BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, October 17, 2005, 6:30 p.m.
Swasey Central School
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; John Hayes, Vice-Chair; Tim Hannan (6:45 p.m.); Mike Johnson, and Virginia Knutson.
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal
Others Present: Jim Berlo, Parent; Charlie Gargaly, Community Member; Cecelia Hart, Swasey
Lunch Program Director; Kathy Desmarais, Paula Rushia, and Julie Marshall, Swasey Professional Staff Members; Heather and Jason Clark, Parents (7:05 p.m.); Jim Johnson, Parent (7:55 p.m.)
1. The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.
2. Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Non-public session
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 6:43 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II.(c); M. Johnson seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; M. Johnson, yes; V. Knutson, yes. Motion carries.
MOTION – V. Knutson moved to adjourn from non-public session at 7:00 p.m., M. Johnson seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; T. Hannan, yes; M. Johnson, yes; V. Knutson, yes. Motion carries.
Board Member Knutson stated that in response to recent public comments, The Board would like to read the following into the public minutes:
In regards to our Principal, Joan Ostrowski, we the Brentwood School Board unanimously support her as the principal of Swasey Central School.
· Joan is a dedicated and highly trained professional.
· Joan has been a leader of the Swasey Central staff and has implemented a consistency in programming within the grade levels and across the grades that had not existed prior to her becoming principal.
· Joan maximizes “best practice” in education for every student at Swasey Central School.
· Joan facilitates communication between the students’ home, the Brentwood community at large and the Swasey Central School.
· Swasey Central School has benefited because of Joan’s leadership for the past six years – we are proud that she is at the helm.
4. Visitor Discussion
Cecelia Hart, Food Program Director, updated the School Board on the recent switch from Styrofoam (disposable) to plastic (reusable) lunch trays. The students are excited to have real silverware with which to eat. She noted that there may be a need for some additional help on the busy days. Board Member Johnson asked specifically what kind of help. Mrs. Hart clarified that it would be to wash dishes and to help serve. She is concerned about keeping food hot and will put a request for a warmer into the food budget for 06-07.
5. Approval of Minutes
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the September 12, 2005 meeting as written; M. Johnson seconded. Vote – Unanimous.
MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the Non-Public Session of the September 12, 2005 meeting as written. V. Knutson seconded.
Vote – Unanimous
6. Report from the Chair
Chair Chesno noted that the Joint Chairs Meeting is Wednesday, October 19th; the agenda includes a presentation by Victor Sokul, the high school principal, and a discussion about EEE. She offered Board members NHASB publication that lists salaries for teachers in all districts with comments about the sizes of the districts affecting the averages.
Board Member Johnson discussed proposed School Board goals and reviewed some ideas that he would like to consider. Board Member Hayes shared his understanding of what goals and objectives looked and sounded like as opposed to a mission statement. Chair Chesno added that she has struggled with how the Board writes goals. Board Member Hayes agrees with the business model that lists specific tasks to be achieved. The only specific task this year is developing a budget and possibly making a statement about future facility needs. Board Member Johnson will redraft his suggestions into a Board mission statement. The Board members will come back in November with specific ideas for measurable goals/objectives for consideration. Chair Chesno suggested that the Board limit the number of goals/objectives.
Chair Chesno reminded the Board that they cannot conduct business via email. They may send out information but may not converse.
Board Member Johnson reviewed and provided all Board members with reference information about SB2 in response to a recent article in the Brentwood Newsletter.
Board Member Johnson wants the Board to be informed about the Bird Flu. The sensitivity to this issue will increase as the flu season approaches. The Board may want to make some type of statement to parents suggesting that they take proactive steps. Children who are ill should be kept at home. Chair Chesno will bring this up at Joint Chairs on Wednesday. She noted that the SAU has a physician who makes recommendations. Assistant Superintendent Frew noted that the SAU nurses are meeting on Friday, October 21st and that this issue is on their agenda. In New Hampshire, the Department of Health and Human Services is the agency that would be responsible for getting out information to schools and communities. Board Member Hayes noted that there are two issues that need discussion: Information about EEE, bird flu, and dog flu and then the issue of germs in a school setting and possible procedures that may reduce their spread.
Board Member Knutson announced that she was selected at the September 19th Joint Board Meeting to represent Brentwood on the NCLB Committee. This group will meet every month to six weeks with the second meeting scheduled for the middle of November.
Board Member Johnson announced that he notified the Superintendent of his resignation from the SAU Policy Committee due to his inability to make meetings. Board Member Hayes is willing to be the representative and will attend when possible. Board Member Johnson will try to share this responsibility with Board Member Hayes.
Board Member Knutson asked about the children’s responses to the NECAPs. The teachers present noted that every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade class has spent 12 hours over the past 12 school days on this process. The children have done well and worked hard.
Board Member Knutson asked if Principal Ostrowski had shared the information about the pilot Activities program with staff. She did so at a staff meeting in September and will follow up to gather ideas and assess staff interest. So far, she is aware of four ideas.
Board Member Hannan asked about the School Board schedule for meetings. School Board meetings will be the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. beginning with the meeting in November. He will share this information with the Brentwood Budget Committee. He noted that the Budget Committee’s schedule varies widely. Board Member Hannan invited Board members to join him at the Budget Committee meeting following this Board meeting. He also noted that the Town has many different meetings just as the School Board does and that scheduling can get complicated.
Board Member Hayes commended Board Member Hannan on the job he does with the Budget Committee. Chair Chesno concurred and complimented him on his work and on keeping the School Board informed. Board Member Hannan gave credit to Budget Committee Chair Doug Cowie for his ability to run a meeting.
