Tuesday, September 12, 2006 – 7:00 PM
CMS Library
PRESENT: Greg Kann, Lucy Cushman, Patty Lovejoy, Ray Trueman, Kris Magnusson, Sally Oxnard,
Townley
Chisholm, Robin Scott, Kim Casey (7:40 PM) Brad Kelly and
John Atsalis
ABSENT: Kim Casey
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul,
1.0 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Kann called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members introduced themselves.
2.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Nathan Merrill, Stratham addressed the board regarding two issues. One is loss of young and talented teachers and would like to see the board discuss having exit interviews as standard procedure and communicate with those that have left why they have chosen to do so. Secondly has to do with something that happened last spring at CMS and was the showing of portions of ERCSD board meetings at a staff meeting. Would like a public explanation in front of cameras as to why this happened and who is accountable and feels the public deserves an apology. Motion by Sally Oxnard that we do exit interviews with teachers that leave the district. Superintendent noted that Paul Flynn does meet with all teachers who leave the district with regards to insurance and benefits and if teachers choose to share why they are leaving, they may do so with Mr. Flynn. Kris Magnusson seconded the motion. Sally asked if there would be data to the board on information gathered from the exit interviews. Greg noted we could discuss this further at the second board meeting of the month since that is when PP&C issues would be discussed. Sally Oxnard withdrew her motion. Motion by Townley Chisholm that Mr. O’Malley give this board a report at a regular board meeting about the staff meeting in the spring noting what administrators were there, what film clips were shown and what was the benefit of showing the clips. Motion seconded by Kris Magnusson. Since there was no further discussion, the chair called for a vote: Aye votes: Chisholm, Trueman, Magnusson and Oxnard. Nay votes: Lovejoy, Scott, Cushman and Kann. Motion was split so motion failed. John Hazekamp, Stratham read an unsigned note that was put in his mailbox that spoke to the staff meeting in question. Mr. Hazekamp will pursue getting additional information about the staff meeting and share it with interested board members.
3.0 CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 New School Board Format: Chair explained the two meeting a month format.
3.2 Student Board Representatives’ Report: John Atsalis and Brad Kelly thanked the board for building such a terrific facility and reported on opening day and on-going activities at EHS.
3.3 Report on Board Goals: the chair read the following board goals.
· School board members will abide by and honor the meeting protocols, boardsmanship standards and courtesies such that everyone gets to speak, no one gets interrupted and effective meetings are over by 10 p.m.
· To complete an evaluation of mixed ability grouping at CMS using a multidimensional approach with a report to the Board in June 2007.
· We will improve the middle school/high school transition, which will result in lower ninth grade absenteeism and a lower dropout rate, over the next four years.
Discussion followed on whether or not these three goals are all the board goals since some members did not see the goals they had previously discussed at the last meeting or at the retreat on this list. Greg felt these three broad goals cover all the items from the last meeting, but he is willing to expand the list of goals. Consensus by board that the chair will roll entire seven goals from last meeting minutes into these goals. Kris felt the goal completion template that each chair brought to the retreat should be a part of the goals.
3.4 Curriculum and Philosophy
· Report of the colleges, which the senior class was accepted at, and the colleges they went to: Greg asked if any members had questions on this information as it was in your packet. Lucy asked if school had way of tracking the 97 unaccounted seniors to see if some of the students went into the service or AmeriCore since her niece pursued that path for the next year. Superintendent noted that he will meet with Mr. Sokul to see what information is available on those 97 seniors. Sally asked if we could determine if the number of students that are attending UNH as freshmen is either increasing or decreasing would also be interesting information.
