Brentwood School Board Minutes
April 14, 2008
Swasey Central School
The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, April 14, 2008, at the Swasey Central School, Brentwood, New Hampshire.
PRESENT: Anne Marie Chesno, Elizabeth Faria, Charles Gargaly, Peter Reed, School Board Members; Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal; Ed Oddo, Assistant Maintenance Director.
ALSO PRESENT: Donna Benshemer, and Crystal Buswell, teachers.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
Mr. Frew explained that this is the board’s organizational meeting and officers are to be elected. He called for nominations for a chairperson. Mr. Gargaly nominated Ms. Chesno for Chairperson for the ensuing year. There being no other nominations, nominations were closed. The vote of the board was unanimous.
Ms. Chesno called for nominations for a Vice Chairperson for the ensuing year, and she nominated Mr. Gargaly. There being no other nominations, nominations were closed. The vote of the board was unanimous.
Ms. Chesno inquired if the board’s meeting schedule; the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m., was convenient for all. The consensus was unanimous.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the March 8, 2008, School District Meeting were reviewed. Changes were suggested: correct the spelling of Ms. Chesno’s first name, add Ms. Chesno’s last name; correct spelling of Ms. Knutson’s name, Mr. Wendell’s name; correct the September date in Article #2, and a few other minor changes. Mr. Gargaly moved to accept the minutes as corrected; seconded by Mr. Reed and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the March 10th meeting of the board were reviewed.
(Ms. Faria arrived at 6:07 p.m.)
There were two minor changes to the minutes. Ms. Faria moved acceptance; seconded by Mr. Gargaly, and voted unanimously.
REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Board Member Queries
Ms. Chesno asked each board member if he or she received contact from members of the community. There were none.
Future Agenda Items
Ms. Chesno reported that the Joint Chairs will meet on Wednesday, April 16th. They are looking for membership on committees. Mr. Gargaly will serve on the Budget Committee and Mr. Reed will serve on the Policy Committee, and NCLB.
She said that next month the budget will be discussed and the summer work. The budget process will start in October. On future agendas will be a visit from PFG, reports on the greening of the facility, and updates from the curriculum coordinators.
She explained a change of format for the October meeting, to begin at an earlier hour, to afford the opportunity for the board and teachers to meet informally.
She reviewed that the school board sets policy, not procedure. If there is contact from the public about a classroom issue the concern should be discussed with the teacher and then the principal. She spoke of the necessity of confidentiality of matters discussed in nonpublic sessions.
Brentwood Newsletter
Articles on summer projects and bus routes were suggested for the May and June newsletters.
REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Ms. Ostrowski distributed her written report, and a handout on Professional Development History and Needs.
She asked for a discussion and approval of the early release days for the 2008/2009 calendar. After a lengthy discussion,
Ms. Faria moved to adjust the professional development days to be September 24th, October 10th, and May 15th,
and the early release days for parent conferencing to be November 12th and April 22nd. Mr. Gargaly seconded.
After further discussion the vote was unanimous.
Ms. Ostrowski referred to the upcoming events, through May 12th, listed in her report.
In response to a request for more information on the NECAP testing, Ms. Ostrowski distributed NECAP Fall 2007 Report, prepared by Janet Hart explaining how the testing results are used and the content and grade data analysis. Mr. Frew spoke about the use of Performance Pathways allowing the analysis of individual students.
Ms. Ostrowski suggested that this be the last year for the NWEA testing and to only test at the fifth grade level, and she gave the rational for this. This is being discussed by principals throughout the SAU. Mr. Frew said the NEWA served us well when we didn’t have the NECAP. After discussion there was no opposition to the proposal.
Ms. Ostrowski discussed a request of the Brentwood Recreation Commission to conduct for a walk-a-thon fundraiser. After discussion, it was agreed that the BRC’s flyer could go home in the SCS Wednesday folder but the activities would need to take place at BRC.
Ms. Ostrowski reported that Janet Hart’s mother-in-law passed away and gave the board particulars on the family’s request for memorial donations.
REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Financial Report
Mr. Frew distributed the financial statement and reviewed the fund balances. Ms. Ostrowski said there will be encumbrances and they will have more accurate numbers in May.
Hot Lunch Program
Mr. Frew said that Tim Harrington will address the progress on the hot lunch program in May. He said that the challenge is the increased cost of groceries. Mr. Harrington will speak of the breakfast reimbursement program for next school year, and a price increase.
Update on Projects
Mr. Oddo updated the board on the projects being funded by the warrant articles voted at the March 8th district meeting. Ms. Chesno requested an update in May and June, and asked for an outline of the summer projects. Mr. Reed suggested this could be an article for the newsletter.
Bus Transportation Update
For the information of the board, Mr. Frew circulated a memo from the State Department of Transportation on bridge safety. There was discussion of the bus route design, route times, student assignments, and the length of the running time.
Election of Staff
Mr. Frew distributed a list of staff nominated for positions for next school year. (Attached to these minutes.) After review, Mr. Gargaly moved to elect the staff, as presented; seconded by Mr. Reed, and voted unanimously.
School Board Goals
Mr. Frew distributed the school board goals. The board discussed the completion of each of the seven goals. Mr. Frew said that joint board will be meeting and creating goals for 2008/2009, which will look a lot like the current list. There will be one goal around the area of literacy. Ms. Chesno asked board members to Email their suggestions to Mr. Frew. Ms. Chesno cautioned that electronic mail should be used to send information but not for discussions.
CORRESPONDENCE NOTED
One piece of correspondence, from a resident, was noted.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Faria asked about the AlertNow system making 5:00 a.m. phone calls. There was discussion about this being rectified.
Ms. Faria said some school boards are not being notified as to action taken by the Chairs at their meetings. Ms. Chesno said she will remind the Chairs to keep their boards informed.
Ms. Chesno mentioned the open seat on the school board. Notification of the vacancy will be in the Principal’s newsletter and in the next Brentwood Newsletter, with a request that any citizen interested in serving on the board should send their letter of intent to the school board in care of the school.
Mr. Frew said that on the next agenda will be discussion of the summer meeting schedule, and the signing of manifests.
Ms. Ostrowski said that the parents of the two children killed earlier this school year met with her to discuss donating equipment in memory of the children. She asked if the board was willing to accept the donation, and should she move forward. The board discussed absorbing any installation costs through the general fund. There were no objections.
OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.
SIGNING OF MANIFEST
The board reviewed and signed the manifest.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Gargaly; seconded by Mr. Reed, the board adjourned at 8:06 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.