Tuesday, December 13, 2005 – 7:00 PM
CMS Library
PRESENT: Patty Lovejoy, Robin Scott, Kim Casey, Lucy Cushman, Roy Morrisette, Greg
Kann, Ray Trueman, Sally Oxnard, Kris Magnusson, Brad Kelly and Hannah
Caporello
ABSENT: All present.
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur L. Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Walter Pierce, Richard Wendell
and Victor Sokul
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Lovejoy opened the meeting at 7:03 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members introduced themselves.
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Not at this time.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Chair noted that since Walter needs to leave the meeting early tonight, the next agenda item will be the Facilities Committee report.
4. CHAIR’S REPORT
4.1 Video Streaming the ERCSD School Board Meetings: The chair reminded the viewing audience that tonight is the first meeting that will be video streamed on the SAU 16 Website and all Coop meetings through March will be video streamed. In March/early April the board will evaluate whether or not to continue the process and will be looking at how many “hits” of individuals accessing the video streaming will be a component of determining whether or not to continue this process.
Not on the agenda is an update of the November 16, 2005 Special Board meeting where we voted on the teacher’s contract that becomes effective August 31, 2006. The board unanimously voted to accept the contract and the teachers met a week later and also voted in the contract. Voters in all SAU 16 towns will have the opportunity in March 2006 to vote for or against this contract. Patty reviewed the highlights in the contract.
4.2 NH Supreme Court Session – George Hammersla: George explained he is a teacher at EHS in the Social Studies Department and spoke to the New Hampshire Supreme Court on the Road program that was at PEA on Thursday, November 10th (8:30 AM to noon), an in-service day when there was no school. Sixty students from EHS attended the session. They were able to watch and ask questions regarding supreme court cases heard and decisions made on that day by the NH Supreme Court as the court was actually in session. Mr. Hammersla introduced two students, Caitlyn Reddington and Ross McLellan who both spoke to how interesting, informative and worthwhile the session was.
4.3 Chemical Hygiene Report – Brian Wazlaw: Science teacher Dr. Brian Wazlaw was present to explain the creation and implementation of the district-wide chemical hygiene plan he developed to promote safety in the CMS/EHS. Passed out an outline of the entire plan, which is based on the OSHA 1450. We are one of the few districts to have a chemical hygiene plan and reviewed the three tenets of the plan. Passed out a copy of the EHS Safety Agreement that both parents and students have to sign. Explained the extensive goggle policy we have for the chemical splash goggles used at the school. Also passed out the NH Science Safety State Laws, Regulations and Administrative Rules that schools have to compile themselves since the various regulations that govern chemicals come from numerous departments (environment, health, etc.). Lastly, gave out the “Is your school mercury free” handout since NH no longer allows mercury in schools. Additionally discussed what he does with training at both CMS and EHS and the chemical storage bunker and neutralization system that will be in place at the new high school and how terrific their size and location will be. Superintendent thanked Brian noting all this work initiated from a sabbatical the board allowed him to take a couple of years ago. Superintendent also shared with the board that Brian is assisting the SAU 16 elementary schools with removal, storage and handling of chemicals in their schools.
4.4 Student Board Representatives Reports: Brad and Hanna reported on activities at EHS.
5. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
5.1 Principals’ Reports: Due to a scheduling conflict, Mr. O’Malley will not be present, but has issued a report that has been given out to everyone tonight. Mr. Sokul reported on activities at EHS. He recognized Mark Kinton, Walter Garland and senior class president Kristen Cotter for all their fundraising activity assistance. He is currently working on scheduling for next year and will be presenting the course study guide proposals to the Curriculum & Philosophy Committee on Thursday evening. Reviewed various letters that he has sent out to students for perfect attendance, sports, most improved, etc.
5.2 EHS Transition Committee: Mr. Sokul feels the committee is doing pretty well and this Thursday subcommittee members will be reporting to the Curriculum & Philosophy Committee their preliminary report, noting their final report will go to board on January 31st at a special ERCSD board meeting. No questions of Mr. Sokul.
5.3
Nominations and Resignations: The superintendent does not have any nominations or
resignations at this time.
RUS Grant – Superintendent reported that we were just notified that we are a
recipient of the federal Rural Utilities Grant (RUS) that Dr. Kossakoski has
been working on. We applied last year and were not selected, but with our acceptance
this year, we will receive about $500,000. This goes towards video
conferencing equipment and we are partnered with Farmington and Ossipee in New Hampshire and a number of school districts in Vermont. There will be a press
conference at 2:00 PM at CMS on Friday, December 16th and the board
is invited. Steve Kossakoski will discuss in further detail at SAU Joint Board
meeting on December 19th. Please let Sally know if you will be
attending the press conference.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1
Personnel, Policy and
Communication: Kris Magnusson read
the following statement and asked that it be included in the board minutes: “I
would like to go on the public record tonight that on October 4, 2005 at a
Finance Committee Meeting, I specifically asked to go on the public record that
I was opposed to leasing student desks or other furniture or fixtures that
should be part of the original new high school capital budget. I am therefore
re-stating my position tonight to the full board and would like this statement
to be included in the minutes of the meeting.”
Chair Magnusson noted that the committee met on 11/16/05 at the SAU Office (see Attachment #1) and reviewed her minutes. Explained a vote was needed
by the board regarding pursing a Virtual Charter School. Superintendent spoke
to the work he and Dr. Kossakoski have done through NH Commissioner of
Education Lyonel Tracy towards this goal and the various avenues it will open
for numerous types of students to pursue additional AP courses, access courses
when students are out due prolonged illness, etc. Motion by Robin Scott,
seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously board voted to pursue approval from
the NH Department of Education for establishing a Virtual Charter School. Sally commented that this concept is part of the new state standards. Next
meeting will be Wednesday, December 21st at 6:30 not 7:00 PM at the SAU Office. Greg emphasized again that the video streaming is just a pilot
program and, hopefully, the newspaper will follow-up on this since the concept as
it is geared to individuals who cannot watch our meetings on Channel 22. Superintendent
added that we will be able to note the number of people who access the video
streaming to help the board determine whether or not the concept is worth
continuing after March.
6.2
Facilities: Chair Cushman stated that the committee met this
evening at 6:00 PM and gave an update on the new high school regarding status
of the parking lots, grading, stadium bleachers, heat is on, etc. Lots of
progress in the last month. Tonight one of items to discuss is Change Order #5
(see Attachment #2 – pdf file) for $348,097.00 and Walter is present for any
questions on this. Facilities Committee unanimously recommends this change
order and after this change order, if approved, we will have $250,307.00 in
contingency budget. Chair wanted to emphasize again that furniture and technology
are separate items and the amount budgeted for furniture is $1,440,000. Some
of the line items within the change order are fire pump house mechanicals, work
on stadium, swale work, adding an interior window, and Walter is here to give a
more technical explanation of the change order. Walter passed out the items on
the change order. Kris questioned spreadsheet that Walter gave out at
Facilities Committee showing $77,000 on stadium complex contingency and asked to
explain that. Walter noted that the $77,000 basically adds to the balance of
the contingency and that the $77,000 will be applied to the underground infrastructure
costs to support the stadium buildings. The above ground component of these
buildings will not be done until the spring. Walter was asked if anything in Change
Order #5 was something you were not anticipating. He noted, no, that all
costs, which have been included in the five change orders to date, were
anticipated. The stadium complex was always in the master plan and until all
costs associated with the stadium complex came in, we did not know specifically
how much of the master plan we could complete. The underground utilities to
support the stadium complex buildings are completed and paid for. This has allowed
us to plan for the above ground components of these buildings, i.e., a public
bathroom, two team rooms, electric room, officials’ room, training room and a
concession stand. Walter was asked if we currently have any other outstanding
items that the contingency would be used for. Walter stated that probably the outside
patio (outdoor gathering area for students) at a cost of $200,000. Motion
by Kim Casey, seconded by Lucy Cushman and unanimously board voted with no
further discussion to accept Change Order #5 (see
Attachment #2 pdf) as presented.
Lucy noted that the committee also discussed use of the high school
building when the students and faculty move to the new site. Facilities
Committee would recommend that Walter and the superintendent consider tenants
for the Tuck part of the high school who are either non-profit or education and/or
arts related. Motion by Sally Oxnard, seconded by Robin Scott that the
board approve the recommendation from the Facilities Committee that Dr. Hanson
and Walter Pierce have permission to pursue potential rental tenants (after
the site is vacated) for the Tuck portion of the high school that are
non-profit, education or arts related entities. Discussion followed. It
was noted that the tenants would be responsible for their own renovation to the
area and Lucy explained that we are committed to preserving the outside of the
building. At this time, we have inquiries on parts of the Tuck, but not the
total building. Dick Wendell and his maintenance staff occupy 1/3 of the
basement area and will remain in that space. Walter has had discussion with
entities interested in about one half of the remaining space. The brief
discussions with the Town of Exeter for using the Tuck is a “soft” interest,
but not ruling them out. Chair asked for a vote on the motion. Unanimous
vote by board in favor of the motion.
The
last committee item discussed was that the committee continues to work with Carol
Aten and Chris Davies from Squamscott Community Commons and will next meet with
them on
January 10th.
6.3 Curriculum and Philosophy: Chair Oxnard explained that the committee met on Tuesday, November 15, 2005 and the meeting was basically informational on the NH School Approval Standards (see Attachment #3 – pdf of presentation). Committee will meet next Thursday, December 15th at 7:00 PM on new course proposals and EHS Transition Committee.
6.4 Finance: Chair Kann noted that the committee met this evening at 6:00 PM and are continuing to build the budget and hope to wrap up on December 20th at 5:00 PM at the SAU Office. On January 7th is the Budget Workshop at SST Culinary Art beginning 8:00 AM.
6.5 Technology: Greg was unable to attend last meeting, but noted the committee continues to work on the updated Technology Plan.
6.6 Transportation: Nathan reported that he had a conversation this afternoon that hopefully will enable us to put the sixth year bus contract with First Student in writing since there is a different vice president in place. Fuel excess charges will be picked up to the extent that is possible and hope to have the proposal for tonight’s chair’s meeting. Looks like about a 5% increase and that would be accommodating the majority of the excess fuel budget costs.
6.7 SAU Chairs: Patty reported that the chairs met in November (see Attachment #4) and discussed the calendar and the SAU budget. SAU Budget Hearing will be at 6:30 PM next Monday, December 19th with board meeting following at 7:00 PM.
6.8 SAU Adolescent Health Committee: Board representative, Sally reported that a meeting was held on Wednesday, November 9th that was very productive. The committee broke into subcommittees with each group having one of four paragraphs to review/revise for a draft of a SAU health and wellness policy. The meeting scheduled for this past Friday was cancelled due to snow. Committee continues to discuss ways we can help our students lead a healthier life. Next step is that we will be sending out the revised paragraphs for feedback by all of the committee members and, hopefully, will be coming forward with a policy for the SAU Policy Committee to review in the near future.
6.9 SST: Board representative Kim reported that the SST met last evening and discussed the SST calendar approval and the 2006-07 budget regarding an increase just over 10% due to couple new programs (Project Lead the Way – engineering program and Digital Communication), increased utilities and natural gas prices and additional cost of not having the same population in the building as in previous years. The renovation subcommittee also gave a report.
6.10 NCLB Committee: Kris reported that the committee met on November 21, 2005 and had a very thorough presentation by Esther Asbell who coordinated the proposal for the ERCSD DINI (District In Need of Improvement) Plan. Our plan was first in state to be approved; reviewed specifics in the plan; all info on plan are on the SAU Website. Next meeting has not been determined.
6.11 Great Bay eLearning Charter School: Chair Morrisette explained that trustees had meeting on November 17th (see Attachment #5) and all is going well with about 70 students; received approval for additional 11th and 12th grades and an additional $150,000 in funding.
6.12 SAU 16 Policy Committee: Patty shared that the committee is meeting tomorrow night, December 14th at the SAU Office at 7:00 PM and that they did not meet in November.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 November 8th & November 16, 2005 Board Meetings: Motion by Greg Kann, seconded by Robin Scott and unanimously board voted without discussion to approve the minutes of November 8, 2005 and November 16, 2005.
8. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Chair Lovejoy announced that the board will need to have a brief non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II.(c). Motion by Sally Oxnard that the board goes into non-public session at 8:25 PM, seconded by Kris Magnusson. Roll call vote with all board members voting in the affirmative. The board will move the principal’s conference room for this session. c with motion by Sally second by Kris.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Lucy Cushman and unanimously board voted with no discussion to adjourn at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally S. Boyd, Secretary