NOT APPROVED
Newfields School Board Meeting –Minutes
In Attendance:
Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis, Mike Grant
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Carolyn Bellisio Kelly, Maggie Doane
Visitors: Barbara Clark, Marianne Klemarczyk
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:43 p.m.
1.1. Welcome to new NES School Board Clerk, Carolyn Bellisio Kelly
2. Non-public Session – none
3. Approval Of The Minutes
3.1. Nominations requested for NES School Board chair for ensuing year. Mark Bouzianis nominated Jan Trueman. Mike Grant second. All in favor.
3.2. Mike Grant made a motion to accept the minutes from March 8, 2004. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
4. Visitors-
4.1. Marianne Klemarczyk - e-mailed Mr. Trueman and board members with her concern on the Cooperative school discussion regarding leveling. It was noted that this was not discussed at the NES Board, only the joint boards discuss SAU issues. Coop meeting is Tuesday, April 13, 2004.
4.2. Barbara Clark – interested in the 4-5 teaching model for next year and note that Clare Flynn from Junior Achievement would like to extend the Junior Achievement to other grades and is arranging for funding for future.
5. Business And Financial –
5.1. Monthly financial report - Maggie Doane stated that the cash on hand is $280,955.19. The School Building fund is $4,760.78. The School Building Maintenance Fund is $6,807.18. Maggie Doane stated that all trustees accounts have been moved to a local bank and we will need a monthly update of the accounts.
5.2. Permission for Treasurer to setup new school district bank account – This new account will provide an investment interest rate of 1.4% on balances more than $50,000, with the restriction of no more than six debits may occur for each month. Transfer from MBIA into this account. Collateral held by Third party custodian, Bank of New York. Need Maggie’s signature and one school board member to verify that she is the NES School Board Treasurer with name, title and date. This transfer should provide more money to turn back to the town.
5.3. Other Business – Maggie Doane requested to attend the New Hampshire Government Finance Offices Meeting and Seminar as she did last year. She will attend as a guest and the fee would be $50. Jan Trueman motioned first. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
6. Curriculum
6.1. Kindergarten Program/Enrollment Update- Mr. Dobe stated there are 22 kindergarten students committed for September 2004 enrollment. There is a good level of involvement and enthusiasm from parents. Mr. Dobe is confident that there are too many students registered to offer as a one classroom kindergarten program. It is the NES School Administration’s recommendation to offer a morning and afternoon session. Mr. Dobe is continuing to give tours for families who are seriously considering attending and are anticipating increased registration based on enrollment increasing in other grades. Mr. Dobe asked the board for final approval to have two sessions. The date for final contracts is Thursday, April 15th. There is minimal impact for funding if second session is offered due to maintaining a teacher at the bottom of the pay scale and the recent resignation of a senior part-time staff member. It is expected that this expense increase should be absorbed.
Mark Bouzianis asked how enrollment will be handled for morning vs. afternoon. Mr. Dobe has been accepting requests with a caveat that there are no promises. Based on information already collected from parents it appears that it will be balanced enrollment between the two sessions. Mark Bouzianis asked what the aide expectation would be. Mr. Dobe stated that there are large benefits to have a second adult in the classroom based on child development. There is only budget for one half time assistant. Placement decisions will not be made for another month. Shortly, there will be notification to parents of the Board decision, survey of morning or afternoon preference and open house for parents to attend with their children. Currently the budget surplus is $62,693.31. Need to recover ~$14,000 to support this decision. Marianne Klemarczyk asked what the cap is on the kindergarten enrollment. Mark Bouzianis responded that 20 plus children would not be a quality experience and it has been discussed in the past that if enrollment over 20 two sessions would be held. Mike Grant made motion to hold two kindergarten sessions; morning and afternoon, based on kindergarten enrollment. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
7. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent Report
7.1. SAU Update- The Coop is discussing grouping and leveling. Meeting at CMS at 7:00 on Thursday, April 15, 2004. Good opportunity to be part of that discussion.
7.2. Other Updates - Chairs Meeting was moved to April 21st. High school continues to be on schedule. Walter Pierce has said that May will be the ground breaking, the foundation is poured.
7.3. Enrollment update- Enrollment is up by 3 students. Total of 177 students, as of the 1st of April. Students added to second (1), third (1) and 4/5 (1). Last June there were 178 and the school opened in the fall with 176.
8. Principal’s Report
8.1.School activities: In April, had first Storybook theatre for 4th and 5th project and children did a great job. 4th graders over the past week did an integrated unit on mythology, including a research project and modules of instruction and the children showed carryover from the experiences they had learned.
5th graders went to Sargent camp and children enjoyed it and got a lot from it. They mixed well with other students and their social maturity was noticeable as they rallied together and supported each other on the all day hikes. Mr. Dobe is proud of the way they conducted themselves. A number of staff members alternated going up for a day or two including Mr. Dobe.
The Junior Achievement program wrapped up last week. Mrs. Barbara Clark was the lead for this program and organized a field trip to Coed Sportswear and the children were interested and represented our school very well.
There is early dismals for April 14th and 21st . Teachers are conducting spring conferences and are flexible in accommodating meetings for working parents early in the morning or later in the day.
Mr. Dobe stated that the assessment window for 3rd grade NHEIAP testing is May 10-14. The Gates and NWEA assessment for Kindergarten and 4th and 5th graders will occur on the same week. The school needs to get prepared for the technology for the NWEA testing. The SAU pays for installation and training of teachers.
8.2. Enrichment – the enrichment program wrapped up for the year. Mr. Dobe stated that the Auction was a fantastic success, Newfields is a small town with a big heart. After expenses, $12,237 was earned. This is more than 50% increase from last year. Diana Coligne was the winner of the spaghetti sauce contest and is a repeat winner. Mike Grant asked whether we had an electrician coming to work on the electric in the multipurpose room. Mr. Dobe stated that Dick Wendell needs to assess whether electrical upgrades make sense and the cost. April 20th is the first enrichment planning meeting for next year. Which programs to continue, which ones to put off and which new programs to pursue will be discussed. Discussion will also include broadening the context of enrichment for before and after school curriculums and research the options.
8.3. Professional development – Mr. Dobe stated that the professional development is staggering at NES. Newfields has come a long way and teachers have attended training and will do so until end of Spring for Literature, Every Day Math and Technology. Not much more with Responsive Classroom as done last year. Mike Grant asked for feedback on Everyday Math. Mr. Dobe stated that at the third grade level there is still a lot of discussion about the program. The children are mastering their facts in addition, subtraction and multiplication and even division. Second grade teachers piloted program for the first time last year and did not finish the program last year. The program assumes that the children have had it from K-2. Matt Bennett has been trying to bring them up to speed. There will be an open house that will be every day Math based to discuss the program. The program has shown noticeable difference for Stratham, the NHEIAP scores in Stratham are the greatest in the state.
8.4. Blue Ribbon Award – NES received this award for excellent school volunteerism. The ceremony was attended by Dennis Dobe and Sue Schick the present of the NPTO.
8.5. Other Updates – NES was granted funds for Title II for $4,513 for teacher training and Title V for $1,200 to support Literacy function. Funds will be used for continued training, Tufts consultant and increasing the library quality.
9. General Correspondence-
9.1.Newfields Staff Association - E-mail from staff association that once election NES school board election was finalized that they would start working on new contracts and discuss dates. Received letter from staff association regarding the dress code issue for teachers.
10. Personnel
10.1. Long Term substitute – Long term sub for Kristen LeBrun has been hired. Melissa Brockelbank was on the SAU substitute teacher list and came highly recommended. She has been a long term sub in the Amesbury and Newburyport school systems. Mrs. Brockelbank will begin the week of April 12th.
10.2. Resignation – Steve Kossakoski presented Tracy Vorel's resignation as a part-time Special Education specialist. She plans to implement her own business. She will stay until the end of the school year. Mike Grant made the motion to regretfully accept Mrs. Vorel’s resignation and wish her success. Jan Trueman second. All in favor. Mr. Dobe will look to replace her as soon as possible.
10.3. Nomination of professional staff - Barbara Clark asked if any teaching assignment changes will be made. Mr. Dobe responded that due to Kindergarten full day, no need to make changes. Barbara Clark also asked what his thoughts were on the 4 and 4/5 decisions. Mr. Dobe stated that the teachers will meet on April 16th. New model and some changes possible for 2004-2005. Anticipate any changes to be presented to the board next month. There are still discussions on the 3rd grade classroom format. There is still no reading program in place for school, the school has been working on this for a long time and it is difficult to quantify what literacy is. Steve Kossakoski presented the Board with a list of professional staff for re-nomination. All staff members will be re-nominated. Mike Grant motioned to accept the list of nominated professional staff. Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1. Parking lot update: Mr. Dobe reviewed preliminary plans with Newfields police department, fire department, NYAA and First Student rep and road agent have discussed plan to see if there were any suggestions. The only change is that the side road has got to be wider to accommodate emergency vehicles. There will need to be shrinkage of the buffer and a five foot walk created. There is also room for parallel parking.
11.2. School district properties update - Jan Trueman stated that the oil tanks are both empty so no hazardous waste issues. Proulx needs to have the tanks hauled away.
11.3. Computer Lab- Mr. Dobe stated that the electricians have come out to look at the outlets. The goal it to have more counter space and more units in the lab. There will be a projector mounted with a ceiling mount. There will be the ability to have a full class in the lab in the future.
11.4. Book Closet - Library shelves recommended to the back supply closet. Keep multiple copies of materials. In order to do the literacy program, need to have a place to store the materials. Maggie Doane requested to put old records in the basement and Mr. Dobe agreed.
11.5. Summer projects – Mr. Dobe stated that there is a need to fix window and door trim. They have one bid for $4,500 bid for painting and carpentry but would like to get a lower bill. The school sign will go up before April break and would like to have it lit with flood lights.
12. Pupil Related Matters-
12.1. Regional jump rope champion – Evan Mickulich, a member of the Extreme Air program won a 1st place award for his age level in a competition in Connecticut. The school is very proud of him.
13. Board Reports/ Policy-
13.1. SAU 16 Chairs meeting update – the Dress Code is still being discussed and has not been agreed to yet. The Bus committee continues to review the pros and cons of seat belting on buses. The three options are compartmentalization for two children, shoulder harness (if installed can be regulated to fit), seat belt shoulder strap and accompanying air bag. The first option seems to be the best as the seats are made to have movement on impact. Evaluation forms on Superintendent of school and the SAU joint board need to be completed by May 17, 2004. School Board members need to return completed evaluations to Jan Trueman.
13.2. SAU 16 policy manual update- Mike Grant did not attend last meeting. Board Members need to read policies and provide feedback for next meeting and will be in synch with rest of SAU. There may be an addition to receive upfront tuition for out of town attendees. Provide any information to Mike Grant to bring to next policy meeting.
14. Old Business-none
15. New Business-none
16. Next Meeting- May 10, 2004, 5:30 PM
17. Adjournment- the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 pm. Mike Grant motioned to adjourn first, Mark Bouzianis second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Bellisio