BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, April 11, 2005

6:30 p.m. – Swasey Central School

 

Members Present:    Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; John Hayes, Vice-Chair; Tim Hannan;

Michael Johnson; and, Virginia Knutson.

 

Administration Present:      Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal

 

Others Present:        Jim Berlo, Parent; Jim Johnson, Parent; Teresa and Michael Kirby, Parents;

Elyse Seeley, Parent; and Tony Chute, Parent

 

1.                The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.

 

2.                Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.

Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

3.                Approval of Minutes

 

MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the March 14, 2005 meeting as written; V. Knutson seconded.   Vote – unanimous.

 

The March 14, 2005 non-public minutes will be considered for approval at the May Board meeting.

 

4.                Visitor Discussion

Visitor J. Johnson asked for an explanation of the percentage of students that were identified in the Principal’s Newsletter, dated March 30, 2005, as proficient under the guidelines of NCLB as this was different than those reported as proficient on the NHEIAP assessment. Proficiency, for NCLB, is defined by the federal government as students performing basic or above on the NHEIAP.  Visitor J. Johnson expressed his concern that NHEIAP scores have gone down. Board Member T. Hannan explained that the state reports data by school but recognizes that groups of students can be too small to provide a statistically accurate sample from one year to the next. To correct for this, the results are considered over a three year period.  It was also noted that the NHEIAP scores measure different groups of students each year.  Beginning in the fall 2005, the NECAP will measure students each year which will provide data on student growth.  Board Member V. Knutson stated that assessment was addressed by the principal in November 2004 in a report to the Board that is on the school website.

Board Member M. Johnson stated that the assessment isn’t what matters, the curriculum and instruction are what matter.  Curriculum and instruction are continually addressed within the school and among the staff.  Board member V. Knutson gave, as one example, the extension of the kindergarten day to provide Title 1 support to students identified as needing additional instruction to be ready for 1st grade as well as noting the Board’s commitment to maintaining reasonable class size at all grades. 

 

In response to a question from Visitor J. Berlo, it was explained that SAU Curriculum Committees develop the curriculum standards for the schools based on the state frameworks and grade level equivalencies. These are reviewed and revised on a regular schedule. In response to a 2nd question from Visitor J. Berlo, Principal Ostrowski explained that instructional assistants are not currently required to meet the highly qualified standards in NCLB. The school is being proactive and providing three modules of training that will allow them to meet this standard.  This will be at no cost to the Brentwood School District.  Questions about the Peer Mediation program were also answered.

The School Board limited visitor discussion after 25 minutes noting that they had an agenda of items needing attention.  It was suggested that precise questions be put into writing and submitted to the Board via the Principal.  If possible, these would be addressed at the next Board meeting.

 

5.                Report from the Chair

      Chair Chesno suggested that Board goals be discussed at the May meeting.  Board Member V. Knutson provided a draft of possibilities for consideration.  Board Member T. Hannan suggested that it would be helpful/interesting to have Swasey staff share information at the School Board meetings, noted that he would like to fix the old ‘front entry’ that is an eyesore, and suggested some type of exploratory/enrichment program for students who meet the curricula goals.  Visitor E. Seeley spoke about the ‘Foreign Language’ program that she organized for selected students this year.  She will meet with the Principal to develop a survey and will return to the June Board meeting to share results.  Board Member J. Hayes said that he would like to have Assistant Superintendent Frew refresh the Board on their responsibilities and procedures.  Chair Chesno said that she would ask Patty Lovejoy (Stratham Board Chair) to come and talk with this Board about this as well. Community outreach/information should be a Board goal. These, and suggestions offered by other Board Members, will be discussed at the next meeting. 

        Chair Chesno reviewed the Joint Chairs meeting with this Board.  Board Member V. Knutson asked for clarification of the role of the Joint Chairs.  The Chairs get together to offer guidance to the SAU administration rather than make decisions. Joint School Board meetings are held three times a year.  Their next meeting is May 16th at 7:00 p.m.

 

6.                Report from the Principal

Updated enrollment was given. Student numbers for 05-06 will be discussed at the May meeting.  Board Member V. Knutson complimented P.E. Teacher Sheila Lane on the Jump Rope Club and Show.

Principal Ostrowski referenced a letter received from a parent who was concerned about the school’s procedure for accounting for absent students. She provided each Board Member with a copy of her March 30th Principal’s Newsletter which clearly addressed and outlined the procedure that is in place.  Principal Ostrowski shared her concern that parents call their children in to aid the school in accounting for students’ whereabouts in a timely manner.

Principal Ostrowski provided each Board Member with a copy of the new Teachers’ Contract and the second edition of the ‘Swasey Times’ from the Newspaper Club sponsored by Teacher Lisa Swasey.

 

8.         Report from the Central Office Administration

      Assistant Superintendent Frew provided the Board Members with the monthly financial report.

      Board Member M. Johnson reported that the Policy Committee continues. A time table is being developed for continued review of policies to keep everything updated.

                                The Board completed the second 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)

 

MOTION - M. Johnson moved that the Brentwood School Board adopt the policies listed above as written. T. Hannan seconded.   Vote - Unanimous.

 

7.OLD/NEW BUSINESS

        Board Member V. Knutson asked about a visioning process that a school in one of the other districts is pursuing.  Assistant Superintendent Frew will get more information about what is taking place in other schools. 

      Board Member T. Hannan reviewed some suggestions that he brought from the Brentwood Budget Committee. The Committee suggested that the school consider:

·         Providing information to non-parents that is not technical but clear and simple and that explains how school looks different today than in the past.

·         Try to educate parents and community Members about assessment scores and what they reflect. 

·         Have an open house so that people can go through the school on ‘guided tours’.

      The Board noted that tours have been provided but additional opportunities will be considered. Information about the NWEA and NECAPS is on the SAU website.  Board Member J. Hayes or Principal Ostrowski will look at this to find paragraphs that can be circulated and used with the community. The Board will add an agenda item each month that addresses community news and could lead to an article for the Newsletter. 

                        Board Member V. Knutson requested that Board minutes be posted somewhere in

                  Brentwood besides the school, possibly the library.

      Board Member T. Hannan has requested that a Brentwood Selectman begin attending School Board meetings again. 

 

8.CORRESPONDENCE NOTED

      Butch Whitehouse’s letter was received.  This was addressed during the Principal’s report.

 

9.Non-Public Session

MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 8:20 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II-c; J. Hayes seconded.  Vote:  A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; T. Hannan, yes; M. Johnson, yes; V. Knutson, yes.  Motion carries.

 

                  Non public session adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

 

10.               ADJOURNMENT

 MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:43 p.m.; V. Knutson, seconded.   Vote - unanimous.