Tuesday, September 11, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Roy Morrisette Alumni Room
Present: Sally Oxnard, Kris Magnusson, Ray Trueman, Lucy
Cushman, Kim Casey,
Patty Lovejoy, Townley Chisholm, Tomasen Carey and Barbara
Collins and Brad Kelly
Absent: N/A
Administration: Arthur
Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul, Tom O’Malley, Margaret
Callahan, Peter Stackhouse, Tony Baldasaro, Bill Perkins and John LeSage
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Oxnard called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Immediately following the Pledge, she requested a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks and that out thoughts are with those family members left behind.
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: The Chair explained that she would like to add a 15 minute Public Input section at the end of the meeting since audience members sometimes would like an opportunity to comment on the board agenda items at the end of the meeting. If the board is agreeable to this, she would ask for a motion. Motion by Mr. Chisholm, seconded by Ms. Magnusson and unanimously board voted with no discussion to add a second Public Input (15 minutes) at the end of the board meeting agenda.
4. CHAIR’S REPORT
4.1 Overall Meeting/Committee Structure: The board had a lengthy discussion on the pros and cons of having two filmed board meetings a month instead of the previous format of one filmed meeting a month with four not filmed subcommittee meetings a month. Board members shared that they felt current two filmed meetings a month: does not offer a comfortable setting for teacher input, limited time for detailed conversation on various issues, and board does not accomplish as much in this setting. Board members noted that with the previous one filmed meeting per month and four not filmed subcommittee meetings per month, this set up offers: more honest discussion, could reopen concern on “transparency” since meetings not filmed; would increase number of meetings administration needs to attend, who would do agendas and minutes on a timely basis, felt committees worked very well, concerned that in the past if a board member was not on the committee and a board vote was needed on a committee issue, a vote would be deferred because the member did not have enough information to make a decision and if we go back to this structure, we will need to be willing to listen to report of committee and make a decision without putting it off due to lack of information by non-committee members. Further points made about re-instating committees: still need a finance committee that will work in conjunction with budget advisory committee, but it is the Coop’s budget so other members on board should be attending these meetings, not just Patty; facilities has no pressing issues so could become a committee that meets quarterly, but in spring can focus on facilities issues that might need encumbered monies at June work session; the policy part of the original Personnel, Policy and Communications Committee, is now discussed at the SAU Policy Committee and that meets once a month as does other SAU committees which any board member or public may attend. Ms. Casey arrived. Superintendent noted that if the Facilities Committee could meet quarterly, then one committee could take care of communications, curriculum and personnel issues, but board needs to keep in mind that there will be a new superintendent coming in and currently, the superintendent attends the following meetings: Coop board (2 a month) and any subcommittees (as needed), SAU Policy (monthly), SAU Joint Chairs (monthly), SAU Joint Board (4 times a year), SST Governing Board (monthly), GBeCS Trustees (every other month) and Stratham School Board (monthly). With regards to administration developing the agendas and taking the minutes for committees, the Superintendent explained that this would occur with the understanding that only action items, some bulleted key points and motions would be noted in the minutes. Mr. Pierce could do Facilities, Mr. Lunney the Finance/Bud Com and he would oversee Survey, Communications and Personnel committee. The board would need to agree on the agenda and minute procedure mentioned for this to occur. After further discussion, Chair Oxnard noted that the Special Survey Committee will meet next Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 7:00 PM at the SAU and the board should plan to vote at the September 25th meeting on what committees will come forward, their format and when they will meet.
4.2 Review Committee Assignments: Board members reviewed the 2007-08 SAU Committee List that was in their SAU Joint Board packet noting what Coop board members serve on what committees. Additionally, Ms. Lovejoy is the representative to the SAU Technology Committee.
4.3 Student Representatives Reports: Student representative Brad Kelly reported on opening of school and current school activities. Student Senate meetings are held on Thursday mornings at 7:00 AM in Room G209 and board members are welcome to attend.
5. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
5.1 Principals Reports: Superintendent noted
that the board, in their packet, had an overview from each of the principals. Mr.
Sokul commented on three things; NWEA testing at EHS; EEE precautions being
taken at EHS; and preliminary enrollment figures show 1670, but should see some
changes this month. He also clarified from the last meeting that A/P English in
2005-06 was taught by Mrs. Wazlaw not Ms. Wheeler-Smith. He handed out the
2007-08 EHS School Profile (see Attachment #1 pdf) and explained how the document
is used (published by guidance for sending out to colleges for a snapshot of
the school). Discussed that this fall the athletes at EHS involved in contact
sports (girls and boys soccer, field hockey and football) participated, at no
cost, in the Access Sports Medicine ImPACT baseline test. This is a cognitive
test that provides a baseline measurement should a student sustain a head
injury or if a concussion is suspected. If a head injury occurs, the
consequences could spill over into the classroom and this test provides good
information for both educational and possible physical rehabilitative
purposes. Lastly, the first yearly Parent Advisory Meeting will be held on
September 19th at 7:00 PM in the Roy Morrisette Alumni Room to discuss EHS
Athletics and Policies. Status of implementing PowerSchool at EHS was
discussed.
Mrs. Callahan discussed SST enrollment (640); Project Running Start; Oct 10th
open house; PM preschool beginning; renovations update; and middle school
technology fun nights.
Superintendent explained that he has asked Mr. O’Malley to forego his report so
he can discuss an alternative plan he has for the .6 position since CMS is
still unable to secure an exploratory world language teacher. Mr. O’Malley
discussed filling the 6th grade rotation void with a math
engineering option for 6th graders and handed out and discussed the
6th Grade Rotation 2007/08 (see Attachment #2
pdf). He is asking to
hire a .6 highly qualified teacher in math and offer our 6th grade students
some additional math opportunities. The difference in this proposal from last
meeting is that it is not an honors program and students do not have to make a
choice as this program would become part of the rotation. This is a different
program that the previous model that was presented which involved 6th,
7th, and 8th graders. This is at no cost to the school.
Superintendent added that this has to be a pilot program as board has to make
decision on whether next year CMS would go back to the exploratory world
languages if a an instructor could be found. After further discussion, motion
by Mr. Trueman, seconded by Ms. Casey and unanimously board voted with no
further discussion to add the pre-engineering program to the 6th
grade as a pilot program. Mr. O’Malley shared that the thoughts of the
staff and students at CMS are with their fellow Newfields student and his
family who are currently dealing with EEE at Boston Children’s Hospital. PowerSchool
at CMS was discussed and that the staff was in the process of aligning their
goals with both the Coop and SAU goals. Lastly, Mr. O’Malley addressed a
question on how NWEA testing went at CMS.
5.2 Financial Report – Nathan Lunney: Mr. Lunney reviewed the Account Summary of Trust Funds – July 31, 2007 (Attachment #3 pdf), noting other than interest that has been posted, the information is the same since last report; reviewed the 9/6/07 Appropriations Report by Fund and Function (Attachment #4 pdf), explaining that we have just opened school and this shows a substantial portion of budget that has been unencumbered since it is still early to draw any conclusions, Lastly, he discussed the Schedule of Meetings for the Budget Advisory Committee (Attachment #5 pdf) and Chair Oxnard reported the chair of that committee, Bobby Aldridge, will be at the October 23rd meeting to speak to board.
5.3 Progress Towards 2007 – 2008 Goals: Superintendent noted the 2007-08 ERCSD Goals are located on the SAU 16 Website under Schools → ERCSD → Board Goals and updated the board on the status of each. In response to a board member question, he reminded the board that the SRO for CMS was not a goal the board chose for 2007-008. Board discussed visiting the schools (CMS, EHS, GBeCS, Alternative Ed and SST) and would like to visit all schools at least once a semester, noting GBeCS and Alternative Ed can both be visited on the same day. Their visit would be in the form of having coffee with the staff. Mr. Sokul noted the board can also visit EHS staff luncheons that occur every block day (between 11:15 and 12:40 on Wednesday and Thursday). Superintendent will bring a schedule to next board meeting so board can advise what they will attend.
5.4 Nominations and Resignations: None at this time
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1 Budget Advisory Committee Report – deferred to 10/23/07 meeting.
6.2 Special Survey Committee: Ms. Cushman noted
that of the committee members, only she and
Dr. Oxnard were present along with administration and Ms. Fowler from UNH Survey Center.
Outcome of meeting from Ms. Fowler was that when the board knows what they want
to ask and what they will do with the information when they receive it, then
Ms. Fowler will come back to assist with creating a survey. Discussion
followed on either using UNH to review all the CMS data to date on testing to
give an independent assessment of the information or using NWEA which, has
three years worth of cohort data, but also has a vested interest in us since we
are a purchasing client of theirs. Current committee members are Ms. Cushman,
Ms. Magnusson and Mr. Chisholm and board members are invited to attend to be
the fourth member (under five to avoid having a quorum).
6.3 Proposed Curriculum and Philosophy Committee: Superintendent will bring a proposed model for the new Curriculum, Survey and Personnel Committee to next board meeting for discussion.
7. Old/New Business: Mr. Chisholm noted he would like to discuss the status of mixed ability grouping at the Cooperative Middle School and the Chair noted that the discussion could begin this evening. Board members expressed their feelings on the subject. No action was taken and the Chair noted that the policies that had come forward for a first reading at the August 28, 2007 meeting, but were deferred, will be brought forward for the September 25th meeting.
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
8.1 June 19, 2007: Motion by Ms. Magnusson, seconded by Mr. Carey and voted 7-0-1 (Chair did not vote and abstention by Ms. Magnusson) with no further discussion to approve the June 19, 1007 minutes as presented.
8.2 August 28, 2007: Motion by Ms. Magnusson, seconded by Ms. Casey and voted 8-0 (Chair abstained) with no further discussion to approve the August 28, 2007 minutes as presented.
9. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None
PUBLIC INPUT: Sue Garneau, CMS Reading Teacher – spoke to subcommittee meeting she attended in June where she expressed her concerns with the reporting she was going to be required to do on the PowerSchool Parent Portal without sufficient IT training. She left meeting thinking her concerns were going to be addressed and they were not. She understood part of the reason for using PowerSchool was to communicate more information with parents so as to improve staff/parent communications. She shared the means she is currently using to communicate with parents which she feels are on a more personal level. Superintendent responded that EEA President Mrs. MacArthur-Keith will be meeting with Assistant Superintendent of Technology Steve Kossakoski next Thursday to begin a discussion on use of PowerSchool by staff. Discussion continued on parent portal with input from Mr. Sokul and Mr. Batchelder, EEA representative at EHS. Superintendent suggested that teachers first work with administration in their buildings on this issue and then come back to the board with some proposals. Mrs. Whitmore, CMS teacher, spoke of a group of CMS teachers, Leadership Team and ten additional volunteers, who will be glad to meet with board on a regular basis
10. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Casey and board voted 8-0 (Chair abstained) to adjourn at 9:16 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally S. Boyd
Secretary