TO THE BRENTWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT

              BRENTWOOD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, January 14, 2008, at the Swasey Central School, Brentwood, New Hampshire.

 

PRESENT:  Anne Marie Chesno, Elizabeth Faria, Tim Hannan, Virginia Knutson (Vice Chairperson), Gary Whitmarsh, School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Walter Pierce, Business Administrator; Joan Ostrowski, Principal; Janet Hart, Assistant Principal; Ed Oddo, Assistant Maintenance Director.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Charles Gargaly, Joellen Gargaly, Paula Rushia, Kim Woods.

 

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Chesno opened the meeting at 5:37 p.m.

 

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

NONPUBLIC SESSION

Ms. Chesno said that the board may meet in nonpublic session later in the meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of December 10, 2007, were reviewed, and accepted as presented, on a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Ms. Knutson, and voted unanimously.

 

The minutes of the meeting of December 17, 2007, public and nonpublic session, were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Ms. Knutson; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh, and voted unanimously.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Board Member Queries

Ms. Chesno asked each board member if he or she has received contact from members of the community.  Mr. Whitmarsh reported a conversation about being close to budget time that he had with a resident at the grocery store.  Mr. Hannan said that he spoke to the same individual who brought up that he, Mr. Hannan, was not running again for the school board.

 

Future Agenda Items

Mr. Hannan asked for clarification on the slipping danger on the gymnasium floor because of dirt, and salt, brought in on shoes and boots.  Mr. Oddo said we have done all we can do.  He said the floor is washed down before each use.  Damp mopping was suggested and discussed.  Mr. Oddo will take this up with Donna Gill.

 

Superintendent Search

Ms. Chesno said that the candidates had quick tours of the school facilities which ended at the high school.  Forums were held for teachers, administration, parents and community members to meet with the candidates.  These forums were advertised in the local print media and were broadcast through the Alert Now.  She said that, approximately, 80 individuals participated.  There will be site visits this week and next.  The committee is working on questions for the final interviews. 

There were nineteen applications; nine were interviewed, and four finalists were chosen.  Three of the candidates will return for interviews on January 28^th, which the Joint Board will observe.  The board discussed the forums, and the questions from the audience, and the importance of deciding on a finalist.

 

Brentwood Newsletter Articles

Submission of articles for the upcoming newsletter were discussed.  Terms for the contract were mentioned.  Ms. Chesno suggested an article on the budget.  Ms. Chesno suggested an article on SB2; Ms. Knutson and Ms. Faria will do this.  She said that she will prepare a letter on the budget to be sent to every household.

 

REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Ms. Ostrowski distributed her written report. 

 

Ms. Chesno read a letter, sent to the principal, from Elyse Gallo resigning her position as of January 24, 2008.  Discussion of this personnel matter will take place in nonpublic session.

 

Ms. Ostrowski said she revised the budget spreadsheet(s), one is annotated, and she providing copies to the school board.  The budget reflects the inclusion of a 3% increase for support staff as well as minor changes to a few salary lines in the 2100 accounts.  This budget contains an additional school bus.  She said that she and Walter Pierce are working to identify contract related costs for a warrant article.

 

Ms. Chesno described the amendments to the teacher contract.  She said it is the board’s intention to accept the budget tonight and have it presented to the budget committee.  With interest in the community for SB2, Ms. Chesno said she requested that a default budget be prepared and she discussed what was included on the default budget. 

 

Ms. Chesno asked about the SAU budget and Mr. Pierce said the increases in the budget are because of salaries, and the decreases in the budget are because of change of location.  Discussed were budget factors including Dr. Kossakoski’s resignation, he is leaving the end of June; and the size of the SAU, the fourth largest in the state.

 

Ms. Chesno said reinstated in Brentwood’s budget are the computers, the fifty-four cents per day, and Homework Club.  She felt it was a fair budget and one the board will defend.  There is a line item for preschool. 

 

At the budget committee meeting, this evening, Mr. Pierce will give a draft of warrant articles which will round up to 4.8%.  The board review Article 1, budget; Article 2, collective bargaining agreement.  After review the board decided to present the upgrades for electrical equipment and lighting, energy efficiency measures, and variable frequency drive on the hot water circulation pump as three separate articles.  Article 7 will deal with security improvements.  Mr. Whitmarsh was asked to speak to the energy audit. 

 

Mr. Oddo distributed a proposal on the door release system.  The board discussed the safety coating for the windows.  This is to be decided.

 

REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Financial Report

Mr. Frew said there is no report because the office was closed today due cancellation because of snow.

 

CORRESPONDENCE NOTED

Read earlier in the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

There was none.

 

OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

A member of the audience spoke in support for Ms. Chesno.

 

NONPUBLIC SESSION

Ms. Chesno called for the board to enter nonpublic session.  Ms. Knutson so moved; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh.  The board entered nonpublic session at 6:44 p.m., under RSA 91A:3II [c], on a unanimous roll call vote, to discuss a personnel issue.  The board returned to public session at 6:55 p.m.  The board unanimously voted to table the resignation submitted to the board. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Mr. Whitmarsh; seconded by Ms. Faria, the board adjourned at 6:56 p.m.  The vote was unanimous. 

 

 

Submitted by

Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens

 

 

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