Non-approved Minutes
May 6, 2008
Emerson Elementary,
Present: Gene White, Colline Dreyfuss, James Carnie, Jane Fortson, Phyllis Peterson, Winston Wright, Doug Lyman, Susan Oerman, Ed Jacod, Robert
Smith, Karen Cota and Kristin Goodenough.
Also present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and K. Chambers, Business Manager. Principals present: K. Craig, J. Smith, B. Pickering and B. Tatro.
1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept the April 15, 2008
Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION: Minutes corrected on file. VOTE: 10.207/0/2.135/2.658. Motion passes. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to accept both April 15, 2008
Non-public Meeting Minutes as presented. SECOND:
J. Fortson. VOTE: 9.086/0/2.256/2.658.
Motion passes.
Action on Petition-Attorney Apple: Attorney Apple explained that
the Board received the draft of the petition and the draft of the warrant
article in their packets. He said that he also passed out an updated petition
tonight. He discussed the process. If the Board approves the petition, notices
would be posted at the SAU and two places in every town in the District. The
postings have to go out 24 hours after the vote. The process is according to
the statute. He commented that the allegations are a little more detailed than
expected. The allegations have a purpose in the petition to meet the statute.
K. Chambers has reviewed the warrant. He would assume if DRA passes on the
warrant the Board would than move ahead. He would suspect an objection. The
scheduling of these petitions has precedence on the article. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss. MOVED to accept the petition for a
Special School District Meeting pursuant to RSA 197:3. SECOND: P. Peterson. DISCUSSION:
G. White explained that the Budget Committee supported the new teacher’s
proposal at their meeting on Tuesday. J. Fortson questioned the amount of
teachers that called in sick noted in the petition. Also on #18 she commented
that the “eliminated the evergreen clause” statement is misleading. On the
estimated cost schedule she commented that “$2500 cash-back” should read $2500
opt out regarding the insurance. Attorney Apple commented that the Early
Retirement would state “elimination of admission into the Early Retirement”.
R.Smith commented about the statement that the students “protest in support of
the teachers by walking out of their classes for a portion of the day.”
Attorney Apple explained that it is important to understand that the language
is drafted for a particular purpose. Instead of being in class they were in the
auditorium. J. Carnie asked the cost of the special meeting. K. Dassau
explained that it is about $8500.00. J. Carnie asked the cost of the change in
the contracts. C. Dreyfuss explained that it was stated before that it was
about $27,500.00 less. He asked if it included the extra personal day. K.
Chambers explained that was at a cost of $7,500.00. J. Smith commented that the
number of teachers that called in sick was 29 teachers. D. Lyman was concerned
with the times in which the towns could vote as stated on the warrant. Attorney
Apple explained that the times were only placeholders. D. Lyman commented that
he would like to see the times extended. It was suggested that the placeholders
on the warrant could be marked with X’s. J. Fortson asked if there were any
substantial changes. Attorney Apple commented that there were some small ones
but not substantial. K.Chambers explained that the insurance increases are a
snap shot in time and the rate increase is not in there. VOTE: 10.200/2.142/0/2.658. Motion
passes.
2. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:
3. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Craig welcomed the board to Emerson. She said she is proud of the school and the staff. She introduced the teachers present.
B. Pickering summarized some positive events that have happened in Monadnock over the last few months. A few of the events are the fact that 150 students are either making honors or high honors. Destination Imagination has qualified for Global Competition, the school is taking aggressive stance on implementing changes in the preparation of the Science NECAP coming on May 20, 2008 and a recent letter congratulating the Hockey Team for having received zero disqualifications. He commented on the positive steps being taken in the facilities.
B. Tatro reported that R. Gilson received silver in the Best of the Monadnock Region. Congratulations!!!
K. Dassau read a positive letter concerning the efforts of teacher M. Suarez from a parent.
K. Dassau commented on a comment made by W. Lechlider. He said that the voters give two of their most valuable possessions to the District, their children and their money.
There is an SAU Meeting in Fitzwilliam on May 7, 2008.
4. Public Comments: W. Imon commented on the web site and is it being updated. It was commented that the CRC is meeting with a former student who attends KSC to see what can be done.
G. White commented that if B. Pickering’s’ remarks are not in the paper he would be sending a press release.
Dr. Kaplan commented that the students should be commended. During the visit by the Governor they handled themselves well and intelligently.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Budget Transfer: K. Chambers reported that $12,500.00 should come out of Regular Ed. Sick Leave, Insurance and Buy out Account and put in the Maintenance Account concerning the renewal of the Project Manager for 6 months. Finance did approve this transfer. MOTION D. Lyman MOVED that the budget transfer proposal be accepted as presented. SECOND: P.Peterson. VOTE: 10.042/0/1.121/3.837. (C. Dreyfuss not present for vote) Motion passes.
G. White commented that goal setting did not make the agenda. Goal setting would be on the next agenda.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Health Insurance Bid: K. Chambers explained that the committee has completed their meetings. They would recommend staying with the current carrier. They came in with a 2.7% increase. K. Chambers explained that was a great proposal. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to stay with the current insurance carrier Anthem provided by LGC. DISCUSSION: It was mentioned that the School Board has a final say on what they can do with the insurance savings. VOTE: 11.163/0/0/3.837. Motion passes.
2. Default Budget: K. Chambers explained that the committee is working and making great progress.
7. CURRICULUM REPORT:
1. NEASC Update-J. Smith: J. Smith explained that he would be putting the recommendations from the spreadsheet two meetings ago on a template. They would have the information to review as per the Oct. 1, 2008 meeting.
2.
AYP
Report-D. Hodgdon: D. Hodgdon reported that the AYP results would be out on
May 8, 2008. He said that none of our schools would be coming out of in need of
improvement status. Grades 4, 8, and 11 would be taking the science tests this
month. He reported that he is happy that the Board would be looking at the
goals. This would support the AYP process. It is important to look at where we
want to be in 5 years. It was reported that the science and writing are not
calculated in the AYP.
8. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1.
Facilities
Committee: K. Cota reported that the Committee met and received a letter
from M. Hoeffer. The letter was in the packets. The letter was an anonymous
donation to be matched by the community, “Be True To Your School Grant.” These
funds would go to make improvements to MRHS. A public hearing would be
scheduled to accept the donation. The committee also recommended the following
bids: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the Syd’s Carpet and
Snooze Room bid in the amount of $13,708.07 for carpet removal and tile
installation for Troy. SECOND: C.
Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: K. Cota
explained that the highlighted items have been discussed and agreed on by the
committee. VOTE: 12.342/0/0/2.658. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the Syd’s carpet and
Snooze Room bid in the amount of $7,155.28 for stair treads in
2.
Community
Relations Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met and
discussed different ways of informing the public. They would like to contact
the different PTOs and PTAs at the different schools. They would like to
establish an e-mail list. The committee members are writing letters of
information on the roof, weight room, staff lunch and an update on Surry to
name a few. The next meeting is on May 20, 2008.
3.
Finance
Committee: D. Lyman reported that the committee has received information on
the Attorney’s hourly fee, the increase in fuel, the lagging Medicaid payments
and the cost of the special election for the Surry Withdrawal. The committee
worked on the default budget, approved the budget transfer, and received a list
of the outstanding projects for 07-08 and 08-09. The Committee voted to ask the
Facilities Committee for a plan of action for a bond for about 5 million
dollars to bring the buildings up to code. The Committee had a meeting on April
29, 2008 but no quorum. They did discuss the default and SPED. The Committee
thanked the administration present and the Chair of the Budget Committee W.
Lechlider. The next meeting is on May 13, 2008 at 8:30 in the Maintenance
Conference room. K. Cota commented on the 8:30 AM time.
4.
Policy
Committee: S. Oerman reported that the Committee met on May 5, 2008. They
discussed with Attorney Moran the weighted vote shares with a seven town
district. The Committee would ask each committee for a priority list maybe one
or two sentences. The next meeting is on June 2, 2008 at 5:30 PM. MOTION:
C. Dreyfuss. MOVED to accept the
resignation of J. Carnie from the Policy Committee. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 12.342/0/0/2.658.
Motion passes.
5.
Budget
Committee: R. Smith reported that the Budget committee met in Gilsum last
Tuesday and voted
6.
7. Education Committee: There was no success in setting a meeting date. They would be scheduling a meeting during the break. R. Smith informed the Board that N. Dion would like to sit in on this committee as a non-voting member. G. White would let the committee know. K. Dassau asked that the Committees let Marie at the SAU office know when the meetings are going to be scheduled.
9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S.
Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest
in the amount of $1,903,309.83. SECOND: C.
Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: Original Pizza
is Food Service. Association Manufacturing Excellence was paid last year by
Markem now by the District is it for K. Dassau. IRS is for payroll taxes. VOTE: 11.321/0/1.021/2.658.
Motion passes.
10. Superintendent’s Report: MOTION: D.
Lyman MOVED to accept the resignation
of Dr. Kelly Wood as the School Psychologist at Cutler. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 12.342/0/0/2.658.
Motion passes.
The last day of school is
Friday June 20, 2008. June 14, 2008 is high school graduation.
11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:
12. SETTING NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA:
1. Public Hearing Challenge Grant
2. Goal Setting
13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: J. Tommila commented on the teacher’s contract being proposed. He said that he voted against it on the Budget Committee. He questioned what constituted an emergency meeting. The voters voted it down. The teachers not accepting the new insurance policy upset the voters. He said that he does not see it as an emergency. They should have raises but this is not an emergency.
C. Kahn commented that it is an emergency when the teachers are leaving and there are no teachers to start the school year with. The students do not want their teachers to leave. We are having senior staff leave and first year teachers replacing them. We have an emergency.
14. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to enter non-public session under
RSA 91-A:3 II(b) Hiring of an employee: SECOND:
W. Wright. Roll call vote: E.
Jacod, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, K. Goodenough, W. Wright, C. Dreyfuss,
R. Smith, J. Fortson, D. Lyman, S. Oerman and G. White. 12.342/0/0/2.658. Motion passes.
15. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss
MOVED to enter into a non-public
session under RSA 91-A:3 II© Leave Request: SECOND: R. Smith. Roll call
vote: E. Jacod, P. Peterson, J.Carnie, K. Cota, K. Goodenough, W. Wright,
C. Dreyfuss, R. Smith, J. Fortson, D. Lyman, S. Oerman and G. White. 12.342/0/0/2.658. Motion passes.
16. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: MOTION: C.
Dreyfuss. MOVED to enter into
non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II © Parent request: SECOND: R. Smith Roll call vote:
E. Jacod, P. Peterson, J. Carnie, K. Cota, K. Goodenough, W. Wright, C.
Dreyfuss, R. Smith, J. Fortson, D. Lyman, S. Oerman and G. White.
12.342/0/0/2.658. Motion passes.
The Educational Committee will be meeting on May 15, 2008 at 8:30 AM.
K. Goodenough commented on the Be True to Your School Grant and how important it is.
17. Adjournment: MOTION: C. Dreyfuss MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:50
PM. PM. SECOND: K. Cota VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording Secretary