Tuesday, September 25, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Roy Morrisette Alumni Room
PRESENT: Sally Oxnard, Kris Magnusson, Lucy Cushman, Ray Trueman, Kim Casey, Patty
Lovejoy, Townley Chisholm, Tomasen Carey, Barbara RigordaEva and Caroline Young
ABSENT:
ADMINISTRATION: Arthur Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul, Margaret Callahan and Cindy Freyberger
1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Oxnard called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members introduced themselves.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Kathy Kahan, Stratham – spoke about the SAU 16 event calendar and its impact on the Jewish holidays and passed the Jewish Holiday Calendar handout (see Attachment #1 pdf). Lori Morrison, Stratham – also spoke about the Jewish holidays and asked board to look into adopting “special observance days” which other school districts have done. These are still school days, but on these “special observance days”, the schools do not have state/standardized testing or school sponsored events. Robin Connor, Newfields – is from the organization of Moms Preventing Triple E and is looking for uniform plan to be put in place to continuously safeguard out children and communities against Tripe E. This is not a reactive plan and is asking SAU 16 to support the overall plan devised by Health and Human Services. She also commended all schools in SAU 16 for the proactive approach they took. No action taken.
Mr. Sokul responded to Jewish holiday request noting he has a meeting on October 3rd at 8:00 AM at EHS with local clergy where volunteering will be addressed, but he will add to his agenda this holiday scheduling issue. Mr. Sokul would welcome to this meeting any of the local rabbis as he would encourage a broader perspective from other religions on this issue. Chair noted this is an issue that might be addressed at the SAU Joint Board with regards to scheduling of events in the other towns that house elementary schools.
3. CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 Decide on Meeting/Committee Structure: Chair discussed the compromised proposal she is presenting that comes from speaking with each of the board members on the phone. The board would meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month in a filmed format. There would be four committees:
A. Curriculum Committee – meets once a month
on the second Tuesday of the month at
7:00 PM with location to be decided;
B. Communication/Personnel Committee and Finance
Facilities Committee – these committees would meet on alternate months at 6:00 PM before the
Curriculum Committee, location to be decided;
C. Finance Committee – meets with the budget Advisory Committee with the understanding that a few extra meetings may be necessary
D. Committee Assignments:
Curriculum: Patty Lovejoy, Tomasen Carey, Barbara RigordaEva and Townley Chisholm
Communications/Personnel: Kris Magnusson,
Ray Trueman, Tomasen Carey,
Lucy Cushman
Facilities: Lucy Cushman, ray Trueman, Barbara RigordaEva, Kim Casey
Finance: Patty Lovejoy, Kim Casey, Kris Magnusson
Board members felt it was important for the Curriculum Committee to meet monthly and by meeting before the board meeting, the committee minutes could be included in the board packets. All board members are welcome to attend any meetings. Motion by Mr. Chisholm, and seconded by Mr. Trueman to adopt the above proposed committee meeting schedule and members on each committee. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, Chair called for a vote: unanimous. Ms. Magnusson discussed that she had contacted the New Hampshire School Boards Association and they will be here on Tuesday, November 13th at 6:00 PM at the SAU Offices to discuss board members duties with regards to policy, the Right To Know, etc. 10th Annual Best Practices Conference on Education for All Children – if any board members wants to attend, this conference will be in Concord on November 1st and 2nd and you need to let Sally know by end of next week so she can register everyone.
3.2 Assigned Committees, if Necessary: See above
3.3 Student Representatives Reports: Caroline Young, EHS sophomore, reported on activities at the school.
4. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 Principals Reports & Principal’s Goals:
Superintendent that the principals’ goals were in your board packets along with
their reports. Mr. O’Malley is at the CMS Open House this evening.
Mr. Sokul introduced Cindy Freyberger, the new EHS Curriculum Coordinator. With
the new board meeting schedule, Chair Oxnard will advise Mr. Sokul when to bring
his report on Freshman Transition to board. Mr. Sokul reviewed his board report
and goals (see Attachments #2
pdf and #2b
pdf). Discussion followed on professional development
at EHS; drop out goal report will come to board at later date; status of
committee reviewing leveling and that it should take most of year to
review/study with hopes of setting rubrics for all departments to consistently
follow.
Ms. Callahan reviewed her “activities” sheet and goals (see Attachments #3
pdf and #3b pdf) and
spoke to State initiative to earn environment/green “points” with renovation..
Mr. Sokul discussed an EHS proposal to the board regarding upcoming NECAP
testing period. He is requesting three delayed openings in a row for October 10th,
11th and 12th (Wednesday through Friday) in hopes of
accomplishing a testing environment that is “good” for junior students versus
having to displace many other students/staff if the testing occurs when all
students are in the building. Mr. Sokul detailed his plan and discussion
followed by board members on the request. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy with a
second by Ms. Casey to allow Mr. Sokul to have delayed openings at EHS on
October 10th, 11th and 12th for NECAP testing
for juniors. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, the Chair
called for a vote: Yes 5, No 4 (Magnusson, Trueman, Chisholm, Carey). Motion
passes.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 Special Survey Committee: Superintendent noted that the brief minutes of the Special Survey Committee which met on Tuesday, September 18th were sent by email to the board (see Attachment #4 pdf) and meeting content was reviewed, noting no motions or votes were taken at the meeting. Motion by Ms. Magnusson that Superintendent present the board with a proposal to engage the consultative services of NWEA to analyze test data for past three years for 2006-2007 8th grade class and to advise how we go from testing fall to spring to test only in the spring. Motion was seconded by Mr. Chisholm. Discussion followed. Comment that the NWEA report could be written. The question was moved and the Chair called for a vote: Yes – 4 (Magnusson, Chisholm, Trueman, RigordaEva) No – 4 (Cushman, Casey, Lovejoy, Oxnard) Abstain (Carey). Motion does not pass. Motion by Ms. RigordaEva with second by Ms. Casey that the CMS administration would look into cost of NWEA producing this data and report back to board. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, Chair called for a vote: Yes – 2; No – 7 (Cushman, Trueman, Casey, Magnusson and Oxnard, Chisholm, Carey). Motion fails. Motion by Mr. Chisholm per Parliamentary Procedures, to move Ms. Magnusson’s original motion (that Superintendent present the board with a proposal to engage the consultative services of NWEA to analyze test data for past three years for 2006-2007 8th grade class and to advise how we go from testing fall to spring to test only in the spring) since it ended with a tie vote, with second by Ms. Magnusson. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, Chair called for a vote: Yes – 5; No – 3 (Cushman, Casey, Lovejoy) Chair did not vote. Motion passes.
5.2 SAU Policy Committee: Ms. Lovejoy explained that the policies coming forward for a first reading (GBGBA – Use of Automated External Defibrillators; IMG – Animals in School; JLCH – Do Not Resuscitate Orders and KDC-R – Website Publishing Policy) were in your August board meeting packet and if you have any comments on these policies, please let her know. Policy JEB – Age of Entrance is a policy the committee is reviewing, but it is not something tat affects CMS or EHS so the “review” date on it will be changed.
5.3 Superintendent Search Committee: Mr.
Chisholm noted the two subcommittees responsible for
a) evaluating the initial applicant packages and designing the interview
questions and b) planning candidates' visits to SAU 16 and committee site
visits are continuing their meetings and tasks.
6. Old/New Business: Chair gave the Superintendent a letter she had received that needed to be addressed by the Facilities Committee; Ms. Magnusson had questions regarding Great Bay eLearning Charter School and the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School. Superintendent encouraged anyone with questions to visit the SAU Office and review charters, etc. Mr. Chisholm asked about the status of staff and implement specific aspects of PowerSchool/Parent Portal. Chair Oxnard said superintendent could respond at a later date. E-mails to teachers at EHS are being returned. The superintendent explained that in an effort to block spam, the filters are sometimes set very tight and thus block incoming mail. It is a constant balancing act for the IT department and he would suggest that anyone whose e-mail to a teacher is being returned needs to contact that teacher to let them know so they, in turn, can contact their IT administrator. Ms. RigordaEva clarified information that was in the Exeter NewsLetter that she felt was incorrect and that the board follow-up with concerns they heard from Ms. Garneau. Ms. Carey shared her hopes for the upcoming possibilities of Performance Pathways (NECAP) to eliminate the need for NWEA in the future.
7. Public Input: Nathan Merrill, Stratham – asked for clarification of why SAU Joint Board was requested by VLACS to guarantee assets for a loan if the SAU Joint Board has no jurisdiction or connection to VLACS. Superintendent noted that VLACS could have gone to any board to request they guarantee the assets if the charter did not go forward and it is the responsibility of those present to ask questions at any time.
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
7.1 September
11, 2007 Minutes: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Tomasen Carey
and unanimously board voted to approve the September 11, 2007 minutes as
presented.
9. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.
10. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Mr. Trueman, seconded by Ms. Casey and unanimously board
voted to adjourn at 9:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Boyd, Secretary