Brentwood School Board Minutes

March 10, 2008

Swasey Central School

 

The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, March 10, 2008, at the Swasey Central School, Brentwood, New Hampshire.

 

PRESENT:  Elizabeth Faria, Tim Hannan, Virginia Knutson (Vice Chairperson), School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent;  Joan Ostrowski, Principal, Janet Hart, Assistant Principal.

 

ABSENT:  Anne Marie Chesno.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Lynn Austin, Charles Gargaly, Peter Reed.

 

          Prior to the opening of the meeting, visitors shared with the board, written materials, and write-ups which came through the community.

 

CALL TO ORDER

Virginia Knutson, Vice Chairperson, opened the meeting at 6:17 p.m.

 

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

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 February 11, 2008, were reviewed.  Ms. Faria suggested one minor correction, and Mr. Hannan moved to accept the minutes, as corrected; seconded by Ms. Faria, and voted unanimously.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Board Member Queries

Ms. Knutson said she had one contact from a member of the community, and she will discuss it in nonpublic session.  Ms. Faria said she had two contacts concerning the mass mailing.  Mr. Hannan had none. 

 

Future Agenda Items / Brentwood Newsletter

For a future agenda item, a mass mailing was mentioned.  The board was thankful for the resident turnout at Saturday’s annual meeting, and for the excellent questions from residents.  An article on the annual meeting will be prepared by Ms. Faria for the Brentwood Newsletter.

 

Open Board Seat

Peter Reed was introduced.  He will fill the seat on the board vacated by Mr. Whitmarsh.  Mr. Reed said he has been a resident of Brentwood for ten years, and his children attended the Swasey Central School.  Mr. Hannan moved to have Mr. Reed fill the vacant seat on the school board; seconded by Mr. Knutson, and voted unanimously.  Mr. Frew welcomed Mr. Reed to the board, and spoke to him about being sworn-in.  He was told that there will be an orientation, by the SAU, for new members to the school boar, and there is a training session available through the New Hampshire School Boards Association.

 

 

REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Ms. Ostrowski distributed her written report.  She said that the current enrolment is 430 students.

 

She asked for approval of the early release days for the 2008/2009 calendar.  There was concern about the number of days and the choppiness of the schedule.  Mr. Hannan moved to accept the dates as presented; seconded by Ms. Faria.  The vote was one in favor with Ms. Faria and Ms. Knutson against.  Ms. Faria moved to accept the dates with the exception of the September 24^th date.  There was no second.  Mr. Hannan moved to table the discussion until the April meeting; seconded by Ms. Faria, and voted unanimously.

 

Ms. Ostrowski informed that a teacher has requested a second year of family leave.

 

Ms. Ostrowski referred to the upcoming events, through May 15^th, listed in her report.  There was discussion of Literacy for the 21^st Century.

 

REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

Financial Report

Mr. Frew distributed the financial statement.  He explained the salary line items, and there was discussion of health insurance.

 

Principal Contract and Performance Evaluation

Mr. Frew said that the principal’s contract and performance evaluation will be discussed in nonpublic session.

 

Leave of Absence

Mr. Frew said that the request for a leave of absence will be discussed in nonpublic session.

 

CORRESPONDENCE NOTED

Ms. Knutson said that the correspondence noted would be discussed in nonpublic session.

 

NEW BUSINESS

The write-ups that were circulated at the annual meeting were discussed.  It was noted that the contents were incorrect and that the author(s) were not identified.  Ms. Knutson warned that the board members make themselves aware of the distribution of such material that may misinform the public.

 

OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Hannan spoke, favorably, of having served as a member of the Brentwood School Board.  Ms. Knutson spoke similarly.  

 

Mr. Hannan thanked Lynn Austin for her support.

 

NONPUBLIC SESSION

At 7:13 p.m., the board entered nonpublic session on a unanimous roll call vote under RSA 91-A:3II, [a] and [c] to discuss the principal’s performance evaluation and contract, and other personnel matters.  The board returned to public session at 8:17 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Ms. Faria; seconded by Mr. Hannan, the board adjourned at 8:18 p.m.  The vote was unanimous.   

 

 

Submitted by

Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens