BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, November 14, 2005, 6:30 p.m.
Swasey Central School
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; John Hayes, Vice-Chair; Tim Hannan; Mike Johnson (7:00 p.m.), and Virginia Knutson.
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal
Others Present: Jim Berlo, Parent/Community Member; Jim Johnson, Parent, Community Member; Elyse Seeley, Parent/Budget Committee Member/Swasey Contracted Staff Member; Charlie Gargaly, Community Member; Donna Donnell and Kim Woods, Swasey Professional Staff Members
1. The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.
2. Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Visitor Jim Berlo asked to tape record the meeting. The School Board tape-recorded the meeting as well.
3. Non-public session
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 8:02 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 – T. Hannan moved to adjourn from non-public session at 8:57 p.m., V. Knutson seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; J. Hayes, yes; V. Knutson, yes; T. Hannan, yes; M. Johnson, yes. Motion carries.
4. Visitor Discussion
Visitor J. Berlo asked when the SAU website would be available. Assistant Superintendent Frew, Chair Chesno, and Principal Ostrowski each noted that they had successfully accessed it over each of the previous three days. Visitor J. Berlo asked whether the Principal’s Budget Report would be placed on the website this year. The Principal will place the budget on the website once it is finalized by the Brentwood Budget Committee.
5. Approval of Minutes
MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the October 17, 2005 meeting as written; V. Knutson, seconded. Vote – Unanimous.
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the Non-Public Session of the October 17, 2005 meeting as written. T. Hannan seconded.
Vote – Unanimous
6. Report from the Chair
Chair Chesno addressed the need for the Board to complete the second reading of the policies listed under section 8.2 of the agenda (also noted below). She asked for any Board comments. Board Member Knutson asked about the 8.2.19 ICA School Calendar as she has concerns about the number of early dismissals and inservice days scheduled in November. The calendar will be discussed at the Joint Chairs Meeting this week and at the Joint Boards Meeting in December. The second 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
MOTION – T. Hannan moved to approve the policies as listed in 8.2 of November 14, 2005
agenda [and above]. V. Knutson seconded. Vote: Unanimous
The School Board members reviewed proposed goals and their written format. Areas addressed were mission statements vs. goals/objectives and wording that is measurable. Board Member Hayes gave some specific examples of wording. Board Member Knutson expressed concern that the Board has not yet adopted goals due to ongoing discussion. Chair Chesno suggested setting a goal to submit a monthly article to the Brentwood Newsletter. Board Member Knutson noted that minutes are posted at the library, on the SAU website and school website, and are available at the SAU offices. After continued discussion, Board Members agreed to the following goals for the 2005-2006 school year:
· The School Board will explore the Swasey Central School infrastructure (facility) to plan for the future needs of all students. To this end the Board will, by June 2006, facilitate the formation of a committee to include one School Board member, one Brentwood Selectman, and three to four parents and community members.
· The School Board will foster open communication with the residents of Brentwood. To this end, they will submit at least one article to the Brentwood Newsletter each month and ensure that the Board minutes are available at the Town Library, on the SAU/School website(s), and be available at the SAU offices.
· The School Board will support programming that meets the educational needs of all students ensuring that the appropriate information, services, and support are available to help them become successful, productive, and happy citizens. To this end, the Board will develop an educationally and fiscally responsible budget to present at the March School District Meeting.
The Board and the Principal discussed projected enrollment, special education budgetary considerations, transportation, staffing, and potential building needs in relation to developing a responsible budget for 2006-2007. The draft will be reviewed and discussed at the December Board meeting and presented to the Brentwood Budget Committee on December 19, 2005. This is also a Joint Boards’ Meeting Night. Vice Chair Hayes and Board Members Johnson and Knutson, and Assistant Superintendent Frew will attend the Joint Boards’ Meeting to constitute a voting block. Chair Chesno, Board Member Hannan, and Principal Ostrowski will attend the Brentwood Budget Committee Meeting.
The School Board discussed use of the building after school hours and on weekends. This is an ongoing issue due related to the supervision of children, safety issues, facility issues, and building security. The School Board directed the Principal to enforce the existing School Board policy requiring a custodian to be on site when the building is in use. The cost of the custodian is to be billed to the user. This change will take place at the end of February for the BRC and immediately for all other users. Board Member Johnson will notify the B.R.C. of the change and the cost for future use.
7. Report from the Principal
The Principal reported current enrollment. Her report also included information about the
October 21st and November 10th professional in-service days.
8. Report from the Central Office Administration
Assistant Superintendent Frew noted that the School District Meeting will be March 11m 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at Swasey Central School. The Public hearing needs to be prior to February 14th. Assistant Superintendent Frew will contact the Town to determine this date as both hearings are traditionally held on the same night.
Assistant Superintendent Frew provided the November financial report to the Board. He highlighted several areas that appeared to have funds that are not being expended as well as those that have been overexpended. The projections are that there will be overages in propane gas, electricity, bussing, and special education. The projected fund balance is estimated to be $43,208 at this point in the school year.
Assistant Superintendent Frew shared the Business Office monthly report. This addressed the High School project, energy costs, the District Financial Report, the C.P.I. to determine wages for 2006-2007, and tax rates. T.H. asked for clarification of tax rates. Chair Chesno explained the figures that were included.
9. Old/New Business
Chair Chesno and Assistant Superintendent shared information about the EEE virus from a recent presentation to the Joint Chairs. The question of whether the Town of Brentwood plans on spraying for EEE needs to be explored. Chair Chesno noted that the Joint Chairs were urged to meet with the Selectmen to determine the Town’s intended action plan. At the Joint Chairs presentation, it was noted that the best approach is to go after the Red Maple Swamps, which are where mosquitoes that carry EEE lay their eggs. It is not necessarily effective for the schools to treat their areas if the Red Maple Swamps are within a mile or two and untreated. EEE is a town issue more so than a school facility issue. Chair Chesno suggested drafting a letter to the Selectmen asking for their plans for address this issue. Visitor Elyse Seeley noted that the Town has been mapped out and forestry maps are available upon request for review. Assistant Superintendent Frew will draft a letter to the Selectmen referencing the speaker that presented to the Joint Chairs. This will be sent to Chair Chesno for input and approval. The School Board wants to share information with the Town to ensure that Brentwood responds appropriately to EEE, which will again be an issue this spring.
Also discussed were the possible flu outbreaks and potential actions that could be taken to combat EEE, the Avian Flu, or any other large flu outbreaks. Chair Chesno reported that the need for a plan to deal with these issues was also discussed by the Joint Chairs. More complete information can be found in the minutes of the Joint Chairs’ Meeting. The issue is also on the agenda for the upcoming Chairs’ meeting and more information will be provided by Chair Chesno when available.
10.Correspondence Noted
None noted.
11.Adjournment
MOTION – J. Hayes moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:58 p.m.; T. Hannan, seconded. Vote - Unanimous.