BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Monday, November 13, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Swasey Central School
Members Present: Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; Virginia Knutson, Vice-Chair; Elizabeth Faria; Tim Hannan; and, Michael Johnson
Administration Present: Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal; Nathan Lunney, Chief Financial Officer
Others Present: Ed Oddo, SAU Assistant Maintenance Director; Cathy Blaisdell and Donna Benshemer, Swasey Staff Members; Melissa Voteur, Swasey Parent; Jim Johnson, Swasey Parent; Jim Berlo, Brentwood Resident; Representative Donald Buxton, Brentwood Resident.
1. Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Non-public session
MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 7:43 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A: 3 II (c). Board Member Johnson seconded. Roll Call Vote: A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; E. Faria, yes; T. Hannan, yes; and, M. Johnson, yes. Motion carries.
MOTION – Board Member Johnson moved that the Board adjourn from non-public session at 8:33 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3II (c); Board Member Knutson seconded. Roll Call Vote: A. Chesno, yes; V. Knutson, yes; E. Faria, yes; T. Hannan, yes; and, M. Johnson, yes. Motion carries.
3. Approval of Minutes
MOTION – Board Member Johnson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the October 16, 2006 meeting as corrected. Board Member Hannan seconded. Vote – Unanimous.
MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the non-public minutes of the October 16, 2006 meeting as written; Board Member Hannan seconded. Vote – Unanimous.
4. Report from the Chair
Board Chair Chesno reported that the security audit suggested at the October meeting will take place prior to the December Board meeting followed by discussion at that meeting. SAU Assistant Maintenance Director Ed Oddo will be invited to participate in the security audit along with Principal Ostrowski.
The Board reviewed the solicitation policy. Principal Ostrowski outlined the current fundraisers in place at Swasey (P.F.G. fall fundraiser and spring Raffle of Classroom Art Projects to fund the P.F.G. budget; P.F.G. spring fundraiser to support 5th grade activities; and, the fall and spring Scholastic Book Fairs to support the library program). There is a procedure in place for approval of fundraising activities.
5. Report from the Central Office Administration
SAU Assistant Maintenance Director Oddo noted that the duress button has been ordered and should be installed over the next few weeks. Board Member Hannan asked about the recent problem with the generator. SAU Assistant Maintenance Director Oddo explained that there was a loose connection to a coolant hose and a loose wiring harness both of which have been repaired. He emphasized that there is regular preventative maintenance service on the generator and that this had been completed three weeks prior to the outage. The generator is also exercised weekly and had performed successfully the week prior to the failure.
Assistant Superintendent Frew distributed the most recent financial report. Questions regarding encumbrances and expenditures were answered.
Assistant Superintendent Frew updated the Board on the status of the pilot Music Ensemble Program. The 4th and 5th grade instrumental music students from Brentwood, East Kingston, Kensington, and Newfields will be able to participate once a week either as a new student or an experienced one. Students will be bused to Lincoln Street School to meet with the teacher for one hour at which time parents will be responsible for transporting them home. Each district will be assessed for the cost for the program based on participation. Students and parents will have an opportunity to meet the teacher in December and the program will start the 2nd week in January.
Assistant Superintendent Frew reported on stipends for School Board members in the SAU 16 communities. The ERCSD, Stratham, Exeter Elementary, and East Kingston Board members receive $1,000 and the chairs receive $1200; Kensington Board members receive $700 and the chair receives $1,000; Newfields Board members receive $700 and the chair receives $800. Brentwood Board members had been eligible to receive a $450 stipend but have declined this for the past six years.
Assistant Superintendent Frew discussed the policies that were on the agenda for the first reading highlighting the revisions in Policies BEDG Minutes (Revised), JLCF Wellness, Nutrition and Physical Activity (Revised), and JICK Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention (Revised). The Board briefly discussed these as well as Policies IHBH Extended Learning Opportunities and JICDD Student Discipline Out-of-School Actions.
6. Report from the Principal
Principal Ostrowski updated enrollment reporting that two children have moved with attendance standing at 400. The school is aware of three children scheduled to begin at Swasey as of November 20, 2006.
The 2006-07 School Activities Program is underway. Teacher Sheila Lane is currently facilitating two activity program offerings this fall. The first is a three-week specialty class for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders focusing on Double Dutch. The second is the Jump Rope Club open to all students. Other staff members will assist Mrs. Lane with the Jump Rope Club. Teacher Barbara Pollard is investigating offering a Field Hockey opportunity. More information will follow.
Principal Ostrowski informed the Board that Police Chief Robinson and Fire Deputy Chief Gary Raymond have been on site meeting twice in the past month to meet with the SCS Emergency Management team. They have toured the building, reviewed and revised maps and plans, and distributed information to staff members. (The School Board was given copies of the plans and maps). Chief Robinson will meet with the SCS staff on Tuesday, November 14th to answer questions. Once all aspects of the plan are in place, the Police and Principal will cooperate to initiate several practice drills both announced and unannounced. Staff will be debriefed to identify concerns or any issues. Chief Robinson has additional plans for lock down practices. Principal Ostrowski has asked him to address the School Board prior to implementing them.
Principal Ostrowski notified the Board of upcoming events at the school including the annual Grandfriends’ Day activities scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st.
Principal Ostrowski informed the Board of personnel needs and other items that will be reflected in the proposal for the 2007-2008 Brentwood School District Budget. Principal Ostrowski, CFO Nathan Lunney, and Assistant Superintendent Frew will work together to complete a budget draft to present at the December meeting for discussion by the Board. The Board requested that Principal Ostrowski prepare figures for several scenarios.
Board Member Faria raised a question regarding the renovation of the old Exeter High School facility and the proposed time frame for moving the SAU offices and other programs into the space. Principal Ostrowski informed the Board that there has been discussion at the SAU about including space for an SAU preschool in the renovation. This could provide alternatives to Brentwood for programming for three to five year olds in need of special services. Principal Ostrowski pointed out some financial and logistical issues that need to be considered as part of a future SAU preschool decision.
7. Old/New Business
Board Member Johnson updated the Board on the progress of the Facilities Exploration Committee. Board Member Johnson and Principal Ostrowski met last month to walk the school, look at the usage of space, and discuss potential needs. The Committee has a Charter and proposed agenda. Board Member Johnson is trying to find a date where all members of the Committee can attend. Board Member Johnson read the Charter (see Appendix) and proposed Agenda to the Board. The Charter asks the Committee to make recommendations by the end of the 06-07 school year. Board Member Hannan asked about a time line for possible renovations. Chair Chesno explained the steps of the process if the Committee makes a recommendation to expand. Board Member Johnson noted the slowdown of the housing market and people moving into town and suggested that he does not anticipate recommending a project at this time. Board Member Hannan said that the Brentwood Planning Board is looking for long range plans. The Board agreed that there would be no school building project over the next two years but will need to wait for the June report from the Facilities Exploration Committee to make any further decisions and then any project would be at least two years out from that.
Board Member Knutson asked about the professional development taking place to address instruction in the area of writing. Principal Ostrowski provided an update.
8. Public Comment
Resident J. Berlo gave the school board a letter, signed by both J. Berlo and J. Johnson, requesting under RSA 191:A ‘Right to Know Law’ a copy of the audit done at the completion of the Swasey Renovation Project as referenced in the October 16, 2006 Board Meeting discussion. CFO Lunney explained that no special audit had been performed at the conclusion of the project and, referencing last month’s meeting discussion, reiterated that an independent audit of all Swasey School funds is performed each year and the building project had been included in audits performed during the years when the fund existed. Chair Chesno explained that Resident Berlo could access these reports through the SAU office but would need to pay for the cost of the copies. Resident J. Johnson stated that he was amending the letter to request that the Board authorize a new audit. The Board had denied this request at the October 16, 2006 meeting and did not see a need to revisit the decision. Chair Chesno asked Resident Berlo if he was still submitting the original written request. Resident Berlo then asked for copies of all audits during the project. It was agreed that Resident Berlo would arrange to meet with CFO Lunney to review these audits and identify what he would like copied.
Resident J. Johnson asked about enrollment and the future location of the preschool. He stated that the preschool was to be at Swasey for only two years. Chair Chesno and Board Member Hannan responded that this was not true; the Board had previously stated that moving the preschool to an SAU preschool would be considered and that consideration of a preschool at the SAU level would occur after the high school renovation was complete. The Principal and Board provided this information and then reiterated the information discussed previously during the meeting.
Resident J. Johnson asked about the tax impact reflected in the bills recently received by residents. Chair Chesno read the breakdown of the tax apportionments for Town at 83¢, Brentwood School District at 83¢, Exeter Regional Cooperative School District (ERCSD) at 90¢, Apportionment Formula of ERCSD at 77¢, and County -.01¢ accounting for the $3.32 per $1,000 impact on taxes. The Brentwood number of students attending the cooperative went up by 1% resulting in a whole % increase to the formula that impacts the tax base. CFO Lunney explained that the overall budget is divided between the six towns each year based on student enrollment. Exeter and Kensington enrollments have decreased leaving the other towns with a larger portion of the budget. Chair Chesno then stated that although the Swasey Board was happy to provide this information, questions should be directed to the Brentwood Cooperative Board member. Resident J. Johnson stated that a selectman had told him that the tax impact is due to the SCS budget. When asked to provide the name of the selectman, Resident Johnson provided the name of an administrative person at the Brentwood Town Offices. Board Member Hannan noted that he had provided information to Mr. Johnson over the weekend and Board Member Faria offered additional explanation. In response to a question from Board Member Faria, CFO Lunney gave an explanation of the state/local taxes including a breakdown of the specific Swasey and ERCSD portion of the overall tax formula and the number of students in each school (last year 391 at Swasey, 409 at the Cooperative schools.
9. Correspondence Noted
None noted.
10. Adjournment
MOTION – Board Member Hannan moved that the Brentwood School Board Meeting adjourn at 8:33 p.m.; Board Member Faria seconded. Vote - Unanimous