BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, September 11, 2006, 6:30 p.m.
Swasey Central School
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; Virginia Knutson, Vice-Chair; Elizabeth Faria; and, Michael Johnson
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal;
Others Present: Jim Berlo, Parent; Charlie Gargaly, Brentwood Resident; Melissa Finan, Y.M.C.A. After School Program Coordinator; Amy Wilson, Swasey Teacher
1. The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.
2. Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Non-public session
MOTION – Board Member Faria moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 7:58 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c). Board Member Knutson seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; E. Faria, yes; and M. Johnson, yes. Motion carries.
MOTION – Board Member Faria moved that the Board adjourn from non-public session at 8:32 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3II (a) (c); Board Member Johnson seconded. Vote: A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; E. Faria, yes; M. Johnson, yes. Motion carries.
4. Approval of Minutes
MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the June 12, 2006 meeting as written. Board Member Faria seconded. Vote – Unanimous
MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the non-public minutes of the June 12, 2006 meeting as written; Board Member Faria seconded. Vote - Unanimous
5. Report from the Chair
Chair Chesno asked for suggestions for the October Brentwood Newsletter. It was suggested that Principal Ostrowski write an article regarding the opening of school. Board Member Johnson will convene the Building Exploration Committee to begin the process of defining recommendations for future years. The focus will be on school needs and community input. The November Brentwood Newsletter article may be a reframing of last year’s article on budget development.
The Joint Board Chairs met for the first time this year on September 6th. The superintendents presented information which will be shared at the Joint Boards meeting on September 18, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. Chair Chesno reviewed the topics for the Brentwood Board members. SAU initiatives for the 2006-07 school year will be reviewed.
Chair Chesno informed the Board members regarding playground signage issues. A sign was commissioned, in good faith, by former playground committee members. This was not authorized by School Board, Swasey administration, or CO. There was a donation made to the school by WalMart for the playground, which was deposited in a special account earmarked for playground maintenance. The discussion was tabled so that the people authorizing the sign can be invited to attend the October Board meeting. A letter will be sent to the sign company letting them know that this was not authorized by the Board and that the Board is trying to remedy the situation. A letter will be sent to the former Committee members inviting them to the next meeting.
6. Report from the Principal
Principal Ostrowski provided the Board with information about current enrollment. The projection was for 421 students while school opened with 403.
Melissa Finan, Y.M.C.A. reported that there are 18 students enrolled in the a.m. session of the School’s Out program and 27 students in the p.m. session. The site director and one other person have returned and a third has transferred to Swasey from Kingston. Ms. Finan and Mrs. Ostrowski agreed that the start-up of the program was smooth and well organized.Ms. Finan will return in February for an update.
Principal Ostrowski informed the Board of the P.F.G. and the Clarke’s family effort to landscape the front of the building. Lise McNaughton, anther parent, provided the design for the landscaping that was completed in the wall area. The front of the school looks beautiful and the administration and the Board thanks all of the parties who contributed.
The ‘Meet and Greet’ and the ‘Parent Back-to-School Nights’ were a huge success with a high percentage of attendance.
Swasey staff was fortunate to benefit from two opportunities for professional development at the beginning of the school year. All lunch/recess teachers participated in a day-long workshop focusing on The Responsive Classroom® strategies that are effective with whole group supervision. All special education instructional assistants and teachers attended a 3-day Wilson Reading Program™ training in late August. The Swasey Principal facilitated this workshop and provided space for training that accommodated fifteen SAU staff members and was at no cost to the Brentwood School District.
The Principal reported on the bus schedule and issues related to the arrival and dismissal times. She also noted that the authorized summer projects were completed. Estimates were shared for the possible installation of security features.
Principal Ostrowski gave the School Board members a comprehensive report on the spring assessments. The Gates-McGinitie Reading test was was administered in April 2006 to all 1st and 2nd graders. To summarize the results, 54% of the 1st grade students and 46% of the 2nd grade students were in the above average range (stanines 7-9) while 44% of the 1st and 2nd graders were in the average range (stanines 4-6). In first grade, one child received a stanine 3 placing in the below average range (stanines 1-3). In second grade, five children placed in stanine 3 and two in stanine 2.
