SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA
September 2, 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, Phyllis Peterson, Kristen Goodenough and Colline Dreyfuss. Absent: Tim Aho and Winston Wright.
Also Present: K. Dassau, Superintendent, D. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent, E. Wammack, New Business Mnager and Katie Chambers, Business Manager. Principals: B. Pickering, J. Smith, D. Mousette, L. Sutton, D. Dahl, K. Craig and B. Tatro. Director of Buildings and Grounds: B. Mitchell.
G. White read the mission statement. The Keene Sentinel recorded the meeting.
1. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the August 19, 2008 Board Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 10.114/0/1.114/3.772. Motion passes. MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the August 19, 2008, 2 sets of Non-Public Meeting Minutes as amended. SECOND: K. Cota. VOTE: 10.114/0/1.114/3.772. Motion passes.
2. STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPORT: Rob Scrowky president of the Student Government reported that the first meeting was opened to the entire school. The group discussed the teacher’s contract. They discussed having a member be placed at every voting area in every town. They will also be standing in front of the school each morning prior to the vote. The Student Government would be discussing senior privileges and new rules to be formed at an upcoming meeting.
3. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: K. Dassau introduced Earl Wammack, the new Business Manager replacing K. Chamber’s position.
Evan Barlow a senior at Monadnock has had his presentation concerning the future of the high school aired on Cheshire Television and Pine Tree Cable. Evan is a perfect example of what the high school can do.
The Middle School had a positive Jamboree. The school grounds looked great. Thanks to the Maintenance Dept.
J. Smith informed
the Board that Mrs. McCormick has donated proceeds for the NH History workbooks
for the
Open House: Cutler-Sept. 17, 2008, Middle School-Sept. 4,
2008, Emerson-Sept. 10, 2008, Mt. Caesar-Sept. 25, 2008, Troy-Sept. 15, 2008.
Sept. 26-27 is Homecoming Weekend. The High School is challenging the elementary schools and Middle School to enter the most creative float in the parade. This is a way to get the surrounding towns involved. There will be a prize for the winner.
4.
Public Comments: None
5. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Project Manager: MOTION: K. Cota MOVED to fill the Maintenance Project Manager Position at the end of the Beliveau contract in October 2008, at an estimated cost of $76,300.00 including wages and benefits, equal to about $44,507 prorated to June 30, 2009, to be funded through a budget transfer to the Maintenance Administration Salary and Benefits lines from the Maintenance Contracted Service line ($32,164) and the Middle School Special Education Administrative Assistant Wages and Benefits accounts ($12,343).SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: K. Cota read the rationale that was in the Board packets prior to this meeting. She explained that B. Mitchell would have to do all the work if the Board does not approve this position. She said that we need the position. B. Mitchell commented in support of the position. K. Chambers also commented in support of the position. She listed what the Board has supported as projects and positions and explained that this position is very important especially with the new proposed building projects. C. Dreyfuss commented in favor of the position. She explained that K. Cota has done a ton of work and that a volunteer should not have to do it. She supports the Maintenance Project Manager Position. E.Jacod commented that in 5 years there was not a Director of Building and Grounds. C. Dreyfuss explained the different configurations with people sharing positions over the past 5 years. She explained that the positions are needed and the value of each one. W. Felton commented on the process of the motion. The motion with the rationale was in the Board packet and within the correct amount of time prior to the meeting. J. Fortson asked why not a contract like Bret had. K. Cota explained that this person would be an employee and B. Mitchell would have a tighter grip. D.Lyman commented that he has a problem with the Spec. Ed. transfer. He would like it to come from some place else. He said that he could not support the position because of the Spec. Ed. transfer and asking the taxpayers for more money, we need to tighten up. He said that some of the talking points in the rationale are a one-time thing. K. Cota explained that the talking points are not a one-time thing. She explained each one. We have 42 million dollars in assets and some one has to watch it. L. Sutton explained that the funds from Spec. Ed. are for clerical work. They reorganized and the funds are not needed. This transfer does not effect children. C. Dreyfuss explained that the Capital Improvement Plan has to be updated in order to get funding for any project. Someone needs to be able to do that. S. Oerman commented that with an employee position the District would get more hours. She commented that the District does not have an inventory of assets. We need to have a handle on what we have. D. Lyman commented on some of the talking points being a one-time item from the list on the first page. He commented that the Board is asking for an 18 million-dollar bond and a 12 million-dollar bond with 1.8 million-dollars more for the teacher’s contract. We need to eat a little bit. He has heard that this is not right from the townspeople. It was explained that the District is paying Bret for 20-25 hours a week. B.Mitchell is working 7 days a week between 16-18 hour a days through the summer to get the work completed. We pay $5000.00 to Bret a month for his work. Bret did a lot of work beyond the 20-25 hours a week. The Facilities had suggested that Bret’s job continue for a year but the Board said until Oct. Bret is no longer interested in renewing his contract. K. Chambers explained that originally the Board wanted an employee but Bret came to us. B. Mitchell would prefer an employee to assign additional duties. K. Cota explained that the Facilities are the biggest expense. Take away the highest function job and shoot yourself in the foot. This position is in the best interest to make sure we are accountable in the Maintenance Dept. K. Chambers explained that the salary is competitive. J.Fortson explained that the Spec.Ed. Funds are a contracted expense, which was put in the Default Budget. It is wrong to take it from there. She would like to see it come from someplace else. K. Chambers explained that there are some funds to cover the position but not enough. She said that the insurance savings is another option. K. Dassau explained that the Spec. Ed. money is clerical work that is not needed. There is $160,000.00 in the Spec.Ed. Reserve for emergencies. E. Jacod asked if the position is set in cement. It was replied that it would be with a positive vote. MOTION: 5.984/5.244/0/3.772. Motion passes.
6. OLD
BUSINESS:
1. Board Goals: The Board had a Goal Setting Meeting on June 26, 2008. A summary was passed out to the Board. G. White explained the process that was used at the meeting. The group was divided into two smaller groups and prioritized their ideas. Each group came up with the same goal To Improve Student Achievement which is measured by each child making AYP, lower the drop out rate, increase the number of students enrolled in post secondary training and education and each child meeting the Follow the Child Growth Target. E. Jacod asked what steps we would be using to meet these action items. G. White explained that we get a report every meeting from D.Hodgdon. We have an AYP report tonight. D. Hodgdon reported on what was going on during the summer with the entire administration team. The principals would encourage the board to seek reports from them. C. Dreyfuss explained that the Board added an Education Committee. All data should go through the Education Committee. She herself does not have a degree in education. Have the Education Committee filter the information and bring it back to the Board. K. Cota commented that she likes this goal because it touched all the students. B. Pickeriing commented that it is consistent to what we are doing as an administration team. It brings everyone together, speaking the same language. K.Goodenough asked to hear from the Education Committee. J. Carnie said that he does not have a problem with the goal. It is good. It would be beneficial if the entire Board was in favor of all the action items. It was suggested that the Education Committee should take a look at each goal closely, give a rationale and a proposal to the entire Board. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772. Motion passes.
7. CURRICULUM REPORT:
1. NEASC Report: B. Pickering explained that the committee is working on the upcoming progress report, which should be completed by the end of this month. The report is due October 1, 2008. The report will include the articles supported by the Board and what has been done. E. Jacod commented that it is unfortunate that the NEASC organization is more concerned about facilities rather than the student achievement. K. Goodenough asked to return to “Board Goals”. MOTION: K.Goodenough. MOVED to refer responsibility of the previously voted goal “to improve student achievement” to the Education Committee. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772. Motion passes.
2. AYP Report-D. Hodgdon: D. Hodgdon
reported that the work continues on the District in Need of Improvement
Committee. The Professional Learning Committee is to be reviewed by the
Education Committee. Various curriculum work in the District is ongoing. The
math mentors met, the reading specialists met and will share the Follow that
Child Growth Target. D. Hodgdon explained that the efforts in the District have
heightened to take steps to prepare the students for the upcoming test and the
importance of the test. D. Hodgdon explained when asked by D.Lyman that the
District is in alignment with the State Frameworks. The District is in good
shape. The alignment was not there last year. He commented that there should be
improvement.
8. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE REPORT:
1. Community Relations Committee: C. Dreyfuss reported that the committee met earlier tonight. Fliers were sent to every resident concerning the teacher contract vote. The committee used funds to prepare a handout for the open houses. An ad editorial would be written and placed in the paper. MOTION: C. Dreyfuss. MOVED to allow the CRC to spend up to $1000.00 for an ad editorial to be placed in the paper. SECOND: W.Felton. It was mentioned that the motion at the last meeting gave the CRC authority to spend the funds to support the teacher’s contract. C Dreyfuss and W. Felton withdraw their motion. D.Lyman asked if the information coming from the CRC was on CRC letterhead. C. Dreyfuss explained that the Board voted to allow the CRC to support the teacher’s contract in any way. E. Jacod explained that it is in the minutes of the last meeting. K.Cota thanked the CRC for the efforts. C. Dreyfuss informed the Board that a NH Legislative Forum would be coming in the spring to Monadnock. It would be concerning the legislature that effects youth. She would encourage Board Members to attend. It was suggested that a person be in attendance to pass out fliers to support the teacher’s contract at the first home football game. There would be an informational meeting regarding the teacher’s contracts in Emerson at 7:00PM on Sept. 4, 2008.
2.
Facilities Committee: K.Cota
reported that the committee met but there was not a quorum. The next meeting is
scheduled for Sept. 10, 2008 at 7:00. They would be discussing possible warrant
articles. She would like to thank Deb Crowder for her work on the high school
gym floor. The operating costs for the middle school were in the packet. MOTION: D.Lyman MOVED to have the Board draft a letter from the Board thanking Deb
Crowder for her work on the gym floor at no expense to the District. SECOND: J. Fortson. VOTE: 11.228/0/0/3.772. Motion passes. K. Goodenough reported
that the BeTTy’s Committee would be sponsoring a mini-golf tournament on the
weekend of Husky Hoopla. They have been notified that the KSC Girls Basketball
Team has picked this committee to donate funds in which they raise. K-Rock
Radio would be broadcasting live from the golf tournament. She thanked Rob
Scrowky for all his work. The committee could not have done the work without
his help.
3. Finance Committee: D. Lyman reported that the committee has not met. They are scheduled to meet on Sept. 10, 2008 at 5:30 PM. They would be discussing the principal’s wages and the new budget.
4. Policy Committee: No quorum. The next meeting is on Sept. 22, 2008 at 5:30 PM.
5. Budget Committee Rep.: G. White reported that the committee met on August 26, 2008. The Budget Committee Meeting schedule was passed out. The committee received a report from the sub committee on the per pupil cost. They compared the information to other schools. They would continue with their work on this sub-committee. The committee also discussed the Board’s upcoming bonds for the infrastructure of the high school and the new middle school. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM.
6. Education Committee: J.Carnie explained that the committee would be meeting on Sept. 11, 2008 at 7:00 PM. J.Carnie reported that he attended the Parent Advisory Meeting. The purpose seems to promote good at the high school and the District. He thought there would be more discussion on NEASC issues and curriculum but he commented that the Education Committee has enough there table already. He explained that it is a positive group. He is looking forward to getting with that group to take a look at the curriculum and NEASC issues. R. Smith arrives
9. Action on the Manifest: MOTION: S. Oerman MOVED to accept the manifest in the amount of
$339,838.80. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. DISCUSSION: The Board had questions and K. Chambers explained. VOTE: 10.107/0/2.3/2.593. Motion passes
10. Superintendent’s Report: K. Dassau reported that the school year is off to a great start. Sept. 9, 2008 is the vote on the teacher’s contract and then we would move forward. The CRC has been going to the towns to promote and give answers to the questions on the teacher’s contract. The principals have met with the administration to discuss the 2009-2010 budget. K.Dassau announced that this is K. Chamber’s last Board Meeting. There would be a celebration for Katie on Sept. 10, 2008 from 3:30-5:00 PM. MOTION: J. Fortson MOVED to accept the resignation of Stanley Cijka from the Middle School Math position. SECOND: C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: 11.386/0/1.021/2.593. Motion passes. Emerson Notes were passed out to the Board.
11. BOARD CHAIR REPORT: G. white thanked K. Chambers for the 2 years and she would be missed.
12. SETTING NEXT MEETING AGENDA:
1. Committee reports
13. SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jane Johnson, retired teacher thanked the Board for a refreshing meeting. She is encouraged by the Student Government President and the administration. Any help that is required she would be more than willing to volunteer. She is proud of Rob Scrowky a student of hers.
14. Non-Public Session:
MOTION: K. Goodenough. MOVED to
enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) Request. SECOND: D. Lyman. Roll call
vote: E. Jacod, W. Felton, P. Peterson, R. Smith, K. Goodenough, J. Carnie,
K. Cota, J. Fortson, C. Dreyfuss, G. White, D. Lyman and S. Oerman. VOTE: 12.407/0/0/2.593. Motion
passes.
15. Public Session: Mr.Prunny asked for a reason why his wife Ana Gonzalas’s nomination from K.Dassau was voted down at the last Board Meeting. She was not given a reason. He explained that on August 12, 2008 Ana had received a letter welcoming her to the District. On August 12, 2008 she received a letter from K. Dassau inviting her to orientation. The nomination was to have happened in July but there was a paper work issue. The nomination was voted down by the Board but recommended by the administration. He contacted G.White and he gave no reason for the non-hiring. He contacted R.Smith his neighbor and R. Smith said that the position should never have been posted. G. White and K.Dassau both said that it did exist. W.Felton commented that he voted in favor of the nomination and has no idea why the rest voted the way they did. Mr.Prunny has two theories either it is political between the School Board and the administration or the fact that there is a question of a lawsuit at KSC, which does not exist. He mentioned the fact that the EOC might like to know why. E. Jacod explained that the individual Board Members have different answers. He voted no because of MC2. His position did not reflect his wife. He opposes the particular program. J. Carnie explained that no one hires except the School Board.
16. Non-public Session: MOTION: K.Goodenough.
MOVED to enter non-public session
under RSA 91-A:3 II (b) Nominations: SECOND:
S. Oerman. Roll call vote: E.
Jacod, W. Felton, P. Peterson, K. Goodenough, R. Smith J. Carnie, C. Dreyfuss,
J. Fortson, G. White and S. Oerman. VOTE:
11.386/0/0/3.614 Motion passes.
17.
Adjournment: MOTION: K.Goodenough MOVED
to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 PM. SECOND:
C. Dreyfuss. VOTE: Unanimous for
those present. Motion passes.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura L. Aivaliotis
MRSD Recording Secretary