Tuesday, September 26, 2006 – 7:00 PM
CMS Library
Present: Greg Kann, Lucy Cushman, Kris Magnusson, Ray Trueman, Townley Chisholm,
Kim Casey, Robin Scott, Patty Lovejoy and Sally Oxnard
Absent: All Present
Administration: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney, Richard Wendell and Tom O’Malley
1.0 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Kann called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members introduced themselves.
1.1 Board Recognition of NH Teacher of the Year Carolyn Kelly: Chair introduced the Principal of Seacoast School of Technology, Nancy Pierce who shared that the SST Biotechnology teacher Carolyn Kelley was recently named the NH 2007 Teacher of the Year. On behalf of the board, Chair Kann congratulated Carolyn and also presented her with a Certificate of Recognition for this outstanding recognition. Chair Kann also presented board member Lucy Cushman with a picture of the new high school in recognition of her work on the new high school.
2.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC
INPUT: Luke Pickett, Stratham criticized information shared by Peter
Stackhouse at the September 12th board meeting regarding NWEA data
and the fact that the board did not request additional follow up information
from Principal Sokul when he reported on post secondary education or career
paths of students from EHS. Jim Johnson, Brentwood feels August 8th minutes show that Mr.
Berlo asked for an audit of Walter Pierce and he feels that should have said he
asked for an audit of the new high school and would board review those minutes
to correct that. He also asked if the Bodi report was the full report since it
said “draft” on it. Read a statement commenting on responsibilities of the board
according to Policy BDD-R Board-Superintendent Relations and Code of
Ethics for ERCSB Members, copies of which he passed out and are available
on the SAU 16 Website. John Hazekamp, Stratham spoke to the anonymous note he
received that explained the segments of the board video shown at the CMS staff
meeting and has created DVD’s he has created from the information from that
note and has copies for any interested board members. Nick Toleos, Brentwood spoke
to two bus issues he has. One is the late bus, which he thanks the board for
making the bus available to for the students, but noted
his concern that his son has to cross Route 125 since students in Brentwood are
dropped off at Lindy’s and is very concerned about the safety issue given all
the traffic on Rt. 125 at that late time. Secondly, his personal bus stop that
has been relocated and he is concerned about winter issues, noting that Nat
Perry has told him there is a form available to fill out should the road
conditions become questionable in the winter at any given bus stop.
3.0 CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 New School Board Format: Chair explained that with the new format for the meetings, a “new item” is now on the agenda for any new issues that need to come forward.
3.2 Facilities:
· SST Renovation - plans and schedule: Chair called on Nancy Pierce who spoke to SST is in its 27th year and hope to be the 7th career center to receive state funding. She called on Sue McFarland-Moynahan, Chair of the SST Renovation Committee who spoke to the background of the committee to this point. Hope to hear in the spring 2007 whether or not funding will be received. Margaret Callahan, Assistant Principal SST gave a presentation of what the renovations will change at the current site and reviewed the conceptual plans for SST (see Attachments #1 pdf, and #2 pdf). This plan involves 83,000 SF of renovation and 13,000 SF of new construction; new parking lot and a lot line adjustment; 9,000 SF free standing for building technologies; 2nd floor includes a lot of high tech classes being added; new greenhouse of about 1200 SF; atrium will be turned into the dining area for the Culinary Arts Program with a meeting room off the dining room that could be offered for businesses that might host a meeting at SST. Walter explained that SST is using Banwell Architects since they were involved with the plans when the high school was being considered for renovation and are familiar with the space. Walter further walked through the financing of the SST renovation. He will have more information at either the October or November board meeting regarding a possible special warrant article for this project that will be contingent upon receiving state funding. He also spoke to the current interview process for a construction manager for the project. Kim thanked Sue and her SST committee members for their eight long months of work on this.
· Construction Audit of Exeter High School: Greg shared research he has done on this and asked board if they feel this is something the board wants to do. He further noted that the project did not have cost overruns, which are often the basis for this type of audit. Walter was asked if our bonding agency requires this type of audit and he explained that we used a bond bank for these bonds and they do not require the audit themselves. The bond bank receives a copy of our own audit of the project and we are in the third year of the project so the auditors have looked at our project for each of those years. Patty spoke to fact that we have to specify to an audit firm exactly what type of audit we want. Motion by Kris Magnusson to do a financial audit of new EHS project to be conducted by an independent certified auditing firm that includes listing of all receipts and disbursements and material specifications to plan. Motion seconded by Sally Oxnard. Discussion followed about type of audit and that audit needs to be done at the end of the project. Motion by Sally Oxnard to amend Kris Magnusson’s motion to remove “listing of all receipts and disbursement and material specifications to plan”. Sally withdrew her amendment, which was never seconded. Sally withdrew her second to Kris’s original motion. Explained that an A 24F is issued to the state when the project is over. Walter would hope project is completed in January/February 2007. Kris withdrew her motion. Motion by Kris Magnusson to do a financial audit of new EHS project to be conducted by an independent certified auditing firm to be started when the A 24F is submitted. Sally Oxnard seconded the motion. With no further discussion, chair called for a vote: 8-1 (Cushman)
· Discussion of the expansion of CMS - plans and schedule (Goal 2:2): Walter passed out three rendering of CMS that were done in 2004 by Architect Frank Marinance (see Attachment #3 pdf). The first page shows a second floor renovation, the effect on the 1st floor and would add five classrooms or one pod, would be an addition of approximately 5000 SF and would add space for 125 students at a 2004 estimated cost of $1.4. The second option (Attachment #4 pdf and #5 pdf) is a two-pod first floor addition of 22,000 SF that would be attached to the gym and includes some expansion of the cafeteria and would add ten classrooms, support 250 students at a 2004 estimate of a little over $4 million. Noted that an addition could be added to the gym without interfering with the existing driveway and thinks the conservation easement will not require a setback. Discussion followed. Chair noted he is not expecting board action on this, but next month board will review NESDEC projections (new ten year projections come out in October) and continue discussion. Walter will research if there is a setback issue, a possible update estimate from the 2004 figures he presented and whether or not with the addition of just the one pod, if the cafeteria needs will also need to be addressed.
3.3 Personnel Policies & Communication
· Discussion of teacher communications regarding board decisions (Goal 2:1): Chair noted that superintendent is talking with building principals and their staff to see how their teachers would like to see this changed or improved.
· Video Streaming: Information was in your packet listing of number of hits received when we were video streaming the board meetings. For budget purposes next year, board needs to consider if we want to do any video streaming as it would cost about $10,000 to do annually. Superintendent is to research if the hits received can be broken into internal (SAU 16 staff) hits versus outside hits. Superintendent explained we could find someone to do special events like the deliberative session or graduation if the company we used would only provide the service on an on-going basis.
4.0 SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 CMS Principal's Report: Tom O’Malley reviewed the recent open houses at CMS and that the school is now preparing for state assessments and will be starting NECAPS in October. He additionally noted that CMS did very well on the NECAPS, but did not make Adequately Yearly Progress (AYP) in math due to the subgroup of economically disadvantaged students. Shared a state district ranking for CMS in their math (see Attachment #6 pdf) and reading (see Attachment #7 pdf) scores. CMS is currently involved in a “math blitz” in an effort to improve their scores.
4.2 Transportation – Bus Stops – Nathan Lunney: In your packet you were provided with a series of paperwork on the bus concern this evening and would like to follow this same process for other bus issues if the board is agreeable. Nathan spoke to neighborhood petition from families in Exeter, Greg reviewed the situation as he understood it, and Nathan followed with an explanation on bus stop procedures being different for elementary versus middle and high school students. Colleen St. Onge, Bell Avenue, Exeter spoke on behalf of the parents about this requested bus stop. Discussion followed with Lucy noting she will bring this up to the SAU Transportation Committee meeting on Thursday to see if there are other towns facing these same issues regarding bus stop needs. No action on the board regarding the bus stop request.
4.3 Nominations
and Resignations: Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Robin Scott and
unanimously board voted to accept the Extra Duty Stipend Appointments for 06-07
from Principal Sokul (see Attachment #8
pdf). Patty noted that the collar dollar
amounts in the extra duty stipends are in the contract negotiated with the
teachers.
5.0 SAU 16 COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 SAU 16 Technology Committee - Townley Chisholm: Townley noted they are meeting September 29th.
5.2 SAU 16 Transportation - Lucy Cushman: Lucy explained the committee is meeting this Thursday, September 28th at SAU Office at 4:30 PM.
5.3 SST Committee - Kim Casey: Kim reported the committee met last night and had ceremony for Carolyn Kelley; discussed enrollment, building project and the craft committees had input into information Mrs. Callaghan shared with board this evening.
5.4 SAU 16 NCLB Committee - Kris Magnusson: Kris shared that there will be a meeting at 7:00 PM at SAU Office tomorrow night.
5.5 SAU 16 Policy Committee - Patty Lovejoy: Patty deferred to the superintendent, as she was unable to attend the last meeting. Superintendent reported that the committee reviewed Wellness Policy noting some school boards feel there are some controversial parts in the policy; talked about video/audio on busses and there are new issues regarding confidentiality and we are awaiting an opinion from our school attorney; and we will need to look at a policy on Extended Learning Opportunities. We will be required to have a policy in place per NHSBA so the policy is being formatted and will come back to policy committee. Patty noted that the policy will say we will not be issuing credit for extending learning until the high school has had a chance to get settled into the new building and can research the issues concerning this type of crediting. She also explained that the board should expect to see a policy on conduct outside of school (i.e., cyber bullying and also conduct at a bus stop, etc.) coming forward to board in October or November for 1st reading.
5.6 SAU 16 Superintendent Evaluation Committee - Greg Kann: Greg shared that there has not been a meeting nor has one been scheduled.
5.7 SAU 16 Chairs' Meeting - Greg Kann: Greg reported that the chairs have not met since the last board meeting.
6.0 NEW BUSINESS: Kim – would like to recommend that we consider in next couple of months offering tours of the new high school for the community and the superintendent noted he will work with Mr. Sokul on this. Kris – Motion by Kris Magnusson, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously board voted that the September 12, 2006 minutes reflect in item 3.3 that “...complete an evaluation of mixed ability grouping at CMS using a ….”. Ray – Requests that the principals’ reports due to time constraints, be written in future. Townley - spoke to Mr. Stackhouse’s September 12th NWEA board report and his disagreement with it and the actions of the administration. Superintendent suggested the board teleconference with the NWEA to put to rest the references being made about the administration and NWEA. The board was in agreement to this suggestion and he will pursue setting this up. Sally – would like to see some kind of formalized exit interview with teachers and feel we may be losing more teachers than we have in the past. All exiting teachers would fill out a one-page exit questionnaire that might ask for their positive experiences, negative experiences and why are you moving on. The board would get the data from these questionnaires. Superintendent asked board for feedback on the data they would want to see on the form and agrees this is an excellent idea. Patty – would like to consider beginning meetings at 6:30 PM since we are going to 10:00 PM. Chair noted he would put this on the agenda for the October meeting to discuss..
7.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Kris Magnusson, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and with no further discussion, the board approved the amended minutes (per 6.0 above) of
September 12, 2006. Greg will review the August 8th minutes to see if they need to be amended and discuss at next board meeting.
8.0 NON-PUBLIC SESSION : Motion by Kim Casey, seconded by Robin Scott to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II.(i) at 9:58 PM. Roll call vote with all members voting in the
affirmative.
9.0 ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to adjourn at 10:13 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary