Brentwood School District
Meeting Minutes
Monday October 15, 2007
The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, October 15, 2007, at the 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; Janet Hart, Assistant Principal; Ed Oddo, Assistant Maintenance Director.
ALSO PRESENT:
Jennifer Briggs, Jessie Hollister, Steve Johnson, Chris Nickola, Jim Supple, Karlyn Supple, Community Members; Cathy Blaisdell, Kathy Desmarais, Mary Johnson, Teachers.
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Chesno opened the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Ms. Chesno announced that the board would be entering into nonpublic session later in the meeting to discuss two issues.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of September 10th, public session, were reviewed. A correction of the staff reporting, under the principal’s report, was suggested to read that one staff member was a resignation and the rest were new hires. Mr. Whitmarsh moved to accept the minutes, as amended; seconded by Ms. Knutson and voted unanimously.
The nonpublic session minutes were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Ms. Knutson and voted unanimously.
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. Ms. Knutson said she received comments from two individuals, on the soccer field, not happy, after having to pay to join the PFG, and then having to pay $5.00 for their student directory. She said that she directed both to the PFG. Ms. Ostrowski said that they do not have to pay for the student directory; that was misinformation.
Ms. Faria said that she received a question on the full day kindergarten meeting.
Future Agenda Items
The budget process will begin next month.
Superintendent Search Update
The next meeting of the committee will be in November. The committee is working on questions for the interviews. An agenda for visits to SAU 16 schools is being put together, and the candidates will have someone from the SAU to work as their handler; the visits to each SAU 16 school will be brief. Ms. Chesno said that applications have been received by the committee.
SAU Goal #6
Ms. Chesno explained that, at the joint meeting, it was decided each school board would pick a program to assess. This will be discussed in November.
(Mr. Hannan arrived at 6:37 p.m.)
REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Ms. Ostrowski reported that the enrollment is down two students, but that on October 22nd, five additional students will be enrolling.
YMCA Report
Due to a change in personnel, the YMCA Schools Out Program will not be reported on this evening. The board asked for an update in January. There was a brief discussion of the music program that Mr. Frew will report on at a later time.
My Voice Surveys
Through the Follow the Child initiative, the children in grades 3, 4, and 5, as well as staff, are completing surveys, which assess conditions that can impact students’ personal, social, physical, and academic development. Surveys will be returned and she, and other staff members, will be involved in data review sessions and additional seminars. This information will be shared with staff.
Homework Club
Ms. Ostrowski reported on the Homework Club; one of the programs that was eliminated as part of this year’s budget cuts. She explained the benefits of the program and asked for direction for reinstatement of the program. After discussion, with parent input, the board tabled a discussion until next month’s meeting.
Full / Extended Day Kindergarten
Ms. Chesno explained that the board received a letter from a parent, Chris Nickola, with an interest in a full day kindergarten program. Stratham has an extended day program, Sacred Hart School has a full day program, and Hampton will institute a full day program in the 2008/09 school year. Swasey’s first issue is space, and the second issue is how to fund the program.
Janet Hart presented the findings of the feasibility study conducted. She reviewed the concerns that were researched and the models that already exist. The space analysis showed that Swasey Central School is using all available spaces and there is no available space to house an additional kindergarten class. She reviewed salary and benefit cost for an additional teacher and teaching assistant, and the situation with transportation being at a zero cost. The per pupil cost of a fifteen student class was estimated at $4,125, and for an eighteen student class, the per pupil cost was estimated at $3,437. Ms. Ostrowski reiterated that this is an estimate and does not include specials in the classroom. The philosophical analysis of full day kindergarten was discussed, as was the time lines of the models that are currently in place. The trends were reviewed; and the arguments against the long day for that age group was discussed.
Ms. Chesno said the board would like to hear from the parents. Chris Nickola spoke about a full day option and thanked the board for considering it. Steve Johnson thanked the board for the presentation and spoke of the opportunity to do for the children and to build a great foundation for learning. Jessie Hollister asked what were the options in terms of space; Ms. Chesno said a portable classroom. Expansion is not available for three more years. Ms. Ostrowski said that she had a concern with a portable classroom because now the facility is a secure facility, and use of a portable would disrupt this. Ms. Chesno spoke of the cost of a portable classroom. Ms. Knutson commented that parents should not feel that Swasey students are at a disadvantage without a full day program.
Jim Supple asked about the space issue. Ms. Chesno said that currently there are no plans for expansion and that over the last three years the student numbers have stabilized. She said that no one on the board is opposed to a full day kindergarten program, but they are aware of the issues that impact the budget. She said that no one is arguing the merits of the program, but the reality is the cost. Mr. Hannan spoke about the budget hearing process, the difficult district meeting, the expectation of a SB 2 push, and another involved budget season.
Ms. Knutson said it is important to involve other members of the community in the research of a new program. There was discussion of how to get out the word about the interest in a full day kindergarten. There was discussion of incremental tuition, and the feasibility of a lottery. Ms. Knutson would like to see a feasibility study conducted. Ms. Chesno said for next month’s meeting the administration will project a pilot of the program. The projected numbers of students will be looked at in mid October to early November, and if the numbers look good, the legalities of a lottery could be explored; getting out the word through the media accomplished, and a feasibility study could be pursued with a committee formed including administrators, parents, and community members; similar to what was done in Hampton. Ms. Knutson thanked the parents for coming.
Greening of the School
This was tabled until the November meeting.
REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Draft Report – Energy Audit
Mr. Oddo distributed the Comprehensive Energy / Audit Prepared for Swasey Central School With Audit Sponsored by Public Service Company of New Hampshire. He said that the report was not a draft. Ms. Chesno said the board wanted to hear the recommendations tonight and the remainder of the report in November. Mr. Oddo said that PSNH paid for the audit from an outside company. Mr. Oddo said that the auditors were amazed at how well the school facility is managed for the community. He reviewed the summary of recommended energy efficiency measure and the incentives that PSNH will pay for, and the cost savings per year. He also reviewed the Swasey Central School Electric Use Billing Data, and a review of reduced oil consumption and reduced power plant emission; pounds per year.
Ms. Chesno thanked Mr. Oddo for the presentation of the recommendations and asked for consideration of a warrant article addressing the recommendations: chiefly, Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM) 4, Remove T12 Fixtures and Replace 400W Metal Halides in Gym with 6-lamps T8 High Intensity Fluorescents; EEM 5, Install Energy Efficient Lighting and Occupancy-Sensing Controls in Classrooms and Offices; EEM 6, Install Variable Frequency Drive on Hot Water Circulation Pump. Ms. Chesno asked Mr. Oddo to return in November to complete the reporting. Mr. Oddo said that the district is to be commended for its efficiency.
Ms. Chesno asked about the flag pole and Mr. Oddo said lights are off on weekends.
Budget Timeline
Budget Timeline was discussed. Mr. Hannan is not available on the 17th or on the 24th. The preliminary budget will be addressed at next month’s meeting.
Financial Report
Mr. Frew distributed the Financial Statement, explaining that there were no significant changes from last month.
CORRESPONDENCE NOTED
Ms. Chesno referenced correspondence from a parent that will be addressed in nonpublic session.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
November Meeting Date – Confirm
November 19th, the Monday after Veterans Day, at 6:00 p.m. the budget will be presented.
Budget Committee Presentation Date
December 10th, the second Monday in December, at 7:30 p.m., the budget will be proposed to the Budget Committee. Mr. Frew expressed the importance of having clear direction for that presentation. The board discussed level funding. Ms. Ostrowski will have recommended increases at the November meeting, and there will be discussions of what to put back into the budget. Ms. Chesno asked Mr. Hannan, when reviewing the budget with the Committee, to explain that this is a teacher contract year, there will be consideration of the PSNH evaluation, that there is a Superintendent Search ongoing; the “greening” plans for the school; the food service program revenues vs. expenses, and that Swasey has no plans for expansion at this time or in the foreseeable future.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Ms. Chesno called for the board to enter nonpublic session. Mr. Hannan so moved; seconded by Ms. Faria. The board entered nonpublic session at 8:40 p.m., under RSA 91A:3II [c] and [e], on a unanimous roll call vote, to discuss a request by a parent and teacher negotiations. The board returned to public session at 9:10 p.m.
SIGNING OF MANIFESTS
The board reviewed and signed the manifest.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Hannan, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Submitted by
Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens