SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA
October 21, 2008
Present: Gene White, Jane Fortson, Karen Cota, Ed Jacod, Doug Lyman, Phyllis Peterson, Kristen Goodenough, James Carnie, Robert Smith, Eric Stanley and Winston Wright. Absent: Tim Aho, William Felton and Susan Oerman.
Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and E. Wammack, Business Manager. Principals: J. Smith, B. Pickering, D. Dahl, D. Mousette and B. Tatro. Director of Buildings and Grounds: B. Mitchell.
G. White read the new board Goal, which is to improve student achievement. The Keene Sentinel recorded the meeting.
Eric Stanley was nominated to
replace C. Dreyfuss on the Board by the Town of
Public Hearing: 7:12 PM. G. White opened the Public Hearing. The Board received information on the donation of $6,000.00 from Peg Hanrahan for the new carpeting in the auditorium. R. Smith commented on a wonderful gesture. There were no other comments. G.White closed the Public Hearing at 7:14 PM. MOTION: K. Goodenough MOVED to accept the $6,000.00 from Peg Hanrahan for carpeting in the auditorium at MRMS/HS. SECOND: D.Lyman. VOTE: 11.321/0/0/3.679. Motion passes.
1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: J.Fortson MOVED to accept the October 21, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: K. Goodenough. VOTE: 7.849/0/3.472/3.679. Motion passes.
2. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:
3. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K.Dassau reported that Emerson had their 15th Annual Harvest Night with record numbers in attendance.
J. Miller from the Access Program would like to make a presentation to the Board.
J. Smith
reported that Cutler has received a $5,000.00 International Grant due to the
hard work of Beth Audette. The school would be purchasing science equipment and
there would be student interaction at other global sites. MOTION: K.Goodenough. MOVED to
accept the equipment to
There would be pumpkin carving at Cutler on October 23, 2008 at 6:00 PM.
J. Smith explained that the DOE has chosen Cutler for onsite approval. A team would be coming from the DOE to spend the day at the school to make sure that policies and procedures are being followed.
D. Mousette welcomed the Board and public to Gilsum Elementary. October 23, 2008 is the Annual pumpkin carving. He thanked his staff for the refreshments. He asked the Board to take a look at the new floor. He asked the Board to put their name on the learning tree at Gilsum.
B. Tatro
reported that
B.Pickering
thanked everyone who was involved in the Husky Hoopla. He said that the turn
out was great. It was nice to see other towns participate. Cutler and
D. Mousette informed the board that Gilsum and Sullivan would be having a Veterans Day Program on November 10, 2008 and he would welcome the Board to attend.
K.Goodenough commented on the preparation done by the staff at Cutler to prepare the students for the NECAP Testing. R. Smith would echo her comments.
4. Public Comments: N. Moriarty read a
letter, which he presented to the recording secretary. The letter stated that
he was a volunteer at
J. Carnie hoped that the Board would take N.Moriarty’s issue serious. J.Carnie commented that he would like to ask questions regarding the Project Manager position. He asked why K.Cota was not on the search committee for the project manager position. G.White explained that K.Cota said no when asked. D.Lyman commented on the conflict of interest. It was commented that no action took place on the Facilities Committee. J.Carnie commented that some of the Board Members know all and some nothing and the ones that know are not telling. People are aware that four people have a direct conflict of interest. Sweeping information under the rug needs to stop now. RSA 91 A, not recording an action is a violation of the law. When a person asks to be put on the agenda it should be placed on the agenda. K.Dassau began to comment. D. Lyman reminded K.Dassau that the Board does not respond to Public Comments. K.Dassau would make the comments under Superintendent’s Report.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Weighted Vote minus the Towns of Surry: J. Carnie asked for this item on the agenda. The attorney recommends that the Board fill the seat at the next election. The odd number of Board Members is still a question. K. Dassau has contacted the NHSBA to get another opinion but has not heard yet. It has not affected the weighted vote to date. W.Wright commented that the Policy Committee discussed this issue. He would suggest leaving it alone now. D.Lyman would like to set a date to have the Board make a decision. G.White would like a decision before Christmas. K.Goodenough would like it to stay with the Policy Committee. G.White suggested putting it off until the next meeting. We are waiting for answers. The Policy Committee is looking at more than one way.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Building Control Card/NET Debt Service Schedule for MS/HS renovations: E. Wammack explained that the information on the 18.6 million and 12 million-dollar bond was included in the packet. It is informational only. The Board had no questions.
7. CURRICULUM REPORT:
1. NEASC Report: B. Pickering explained that he would be attending a seminar for new principals regarding the NEASC Process on November 7, 2008. He reported that the parent team met and reviewed the mission statement. They did begin the process and would be making recommendations next month.
2. AYP Report-D. Hodgdon reported that
schools had concluded the state testing. Before and during administration of
the state assessment, all the schools, he pointed out, had made an effort to
address the environment for the testing and test preparation to enable greater
student success on the test.
D. Hodgdon also distributed a diagram to the Board showing the specific state/federal consequences, year by year, if a school was to continue not to make AYP and remain a school in need of improvement (SINI). He explained that the consequences are different, if a school is receiving Title I funds, than if it is not. Two SINI schools in the district were receiving Title I funds and four SINI schools were not. He did note that most schools made improvement last year. In fact, Troy made enough progress that it made AYP in their SINI-designated area of reading, thus freezing its consequences at the third year of not making AYP (the first in the SINI status), even though it was starting the second year of being a SINI school.
Observing
that
The
schools and the district had also been focusing on the development and
implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), an approach that
breaks schools into teams of staff members focusing on particular groups of
students (for example, a grade level, analyzes data to determine the individual
needs of students, develops common assessments to measure students’ progress,
and adjusts curriculum and instruction to enable each student to be as
effective as possible. This model – a
key component of the District Improvement Plan - .was intended to reorganize
the schools to strengthen student learning.
K.Goodenough commented that
8. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:
1. Community Relations Committee: G. White reported that the committee is focusing on what needs to be accomplished in the next three months to promote the bonds and other warrant items.
2.
Facilities
Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee heard a proposal from
Colleen Mason and
a. BeTTY’S: K.
Goodenough reported that the committee has raised roughly $3,300.00 to this
point. The mini golf tournament went well. The committee would be taking a
break. On November 29, 2008 there would be a pancake breakfast fundraiser at
Applebees. She would be sending a letter to the Editor of the Keene Sentinel to
thank the community sponsors. She would like to thank
3. Finance Committee: D. Lyman reported that the committee met on October 16, 2008 and approved their minutes. The committee agrees with the project list dated October15, 2008. They agree on the items. There is no motion because the Board does not have the revised list. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to provide a 3% raise to the high school Special Ed. Coordinator. SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: W.Wright questioned the 3% raise. D. Lyman explained that the request was for a 10 % raise. The position was paid less than the middles school position. This position also receives 100% health care. This sharing of health care would be looked at for next year also by the principals. VOTE: 10.512/.809/0/3.679. Motion passes. The next meeting is on October 28, 2008.
4. Policy Committee: No Report
5. Budget Committee Rep.: The next meeting is on October 28, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the high school.
6.
7. Education Committee: J.Carnie reported that the committee discussed the NEASC and AYP. At the next meeting the committee would be discussing the mission statement and the state standards for the science labs and whether they are met. We are making progress in the school system. They are doing their best to keep the community informed. The next meeting is on October 23, 2008. K. Goodenough asked about the goals that the Board put in the hands of the Education Committee. J. Carnie explained that the committee is trying to establish priorities and to get there with the mission statement. They should match. They are not being put off but put in as part of the future discussion.
R. Smith commented on an email from B. Mitchell stating that W. Felton would be sitting on the hiring committee for the new project manager. R.Smith called G. White and asked why. R. Smith was told that he had voted down the position. R. Smith said he was absent on the day of the vote. R.Smith said that G. White also stated that R.Smith had brought a candidate to the SAU. R. Smith said that the candidate asked for a job description and R.Smith did bring him to the SAU. R. Smith commented that a former co-worker of B.Mitchell replaced M.Pratt. J. Carnie asked to comment about the email from K. Dassau. He said that K. Cota was right and that some people had knowledge and some did not. J. Carnie said that he asked the question to K.Dassau because he did not know. He commented that when a Chair gives up a spot on the hiring committee the V. Chair should be next in line. He said maybe the email situation should be looked at.
9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of
$1,670,376.03. SECOND: P. Peterson. VOTE: 9.121/0/2.2/3.679. Motion passes.
10.
Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau informed the Board of two letters of
retirement. K. Dassau commented that he would dispute many of the comments that
were said tonight. He does believe that to add an agenda item requires a 2/3
vote. He would bring the policy regarding that and the policy regarding public
participation. He commented that the hiring application is confidential. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the regular retirement of Carolyn Olney for June
2010. SECOND: W.Wright. VOTE: 10.142/0/1.179/3.679. Motion passes. MOTION: K. Goodenough MOVED to accept the early retirement of
Mary Thompson for June 2009. SECOND: J.
Fortson. DISCUSSION: She is applying
for early retirement if not the Board has already approved her for regular
retirement. C.Kahn explained that Mary did not believe that she would make the
cut off of December 1, 2008 and the fact that the pool is not as large due to
the new contract and teachers staying. She meets all the requirements. VOTE: 11.321/0/0/3.679. Motion passes.
11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT: G. White reported that many of the statements made this evening g were not entirely accurate. He explained that he had set two personal goals when he became chair. One was to be fair to all members and the other was to control his temper. He feels that he has accomplished both goals. He had never aspired to be Board chair but was encouraged by others to take on this responsibility. He feels that he has done a pretty good job representing the Board. He was particularly proud when the teacher’s contract was passed. He commented that he felt the Board might have damaged some of the progress that had been made in this District by what had been said at the meeting this evening.
