BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 5:00 p.m.

 

Members Present:  Anne Marie Chesno, Chair; Liz Faria (5:15 p.m.); Virginia Knutson, Vice-Chair;  

Tim Hannan, and Mike Johnson

 

Administration Present:  Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal; Richard Wendell, Director of Maintenance

 

Others Present:  None

 

 

1.            Chair Chesno called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.

      Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

2.            Non-public session

MOTION – Board Member Hannan moved that the Board enter into non-public session at 6:12 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A: 3 II (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.

 

MOTION – Board Member Knutson moved that the Board adjourn from non-public session at 6:38 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3II (c); Board Member Hannan 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

                        3.1       January 8, 2007

                        3.2       January 8, 2007 Non-Public

                        3.3       January 18, 2007

                        3.4       January 18, 2007 Non-Public

                        3.5       January 25, 2007

                  This item was tabled until the next meeting.

 

4.            Warrant Article – Security System

                  Director of Maintenance Wendell came to the Board with information regarding securing the front entry.  After he explained proposals for different levels of security, the Board discussed options to present to voters.  The first option reconfigures the front school entrance to require all visitors to enter the building through the office for a cost not to exceed $12,000.  There is a second phase to add electronic controls to lock and unlock doors and monitor activity for an additional $13,000.

 

MOTION: Board Member Hannan moved to approve a warrant article for security improvements to the building not to exceed $12,000. Board Member Johnson seconded.  Vote:  Unanimous. 

 

5.  Preliminary NECAP Report

        Principal Ostrowski provided the Board members with copies of the public NECAP information and results released on Tuesday, January 30^th.  A more comprehensive report will be presented at a future Board meeting.

 

6.   Budget

        Board Member Hannan provided information about the Brentwood Budget Committee’s discussion and decisions that followed the School budget discussion on Monday, January 29^th.  Board Member Hannan addressed the issue of holding meetings via email with Chair Cowie.  He detailed information that Chair Cowie presented to other Committee members regarding the Town budgets and that they appear to have increased 3% over last year.  Board Member Hannan noted that, at the end of the Budget Committee meeting, Committee Chair Cowie provided Committee members with a spreadsheet of the School’s budget eliminating the assistant principal position and benefits that he assumed may be related.  The result was a bottom line of 4%, which was around a $180,000 increase over the 06-07 budget.  Since the School budget discussion was concluded at the beginning of the Budget Committee meeting, only Board Member Hannan, who also sits on the Budget Committee, was still in attendance at the Budget Committee meeting.

        Chair Chesno clarified that the School Board has the responsibility to meet state standards, curriculum requirements, quality education, and all other aspects that are part of educating the children of Brentwood.  The Budget Committee has the goal of reducing taxes. The Board will wait for the Budget Committee to state their recommendation and then they will be able to explain to the Town population how this figure will affect the school program. 

        Board Member Knutson addressed concern with the Budget Committee meeting noting that she is very uncomfortable with the depth of inquiries into special education.  Other School Board members agreed.  There is a concern that these questions, if answered, could lead to breaches in student confidentiality.  Board Member Hannan will address this at the next Budget Committee Meeting. 

 

7.  Other Discussion

        Principal Ostrowski provided the Board with copies of a study completed in May 2006 that evaluated the Developmental Preschool.  This was done by teacher Sheila Lane as part of a graduate course.  The results showcase information from staff and parents about the ability of the program to appropriately meet student needs.

        The Board will post a meeting for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2007 in the SCS library to finalize the wording for the Warrant Article regarding building security and the budget.

                                     

7. Public Comment

      None offered.

 

5. Adjournment

 

MOTION – Board Member Hannan moved to adjourn the Brentwood School Board Meeting at 6:40 p.m.; Board Member Johnson seconded.   Vote – Unanimous