Unapproved
Exeter Region Cooperative School Board Meeting Agenda
PRESENT: Kim Casey, Patty Lovejoy, Robin Scott, Ray Trueman, Lucy Cushman,
Linda Henderson, Greg Kann, Roy Morrisette and Anne Krane
ABSENT: Ralph Adler and Cory Baldwin
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney, Dick Wendell
Gary Heald and Tom O’Malley
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Casey called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Luke Pickett, Stratham asked two questions:
1) this past spring with the changes at CMS, he understood accountability was in place and would
like some guidelines of where the changes are and how the public can view that
information; and 2) he understood the students took the NWEA and would like to
know when those results will be published. Chair Casey said that this
information will be discussed mostly at the Curriculum and Philosophy Committee
meetings with their next meeting scheduled for 9/28/04 at SAU Office at 7:00 PM.
3. CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 Tour of new EHS September 20, 2004: Monday, September 20th at 5:00 PM a tour of the new high school site will leave from EHS for all SAU Joint School Board members. Mr. Baillargeon was invited to join the tour.
3.2 EHS Principal Search Committee: Kim reviewed the guidelines, committee make-up and timeline for the EHS principal search and asked board members to introduce themselves.
3.3 Student Reports: Anne gave a brief report on activities at EHS and student senate. Lucy asked for an update on the short term drama committee that was formed at the end of last year. Anne noted that a lot is happening with that group; there were a lot of meetings over the summer; and she is really excited about the upcoming drama schedule.
4. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 Principals’ Reports: Mr. Heald gave a brief report on the opening activities at EHS; parking; NWEA testing; senior college planning night; spirit week; math speakers; and open house on Wednesday, October 6th. Mr. O’Malley reported a very smooth school opening and many co-curricular activities occurring; new staff members; picture day; open houses Tuesday, 9/21 for just 6th grade parents and Wednesday, 9/22 for 7th and 8th grade parents; new phones; 6th grade parent advisory team that met last Friday; PTO re-organized at CMS and will meet the 3rd Thursday of each month in the media center at 7:00 PM beginning in October and will have six co-chairs with representation from each town. Roy noted he will attempt to attend their meetings. Kim on behalf of the board, extended gratitude to all of the co-chairs that are a part of this CMS PTO.
4.2 SAU Phone System and E-mail: Superintendent reiterated the issues we have recently experiencing at the SAU office with our new phone system and First Class e-mail. Noted that Joe and Tamara Faletra have moved to Colorado and Art Reardon is taking over as the Manager of Technology Support and we hope to have all these issues resolved shortly.
4.3 Great Bay eLearning Charter School and Seacoast Charter School: Deputy Undersecretary of US Office of Education Mike Petrilli visited with us last week at the GBeCS. His department, Office of Innovation, over sees charter schools and we hope he can be with us on January 24, 2005 for our opening. Will be having open houses in the fall. The Seacoast Charter School opened with 8 students: 4 from Exeter, 3 from Kensington and 1 from Newfields. Patty asked if we would offer NWEA testing to their students which the Superintendent noted is a good point and he would mention that to Mr. Frew.
4.4 Nominations and Resignations: Superintendent would recommend the board accept the 2004 fall coaching positions that were in your board packet (see Attachment #1). Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Lucy Cushman and unanimously board approved with no further discussion. On behalf of the board Greg Kann thanked the volunteers who donate their coaching time to our fall athletic teams.
4.5 Enrollments for CMS and EHS: Nathan gave a brief picture of the enrollments as of this date and noted October is the official census.
4.6 Authority to Apply for Grants: Superintendent noted that in September each year we ask for the authority to apply for various grants and will keep the board informed of any grants we apply for as we go forward. This authority by the board is requested on grant applications. Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Greg Kann and unanimously voted with no further discussion to give the Superintendent authority to sign grants on behalf of the ERCSD and to inform the board when grants have been applied for.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS – 30 minutes
5.1 Personnel, Policy and Communication: In Ralph’s absence, Greg Kann reviewed the minutes from the September 7th meeting (see Attachment #2). Superintendent noted he would like to change the October meeting to Tuesday, October 5th instead of Monday, October 4th at 7:00 PM at SAU Office since one of the guest speakers cannot attend on Monday.
5.2 Facilities: Chair Cushman reported on Pickard Committee meeting at 5:00 PM this evening and looking to rent the property so it is not vacant. The Facilities Committee met at 6:00 PM and discussed the GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) and would like to ask board to vote on the GMP tonight and make a decision whether or not you give permission to Chair Casey to sign off on this. Walter gave a brief overview and noted that the number negotiated is $39.4 million which is within our budged amount with a completion date of June 1, 2006. This GMP is in form of an amendment to the contract we have with Harvey Construction since part of the contract was to develop the GMP in a satisfactory way. Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously voted with no further discussion to accept the amendment to the GMP contact of $39.4 million for construction of a new high school and to give Chair Casey authority to sign the amended contract on behalf of the ERCSD.
Lucy then discussed two Change Orders she would like to bring forward for the board’s approval. In the GMP that the board has just approved is air conditioning (which means maintaining the room temperature at about 73 degrees which helps lower the level of humidity) for one (1) of four classroom wings. Dick Wendell and the committee feel that it is a good idea and would be beneficial to air condition the remaining three (3) classroom wings. We can do this now for an additional $224,000 and this would be the first change order that Lucy would offer for consideration. Walter explained that the construction contingency outside the GMP is $1,800,000 and this is within that scope. If you air conditioned all four classroom wings, the areas that would not be air conditioned would be the café, gym, art, music areas and locker rooms. Ray has asked Walter to investigate what the cost would be to air condition these remaining areas. The second change order is if we decide to paint the building trim in a dark blue, which would be a custom color, there would be a cost up charge not to exceed $16,000 for that. These two change orders would total up to $240,000. Roy asked that when you get the cost of a/c for the other areas, to show a breakdown per area cost. Walter explained that Change Orders #4-9 which he approved as they dealt with redesign of track drawings, ledge blasting, and steel design modifications made by architect total of $55,421.26. Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to accept Change Orders for $224,000, $16,000 and $55,421.26 for a total of $295,421.26 reducing the contingency budget balance to $1,564,031.74.
Discussion followed that there will be additional change orders coming forward and Linda asked if the board could give Walter the authority to approve change orders up to a certain amount versus bringing each change order to the board. Walter noted that a realistic change order amount would be $5,000 and over that he would get board approval. Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board approved with no further discussion to give Walter Pierce and Facilities Chair Lucy Cushman authority to approve change orders up to $5,000 per order and to keep the board apprised.
Lucy reported that Frank Marinace, architect for CMS, has done several designs for CMS that would allow an additional maximum 375 student capacity. This is being strictly done for informational purposes with no recommendations at this time. Discussion followed regarding PTO might be interested in this information for a possible presentation as well as the community since 375 additional students would mean a 1700 student school. Next committee meeting is October 12th at 6:00 PM meet before next board meeting.
5.3 Curriculum and Philosophy: Chair Henderson reported the committee will meet on September 28th at the SAU Office at 7:00 PM.
5.4 Finance: Chair Lovejoy noted did not meet this month and next meeting is October 6th at 5:00 PM at SAU.
5.5 Technology: Greg has no report as was unable to attend last meeting.
5.6 Transportation: Nathan noted the summer months have been working on bus routes and the opening of school. The Bus Safety Committee has not met this summer, but the members have expressed a desire to meet prior to the board’s October meeting. Nathan reviewed the status of the busses to date.
5.7 SAU Chairs: Meeting tomorrow night at 5:00 PM.
5.8 SST: Linda updated the board that they met on 9/16 and as always discussed the calendar. Certificate ceremony is Thursday, June 2nd at Talbot gym and enrollment as of August 16th is 569. At the meeting they reviewed Carl Perkins monies for 04-05; SST will celebrate 25th year in May; biotech and nursing institutes gave a report; and their next meeting is September 27th.
5.9 Linden Street Reuse Committee: Have not met, but will be getting together late this month or early October.
5.10 NCLB Committee: no report
5.11 SAU 16 Policy Committee: Next meeting is September 27th at 7:00 PM.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6.1 June 24, 2004 - Board Meeting: Motion by Greg Kann, seconded by Robin Scott and unanimously board approved with no further discussion to move the June 24, 2004 minutes as presented. Lucy wanted to recognize Judy Gaiero for all her work as treasurer for the ERCSD and publicly thank her for her many years of service to the district.
6.2 August 10, 2004 – Board Meeting: Motion by Greg Kann, seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously board approved with no further discussion to move the August 10, 2004 minutes as presented.
7. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously board approved with no further discussion to adjourn at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary