Approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

January 6, 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 Tim Aho, Bruce Barlow and Winston Wright. Absent: William Felton and Susan Oerman.

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 Keene Sentinel was recording the meeting as well as B. Barlow.

1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the December 16, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie explained that he had to leave the meeting due to the weather and lack of electricity at his home. He did not realize that the principal’s increases would be voted on at the Dec. 16, 2008 meeting. He said that he would have stayed if there were going to be a vote. He said that he would like to discuss the issue in non-public session. It was discussed that the rationale was brought to the full Board because the Finance Committee could not make a recommendation. J. Carnie asked to go into non-public to discuss this issue. G. White commented that a 2/3 vote is required. J. Carnie wished to speak under RSA 91-A:3 (b) which is on the agenda. The Board at the last meeting as the new Swanzey Board Member voted Bruce Barlow in. S. Oerman made the motion, R. Smith seconded the motion and the vote was 7.872/0/0/5.949. VOTE: 11.850/0/0/3.150. Motion passes.

2. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: R. Skrocki reported that due to the lack of school due to the weather the Student Government has not been meeting. The committee does have recommendations to amend the mission statement. They are also working on the school sponsored club members receiving a pass privilege. This is still under discussion. J. Carnie asked about the recommendations to the mission statement. R. Skrocki said that he does not have a copy with him. He said that there is nothing official. J.Carnie would like to review the recommendations.

3. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau announced that the Boys Basketball Team is now playing on the new gym floor and the fans are sitting on the new bleachers. B.Pickering is not in attendance now because he is doing the play by play of the game.

K. Dassau reported that the SAU Meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been changed to Thursday due to the upcoming weather.

K.Craig reported that Emerson has received a small grant in the amount of $700.00 from Target for a field trip to Peterborough. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the $700.00 for the field trip fund from Target. SECOND: W.Wright. VOTE: 11.850/0/0/3.150. Motion passes.

4. Public Comments: M. Hoefer commented that he was not aware that the warrant for the new middle school and the infrastructure to the high school was going to be rescinded according to the previous agenda or he would have spoken against the motion. He was disappointed in the results. He commented that the economy is not great but we must move ahead. It is going to be more expensive next year. The Board’s role is to communicate with the public.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

6. OLD BUSINESS:

1. 2009/2010 Budget /Warrant: K. Dassau passed out Draft #8 of the Warrants to the Board. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Article Eight as presented in Draft #8. SECOND: R. Smith. DISCUSSION: It was asked how much money was in the 2003 Special Education Expendable Trust Fund. E. Wammack would find that out. J.Fortson commented that originally the Board wanted to have a balance of $250,000.00. VOTE: 11.041/.809/0/3.150. Motion passes. D. Lyman questioned Warrant Article Seven regarding the number of members on the School Board with the withdrawal of Surry. G.White explained. MOTION: E. Stanely MOVED to accept Warrant Article Six as follows: To see if the Monadnock Regional School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of up to 50% of any budget surplus up to $500,000.00 to be placed in the 2009 School Building Capital Reserve Fund created under Article #8 of the 2009 Warrant. SECOND: J.Forton. DISCUSSION: The line “this article has NO tax impact “would be removed from the warrant. G. White explained that these funds would be used to repair the building. The School Building Maintenance Account takes a vote of the School Board the Capital Reserve takes a vote of the voters in order to use the funds. G. White commented that the motion is legitimate. J. Carnie commented that he would have liked to see a draft. He would oppose the motion. This is a gross misuse of this article. E.Stanely explained that this was brought to J. Carnie and D. Lyman on the Finance Committee twice and they did not bring it up. This is a way for the public to decide. This would allow the public to vote. K. Dassau commented that the Board needs to resolve the warrants by the next meeting. This is an item of action. J.Carnie commented that the surplus should be going back to the voters. D. Lyman would like to see the entire surplus go back to the voters. VOTE: 4.716/3.727/3.407/3.150. Motion passes. K. Dassau explained that this would have to be reviewed by the DRA. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to accept Warrant Article Three as presented in Draft #8. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 10.829/0/1.021/3.150. Motion passes. MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to accept Warrant Article Four as presented in Draft #8. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman commented that he is not aware of any State reimbursement. VOTE: 10.02/0/1.830/3.150. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Warrant Article Five as presented in Draft #8 SECOND: B. Barlow. VOTE: 11.850/0/0/3.150. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Warrant Article Seven as presented in Draft #8. SECOND: B. Barlow. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that he would oppose this article. He has opposed the whole Surry situation from the beginning. He would object to one town having 7 seats. He commented that Swanzey has had trouble keeping members. This is a power grab. This Board has functioned with a smaller Board. We are not reapportioning Surry’s seat. He would suggest 11 or 13 members for the board. MOTION: J.Carnie MOVED to amend Warrant Article Seven by changing the number of members from Swanzey to 5 Members, with a total of 13 members and delete the line “ Surry’s seat on the Board is reapportioned amongst the other Towns now constituting the District:” SECOND: T. Aho. DISCUSSION: G. White commented that he would not accept the motion. He said that the motion has to come from someone that voted for the original motion. MOTION: E. Jacod. MOVED to amend Warrant Article Seven by changing the number of members from Swanzey to 5 Members, with a total of 13 members and delete the line” Surry’s seat on the Board is reapportioned amongst the other Towns now constituting the District.” SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: J.Fortson commented on the turn over of representatives on the Board form the other towns. It was commented that with 5 members from Swanzey they would each have a greater percentage of the vote. J. Carnie commented that the 5 members would be fairer. It is based on the population. The Board and the Budget Committee are too big. K. Dassau explained that by statute the Budget Committee has to do the same thing. G. White commented that there is a lot of work not getting done on the subcommittees because there are not enough people. VOTE: 5.955/5.895/0/3.150. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Warrant Article Nine as presented on Draft #8. SECOND: E.Jacod. VOTE: 10.829/0/0/3.150. Motion passes. (D. Lyman missing from vote). MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept Warrant Article Ten as presented on Draft #8. SECOND: B.Barlow. VOTE: 10.829/0/0/3.150. Motion passes (D.Lyman missing from vote). MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to accept Warrant Article Seven as amended. SECOND: E.Jacod. VOTE: 4.934/5.895/0/3.150. Motion fails. (D.Lyman missing from vote). D. Lyman arrives. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to reconsider Warrant Article Seven as amended. SECOND: E. Stanley. VOTE: 9.492/1.179/1.179/3.150. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to accept Warrant Article Seven as amended. SECOND: W. Wright. VOTE: 5.955/5.895/0/3.150. Motion passes. J. Carnie asked about Warrant Article One. K.Dassau explained that the number is determined by the Budget Committee. J.Carnie asked what the proposed budget number was. E.Wammack explained that he is in the process of reaching the number. J.Fortson explained that there were changes to certain accounts while preparing the default budget and those changes would have to be done in the proposed budget as well. J. Carnie commented that it is the obligation of the administration and the School Board to have a number. E. Wammack explained that he is working on a process, it would be better in the future and he is concerned about giving the most accurate number. R.Smith commented that E.Wammack came in half way through the process. He would like to wait and have an accurate number. W.Wright commented that he does not want a number that is not accurate. T. Aho commented that the ball park figure might be $32,000,000.00 less the $955,000.00. K.Dassau explained that this has not always been a smooth process. It is the Budget Committee’s budget. MOTION: R.Smith MOVED to table Warrant Article One until the next School Board Meeting on Jan. 20, 2009. SECOND: E. Stanley. VOTE: 10.736/0/1.114/3.150. Motion passes.

2. 2009/2010 Project List: Complete.

3. Audio Recording: Next meeting

4. Budget Transfer-Uniforms and Scraper Mats: D. Lyman explained that the Finance Committee would recommend the budget transfer as long as the funds were not coming from a salary line item. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to approve the budget transfer in the amount of $14,000.00 from the contracted service line for the uniforms and scraper mats. SECOND: E.Stanley. DISCUSSION: The funds in part were coming out of the snow, salt and sand at the Surry School. The (08) Account. VOTE: 11.850/0/0/3.150. Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the Uniforms and Scraper Mats Contract. SECOND: W. Wright. DISCUSSION: T. Aho suggested asking for a one-year contract instead of the three-year contract. E.Jacod explained that there are specific components to meet the District’s needs and we have the price because of the three-year contract.

MOTION: J. Carnie MOVED to have a discussion in non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (b) regarding the principal’s salaries as a pool. SECOND: T. Aho. DISCUSSION: G. White believes that a 2/3 vote is required. VOTE: 6.178/3.472/2.2/3.150. Motion passes.

7. CURRICULUM REPORT:

1. NEASC Report: B. Pickering reported that the results of the 2-year report should be back in February. When Asked by R. Smith B.Pickering explained that the NEASC would look upon the passing of Article Three and Article Four as forward progress. E. Jacod commented on the amount of school the students have lost due to the weather. B.Pickering explained that the standards have not changed. K.Dassau explained that the State is interested in school and instruction. The Commissioner wants education first.

2. AYP Report: D. Hodgdon reported that many of the meetings were postponed due to the weather. He reported that the District Improvement Plan had been approved by the State. In three weeks the results of the State Testing should be back.

8. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:

1. Community Relations Committee: B. Barlow reported to the Board that he was named Chair of the committee. The committee adopted a mission, which he read to the Board. He would be emailing the mission to the other committees and ask for their missions. The committee may use funds to help promote the March vote. The committee discussed visiting the individual towns and having coffee with members. This motion was tabled until more discussion. The committee would be doing video profiles. The Facilities Committee would be first. The Committee would be writing to receive a grant from the NH Charitable Foundation. T.Aho commented on the fact that the public needs to know that Warrant Article Four is part of a 5-year plan and a pay as you process with no interest.

2. Facilities Committee: The next meeting is on January 13, 2009 at 4:00 PM.

a. BeTTYS Subcommittee: E. Stanley reported that the committee has met the first $5000.00 goal. The next meeting is on January 7, 2009 at 5:00PM.

3. Finance Committee: D.Lyman reported that the committee met and recommended the uniforms and mats. The committee reviewed reports and would be meeting on Jan. 8, 2009 at 9:00 AM.

4. Policy Committee: No report.

5. Budget Committee Rep.: The next meeting is on January 15, 2009. R.Smith would like to use the auditorium.

6. Cheshire Career Center: No report.

7. Education Committee: No report.

9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: W.Wright MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $1,448,808.03. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: The Board asked specific questions concerning the manifest and E.Wammack answered them or would be looking for the answers. VOTE: 10.829/0/1.021/3.150 Motion passes. R.Smith asked about the Apple Computers and why they are not used in the schools. R.Hale a staff member at MC2 has the only Apple Computer. He explained why his repair was in the manifest.

10. Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau reported that the SAU Board Meeting has been rescheduled for Jan. 8, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA

1. Audio Recording

2. Article One and Two

3. Signatures MS27 and warrants.

13. 10:10 PM: Non-Public Session: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (b) Employee Compensation. SECOND: P. Peterson. Roll call vote: P. Peterson, T. Aho, E. Stanley, E.Jacod, J.Carnie, D.Lyman, J. Fortson, W.Wright, B.Barlow, R.Smith and G.White. Motion passes.

14. Return to public session: Return to public session at 10:18 PM.

13. Motion to adjourn: MOTION: E.Jacod MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 PM. SECOND: R.Smith. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary