NOT APPROVED
Newfields School Board Meeting Minutes
In Attendance:
Board Members: Michael Grant, Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Maggie Doane, Robin Gray
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m.
2. Non-public Session – none
3. Approval Of The Minutes- Mark Bouzianis made a motion to accept the minutes of August 18, 2003. Jan Trueman second. All in favor.
4. Visitors-none
5. Business And Financial –
5.1 Maggie Doane stated that the cash on hand is $199,437.76 as of August 31, 2003. The school building maintenance fund is $1790.71. The school building fund is $4,740.64.
5.2 Update- Purchase of property- The closing has been rescheduled. The seller could not attend.
6. Curriculum/Principal’s Report Mr. Dobe stated that the everyday math program is in affect and the K-3 teachers have had adequate training.
7. Superintendent/ Assistant Supt. Report
7.1 SAU update-Steve Kossakoski stated that there was a press release from the Department of Education about the No Child Left Behind results. There were no schools in SAU 16 that had a failing grade.
7.2 Enrollment- as of September the total enrollment for Newfields was 173. The breakdown is as follows Kindergarten-16, 1st grade-27, 2nd grade-37, 3rd grade-29, 4th grade-34, and 5th grade-36. Mr. Dobe stated that it is hard for people to enroll their children in the kindergarten program because of the ½ day program. It is hard for day care issues and ride issues.
8.1-NES website- Mr. Dobe presented the new school web site. He wanted to thank
Barbara Eastman for all her hard work. Mr. Dobe stated that there will be an early realize
on September 24 and it will help the teachers learn how to update the web site.
8.2- Gates McGinitie reading test- The test will be administered this fall as a pre-test to
see where the children stand.
8.3- Opening of school-It was a smooth opening. There was no confusion in the drop/pick
up line.
8.4-School activities- On September 11th there will be a remembrance ceremony at 9:00
am. There is a book fair coming up in September and also a fundraiser. Picture day is in
September. On September 29 there will be an open house.
8.5-NES handbook-The new handbook has been given to all students. Some updating
will have to be done for next year on the school policies.
9. General Correspondence- non-public
10. Personnel
10.1- Professional staff- The Staff Association will set up a meeting for the bargaining
unit.
10.1.1 Art Position-Linda Whillet did not accept her contract There will be a
permanent substitute. Her name is Deb Wheiler. She is doing a great job.
10.2 Para-professional assignments- Mr. Dobe stated that there is 57.5 hours per week for
Regular education aides and 181 hours per week for special education aides, including lunch and recess. There are 16 pre-school special education hours per week.
11, Building and Grounds
11.1 Maintenance needs-Mr. Dobe stated that the pole will be removed in front of the
school by the bike rack. The floor in the Multi-purpose room is buckling where the old and
new additions were joined. Mr. Dobe requested that the board look into purchasing a snow
blower for all the walkways of the school. Jack has been doing it all by hand. Mr. Dobe
will get 3 bids.
11.2 Engineering study update- There is no update until the property has had a closing.
11.3 Propane contract- The former principal signed a 5-year contract in 2000 with Eastern
Propane. Eastern will lower their price as not to lose the contract.
12. Pupil Related Matters-
12.1 Bus routes- Mr. Dobe has stated that he has received many complaints about the time
that the afternoon bus route drops off the children.
13. Board Reports/Policies-
11.1-Board goals for 2003-2004- The board discussed possibly each member taking a
specific goal and addressing it. 1) To develop a capital plan will be handled by all
members. 2) To develop an organized public relations program, will be addressed by the
staff and Mr. Dobe. Mr. Jeff Hillier will help Mr. Dobe. 3) To develop plans for
landscaping the school grounds, will be put on hold for now. 4) To submit a warrant for
constructing a parking lot based on the engineering study, will still be addressed. 5) To
continue the Boards commitment to technology, will still be addressed. 6) To support
the development of a foreign language program, will addressed for the 2004-2005 school
year. Mike Grant made a motion to adopt these goals. Jan Trueman motioned first, Mark
Bouzianis second. All in favor
13.2-Policies for second reading
The board has decided to delete the following policies. DG: Procedures for School
Board’ Capital Reserve Funds, DM: Procedure for securing valuables and/or Funds,
ECC (a): Energy Conservation.
14. Old Business- none
15. New Business- Mr. Dobe showed the board some facility use requests.
16. Next Meeting-October 20, 2003 at 5:30 pm
17. Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 7:35p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Gray