APPROVED
Newfields School Board Meeting –Minutes
In Attendance:
Board Members: Michael Grant, Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Robin Gray, Maggie Doane
Visitors: Robert Conner, Margaret Conner, Jackie Horgan, Jennifer MacPherson, Susan Schick, Natalie Fream, Molly Meredith
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. Non-public Session – none
3. Approval Of The Minutes-
3.1 December 8, 2003 Board Meeting- Mike Grant made a motion to accept the minutes from December 8, 2003 after corrections. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
3.2 December 8, 2003 Budget Workshop-Mike Grant motioned to accept the minutes from December 8, 2003 after corrections. Mark Bouzianis Second. All in favor.
4. Visitors- Margaret Conner stated that she had written a letter to the board concerning Kindergarten for her child next year. Mrs. Conner had 3 main concerns, 1) Transportation, 2) Cost per student, and 3) educational outcome of students. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conner voiced their concerns that there was no mid-day transportation provided for the children. They stated that as working parents it was impossible to take advantage of public Kindergarten in their own town because there was no way to get their child home. Mr. Dobe asked parents last year why they sent their children to other Kindergartens. Some of the reasons were special education concerns, wanted to stay in current school, extended day program, and that a child was to young. The board had not heard any concerns about transportation issues. Mr. Conner asked about the cost of a bus for the Kindergarteners. The cost was $40.50 per day, approximately $7,500 per year. Mrs. Conner asked about the high salary of the Kindergarten teacher. Jan Trueman stated that next year there will only be 1 morning session of Kindergarten and ˝ day teacher will be used in that position. Historical data has shown that only 50% of the Kindergarten eligible children actually enroll. Steve Kossakoski said that the state does not require transportation for Kindergarten, only grades 1-8. Mark Bouzianis stated that there was no transportation yet for kindergarten next year. Mr. Conner stated that he cannot utilize a facility that he is paying for. Mr. Dobe will survey incoming Kindergarten parents about the transportation issue. Mrs. Conner stated that she felt that the private Kindergartens were preparing students better for 1st grade than public Kindergartens. Mrs. MacPherson asked how many students would it take before a second session will be added. When the numbers reach 18-20 another session will be added. Mrs. MacPherson stated that she was very impressed with the Kindergarten program for her child and was happy about the transition and progress her 1st grader has made. The length of day for the Kindergarten session is still up in the air.
5. Business And Financial –
5.1 Monthly financial report-The cash on hand as of 12/31/02 was $235,700.96. The school building fund is $4,753.22 as of 12/31/02. The school building maintenance fund is $6,796.33 as of 12/31/02
5.2 Teacher contract negotiation- Jan Trueman stated that the teacher’s contracts are all set. Mike Grant motioned to accept the teachers contract. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
5.3 Warrant articles- Steve Kossakoski wrote up a draft of the school warrant articles. The Board decided to drop articles #2 & #4. Mike Grant motioned to accept the warrant articles as amended. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
6. Curriculum
6.1 Literacy initiative- Some of the teachers are continuing to learn about The Learn to Read by Reading Program. Three teachers will visit Barrington Elementary School tomorrow. On February 3rd Ms. Shade will meet with some of the teachers. On March 39 Mrs. Shade will return for a SAU teacher in service day.
7. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent Report
7.1 SAU update- The High School is under way. They are compressing the dirt now and will pour the foundation in the spring. The school is scheduled to open in Fall 2006.
7.2 Enrollment update- The current enrollment is 173 students. There are 2 new students in the school.
8.1 School Activities- Mr. Dobe talked about the holiday celebrations that were held in the
classrooms.
8.2 Enrichment- The school just had a visit from TJ Wheeler. He spoke about civil rights. On Wednesday there will be a visit from 2 fiddlers, talking and singing about American Folk Culture. There will also be a quest flute player. On January 28 there will be an assembly in the morning to honor Martin Luther King. In the afternoon students from Phillips Exeter Academy will visit. The first auction meeting was held today. The auction will be held on March 20th.
8.3 Technology- The technology meeting was not well attended. The next meeting will be
on February 5th. The purpose of the technology meetings are to understand where Newfields Elementary is in comparison to other schools and what the expectations are for the students at NES.
Association of NES on their feelings on the cutting of staff and the adjustments that
will have to be made. There was also a letter from Mr. & Mrs. Robert Conner stating
their concern for the lack of transportation for the Kindergarten.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1 Building maintenance program-The board is going to use the services of
Dick Wendell. Mr. Dobe stated that on Saturday some of the pipes froze in the
school.
11.2 Engineering study update- Mark Bouzianis stated that the survey is complete. The
first bill was for $3,400. There will be a meeting on February 26th at 9am with the
engineers.
11.3 Facility use request- Ann Mikulich requested the use of the MPR for the use of the
Newmarket Jump Rope Club (Extreme Air). She will see the club in and out. There
was also a request from a parent to use the MPR to shoot hoops with his boys. He is
a resident of Newfields and his children participate in the NYAA program.
11.4 Emergency call form- Mr. Dobe stated that he does not live near the school and if it
was possible for one of the board members to be on the emergency call list. Jan
Trueman agreed to be called first, Mike Grant will be second on the list and Dennis
Dobe will the back-up.
11.5 Building use- Mike Grant stated that the NYAA coaches need to have the instruction
paper on how to use the facility. The mat is being used to keep the doors from being
locked. It is major heat loss.
12. Pupil Related Matters- none
13. Board Reports/ Policy
13.1 SAU 16 Chairs meeting update-
13.2 SAU Policy Manual: Second reading- Policy #13.2.9 change “following second
Session”. Policy #13.2.7 change the word “Stratham”. Mike Grant motioned the
Accept the policies with the above-mentioned changes. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
14. Old Business-none
15. New Business- none
. 16. Next Meeting-
16.1 Public Hearing: January 17, 2004, 9:00AM
16.2 Deliberative Session: February 3, 2004, 7:00PM
16.3 Board Meeting: February 9, 2004, 5:30PM
17. Adjournment- Jan Trueman motioned to adjourn at 7:13pm. Mark Bouzianis second. All
in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Gray