Non-approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

June 17, 2008

Monadnock Regional Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

 

Present: Gene White, Jane Fortson, Karen Cota, Ed Jacod, Phyllis Peterson, Winston Wright, Doug Lyman, Susan Oerman, James Carnie and Colline Dreyfuss. Absent: Tim Aho, Kristin Goodenough, Robert Smith and William Felton.

Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and Katie Chambers, Business Manager. Principals: D. Dahl, B. Tatro, D. Mousette and L. Sutton. Director of Buildings and Grounds: B. Mitchell.

 

The Keene Sentinel recorded the meeting. G. White read the mission statement.

 

1.   Kaestle Boos Presentation: Kaestle-Boos will be making a presentation and then answering questions from the Board and then the public. D. King explained that he had been asked the cost of a new Middle School and renovations to the high school. He said that they looked at two sites. The first site was behind the high school ball fields which was large enough but the soil was not good to build. It was not recommended. The second site was behind Mt. Caesar. He explained the boundaries and the fact who they would recommend this spot. The entrance would be off Sawyers Crossing and the school design could be expanded. He explained the 2 story plan for 7th and 8th grades only and the 3 story plan for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade. He went over the plans to renovate if the building was a  high school only. There would be some new additions at the front of the high school and renovations throughout. It is recommended that the trailers be removed to bring the school up to code. D. King continued by explaining the Estimate Comparison and Reimbursement Sheet that was passed out. He said that it would make sense to do the middle school first, than the high school. He reviewed the costs and gave a start date, if approved by the Board and the voters, of April 2010. The Board asked questions regarding the cost sheet and the return for the state reimbursement. The Board asked about the concern of the narrow hallways. D. King explained that with fewer students there would be fewer lockers and more room. R.Bauries commented that voters have to pay the entire total until it is reimbursed. D. King explained that the cost of the septic is included but not the cost to hook up the sewer to the City. It was asked about a high performance school. It is possible but with an up charge that would yield a savings. High performance schools receive 3 % from the state but need to meet certain requirements. D. King explained that there was not a location for the new septic. No tests have been done but an estimated cost is in the figure. D. King said that there are 7 acres of wetlands. There are 13.8 usable acres, 107 parking spaces and no airport issues. The Board thanked Kaestle Boos for the presentation.      

 

2.    AGENDA: MOTION: P. Peterson MOVED to accept the June 3, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: Corrected minutes on file. VOTE: 7.684/0/1.121/6.195 Motion passes. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the two non-public meeting minutes as presented. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie asked for the vote on the vote to seal the non-public minutes of June 3, 2008. The vote was 8.774/2.142/1.179/2.905 VOTE: 6.416/1.121/1.021/6.442. (K. Cota missing from vote) Motion passes.

 

3.    STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:

 

 

 

 

4.    CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau congratulated the faculty staff for all their work on behalf of the graduating seniors. The graduation went very well.

 

D. Mousette had received a letter from a parent on the high quality of the art teacher. The art teacher is currently a half time teacher. D. Hodgdon and D. Mousette are working hard to get the teacher highly qualified as an art teacher.

 

D.Mousette reported that a parent who would be sending her child to Trinity Christian contacted him. She told him that usually the student would have to repeat the school year coming from a public school. She informed D.Mousette that he is on track and would be able to compete with the other students.

 

B. Tatro reminded the Board of the Walker Grant in which the elementary schools purchased video equipment. The children created promos for books and had a night sharing the videos.

 

K. Dassau read a letter from J. Kennedy regarding her son. She explained that because of the support and acceptance by the MRHS students and staff her son was able to graduate from Monadnock. She thanked the staff and the students of Monadnock.

 

5.   PUBLIC COMMENTS:  None

6.    NEW BUSINESS:  None

7.  OLD BUSINESS:

1.      Default Budget: D. Lyman explained that D. Mousette and B. Tatro have come to an agreement. B. Tatro would be using the funds from the staff position that D.Mousette does not need for this coming school year and fund a third grade teacher position. The funds would be returned to D. Mousette the following year. MOTION: D. Lyman. MOVED to accept the transfer in the amount of $60,169.00 for a third grade teacher at Mt. Caesar. This is a one-year position. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: B. Tatro explained that the Spec. Ed. position she had needed would be funded with a retirement. The third grade teacher is needed for a very needy third grade. There are about 100 first graders. VOTE: 7.996/0/0.809/6.195. Motion passes.

    8.  CURRICULUM REPORT:

        1.  NEASC Update:

                2.  AYP Report: D. Hodgdon reported that the District in Need of Improvement meetings are very positive. They are continuing to work on the summer plans. He is intending to use Title II funds to expand the mentoring coordinator position due to the large number of new teachers. He would be giving the rationale at the next meeting.

9.  SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:

                1.  Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the BeTTYS Committee met. They painted rocks that were removed from the school’s roof and would be selling them as a fundraiser. K. Goodenough has scheduled a meeting/cookout at her home on Monday June 23, 2008. K. Cota reported that the Facilities Committee met on June 10, 2008. There was no quorum. K. Chambers gave information regarding state reimbursement. K. Cota passed out information to the Board. She explained that the old gym floor would be removed on July 15, 2008. They would like to paint the gym ceiling prior to the new floor going in. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the S & S bid in the amount of $13,832.00 for the painting of the gym ceiling and walls. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: It was explained that S & S Painting is patching and painting the walls and ceiling. B. Mitchell explained that the hanging material would be knocked off, repaired and painted white. K. Cota explained that to replace the tiles is a massive job with a massive cost. This is a good fix. It would look clean. This is not the absolute best but the best cost solution. B.Mitchell explained that S & S Painting is fairly confident that this would cover with an even coat. W. Wright commented that getting rid of the hanging materials is good but the painting even better. J. Kenyon applauded the Board Members that are concerned with quality work and with the work to be done on the MS/HS projects as well. VOTE: 6.663/0/2.142/6.195. Motion passes. (C. Dreyfuss not present for vote). K. Cota explained that on the June 26, 2008 meeting the committee would have the bids for the auditorium seat replacements. She gave the rationale. The Board discussed the fact that the Goals Setting Meeting was only for goal setting. G.White explained that we have to select a bid for the end of June to move ahead. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to allow the Board to delegate authority to the Facilities Committee to determine what bid to go with concerning the auditorium seats only. SECOND: S. Oerman. DISCUSSION: The decision is contingent on a quorum. The Facilities Meeting is on June 25, 2008. C. Dreyfuss suggested that if there is no quorum brings the bids to the Goal Setting Meeting. VOTE: 7.849/2.135/0/5.016. Motion passes. K. Cota would like to thank the Maintenance Dept. for all the extra work that the District has given them. They are working very hard and the Board should be aware. She would also like to thank B.Mitchell for dealing with everything that the Board throws his way. She also would like to thank Brett for his continued hard work. Some Board Members may feel that the Maintenance Dept. is overloaded but with all the work in the District the positions are needed. The next meeting is on June 25, 2008. The Committee would be discussing “What can we do with $5 million dollars.”

2.  Community Relations Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met tonight at 6:15PM. The Committee would be contacting the selectmen from each town to meet and discuss issues of the District. The next meeting is on July 15, 2008.  

3.  Finance Committee: D. Lyman reported that the committee reviewed the financial reports. He commented on bill amounts of $5,000.00 that he felt the Board should vote on because they are normally bid out. That is a discussion for a future meeting. The next meeting is on July 10, 2008 at 8:30 AM.

4.  Policy Committee: S. Oerman reported that the Committee met on June 16, 2008. They approved the meeting minutes. They discussed Attorney Moran’s response regarding Policy BEDC Quorum/Voting, which was in the Board packets. The next meeting is on July 7, 2008 at 5:30 PM.

         5.  Budget Committee: The next meeting is on June 24, 2008 at Emerson.

         6.  Cheshire Career Center:

7.  Education Committee: J. Carnie reported that the Committee met on June 13, 2008 and discussed the proposal from the Policy Committee regarding Committee duties and responsibilities. The Committee discussed the Restructuring and Information for MRHS 2008-09 dated 6-13-08. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the recommendation of the Education Committee for the Restructuring and Information for MRHS 2008-09 dated 6-13-08 as presented by B.Pickering. SECOND: K. Cota. DISCUSSION: J. Carnie commented that the Committee was unanimous in the support. S. Oerman thought the Building on Competencies is an excellent idea. It was commented that this is a good attempt to look at some serious issues. D. Hodgdon explained what alternative credit is. P. Peterson is in support of this proposal. W.Wright thought it was a great idea. VOTE: 8.963/0/1.021/5.016. Motion passes.   

10. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of $ 2,151,080.27. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 9.984/0/0/5.016. Motion passes

 

 

 

11. Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau explained that there would be 2 non-public sessions.

 

He reported that the SAU Search Committee has chosen a Business Manager to replace K. Chambers. There would be a special SAU Board Meeting on June 30, 2008 for the nomination of Earl Wammack.

 

K. Dassau reported that there was a hearing last Thursday concerning Board petition for a Special Meeting. There should be a decision in a maximum of 60 days.

 

K. Dassau did a head count of board attendees for the Goal Setting Meeting for Thursday, June 26th. There should be enough in attendance.

 

He reported that the SAU Transition Meetings continue to explore the issues. The SAU has agreed to give 2 hours per month of service to Surry as the 4th district.

 

MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the resignation of Cheryl Patty as of June 2008. SECOND: E. Jacod. VOTE: 9.984/0/0/5.016. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the retirement of Lorna Harling as of June 2008. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 9.984/0/0/5.016. Motion passes.

 

MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the resignation of Jennifer O’Neal as of June 2008. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 9.984/0/0/5.016. Motion passes.

 

K. Dassau explained that there are possibly 9 dropouts and he would assume that there were some seniors that did not graduate. This was in reply to a Board Members question.

12. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

13. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA:

      1.  Level C Grievance

      2.  Proposed building discussion

      3.  Dropout

 

14. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS:

15. Non-Public Session: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3 II (b) Nominations. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. Roll call vote: E. Jacod, W. Wright, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, J. Fortson, C. Dreyfuss, G. White, D. Lyman and S. Oerman. 9.984/0/0/5.016.  Motion passes.

 

16.    Non-public Session: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3 II (c) Residency Issue: SECOND: S. Oerman. Roll call vote: E. Jacod, W. Wright, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, C. Dreyfuss, K. Cota, J. Fortson, G. White, D. Lyman and S. Oerman 9.984/0/0/5.016. Motion passes.   

 

17. Adjournment: MOTION: E. Jacod MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 PM. SECOND: D. Lyman. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary