SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA
July 15, 2008
Monadnock Regional Middle/High School,
Present: Gene White, Jane Fortson, Karen Cota, Ed Jacod, William Felton, Doug Lyman, Susan Oerman, James Carnie, Robert Smith, Kristin Goodenough and Colline Dreyfuss. Absent: Tim Aho, Phyllis Peterson and Winston Wright
Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and Katie Chambers, Business Manager. Principals: B. Pickering, J. Smith, D. Mousette, D. Dahl and B. Tatro. Director of Buildings and Grounds: B. Mitchell.
The Keene Sentinel recorded the meeting. G. White read the mission statement.
1. AGENDA: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the June 17, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 8.993/0/2.300/3.707. Motion passes. MOTION: S.Oerman MOVED to accept the June 17, 2008 Non-Public Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 5.614/1.121/4.558/3.707 Motion passes.
2. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:
3.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau explained that Judge
Tucker approved the Special Meeting. Attorney Apple would be working out the
details. Tentatively, the Budget Committee Meeting is on July 24, 2008. The
Deliberative Session is scheduled for August 9, 2008 and the ballot session
would be on Sept. 9, 2008. MOTION: R.
Smith MOVED to set the Deliberative
Session on August 9, 2008 at 10:00 AM at a place to be determined. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: The Board discussed the
issue of the time of the Deliberative Session. VOTE: 9.151/0/2.142/3.707. Motion
passes.
4. Public Comments:
5. NEW BUSINESS:
1. 2008 Monadnock Marauders Agreement: K.
Chambers explained that it is the same agreement as last year with two
recommended conditions. K. Chambers explained the recommended conditions. MOTION: S.Oerman MOVED to accept the Monadnock Marauders agreement as presented. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 11.293/0/0/3.707. Motion passes.
2. Audit Engagement: K. Chambers explained that due to the new auditing standards, it is required that the Board Chair sign the engagement letter. This is to heighten the awareness of the Board. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the Engagement Letter from Vachon, Clukay & Co., PC. SECOND: J.Fortson. DISCUSSION: S.Oerman would suggest that the Board bid out the auditing process. J. Fortson agreed but to use caution going out too many times. K.Chambers would suggest all three districts use the same firm in case of over lapping. VOTE: 10.272/0/1.021/3.707. Motion passes.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Budget Transfers: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the transfer to move
the funding from the technology support team to the District-Wide budget for
centralized management by the Director of Technology. SECOND: K. Goodenough. VOTE:
11.293/0/0/3.707. Motion passes.
MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to accept
the budget transfers for 2008-2009 wage increases for non-union employees,
including nurses and assistant principals and excluding principals and the High
School Special Ed. Director, also an adjustment for the Network Administrator. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman explained that the
Finance Committee had a lot of discussion on this issue. The Committee would
recommend all the pay raises with the exception of the principal raises. The
reason is that all the principals did not have the opportunity to speak with
the Superintendent. The Board asked about the stipend for K. Craig for the PLC.
K. Craig explained. B. Pickering commented in support of K. Craig’s stipend. D.
Lyman explained that he abstained during the Finance Committee vote on this
issue because he does not feel that raises should be given out during a Default
Budget. J. Carnie explained that the Committee voted to recommend the raises
except for the principal raises. MOTION:
D. Lyman MOVED to amend the
motion to recommend the original motion except the principal raises page. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: It was commented
that the principals should have the opportunity to speak with the
Superintendent. Only putting this on hold. MOTION:
R. Smith MOVED to amend the
motion not to include the raise for the Athletic Director. SECOND: E. Jacod is not sure of the present Athletic Director’s job
description. The Board questioned the Athletic Director being a full time job.
It was commented that the position is for both the Middle School and High
School. B. Pickering who once held the position at another school commented in
support of the full time position. It is a full time job with many hours of
work and a lot of responsibility. J. Carnie commented that he would second B.
Pickering’s comments. He said that the position here at Monadnock justifies the
salary. She does an outstanding job. Motion
on the amendment: 1.179/7.914/2.200/3.707. Motion fails. K.Cota commented that the discussion with the
principals and the Superintendent should be in a timely fashion as well as the
Finance Committee in order to come back to the Board and retroactive to July 1,
2008. D. Lyman agreed. Vote on amended
motion: 10.272/0/1.102/3.707. Motion
passes. MOTION: J. Fortson. MOVED to
accept the budget transfers presented by B. Pickering dated July 15, 2008,
which included Secretarial Support, Chemical Cleanup and Storage, Power
School/Curriculum work and Department Chair Reorganization. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: B. Pickering explained the
transfers and how they would be making improvements. D. Lyman commented on a
correction. Reduce 2/5 Science Teacher should be $18,000.00 not $22,000.00.
W.Felton asked B. Pickering to rank the most importance item he has recommended
on his list. B. Pickering explained that it would be the work during the week
of the July 28, 2008. The Board commented on the senior project process. They
suggested speaking to the graduated seniors for comments and having the juniors
sit in on senior projects. VOTE: 10.114/0/0/3.707.
Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the budget transfer for
the purchase and installation of 7 air conditioners. SECOND: D. Lyman. DISCUSSION:
J. Carnie commented that he has no problem with the air conditioners but
with the creation of the Department Chair space. There is a shortage of
classroom space but there is room for a new space. He does not believe that
this is the best use of space. B.Pickering explained the rationale. He
explained that the Dept. Heads need a space in which they can work together. B.
Pickering explained that all factors were considered. The students would not be
affected. VOTE: 9.151/1.121/1.021/3.707.
Motion passes.
2. Architect Recommendation: K. Cota
explained that the Facilities Committee has discussed the building issue and
now would like a full Board discussion. The Committee would like to know what
direction to go. The Finance Committee had asked what we could do for 5
million-dollars. As far as she is concerned that would be a 5 million-dollar
band-aid. The decision should be finalized by the second School Board Meeting
in Sept. or sooner. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to build a new 7-8 grade Middle
School and renovate this building as a high school and to state an amount not
to exceed a certain amount. SECOND: W.
Felton DISCUSSION: D. Lyman
cautioned about the many people who are having financial difficulties. K. Cota
commented that we have been through this for 6 years and doing nothing is not
an option. S. Oerman commented that some of the items in the amounts have been
done. That would reduce the cost. K. Cota commented that in the high school she
would not suggest any new construction. MOTION:
R. Smith MOVED to amend the
motion to build a new 6-8 grade Middle School and renovate this building as a
high school and to state an amount not to exceed a certain amount. SECOND: K. Goodenough. DISCUSSION: R. Smith commented that
this is the only way to get all day kindergarten. K. Cota commented that the
plans give way for expansion. She said that this is a large discussion with
impact to other schools. She said that people were upset when it was mentioned
before. Other Board Members commented on the fact that people are not in favor
of the 6-8 grade Middle School. K.
Goodenough and R. Smith withdrew their amendment. The State Aid
reimbursement process was explained. J. Carnie commented that the agenda item
was Architect Recommendations. It did not say a Board vote. There are three
members not present at this meeting. This is a big issue. He appreciates what
K. Cota has done but this is not the right time. He does not feel the rush. We
need to get people from other towns to support it. The discussion is good but
not the right time to do this. D. Lyman commented that the population is not
going up and asked about another option. The 7-12 renovation and addition
option. J. Fortson agreed with J. Carnie and with K. Cota’s motion. She would
suggest taking K. Cota’s motion and the 7-12 renovation and addition option
having it go to the Finance Committee and get an informed decision. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to send K. Cota’s motion and the 7-12 renovation and addition
option having it go to the Finance Committee and get an informed decision. SECOND: K. Goodenough. DISCUSSION: It was explained that the State
Aid could be collected with either option. K. Cota would ask that the Finance
Committee have a written decision in the Board packets prior to the Board
Meeting. K. Goodenough commended K. Cota on her hard work to get the Board to
this point. VOTE on the amendment: 11.293/0/0/3.707.
Motion passes. MOTION: D. Lyman. MOVED to table the amended motion until
August 19, 2008 when there is an informed decision on both options by the
Finance Committee. SECOND: K.
Goodenough. VOTE: 11.293/0/0/3.707. Motion passes. There is an
understanding that the report with the rationale will be in the Board packets
prior to the August 19, 2008 meeting from the Finance Committee.
3. Board Goals: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to
table the Board Goals discussion until the next meeting on August 19, 2008. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 10.114/0/0/4.886. Motion passes. (K. Goodenough not present
for vote.)
8.
CURRICULUM REPORT:
1. NEASC Update: B. Pickering reported that 4 people would be attending a workshop concerning the accreditation issue. They would be bringing a report back. This is a very valuable process. B.Pickering reported that out of the 190 seniors 169 graduated. Eight of the 21 are going to summer school. The estimated cost for the workshop presented by the NEASC is about $1000.00 for the 4 people attending.
2. AYP Report: D. Hodgdon reported that he is requesting that the mentor coordinator become a full time position. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss. MOVED to increase the mentor coordinator’s position to full time and to be paid for by the Title 2 A grant. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: D. Hodgdon explained that there is a large amount of new teacher. The grant is for one year and is offered each year as long as the government funds it. C. Dreyfuss explained that the NEASC report mentioned mentoring. J. Carnie commented that if the grant is not approved than the position is not full time. K. Craig commented that she strongly supports this as well as B. Tatro. VOTE: 9.463/0.0809/1.021/3.707. Motion passes.
9. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:
1. Community Relations Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the Committee met tonight at 6:15 PM. They discussed the Special Meeting. They investigated hiring a Public Relations Person for the District. The next meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2008.
2. Facilities
Committee: K. Cota reported that the Committee met twice since the last
Board Meeting. They received four bids for the Auditorium Seats and voted to
accept the bid from CB Seating in the amount of $72,500.00 plus a $12,500.00
contingency totaling $85,000.00, which was the total of the approved motion.
Color options and salvage were discussed. R. Smith is in charge of those
arrangements. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the bid from Luopa
Masonry for $37,287.00 plus a contingency of $3730.00 totaling $41,017.00 to
renovate the
3. Finance Committee: D. Lyman reported
that the Committee met twice. They are discussing the possibility of bidding
with Hinsdale and
4. Policy Committee: S. Oerman reported that the committee met on July 7, 2008. They discussed two policies, Fraud Prevention and Policy JJF Student Activity Accounts. The Committee’s goal is to have something for the Board at the August Meeting. The Committee has decided to table Policy GCRD Tutoring for Pay leaving it as is. S. Oerman commented on the letter from Attorney Moran. That discussion would continue. The next meeting is on July 21, 2008 at 5:30 PM.
5. Budget Committee Rep.: K. Dassau reported that the Committee met in Fitzwilliam. They have a Committee of four looking into the expenses generated by our District and other Districts. The next meeting is on July 24, 2008.
6.Education Committee: J. Carnie reported that the Committee has not met.
10. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $ 3,884,135.08. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 9.251/0/2.042/3.707. Motion passes
11.
Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau explained that there would be 2
non-public sessions. He reported that there would be a walk through the
12. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:
13. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA:
1. Finance Recommendation on building
2. Board Goals
3. SAU set up calculation
J. Carnie commented on the portion of the SAU being less, due to the
withdrawal of Surry. He would like that for an agenda item. G.White would like
to send it to Finance first.
14. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS:
15. Non-Public Session:
MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to enter non-public session under
RSA 91-A:3 II © Grievance Level C. SECOND:
C. Dreyfuss. Roll call vote: E.
Jacod, W. Felton, R. Smith, K. Goodenough, J. Carnie, K. Cota, J. Fortson, C.
Dreyfuss, G. White, D. Lyman and S. Oerman. 11.293/0/0/3.707. Motion
passes.
16. Non-public Session: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to enter non-public session under
RSA 91-A:3 II (b) Nominations: SECOND: K.
Goodenough. Roll call vote: E.
Jacod, W. Felton, K. Goodenough, R. Smith J. Carnie, C. Dreyfuss, K. Cota, J.
Fortson, G. White, D. Lyman and S. Oerman. Motion
passes.
17.
Adjournment: MOTION:
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording Secretary
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