Brentwood School Board Minutes

June 9, 2008

Swasey Central School

 

The Brentwood School Board met on Monday, June 9, 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, Tim Harrington, Food Service Director.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Rebecca Foss, Mary Wills, Carol Pipinias, Dianne VanderMale, Kathy Desmarais, Kathy Carson, Kim Woods, Amy Wilson, Sheila Lane, Mary Johnson, Lisa Zack-Swasey, Janet Hart, Robert Schroeder, Erica Regan, Jason Clark, Cathy Blaisdell, Amy Wilson, Paula Rushia, Kim Woods.

 

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was opened at 6:00 p.m.

 

All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

NONPUBLIC

Ms. Chesno said that there may be a nonpublic session called at the end of the meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the May 12, 2008, meeting of the board were reviewed.  Ms. Faria suggested changes.  The minutes were accepted, as amended, on a motion by Mr. Reed; seconded by Ms. Faria and voted unanimously.

 

VISITORS

There were, approximately, 18 visitors.

 

(Mr. Gargaly arrived at 6:04 p.m.)

 

Update on Projects

Mr. Oddo distributed a schedule for the Swasey school projects as of June 9, 2008.  Ms. Chesno asked the board for comments on the schedule.  Ms. Faria noted that there was damage to the cement on the right side of the front door.  Mr. Oddo will look into it.  Ms. Chesno asked Mr. Oddo for status updates on the projects during the summer.

 

School Lunch Program Report

Tim Harrington reviewed with the board the management of the Brentwood Food Service Program.  This school year, through the month of May 2008, there was an increase in participation.  There were 8,176 more lunches being served over last year’s count.  He explained that the snack program is now serving breakfast, and it is successful.  But, he said, that because of the sharp increases in the price of food, the program will probably end the year in the “red.” 

 

Mr. Frew spoke about the WinSNAP™, accounting system.  Mr. Harrington produced printouts from the company with price information.  There was discussion.  The board was in agreement with the potential benefits of WinSNAP™ and the time frame that would be needed to recoup the cost.  Mr. Frew reviewed the financials, and after discussion, Ms. Faria moved; seconded by Mr. Gargaly, to encumber funds, up to $6,000 for the purchase of the WinSNAP™ accounting system, and for training.  The vote was unanimous.

 

Mr. Frew distributed a Cost Per-pupil Comparison.  It was noted that Brentwood’s cost per pupil was lowest in SAU 16, and seventh lowest within the state. 

 

Policies - First Reading

Policies were reviewed on a first reading: ACD, Special Observance Days; ACD-R Religious Observance Dates for 2008/09; JKAA, Use of Physical Restraint; JLCE, First Aid and Emergency Medical Care.

 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIR

Board Member Queries

Ms. Chesno asked each board member if he or she received contact from members of the community.  Ms. Faria said that she received e-mails, and had one telephone contact; Mr. Reed said he had one question asked about the parent conferencing issue; Ms. Chesno did have an Email about the parent conferencing, and she read it and distributed it to the board.  All had received Ms. Chesno’s e-mails.

 

Future Agenda Items

The school calendar will be a future agenda item.

 

Brentwood News Articles

Ms. Ostrowski will write an article for the newsletter.

 

Joint Board Meeting

The board discussed the request made at the meeting of the Joint Board for laptops to be purchased for the school board members.  They were unanimously opposed to this purchase. This will be discussed at the next Joint Board meeting.

 

Report Regarding Alternatives for the 2008/2009 Calendar

The 2008/2009 school year calendar was distributed, as was a list of early release dates within the SAU.  Ms. Chesno said that no additional options had come forward.  After discussion, Ms. Chesno suggested the board meet in a special session in September to look at this calendar, and draft a calendar for next school year.

 

School Board Goals 2008/2009

Mr. Frew said that these will be discussed at the Joint Board meeting in September.

 

REPORT FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE

Financial Report

Mr. Frew distributed the financial report and said that it is unchanged from last month.  Mr. Frew explained the lines that showed a savings. 

 

REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Ms. Ostrowski distributed her written report.  She said that the enrollment stayed the same. 

 

In discussing kindergarten sessions, she said that the enrollment for next year remains at 54 students.  Since the board’s goal is 18 or fewer students in each session, she asked what the board wanted as a cutoff point.  It was agreed that if the count becomes twenty to one, Ms. Ostrowski will call an emergency meeting.

 

Ms. Ostrowski reviewed the Preschool.  It was her recommendation to maintain the program at the school next school year.  There was no opposition.

 

She said that she has sent to Paul Flynn the names of a speech and language pathologist and an occupational therapist who both were highly recommended.

 

She said that Wayne St. Hillaire has asked for the board’s approval to have the town complete the cutting and management of the Brentwood Town Forestlands this school year.  There was no opposition.

 

Ms. Ostrowski recommended eliminating the NWEA testing at the fifth grade level, and provide the middle school with other information for mathematics placement.  This is consistent with the other elementary schools within the SAU.  There was discussion.  A vote was taken with three in favor and Ms. Faria opposed.

 

Ms. Ostrowski referenced the events through the last day of school, which will be June 20^th .

 

Ms. Ostrowski distributed an Academic Time Schedule, which will meet the requirements of Ed. 306.25 (b).  This is to assist teachers to establish their individual class schedules.  It is a requirement of the minimum standards, to be sure all standards are met.

 

CORRESPONDENCE NOTED

Will be addressed later in the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Gargaly said that there are no budget meetings over the summer.

 

There will be no summer board meeting, but the financial reports will be at the school for signing by the board.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Open Board Seat

Ms. Chesno said one letter was received in response to the open seat on the school board.  It was from Jason Clark.  Mr. Clark was present at the meeting.  He has been a resident of Brentwood for six years and has two children at the school.  Mr. Gargaly moved to nominate Mr. Clark to serve on the school board until the next election; seconded by Ms. Faria, and voted unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mary Wills asked if the special meeting, to work on the calendar, will be an open meeting.  Ms. Chesno said all Brentwood School Board meetings are posted and open to the public.

 

Carol Pipinias reiterated what was said at last month’s meeting, relative to conferencing time, and added that taking time away impacts the school’s culture; that this should not be taken lightly; that the parents don’t take it lightly.  Ms. Chesno said the board is not saying no to conferencing time, the concern is the overall impact of early release days and days off.  Speaking in favor of not taking time away from conferencing were Paula Rushia, Archie Schroeder, Kathy Carson, and Diane VanderMale.

 

Mr. Frew said that this would be his last Brentwood School Board meeting.  He has accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools in SAU 65, the Kearsarge Regional School District.

 

SIGNING OF MANIFEST

The board reviewed and signed the manifest.

 

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Mr. Reed; seconded by Ms. Faria, the board adjourned at 7:16 p.m.  The vote was unanimous. 

 

 

Submitted by

Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens