Tuesday, September 13, 2005 – 7:00 PM
CMS Library
PRESENT: Patty Lovejoy, Robin Scott, Kim Casey, Lucy Cushman, Roy Morrisette,
Sally Oxnard, Ray Trueman, Kris Magnusson and Dan Kelly
ABSENT: Greg Kann
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul, Tom O’Malley,
Peter Stackhouse and Dick Wendell
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Lovejoy called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members introduced themselves.
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Luke Pickett, Stratham was reading the SAU Joint Chairs minutes of September 7, 2005 where Anne Marie Chesno asked for the Coop Board to respond at their SAU Joint Board Meeting on September 19, 2005 to the letter in the Exeter News Letter (written by Luke Pickett) regarding leveling at EHS. Mr. Pickett requested that someone on the Coop board make a motion for vote this evening on where this board stands regarding leveling at Exeter High School. Chair noted that the board plans to talk about this tonight because this is a discussion the board has never had and the only reason it was on the agenda is because of the letter you, Mr. Pickett, put in the Exeter Newsletter. Assured him the board has had no discussion whatsoever about doing away with leveling at Exeter High School. Patty asked that if any board member had any thoughts about doing away with leveling, she would ask that they share their thoughts at this time. Sally Oxnard echoed the Chair’s thoughts that given the reading scores and the NHEIAP scores’ report we will see tonight, she has no thoughts of changing anything at this time.
4. CHAIR’S REPORT
4.1 Issue Revised Committee Meeting Dates:
Chair explained that she has passed out a pink sheet of Revised 2005-2006
ERCSD Board Meeting dates (see
Attachment #1 pdf) and the changes (from the green
sheet they originally received) are noted with an asterisk beside them. Also,
there is an additional special board meeting at the end of January for the
recommendations from the newly formed EHS Transition Committee.
Dan Kelly, student representative, reported on activities at the high school
and noted that the other student representative, John Atsalis, will be in Washington, DC for the first semester serving as a Congressional Page. Patty spoke to
the fact that EHS has welcomed twin senior boys to EHS from Gulfport who lost
their home and are living with an aunt and uncle in Exeter.
4.2 EHS Transition Committee: Principal Sokul spoke to this committee he is chairing and explained that all members had been seated. First meeting is this Thursday, 9/15 at 6:00 PM at SST Culinary Arts. This first meeting will be an opportunity for everyone to meet and get to know one another, get our meeting schedule set, set their tasks, etc. Reviewed his thoughts on how he will try to organize the group with first concentrating with the end in mind - knowing that the committee will need to prepare a report with their recommendations for the board by the end of January 2006. He also has a list of community members who were not selected, but are interested in participating. One of his agenda items is the EHS mission statement.
5. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT: Superintendent has shared with the board this evening a letter that will be going home to middle and elementary school parents concerning EEE virus and some proactive measures parents can take to address this concern. With the high school, we will post the letter on the SAU Website and have a link to the NH Department of Health and Human Services (www.dhhs.nh.gov) where you can access the guidelines and we sent a copy of the letter and the guidelines to the Exeter Newsletter. We are trying to be proactive on this. No questions.
5.1 SAU Administrative Retreat: Very successful retreat. We had teams of teachers present along with administrators and we discussed data and how we are using it in the schools. Hope by first of November to have our QSP warehouse, where all data will be stored, available to aggregate the data for use by all the schools. Will follow up the data theme at our October 21st in-service workshop. Peter is with us this evening to discuss our NHEIAP scores.
5.2 NHEIAP Scores: Peter reviewed the preliminary Grade 10 NHEIAP results as of May 2005 for reading and math that was reported to Curriculum and Philosophy Committee at the August 30th meeting (see Attachment #2 pdf). Peter explained that they are no longer giving grade six NHEIAP tests, but will be giving the grade 10 tests in May 2006. This test has been given to all 10th graders since 1999. Peter was queried about what we are doing to move more students out of this novice category even though we are tip toeing in the right direction and are our incoming tenth graders are coming in prepared, given these results? He responded that this specific group needs more work, but does not feel this test will ever adequately measure how well our students are really doing. The State is looking at different methods of assessing how students are doing. Patty explained that more reading and math labs have been put in place to assist in this area. Peter also reviewed the historical data noting you are testing a different group of 10th graders each year and the test is modified year to year. He is very hopeful that the results will continue to rise and is pleased with the results. When asked how our school compares with other schools of comparable size, he noted that he has not done any comparisons as we do not typically do that. If the board would like, he could do some comparisons.
