Approved Minutes

MONADNOCK REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA

October 7, 2008

Monadnock Regional Middle/High School, Swanzey, NH

 

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

Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent and E. Wammack, Business Manager. Principals: J. Smith, K. Craig, 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.

 

1.      CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to accept the September 16, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 8.870/0/0/6.130. Motion passes.

 

2.      STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT:  

3.      CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K.Dassau informed the Board that there would be a Public Hearing at the next Board Meeting.

 

K. Dassau, D.Hodgdon and G.White went to the schools and distributed the employees awards for their many years of service in the District. K.Dassau read the names of the employees. Jan Parsons had 40 years of service with the District.

 

There was a special presentation to Deb Crowder for her painting of the gymnasium floor. She received 4 gift cards and a plaque. She in turn wrote a thank you note to the Board. G. White read the note.

 

Emerson Notes were included in the Board packets.

 

B. Pickering reported that a former student attending college emailed him to let him know that he was prepared in calculus. He would like to thank his former teacher Paul Fazio.

 

4.      Public Comments: R. Bauries commented on the fact that he felt that the district has some serious problems. He said that with the positive vote on the teacher’s contract and the budget there would be a 24% increase that would be reflected in the December tax bill. He explained that he attended a Facilities Meeting and was told to be brief with his comments. He said that the District needs a Middle School like he needs another house. He said that in a default budget you could not add expenditures. He said that the District has failed. He commented on the administration salaries and the principal salaries that would be discussed tonight. He would hope that there was a public hearing for the two warrant articles regarding the renovations to the high school and the proposed new middle school. He said that there are problems with the MS25. E.Wammack has agreed to meet and discuss it. He said that he was disappointed that the School Board and the Budget Committee did not have a quorum at the last meeting. He thanked G. White for letting him speak tonight.

 

Dr. Kaplan commented that the articles that passed this past March were supported by the Monadnock Tax- Payers Association. 

 

5.       NEW BUSINESS:

MS25 & DOE 25: E. Wammack explained that the DOE 25 is a financial report for the year end. He said that the auditors did the audit and provided the information to complete the reports. The District supplied additional information for the audit. The DOE 25 goes to the Department of Education and the MS 25 goes to the Department of Revenue. E.Wammack reviewed the DOE 25 with the Board. E. Wammack explained that the cost per pupil sheet was based on 2235.07 students in 2006-2007. He explained that the MS25 is basically the same information in a different format. This summary goes to the Department of Revenue. W. Wright asked about the information that is used to set the tax rate. E. Wammack explained that this information was already sent to the State.  It was slightly delayed.  MOTION: S.Oerman MOVED to accept the MS25 and DOE 25 as presented. SECOND: K.Cota. DISCUSSION: W.Wright asked if the auditors had approved the forms. E. Wammack explained that the auditors prepared the sheets. He explained that there would be an audit report that would confirm the figures. VOTE: 4.740/0/4.130/6.130. Motion passes.

 

Building Control Card/NET Debt Service Schedule for MS/HS renovations: E.Wammack explained that this was informational only and he would bring the information to the next meeting. J. Fortson had asked that this information be put in the Board packets. The Finance Committee had already received the information.

 

J. Carnie asked about the weighted vote, the Surry representative issue. K.Dassau explained that the District was told to continue as is until the March vote. This issue would be on the next agenda. 

 

6.       OLD BUSINESS:  

 

7.   CURRICULUM REPORT:

1.      NEASC Report: B. Pickering explained that the 5 member team has completed the 2 year progress report. The report addressed 71 issues, 68% of the issues the committee felt were complete, 31% in progress and 1% the committee rejected because they disagreed with the NEASC Team. Hard copies of the report would be going to the Education committee and put on the high school web site. J. Smith explained that it was several months before they received a response from the NEASC Team before. 

2.      AYP Report-D. Hodgdon explained that he included some information regarding the results of the science testing in the packets. He also included his Letter to the Editor to the Keene Sentinel. He passed out additional information to the Board. He said that all of the information would be on the website. The District has developed an overall curriculum plan for the last several years – one that continues and includes the science curriculum. He explained the similarities and the differences among the NECAP Assessments of math, reading, and science. He explained that, as a federal mandate, the science assessment offers baseline data. As with math, reading, and writing, the science test was collaboration of the three states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. (R. Smith arrives). D. Hodgdon explained that it is likely that the science test results would become part of AYP along with the math and reading results. He highlighted the work throughout the district and spoke specifically about the work at the high school during the early release and workshop day that focused on the data and ways to improve students’ performance, including a discussion about expanding the number of required credits of science from two to three to graduate at the high school. If the high school pursued this increase, it would be presented to the Education Committee and then to the full School Board. D. Lyman commended K. Craig on Emerson’s test results from her school. He asked what the school was doing differently from other schools.  D. Hodgdon explained that the district, as outlined in the District Improvement Plan, has looked at Emerson, its success as it focuses on the improvement of student learning, and their work with Professional Learning Communities as a model, since the school has organized itself in teams for several years.  The district is also looking to make the connection of reading and math with science.  K. Craig thanked the board members for the positive comments about Emerson.  She emphasized that it is important to focus on student learning.  In response to a question about the performance of students in the other two states taking the science test, D. Hodgdon explained that the other two states did not do well, the results being comparable to those in the state of New Hampshire. He noted that science performance throughout the country has been low. B. Pickering highlighted the science courses required of high school students and the years they are offered. E. Jacod commented on the home preparation or lack of preparation of students.

 

8.   SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:

            1.  Community Relations Committee: G. White reported that the committee met this evening and began setting priorities. There would be 2 major newsletters coming soon. The committee is discussing what needs to be done to get the upcoming information out to the public. The next meeting is October 21, 2008.

             

2.      Facilities Committee: K. Cota reported that the committee met on September 24. They discussed the domestic water system for the MS/HS. They have received an estimate of $115,000.00 plus a 10 % contingency and an $8,000.00 engineering fee. B. Mitchell is looking for 3 engineering firms to bid on the design phase. There was also a question about looking into solar options. The committee received the 2009-2010 project lists, which included 57 items. After much discussion the committee narrowed the list of 57 items to 19 items with which to move forward. K. Cota handed out the list to the Board Members. The Facilities Committee is asking the Finance Committee to take a look at the list and decide how much money they feel should be spent on this list. The committee is asking the Board to vote on this list at the next Board Meeting. The next Facilities meeting would be on October 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM.  

3.      Finance Committee: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to give the principals that do not already have a contract for the 2008-2009 year a 3% raise: K.Craig, D.Dahl, D. Mousette, L. Sutton and B.Tatro. SECOND: K.Cota. DISCUSSION: S. Oerman explained that she would be abstaining from the vote although she does believe that the principals deserve a raise she felt that they should be putting something towards their health benefits. It was explained that the administration recommended $3400.00 per principal but the Finance voted for a 3% raise. It was also explained that J. Smith, B.Pickering, L. Alexander and T.Stewart have new contracts and that is why they are not included in the motion. The vote was unanimous by those present at the Finance Committee. J. Fortson explained that the monies for the raises are not in the budget. E. Wammack explained that the funds would be coming out of other salary lines in the 1100 Account. The principals did receive a raise last year and they would be discussing the contribution to their health insurance issue for next year. VOTE: 6.670/0/3.379/4.951. Motion passes. MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to give K. Craig a $1500.00 stipend for her work with other schools on the Professional Learning Communities. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: It was explained that this is K.Craig’s second year of doing this. D. Lyman thanked her for her work. VOTE: 10.049/0/0/4.951. Motion passes. The next meeting is on October 10, 2008 at 8:45 AM. They would be discussing the budget. After another two or three meetings they would have questions for the principals and their answers would come back to the full Board and Budget Committee.

 

Roxbury adjustment: E. Wammack explained that the adjustment has been made to Roxbury concerning the issue where a Winchester student going to Monadnock gave the families home address as Roxbury. There would be a reduction in the ADM for Roxbury by 1 student. J. Carnie questioned the calculation and E. Wammack explained that there is a formula. J. Carnie questined whether the equalized evaluation was included in the calculation. D. Lyman asked K.Cota about the list she passed out. He asked about the science labs and the Department of Education. K. Cota explained that the labs are undersized. D.Lyman commented that they increase the standards and the DOE should give the money to make the improvements. J. Carnie asked about the standards for the labs. It needs to be looked at. The project list discussion would continue at the next meeting.

         4.   Policy Committee: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept Fraud Prevention Policy as presented. SECOND: D.Lyman. DISCUSSION: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to amend the motion and in section 4 remove the word “Chair” and put in “an elected member.” SECOND: J. Carnie. DISCUSSION: K. Dassau explained that it is only reporting. G. White asked with the minor change should the policy go to the auditor and the attorney to look at it again. K. Dassau explained that this policy is for Monadnock. There would be a separate one for the SAU. E. Jacob questioned the word “elected” because some members are appointed. The friendly amendment would be “a sitting member of the School Board.” K. Cota commented that the Board should leave the policy alone. She said that you are opening it up to 14 people. Let the process go on. Fourteen people on a witch hunt. D. Lyman commented that being reported to is not involved but only the contact. More people to report to and people would be more comfortable. J. Carnie said that he was concerned with fraud at the top level and the amendment offers one more additional option. VOTE on the amendment: 8.623/1.426/0/4.951. Motion passes. VOTE on the amended motion: 8.623/1.179/.247/4.951. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept Policy JJF Student Activity Account as presented. SECOND: W.Wright. DISCUSSION: It was explained that K. Chambers discussed this policy with the principals. It was explained that at one time there could be up to $100,000.00 in an account. S. Oerman explained that there is someone who does the bookkeeping and a computer program. VOTE: 9.240/0/.809/4.951. Motion passes. S.Oerman explained that the class size policy would be in the Board’s next packet. The next meeting is on October 23, 2008 at 5:30 PM.

            

         5.   Budget Committee Rep.: No quorum. The next meeting is on October 28, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the high school.

         6.   Cheshire Career Center:

         7.   Education Committee: J.Carnie explained that the committee met and mostly discussed the science test results and the article in the paper. There was a presentation by D.Hodgdon and B.Pickering regarding the NEASC, AYP and the science test scores. They also discussed the number of science credits. They discussed if we are making progress and does the plan get us to where we want to be next. The next meeting is on October 15, 2008 at 5:30 PM.

         9.   Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of

      $2,674,084.63. SECOND: J. Fortson. DISCUSSION: the $500.00 checks were discussed. K. Dassau explained those checks are awarded to staff for their years of service. The funds come out of the School Board Account.  VOTE: 9.028/0/1.021/4.951. Motion passes.  

 

10. Superintendent’s Report: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the regular retirement of Pam Weinrieb as of June 2010. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 10.049/0/0/4.951. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the regular retirement of Nancy Gagne as of June 2009 and waive the 18- month notice. SECOND: W. Felton. VOTE: 8.781/1.021/0/4.951. Motion passes.  No non-public session.

 

11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT:

    

12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA:

1.      Committee reports

2.      Weighted vote

3.      Finance Committee approve funds for special items

4.      Review Public Comment Policy

 

W.Wright asked for the selectmen of each town to have a list of the students attending the schools from their individual towns. K. Dassau explained that C.Boyle is doing that and the list would be going to the selectmen. 

 

13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: Husky Hoopla is Saturday and the BeTTYS min-golf tournament is Saturday from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

 

14. Adjournment: MOTION: D. Lyman MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM. SECOND: S. Oerman. VOTE: Unanimous for those present. Motion passes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Laura L. Aivaliotis

MRSD Recording Secretary