Present: Greg Kann, Lucy Cushman, Sally Oxnard,
Robin Scott, Kris Magnusson, Patty
Lovejoy, John Atsalis, Brad Kelly
Absent: Townley Chisholm and Ray Trueman
Administration: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul, Tom O’Malley
and Tony Baldasaro
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.
2.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Jim Johnson, Brentwood asked about the Bodi survey and if the results from the survey were complete to which the superintendent noted that he did receive the complete survey even though it was marked “draft.” Mr. Johnson also asked that the December 12, 2000 section 3.1 school board minutes that deal with the Internet lawsuit be changed.
3.0 CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 Recognition of EHS teachers and students for development of science/nature/cross country trails: Chair explained that due a scheduling conflict for these individuals, this agenda item will be moved to the first meeting in November.
3.2 Student Board Representatives Report: John Atsalis reported on activities at EHS.
3.3 Curriculum and Philosophy
· Follow-up on tracking of graduated seniors – Victor Sokul: Principal Sokul passed around additional information on tracking of EHS seniors along with how EHS information compares to the state (see Attachment #1 pdf). He also shared how the two and four year college information breaks down: in 2006, 56.4% went on to 4 year colleges and 13.8% went to two year colleges; in 2005, 58.9% went on to four year colleges and 16% went to two year colleges; and in 2004, 55.2% went on to four year colleges and 13% went to two year colleges. Ms. Lovejoy added that previous Curriculum and Philosophy Committee discussions noted that the positive effect of EHS working to decrease their drop out rates over the years would reflect increases in the numbers of students graduating, but would not likely increase the numbers attending 2-4 year colleges. Reducing the drop out rate has been a board goal and it is nice to see that drop out number decrease by graduating a higher percent of seniors.
· Discussion by Tony Baldasaro and CMS teachers on NWEA test results: Mr. Baldasaro gave a Power Point Presentation of EHS NHEIAP and CMS NWEA Data (see Attachment #2 pdf). CMS teachers Meredith Leavitt 8th grade science and Carolyn Berensen 6th grade SPED spoke to how they use the NWEA data to teach to their students. Mr. Baldasaro will report back to the board on how the math students in the top, middle and lower thirds scored in the NWEA.
· Superintendent to discuss video conferencing with NWEA: Superintendent noted he has had three conversations with NWEA since the last board meeting, with the most recent conversation occurring today. NWEA feels they can probably video conference with us as early as mid to late November. The contact he has spoken with at NWEA is a statistician for them and is very familiar with the data. The contact is currently writing an RFP for us that we should receive in the next couple of days. Asked board if they are comfortable with the superintendent sharing the RFP with Mr. Kann and Mr. Kann will make a decision on going forward with NWEA. Board is in agreement with this and the video conferencing can probably be held here at CMS. Cost to do this should be around $2000.00.
3.4 Finance
· Discussion by Nathan Lunney on the budget status (Monthly Report, Fund Balance Report and Bond Balance Report): Nathan reviewed the Appropriations Report by Fund and Function dated 10/1/06 (Attachment #3 pdf) highlighting areas that showed larger balance percentage remaining – SPED, Athletics and Operations – Maintenance/Utilities – no questions. He then talked about the Summary of Trust Funds dated August 31, 2006 (Attachment #4 pdf) and explained that each month the only change you will see on this report will be interest earned and this report will probably always be a month behind. Regarding the Summary of District Capital Debt dated 9/20/06 (Attachment #5 pdf), at the end of this fiscal year, we will have retired debt of $5,049,813.38. Board suggestion was made that it might be helpful to note on this report, since you show when the first payment on the bond is due, that you also reflect the last bond payment date. No questions. The Annual Meeting Timeline for Meeting of March 13, 2007 (Attachment #6 pdf) is a draft and he explained that the January School Board Budget Session should show the year 2007, not 2006. The previous board schedule for 2006-07 needs to be revised to reflect the first board meeting in January should be on Thursday, January 11th, not Tuesday, January 9th. The board agreed to hold the Deliberative Session at the new EHS and at a later date will determine if the gym or cafeteria is the better place to schedule the meeting.
· Plan for 06-07 budget development: Nathan outlined a potential budget presentation to the board from now until the budget work session. No questions from the board.
Walter noted that in the packet was Change Order #13 (Attachment #7 pdf) and that all of the items, except for two, are within the $5,000 approval authority he has. In August, he reviewed for the board the two exceptions: $23,943.11 for the paved access to visitor’s bleachers and the $6,364.30 for the second set of stairs in back parking lot, noting this item’s final cost is a lower estimate than he previously gave to the board. The total on CO #13 is $48,683.49. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Dr. Oxnard and board voted 6-1 (Magnusson) with no further discussion to approve Change Order #13 for $48,683.49 as presented.
4.0 SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 EHS Principal's Report: EHS Principal Sokul reported on very successful open house last Thursday night, completion of 9th grade NWEA testing, current preparation for 11th grade NECAP testing for early to mid November and the designation of formal visitors parking at EHS. He is currently formulating his goals and agreed, per a board member’s request, to plan another tour date for interested community members.
4.2 Nominations and Resignations: Superintendent noted he has none at this time.
5.0 SAU 16 COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 SAU 16 Technology Committee - Townley Chisholm: Mr. Kann reported on his behalf and reviewed agenda items from that meeting.
5.2 SAU 16 Transportation - Lucy Cushman: Ms. Cushman noted the committee met on 9/28 and next meeting is this Thursday, October 12th at 4:30 PM at the SAU Office. The committee is working on RFP for bus contracts and items to consider with buses, i.e., video cameras on all buses, seat belts, etc.
5.3 SST Committee - Kim Casey: Ms. Casey reviewed more detailed information from their last meeting and the committee next meets on 10/23/06 with the building committee meeting to follow the governing board.
5.4 SAU 16 NCLB Committee - Kris Magnusson: Ms. Magnusson reported at their last meeting, Jerry Frew and Tony Baldasaro presented information on CMS not making AYP. Not another planned meeting at this time.
5.5 SAU 16 Policy Committee - Patty Lovejoy: Ms. Lovejoy reported the committee will next meet on October 23, 2006 at 7:00 PM at the SAU Office. All SAU Joint Board members were emailed the SAU 16 Policy Committee Schedule for 2006-07 by Ms Boyd.
5.6 SAU 16 Superintendent Evaluation Committee - Greg Kann: Mr. Kann explained that the committee has not formed or met.
5.7 SAU 16 Chairs' Meeting - Greg Kann: Mr. Kann reported the chairs will meet next Wednesday, 10/18/06 at 5:00 PM at the SAU Office.
6.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1 August 8th meeting minutes regarding audit of high school or audit of project manager: Greg reviewed the tape of these minutes and they need to be amended to reflect audit of high school not of project manager. Motion by Ms Casey, seconded by Ms Magnusson and unanimously voted with no further discussion to amend the August 8, 2006 minutes to reflect under item 3.0. “…to have an independent audit done of the high school…”
6.2 Change start time of School Board meeting to 6:30 PM: Board agreed to continue to meet at 7:00 PM.
6.3 Update on the Route 125 bus stop in Brentwood for the HS late bus: Chair noted that there were two issues and one had to do with changing some bus stops in winter due to road condition concerns and the second was the Route 125 late bus stop that Nathan is still working on. Evaluation of the late bus runs only having a very few students on them is still occurring and we may have to review the cost for so few riders.
6.4 Written principal's report in school board package: Chair explained that if a principal has a lengthy report, it will be in your board packet, but he like to continue with the principals giving oral reports to the board that have the most recent school information. Superintendent passed around the possible layout of information on the plaque for the new high school No action needed tonight, but he ask that you review this and get back to Sally any suggestions you have with wording or configuration of information. He will bring this back to the facilities part of the next board meeting. Cost for this plaque should be around $2500.
7.0 NEW BUSINESS:
· Superintendent: Pleased to report that we have received additional monies for the second phase of the RUS grant in the amount of $359,563.00. This was a very competitive grant and only 144 were awarded throughout the US. For auditing purposes, Nathan asked that the board accept the grant and appropriate the amount listed in addition to the underlying 06-07 total budget. Motion by Ms. Casey, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to accept the additional RUS grant monies in the amount of $359,563 and to appropriate that amount as an addition to the total 2006-2007 budget. On behalf of the board, Ms. Magnusson would like to thank Dr. Kossakoski for all his work on this.
· Chair: Complete evaluation of mixed ability grouping at CMS and work with superintendent to find some independent individuals to do this – this is a board goal and he and Townley will work with the selected individuals for evaluating CMS. Discussion followed on if this goal does not occur until June, if it would be too late to make any changes in the academic cycle. No change to the date was proposed.
· Chair: Delegate assembly for NHSBA on Saturday, November 4th and looking for attendees – Chair will go and asked if anyone else was interested. No one else was interested.
· Ms. Cushman: All set.
· Ms. Casey: Agreed with Ms. Cushman for more comprehensive opportunity for public to see new high school and would also like to see in the future more formal acknowledgement for all the efforts put forth by parents involved in both junior and senior proms.
· Ms. Lovejoy: All set.
· Ms. Scott: All set.
· Ms. Magnusson: Spoke to earlier incident during announcements/public input where Chair declined to allow Mr. Johnson to read a statement, but instead explained he could speak, not read to the issue. Chair explained that reading a statement is not appropriate in a board meeting and that this is consistent with Robert’s Rules of Order.
· Dr. Oxnard: Comment on the many alternative education opportunities for students at EHS and would like to know what AP courses EHS is offering and numbers in those courses and any new initiatives at EHS.
· Superintendent: Superintendent spoke regarding the personal and professional attacks on him that have occurred during the last 4-5 months. He is putting the Board on notice that he will no longer sit silent and will respond to anyone personally or professionally attacking him. He further stated that the people that have disdain and contempt for him and/or his leadership style should focus their energies on the hiring of a new superintendent since he has 21 months left on his contract and, whether people like that or not, they need to get over it. Additionally he noted that this school district would be hard pressed to attract any good candidates with the behaviors displayed in the past few months. Particularly, where any candidate will access to all tapes of the board meetings. It is time for the board to focus their energies on the children and the search process for his replacement.
8.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
8.1 Public and non-public minutes of September 26, 2006: Sally noted there are a couple of grammar corrections: Under 2.0, change “One is the late bus, which he thanks for board for making the bus available to students,…” to “One is the late bus, which he thanks the board for making available for the students,…” and under 4.3 change the word “collar” to “dollar”. Motion by Ms. Cushman, seconded by Ms Casey to accept the amended public minutes of September 26, 2006 and the non-public minutes of September 26, 2006. No discussion. Vote: unanimous.
9.0 NON-PUBLIC: None at this time.
10.0 ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms Scott and unanimously voted with no further discussion to adjourn at 9:24 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary