BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, May 8, 2006, 6:30 p.m.
Swasey Central School
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; Virginia Knutson, Vice-Chair; Elizabeth Faria; and, Tim Hannan
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal; Nathan Lunney, Assistant Business Administrator
Others Present: Dave Menter, Selectman; Elyse Seeley, Parent; Juliette Gavin and Robert Schroeder, Swasey Professional Staff; Ed Oddo, SAU 16 Assistant Director of Operations
1. The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.
2. Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:49 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Non-public session
MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 9:07 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (c). V. Knutson seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; E. Faria, yes; and, T. Hannan, yes. Motion carries.
MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Board adjourn from non-public session at 9:18 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3II (c); E. Faria seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; E. Faria, yes; and, T. Hannan, yes. Motion carries.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the April 10, 2006 meeting as corrected. T. Hannan seconded. Vote – Unanimous
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the April 10, 2006 non-public session as written; E. Faria seconded. Vote – Unanimous
5. Report from the Chair
Chair Chesno petitioned Board members to volunteer to represent Brentwood on several committees.
§ Board Member Johnson will organize and chair the Swasey School Facility Exploration Committee.
§ Board Member Hannan will serve on the Brentwood Budget Committee.
§ Board Member Knutson will serve on the SAU Policy Committee and NCLB Committee.
§ Board Member Faria will represent the Brentwood Board on the SAU Transportation Committee.
There was discussion about the charge of the Transportation Committee. Chair Chesno read the charge for the Swasey School Facility Exploration Committee. Community members M. Slosberg and G. Pollard have expressed interest in serving on the Committee. Selectmen Mentor will recruit a selectman to participate. Principal Ostrowski will be a member.
Board members were reminded to submit their personal summaries to Board Member Hannan for the Newsletter article.
Chair Chesno initiated a discussion concerning use of the school grounds during non-school hours and asked the Board if this warrants further consideration. Current administrative procedure does not require people to fill out a request or get permission to use the grounds during non-school hours if there no school function taking place. The B.R.C. is the only group who currently uses the site on a regular basis (for softball); the Board previously granted explicit permission to create an infield to be used for this purpose. Whether users receive approval or not, the Brentwood School District could be held liable for any injury incurred due to negligence on the school’s part. Vice-Chair Knutson feels that the Board should continue with the current administrative procedure. Assistant Superintendent Frew was asked to benchmark the other grade schools in the district on their implementation of the facility use policy and how monitoring is performed. This issue will be placed on a future Board agenda.
The Joint Boards’ meeting is at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, May 15th. A bus will leave Exeter High School at 5:00 p.m. to allow interested members to tour the new facility. Chair Chesno reviewed the agenda for the Joint Boards’ meeting. Board members received notebooks containing information to be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Chair Chesno requested that Principal Ostrowski seek clarification about the future of the current Sargent Camp program for 5th graders. The four schools 5th grades have grown in population and may exceed the Camp’s capacity in the next two years. Principal Ostrowski has initiated discussion with the Camp and will investigate alternatives if it becomes necessary.
6. Report from the Principal
Principal Ostrowski updated the Board on current enrollment numbers. Currently there are 397 preschool through 5th graders attending. At this time, the school is aware of 58 incoming kindergarten children. Sixty-five 5th graders will move on to C.M.S. for 2006-2007.
The Board regretfully accepted the resignations of teachers Kriss Bouchard and Jennifer Duffy. Principal Ostrowski outlined staffing changes and needs for the 2006-2007 school year noting that positions have been posted and advertised and interviews scheduled.
A chart showing the changes in professional staff over the past six years was shared with the Board. Principal Ostrowski noted that staff changes impact both the school community and the instructional program. Every new member, whether new to the profession or experienced, must become acclimated to the school culture and curriculum. Mentors are assigned and training is provided to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
MOTION – T. Hannan moved to give Principal Ostrowski permission to recommend qualified candidates to the Superintendent for hire without Board nomination in the absence of a scheduled Board meeting; V. Knutson seconded. Vote: 3 yes, 1 abstention. Motion carries.
Principal Ostrowski reviewed the dates proposed in the SAU 16 calendar for early release. She noted that these dates would provide the needed opportunities for parent conferences and allow for one day in the spring for staff in-service. She sees no need for Swasey to vary from the SAU schedule.
MOTION – V. Knutson moved that the Board accept the early dismissal schedule as proposed in the SAU 16 calendar and reported by the Principal; T. Hannan seconded. Vote – Unanimous
Principal Ostrowski requested that the report on assessment and programming requested by the Board for the June 2006 meeting be moved to the first meeting for the 2006-2007 school year. This will allow a more complete report as to how the students are achieving and meeting the state grade level expectations as results from the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test and the NWEA MAPS will be available. It will also allow for a more comprehensive report on literacy with a focus on the direction of the writing program. The Board supported this request.
Principal Ostrowski updated the Board on enrollment in the preschool. She noted that some preschool students’ motor needs and I.E.P. benchmarks now require the use of a tricycle for teaching motor skills. Although this activity has not previously taken place at Swasey, a student may be seen riding in an unoccupied hallway under the direct supervision of a therapist over the next weeks. Care will be taken to keep the environment safe for all children.
The staff and administration are looking at building use and room assignments for the 2006-2007 school year. Currently, all rooms are in use. There will be one additional classroom needed for a 4th grade, which will entail creative use of space. Plans will be shared with the Board at a future meeting.
Dates for upcoming events were given to the Board.
7. Report from the Central Office Administration
Assistant Director of Operations Oddo presented proposals for summer maintenance/work suggesting:
§ Painting the hallways on a rotating basis – approximately a third each year ($3,950).
§ Replacing the hallway co-base with a darker color to eliminate the scuffing ($2,075).
§ Replacing the outside speaker covers that are rusting and deteriorating ($1,700). These may be able to be removed, sandblasted, and painted instead.
§ Installing a wall to divide the computer lab; a folding wall would be approximately $14,000 while a less permanent wall composed of panels that snap into place would be approximately $4,000.
§ Electricity will need to be run on the south side of the lab ($4,000).
Assistant Director of Operations Oddo outlined the bids received for servicing the fire alarm and security systems. Security Team, a certified company in the state of New Hampshire (parent company is Omni Security) proposes an initial fee of $245 of installation of equipment and an annual fee of $499 for monitoring the systems. The separate fees for monitoring are $350 for the fire system and $396 for the burglar alarm making Security Team’s proposal cost efficient. The Board authorized Assistant Director of Operations to check references for the company and move forward with the best proposal.
The Board members reviewed proposed Board goals for the 2006-2007 school year. Board Member Hannan will submit an article to the Brentwood Newsletter outlining the completed 2005-2006 goals and highlighting the proposed goals for 2006-2007.
MOTION - T. Hannan moved that the Board adopt the proposed School Board Goals as written; V. Knutson, seconded. Vote – Unanimous
MOTION – L. Faria moved to appoint SAU 16 as the Fiscal Agent for federal grants; V. Knutson seconded. Vote - Unanimous
Assistant Business Administrator Lunney provided a financial report updating the school board regarding the anticipated end of year balance. The report reflects reimbursement for preschool programming for one child. Assistant Business Administrator Lunney gave the Board information about electricity costs and a potential energy analysis. Chair Chesno noted that the Budget Committee is interested in potential revenues/reimbursements. She suggested that this information be reflected in the financial statement in some manner. Assistant Business Administrator Lunney anticipates revenues from tuition, Medicaid, and some other sources of approximately $14,000. Food service revenues are slightly below expenses at this point in the school year. The increase for health insurance for 06-07 will be approximately 12.9% rather than the projected 18.6%. The Brentwood audit report states that the School District should account for fixed assets (a GASB 34 accounting standard). There were no material weaknesses reported in the audit. The Brentwood School Board budget for 07-08 should include money for GASB 34 compliance.
8. Old/New Business
Board Member Faria had questions regarding The Squamscott Community Commons flyer that was sent home in a Wednesday folder prior to the election. It was explained that the flyer met the criteria set by the Brentwood School Board policy ‘Advertising in the Schools’ specifically for non-profit entities. The Board engaged in discussion about this policy and concluded that the flyer met the policy requirements.
Principal Ostrowski shared a proposal for planting the front retaining wall. The P.F.G. is willing to fund this project. Board Member Hannan requested that Principal Ostrowski research the plants prior to purchase to ensure that they are non-toxic and safe for a child friendly environment.
Assistant Superintendent Frew showed the Board a map of the parcel of land that an abutter is requested permission to develop at a recent Brentwood Planning Board meeting.
9. Public Comment
There was no public comment.
10. Correspondence Noted
None noted.
11. Adjournment
MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 9:20 p.m.; V. Knutson seconded. Vote - Unanimous