12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA:
1. Committee reports
2. Voting order
3. Weighted Vote Issue
4. Special Items on Manifest
5. Project List
6. Clarity on agenda setting
7. Public participation
MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to
change the November 4, 2008 School Board Meeting to November 3, 2008. SECOND: E. Jacod. VOTE: 11.074/0/.247/3.679. Motion
passes.
13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: N. Moriarty commented that he was told
on October 10, 2008 that he was not needed at
J. Fortson commented that she would agree with N. Moriarty. She
is ashamed that volunteers are being turned down. P. Peterson suggested a
meeting to see what the issues are. It is disgraceful to turn down volunteers.
B. Tatro explained that she has many volunteers. She has KSC students,
Molly a staff member at Gilsum thanked K.Cota for all the work she has done. She thanked her for putting the students first.
R.Smith commented that he should not have been taken off the hiring committee for the Project Manager and labeled as an anti-project manager. This issue needs to be resolved.
MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to reluctantly accept the
resignation of K.Cota from the School Board at the end of the meeting. SECOND: R.Smith. DISCUSSION: D. Lyman commented on the tremendous job she has done
and said that she would be missed in the future. E. Jacod commented that he
respected the effort and integrity in the job she did and it would be missed.
K. Goodenough commented that K.Cota exemplifies effort and integrity. We as a
Board need to work on that. She thanked K. Cota and said that she can not
believe that we are loosing another good member. We have work to do. Others are
going to walk away if we do not get our act together. W.Wright said that he
would be voting no because he does not want to see her leave. J. Carnie said
that K.Cota have done a decent job on the Facilities. The biggest issue we have
is getting the information to everyone. J. Carnie also said that G.White has
done an excellent job with the running of the meetings. G. White commented that
K. Cota has done a wonderful job with the Facilities and she is a hard act to
follow. VOTE: 7.972/3.102/.247/3.679.
Motion passes.
14. Non-Public Session 9:45 PM: MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to enter into non-public session
under RSA 91-A:3 II(b) nominations. SECOND:
P. Peterson. Roll call vote: R.
Smith-yes, E.Stanley-yes, J.Carnie-yes, J. Fortson-yes, G. White-yes, K.
Goodenough-yes, W. Wright-yes, D.Lyman-yes, K. Cota-yes, P. Peterson-yes and
E.Jacod-yes.12.074/0/0/3.679 Motion
passes. K. Cota leaves the meeting.
The Board returned to public session: MOTION: R. Smith MOVED to have the School Board take over the hiring of the Project Manager. SECOND: No second. DISCUSSION: G. White explained that the motion would be in violation of the School Board policy. We can not revise Board policy. It was commented that it takes a 2/3 vote to put an item on the agenda and we have a policy on hiring support staff. J. Carnie said that there is no second to the motion but he would second for the discussion. G. White commented that we have a policy and this is in violation. In order to change you need a unanimous vote. He does not want the School Board to make the decision. G. White commented that the motion is out of order. R. Smith would withdraw his motion. J.Fortson asked if the Board can vote on the position with the rationale prior to the meeting after the hiring committee finishes. K.Goodenough commented that W.Felton is not a bad choice. R.Smith explained that he was pulled off the list because he voted against the position. K. Dassau explained that R. Smith and the candidate came into the SAU to the Business Office and saw Penny Bell. That is information that he heard. J. Carnie commented whether this appearance is a conflict of interest. He said that he asked K. Dassau why K. Cota was not going to sit on the committee. You said because there were circumstances. J.Carnie said that it was mentioned that K.Cota refused due to the fact that she was applying for the position. E.Stanley commented that R.Smith should have had a chance. E.Jacod commented that it is not wrong to know the person but not allowing R.Smith to be part of the committee is wrong. G.White explained that R.Smith called him. He was uncomfortable discussing it with him because of the confidentiality issue. G.White recommended that W.Felton be put on the committee. Because he did not have an appearance of a conflict of interest. G.White said that K. Dassau asked him to serve on the committee but someone applying for the job called him twice and he felt it was a conflict of interest. It was recommended to K. Dassau to appoint W.Felton. He has been on Facilities for 3 years and supported the position. He felt it was the best choice. R.Smith commented that he was disappointed that he was not asked. J.Carnie commented that the recuing by K.Cota was not brought to the Board. There were no minutes regarding this. G.White commented that the Superintendent is hired to run the district and he forms the committee. K.Goodenough would suggest that this issue go to the Policy Committee. The Superintendent nominates we are not any part of the hiring process. K. Dassau commented that there is no formal procedure.
15.
Adjournment: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to
adjourn the meeting at 11:00 PM. SECOND:
E.Jacod VOTE: Unanimous for
those present. Motion passes.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording Secretary