BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, September 12, 2005, 6:30 p.m.

Swasey Central School

 

Members Present:    Anne Marie Chesno (7:05 p.m.), Chair; John Hayes, Vice-Chair; Tim Hannan; Mike Johnson, and Virginia Knutson.

 

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

 

Others Present:        Kate Belavitch, Parent; Jim Berlo, Parent; Jim Johnson, Parent; Michael

Kirby, Parent; Richard Wendell, SAU 16 Maintenance Director; Barbara Bettcher and Donna Benshemer, Swasey Professional Staff Members

 

 

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

 

2.    Vice-Chair Hayes called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.

Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

3.    Visitor Discussion

Parent K. Belavitch expressed concerns about the amount of time spent on Guided Discovery at Swasey in the classrooms, at recess, and at lunch.  The basics ofThe Responsive Classroom® were quickly reviewed.  The First Six Weeks of School provides the framework for interactions and behavior, goals and classroom/school community for the year.  Guided Discovery is one piece of this program, as are developing ‘Hopes and Dreams’, classroom rules, and Morning Meeting.  Pieces of this program have been part of the Swasey curriculum for over seven years.  To learn more about The Responsive Classroom® philosophy and program, it was suggested that parents and community members access their website at www.responsiveclassroom.org.  There is a lot of information as well as an article library for reference.

 

4.    Approval of Minutes

 

MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the July 18, 2005 meeting as written; M. Johnson seconded.   Vote – Unanimous.

 

5.    Report from the Chair

Chair Chesno noted that all members should have received a copy of the meeting minutes from the 9/7 Joint Chairs Meeting and that the minutes are also available on the SAU 16 website.  She covered the highlights for the board:

·         There are still some policies that need to be considered by this Board. 

·         The NHDOE passed new minimum standards that may require also new policies.

·         The Joint Chairs tabled the proposed retreat due to lack of ability of Joint Board members to attend. 

·         All teachers will be required to have an on-line presence on the web by the second quarter of this year. 

·         The Grade Reporting Task Force will send out a survey to parents, staff, students, school board members, and administrators regarding grading practices across the SAU.

The Board recognized the passing of Bill Fennelly and praised his contributions to both the Town and the School.

 

6.    Report from the Principal

      Principal Ostrowski noted that the beginning of school went very smoothly.  The annual August ‘Meet and Greet’ was very well attended by parents and children.  The year began with several busses arriving late but this has been slowly improving and should be corrected within the next few days.

Principal Ostrowski’s report addressed the following:

·         The preschool is open and providing services for four identified children.  This takes place five hours a day, five days a week.  On Tuesday and Thursday mornings five play pals join the class for three hours.

·          The dishwasher has been installed in the lunchroom.  The silverware and bowls have arrived but the trays have been delayed.  The donations collected by the 5th graders last year have been used for the purchase of these.  The promised matching funds have not been received as of this date.  The switch from Styrofoam to plastic will be made within the next few weeks.  There is a need to purchase and install a washer and a dryer in the kitchen.  Principal Ostrowski will begin exploring options to do this.

·          Five Swasey professional members and Principal Ostrowski attended a two-day retreat focusing on using data to make instructional decisions.  The SAU has mandated that professionals in each school spend two hours per quarter working with data.  The Swasey Team is preparing materials, developing training, and gathering data to enable the staff to work effectively at least once a month to this end.

·          The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will take the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) tests between October 3rd and 25th.  Results will be available to school sometime in early 2006.

·          The results from the spring 05 surveys of students, parents, and staff were shared with the School Board.  The comments have not yet been compiled.  The SAU will release all results to the public once they are complete.

·          Board Member Knutson and Principal Ostrowski met to develop a proposal for a pilot Activities Program to be offered in the spring.  Principal Ostrowski will continue to work towards this goal.

·          Dates of upcoming events were shared.

 

7.    Report from the Central Office Administration

Assistant Superintendent Frew reviewed the Financial Report with the Board.  This included information about Building Aid, Educational Equity Grants (formerly Adequacy Funds), the High School Project, Transportation Costs, and a summary of the District Financial Report.  It was noted that $64,434.34 of the General Fund balance was returned to the Town to offset taxes.  $125,701 from the Capital Project (Building Fund) was returned to the Town to offset taxes.  This totaled $190,135.34 which would equal a 53˘ tax reduction at 2004 property valuations.

 

8.    Old/New Business

      Board Member Knutson presented a draft of School Board goals.  The Board discussed several ideas and decided to table adopting goals until the October 17th Board meeting.  Board Member Tim Hannan noted that the Brentwood Budget Committee has suggested the School Board discuss the school’s infrastructure and future needs.  Board Member Hannan feels that the Board should be proactive in this area as it is important to get input from all stakeholders which can be a timely process.  Parent J. Johnson noted that when the last addition was approved the building plans were formulated to accommodate the future addition of a ten classroom second floor.   Chair Chesno clarified that the plans provided for several options for additions to the building. Any or all of these pieces could be considered.

 

10.Correspondence Noted

      None noted.

 

11.Non-Public Session

MOTION - J. Hayes moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 8:00 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II-c; T. Hannan seconded.  Vote:  A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; T. Hannan, yes; M. Johnson, yes; V. Knutson, yes.  Motion carries.

 

MOTION – J. Hayes moved to adjourn from non-public session adjourned at 8:35 p.m., T. Hannan seconded.  Vote:  A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; T. Hannan, yes; M. Johnson, yes; V. Knutson, yes.  Motion carries.

 

12.Adjournment

 

MOTION – John moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:37 p.m.; V. Knutson seconded.   Vote - Unanimous.