BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, May 9, 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; Elyse Seeley, Parent; Bob Gilbert,

Brentwood Selectman/Resident; Ed Oddo, Assistant Operations Manager;

Scott Fowler, Swasey School Teacher; and, Barbara Heatherton, Swasey

School Nurse

 

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

 

2.                Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.

Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

3.                Approval of Minutes

 

MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the March 14, 2005 non-public session as written; V. Knutson seconded.

Vote - Unanimous.

 

MOTION – M. Johnson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the April 11, 2005 meeting as written; V. Knutson seconded.   Vote – Unanimous.

 

MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the April 11, 2005 non-public session as written; M. Johnson seconded.  

Vote – Unanimous.

 

4.                Visitor Discussion

Selectman Gilbert asked about the outside lighting noting that the Selectmen were receiving questions from citizens concerned about wasting electricity. Ed Oddo explained that the lighting is controlled by a computer system and photo-electric programs.  Selectman Gilbert also expressed concern about the ‘school zone’ lights on Middle Road. Principal Ostrowski will call the State Garage and ask them to correct the timing.  Selectman Gilbert suggested an article explaining the school lighting program and the fact that the ‘school zone’ lights are state controlled. 

Resident Gilbert asked the Board if the Community Supported Agriculture group can use the front part of the lawn at the east end of the school property for parking on Tuesday afternoons from early June until November. The Cooperative would maintain the lawn to its current condition.  The Board was supportive of this request.  Resident Gilbert will work with the School Board and the Principal to address any difficulties that arise.

 

 

5.                Report from the Chair

Chair Chesno asked Board Member Knutson to review the suggestions for Board goals that she had provided at the April meeting.  Discussion identified several areas as potential goals:

§         Community relations.

§         Budget development and approval.

§         Increased teacher participation at Board meetings.

§         A middle school presentation on Brentwood students’ performance socially and academically in 6th grade. 

§         Encouraging Swasey staff participation at future Board meeting through presentations.

§         Supporting the development of an enrichment program by encouraging the Principal to take this on as a goal.

§         Ongoing maintenance of the infrastructure of the facility.

§         Visioning for the future of the Swasey Central School educational experience.

§         Continue to actively participate in SAU committees.

At the urging of Board Member Knutson, approved minutes will be posted on the website, in the Brentwood library, and at the SAU office.  Draft minutes will continue to be posted at the school and the SAU

The Board agreed that it would be beneficial to contribute a monthly article to the Brentwood Newsletter to inform the community about events, routines, and expectations of the Board and the school.  Chair Chesno shared an article that she had written addressing last year’s budget suggesting that this be held and updated to use in September.   The Board agreed that this was a good plan.  Board Member Hannan will write an article clarifying the use of lighting for the next Newsletter.

      Chair Chesno and Principal Ostrowski will formulate an article about budget and enrollment adjustments for June.

      Board members received a handout that described their roles and responsibilities.  Chair Chesno commented briefly on these. Three people constitute a quorum; therefore Board business cannot be discussed outside of Board meetings.  Meetings must be posted 24 hours in advance.  Email may be used to notify but not to hold discussions among members.

      Monday, May 16th is the Joint Boards Meeting.  A bus will pick members up at the high school at 5:00 p.m. for tour of the new high school.  The Board meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m.

      There is a virus affecting the SAU email system as well as the rest of the worldwide web traffic.  Do not open any attachments to emails that are not clearly identifiable.  Assistant Superintendent Kossakoski will be sending out information about this.

      Chair Chesno informed the Board that the SAU crisis team was activated at the middle school and in touch with SCS in response to the recent tragedy in Brentwood.  The SAU issued a press release as part of a response that was both proactive and caring.  The Board recognized the actions of all involved, both at Swasey and at the SAU level.

 

6.                Report from the Principal

Principal Ostrowski shared her monthly report with the Board.  This included current and projected enrollment figures, personnel issues, plans for the 05-06 school year, plans for the new preschool, and happenings at the school for the next month

Principal Ostrowski provided the Board with a report about preschool planning, a draft brochure, and a draft application.  The Board supported moving forward with these.  Principal Ostrowski provided the Board with answers to four questions presented to her by Member Knutson.  This information will go home to parents this month.

 

7.                Report from the Central Office Administration

Assistant Superintendent Frew gave the Board the current monthly financial report.

Assistant Superintendent Frew asked Chair Chesno to present information about the Capital Project Fund Equity. After some discussion it was decided that Mr. Oddo will come to the June meeting with firm estimates for addressing the wall, the fields, and the last of the construction trash.  The remainder of the money will be returned to the Town.  

The SAU has been trying to schedule a meeting with Mr. Berlo and Mr. Johnson to review the information requested by them through the Freedom of Information Act.   The SAU is currently waiting for them to provide dates for possible meetings.

 

MOTION – T. Hannan moved to authorize the SAU to serve as fiscal agent for federal grants; V. Knutson seconded.  Vote - Unanimous.

 

Chair Chesno asked Assistant Superintendent Frew to confirm that where the Brentwood Impact Fees that the school districts receive is placed in the Capital Reserve Funds.  This will be addressed at the June meeting.

 

8.                Old/New Business

      There was no old or new business.

 

9.                Correspondence Noted

                  There was no correspondence noted.

 

10.            Non-Public Session

      Chair Chesno stated that the Board was about to enter into non-public session and explained to those in attendance that a motion could be made at the end of the non-public session.

 

MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 8:15 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II-a; T. Hannan seconded.  Vote:  A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; T. Hannan, yes; M. Johnson, yes; V. Knutson, yes.  Motion carries.

 

                  Non public session adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

 

            MOTION - J. Hayes moved to award the merit bonus to Principal Ostrowski in

       recognition of her achievement of her and the Board’s goals; V. Knutson seconded.  

       Vote - Unanimous

 

11.                ADJOURNMENT

MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 9:02 p.m.; T. Hannan seconded.   Vote - unanimous.