ERCSD Approved as amended on 1-13-05
Exeter Region Cooperative School Board Meeting Minutes
PRESENT: Kim Casey, Patty Lovejoy, Linda Henderson, Greg Kann, Robin Scott, Lucy Cushman, Roy Morrisette, Ray Trueman
ABSENT: Ralph Adler and Nathan Lunney
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Gary Heald, Tom O’Malley and Dick Wendell
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Casey called the meeting to order at 6:59 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Kathy McNeil, Exeter resident, Exeter Board member and parent of four children asked that each board member do their own investigation of putting seat belts on buses before the December 20th Joint Board meeting. Board members introduced themselves.
3. CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 Student Board Representatives’ Reports: John Atsalis reviewed activities with Student Senate; Little Buddies with Lincoln Street School; activities with PEA; MLK, Jr. Day activities; “Coins for Kids” collection for clothes for children. Anne Krane reviewed Little Shop of Horrors production; graduation announcements; Key Club writing cards to soldiers in Iraq; Sophomore Class selling fleece blankets to raise money for their class.
3.2 “Little Shop of Horrors” Drama Group Presentation: Unable to be present.
3.3 Model UN Student Presentation: Mrs. DeSimone the EHS advisor to Model UN spoke briefly about Model UN and noted two students are present who will speak to their involvement with the club. EHS senior Jeff Lambert and sophomore Hannah Caporello gave a Power Point presentation on their trip to NYC and Model UN Concord Academy in Massachusetts. Both students spoke to the benefits the program has afforded them. Last year, program took 19 to U Mass and this year 42 students have signed up. When asked, Carol noted that there is no limit on growth size of the program.
3.4 EHS Nurses Presentation: Rose Love and Meg Laverty nurses at EHS were present to share with the board how nursing has changed in the school setting over the last few years. They have put together a power point presentation with this information that they also designed as part of the technology rubric in their professional development plan. Rose explained how she and Meg are involved in a lot of one on one teaching with students, teachers, parents, etc., in their daily routine and as part of the EHS staff. All the nurses in the various districts do similar tasks and the same type of data gathering she and Meg will share with you this evening.
4. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT: Reminder of the SAU Joint Board meeting on Monday, December 20th at GBeCS and the Finance Committee is meeting Thursday at 5:00 PM; and in front of you is the letter that was sent home to both CMS and EHS on the School In Need of Improvement per NCLB.
4.1 Adolescent Health Committee Update: Superintendent updated the board on the second meeting of this committee, noting that nurses, physical education teachers and health teachers from all the SAU schools were reviewing at what is currently offered in school vending machines; how we can offer healthier choices in our schools – from educating parents to encouraging different types of birthday activities than those that revolve around food. The Committee has now broken into subcommittees and will reconvene on April 13th at the next early release day to continue discussion of these topics.
4.2 Principals’ Reports: Mr. O’Malley introduced Eric Cobb, Music teacher from CMS who reported on the CMS student wind ensemble and orchestra trip to NYC; other music department activities at CMS; and the Christmas ornament fundraiser. Mr. O’Malley asked CMS Nurse Jane LaBelle and Martha LaPerle to speak about Unitil’s involvement at CMS; the Automatic External Defibrillator donated by the Exeter Women’s Club; the CMS Outreach Program; and students decorating one of the trees to be auctioned at the Festival of Trees in Exeter. Principal Heald reported on activities at EHS; the many teachers who have willingly worked on various curriculum committees such as Betty DeSimone and her integrating the Model UN into the Social Studies curriculum; thanked EHS nurses for their excellent presentation this evening; 147 perfect attendance letters went out for the first quarter; 9th & 10th grade NWEA test results were mailed home to parents explaining the test scores; and 2nd quarter progress reports and mid-term exam schedule are upcoming. Roy Morrisette thanked Mr. Daley for the Thursday night dinner before the “Little Shop of Horrors” performance as well as the display case at the Annex showcasing the performers that evening.
4.3 Nominations and Resignations: The Superintendent would recommend the board accept the Winter appointment list that was passed out this evening (see Attachment #1). Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Robin Scott and unanimously board approved with thanks for those who volunteer in these positions and with no discussion to accept the Winter Coaching Appointments as presented (see Attachment #1). The Superintendent would also recommend the board accept the resignation of EHS Guidance Counselor Kevin Joyce for SY 2006. Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Greg Kann with regrets, and unanimously voted with no discussion to accept the resignation of Kevin Joyce at end of SY 2006.
