Tuesday, August 8, 2006 – 6:30 PM
CMS Library
MEMBERS PRESENT: Greg Kann, Lucy Cushman, Kim Casey, Robin Scott, Ray
Trueman,
and Patty Lovejoy
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kris Magnusson, Sally Oxnard and Townley Chisholm
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney, Richard Wendell and
Bill Ball
The board met at 6:30 PM and went into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:311,d.
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Kann opened the meeting at 7:02 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and noting the meeting began at 6:30 PM with non-public session under RSA 91-A:311,d.
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: See above note
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Jim Burlough, Brentwood asked about the request of a board member at the June 13, 2006 meeting
to have an independent audit done of the construction manager high
school; he noted how he felt this should be done since Walter Pierce is
being paid by the construction company. A response was made that Walter is not
being paid by the construction company, but by the ERCSD and that the board at
the June meeting had noted that because we had Walter Pierce as the project
manager and that was part of his job to oversee the construction manager. Jim
would like the board to do that audit as he feels it is the right thing to do.
Jim Johnson, Brentwood also spoke that he sent an email to Dr. Hanson asking
for a copy of the teacher/student/parent survey that was presented by Mark Bodi
and had not heard back from the superintendent. Dr. Hanson noted he did not
receive the email, but the survey he is requesting is on the SAU 16 Website.
4. CHAIR’S REPORT
4.1 Vote on Purchase and Sales of Annex Property: Chair announced that board has a Purchase and Sales agreement for Squamscott Community Commons (SCC) regarding the sale of the Annex that the board will need to vote on tonight. Representing the board on a negotiations team with SCC were Patty Lovejoy, Ray Trueman, Walter Pierce, community member Carol Bridges and school attorney Peter Bronstein of Soule, Leslie, Kidder. Greg asked Patty to speak to the P&S. Patty reviewed negotiating issues that culminated in an agreed purchase price of $440,000 for the Annex (see Attachment #1 pdf). Ray added that he felt this was a good deal and noted that the actual structure will be demolished and a new building put in its place. Motion by Ray Trueman, seconded by Robin Scott to sell the old Junior High building to Squamscott Community Commons for $440,000 per the terms of the Purchase and Sales Agreement (Attachment #1). Discussion on if the ERCSD would have to pay the appraised value to re-purchase the Annex or if they sell it to someone else, the ERCSD would receive one half of the proceeds minus any debts. It was also noted that community member Carol Bridges was very much in favor of these terms and the board would like to thank Carol for all her work on behalf of the board. With no further discussion, the chair called for a vote: 6-0.
4.2 School Board Retreat & New Format for Board Meetings: Retreat was on June 24th and Greg reviewed items discussed. At the next meeting, in two weeks, the board will work on the goals from the retreat in more detail. Reviewed the September format for the board meetings.
4.3 Issue School Board Meeting Date Calendar: After much discussion the board agreed to change the Tentative Board Meeting Schedule to reflect the following: March 13th is election night, so that will need to be changed to March 20th; both the February and April meetings will be moved to the 3rd weeks in those months; FYI that Thursday, February 8th will most likely be the Deliberative Session. Patty spoke to considering having a separate budget committee to address what in the past has been the many hours needed to discuss all the minutia involved with bringing forth a budget. No action taken at this time with regards to a budget committee.
5. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
5.1 New High School/William Ball Stadium Dedications: Superintendent noted that HS dedication is September 24th and Principal Sokul is working with him to set an agenda. Called on Athletic Director Bill Ball to speak to dedication of the stadium that will be on Friday, September 8th and is the second game of the season. Coach Ball also discussed the athletic fields at the new high school and that he has spoken to both the coaches and athletes about the importance of not playing on the fields at the new high school so there will be terrific fields in the future and everyone is on board with this. Coach Ball has been working with Nathan and Nat Perry to set up the bus schedules and get a routine to make sure the busing betweens the schools run as smoothly as possible (with a coach or chaperone on each bus), knowing there will be some bumps in the road. Lastly, he is pleased to announce that in July, Principal Sokul was notified that EHS had won the state sportsmanship award and everyone is excited about receiving it in September.
5.2 Summer Maintenance Projects – Dick Wendell: Reviewed maintenance that has been occurring this summer from bio lab renovations to a move to new EHS to hail storm to housing over 400 students and chaperones at CMS for community service projects sponsored by local churches. Move into new high school should be completed by the end of this week.
5.3 SAU Administrative Retreat: Superintendent explained that next Tuesday and Wednesday (August 17th and 17th) will be the SAU Administrators’ retreat with first day at Portsmouth Elks Club and second day at EHS for a full day of technology training. Primex will be on the agenda the first day to discuss facility use issues.
5.4 Nominations and Resignations: The superintendent would recommend the following nominations: CMS – Karen Dangora, Science; Lidieth Guindon, SPED; Patricia Petit, Latin; Julie Schanck, Math; Mary Schwoerer, Family consumer Science and at EHS – Amy Lantaigne, Business/Computer; Matt Lehtonen, Alternative Ed (Social Studies); Matthew Malila, Science; Kyle Reynolds, English (N. Hyde LOA); Nancy Tanguay, Alternative Ed (Math/Science) and GBeCS – Veronica Brooks-Sigler, English. He would also recommend acceptance of the following resignations: CMS – Michaela Walker, Computer and EHS – John Walker, Health. Lastly he has a one year leave of absence for Noreen Hyde, EHS English he would also recommend the board accept. Motion by Kim Casey, seconded by Robin Scott and unanimously voted with no discussion to accept all of the above nominations, resignations and one year leave of absence.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1 Personnel, Policy and Communication: In past chair Magnusson’s absence, no report.
6.2
Facilities – High School Update
– Walter: Lucy reported that there
were a few things her committee needed to address and she spoke to the Change Orders
that were in the packet (see Attachments #2 pdf and Attachment #3
pdf – Change Orders
#12 and #13 respectively). Lucy reviewed the two items over $5000 on CO #12
per Walter’s memo to the board and Walter discussed
CO #13. Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Lucy Cushman to accept in CO
#12, item #00161 Rip Rap Slope $9,187.18 and #00164 Terrazzo Allowance
$34,090.07. Discussion on scoreboard credit. With no further
discussion, chair called for a vote: 5-1 (Trueman). Lucy noted that CO #13
will be voted on next month for additional paving to allow for equipment access
to stadium. After both changes orders #12 and #13, we will still have a balance
of $200,000.
Walter noted contractor Harvey guaranteed Walter that the building will be ready
when school opens. Walter then reviewed status of project and noted that he
has not received formal word from the DOT, but it is his understanding that
will not be approving putting up a light at Epping
Road entrance. Exeter Police Chief
Kane has worked with DOT and they have agreed to put up speed reduction signs
from 45 to 35 around school entrance. The front entrance sign is not the
permanent sign, but a temporary one at this point as we have some challenges
with line of sight requirements that we are dealing with. Question if DOT
could also put up “informational” signs on Epping
Road, which Walter does not think they
will do due to too much signage already in place before get to entrance. Tuck Learning
Campus tenants are already moving in as well as Seacoast Charter School has
moved into the Annex. Walter noted and thanked the many individuals who have
done a terrific job with the school – Paul Morin and Chief Brian Comeau in
Exeter, Dick Wendell and his crew have been terrific, Dave Shannon and his workers
on the nature/science cross country trail, Exeter Code Inspections Officer Doug
Eastman and Police Chief Kane – all of these people have been tremendously
supportive of this endeavor. Have a partial occupancy permit and expecting
permanent occupancy permit the 15th of August.
6.3 Curriculum and Philosophy: In past chair Oxnard’s absence, no report.
6.4 Finance: Patty noted nothing additional to discuss.
6.5 Technology: Greg noted committee has not met over the summer.
6.6 Transportation: Nathan updated the board on the status of the bus routes for next year. 9th and 10th at EHS and students at GbeCS, Alt Ed and SST will be running.
6.7 SAU Chairs: Greg reported there was no August meeting
6.8 SST: Kim noted the Governance Committee met on June 21st and still discussing possible expansion into new bio labs and building committee is moving forward as look to renovate site; programs on probationary status due to not enough students taking those programs and we do have some programs on that status and we are looking at those programs to see what can be done to increase the enrollment, etc. Also were discussing the tuition contract changes which were explained by Nathan and lastly superintendent is speaking with other districts about a regional alternative school.
6.9 NCLB Committee: In board rep Magnusson’s absence, no report.
6.10 Great Bay eLearning Charter School: Lucy reported next meeting next Thursday, August 17th.
6.11 SAU 16 Policy Committee: Patty noted will begin in September.
6.12 SAU Superintendent Evaluation Committee: No meeting to date.
Greg announced he will put off selecting board representatives until next board meeting.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 June 13 2006 – Board Meeting and Non-Public Meeting minutes: Motion by Robin Scott, seconded by Kim Casey and unanimously voted to accept the minutes as presented.
7.2 June 24, 2006 – Board Retreat minutes: Motion by Lucy Cushman, second by Robin Scott and unanimously voted to accept the minutes as presented.
8. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: none at this time.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Robin Scott and unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary