Approved
BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 14, 2005
6:30 p.m. – Swasey Central School
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; John Hayes, Vice-Chair; Tim Hannan; and,
Virginia Knutson.
Members Absent: Mike Johnson
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal
Others Present: Lisa Swasey and Kim Woods, Swasey Teachers; Amanda Woodfield and
Elyse Seeley, Parents; and, Hannah Woodfield and Heather Seeley, Students
1. The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.
2. Assistant Superintendent Jerry Frew called the meeting to order at 6:46 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. J. Frew welcomed the new and returning Board members.
3. Nominations for Board Officers
Superintendent Frew asked for nominations for officers.
MOTION – T. Hannan moved that Anne Marie Chesno to serve as Chair; J. Hayes
seconded. Vote – unanimous.
MOTION – T. Hannan moved that John Hayes serve as Vice-Chair; A. Chesno,
seconded. Vote – unanimous.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the February 7, 2005 meeting as written; V. Knutson, seconded. Vote – unanimous.
5. Visitor Discussion
Heather Seeley and Hannah Woodfield spoke about the article in the Exeter Newsletter highlighting Heather’s proposal for the lunch program to change from Styrofoam to plastic trays use. In response to the article, they have received enough in donations for the purchase of the required plastic trays and bowls. They have received a promise of a donation for the silverware from Dick Boivan from Alternate Sales in Kingston. Principal Ostrowski noted that there are other costs associated with the change including an increase in gas and electricity usage, as well as the possible need for additional equipment.
Chair Chesno charged the Principal with developing a proposal for the change in trays that delineates any increase in cost to the lunch program. If a change is made, it will take effect in August 2005. The Principal will make a report to the Board at a future date. The Board is supportive of exploring this change but will wait until accurate figures are presented by the Principal to make a final commitment.
6. Report from the Chair
A ‘Role of the School Board’ handout was provided as information for new members and as a reminder to continuing members.
A. Chesno referenced the request for information presented to the Board at the School District Meeting. Acknowledgement of receipt of this request by the Board was sent by certified mail within the allotted five days. The Board is complying with all requests.
The Board reviewed the discussion that took place at the March 5, 2005 School District Meeting. Board members complimented Chair Chesno on her presentation at the meeting.
Principal Ostrowski will continue to take minutes at the Board meetings for the
immediate future. This will be revisited if it becomes a burden on her.
7. Report from the Principal
Principal Ostrowski commented that her concern regarding the elimination of some existing policies has been resolved through review of those as well as information about policies that are still in the process of being approved by the Brentwood Board.
Principal Ostrowski presented her report. She will move forward with a community member’s request to adopt a school in Iraq after collecting more information regarding the proposal.
Principal Ostrowski gave reports on various building and SAU committees on which she serves: pre-school, foreign language, and truancy.
8. Report from the Central Office Administration
Assistant Superintendent Frew distributed a ‘Code of Ethics’ for the Exeter Regional Cooperative School Board. It is suggested that this is a good model for all School Boards in the SAU.
Assistant Superintendent Frew handed out clarification about recommended Board
policies that have been eliminated, those that have been approved, and those remaining
for consideration.
The financial statement for March was distributed and reviewed.
The Board has completed the first reading of the following policies:
KCB – Community Involvement in Decision Making
KEB – Public Complaints about School Personnel
KEC – Public Complaints about the Curriculum or Instructional Materials
KED – Public Complaints about Facilities or Services
KF – Use of School Facilities
KH – Solicitations in Schools
KHB – Advertising in the Schools
KI – Visitors to the Schools
LC – Educational Research
BDF – Advisory Committees to the Board
IHAE – Physical Education
IJNDB – Technology Integration
JEC – Manifest Education Hardship
JH – Student Absences and Excuses (revised)
JH-R1 – Grades K-8 Student Absences and Excuses – Rules
JH-R2 – Exeter High School Student Absences and Excuses – Rules
JHB – Truancy
JHB-R – Truancy
JHC – Student Release Precautions (revised)
JICD – Student Conduct, Discipline and Due Process (revised)
The second reading will take place at the next Board meeting.
T. Hannan asked about any SAU programming or support for students that is academically enriching and outside the expected curriculum. J. Frew will take this back to the Superintendent for possible discussion by the Joint Chairs. V. Knutson supports the need for programming to be offered to this population of students.
8. OLD/NEW BUSINESS
V. Knutson asked about School Board goals. This will be placed on the April Board agenda.
The Board will send letters to Doug Cowie, Phyllis Thompson, and the P.F.G thanking them for their contributions to the School District Meeting.
A. Chesno will draft a letter to the support staff delineating the changes to their salaries and benefits. This will be copied to the B.T.A. Principal Ostrowski will update the ‘Support Staff Compensation Guide’ for 2005-2006.
9. CORRESPONDENCE NOTED
No new correspondence has been noted.
10. MOTION –T. Hannan moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 8:23 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II-b; seconded J. Hayes, seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; T. Hannan, yes; V. Knutson, yes. Motion carries.
Non Public Session adjourned 8:30 p.m.
11. MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Board accept the professional staff nominations for the 2005-2006 school year as presented by the Superintendent. Vote – unanimous.
12. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:43 p.m.; V. Knutson, seconded. Vote - unanimous.