4.4 SAU Joint Board Meeting, December 20, 2004: Previously addressed in the minutes.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 Personnel, Policy and Communication: In Ralph Adler’s absence, Robin Scott reviewed the PP&C meeting minutes (see Attachment #2).
5.2
Facilities: Chair Cushman reviewed this evening’s meeting: Walter
gave a high school update; still looking at final cost for air conditioning the
cafeteria, two classrooms and weight room; discussed the proposed master plan
for multi purpose field and trying to make that flow well for access from
different parking lots; John Decker from Stratham is going to do a free green
building analysis for the board’s information to see that the building is being
used efficiently; this Thursday afternoon, Lucy, Kim and Walter will update the
Channel 22 presentation on the new high school. Stuart Peeke, a current high school
abutter, came to the committee because he has purchased the apartment building
immediately on the left of the main driveway into EHS. He is going to be doing
some significant improvements and is looking for variances for the setback
requirements so he came to Facilities Committee to discuss. He provided
committee with a plan of what he is attempting to do as well as the structure
he would like to build, which will be garages as he is turning the apartments
into condos. The majority of the Finance Facilities Committee agreed that
they do not have a problem with moving his current 25 ft setback to a 5 ft
setback since any future use of the high school closest to his property would
most likely be for a parking lot. Lucy explained that the board needs to vote
on this variance and asked if there were any questions. Since there were not,
she asked for a motion to support his request. Motion by Lucy Cushman,
seconded by Roy Morrisette and voted 7-1 (Trueman) with no further discussion
to allow Mr. Peeke to move his setback from the Exeter High School property
from 25 feet to 5 feet. Facilities will meet before the January board
meeting.
5.3 Curriculum and Philosophy: Chair Henderson reported that the committee met at SAU Office on November 18th with reviewed the following Course Proposals: Advanced Placement Language and Composition proposed by Roxanne Wazlaw; Comparative Government and Politics (AP) by Sandra Anderson; US Government & Politics (AP) by George Hammersla; Comparative Religions by Eric Doucet and Molly Stevenson; Introduction to Anthropology & Archaeology by George Hammersla; Argumentation and Debate by Carol Dawson; and Stagecraft by Carol Dawson; Guitar II by James Butka. Linda passed out information on the courses, noting everything is subject to budget impacts. Linda would like a recommendation for the board to approve these possible course proposals. Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Lucy Cushman to accept the above listed courses as possible additions at EHS dependent on budget constraints. Question on the courses for the Social Studies and English departments, how much teacher involvement was there in the development of these courses? Linda noted that, in the Soc Studies Department, Sandra Anderson explained that there was a great deal of involvement, but Linda did not ask about the involvement from the English Department in the English courses as there was no representative from that department the meeting although most of the courses have a name associated with them. Vote: 7-1 (Trueman) in favor; motion passed. Ray said no as he would like time to read the handout before he votes; Linda noted that this needs to go into the handbook so we could not hold the vote until another meeting; in future, she would make sure this information was in the board packets and not handed out at the meeting.
5.4 Finance: Chair Lovejoy explained the committee met on November 18th and meeting was taken up with budget issues as they met with principals from CMS and EHS; also met with SPED Director Pat Dowey; next meeting is Thursday, December 16th at 5:00 PM to do the discuss the operations end of the budget; presentation on January 8th to the full board at our Saturday meeting.
5.5 Technology: Greg reported the committee will meet this Friday morning.
5.6 Transportation: in Nathan’s absence, Patty reported that the Bus Safety subcommittee of the Transportation Committee has been looking at seat belts and the committee did recommend that it be brought forward to the full joint board next Monday for a vote. Question was asked that if seat belts are approved, would you only be allowed to have two per seat. Patty responded yes and noted that we would not retrofit old buses as would have to order new buses and the belt would be a lap shoulder strap not just lap belt.
5.7 SAU Chairs: Superintendent noted the chairs meet tomorrow night at 5:00 PM to discuss calendar and budget for preparation of the SAU Joint Board on Monday.
5.8 SST: Linda reported they met last night; brief meeting but spent most of time discussing GBeCS and long term goals of regionalizing the charter school.
5.9 Linden Street Reuse Committee: Linda shared that they will be meeting tomorrow night; last meeting involved reviewing various options for the property.
5.10. NCLB Committee: Have not met.
5.11 Great Bay eLearning Charter School: Roy was absent at last meeting, so Lucy gave the report; between 43-45 applicants had been received for the 50 slots; letters went out noting students had a limited amount of time to accept their slots; curriculum is being developed.
5.12 SAU 16 Policy Committee: Patty explained the committee met last Monday night and have completed going through all the policies; this last set of policies will come forward next month with final reading in February. Reviewed the next few agenda items for the committee. Explained that policies KCB and BDF were changed since the first reading and the revised version were in your packet. The second group of policies you received for a first reading tonight (JH-R1 – Grades K-8 Student Absences and Excuses – Rules; JH-R2 – Exeter High School Student Absences and Excuses – Rules; JHB – Truancy; JHB-R – Truancy; JHC – Student Release Precautions; and JICD – Student Conduct, Discipline and Due Process) will be brought back for a second reading in January. Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Robin Scott to adopt the following policies: KCB – Community Involvement in Decision Making; KEB – Public Complaints about School Personnel; KEC – Public Complaints about the Curriculum or Instructional Materials; KED – Public Complaints about Facilities or Services; KF – Use of School Facilities; KH – Solicitations in Schools; KHB – Advertising in the Schools; KI – Visitors to the Schools; LC – Educational Research; BDF – Advisory Committees to the Board; IHAE – Physical Education; INJDB – Technology Integration; JEC – Manifest Education Hardship; and JH – Student Absences and Excuses. Discussion in that Linda appreciated the changes made to BDF since its first reading. Patty explained why . Reviewed why the wording in BDF to have advisory committee members only come from our SAU districts was not changed by the policy committee. Vote: the board voted 7-1 (Trueman) in favor of the motion. The motion passed.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6.1
November 9, 2004 - Board
Meeting: Motion by Greg Kann,
seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board voted with no discussion to
accept the
November 9, 2004 board minutes as presented..
7. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Robin Scott and board voted 7-1 (Trueman) to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3 II. (a) at 8:45 PM. Roll call vote with all ayes (except Nay by Trueman).
8. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Lucy Cushman, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:57 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally S. Boyd
Secretary
EXETER REGION COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD
1. Date of non-public session: Tuesday, December 14, 2004
2. Statutory basis for non-public session -- RSA 91-A:3. Circle one: a
a. Dismissal, promotion, compensation, discipline, or investigation of any public employee; or
b. Hiring of any person as a public employee; or
c. Discussion of matters which would likely adversely affect the reputation of a person who is not a member of this board; or
d. Consideration of acquisition, sale, or lease of property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit an adverse party; or
e. Consideration or negotiation of pending written claims or litigation.
2. Time non-public session commenced: 8:50 PM
4. Brief description of subject matter discussed: The evaluation of the Superintendent was discussed and two to three members of the Board will continue to work on the composite. No action taken.
5. Brief description of subject matter discussed: Several personnel issues at Exeter High School were discussed. No action taken.
Motion made by: n/a
Seconded by: n/a
Vote -- In Favor: 0
Against: 0
7. Circle one: a
a. These minutes will not be sealed.
b. Only if 2/3 of members present determine that divulgence of these minutes would likely adversely affect the reputation of a person who is not a member of this board; or that divulgence of these minutes would render proposed action ineffective; a vote, was taken to seal these minutes.
8. Roll call vote to go out of non-public session:
Board Member Name Yes No Absent
Kim Casey X
Greg Kann X
Lucy Cushman X
Ralph Adler X
Linda Henderson X
Robin Scott X
Roy Morrisette X
Patty Lovejoy X
Ray Trueman X
9. Adjournment of Non-Public Session: On a motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously voted to go out of non-public session at 9:57 PM..
Arthur L. Hanson – Superintendent December 14, 2004
Member Taking Minutes Date
ERCSD Board Meeting 12-14-04 Attachment #1
TO: Gary Heald
ROM: Bill Ball
DATE: December 8, 2004
RE: Winter Appointments
Please appoint the following coaches for the upcoming winter season.
NAME |
POSITION |
YEAR |
CLASS |
CODE |
03-04 SALARY |
04-05 SALARY |
Jeff Holmes |
Head B. Basketball |
7+ |
I |
1331 |
$4,924.00 |
$5,047.00 |
Brent Smith |
Asst. B. Basketball |
7+ |
I |
1331 |
$3,139.00 |
$3,312.00 |
John Walker |
Asst. B. Basketball |
7+ |
I |
1331 |
$3,231.00 |
$3,312.00 |
David Hyvari |
Asst. B. Basketball |
1 |
I |
1331 |
NA |
$1,000.00 |
Suzan Rowe |
Head G. Basketball |
7+ |
I |
1333 |
$4,924.00 |
$5,047.00 |
Terry Kukesh |
Asst. G. Basketball |
7+ |
I |
1333 |
$3,231.00 |
$3,312.00 |
Skip Swiezynski |
Asst. G. Basketball |
7+ |
I |
1333 |
$3,231.00 |
$3,312.00 |
Jen Gaudet |
Asst. G. Basketball |
3 |
I |
1333 |
$1,000.00 |
$1,000.00 |
Jim Tufts |
Head Ice Hockey |
7+ |
I |
1343 |
$4,924.00 |
$5,047.00 |
|
Rick McMenimen |
Asst. Ice Hockey |
7+ |
I |
1343 |
$3,231.00 |
$3,312.00 |
|
Kirsten Platte |
Head Swim/Dive |
2 |
IV |
5637 |
Volunteer |
$1,398.00 |
|
Diane Jackson |
Head Swim/Dive |
1 |
IV |
5637 |
NA |
$1,398.00 |
|
Bob Brown |
Head Wrestling |
7+ |
I |
1357 |
$4,924.00 |
$5,047.00 |
|
Roy Morrisette |
Asst. Wrestling |
7+ |
I |
1357 |
Volunteer |
Volunteer |
|
Brad Trottier |
Asst. Wrestling |
1 |
I |
1357 |
NA |
Volunteer |
|
Vanesque Daley |
Head Spirit |
1 |
III |
2063 |
NA |
$1,798.00 |
|
Walt Beaulieu |
Head Track |
7+ |
II |
1351 |
$3,868.00 |
$3,965.00 |
|
Laura Smith |
Asst. G. Track |
6 |
II |
1353 |
$2,391.00 |
$2,451.00 |
|
Mark Forbes |
Asst. G. Track |
6 |
II |
1353 |
$2,391.00 |
$2,451.00 |
|
Steve Holmes |
Asst. G. Track |
7+ |
II |
1353 |
$2,597.00 |
$2,662.00 |
|
Joe Scascitelli |
Asst. B. Track |
7+ |
II |
1351 |
Volunteer |
$2,662.00 |
|
Ben Castonguay |
Asst. B Track |
1 |
II |
1351 |
NA |
Volunteer |
ERCSD Board Meeting 12-14-04 Attachment #2
Personnel, Policy, and Communications Committee Minutes
Monday, December 6, 2004
Present: Greg Kann, Ralph Adler, Robin Scott, Linda Henderson, Kim Casey, Arthur Hanson, Tom O’Malley, Peter Stackhouse, Pam McDonough, Kathy Newcomb, John Cardoni (parent).
Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m.
Discussion of weighted/unweighted grades at the high school. A Board goal is to examine the pros and cons of using a weighted grade system at the high school. Guidance director Pam McDonough and assistant principal Kathy Newcomb presented the board with their findings to date in examining this system. Currently, the high school calculates students’ grades using both weighted (6.3 system) and unweighted (4.3 system) measures. The weighted system gives a higher number to more advanced courses. The weighted grade point average is used for only one purpose: it is provided by the guidance office in letters of recommendation to colleges. It is not used for class ranking, determining valedictorian, etc. The administrators’ findings to date indicate that weighted grade point averages are not valued considered by many colleges and universities. They look at the depth of the transcript, quality of courses taken, and how well a student has performed within the context of their high school. The committee discussed various issues such as the perception of the impact of the weighted system in motivating students to take higher level courses and the apparently minimal value of this system to colleges and universities. All agreed that the topic merits further research and discussion. The committee agreed to postpone any recommendations on this issue until a new principal has been selected and he or she has the opportunity to generate discussion among teachers, administrators, and parents.
Communications plan. The committee reviewed an Exeter Cooperative District communications plan as developed by the SAU and Coop administrators in conjunction with High Point Communications. The plan offers tools and guidance for promoting Cooperative activities and events and for communicating with parents, teachers, students, and the community about important issues. The administration will share these guidelines and tools with the staffs at CMS and EHS to take advantage of all possible communications avenues.
Review of PP&C goals. Superintendent Hanson distributed a new draft of the assessment/monitoring plan for CMS sixth grade instructional grouping. The administration will present an update to the full board in February on the progress of implementation of flexible grouping.
Adjourned at 9:38 p.m.