· Discussion by Peter Stackhouse of the NWEA Conference in Portland OR and discussion of the Presentation of NWEA and NHEIP scores (Fall 2005 to Spring 2006) at the board meeting on October 10, 2006: Kim Casey arrived at 7:40 PM. Chair explained that Peter is present this evening to share some of the overview information that they received at the NWEA seminar he, Tony Baldasaro and Kathy Weise this past summer. Peter shared various pieces of information that they received from NWEA regarding testing, reporting, merging data, WRIT growth, concept of error, adaptive tests, etc. He noted that this information was also presented at the SAU Administrative retreat this summer. Peter asked what the board would like in terms of data on NWEA for the future noting he could show the highlights from the slides and charts that he has presented in the past to the board on the SAU Website if the board would like. Peter was asked if teachers were finding the data useful since that was one of the important benefits of using NWEA testing. Peter noted that the teachers that use the data use it very well and find it very useful. Need to know that NWEA is only one piece of the data we look at with students. Peter would like to bring a much reduced presentation to the board to review the NWEA highlights. Discussion continued on data, how we are using it, is it being effectively used to assess the move to ability grouping at CMS as that was part of the board’s criteria for their decision on ability grouping, etc. Motion by Kris Magnusson that prior to the next board meeting when we have NWEA results, there is a draft of a teacher survey that is specific to how CMS teachers feel using NWEA with respect to mixed ability grouping. Chair does not have a problem with this motion, but feels that before there is a second to this motion, the board needs to give the CMS administration the chance to see the time this survey would require. Discussion on the administration presenting a draft survey in one month to the board. Discussion continued on waiting until the spring when teachers have had more time to use the NWEA. Kris withdrew her motion if the survey will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting in September. Noted the survey will be a part of the goal “To complete an evaluation of mixed ability grouping using a multidimensional approach with a report to the Board in June 2007.” Peter noted that the NHEIAP data is about to go on Website. NWEA from fall to spring data will be placed on the Website around the 15th of this month. Sally noted she liked seeing the data where it illustrated the number of students in the top third, middle third and bottom third.
3.5 Finance
· Discussion by Nathan Lunney on the budget status (Monthly Report, Fund Balance Report and Bond Balance Report): Nathan had three handouts for the board that he discussed. Fund Equity Statement (see Attachment #1 pdf) with comparison of how we performed last year with the fund balance and the Appropriations Report by Fund and Function for Fiscal Year End 2005-06 (see Attachment #1 pdf, page 2). He then reviewed The Account Summary of Trust Funds (see Attachment #2 pdf). Kris asked Nathan for the EHS project audit cost she had previously requested and Nathan responded he has spoken with the auditors and they do have someone in their firm that could do the audit if we choose to do so and the estimate would be between $5-10,000. Chair suggested this be discussed at the next meeting in September since this request relates to a facilities issue, not a finance issue. Walter reviewed his Exeter High School Project - Budget Update (see Attachment #3 pdf) noting he has one more change order (CO #13) for $82,510 but he is not ready to bring this forward. He reported that depending on whether all our projected costs materialize, we should end the project with about a $160-200,000 balance. Nathan also spoke to state building aid and another of the board handouts from the superintendent that documents the Supreme Court decision that the NH funding of schools is still unconstitutional. It is his understanding that the aide we receive for equitable grants will be the same in 2006-07 as they were in 2005-06.
· Contract for Flagmen at EHS: Walter explained that since we were denied a traffic light at the entrance of the school to assist with traffic concerns and we were discouraged from putting our own people at the entrance to direct the flow, we ended up hiring a flagging company at $84/day to be used for the afternoon traffic. He also added that he and the administration is still working internally on the morning traffic flow. Chair Kann explained that he wanted this topic on the agenda to inform the public that we are trying to address the traffic issues and for board discussion. Walter added that he has hired the individual who did the traffic study for us at the old site to also review the traffic situation at the new high school. We are currently averaging between 500-600 total cars in the parking lot. Principal Sokul noted the school has issued about 500 student parking permits.
4.0 SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 EHS Principal's Report: Superintendent explained
that before calls on Mr. Sokul to give his report, he has passed out to each
board member a request from Dr. Inzenga. This request was going to come before
the board at the second meeting this month, but because Dr. Inzenga had already
scheduled a fundraiser for this weekend, he is bringing the request forward
now. Dr. Inzenga is asking for permission to take 30 students and 14 adult
chaperones to Florida this coming spring from May 9, 2007 to Sunday, May 13, 2007
to participate in the Disney Music Festival and to tour the Kennedy Space Center. After
discussion, motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Sally Oxnard and
unanimously voted with no further discussion to approve the request by Dr.
Inzenga for the 8th grade Chamber Choir to travel to Florida
in the spring 2007. Superintendent
spoke to the funding letter that was passed out and mentioned earlier by Nathan
and the AYP letter going home to all Cooperative parents.
Superintendent also reported that the high school has 142 additional students
from last year and in Social Studies department, are seeing high numbers in
classes. It is the administration’s recommendation that a full time Social
Studies teacher be added since over 40 of that department’s classes are maxed
or oversubscribed. Nathan has assured us that the budget has money to fund a
teacher. Both Mr. Sokul and Mr. Daley feel that since they recently hired a
person in the Social Studies department, that there are still some available candidates
from the pool of resumes they received. Mr. Sokul spoke to the 40 of the 73
classes that are overloaded. After continued discussion, on a motion by
Sally Oxnard, seconded by Kim Casey and unanimously voted with no further
discussion to add one Social Studies position at Exeter High School.
· Discussion of the EHS Opening: Mr. Sokul noted that as of this morning, their enrollment was 1641 and by this afternoon it was 1638. He spoke to the transition plan he presented in January, their short term goals and long term goals and are now in last component of short term plan. Reviewed opening procedures.
· Discussion of EHS Activities and Dedications
4.2 Nominations and Resignations: Motion by Patty Lovejoy that the coaching positions (see Attachment #4 pdf) be approved as presented with a comment that it amazes her with the numbers who volunteer year after year and personally thank those who do this. Motion was seconded by Kim Magnusson and with no further discussion, unanimously board voted.
5.0 SAU 16 COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 SAU 16 Technology Committee - Townley Chisholm: Committee has not met.
5.2 SAU 16 Transportation - Lucy Cushman: Committee has not met, but should be meeting shortly per Nathan.
5.3 SST Committee - Kim Casey: Meeting at the end of the month.
5.4 SAU 16 NCLB Committee - Kris Magnusson: No meeting to date.
5.5 SAU 16 Policy Committee - Patty Lovejoy: Meeting this Thursday night, 9/14.
5.6 SAU 16 Superintendent Evaluation Committee - Greg Kann: No meeting to date; SAU Joint Board meeting is next Monday night, September 18th and your SAU Joint Board packet is in front of you.
5.7 SAU 16 Chairs' Meeting - Greg Kann: Chairs met last Wednesday (see Attachment #5 pdf) and reviewed meeting.
6.0 PRESENTATION BY JIM JOHNSON/JIM BERLO: Handed out a request to board asking for Bodi Communications Audit that was done in 2005. Superintendent noted the survey in 2005 is the same as in 2006 and clarified that even though he produced the 2006 results for him, Jim would like the 2005 results collected by Bodi Griffin and Krause. Jim then shared the same comments from previous meeting concerning an apology being owed two board members, etc. He and Jim Berlo would like an answer tonight on the motion by Ralph Adler made in May 2004. Jim Johnson is also asking for a special meeting to discuss this issue with community input. Jim Berlo asked the board several questions. Does NCLB dictate that we look at specific tests, i.e. scores and how we are evaluated? Board responded that your state determines the test used and NH uses NECAP. With NECAP, they have four scoring categories, how do you determine the percentage that goes with the category, i.e., does 80-100% mean you scored in the proficient with distinction category? The state takes a sample, scores the sample and then determines what score will be in each category each year and the percentages and categories can change each year. State has a description on their Website of the categories. Jim handed out what he called a snapshot of NECAP scores from 3-8th grades that he feels illustrates that as you march through the educational system, there are less and less advanced students and more mediocrity. Jim Johnson shared information from Dr. Tracy on AYP stats.
7.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 22, 2006 – Motion by Robin Scott, seconded by Townley Chisholm and voted 8-0-1 (Magnusson abstaining) with no further discussion to accept the minutes as presented.
8.0 NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Kim Casey to go into Non-Public Session Under RSA 91-A:3, II (a,c, and I) at 9:29 PM.
8.1 91-A:3, II (i) Security matter
8.2 91-A:3, II (a) Compensation
8.3 91-A:3, II (c) Personnel matter
9.0 ADJOURNMENT: The board returned to public session at 10:03 PM after sealing the non-public minutes. Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Kim Casey and with no further discussion board voted 9-0 to adjourn at 10:04 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary