BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, June 12, 2006, 6:30 p.m.

Swasey Central School

 

Members Present:    Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; Virginia Knutson, Vice-Chair; and, Elizabeth Faria

 

Administration Present:      Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal; Nathan Lunney, Assistant Business Administrator

 

Others Present:        Jim Berlo, Parent; Jim Johnson, Parent; Elyse Seeley, Parent; 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 6:43 p.m.

Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Visitors J. Berlo and J. Johnson requested to tape the meeting.  The School Board taped the meeting.

 

3.    Non-public session

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 8:12 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c).  Board Member Faria seconded.  Vote:  A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; and, E. Faria, yes.  Motion carries.

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Board adjourn from non-public session at 8:50 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3II (a) (c); Board Member Faria seconded.  Vote:  A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; and, E. Faria, yes.  Motion carries.

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board award the budgeted amount of $89,332.00 to Principal Ostrowski for her 2006-2007 salary.  Board Member Faria seconded.    Vote – Unanimous

 

4.  Approval of Minutes

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the May 8, 2006 meeting as written.  Board Member Faria seconded.   Vote – Unanimous

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the May 25, 2006 meeting as written; Board Member Faria seconded.  Vote - Unanimous

 

5.    Report from the Chair

Chair Chesno asked for a volunteer for the Task Force to look at the Superintendent’s Evaluation model.  Board Member Faria volunteered for this Task Force.

The Board members’ biographies will be submitted for the August issue of the Brentwood Newsletter.  Board Member Knutson suggested that the Board’s goals be reviewed in the September 2006 issue of the Brentwood Newsletter.  Chair Chesno suggested that a letter from the Superintendent addressing the Charter School, High School and relevant news about elementary schools be submitted for the September Newsletter.

 

6.    Report from the Principal      

The enrollment for June has remained fairly stable with one new 3rd grader joining the school community.

Principal Ostrowski informed the Board that Crystal Buswell will fill the art position, Lisa Brown will join the 4th grade team, and Amy Gentile will round out the 3rd grade team.  Interviewing continues for the 1st grade teacher vacancy and other positions.

Principal Ostrowski reviewed the end-of-year dates and activities.

     

7.    Report from the Central Office Administration

Assistant Director of Operations Oddo reported on the anticipated summer projects.  The computer lab folding wall will cost $11,000 with the electrical estimate coming in around $5,1  00 but this may be less.  There is $1,970 built in for contingency issues.  Total $18.470.  Painting is estimated to be $3,400 for 1/3 of the building.  Co-base would be $2,075 for that same third.  The outside speaker covers would cost approximately $2,250.  This is a total of $25,795.  Chair Chesno requested bi-weekly updates on the summer projects via email.  Assistant Director of Operations Oddo or Assistant Superintendent Frew will see to this. 

The Board, Principal, and Assistant Director of Operations Oddo discussed the possibility of making the upstairs room usable as a staff room for 2007-2008.  The long term needs for the building space will become clearer as the next budget is developed.  Cost comparisons (renovating the room, the cost of undoing it if the second floor was ever finished, portable) and estimates for each of possibility would be helpful to have in November.  The Facilities Exploration Committee is charged with considering more long term needs and solutions.

Outdoor facility use varies district to district in the SAU.  Over the summer, Assistant Superintendent Frew and Assistant Business Administrator Lunney will work with the school insurance company and will draw up a proposal for to be presented to the Board in the fall.

The Board completed the 2nd reading of the Policy EEAJ – Video and Audio Recording on School Buses. 

 

MOTION – Board Member Faria moved that the Brentwood School Board approve Policy EEAJ – Video and Audio Recording on School Buses as amended.  Board Member Knutson seconded.   Vote – Unanimous

 

The Board discussed the potential of repercussions of the new SAU Wellness Policy.  The changes will need to be clearly communicated to parents in several different formats.  Visitor Johnson expressed his concern regarding the extent of the changes in the policy particularly as it affects birthday cupcakes.  The federal government has mandated that every school district have a policy in place by fall 2006.  The SAU believes that health is important and that the schools must contribute to the children’s and parents’ awareness of childhood obesity and health.  The SAU Policy is representative of other schools’ policies resulting from the federal mandate.  The intent is to teach and model the importance of healthy life styles to the children.

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board approve the SAU Wellness Policy.  Board Member Faria seconded.   Vote – Two yes, one abstention

 

Assistant Business Manager Lunney shared the financial report and discussed the end of year financial estimates.  The SAU has reviewed expenditures and made revisions to the encumbrances to reflect more accurate information.  The School District is solvent with an estimated balance of $54,967.37. 

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved to encumber an amount of money not to exceed

$26,000 for the summer project performance.  Board Member Faria seconded. 

Vote – Unanimous

 

MOTION – Board Member Faria moved to encumber up to $20,000 for the purpose of paying

unanticipated electricity and fuel costs during the 2006-2007 budget period.  Board Member Knutson seconded.    Vote - Unanimous

 

Chair Chesno requested that Assistant Business Manager present a final (unaudited) financial report for the 2005-2006 school year at the late August Board meeting.

 

8.    Old/New Business

There was no old or new business.       

 

9. Public Comment

            Visitor Berlo asked about Agenda Item 6.1 New England Common Assessment Results. This item was in error as these results were reported at an earlier meeting.  Principal Ostrowski will present additional information and a plan to address areas of need at the September 2006 Board meeting.

            Visitor Johnson inquired about a chart showing NECAP results for C.M.S. 6th graders in comparison to the state.  Chair Chesno and Principal noted the proficiency levels of the Brentwood students but could not comment on the remaining C.M.S. results.

 

10. Correspondence Noted

None noted. 

 

11. Adjournment

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:51 p.m.;   Board Member Faria seconded.   Vote - Unanimous