7. Report from the Principal
Principal Ostrowski noted that enrollment had decreased by two students who were removed from the rolls as never attending.
Swasey Central School was awarded the New Hampshire Partners in Education Blue Ribbon Award for 2004-2005 school year for the 24th consecutive year. This award is in recognition of outstanding volunteer programs. Each year, the Volunteer Coordinator(s) must submit an application that substantiates the volunteer programming in place and highlight special accomplishments. Our Volunteer Coordinators for 2004-2005, Shannon Deschenes, Susan McColley, and Barbara Pollard as well as our many volunteers, are to be commended for their hours of service to our school and students.
Principal Ostrowski noted concerns about preschool bussing which should be resolved within a week and the progress of the installation of a washer/dryer for the lunch program.
Principal Ostrowski attached a copy of her goals for the 05-06 school year. One area warranting more discussion/information is possible changes in the process for identifying children with learning disabilities that are included in IDEIA 04. To this end, she provided the Board members with notes addressing ‘Response to Intervention’ taken at the Special Education Academy for Experienced Administrators earlier this month. Board Member Hayes added clarification about the identification of students with educational disabilities and eligibility for services.
8. Report from the Central Office Administration
Assistant Superintendent Frew noted the need to complete the first reading of the listed policies. All Board Members concurred that they had completed this task prior to the Board meeting. The second reading and consideration of adoption will take place at the November Board Meeting. The first reading was of the following policies:
8.2.1 BDD Board Superintendent Relationship
8.2.2 BDD-R Board Superintendent Relationships
8.2.3 BEA-R SAU 16 Joint Board Quorum
8.2.4 BEDG Minutes
8.2.5 BGF Suspension of Policies
8.2.6 BIA New Board Orientation
8.2.7 BIE Board Member Indemnification
8.2.8 DH Bonded Employees
8.2.9 DM Cash in School Buildings
8.2.10 EBBC-R Standing Nurses' Orders
8.2.11 EBCA Emergency Plans
8.2.12 EBCA-R Emergency Plans
8.2.13 EBCB-R Fire Drills in Educational Occupancies
8.2.14 EBCC Bomb Threats
8.2.15 EHB-R Records Retention Schedule
8.2.16 GBCD Background Investigation and Criminal Records Check
8.2.17 GBCD-R School Employee Background Investigation
8.2.18 IC School Year
8.2.19 ICA School Calendar
8.2.20 IGD Curriculum Adoption
8.2.21 IHBA Programs for Pupils with Disabilities
8.2.22 IHBA-R Procedural Safeguards for Students with Disabilities
8.2.23 IHBAB Special Education Evaluations
8.2.24 IHBG Home Education
8.2.25 IKA Grading Systems
8.2.26 IKE Promotion & Retention of Students
8.2.27 JFABB Foreign Ex. Students
8.2.28 JFABB-R Admission of Foreign Exchange Students
8.2.29 JFABD Admission of Homeless Students
8.2.30 JFABD-R Technical Assistance Advisory Residency: Homeless
Children & Youth
8.2.31 JICD-R Memo. Of Understanding
8.2.32 JICK Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention
8.2.33 JICK-R Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention
8.2.34 JIH Student Searches
8.2.35 JIH-R Student Searches
8.2.36 JJF Student Activities Fund Management
8.2.37 JKD Student Suspension
8.2.38 JLC Student Health Services
8.2.39 JLCB Immunizations of Students
8.2.40 JLCB-R Immunization Requirements
8.2.41 JLCD Administering Medicine to Students
8.2.42 JLF Reporting Student Abuse
8.2.43 JLIA Supervision of Students
8.2.44 JRA Student Records and Access
Assistant Superintendent Frew provided the Board members with the final financial report from the 04-05 school year budget. He also distributed the 05-06 financial report. Assistant Superintendent Frew reviewed the Business Office report dated October 2005. This covered the high school project, transportation, the District Financial Report, and energy costs. There was discussion about the energy costs which are projected to be approximately 35% over budgeted allocations. Board Member Hannan asked about alternative energy sources such as solar panels or wind harnessing. He also asked about SAU bussing noting that some towns have busses for the Cooperative students separate from those for the elementary schools. This was done to shorten the length of the bus trips. Brentwood may become part of this approach next year. There is an estimated $3,000 above the budgeted transportation costs that will be assessed due to the increase in fuel costs. It was noted that this increase as well as the utilities increases will be out of monies allocated for other purposes in the 05-06 Brentwood School budget.
Chair Chesno confirmed that Nathan Lunney had been in contact with the Brentwood Town Offices in regard to bidding for propane prices. Board Member Hannan asked about the status of the school’s HVAC system. Principal Ostrowski noted that there has been quite a bit of work done over the past weeks and it is more consistent in temperature as a result.
9. Old/New Business
Board Member Hannan mentioned that CMS has its mission statement painted on its hallway wall. J. Ostrowski will research a way to publicly display the Brentwood School’s Mission Statement.
Chair Chesno asked for the 06-07 budget to be placed on the November agenda under the Principal’s report. Assistant Superintendent Frew will provide a schedule for Budget meetings and the School district Meeting to the Board.
Board Member Knutson will submit the Board’s support statement for the Principal to the Brentwood Newsletter for the next edition. Chair Chesno, with Board concurrence after reading portions of it aloud, directed that Principal Ostrowski submit the article, “Those Who Can…Do!” from her October 12th Parent Newsletter to the Brentwood Newsletter as well.
10.Correspondence Noted
None noted.
11.Adjournment
MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:15 p.m.; V. Knutson seconded. Vote - Unanimous.