Brentwood School Board Minutes
Monday, June 11, 2007
Swasey Central School, Brentwood, NH
PRESENT: Anne Marie Chesno (Chairperson), Elizabeth Faria, Tim Hannan, Virginia Knutson (Vice Chairperson), Gary Whitmarsh, School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent.
ABSENT: Joan Ostrowski, Principal.
ALSO PRESENT: Janet Hart, Chuck Hart, Ed Oddo.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Chesno called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Janet Hart was welcomed by the school board as the newly elected Vice Principal.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of May 14th were reviewed. After discussion, two corrections were suggested. The minutes were accepted on a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh, and voted unanimously.
The minutes of May 29th were accepted on a motion by Ms. Knutson; seconded by Mr. Hannan, and voted unanimously.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
It was recommended that the Exploration Committee meet, at least annually, to evaluate demographic data and make an annual report to the board. Chairperson Chesno asked for a member to volunteer to chair a September / October subcommittee meeting. Ms. Faria volunteered. Ms. Faria asked to have the membership list sent to her. The membership will be sent to Ms. Faria by email.
Board Goals
A motion, to accept the school board goals, was made by Mr. Hannan; seconded by Ms. Knutson, and voted unanimously.
Mr. Whitmarsh reported that the Brentwood Newsletter will feature a biography of a board member each month, to accompany the “Did you know?” column. Mr. Frew will send official phone numbers for the high school, middle school, and Swasey to Linda Rousseau as a correction.
Ms. Chesno asked each board member if he, or she, has received any contact from members of the community.
Ms. Faria was asked by a citizen, “What goes on in the summertime?” It was suggested that the inquirer contact the principal for those details.
Ms. Chesno – no contacts.
Mr. Hannan – no contacts.
Ms. Knutson – no contacts.
Mr. Whitmarsh, no contacts.
Future Agenda Items
Principal Ostrowski will be responsible for the website pictures and an introduction of our new Assistant Principal which will be submitted to the Brentwood Newsletter and the Exeter Newsletter, and sent home to families in the Wednesday Folder.
Chairperson Chesno reported that, in accordance with RSA 273-A:3, the BTA has communicated its desire to negotiate a replacement contract with the board. Ms. Chesno reviewed the practice for negotiations with the board. Mr. Whitmarsh volunteered to serve on the negotiating team with Ms. Chesno. The school board engaged in a lengthy discussion of the upcoming negotiations with the teachers.
In Principal Ostrowski’s absence, Mr. Frew distributed her report. The enrollment was discussed as was the anticipated enrollment for the fall, and the current enrollment of 401 students. Ms. Ostrowski referred to the acceptable class size numbers for kindergarten and grade one, and poised the question, “At what point the board would want to consider adding a teacher?” She put forward a cutoff point of 25 students for kindergarten and 21 students for grade one. The numbers for grade one, with 19.5 students per class already enrolled and the cut-off of 21 students proposed, was seen as a concern by the entire Board. Ms. Ostrowski was contacted by cell phone. After discussion it was the consensus that Ms. Ostrowski will speak with CFO Lunney and with Mr. Frew and at the special meeting, scheduled for June 25th, this issue will be discussed in further detail.
New Sign
Mr. Oddo reported that the new sign is installed on the front lawn, but that there is not, yet, a message board. It arrived damaged, and has to be replaced.
He said that he spoke with Mr. Wendell about potential security projects for the summer. After discussion, Mr. Frew suggested that this can be discussed at the special meeting on June 25th.
Summer Projects
Mr. Oddo mentioned Ms. Ostrowski’s request for carpets in room 1 and 3. After discussion, it was decided that pricing will be discussed at the meeting on June 25th.
Mr. Oddo said that Mr. Wendell arranged a meeting with PSNH and that they now have agreed to an energy audit, which will be conducted, by an outside firm and will be completed within eight to ten weeks. There will be a report in the fall. Permission was given. Mr. Oddo said that PSNH’s audit does nothing on the outside of the structure, so the outside lighting will not be addressed. Mrs. Chesno reminded Mr. Oddo that the school board was awaiting information on modifications to the existing lighting plan.
NWEA – Pros and Cons.
Mr. Frew distributed, NWEA Measure of Academic Progress, and discussed that the principals in SAU 16 are proposing doing away with this testing. There was discussion of the pros and the cons of the testing program: that 50% of the student population can be tested at a cost of $12.50 per student, four times per year; grades 3, 4, and 5 are tested. Mr. Frew said that he spoke to the middle school as well. After discussion, the consensus was that the Brentwood School Board supports giving the NWEAs in May; using the NWEAs to place sixth graders at the middle school, supports dropping October testing at the middle school. There was no objection to continuing the testing.
Policies
The board reviewed, for a first reading, policy GBGBA, Use of Automated External Defibrillators; IMG, Animals in School, and JEB, Age of Entrance (Review Only).
Financial Report
Mr. Frew distributed the financial report. He explained revenues and expenditures. There was an expected fund balance of $25,840. In discussing the lunch program deficit, Mr. Frew asked the board if it wished to consider increasing the price of lunch. Chairperson Chesno asked to have the lunch program looked at by internal professionals. Mr. Frew explained one reason for the loss is a reduction in students who receiving free and reduced lunch. Mr. Frew suggested that, since the board does not meet in July and August, the increase in lunch price can be set next school year, after the study is conducted. The financial encumbrances will be vote upon on June 25.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Whitmarsh asked the school board to consider, as a fundraiser, offering the school to political candidates as a meeting place. Mr. Frew suggested that the school board policies be referenced.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Hannan asked for further discussion of the mixed message given to the Exploration Committee. This will be discussed with the Exploration Committee in September.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Hannan moved; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh, to enter nonpublic session, under RSA 91 A:3 11 [a] to review the evaluation of the principal and salary increase for the next school year. At 8:49 p.m., and a unanimous roll call vote, the board entered nonpublic session.
The board returned to public session at 9:24 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Hannan; seconded by Ms. Knutson; it was agreed to increase Ms. Ostrowski’s contract by 4% for the 2007/2008 school year. The vote was unanimous.
The manifests were signed by the school board.
On a motion by Mr. Hannan; seconded by Ms. Faria the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Submitted by Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
Approved June 26, 2007