Present: Sally Oxnard, Kris Magnusson, Ray Trueman, Lucy
Cushman, Kim Casey,
Patty Lovejoy, Townley Chisholm, Tomasen Carey and
Barbara Collins
Absent: N/A
Administration: Arthur
Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul, Tom O’Malley, Margaret
Callahan, Peter Stackhouse, Tony Baldasaro and Bill Perkins
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. Chair Oxnard stated, given all the GBeCS parents in attendance at
the meeting, that information the board asked for regarding GBeCS does not mean
that the board is planning to scrutinize the school’s budget in any way.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Chair Oxnard explained that she, as always, will allow 15 minutes for public input. Janet Prior, 8th grade English teacher at CMS read a statement (see Attachment #1 pdf) of consensus from the CMS faculty regarding not changing the parent survey questions from the ones originally asked. Anne Sloan, Stratham resident and GBeCS parent of two and a trustee shared that there are three GBeCS students who would like to read a statement to the board. She further shared information about the school, current senior college acceptances, cost of students to attend the school, etc. Chair responded that none of the information she shared is news to the board. The following three GBeCS students spoke regarding their positive experiences at the school: Grace Bailey, Trevor Butler and Olivia Orovich.
3. CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 February 7th 2008 Deliberative Session: Mr. Lunney shared information (see Attachment #2 pdf) on the polling places for the March election and information on the warrant articles after the Deliberative Session on February 7th. Chair Oxnard noted which warrant articles were board supported and/or Budget Advisory Committee supported.
3.2 ERCSD Communications Committee Survey: Chair asked members to weight the previous survey questions and will review the weighted questions next Tuesday at the Communications Committee meeting at EHS Roy Morrisette Alumni Room. Board member spoke to the 72 CMS teachers who signed the statement read by Mrs. Prior regarding not adding additional questions to the original parent survey.
3.2 2007 – 2008 ERCSD Goals: Chair Oxnard noted the 2007-2008 board goals were in your board packet and reviewed status of the goals. Superintendent added that he felt we are ahead of the curve regarding goal #2 (Review the programmatic and financial impact of the legislation that becomes effective SY 2009-2010 that raises the drop-out rate from age 16 to age 18) with the various alternatives we offer to enable students to graduate. Our current dropout rate is 2.2% and not sure what the state’s average rate is. Goal #3 (Recommend programs and resources that will reduce harmful adolescent behavior [adult harassment, student harassment, substance abuse, Internet dangers, etc.]) was currently addressed with the Internet Safety workshop held at EHS that had about 120 parents in attendance and was one of the most successful ones we have ever had.
3.3 Student Board Representatives’ Reports: Caroline Young and Brad Kelly gave the EHS student reports. The superintendent announced noted that Brad Kelly had signed a letter of intent to attend West Point College.
4. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT: The three
retiring school board members, Ms. Cushman, Ms. Casey and Chair Oxnard were
acknowledged by Ms. Lovejoy (two members) and Mr. Chisholm respectively. All
were given board appreciation gifts.
4.1 Principals’ Report: Superintendent noted
that three reports were in the packet and asked if anyone had any questions of
the principals. Chair Oxnard commented on CMS report and felt it contained viable
information to share with the board; CMS teacher, Ms. Whitemore, spoke to CMS
Chamber Theatre production for Friday, February 22nd. Mr. Sokul
handed out “Cool Stuff at EHS” which is a synopsis of what is happening in
individual classrooms/departments and asked board be aware of the technology
references in these different departments. This information came straight from
his staff today and he hopes the board can read at their leisure. Feel free to
email Mr. Sokul or any of these teachers if you have any questions/comments.
Question if progress reports will no longer be printed because parents can
access the grades via the parent portal? Mr. Sokul noted that is correct since
parents know they can get grades every two weeks. He also commented on his
core competency work he is doing which hopes to be completed by end of this
year. He is also doing literacy planning and the EHS literacy work group is trying
to put together a Literacy Day on March 11th in conjunction with SAU
group. Mr. Sokul discussed the Leveling Committee, again noting that this
committee is in no way trying to do away with leveling. The committee is
looking at leveling because the level expectations have not been clear enough.
Reading lab enrollments are beginning to decrease and he plans to decrease the
number of math labs from 7 to 5 and leave literacy labs at 4 sections for next
year. This year have about 70 students in math labs and about 40 students in
literacy labs.