The NWEA MAPS was administered to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in May 2006. This test provides instructional levels rather than mastery levels and is designed to provide teaching staff with internal information that can be used to improve instruction and better meet the individual needs of students. The language usage, mathematics, and reading sections are aligned to the NH Standards. Last spring, the 4th graders piloted the science tests which are not yet aligned. The science results will serve as a baseline for future years’ comparison. NWEA reports using RIT scores; RIT stands for Rasch UnIT, a measurement scale developed to simplify the interpretations of test scores. The scale is an equal interval scale, like a yardstick in inches, so that a change of one unit indicates the same change in growth regardless of actual numerical values. RIT scores range from about 150 to 300 and make it possible to follow a child’s growth from year to year. A RIT score is independent of the age or grade of a student and reflects the instructional level at which the child is currently performing. Teachers use these scores to identify and set academic growth goals with students. Swasey School students showed higher growth than 70% of the schools that participated nationally in the NWEA testing program. Following is information about how many Swasey students were at or above the RIT mean score of the norming group.
3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
Language Usage 87% 74% 76%
Math 97% 79% 83%
Reading 84% 71% 80%
General Science 62%
Science Concepts/Practices 66%
Principal Ostrowski noted that the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) writing scores were lower overall than the scores of Swasey students in the areas of reading and mathematics. Over the past five years, the main focus of staff training and student curriculum implementation has been in the areas of reading and mathematics. The long term plan has writing designated as one area of emphasis for this year and the NECAP scores confirmed the need. This year will be dedicated to strengthening the writing program. Consistent expectations of students at each grade level will be developed and defined. All grade levels will work together to ensure that instruction builds on previous learning extending the identified curriculum skills, concepts and applications.
The teachers have reviewed the NECAP data as well as that available from the other formal and informal assessments. Over the past several months, teachers have been attending workshops and sharing their experiences, new materials, and approaches with each other. Beginning tomorrow, one regular or extended staff meeting per month is dedicated to writing. Staff will share their expertise, needed training will be identified and provided, student writing samples will be reviewed and evaluated. Good writing and appropriate skills will be identified at every grade level, writing rubrics and prompts created, and materials will be identified. A minimum of twice a month, common planning time will focus on writing and literacy. Communication will be facilitated by the Literacy Coordinator and the Principal. Board Member Knutson has been kind enough to meet with the Principal and share her ideas and experiences. She will also be providing some copies of materials that have been useful in her school.
The professional staff will participate in ongoing workshops in the 6 Traits method of improving the writing process. The writing process tells teachers when to do things. Six Traits provides the training and structure for how by providing the tools and language to strengthen writing;. This approach dovetails nicely with the Four Blocks Framework for Literacy driving the writing process. Through this training, the professional staff will develop common language, solid rubrics, writing assessments, and anchor lists of literature books at each grade level. The program is research based and the consultant has extensive classroom experience.
Additionally, the primary teachers will be participating in a facilitated book study using Dr. Katie Wood Ray’s book, About the Authors: Writing Workshop with Our Youngest Writers. This correlates well with the 6 Traits training and approach. The intermediate teachers are in the process of choosing a book for ongoing study as well. Throughout the year, the entire plan will be reviewed and adjusted to meet the continued and changing needs of the staff and students.
7. Report from the Central Office Administration
Assistant Superintendent distributed the June 30, 2006 Projected Fund Equity. As the budget was closed out there was $82,624.37 will be returned to the Town for tax relief.
A brief update on the current financial report was given. The State has projected a $10,000 shortfall in building aid for this school year. The Education Equity Funding will be the same in 06-07 as in 05-06. A review of the responsibility of First Student and the District for gas costs. The lunch program made a profit in 05-06.
If an organization wants to use the grounds of the school, the same process as that for the school facility will be put into place. This is a multi-step approval. Point of discovery (time and date) of any broken equipment or damage to the facility must be noted immediately. Primex recommends that an agency access a special event policy ($85) through them for one day.
The Board completed the first reading of the Appendices for the SAU Wellness Policy JLCF-R. The second reading will take place at the October Board meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Frew asked about membership dues ($2,883) to the NHSBA. The Board discussed the benefits of maintaining the membership. The Board decided to decline membership for this school year.
Discussion about meeting dates for the Board took place. The meetings will remain on the 2nd Monday of each month unless there is a holiday when the meetings will be moved to the 3rd Monday of the month. The October Board meeting will be held October 16th. Principal Ostrowski will change the SAU calendar and notify the Brentwood Newsletter of the change for the October meeting.
8. Old/New Business
There was no old or new business.
9. Public Comment
Visitor Jim Berlo gave the Board a letter asking the Board to consider authorizing an independent audit of the building renovation. This request will be placed on the October agenda for discussion.
Resident Charlie Gargaly is interested in joining the Exploration Committee.
10. Correspondence Noted
None noted.
11. Adjournment
MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:32 p.m.; Board Member Johnson seconded. Vote - Unanimous