TO THE BRENTWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT

              BRENTWOOD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, March 12, 2007, at the Swasey Central School, Brentwood, New Hampshire.

 

PRESENT:  Anne Marie Chesno (Chairperson), Elizabeth Faria (arrived at 6:25 p.m.), Tim Hannan, Michael Johnson, Virginia Knutson (Vice Chairperson), School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal.

 

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Nine residents.

 

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.

 

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Chesno called for the acceptance of the minutes noted on the agenda.

 

The minutes of February 7th public session were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Mr. Johnson; seconded by Ms. Knutson, and voted unanimously. 

 

The minutes of the nonpublic session of February 7th were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Ms. Knutson; seconded by Mr. Johnson and voted unanimously.

 

The minutes of February 12th public session were accepted, with amendments, on a motion by Ms. Knutson; seconded by Mr. Johnson, and voted unanimously.

 

The minutes of the nonpublic session of February 12th were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Mr. Johnson; seconded by Ms. Knutson, and voted unanimously.

 

The minutes of the public session of February 20th were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Mr. Johnson; seconded by Ms. Knutson, and voted unanimously.

 

The minutes of the nonpublic session of February 20th were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Mr. Hannan; seconded by Mr. Johnson, and voted unanimously.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Debriefing School District Meeting

Ms. Knutson thanked Anne Marie Chesno for articulating the school board’s budget and communicating exactly what the school board intended.

 

Ms. Chesno mentioned an Email received from parent and resident, Brenda Marotto.  Mr. Hannan distributed the Email to the board.  There was a brief discussion of the Annual School District Meeting, and the voting process.

 

REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Ms. Ostrowski submitted her written report and highlighted that after several fluctuations, the enrollment is currently down by two students.

 

She thanked those staff members who were instrumental in the Read Across America Celebration at the school on February 23rd. 

 

She referred to the Happenings and Events that she listed in her written report.

 

She said that the report on the YMCA Program will be presented when Rebecca Foss arrived.

 

Principal Ostrowski introduced Amy Danusis and Donna Donnell who distributed matrixes showing the NECAP testing results of Brentwood students, Grades 3, 4, 5, and 6, Mathematics, Reading, and the Grade 5 Writing results, as well as the results statewide grade 3 through 8.

 

Ms. Chesno thanked the curriculum coordinators for their presentation and said she wants these test results in the hands of the community, perhaps through the Brentwood Newsletter, because there have been requests from the public for this data.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Debriefing School District Meeting (Continued)

Ms. Faria proposed that the technology teacher be put back into the 6.6% budget, even if it meant eliminating a classroom teacher.  Mr. Hannan was also interested in reviewing the budget to see if it was at all possible to add back the technology teacher; Mr. Johnson concurred.  Ms. Knutson pointed out that there wasn’t an extra $40,000 anywhere in the budget.  Principal Ostrowski corrected that number to just under $38,000, but asked that the board not make line item decisions here, that this is what resulted in the 5.1% budget that turned out to be incorrect.    Ms. Faria then stated that she felt the voters had spoken and wanted the technology teacher over a classroom teacher, and that’s what she was proposing.  Members Chesno and Knutson were opposed, stating that the Board had an obligation to the voters, to stay with what was stated at the School District Meeting.  Ms. Chesno pointed out that more than half the voters were opposed, as the amendment that added $38,000 to the 6.6% budget failed at District Meeting.  Ms. Knutson agreed, stating that voters had many opportunities to make an amendment to add back the technology teacher, and she felt the overwhelming message was that people did not want to cut a classroom teacher.

 

There was then a brief disruption to the proceedings, warranting Chairperson Chesno to remark that a resident was out of order, and further causing her to pause the meeting.  The resident continued speaking and then left the meeting at that time. 

 

Ms. Faria read a motion, previously accepted by the board.  Ms. Chesno commented that no one on the board disputes that the motion was made, however, as discussed at subsequent board meetings and at the School District Meeting, it was based on misinformation. Member Faria acknowledged this. 

 

There was further discussion of garnering mistrust with the public if eliminating a classroom teacher and adding the technology teacher position was done without the support of the townspeople.  Ms. Knutson said that she feels very strongly about the importance of having a technology teacher, but the townspeople did not support this with their vote; it was clear that members of the community did not want a classroom teacher cut.  Mr. Johnson stated that he was reversing his position on this issue, and agreed that the board should stay with the plan presented to voters.  Ms. Chesno reminded everyone that the board had been united that at District meeting the board would present what each budget situation would look like.  Mr. Hannan expressed the difficulty of making this change now without losing credibility.  After further discussion, Ms. Faria said that she was not onboard with no technology teacher in the budget.

 

YMCA – Schools Out Program

Rebecca Foss, from the Southern District YMCA, was introduced and reported on some of the activities of the Schools Out Program, saying that there were 17 children in the morning program and between 23 and 28 in the afternoon program.  Principal Ostrowski said she had a contract that needed to be signed to continue the program; there was no opposition from the board.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR (Continued)

Board Member Ethics

Ms. Chesno distributed to the board a communication received from the Brentwood Teachers Association (attached) relative to their concern of a school board member (E. Faria) who submitted a letter to the editor (published in the Exeter Newsletter newspaper).  After discussion, Ms. Chesno read the letter to the editor (attached), entitled, Abandoning Academics for Social Programs

 

Ms. Faria commented that she wrote the letter as a parent, not as a school board member.  However, the consensus of the board was a feeling of mistrust, for member Faria because she did not make the Board aware of her concerns, and they had to read them in the newspaper; and then had received the teachers’ letter of concern.  Ms. Faria then stated that she was speaking of her concerns at the Middle School, but this was disputed by Mr. Hannan, pointing out that the letter talked about multiplication tables, which his child was doing right now.

 

There was further discussion:  the necessity of bringing to the board parent concerns that have been communicated; working collaboratively and not independently.  Ms. Faria expressed that  perhaps parents felt intimidated and so were contacting her.  Ms. Knutson and Chair Chesno pointed out that Faria had done nothing with the parents’ concern because Faria did not make the Board aware of them, not even from an exploration standpoint.  She said she did not put Everyday Math on the formal agenda, but she did bring it up.  Ms. Faria then stated she felt singled out, being the minority voter on several occasions.  This was challenged by the other board members who could not recall Ms. Faria having an opposing vote, only a few votes of Abstain.  Ms. Knutson then proposed a hypothetical issue and asked if Faria would communicate such an issue to the board if parents approached her; Faria responded that it would depend on how many parents approached her.  Other board members felt this was unacceptable; Chair Chesno and Mr. Hannan both provided examples of the issues from parents they brought to the board during the budget season.  Ms. Knutson then reiterated her expectation that all parent concerns, regardless of the number, were communicated to the Board. 

 

Ms. Chesno said that there will need to be a response to the Brentwood Teachers Association.  Ms. Faria asked for a copy of the letter.

 

REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Financial Report

Mr. Frew reviewed the financial report. There were questions and answers. 

 

Ms. Chesno asked Mr. Frew, in the spirit of cooperation, to send this report directly to Doug Cowie; to copy Mr. Hannan; to get a receipt, and request that any questions be directed to the school board.

 

Preschool Update

Chairperson Chesno reviewed with the board, the Preschool at Swasey Central School memorandum from SAU 16 CFO, Nathan Lunney.  She read that Mr. Lunney defined the preschool program at Swasey as a developmental preschool as opposed to a community preschool, and the need for the program is to deliver appropriate educational services to identified three and four year olds providing the least restrictive environment, and that the requirement will exist whether there are two such students or twenty, and that the budgetary impact is governed not by the number of students as much as by the nature of their identified needs and the services that are directed by their IEPs, (he noted that there may be students placed in a community preschool at district’s expense, with or without related services.)  He went on to describe the nearest program for specific special needs to be in Portsmouth (at $75,000 per student plus transportation), Rochester, NH, and in Woburn, MA, (where the tuition costs would approximate $85,000 per student.)  CFO Lunney listed the number of students per school year, beginning in 2002 with two students at an expense of $16,128, and in 2005/06, 10 students at $92,357, giving a breakdown of the expenditures and revenues related to ;the preschool.  He summarized that the preschool program at Swasey provides, statutorily, proscribed services to students with identified needs with attention paid to optimizing cost/benefit.  Placements alternatives would be at a greater cost.  The program should be expected to change in size and cost depending upon the identified student population in any given year.

 

Ms. Chesno shared that Mr. Cowie asked for this information prior to the School District Meeting, but since it had not been reviewed by the school board,  it was not released.  The Bud Com also has asked for a further breakdown, but that would compromise student confidentiality, since each child has a different Individual Education Plan.  A note will be added to the communication that states this

 

Mr. Frew informed the board that Mr. Lunney has executed a deal on paper; 1,700 cases at a savings of $12,000 to the SAU.

 

In response to a question on adequacy funding, Mr. Frew said that the funding looks to be about the same.

 

Mr. Johnson reminded the board that a resident has requested that “Energy” be on the agenda.  Ms. Chesno noted that, as discussed previously, this would be put on the April agenda.

 

Policies

Policies, on a second reading, were reviewed:  IHBBA, Limited English Proficiency Instruction; KB, Title I Parent Involvement in Education, LEB, Advanced College Placement.  Mr. Johnson moved to accept the policies; seconded by Mr. Hannan and voted unanimously.

 

The board reviewed the following policies, on a first reading, which will be placed on the agenda for further action:  BG, Board Policy Development (Revision); EGA, Appropriate and Acceptable Computer, Network, and Internet Use (Revision), EGAD, Copyright Compliance, EHAA, Computer Security, Email, and Internet Communications; KDC and KDC-R, Website Publishing Policy.

 

OLD/NEW BUSINESS

Final Report – Exploration Committee 

Mr. Johnson did not have a final report on the Exploration Committee.  He said that he will continue to serve on the Exploration Committee and will report back to the board.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Barbara Pollard, as a voter and a parent, said she was happy with the 6.6% budget and felt strongly about not eliminating a classroom teacher.  

 

Amy Wilson thanked Mr. Johnson for his time and effort serving on the Brentwood School Board, and she thanked the board for their work in determining and advocating for the 6.6% increase to the budget.  She expressed feeling offended with Ms. Faria’s claim that a teacher lied. 

 

Mary Wills expressed her offence when reading Ms. Faria’s publicly published comments in her letter to the Exeter Newsletter.  She was especially upset that Ms. Faria had not spoken to the administration or the School Board about said concerns.  Mrs. Wills stated that the teachers of the school were insulted with the specific comments made in the letter and with the approach in general.  She thanked Mr. Johnson for his service on the school board.

 

Mr. Whitmarsh thanked Mr. Johnson for his service to the community.  He commented that, when a school board member writes a letter to the editor, that school board member needs to understand that people view him or her as a school board member and that if writing from another position, this must be specifically stated and justified.

 

Craig Sander, Exeter Newsletter, asked for comments on the passing of the 6.6% budget.  Ms. Chesno reflected on the events around the vote of the budget and with 300 plus residents in attendance, said that the board is extremely pleased and happy to receive this type of support from the town.  She said that the board was united in opposition to the district becoming a Senate Bill 2 district, because the school district meeting venue allows misinformation to be corrected, and it allows conversation and factual information to be presented.  The overall message is to thank everyone for their support in participating in the process. 

 

Ms. Knutson thanked Amy Wilson and Mary Wills, and the others who assisted Joan Ostrowski in getting out the informational flyers.

 

NONPUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Hannan moved; seconded by Ms. Faria, to enter nonpublic session under RSA 91A:3 ll [c], and at 8:31 p.m. the board entered nonpublic session on a unanimous roll call vote.  The board returned to public session at 8:41, on a unanimous roll call vote.

 

Ms. Chesno said that she will write a response to the Brentwood Teachers Association. She will send a letter stating that this issue was discussed at the March 12th meeting.

 

 

Mr. Hannan will respond to Brenda Marotto with a phone call. 

 

SIGNING OF MANIFESTS

The board reviewed and signed the manifests.

 

Ms. Knutson requested that next year there be no conflict with the meeting dates of the Brentwood Budget Committee and the meeting of the Joint Boards in December, to allow all board members to be present at each event.

 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Mr. Johnson; seconded by Ms. Faria, and voted unanimously, the board adjourned at 8:57 p.m. 

 

Submitted by

Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens

 

 

 

 

Minutes of the school board are unofficial until accepted at a subsequent meeting of the school board.

 

 

 

 

Brentwood Teachers’ Association

Swasey Central School

355 Middle Road

Brentwood, NH 03833

603-642-3487

 

 

March 12, 2007

 

Chair Chesno,

 

The Brentwood Teachers’ Association (BTA) wishes to express its concern regarding a ‘Letter to the Editor’ written by Elizabeth Faria, a parent who is also a Brentwood School Board member.  A copy of the letter, published in the February 23, 2007 edition of the Exeter Newsletter, is attached.  This letter criticizes the Everyday Mathematicsâ program, which has been implemented in SAU 16 across all elementary school districts for the past several years.

 

The Brentwood Teachers’ Association members are concerned that a Brentwood School Board member would publicly discredit a program adopted by the SAU 16 administration. This is especially troublesome, as any concerns regarding the program have not been raised as a School Board agenda item, new business, or during public participation at any recent Board meeting.

 

It is the hope of the Brentwood Teachers’ Association that the Brentwood School Board will discuss this issue in a timely manner.  The BTA will be interested in any response to this letter that the Board deems appropriate.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Pat Peterson                      Dianne VanderMale                     Amy Wilson

Co-President                             Co-President                                       Co-President

 

 

 

Exeter Newsletter, February 23, 2007 

Everyday Math ?

To the Editor:

Everyday Math? My third-grader can tell you what a rhombus and a polyhedron are but he can't multiply. I'm just curious -- in what part of your day do you need a rhombus but you don't need multiplication? If you have an elementary school-aged child in SAU 16 it's likely you will only need that polyhedron when your child doesn't understand his or her homework.

The problem is that the way you were taught math is now often considered "wrong." While I am pretty impressed that my son knows fancy terms, and I have been trying for the 2½ years that we have lived in this district to give Everyday Math a chance, what I now realize is that this program (and its older cousin "Mathscapes") is more than flawed.

"Everyday" time and money instruction is fine. Estimating (using reasonable, educated guesses) is fine. Knowing how to add in your head is good. Knowing more than one way to find an answer is very good. But "Everyday Math" subtraction and division should be replaced by something that works much better. And, kids telling parents that the way the parents subtract or divide is "wrong" -- is totally unacceptable.

I have no problem if the SAU 16 elementary schools want to introduce algebra and geometry at earlier ages; however, let's master basic arithmetic before we graduate to the middle school. Because, face it, if you haven't learned to multiply and divide by the time you get to CMS, then it's too late! The middle school has largely abandoned academics in favor of social programs (I also have a seventh-grader). I have been a mom for a long time (it's our fifth child who is currently learning Everyday Math) and I have yet to see a better substitute for the multiplication tables. Some things you just have to memorize. The year 1776 would be another good fact to know!

Elizabeth Faria

Brentwood