Tuesday, April 22, 2008 – 6:45 PM
Roy Morrisette Alumni Room – Exeter High School
Present: Ray Trueman, Patty Lovejoy, Kris Magnusson, Townley Chisholm, Tomasen
Carey,
Barbara Collins RigordaEva, Kate Segal and Jennifer Maher
Absent: N/A
Administration: Arthur Hanson, Nathan Lunney, Victor Sokul, Dick Wendell, Steve Kossakoski, Margaret Callahan and Bill Perkins
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Trueman called the meeting to order at 6:52 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. He then gave an explanation that there is now a Public Input sign up sheet for anyone wishing to speak at the beginning of the meeting.
1.1 VLACS – Steve Kossakoski and Gary Tirone: Steve Kossakoski, Assistant Superintendent SAU 16 and also serves 20% of his time at VLACS shared the following information on VLACS:
· To date, they have 710 enrollments with about 600 students;
· Students come from over 104 communities throughout NH and represent over 75% of SAU’s over the state;
· Various types of students participate and have had a lot of very, very positive stories to tell;
· This evening, NH Public TV at 7:30 PM will be showcasing the school and you can also go to their Website to view the segment. Steve then turned the meeting over to Gary Tirone, Chief Learning Officer at VLACS.
· Mr. Tirone gave out a VLACS information packet to each board member and reviewed specifics in the packet.
· Gave a packet on VLACS to all board members are reviewed the information in the packet. This is NH’s first statewide virtual charter school.
· VLACS is a NH state approved school and all courses either carry a half credit or a full credit. All teachers are NH certified and most teachers are currently working in other high schools.
· Shared the various ways a student interacts with their instructor(s
· No cost to the school for any of their students taking VLACS classes.
· Reviewed the School Partnership Options - Level 1, 2 or 3.
· EHS has 12 students taking 23 courses and the EHS guidance counselor can: chart the progress of those students at VLACS, they can see any contact that has occurred between the student and the teacher; and teacher and parent.
· Mr. Tirone discussed and answered the following questions from board:
- How does VLACS assure that the student is the person doing the work (proctors with passwords for exams; oral presentations using Skype and teachers will be familiar with student’s writing style, etc.);
- Given the funding issue for other charter schools, how will they stay solvent (VLACS hopes to keep the overhead low and can currently survive on the state funding from the Educational Trust Fund, but would like to expand their offerings a little more and are hoping to establish a foundation;
- What is the length of time a student is allowed to take a course (VLACS is very flexible in working with students on time needed to take the course);
- How will virtual schools intersect with traditional schools, i.e., how we limit the number of courses a student at a traditional school can take at VLACS (Mr. Tirone shared various school policies he has found on this and that it is something each school makes a decision on; for all full time students accepted for next year, VLACS will have competencies established for all their on-line courses. VLACS wants all students to receive guidance department permission before signing up. Some schools limit the courses a student can take, to only courses the school does not offer. On the flip side, some schools are listing all the VLACS courses offerings along with their own courses in the course guide.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Betty DeSimone, Social Studies teacher at EHS and advisor to Model United Nations (UN) team noted that EHS has just completed its fifth year competing in Model UN. This year, 37 EHS students committed themselves to the program and she noted those students who won outstanding awards in their year’s competitions (see Attachment #1 pdf). Also, for the second year in a row, the EHS team won best large delegation award for all their efforts. Jim Johnson, Brentwood spoke regarding the VLACS charter and Internet lawsuit. Chair Trueman announced that a second public input will occur at end of meeting, but only for topics covered on the agenda.
3. CHAIR’S REPORT
3.1 Close-Up – Norma McGarr: EHS Social Studies teacher Norma McGarr explained that she has Close-Up Washington, DC course students present this evening (see Attachment #2 pdf). These are 10th through 12th grade students who take a one credit course in an unforgettable government experience/adventure in a “classroom without walls.” In DC, students attend small group workshops, topical seminars and political debates where current issues are studied and they meet political leaders and concentrate on politics, government and American History. Ten hours of pre-program student and a post program 2 page paper on a choice of topics covered is required. All meetings are held after school. Students present briefly shared some of their impressions of their one week trip to DC.
3.2 SB18 (18 year old drop out legislation) – Leslie Haslam: Ms. Haslam explained that Senate Bill 18 is raising the compulsory drop out age from 16 to 18 and will go into effect July 1, 2009. It has very broad ramifications for not just SAU 16, but for schools throughout NH. A number of months ago, administration from Exeter High School, Alternative Ed, Adult Ed and GBeCS formed the Drop Out Trackers Group in order to keep track of students to ensure fewer and fewer students fall through the cracks and to find a more seamless method to keep students on track. This group will also be having future conversations with SST. Adult Ed is perceived as a regional program and has applied for a grant to do strategic planning so they can be prepared for the potential increase in their program due to SB 18. With this bill will come a important monitoring piece that EHS will have to address because if an EHS student goes to Adult Ed, instead of withdrawing from EHS, the student will be a transferred to Adult Ed, but will be monitored by EHS so the state aid will continue for that student to cover the cost of that student at Adult Ed. Currently students have to pay tuition to come to Adult Ed out of their own pocket. Challenge is who is going to develop the best plan for what the student should do if they want to drop-out and then who will monitor that plan. Fortunately there is a year to work on these details. Ms. Haslam also sees SB 18 as probably impacting SPED, as well as the guidance department.
3.3 Recycling Initiatives – Dick Wendell: Mr. Wendell shared initiatives being done at CMS and EHS, noting that recycling is still voluntary in the schools. Even before his department provided recycling bins to the schools, CMS was doing their own recycling and have been on the forefront of this initiative. CMS recycles paper, glass, aluminum and cardboard in the school and cannot praise CMS enough for their efforts. At EHS, there is an Environment Club and John Broch has been asking for help with recycling at the school. Since his department has brought in methods for the school to recycle, EHS has averaged 2000 pounds of paper a week out of EHS. Thanked Mr. Sokul, John Brock and the Environment Club for their efforts also. Ms. Carey proposed the board forgo the bottled water given out at each board meeting and board was in agreement. Additionally, the superintendent added that across the country, they are supplying laptops for board members and would propose that to this board to consider. Ms. Callahan noted that at SST, she has not handed out a single piece of paper to her staff this year and use electronic means to communicate. Discussion followed on recycling. Superintendent noted there was a meeting today regarding the teacher laptop initiative and will be bringing it forward to the finance committee. Board member noted that there may be students who do not have access to a computer. Mr. Perkins spoke to how environmentally conscious the students at CMS are and appreciated the praise from Mr. Wendell. Many of the themes of the CMS teams are environmentally based.
3.4 Retreat Plans & Dates: Chair shared that he and Ms. Lovejoy talked with Mike Morgan about a 5 year strategic plan retreat and will be looking at a day in the third week in August for that to occur. It was suggested that the completion of the current Coop goals should be reported on at the May 27th board meeting. After much discussion, the board decided that the 1st day of their two day retreat (second day in August) will be Tuesday, June 17th at 5:00 PM (dinner provided) at EHS Roy Morrisette Alumni Room. There will still be a regular school board meeting on June 24th at 7:00 PM at EHS.
3.5 Sabbatical Report - Angela Bellantone /
CMS Pod Presentation: Ms. Lovejoy explained that
Ms. Bellantone has agreed to allow the CMS Pod Presentation in lieu of her
report and she will report to the board at the May board meeting. The
following CMS teachers presented information to the board regarding the need
for additional pod space at CMS: Janet Prior, Angela Bellantone, Karen
Whitmore, Kim Houghtaling and Adam Wiggin. Ms. Prior explained that CMS is 10
years young and this presentation will highlight three major areas of concern:
safety and wellness of students, instructional time and opportunities,
preparation time for teachers and the tax impact of the estimated $5 million addition.
After discussion, Chair noted this issue will be referred to the Facilities Committee
members at their next meeting on Tuesday May 13th at 6:00 PM at Roy
Morrisette Alumni Room at EHS. Ms. Lovejoy
added that English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at CMS will have an
increase in students next year and federal guidelines require this class to
have their own designated space. They currently meet in the library, but
needed a larger space for next year will require the displacement of some other
class. Use of portables as an interim solution was discussed and Mr. Wendell
noted he could get that information ready for the next Facilities Committee
meeting. If CMS did an expansion of pods, they would also increase size of CMS
cafeteria at the same time.
3.6 Approval of Sabbatical Request – Patty Lovejoy: Ms. Lovejoy spoke to sabbatical application for CMS English teacher Sarah Cook that board members received in their board packet. She further shared background on Sabbatical Committee members and process of selection. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Carey and unanimously board voted to accept the sabbatical application per the recommendation of the committee for Sarah Cook for a half year in 2008-2009.
3.7 CMS & EHS Parent Survey: Ms Maher shared her corrections to the parent survey. Ms. Segal noted at the survey meeting she shared her thoughts on heterogeneous grouping at a middle school, except for math, and has copies of four current resources supporting her thinking. After much discussion, motion by Ms. Maher, seconded by Ms. Magnusson to add the following questions recommended by the Communications Committee to both the CMS and EHS survey: 1) correction to current wording on “s” - I am satisfied with the level of challenge my child receives at school; and 2) I am satisfied with the current classroom grouping choices for my child. Further discussion followed. Chair Trueman called for a vote: Yes – 8, No – 1 (Segal). On a motion by Ms. Maher, seconded by Ms. Magnusson, to add one additional question to the EHS Survey and two additional new questions to the CMS survey: 1) I am satisfied with my child’s transition into CMS/EHS and for CMS only, 2) My child was/is part of a traveling or “floating” pod and the experience was satisfactory. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, Chair called for vote: unanimous.
3.8 Appointments to SAU Committees – Chair Trueman: Chair Trueman noted the following committee appointments:
SAU Transportation/Bus Safety – Dave Miller SAU Policy – Patty Lovejoy
SAU Superintendent Evaluation – Barbara RigordaEva NCLB – Jennifer Maher
SAU Technology – Patty Lovejoy Budget Advisory – Kris Magnusson
SST Governance – Tomasen Carey GBeCS – Tomasen Carey (to be appointed)
New: Board Rep to EHS Senate – Kris Magnusson
Board Rep to CMS Student Senate – Patty Lovejoy
Next Budget Advisory Committee is April 29th at 7:00 PM at SAU Office and next Finance Committee meeting is Tuesday, May 13th.
3.9 Student Representatives Activities Report: No student board representatives present.
4. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT
4.1 Principal’s Reports: No questions on principals’ reports.
4.2 CMS Destination Imagination – Tom O’Malley/Bill Perkins: Mr. Perkins explained that CMS teacher Renie Carpenter is present to speak to the CMS Destination Imagination (DI). Ms. Carpenter reported that she has been with DI for 18 years and this year she and Coach Kate Miller took two teams to the competition and both won a place at the state tournament to represent New Hampshire at the US competition in Knoxville, Tennessee. Superintendent noted that because the teams have only recently learned of their win, they have not had a long time to fund raise. He then turned the meeting over to Mr. Lunney regarding funding the trip. Mr. Lunney noted the students are flying to Nashville and to Atlanta and then being bused to Knoxville. Cost per student is just under $1000 and there are eleven student and two coaches. The proposal to the board is that there is still some dollars in the board professional account and if the board contributed approximately $2000 to cover the trip costs for the coaches and CMS could contribute up to $3000 for student costs out of student activity accounts. Students are doing as much fundraising as possible prior to the trip. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Ms. Magnusson that the board contributes approximately $2000 from board professional service accounts to cover the trip costs for the two coaches. Discussion followed. With no further discussion, Chair Trueman called for a vote: unanimous.
4.3 EHS France Trip 2009 –
Victor Sokul: Mr. Sokul noted this is
not a new venture as this same trip was taken in 06-07 and it was a very
successful. The trip is not run every year due to the cost involved. Have
estimated that there will be 12-20 students and will follow previous itinerary.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students who can afford to go and he would
recommend the board approve the trip. It was noted that travel insurance is
required for all students. On a motion by Mr. Chisholm, seconded by Ms.
Magnusson and unanimously board voted to approve the EHS France
trip in 2009.
Mr. Sokul noted month of May will be
a very busy testing month and passed out and discussed his plan for the NECAP
testing (see Attachment #3
pdf) that will occur on May 20th and 21st.
No board action as it was noted Mr. Sokul is the administrator of the school
and knows what is best for the EHS students.
4.5 Board coffees/lunches: Superintendent announced that since administration bought refreshments for coffees/lunches and no board members attended, they are now being cancelled for the remainder of the year. He would suggest if you want to visit the schools, please let the principals know and they can give you a tour.
4.6 Nominations and Resignations: Superintendent asked the board to refer to the two sided sheet in your board packet for the Spring Appointments from Bill Ball (Attachment #4 pdf) and the New Professional Employee and Resignation list (Attachment #5), noting there is one additional resignation - CMS Latin teacher, Patricia Petit. He would recommend the board accept all of these nominations and resignations as presented. Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Mr. Miller and unanimously board approved with no discussion to accept as presented the nominations and resignations.
5. SAU 16/ERCSD COMMITTEE REPORTS
5.1 SAU 16 Technology Committee – Met March 28, 2008: Ms. Lovejoy shared that the committee has a meeting this Friday at 7:30 AM and at the March meeting, the committee has continued dealing with digital portfolio issues. It was noted that at the Finance Committee meeting on May 13th, the teacher laptop initiative will be discussed. After discussion regarding the EHS Student Senate concerns about IT issues at EHS, which have since been resolved through conversations with Mr. Pratt and the student senate that technology should also be on the Facilities Committee agenda for May 13th.
5.2 SAU 16 Policy Committee Meeting – Meeting April 24, 2008: Ms. Lovejoy explained to the new board members the process for approving policies and that tonight these policies are having a first reading: GBCD – Background Investigation and Criminal Records; IL – Evaluation of Instructional Programs; IJNDB – Technology Integration (was somehow overlooked and should have come forward sooner); KEB – Public Complaints About School Personnel, Employees, Students or Administration; BHE – School Board Use of Email; JKAA – Use of Physical Restraint. If you have any comments, get them to Patty and she will take it back to the SAU Policy Committee. Policies are SAU wide so all schools have the same policies. The next meeting of the committee is Thursday, 4/24/08 at 7:00 PM.
5.3 SAU 16 Chairs Meeting – Met April 16, 2008 – 5:00 PM: Chair reported on the meeting (see SAU Joint Chairs meeting minutes of 4/16/08).
5.4 SST Governing Board – Meeting May 5, 2008: Ms. Callahan reported on the renovations update.
5.5 Great Bay eLearning Charter School – Meeting April 24, 2008: No report at this time
5.6 ERCSD Facilities Committee – Met April 8, 2008: Chair reported on the meeting (see Facilities Committee meeting minutes of 4/8/08). Question from board member that if we were building CMS again, would we not make it a 1500 student school, then a suggestion would be to consider not adding additional pods, but looking at having a small middle school possibly located at the Tuck Learning Campus. It was noted that suggestion could be discussed at the next Facilities Committee meeting.
5.7 ERCSD Communications Committee – Met April 8, 2008: Chair reported that this meeting had been previously discussed.(see Minutes of 4/8/08)
5.8 ERCSD Curriculum Committee – Met April 8, 2008: (see Curriculum Committee meeting minutes of 4/8/08) Discussion occurred regarding the CMS TAP survey that was done in 1999, but is no longer available as a survey. Mr. Perkins shared that CMS has found that the Communicable Disease Center offers a free Youth Behavior Survey and shared a copy of the survey with the board. At Timberland, they administered the survey by downloading it from the CDC, but then had a separate organization score, validate the survey and compile the survey results. The cost to do the same at CMS would be around $1500. Board discussed logistics of doing survey. The board will re-visit the survey at the next board meeting. NWEA discussion followed on whether or not to do the test twice a year of just once a year. CMS would like to eliminate the fall NWEA as it is back to back with NECAP. Mr. Baldasaro shared that the CMS teachers have been very vocal about just having NWEA once a year. Chair noted NWEA testing will be discussed at next curriculum meeting.
6. OLD/NEW BUSINESS: Chair appointed Ms. RigordaEva to be the board representative to the Sabbatical Committee representative (meets once a year)
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 March 25, 2008 – Public Meeting: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Mr. Miller and unanimously board voted with no discussion to approve the March 25, 2008 minutes as presented.
8. PUBLIC INPUT: none
9. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: Under 91-A:3II, e: Motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Mr. Chisholm to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A:3II, e at 9:55 PM. Roll call vote taken with all board members voting in the affirmative.
10. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Ms. Lovejoy, seconded by Mr. Miller and unanimously board voted to adjourn at 10:36 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally S. Boyd, Secretary