NOT APPROVED
Newfields School Board Meeting –Minutes
In Attendance:
Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mike Grant
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Robin Gray, Maggie Doane
Visitors: Carolyn Bellisio
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:42 p.m.
2. Non-public Session – Called at end of meeting
3. Approval Of The Minutes- Mike Grant made a motion to accept the minutes from February 9, 2004. Jan Trueman second. All in favor.
4. Visitors- none.
5. Business And Financial –
5.1 Monthly financial report- Maggie Doane stated that the cash on hand is $248,948.47. The School Build fund is $4, 758.20. The School Building Maintenance Fund is $6,803.54.
6. Curriculum
6.1 Kindergarten Program/Enrollment Update- Mr. Dobe stated that there have been many visitors and that 23 families have committed so far. March 30th is the deadline. Transportation is not an issue, class size is an issue.
6.2 Literacy initiative-Lynn Shadie will study the current program and use Title II and Title V fund for the program. The teachers will attend training.
6.3 NES Hobby Night- The night went well and there was a great turn out. There were a lot of great set-ups.
7. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent Report
7.1 SAU Update- The Stratham & E. Kingston budgets passed.
7.2 Enrollment update- Enrollment is up by 1 student. Total of 174 students.
8.1 Read Across America Week- Mr. Dobe stated that Christy Machulski did a fantastic
job organizing the week full of activities. There was a breakfast with green eggs and
ham as well as a door decorating contest. The week was full of activities and inspired
students to read.
Sargent Camp planning is well under way. There are no extra chaperones needed.
8.2 Enrichment- Dino Man will attend the school on Wednesday, There will be an ocean
program for the lower grades and the NH Theater project for the upper grades.
8.3 Assessment- Mr. Dobe stated that they will no longer use the Terra Nova tests. The Northwest Evaluation for Assessments (NWEA) will be used for grades 4 & 5. It will give teachers an accurate measure of how a student is doing. The results will be back in 48 hours. It will show strengths and weaknesses. It is a 1-˝ hour test and can be done on any computer in the school. The cost is $12 per student and can be used 4 times a year. The 3rd grade testing has lost some funding. There is no longer a written part. The SAU 16 region will hire their own scorers and all towns will have the same questions.
9. General Correspondence- none
10.1 Long Term substitute- A teacher will go out on maternity leave on April 19th. The job will be posted and the applicants will be screened. There will be an interview panel.
10.2 Evaluation of professional staff- All teachers’ contracts must be renewed by April 15. The evaluations will be wrapped up next week. Mr. Dobe had a goal review meeting with the teachers.
10.3 Negotiations timeline- Mr. Dobe stated that there has been an open dialog with the teachers. There is talk of a multi-year contract with the teachers bargaining unit.
10.4 Non-Public Session- called at end of meeting. Mike Grant motioned to enter non-public session under Chapter 91A:3II,a at 6:40pm. Jan Trueman second. Roll call vote. All in favor. Steve Kossakoski & the Board discussed personnel and contract issues. Mike Grant motioned to leave non-public at 7:00pm. Jan Trueman second. Roll call vote. All in favor.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1 Facility Update- The system is working well. There have been some small repairs.
There will be a detailed work order system.
11.2 Monahan/Janeway property update- The oil/gas tanks need to be pumped out. A
cut off period needs to be established for the Janeway property to remove the personal
items.
Donor award. The school is very proud!
13.1 policy is looking for more than a casual dress from the faculty & staff. Denim is not
professional looking. It would only apply to the regular school year. Mr. Dobe had
discussion with his staff and proposed the policy. He had a good discussion with
them and used the policy as guidelines and expectations. Steve Kossakoski stated
that it is important to have standards. In May the SAU joint board will offer the
policy to each individual boards. The safety Committee met and discussed bus
crowding and seatbelt use on the bus. The committee is looking for a pilot school.
Walter Pierce stated that the new high school is moving along.
13.2 SAU 16 policy manual update- Mike Grant stated that they are through the “B’s”
and jumping into the next block.
14. Old Business-none
15. New Business-none
. 16. Next Meeting- April 12, 2004 at 5:30 pm.
17. Adjournment- the meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm. Mike Grant motioned first, Jan
Trueman second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Gray