5.3 Principals’ Reports: Superintendent would like to publicly thank both Mr. Sokul and Mr. O’Malley for successful starts to the school year, something that does not just magically happen.
· Mr. O’Malley reported first and noted that he had a copy of the most recent CMS Newsletter give to everyone. New and improved format this year with a school-wide flavor versus emphasis on individual pods. Regarding EEE virus, CMS will not be using the ropes course until the first frost. Mr. O’Malley reviewed the information in the newsletter and noted that CMS enrollment was up about eight students from last year.
· Mr. Sokul reported that the EHS opening went very well; 1554 was today’s enrollment; 131 professional staff; 52 support staff and 72 non-EHS staff; and open house is October 5th.
· Nathan passed out an SAU-wide enrollment report effective September 6, 2005 (see Attachment #3 pdf) and reviewed the numbers. This information is shared because we like to see how our enrollments are comparing to the NESDEC projections. When you look at both EHS and the charter school, we are only off our projections by four students. He will give another report based on the October 1st enrollment numbers which is also rushed to NESDEC to get their most updated projections.
5.4 Nominations and Resignations: Superintendent would recommended you approve the both the Extra Duty Stipend Appointments for 05-06 (see Attachment #4 pdf) and the Winter Coaching Appointments (see Attachment #5 pdf) that were in your board packet. Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously voted with no further discussion to approve both the Extra Duty Stipend Appointment list for 05-06 and the Winter Coaching Appointment. Superintendent would recommend the board accept the resignation of John Linville – SST welding and Jim Levesque – SST automotive collision. Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Kim Casey and unanimously voted with regrets and no discussion to accept the resignations of SST John Linville and Jim Levesque. Superintendent would recommend the board accept the appointment EHS English teacher Mary O’Connor. Motion by Kim Casey, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously voted with no further discussion to accept the nomination of EHS English teacher Mary O’Connor.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1 Personnel, Policy and Communication: Chair Magnusson reported on the minutes from the August 24, 2005 meet (see Attachment #6 pdf). Mark Bodi will be at the next meeting on September 28th at 7:00 PM at the SAU Office to give his final report and asked if any board members had any thoughts on goals for their next committee meeting.
6.2 Facilities: Chair Cushman noted the committee met this evening and reported the following: Walter updated on progress at EHS and has Change Order #3, which is the latest change order and one that the Facilities Committee recommends to the board. Change Order #3 is for $305,077.87 and we will have spent $1,036,295.00 monies to date from the construction contingency. Motion by Sally Oxnard, seconded by Robin Scott to approve Change Order #3 for $305,077.87. Discussion followed that we still have over $800,000 in the contingency. Vote was called for. Board voted 7-1 (Magnusson) in favor of the motion. Lucy reported that the next taping of the new high school update for Channel 22 will be on September 22nd. Additionally, Lucy reported she was at the site this morning and noted some of the changes that have occurred since her last monthly visit; also had Carol Aten and Don Briselton speak from the Squamscott Community Commons and will ask Dick Wendell to prepare an RFP for Annex to see if anyone else has a proposal for the Annex and for the open competitive process that Kris Magnusson was looking for; EHS Space Committee is looking at the possible entities interested in going into the high school when it is vacated and we have met and will meet again in another week. For Dick to do the RFP, she will need a motion from the board. Motion by Kim Casey, seconded by Kris Magnusson and unanimously voted with no further discussion to give authority to Dick Wendell to prepare within the week an RFP for the potential sale of the high school Annex. Nathan noted that we currently have a great link on the SAU Website to the building project that has updated aerial shots of the site.
6.3 Curriculum and Philosophy: Chair Oxnard reported that the committee met Tuesday, August 30th at 7:00 PM with 4-5 members of public present and reviewed her minutes (see Attachment #7 pdf). The next meeting of the committee is 9/20 at 7:00 PM at SAU Office.
6.4 Finance: In Chair Kann’s absence, Nathan reported on the Tuesday, 9/6 Finance Committee meeting (see Attachment #8 pdf). The committee agreed that …because we are dealing with teacher and paraprofessionals contract negotiations, developing a new budget for both the new high school and the use of the old campus, and working to establish accounts to track the new high school and old campus separately, plus preparing for bus contract negotiations...they would not recommend any new goals for this year to the full board. Finance is continuing with the long term goal of complying with GASB 34. Question from Ray – when PP&C met in August, Kris reported that we had approved $1800 to have the board meeting video streamed on the SAU Website and wondered why this was not on Finance Committee agenda. Nathan responded that it was just an oversight and will make sure it is on the next meeting’s (October 4th at 5:00 PM at SAU Office) agenda.
6.5 Technology: No report at this time.
6.6 Transportation: Nathan reported that regarding bussing, had great start and would like to acknowledge all the work and efforts of Nat Perry and team at First Student towards this end. Appreciate the patience by those in the community who were inconvenienced with any of the start issues. Nathan responded to question on status of having exclusive runs for elementary students versus combining runs with primary and secondary schools.
6.7 SAU Chairs: Patty reported that the Chairs met on Wednesday, 9/7 and reviewed the meeting minutes (see Attachment #9 pdf). There will be a bus tour of new high school for SAU Joint Board members prior to their meeting on Monday, 9/19 at 5:30 PM.
6.8 SST: Roy reviewed that the Governance Board is meeting tomorrow night at 5:00 PM with state representatives from this area and that meeting will be followed by an Advisory Committee meeting to complete plans for getting courses in place. The Renovation Program Committee has been established and are meeting on regular basis.
6.9 NCLB Committee: Superintendent noted this committee has not met and Mr. Frew will give update at SAU Joint Board meeting and hopes committee will meet sometime this month.
6.10 Great Bay eLearning Charter School: Trustee Chair Morrisette reported the school had a good opening (see Attachment #9); current enrollment is 70 students with two additional classrooms; and 9/21 will meet with consultant hired by DOE to discuss charter school accountability; also had an ice cream social for students and parents before opening of school. Lucy added that school has a lot of new staff with Kristy Johnston as the lead teacher. The staff met with the trustees at the 9/21 meeting and they are very enthusiastic and expect them to have a great year.
6.11 SAU Policy Committee: Patty explained that this policy DFA-R Investments Appendix is the governmental accounting rules to do with investing and comes straight from their rules. If you have any questions, let Patty know. Ray would like to see this first go to the finance committee for their input before bringing it to the SAU Policy Committee to which Patty agreed.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 August 9, 2005 Board and Non-Public Meeting: Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously voted as presented with no discussion.
8. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Patty explained that the board needed to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II.e. Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Robin Scott at 8:44 PM to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3 II.e. Roll call vote taken with everyone answering in the affirmative.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously voted with no further discussion to adjourn at 9:24 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally S. Boyd, Secretary
EXETER REGION COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD
1. Date of non-public session: Tuesday, September 13, 2005
2. Statutory basis for non-public session -- RSA 91-A:3. Circle one: e
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.
3. Time non-public session commenced: 8:46 PM
4. Brief description of subject matter discussed: Negotiations with teachers and support staff.
5. Decision made in non-public session: N/A
Motion made by: N/A
Seconded by: N/A
Vote -- In Favor:
Against:
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
Greg Kann X
Lucy Cushman X
Sally Oxnard X
Kris Magnusson X
Robin Scott X
Patty Lovejoy X
Roy Morrisette X
Ray Trueman X
Kim Casey X
Arthur L. Hanson September 13, 2005
Member Taking Minutes Date