Exeter Region Cooperative School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 13, 2007 – 7:00 PM

Exeter High School – Roy Morrisette Alumni Room

 

PRESENT: Greg Kann, Lucy Cushman, Ray Trueman, Patty Lovejoy, Robin
                        Scott, Kris Magnusson, Sally Oxnard, Townley Chisholm and John Atsalis

 

ABSENT:        Kim Casey

 

ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Tom O’Malley and Tony Baldasaro

 

1.0        CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Kann called the meeting to order at
7:03 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board members and administration introduced themselves.

 

2.0        ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Sam Bruno, SST Student Services Counselor commended EHS Principal Sokul, his administrative team and guidance staff on the wonderful job of moving over 400 students from EHS to SST for career day.  Also spoke to the fact that SST is now a “commuter school” for all students who attend and Mr. Sokul makes it a mandatory trip for all sophomores to visit SST so students will understand the courses SST offers and to reinforce that SST is a part of Exeter High School.

 

3.0        CHAIR’S REPORT

3.1        February 8th Deliberative Session: Chair Kann reported on the session.

3.2        February 20th Board Meeting: Chair Kann noted that the board, by consensus at the February 8th meeting, decided that the February 20th board meeting is not necessary.

3.3        Student Board Representatives’ Reports: School board representative John Atsalis reported on school activities.

            3.4        Finance: Chair Kann turned the meeting over to Mr. Lunney.

·         January Financial Statement: Mr. Lunney reviewed the Summary of Trust (see Attachment #1 pdf) noting the maintenance trust fund is still status quo until all the bids are in for the SAU renovation; and secondly (see Attachment #2 pdf), he discussed the 2/1/07 Financial Statement.  Discussion and questions on actual capital projects fund balance, cooperative apportionment breakdown for future reporting, status of the audit of EHS project; amount of general buyout ($1.2 million) and how much money is still owed on bond for CMS ($5.36 million) followed.

3.5               NECAP Testing Results – Tony Baldasaro: Mr. Baldasaro passed out information on the difference between a Norm Referenced test - designed to measure how a student’s performance compares with that of other students - and a Criterion Referenced test - that  does not compare student to student or school to school – (see Attachment #3 pdf) in standardized tests.  Explained we will not know our AYP status until June 2007; NECAP is looking at knowledge that was acquired the year before; reviewed some of comparative math results and writing results which were only taken by 8th grade students (see Attachment #4 pdf).  Explained writing prompt is hardest part and changes every year so cannot compare scores.  Mr. O’Malley updated board on where Math Focus group is now that they have this math data.  After reviewing his presentation, Mr. Baldasaro touched on some of the subgroup data he had planned to present at the 2/20 meeting.  Mr. Baldasaro discussed the two subgroups - economically disadvantaged and educationally disadvantaged students (SPED); noted that some schools do not even have enough students to have these subgroups; and shared information on the after school math tutoring imitative that is being paid for by AYP funds.

 

4.0        SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT

4.1        EHS Principal's Report: In Mr. Sokul’s absence, Superintendent Hanson reviewed the principal’s report: NEASC notification that EHS had been re-accredited; Songs for Maria Concert held 2/11/07 to benefit Maria Pearl Miller Scholarship Foundation raised $5,000; twelve senior female athletes were recognized at a state ceremony in Concord; new formed Parent Advisory Group hosting MySpace.com information night on 2/21/07; EHS efforts to address students who drop out rate at EHS (see below) and EHS Course Selection Guides for 07/08 were handed out with separate sheet detailing summary of new courses (see Attachment #5 pdf).

·         Drop-out Rate: This information was in your board packet (see Attachment #6 pdf) and board members discussed the data and that we are still working to improve our drop-out rate even though it has improved.   Asked if EHS does an “exit” interview?  Yes, if students first notify school they are going to drop, but sometimes they just stop attending.  Board requested the school make an effort to speak to all students that want to leave.  Efforts currently occurring to decrease drop-out rate: change schedule to be part time; have students explore community education through Adult Ed or consider Alternative Ed or GBeCS placement.

·         Exchange Students: Superintendent reported that EHS has not allowed exchange students for last couple of years due to space issues.  Have received a request for a Japanese student and would recommend the board give EHS board approval to investigate and determine if they want to allow exchange students for next year.  Motion by Dr. Oxnard, seconded by Mr. Chisholm to give EHS approval to investigate and determine if they want to allow exchange students each on an individualized basis for next year.  Discussion followed.  With no further discussion, Chair Kann called for a vote: unanimous.

4.2        Nominations and Resignations: None at this time.

4.3        New York Trip for CMS Drama Group – Tom O’Malley: Mr. O’Malley explained the purpose and itinerary for the NY drama group trip.  Leaving at 7:00 AM on April 14th and returning at 3:00 AM on April 15th.  Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by
Ms. Magnusson to approve the New York trip for the CMS drama group and thanked those chaperoning.  Mr. O’Malley also shared information on a request from Erik Cobb for a May 2008 Wind Ensemble to Rochester, NY, Niagara Falls and Toronto, Canada for 4 ½ days.  It is not a competition, but a performance tour with clinics for students to attend.  Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Magnusson to amend their first motion to include both the CMS drama group trip to New York City in April 2007 and the CMS Wind Ensemble trip in May 2008 to New York and Canada four 4 ½ days.  Since there was no discussion, Chair Kann called for a vote: unanimous.

Mr. O’Malley also shared the first place outcome of MathCounts at their competition in Durham and a letter he received acknowledging results of fundraising by the CMS Kids Who Care program.  Superintendent reported that with help from EEA union leadership, the third year of the staff survey will be administered and sent to UNH who should get results back to us sometime in May.

 

5.0        SAU 16/ERCSD COMMITTEE REPORTS

5.1        ERCSD Special Communications/Survey Committee – Dr. Oxnard – met January 24th
 and February 6th: Noted she was going to report what Dr. Hanson just shared about the survey (see Attachments #7 and #8).

5.2        SAU 16 Technology Committee – Greg Kann – met January 27th: Chair Kann was unable
to attend so no report.

5.3        SAU 16 Transportation - Lucy Cushman – no meeting: Can remove from agenda since
committee has finished meeting.

5.4        SST Committee - Kim Casey – met January 29th : Superintendent reported that the main
purpose of meeting was to look at some changes in design of SST due to some financial concerns and that the Governing Board and the Building Committee endorsed the changes.       

5.5        SAU 16 Policy Committee - Patty Lovejoy – met February 12th – First Reading: IHBBA – Limited English Proficiency Instruction; KB – Title I Parent Involvement in Education; and LEB – Advanced College Placement: Reviewed policies you received for a first reading and if you have any comments, please get them to Ms. Lovejoy.  Committee met last night and completed looking at all technology policies.  These policies will not come forward until the April meeting for a second reading.

5.6        SAU 16 Superintendent Evaluation Committee – Townley Chisholm – met February 1st: Reported that there were a lot of comments from evaluations and should be ready for 2/19 meeting.

5.7        SAU 16 Chairs' Meeting - Greg Kann – next meeting February 14th: Explained that due to
a minimal agenda and all the other district meetings that are taking place, meeting was cancelled.

 

6.0        UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.

 

7.0        NEW BUSINESS: Superintendent – all set. Mr. Kann – thank you presentation to Ms. Scott for her three years on the board; Ms. Cushman - spoke to this being the end of serving 11 years on this board with Mr. Kann who also served three years on the Exeter board and thanked him for his years of service and she had an engraved pen set as a token of the board’s appreciation to him for all his years of dedication and hard work.  Mr. Trueman, Ms. Lovejoy, Ms. Magnusson,
Dr. Oxnard and Mr. Chisholm all expressed their thanks for the time and commitment by both Mr. Kann and Ms. Scott; and Ms. Scott – spoke to why she had to make the hard decision to leave the board.

 

8.0        APPROVAL OF MINUTES

8.1               January 23, 2007 Board meeting: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously voted with no discussion to accept the January 23, 2007 minutes as presented.

8.2               February 8, 2007 Board meetings: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Magnusson and unanimously voted with no discussion to accept the February 8, 2007 minutes as presented.

 

9.0        NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.

 

10.0      ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ms. Magnusson, seconded by Ms. Scott and unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:12 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Sally Boyd, Secretary