Brentwood School Board
Monday, September 10, 2007
Swasey Central School
Brentwood, New Hampshire
PRESENT: Anne Marie Chesno (Chairperson), Elizabeth Faria, Tim Hannan, Virginia Knutson (Vice Chairperson), Gary Whitmarsh, School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairperson Knutson called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of July 12, 2007, public session, were reviewed. The minutes were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Hannan, and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the meeting of July 12, 2007, nonpublic session, were reviewed. The minutes were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Hannan, and voted unanimously.
Erin Cox-Slosberg, PFG President, was recognized and addressed the board on fundraisers that the PFG was proposing. The first was “Kiss the Pig.” The board discussed its concerns about this fundraiser: being a frivolous activity; taking time away from instruction; O.K. if during a family day activity; important to find out who would want to be involved in this type of activity.
(Ms. Chesno arrived at 6:17 p.m.)
In answer to Ms. Chesno, Ms. Cox-Slosberg said that the PFG currently has $2,381 in its coffers and, and its operating budget is proposed at $7,100.
The second fundraiser involved children’s own artwork on note cards, colored note pads and colored stickers which can be purchased by parents and grandparents. The selling price of these materials was discussed. Ms. Ostrowski said that the companies have been checked out.
The note card fundraiser had the support of the school board members, and if the Kiss the Pig activity were to go forward it should be in an appropriate venue.
Ms. Chesno thanked Ms. Cox-Slosberg for bringing these fundraisers to the attention of the board.
Tim Harrington, Food Service Director, was recognized. He introduced himself and explained his experience with the Food Service Program in Stratham with renovations and profits, and his goals for building the Brentwood Food Service Program. In discussing his goals for the program he said he is aiming for over 50% participation. Ms. Chesno asked, that with the budget due, he come back to the board by the November meeting with the program’s needs. He discussed with the board transferring the snack program to a breakfast program, and the card system for payment. Ms. Chesno said that this could be looked at for next year’s budget. Mr. Hannan asked about the program’s deficit in the past. Mr. Harrington said that buying smart is the key for getting the numbers up and keeping and monitoring production records for comparisons. Ms. Chesno thanked Mr. Harrington for his presentation.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Board Member Queries
Ms. Chesno asked each board member if he or she has received a contact from members of the community. All but Ms. Faria answered in the negative. Ms. Faria received four inquiries: one asked why the flag was up and the lights were off on Parents Night; one asked if the Peer Mediation Program was still operating; one asked if there were any staff openings remaining; one asked if the elementary schools are doing away with the NEWAs.
Responding to the queries: Ms. Chesno, said, speaking of the flag issue, that the light bulbs had been removed over the summer. Ms. Ostrowski described the flag raising and lowering by students as a difficult, not kid-friendly exercise because of the flagpole, especially in winter. The consensus was to put the flag up and leave it up, Monday through Friday only, with the lights on at night, until the lights are programmed correctly, which is a focus of the Maintenance Group. Mr. Frew will speak with Mr. Wendell about this process. Ms. Ostrowski said that there is currently only one staff opening. Ms. Chesno said that the NEWAs will be offered this year and other assessments will be pursued for the future. The Peer Mediation program has been discontinued.
Field Trips
Field Trips were discussed. Ms. Chesno explained a contact the board has had from a member of the community who was opposed to field trips. Ms. Ostrowski said that field trips have educational value, as noted in the board’s field trip policy, and must, and do, have the support of the principal.
Full Day Kindergarten
At the request of a parent, the board briefly discussed the full day kindergarten agenda item for October. Part of the research for this program will be looking into cost and space and into having a tax based program. Parents are expected to come to the October meeting. Ms. Ostrowski said space is the biggest issues. Ms. Knutson will share with the board her research done for Hampton on full day kindergarten. Ms. Knutson spoke of the parameters, nationally, and she cautioned the board, when looking at the program, to look at it realistically. Ms. Chesno spoke about maybe setting up a committee. This will be discussed at the next board meeting. Ms. Ostrowski will prepare handouts.
Future Agenda Items
The meeting agenda for next month was discussed. Topics suggested to be on the agenda were: Full Day Kindergarten, Budget Meetings. Ms. Knutson suggesting having all board members attend the budget committee meetings. The board members received the meeting dates.
Joint Chairs
Ms. Chesno reported on the last meeting of the joint chairs saying that the renovations at the Tuck Learning Campus are going well, as is the work at SST, which will be completed in this fall. Seven years ago there were 270 students at SST and this year there are 650. She said that Dr. Kossakoski showed a video on Internet Connecting, and it is part of the SAU plan to have teachers more involved with technology. While the purchase of laptops has been suggested, Ms. Chesno said she is opposed to this.
Virtual Charter School
Ms. Chesno spoke of the virtual charter school, as being a separate nonprofit organization. There are question that board members have and she suggested that a FAQ sheet be put together by the administration to address questions such as equivalent accreditation.
All of our schools made Yearly Annual Progress under No Child Left Behind
The NEWAs will be conducted for one more year, 2007/2008, and we will be looking at possible alternative systems for next year.
Superintendent Search.
Ms. Chesno reported on the superintendent search. A timeline has been put together. Over 300 cards announcing the opening have gone out to superintendents and assistant superintendents with the web-address and contact information for NESDEC, and this will also be on NESDEC’s site. It is anticipated that the screenings will be in November. After the interview process there will be site visits and visits by the finalists to the SAU. Meetings with community members and parents, who volunteer, will be held. A subcommittee will work on the format for these meetings. At the September meeting of the Joint Boards, dates would be discussed. Announcements of the vacancy have also gone to the National Superintendents Association, New Hampshire School Board Association and Education Week Magazine.
REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Ms. Ostrowski reported that the projected enrollment is 413 students. She reported on resignations: Helaine Sweet, Speech Pathologist, and Support Staff: DawnEllen Fielding, Teaching Assistant, Beatrice Matheson, Lunch Program Aide, and the New Hires, Professional: Ketti Davis, Second Grade; Abbie Frank, Speech Pathologist; Julie Proctor, Kindergarten (50%); Robin Fosher, Lunch Program Aide; Robert Hartnett, Technology Aide (40%); Shauna Hayes, Preschool Assistant (50%); Tammy Heath, Assistant Food Service Director; Susan Mayo, Instructional Assistant.
She reported on the summer projects that are complete. The front entrance was totally finished today. New door are re-keyed for master key opening. New carpeting has been installed in rooms 1 and 3, and the rest of the carpeting has been cleaned.
Swasey Central School received AYP at all grade levels. She reported on the NECAP assessments to begin in early October for reading, mathematics, and writing
She reported on the opening of school saying that the busses are settling into their routine, and the necessary changes to routes have been made. The upcoming events are PFG meeting, SCS library at 6:30 p.m. on September 18th; School pictures on September 19, and there will be no school because for staff in-service on October 5th, and no school on October 8th for Columbus Day.
Ms. Ostrowski said that, traditionally, CCD classes have been held at the school. This year Mondays are requested to hold CCD classes, and on Mondays, all of the classrooms at the school are occupied for school events. She offered Wednesdays and Thursdays to the group. She asked for direction from the board. The board suggested that the group may want to look into using the Mary Bartlett Library for the classes.
REPORT FORM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Greening of the School
Janet Hart was in touch with a former UNH student to discuss a plan of action for current facility. Mr. Hannan said that in the near future expansion will be necessary. Mr. Frew said that if this does not meet the board’s needs, we will have to look for planning beyond that.
Policies
Policies were reviewed by the board. Changes to policy GBGBA, Use of Automated External Defibrillators, was reviewed. The policy was accepted, on a second reading, on a motion by Ms. Knutson; seconded by Mr. Hannan and voted unanimously.
Changes to policy IMG, Animals in School, were reviewed by the board. The policy was accepted, on a second reading, on a motion by Mr. Hannan; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh, and voted unanimously.
The revisions to policy IL, Evaluation of Instructional Programs, were accepted on a motion by Mr. Hannan; seconded by Ms. Knutson, and voted unanimously.
Meeting Dates (October and November)
Traditional board meeting dates fall on holidays in October and November. The consensus of the board is to move those meeting dates to the third Monday of the month, which will be October 15th and November 19th. If there are conflicts, these dates will be adjusted.
Financial Report
Mr. Frew distributed the financial report, with a balance of $22,736.83 remaining. Food service was discussed, as was unanticipated revenue. In 2004/05 $64,034 was returned. Ms. Chesno said that the preliminary budget for 08/09 will be drafted by the December meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
Ms. Chesno referred to the e-mails mentioned earlier in the meeting.
Negotiations
Ms Chesno reported that a meeting was held with the teachers for negotiations and they will meet again on Thursday.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cathy Blaisdell commented that the school year is off to a wonderful start.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Ms. Chesno called for the board to enter nonpublic session. Mr. Hannan so moved; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh. The board entered nonpublic session to discuss grievances at 8:25 p.m., under RSA 91A:3II [c] on a unanimous roll call vote. The board returned to public session at 9:04 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Hannan, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Submitted by Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens