MINUTES
Transition Committee Meeting – Thursday, January 19, 2006
6:30 PM – Culinary Arts Dining Room/SST
Present: Roy Morrisette, Jerry Frew, Angela Lennox, Bill Thompson, Rich Pratt, Jim Daley, Peg Gaillard, Ellen Cooke, Sam Bruno, Jennifer Kinsey, Ben Allen, Liz Faria, Robin Scott, Vic Sokul
Absent: Vicky Avery, Christine Coronis, John LeSage, Evan Mousseau, Joanne Pare, Anne Plumer-Fisher, Peter Stackhouse, Holly Tisdall
Pledge of Allegiance
Construction Update:
Everything is on schedule. Finish work being done now – gym subfloor on and main floor being done. Finish work in classrooms. Planning to turn school over late May early June.
Public Relations Update:
We went on the road and spoke to Brentwood Library last night – 25 community members in attendance. Pleased with questions, no issues, typical questions. Jennifer was with him. Very pleased with reception. Parents happy to get info. Tuesday - Stratham Memorial School 6 PM, February 6 - Rotary, February 23 - 8th gr. parents meeting. Will be publicized by CMS. That date came as a result of recommendation of 8th-9th grade transition subcommittee. K. Newcomb and students will be there as panelists with Vic. Will prep kids on questions that may be asked. Primarily to focus on 8th gr. parents. Like anything else public will be invited. March - Exeter PTO and two or three others not confirmed yet. Message has been received well so far.
With Donna Griswold’s help Vic has taken everything given to him and combined it into one report. Vic will present the final report on the 31st to the board. Vic went over the draft report and asked for feedback and notes from members.
Comments:
Is it necessary to tell the school committee of the options that were reviewed? Can we just say these are our recommendations? Roy – This is an opportunity to let them know this was part of the process. Community wants to know what else they looked at, etc. Vic – how can improve presentation? Ben- will board ask questions of him or will audience be able to ask questions?. Dr Hanson will meet with Vic to iron out the ground rules. Roy – usually there is opportunity for public input. Ben - perhaps take questions after each committee recommendation? Can add slide with questions between each section. Should cut back on detail of PR committee report. Define “stakeholders”. Define high school “best practices”. Spell it out or not say it. Tie it to NEAS&C report and how we are addressing recommendations. Long and short term- if they have a plan for this transition committee to be part of the long term. On the 31st, will they vote that night? Vic – hopes so, will ask Skip tomorrow. 2-3 subcommittee members should be at the meeting too. Several members gave suggestions for grammatical changes to report. Other suggestions were given to improve the report. Guidance counselor services to students will be explained in final report.
Next Steps? Are we done? Vic – this will be our last meeting – accomplished what we set out to. Report is done. We will meet on 31st to present recommendations to special board meeting. Subcommittee chairs invited to be there as resource persons. Vic will send everyone a copy of finished report before the board meeting.
Everyone was all set, and felt Vic did an excellent job!
Meeting adjourned 7:30 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mary E. Murphy