Ms. Callahan publicly thanked the SST Parent Advisory Council for their
fundraising efforts and support of the school. SST is in midst of two Career
Fair days at SST when all 10th graders and some 9th
graders from all sending schools come to visit and see the programs available
at SST. SST health, sciences and technology had their open house this evening
and SST will be hosting the Coop Board coffee next Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM in new
conference room.
4.2 CMS Good-to-Great Committee Report: Mr. Baldasaro, co-facilitator of the group, updated the board with background information on the committee; reported that the committee has had six meetings to date; noted why staff wanted to participate on committee; purpose for the group; possible concerns to discuss; members felt purpose was not about raising test scores, but about improving the quality of education at CMS and areas we think we can improve; faculty was asked what they thought the school needed to do to be a great school, but also feel a lot of great things already go on in this school; from December meeting 10-11 items were generated; shared what they did at their January early release day – top 4 areas to review (more common planning time as a group; social, emotional needs for students; curriculum wise to ensure moving towards greatness;); broke into four subcommittees to work on each of areas to review. Since he is on the Curriculum Subcommittee of the Good-To-Great Committee, Mr. Baldasaro shared information that came from their meeting. April 10th and 11th will be a presentation on professional learning communities that embodies many of the ideas we just talked about – meaningful, rich curriculum with common planning time as a group. Discussion from board followed.
4.3 EHS Draft Attendance Policy: Mr. Sokul asked board if anyone had questions on this new attendance policy (see Attachment #3 pdf). Much discussion followed on the policy with school representative Brad Kelly and Caroline Young sharing their thoughts. Mr. Sokul noted he will implement the policy at start of next school year if board approves. Currently students have unlimited absences and Mr. Sokul feels that is wrong. He further noted that most all schools are struggling with attendance policies and this policy falls right in the middle of the pack in terms of restrictions. Motion by Ms. Cushman, seconded by Ms. RigordaEva and unanimously board voted to accept the attendance policy as presented. Ms. Lovejoy noted this policy should go to the policy committee to make sure it is formatted the same as all other policies. Mr. Sokul feels this interfaces with the Truancy Policy quite well and is compliant.
4.4 EHS Draft Mission Statement: Mr. Sokul noted the school will have a re-accreditation visit in 2010 and one of the key issues is to update the EHS mission statement (The Exeter High School community strives to provide a rigorous and comprehensive education that inspires and challenges all students to become engaged and successful adults.). A committee was convened last March and have been meeting since that time with representation of administration, staff and students. Mr. Sokul is asking for board approval on this. The EHS faculty voted unanimously in favor of this mission statement. Motion by Ms. Carey, seconded by Ms. Casey and unanimously board voted to accept the following mission statement for Exeter High School: The Exeter High School community strives to provide a rigorous and comprehensive education that inspires and challenges all students to become engaged and successful adults.
4.5 Reports on GBeCS and VLACS: Superintendent
asked if anyone had questions to please ask them. The board members had the
following questions regarding VLACS: What does a course assignment consist of
and how do students and families pay for this? Course assignment means one
course and funding comes from the state which pays $3600/student divided by 5
so $700 per course. The monies come out of the Educational Trust Fund. Ms.
Casey gave clarification on the Educational Trust Fund. Superintendent noted
GBeCS and VLACS were built on assumption each student would receive $3600 from
state; as long as ERCSD Board supports GBeCS, the should be financially stable
and the VLACS should be financially stable as long as the state can support $3600/student
or $700 per course. Discussion continued on the formation of VLACS. Motion
by Ms. Magnusson, seconded by Ms. RigordaEva that the ERCSD ask to clarify
from the New Hampshire Board of Education (NHBOE), not only the motion the
NHBOE made for the VLACS charter, but the charter they issued for the VLACS to
the ERCSD and to also clarify if the name on the application appoints the
trustees. Discussion followed. Mr. Trueman moved the question with a second
by Ms. Casey. Vote to move the questions: 7-1 (Magnusson). Chair Oxnard called
for a vote on the motion: Yes - 4; No – 4 (Cushman, Casey, Lovejoy, Tomasen)
– tie vote so motion fails. Discussion followed on how many students
from ERCSD will be taking courses at the VLACS and if so, how many can they
take. Superintendent noted Mr. Sokul has a committee looking into that
question and he will get back to the board. Mr. Chisholm insisted that should
be a discussion topic at the February Curriculum Committee meeting. Mr.
O’Malley noted CMS has one student currently enrolled in the VLACS taking a
math course and he would expect that number to grow.
GBeCS Update – Chair Oxnard explained she is look for a cost per student and
revenue per student. Mr. Lunney noted the report addressed 2006-07 as that is
the most recent complete fiscal year available. The report addresses the ERCSD
costs for GBeCS, but does not include federal funds expended. The total
spending in that year was about $7300 per student and does not include
transportation or SPED which are the statutory obligations of the sending
district. Mr. Trueman was asking about the pro forma for the transportation
and SPED costs for GBeCS students just like we would show for EHS students. He
expressed concern that the space and utility costs seems low. Mr. Lunney suggested
that the Budget Advisory Committee intends to review in detail the carrying
costs for all facilities, including the Tuck Learning Campus. A clearer
picture of the facility costs of GBeCS should be a result of that effort this
coming year.
EHS Handbook: Mr. Sokul noted that since his last meeting with board
(February 7th), he went back to leadership team to discuss the
handbook issue. He has not received any calls from parents or teachers and gave
background on how the program of studies is reviewed each year. Some board
members, along with Mr. Sokul, felt he had the autonomy as principal to make
minor changes to the handbook, although some board members disagreed. After
much discussion, on a motion by Mr. Chisholm, seconded by Ms. Magnusson, to
move that this board direct the EHS administration to return to the traditional
way of designating courses by numbers by re-printing the 2008-2009 course
catalog without any of these changes and that the $4000 required to do so be
taken from administrative funds or
Mr. Sokul’s salary. Dr. Angela Lennox,
Learning Area Leader for EHS Science Department, explained why EHS has gone
from numbers to descriptives because their school profile was not in sync with
other high schools’courses so these changes would give colleges comparative
courses to evaluate. Further discussion followed. Amendment by Ms.
RigordaEva, seconded by Ms. Magnusson to say that this board direct the EHS
administration to return to the traditional way of designating courses by
numbers by re-printing the 2008-2009 course catalog. Mr. Sokul, and then
Mr. O’Malley, noted that the day they (the board) remove monies from their
salaries for any errors they made, will be their last day. Vote on
amendment: Yes – 4; No – 4 (Cushman, Casey, Lovejoy, Tomasen) – tie vote
so motion fails. Motion by Mr. Trueman, seconded by Mr. Chisholm to
move that this board direct the EHS administration to return to the
traditional way of designating courses by numbers by re-printing the 2008-2009
course catalog without any of these changes and that the $4000 required to do
so be taken from administrative funds. Discussion followed. Vote on
amendment: Yes – 3; No – 4 (Cushman, Casey, Lovejoy, Tomasen); Abstain – 1
(RigordaEva) – motion fails. Chair Oxnard called for a vote on original motion. Ms. Lovejoy
motioned to move the original motion with second by Ms. Casey. Vote to move
the question: Yes – 5; No – 3 (Magnusson, Trueman, Chisholm) - motion passes to
move the vote on the original motion. Chair Oxnard called for a vote on
the original motion: Yes – 3; No – 4 (Cushman, Casey, Lovejoy, Carey); Abstain
– RigordaEva – motion fails. Dr. Lennox explained that there is a course
selection sheet that goes with the course selection guide and it shows both the
course numbers and course information and students get both pieces of
information. The board will ask EHS administration to reprint page 3 from its
current status and hand that out with the course selection guide for students
to insert. No further motions so board is all set with direction Mr. Sokul is
to take on this issue.
4.6 NECAP Testing Results: Mr. Baldasaro handed out a brief report on NECAP testing results (see Attachment #4 pdf) noting that page 1 was a summary. Briefly went over numbers and noted he is cautiously optimistic that CMS will make AYP and no longer be a school in need of improvement; saw remarkable gains especially in the SES (Supplemental Educational Services) group; saw retreating in a couple of areas and he can address at another time; vastly out performed the state; last page of packet shows how our school compares to other schools across the state; recognized that our level 4 students and level 1 students remain fairly consistent; saw some migration between level 2 and level 3 which Dr. Cronin discussed and CMS is reviewing; some of rankings are dropping a bit and some of smaller schools are gaining on us very rapidly, but with schools of similar sizes, we are doing well. Mr. O’Malley reminded board that according to NCLB, all schools have to be at 100% proficiency by 2014. This data reflects 11, 12 and 13 year old children. Not sorted by gender, but Tony can get at a later meeting, but statewide, girls vastly outperform the boys.
4.7 Nomination & Resignations: Superintendent explained that two CMC employees would like to job share and asked Mr. O’Malley to explain. Mr. O’Malley noted that Joe O’Donnell and Bill Taylor, both PE/Wellness teachers, are retiring at the end of this year and they would like to job share. Discussion followed on the background, classes, benefits of retaining long term teachers, , etc. that would affect this one position. Mr. O’Malley would ask board to support this job sharing position and then would only need to hire one PE/Wellness teacher. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy with a second by Ms. RigordaEva to allow CMS teachers Joe O’Donnell and Bill Taylor to job share a PE/Wellness position effective 2008-2009. Discussion that they would receive one half salary and one half benefits and would retain EEA rights. Additionally, these individuals would share the traffic directing position on Guinea Road. Without further discussion, Chair Oxnard called for a vote: 7-1 (Trueman) – motion passes.
5. SAU 16/ERCSD COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 ERCSD Curriculum Committee (January 22nd) – Tomasen Carey: Next week meeting should be at EHS Roy Morrisette Alumni Room and will begin at 6:00 PM with Communications and 7:30 PM for Curriculum.
5.2 SAU 16 Technology Committee (January 25th) – Patty Lovejoy: Emphasis of meeting is on continued training for teachers; Moodle; use of laptops by teachers agreement/policy; and committee will meet again next Friday, February 22nd.
5.3 SST Committee (January 28th )– Ray Trueman: No meeting in February.
5.4 SAU 16 Policy Committee (January 31st) – Patty Lovejoy: The committee has a couple of policies coming forward so will wait until March meeting to have first reading since there will be new board members at that time.
5.5 SAU 16 Superintendent Search – Townley Chisholm: Search has been completed
5.6 SAU 16 Chairs' Meeting (February 6th) – Dr. Oxnard: No meeting; SAU Joint Board meeting is here in the Roy Morrisette Room on Monday, February 18th at 7:00 PM
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Ms. Cushman explained that when the new high school was built, we were required to put land into a conservation easement to mitigate wetlands usage. Because of the time required to process a conservation easement, the documents have now been assembled and written and reviewed by our legal counsel, and we need to execute them. Ms. Magnusson would first like to review the documents before agreeing to sign them so make sure we do not miss possible opportunities to use this land for other purposes if needed. Ms. Cushman explained that land in a conservation easement is restrictive in use and could not be used for another entrance to the school or for a school building of any kind. The land is very advantageous for the school and you could maybe build a sugar shack to study making maple sugar, but the uses are extremely limited and the terms in this easement are those that the board agreed to when they build the new high school. At this point, you cannot make a substantive change to the agreement. The board needs to authorize Chair Oxnard to sign on their behalf. It was noted that we did the same thing when we built the Cooperative Middle School. Motion by Ms. Cushman and seconded by Ms. Lovejoy to authorize Chair Oxnard to sign the conservation easement on behalf of the ERCSD Board. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, Chair Oxnard called for a vote: Yes – 5; No – 3 (Magnusson, Trueman and RigordaEva) – motion passes. Ms. Cushman further noted that she will need a short non-public session after the board meeting.
7. NEW BUSINESS: None at this time.
8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy,
seconded by Ms. Casey and unanimously voted to approve the Budget Work Session
minutes of January 5, 2008, the Board Meeting minutes of January 10, 2008 and the
Public Hearing on Proposed 08-09 Budget of
January 10, 2008.
8.1 January 5, 2008 – Budget Work Session
8.2 January 10, 2008 Board Meeting
8.3
January 10, 2008 Public Hearing on Budget
9. PUBLIC COMMENT: Jim Johnson, Brentwood spoke about VLACS.
10. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Motion by Ms. Casey, seconded by Ms. Lovejoy and unanimously voted to go into non-public session at 10:36 PM under RSA 91-A:3 II.(d). Roll call vote taken with all voting in the affirmative.
11. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Ms. Carey, seconded by Mr. Chisholm and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to adjourn at 10:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally S. Boyd, Secretary