budget to pass. The support staff and the staff are 1 million-dollars. It is in the best interest of the District to have a budget that the School Board and the Budget Committee support. The warrant could be revised that the School Board would take no position. W. Lechlider explained that he wanted to see a proposed budget under the default to let the voters know that we hear them and we see what the economy is like. J.Fortson and D.Lyman withdrew their motion. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to take Article One off the table. SECOND: E. Stanley. VOTE: 11.074/0/0/3.926. Motion passes. MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED that the School Board vote to make no decision at this time on Article One. SECOND: R.Smith. DISCUSSION: A friendly amendment would be to strike the last sentence of Article One, which is “The School Board supports this article.” D. Lyman commented that the School Board did take action but does not support the number. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to amend the phrase that the School Board does not support the numbers of the operating budget in this article. No Second. Motion fails. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to amend the motion that the School Board does not support this article. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: It was commented that the member does not agree with the amendment. The members said that it makes the School Board look foolish. VOTE on amendment: 8.781/2.293/0/3.926. Motion passes. VOTE on amended motion: 9.895/1.179/0/3.926. Motion passes. Amended Motion: The School Board at this time would be making no decision on Article One, they would strike the last sentence of Article One and they do not support Article One as written. Article Two: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Article Two the SAU Budget as written and except filling in the blank the School Board supports this article. SECOND: E. Jacod. VOTE: 11.074/0/0/3.926. Motion passes. J.Carnie commented that the last line on the first page of Article Seven before the numbers should have been deleted per motion.

2. Audio Recording: B. Barlow explained that he taped the last meeting with a Sony tape recorder purchased at Staples. He said that with headphones the voice was very clear. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to have the District purchase a Sony tape recorder for each of the 6 chairs of the subcommittees at $60.00. To provide immediate temporary record of committee meetings to facilitate better committee meetings to the Board. SECOND: E. Jacod. DISCUSSION: E. Stanley asked the responsibilities of what is expected and who is accountable. K. Dassau explained that the tape does not replace but support the minutes. If a citizen asks for a copy they can have one. There should be a policy. E. Stanley said that it is a good idea but he does not believe that we are ready. We do not have all the answers. J. Fortson commented that this would allow the committee members to participate fully. MOTION: J. Fortson. MOVED to table the motion until the Policy Committee returns to the Board with guidelines. SECOND: R. Smith. VOTE: 11.074 Yes/0 No/0Abstain/3.926 Absent. Motion passes. G. White would send this issue to policy. B.Barlow does believe that this is inappropriate us of taxpayers money. He bought his own tape recorder.

7. CURRICULUM REPORT:

1. NEASC Report: B. Pickering reported that the NEASC has assigned a consultant to the District. He is Ted Hall a principal from Maine. They would be setting up a date to visit our school. There is no additional cost to the District it is covered under the NEASC fee. Ted Hall would be looking at the 2- year report first. They are looking at a date in March possibly.

B. Pickering reported on the active parent group. All the towns are represented from the District except one. Two representatives have volunteered to be part of the mission statement process committee. The mission statement was part of the NEASC report. L. Alexander and T.Stewart attended a follow up workshop from the July 28-30 workshop that they attended as well. L. Alexander reported that Monadnock is headed in the right direction. She passed out information to the Board regarding what they discussed, overall goals, action targets and action steps. E. Jacod asked the high school grades in which Ted Hall is a principal. B. Pickering would find that information out. B.Pickering explained that the 2-year progress report would be here in mid February.

2. AYP Report: D. Hodgdon reported that the State test results would be released at 10:00 AM tomorrow. They are available on the State web site. G. White asked for the document in the packet for the next meeting. D.Hodgdon explained that the DINI and the SINI Committees would continue. These are the State Test result not AYP. AYP is in April.

B. Pickering explained that the date for graduation is now June 20, 2009.

8. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:

1. Community Relations Committee: B. Barlow reported on a number of articles in the Keene Sentinel regarding members from the area towns. The committee would be preparing a draft for the Board to review in support of the budget and the warrants. Coffee and the Board are a way for the committee to get out to the public and listen to them. There would be a video on the facilities coming soon.

2. Facilities Committee: R. Smith reported that the committee met on Jan. 13, 2009 they discussed items but mostly worked on the 5-year plan. It was commented that the best single element in fire protection is a sprinkler system. You may need other items if you do not have a sprinkler system. It was also commented that the fire chief said that it was not an official inspection just a visit. E. Stanley asked B.Mitchell if the sprinkler system would be written up. B. Mitchell said that it is a stones throw away to be written up. E. Stanley commented that there are two ways of the interpretation. B. Mitchell commented to the Facilities Committee the importance of the Mt. Caesar Sprinkler System. E. Stanley asked if we were written up how long do we have to comply and what are the steps. B. Mitchell explained that the District would have 3 years to comply. The estimate on the sprinkler system is piping at $113,000.00 and pipe water for $30,000.00. The estimates came from Life Safety Fire Protection and Linwood Patenaude. E. Stanley commented that the bleachers have many uses. He said that he talked to the Fire chief . He said that there is no immediate danger. He said that he would like a better plan. He said that it does not need to be done now. B. Mitchell explained that there is no report yet because the inspection is not due. B.Tatro explained that it is approved for this year. W.Wright explained that there would be more guidelines by the State. W.Wright commented that the school would be a great deal safer with the sprinkler system but he does not think it is unsafe now. E. Jacod commented that he is surprised that you can operate a public school without a sprinkler system. B. Mitchell believes that the District will be required. J. Fortson commented that she thought at the Public Hearing it was said that Mt. Caesar had a walk through and got written up. She wished it was said that we were not written up. E.Stanley said it made the comments sound that we want football bleachers and do not support kids. G. White explained that at the Public Hearing a Budget Committee Member asked for the Facilities to switch out the bleachers for a sprinkler system. R.Smith commented that the Fire Chief did not say that it was a stone’s throw away. He has to have an inspection first. E. Jacod commented that the single best weapon against potential of serious injury is a sprinkler system. It is the best shot at protecting all the goodness. He would urge the School Board to look at the issue. It may be sooner than you think to protect occupants, building and assets of the building. W. Wright asked if the bleachers had been condemned. E. Stanley answered no. W. Wright asked why they are so urgent. R.Smith said that the fire chief said that the bleachers and the sprinkler system are equally important. He is not making a ruling on either. W.Wright said that he would like to go with both.

a. BeTTYS Subcommittee: E. Stanley reported that the committee would be meeting tomorrow at 5:00 PM. At the last meeting the committee gathered fundraiser ideas. They would be holding breakfast at Applebees and they would be holding a rock-a-thon. The children would be in rocking chairs for up to 3 and ½ hours. They are thinking about a guitar hero tournament as well.

3. Finance Committee: J. Fortson reported that the committee was updated on the financial reports. They also had a discussion on the tuition cost at MC2. There was no conclusion. The next meeting is on Thursday at 8:45 AM.

4. Policy Committee: No report.

5. Budget Committee Rep.: R. Smith reported that the Budget Committee held their Public Hearing. A motion to cut $260,000.00 from Article One failed as well as a motion to cut $396,000.00 from Article One with the intent to eliminate the MC2 Program. Their next meeting is the Deliberative Session.

6. Cheshire Career Center: W. Wright reported that the CCC would be meeting on Feb. 11, 2009. He would be receiving more information prior to the meeting, which is Friends of CCC. It is recommended that the scheduling for the high school be done sooner than later. It would help with the scheduling at the two schools. B.Pickering reported that Lauren Barth of Monadnock and Kim Baker of Keene are working on the scheduling together. B.Pickering explained that there are about 60 students attending CCC. He said that it is important for the calendar of the both schools to be very close. It is important that the Monadnock students get the same amount of class time as the students from Keene.

7. Education Committee: J. Carnie reported that the committee would be meeting on Jan. 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM. They would be discussing the mission statement. They wish to have D.Hodgdon there to explain the test results.

9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: J.Fortson MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,945,689.75. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: The Board asked specific questions concerning the manifest and E. Wammack gave the answers. VOTE: 10.053/0/0/4.947. Motion passes.

10. Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau reminded the Board that the filing period would end on Jan. 30, 2009. He listed off the positions available for each town. K.Dassau introduced the Project Manager Alan Schmidt. K. Dassau explained that there might be a need for a non-public session.

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA

1. Calendar

2. State Testing Results

3. Warrants

13. Public Comments: D. Coffman commented on the sprinkler system versus the bleachers. He would urge the Board to find the funds for the sprinkler system. E.Wammack explained that he would provide a list of the outstanding projects.

14. 9:45 PM: Non-Public Session: MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (e) Current Litigation. SECOND: R. Smith. Roll call vote: P. Peterson, E. Stanley, E.Jacod, J.Carnie, J. Fortson, W.Wright, B.Barlow, R.Smith and G.White. Motion passes.

15. Return to public session: Return to public session at 10:00 PM. MOTION: E. Stanley MOVED to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (b) Employee Issue: SECOND: P.Peterson. DISCUSSION: K.Dassau explained the process if the issue concerns a Monadnock employee. It would start with the supervisor being informed. E.Stanley explained that he spoke to E. Wammack and told E.Wammack that if he was not satisfied with the situation he would ask for a non-public session. K.Dassau explained that E. Wammack is not familiar about entering non-public. E. Jacod commented that E.Stanley has an issue but does not know the process. K.Dassau explained that the employee has the opportunity to be present and the Superintendent should have been contacted about the employee. J.Carnie read the RSA concerning an employee. G. White explained that E. Stanley should have discussed it with K. Dassau. E. Stanley said that he disagrees. He said that he spoke to E. Wammack. W.Wright commented that there is a policy that there is no non-public until the employee is notified. K. Dassau commented that they should have had a chance to redeem the situation before it goes to non-public. J.Fortson said that the person should meet with E.Wammack and K.Dassau and than if it is not resolved go to non-public. K.Dassau explained that the employee could go to the State Board because he was not allowed to give his point of view. J.Carnie commented that the employee has rights. The law determines the situation. The proper procedure is to have met with the administration and the employee. E.Stanley asked what resolved means and is to the employee’s satisfaction. K. Dassau explained that there are 15 members on the board and an individual Board Member does not have authority as an individual. W.Wright commented that we have information ahead of time. We can not make a decision. You need to go through the proper steps. The proper steps are to E.Wammack and than K. Dassau. K. Dassau explained that there is a whole complaint policy. E. Stanley and P. Peterson withdraw their motion to go into non-public session. MOTION: E. Jacod MOVED to seal the non-public minutes until the discussion of the letter at the next meeting. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 10.053/0/0/4.947. Motion passes.

16. Motion to adjourn: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:21 PM. SECOND: J. Carnie. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary