Brentwood School Board Minutes

February 11, 2008

Swasey Central School

 

The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, February 11, 2008, at the Swasey Central School, Brentwood, New Hampshire.

 

PRESENT:  Elizabeth Faria, Tim Hannan, Virginia Knutson (Vice Chairperson), Gary Whitmarsh, School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Walter Pierce, Business Administrator; Joan Ostrowski, Principal.

 

ABSENT:  Anne Marie Chesno.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Barbara Bettcher, Cathy Blaisdell, Janet Hart, Sheila Lane, Eileen Liponis, Lisa Swasey, Mary Wills, Amy Wilson, and Gordon Wilson. 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Virginia Knutson, Vice Chairperson, opened the meeting at 6:03 p.m.

 

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.  She said that the public comment session will come toward the end of the meeting.

 

NONPUBLIC SESSION

Ms. Knutson said that the board may meet in nonpublic session at any time during the meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of January 14, 2008, were reviewed.  Minor changes were suggested, including: under Future Agenda Items, change Donna “Woods” to “Gill;” Under Newsletter Articles, “Ms. Ostrowski will do this,” should be deleted, and indicate “Ms. Chesno” will prepare budget letter.  The minutes were accepted on a motion by Mr. Whitmarsh; seconded by Mr. Hannon, and voted unanimously.

 

The minutes of the meeting of January 19, 2008, public and nonpublic session, were accepted, as presented, on a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Whitmarsh, and voted unanimously.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Board Member Queries

Ms. Knutson asked each board member if he or she has received contacts from members of the community.  There were none.

 

Future Agenda Items

There were none.

 

Brentwood Newsletter Articles

After discussion, Ms. Faria agreed to prepare biographies of the newly elected board members.

 

REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Ms. Ostrowski distributed her written report.  She reported that the actual enrolment is 424 students, and that four more students have registered. 

She reported that that the 2008/09 recommended budget is posted on the website.  Wording clarification was made based on feedback from the February 4^th budget committee questions.

 

Ms. Ostrowski reported the results of the NECAPS received in January.  She is pleased that the students’ scores improved in all areas over the past year.  Outcomes for third through fifth graders, each receiving “proficient or proficient with distinction:” Reading – 06/07, 81%, 07/08, 88%; Math -- 06/07, 87%, 07/08, 90%; Writing -- 06/07, 58%, 07/08, 70%.

 

She said that a request for a leave of absence will be presented next month.

 

Ms. Ostrowski reported that the Chamber Children’s Fund has requested that two fifth graders be selected to participate in their fundraiser.  After discussion it was the consensus of the board, if the Chamber concurred, to make fifth grade parents aware that this opportunity exists should they wish their student to participate.  Ms. Ostrowski will let the Chamber Children’s Fund know of this decision.

 

Ms. Ostrowski referred to the upcoming events, through March 11^th, listed in her report.

 

REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Financial Report

Mr. Frew distributed the financial statement.  He said it was unchanged from last month.  He explained the lines for salaries of special education aides, special education transportation and retirement, and they were discussed.  He said the bottom line was still good.

 

Review of Warrant

The warrant articles were reviewed, in particular, the articles addressing the energy efficient measures as recommended in the audit prepared by Public Service Company of New Hampshire.  Mr. Frew explained that, since the costs recommendations in the audit are one and one half years old, contingencies have been built into each warrant article to deal with increases in costs, over time.

 

Letter of Resignation

Mr. Frew said that he has received letter of resignation, effective February 29^th, from Mr. Whitmarsh, who is moving out of the community.  A community member will be appointed to his seat until the March 2009 election.

 

(Mr. Hannan left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.)

 

CORRESPONDENCE NOTED

Mr. Frew said that the State Department of Revenue Administration has received the School District’s warrant and found it acceptable.

 

NEW BUSINESS

There was none.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Eileen Liponis asked to have a dialogue opened with the board because the Seacoast Charter School may not be in existence next year.  Tuition will be $3,718, and there is a gap.  The Charter School has ten students from Brentwood, kindergarten through grade four.  She asked how the board, if the program was not funded, would take back into the district these ten students.  She said that an open house is available the third Wednesday of every month at 9:30 a.m.  She asked for the board’s support.  Ms. Knutson proposed to have this item on a future agenda.

 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Mr. Whitmarsh; seconded by Ms. Faria, the board adjourned at 6:40 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.