Present: Greg Kann, Lucy Cushman, Kim Casey, Robin Scott,
Kris Magnusson, Sally Oxnard,
Townley Chisholm, Patty Lovejoy, Ray Trueman, John Atsalis and Brad Kelly
Absent: All present
Administration: Arthur Hanson, Walter Pierce, Nathan Lunney, Richard
Wendell, Victor Sokul
and Nancy Pierce
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 and student
representatives introduced themselves.
** Recognition of SST Building Trades’ Instructors and Students: Chair Kann called on SST Principal Nancy Pierce and thanked Mrs. Pierce and the SST Building Trades’ staff and students for their work on the outside EHS storage building they constructed. Principal Pierce acknowledged the 2004-05 and 2005-06 students and staff who worked on the project (see Attachment #1 pdf) and presented certificates to those present.
2.0 ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Arthur Baillargeon asked about October 24th board discussion about the SAU Offices moving to the old Exeter High School and if there would be a discussion or presentation on that information. Superintendent noted that information would be shared at the January Budget Work Session on January 6th at the SST Culinary Arts Dining Room at 8:00 AM.
3.0 CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 December 19th Board Meeting: Chair Kann noted he did not feel there was a need for this second board meeting and queried the board on their thoughts. Board agreed to forego the December 19th meeting.
3.2 Teleconference with NWEA November 29: Chair Kann spoke to the teleconference and asked if board had any feedback or thoughts on the meeting. Board shared their thoughts. On motion by Dr. Oxnard, seconded by Mr. Chisholm that the administration come up with three clear action points and/or recommendations to remedy the problems that were demonstrated the night of the NWEA teleconference, November 29, 2006: lack of growth in 6th grade reading; 7th grade reading; 8th grade languages and math across the board with the exception of algebra class. Discussion followed regarding math focus group report that is scheduled to come forward; seventh grade reading was not an area of concern according to NWEA; and are the concerns coming from all the assessment data the board has viewed or just NWEA test scores. Discussion continued on what the timeline should be on the reading groups; and should know by January budget workshop if administration feels there is a need for additional staffing; should hear from math focus group by first board meeting in January. Question of when will a discussion occur on the impact of mixed ability grouping and superintendent responded that he felt the format for this discussion needs to be determined first to ensure adequate community and teacher input. Since no further discussion, Chair Kann called for a vote: unanimous.
3.3 Finance
· November Financial Statements: Mr. Lunney noted and reviewed the two sheets that were in the board’s packet (see Attachment #2A pdf and #2B pdf respectively) – blue sheet is Account Summary of Trust Funds and the salmon sheet is the Monthly Financial statement
· Budget Committee Report: See above.
3.4 Student Board Representatives’ Reports: John Atsalis reported on activities at EHS and Brad Kelly reported on student senate activities and school events.
4.0 SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 EHS Principal's Report: Superintendent noted that Mr. Sokul is at class this evening and issued two handouts for him. First is the Advanced Placement Exams (see Attachment #3 pdf) noting that Mr. Sokul found in his conversation with teachers that there had not been a problem collecting money for the A/P exams and the school does have a small fund should a student not have money to take the exam. Superintendent was asked if EHS was participating in the audit process to confirm their A/P standards. This information needs to be submitted to the appropriate A/P organization between January 2007 to June 2007. Superintendent will check with Mr. Sokul about this. Superintendent was also asked to find out from Mr. Sokul how many students took the A/P courses, but did not take the A/P exams as that information is not on the sheet. The second handout on the math labs (see Attachment #4 pdf) was in response to a question from Mr. Chisholm. Lastly, superintendent shared information on Dr. Angela Lennox’s assistance to NECAP Science Curriculum and Assessment Committee.
4.2 SST Governing Board’s Recommendation – Kim Casey: Ms. Casey reported that at the SST Governing Board meeting on 12/11/06, it was with great regret that they accepted the resignation of SST Principal Nancy Pierce effective June 2007. She is asking the board to accept this resignation along with the recommendation from the SST Governing Board to appoint SST Assistant Principal Margaret Callahan as SST Principal effective July 1, 2007. Ms. Casey reviewed some of the many accomplishments of Mrs. Pierce in her tenure at SST. Mrs. Pierce thanked the board for their recognition of her work at SST and the wonderful support she has received from both the superintendent and board members. Motion by Ms. Casey, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to accept the resignation of SST Principal Nancy Pierce effective June 30, 2007. Motion by Kim Casey, seconded by Patty Lovejoy to move forward with the recommendation by the SST Governing Board to appoint Assistant Principal Margaret Callahan as SST Principal effective July 1, 2007. Discussion followed on why a search was not done for the principal position. Since there was no further discussion, Chair Kann called for a vote: 8-1 (Trueman)
4.3 Nominations and Resignations: Superintendent would recommend the board accept the following resignations for June 2008 whose names were in your board packet: Robert “Bob” Bailey, SST; Joseph “Joe” O’Donnell, CMS; William “Bill” Taylor, CMS; and Gary Tilden, CMS. Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Lucy Cushman and unanimously board voted with regrets and no further discussion to accept due to retirements the presented resignations.
4.4 Special Curriculum & Philosophy Committee Report – Dr. Oxnard: Dr. Oxnard handed out and reviewed (see Attachment #5 pdf) her minutes from the Wednesday, December 6th meeting. Committee members were asked to bring to the next meeting on Wednesday, January 17th at 7:00 PM at the SAU Office their top five survey questions which concern them for follow-up recommendations.
5.0 SAU 16 COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 SAU 16 Technology Committee – Greg Kann – no meeting
5.2 SAU 16 Transportation - Lucy Cushman – December 8: Ms. Cushman noted they had their final meeting on December 8th and asked that everyone take time to review the recommendations from the committee that are in your SAU Joint Board packets. She spoke to the information board members should read noting First Students is recommended as the bus carrier going forward and explained why. Lastly she noted that the committee is not recommending seat belts at this time, but are suggesting a committee be formed with representation from all boards, community and parents to do a thorough study of seat belts. Should you want any more information about seatbelts or cameras, Mr. Lunney can provide that to you. Please read your transportation information and be ready to vote on Monday night;
5.3 SST Committee - Kim Casey – December 4: Ms. Casey reported on meetings by the Governance Board and the Building Committee. On January 16th, SST will be hosting a legislative reception to discuss the SST renovation.
5.4 SAU 16 Policy Committee - Patty Lovejoy – no meeting: Since Ms. Lovejoy has not received any feedback or questions on these policies she is bringing them forward for adoption. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Sally Oxnard and unanimously voted with no further discussion to adopt the following policies: BEDG – Minutes; EH – Data Management; GBEB – Staff Conduct; GBEBB – Employee-Student Relations; and BBBC – Board Member or District Officer Resignation.
5.5 SAU 16 Superintendent Evaluation Committee – Townley Chisholm – November 27: Mr. Chisholm discussed the superintendent evaluation documents that was in the board packet and noted he would welcome your questions or input. Motion by Dr. Oxnard, seconded by Ms. Magnusson that the board supports this superintendent evaluation document and recommends it to the SAU Joint Board. Discussion followed on evaluating the organization, not just the superintendent; basing evaluation on associate/assistant superintendents if do not work directly with superintendent; contact name from NHSBA to review document to Mr. Chisholm; adding column of N/A to document; filling out individually versus as a board; adding possible foot note or explanatory notes on evaluation. After no further discussion, Chair Kann called for a vote: unanimous.
5.6 SAU 16 Chairs' Meeting - Greg Kann – November 30: met 11/30/06 and discussed budget, and public hearing is 12/18 at 6:00 PM at SST with board beginning at 6:30 PM; discussed transportation committee information that was available and the proposed SAU 16 2007-08 calendar.
6.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Chair Kann explained that in packet was letter from our lawyer regarding issue of maintenance trust fund being used for renovations of TLC.
7.0 NEW BUSINESS:
Superintendent – all set; Ms. Cushman – all set.
Mr. Trueman – Motion by Mr.
Trueman, seconded by Ms. Magnusson that the Saturday,
January 6, 2007 budget work
session be taped for Channel 22.
Discussion followed that superintendent will get clarification from Mr. Bruno
if taping is available and how they would handle the time factor if motion
passes. Since no further discussion, Chair Kann called for
a vote: unanimous.
Ms. Casey - beginning of January, she hopes to organize a legislative session with other NH legislators to bring forth a bill on funding adequate education. Currently looking at January 9th and is encouraging board members to attend as she is prime sponsor of bill.
Ms. Lovejoy – asked what plans were to move board meetings to new high school and superintendent noted there was a meeting yesterday to look at the Roy Morrisette Alumni room and hope to be ready to move there for first board meeting in January.
Ms. Scott – all set.
Ms. Magnusson – thanked CMS and EHS music teachers and theater departments for all their good work.
Dr. Oxnard – all set.
Mr. Chisholm – shared his thoughts on reading of prepared statements at board meetings and commented on the superintendent’s letter in the Exeter News Letter. Ms. Magnusson left meeting
8.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
8.1 November 28, 2006: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously voted with no further discussion to accept the minutes as presented.
8.2 November 29, 2006 – Special meeting: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously voted with no further discussion to accept the minutes as presented.
9.0 NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Cushman and roll call voted with all voting in the affirmative to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II.(d) at 8:51 PM.
10.0 ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ms. Cushman, seconded by Dr. Oxnard and unanimously voted with no discussion to adjourn at 9:06 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary