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
Visitors: Pam Abbott, Marianne Klemarczyk
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:41 p.m.
2. Non-public Session –
Mark Bouzianis made a motion to enter into non-public session under Chapter 91A:3II, A, at 7:33 p.m.. Seconded by Mike Grant. All in favor.
Topic: Discussion of hiring new teachers
Present: Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis, Mike Grant
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Mark Bouzianis made a motion to end non-public session at 7:37 p.m.. Mike Grant second. All in favor.
3. Approval Of The Minutes
3.1 There are three amendments to the June 17, 2004 minutes.
Section 5.3 GASB 34 – Amend the statement ‘Mike Grant made a motion not to abide by the new rules for GASB 34.’ to be ‘Mike Grant made a motion not to keep a record of depreciated fixed assets as per GASB 34 standards.’
Section 5.4 Auditor for 2004-2005 – Correction to the spelling of auditor name, Plopzik should be changed to Plodczik.
Section 5.4 Auditor for 2004-2005 – Add the following statement ‘The Board’s decision to choose Dumais & Fernald is based on their familiarity with the NES account and the expectation that their estimate would be more accurate due to this knowledge.’
Mark Bouzianis made a motion to accept the minutes as amended from June 17, 2004. Mike Grant second. All in favor.
4. Visitors-
4.1. Pam Abbott - Pam Abbott would like the Board’s support to set up a living memorial in the memory of Maureen Hackett. Maureen taught Shakespeare and the dramatic arts to the upper grades in the school for 25 years. The Maureen Hackett Memorial Shakespeare-Dramatic Arts fund would raise funds to support enrichment activities focused on Shakespeare and the dramatic arts. Steve Kossakowski will find out information about how to create the trust and provide to it to Jan Trueman and Pam. The Board expressed their support for Pam to research how to go forward with establishing this trust fund on behalf of the school and community.
5. Business And Financial –
5.1 Monthly financial report - Maggie Doane did not attend the meeting but provided Jan Trueman with the cash on hand as of July 31, the amount was $233,656.58. The School Building fund and School Building Maintenance Fund balances are expected to be reported on in the next meeting.
5.2. Oil Contract – Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Dobe have been working with Hartman Oil to negotiate a contract. Due to the current economy, it is difficult to prebuy oil. Hartman Oil has given a fixed bid of $1.30/gallon. This is 37 cents/gallon higher than what was purchased last year, but is considered competitive compared to industry rates. Before agreeing to this contract, the Board is interested in seeing what other comparable prices are. They recommended that Mrs. Johnson contact the town and Stratham to see who they are using and what rates they are paying to decide whether we should look for additional bids.
5.3 Approval of TFP payment – Mark requested that Steve have someone check the total amount paid compared to the contract to confirm the balance on the original State of Work. If it is within this amount payment will be approved.
5.4 2005-2006 budget goals – There are no expected academic changes, which would impact the budget. The school will continue with their literacy and Everyday Math initiatives. Social Studies series are not committed to until the SAU agrees upon the new curriculum. There may be a foreign language improvement of instructional services. Mike Grant made a motion to set discretionary cost goal to be 2.5% percent over 2004-2005 budget. Mark second. All in favor.
6. Curriculum
6.1 School Goals for 2004-2005 – Mr. Dobe provided a list of Newfields Elementary School Goals for 2004-2005. These are the same major themes as last year.
· Implement Responsive Classroom Techniques (focus on Rules and Logical Consequences). This will help students to make better decisions and understand their consequences.
· Implement the Everyday Math Program (schoolwide; focus on program components, vertical integration and assessment). This will be the first year that Everyday will be used in the whole school, including parent communication, journals, assessment and integration from grade to grade.
· Develop NES Literacy Program (continue to work with consultants, professional literature study, classroom library development, institute NES book closet). This initiative continues from last year.
· Integrate Education Technology (greater teacher involvement, School Portfolio development). There is opportunity for more teachers’ involvement and integration of technology into the classroom. The school portfolio will outline what is done and how it is done.
· Inform our parents (weekly newsletters, curriculum previews/overviews) and Involve our community (volunteerism, NPTO, community resources). This will include survey instruments for the parents and community to evaluate the schools strengths and the perceptions of the school. Constant and consistent communication with the parents with the addition of curriculum previews.
· There will also be a focus on beginning the process of curriculum mapping for greater understanding of an appropriate scope and sequence of learning and skill development at NES.
Marianne Klemarczyk asked what models NES has looked at for Literacy Program. Mr. Dobe responded that they use is ‘Learning to Read by Reading', which pulls together other programs and organizes in a manner that is easy to grasp and stays consistent across the grades. NES has visited Barrington Elementary and continues to keep in contact with them to continue to foster the behaviors which make this program successful.
6.2 Advancing Student Learning Project Update – This project began in 2002 with the support of Active Learning Systems from Epping to help practice and learn how to teach differentiation at school. There were plans for implementation and a big part of this included teacher training. Tufts provided instruction through Reading and Language Arts paid for through grant funding. NES is focusing on continued training on differentiation and literacy and measurement. The school is trying to establish a baseline to measure progress over time with the intent to follow a student through the school instead of just grade-by-grade. In the Spring, NES began a Development Reading Assessment to assess individual reading ability and determine what group of skills each student needs and what areas that individual will need instruction on.
6.3 Kindergarten Program/Enrollment Update- Mr. Dobe stated there are 19 registered kindergarten students committed for September 2004 enrollment.
7. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent Report
7.1 SAU Update- New Assistant Principal has been named - Kathy Meekan. Administrative retreat on August 17, 18 for both professional development and preparation to open the schools. The Charter School will be open January 2005.
7.2 Enrollment update – School enrollment is up by one for a total of 178 students, as of the 4th of August.
8. Principal’s Report
8.1 School activities:
§ Five teachers attended four day training in York, Maine
§ Mr. Dobe attended two day training
§ Mrs. Kettlewood attended Kindergarten Institute
§ Few teachers attended graduate course work
§ Parent information guide updated for publication
§ Classroom assignments will be posted on Monday, August 16th
§ Open Activities – August 25th opportunity for parents to come in
§ Mentor team meeting, August 26th Teddy Bear picnic
§ August 27th – SAU assembly
§ August 30th First Day of School
9. General Correspondence
9.1 None
10 Personnel
10.1 Staffing update – Christy Machulski has resigned as the part-time reading specialist. Part-time l library assistant. Miss Newbanks has resigned Certified Occupational Assistant has resigned.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1 Building status – The work planned for the summer is well on its way. The chimney has been cleaned and repaired, the fascia board and steps have been repaired and the painting has been completed. The repairs to the roof will be finished before school starts.
12 Pupil Related Matters - none
13 Board Reports/ Policy
13.1 2004-2005 Board goals -
13.2 SAU 16 Chairs meeting update - Item 2 Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP grant) this three-year grant will pay for the establishment of foreign language programs. This will be used to gain exposure and skills and the funding will begin at the first of the year. A representative from each school is requested to be on a committee to discuss a program SAU wide. SAU will honor the government’s mileage rate, which goes up to 37cents/mile.
13.3 Newfield’s/SAU Policy Manual – Second reading of the SAU Policy Manual completed by the Board. Mike Grant made a motion to adopt policies 13.3.1-13.3.8 as read. Jan Trueman second. All in favor.
13.4 Teacher contract negotiations – Preparing information to present to the board.
14 Old Business-
a. Parking Lot – Mark Bouzianis provided the revised plans for the parking lot. Mark will begin pricing estimates based on the plans and request landscaping and lighting recommendations with different options to evaluate. Once these plans are reviewed and agreed upon, they can be brought to the town planning board for review.
15 New Business – None
16 Next Meeting - Monday, September 13, 2004, 5:30 PM.
17 Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 pm. Mark Bouzianis motioned to adjourn first, Mike Grant second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Bellisio