NOT APPROVED
Newfields School Board Meeting –Minutes
In Attendance:
Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis, Carolyn Bellisio Kelly
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Maggie Doane
Visitors: Michael Woodworth, Barbara Clark
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:51 p.m.
2. Non-public Session – none
3. Approval of Minutes
3.1 February 14, 2004 School Board minutes – Minutes will be reviewed in next month’s meeting.
4. Visitors-
4.1. None
5. Business And Financial –
5.1 Monthly financial report – Maggie Doane provided the financial information. She did not have information on the balances in the two funds this week. The cash on hand to date is $293,211.52. Mark Bouzianis made a motion to authorize the SAU office to close out the School Building Fund. Carolyn Bellisio second. All in favor.
5.2 Budget Summary Sheet – Dr. Kossakoski gave an update that due to recent expenses, there is only $9,472.70 left in the general fund account. Mr. Dobe agreed that any discretionary spending will be frozen; the fixed expenses that need to be paid have already been encumbered. Costs incurred since the last meeting were $5,000 for special education tuition, $7,000 for gas to be encumbered, $3,000 for grounds clean up (this may include work to be done in the fall which will be reviewed and reversed if necessary). Health insurance has gone up $2,000/month, which Dr. Kossakoski will research for the next meeting.
5.3 Non-resident tuition update – A court date was set for March 10th but the plaintiff council was unable to attend and the date will be rescheduled.
6. Curriculum
6.1 None
7. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent Report
7.1 SAU Update – Newfields will be unable to attend the joint chairs meeting on Wednesday, March 16,
7.2 Enrollment update – Dr. Kossakoski reported that school enrollment has remained the same at 177. No change in any grade.
8. Principal’s Report
8.1 Technology - The school has received a large donation of 23 computers and 2 laser printers from the US Visa Center at Pease Tradeport, which is part of the Federal Government. NES had been put on a list for donations several years ago. The computers will now enable NES to have computer clusters in grades 3, 4 and 5, with a few in grade 2.
8.2 Enrichment news – The annual ‘Escape to Italy’ auction has been postponed to April 2nd due to the weather this past weekend.
8.3 School activities:
· Jeff Warner, a musician, historian and story teller who gives history through song will be visiting this month
· Read Across America was held from Feb 28th – Mar 4th. Thea Burgess organized the event this year. UNH football players read and engaged in the pep rally for reading with the students.
· A Ceramic Artist will be visiting the school
· Country Store field trips are coming up soon
9. General Correspondence
9.1 The Board just received a letter from Margaret Conner regarding her concerns on busing for kindergarten, performance-based compensation for teachers, Kindergarten screening and Child-Find services.
Mr. Dobe explained what the Child Find program is. This is an open house program for children ages 3-6 where special education professionals and speech and language pathologists are available for screening. This is a service to parents but is not required for their children to be screened. The screening is to identify children who may have difficulty communicating, ambulating, and hearing or a learning disability that can be detected early.
Since NES has its own kindergarten program they no longer have mandatory first grade screening but still require kindergarten screening. The school does receive information on students who have attended other kindergartens and plan to attend first grade. The first grade teachers review this information.
10. Personnel
10.1 Mark Bouzianis made a motion to approve the nomination of staff for 2005-2006, Carolyn Bellisio seconded. All in favor.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1 Asbestos abatement quotations – The current amount quoted for this project is $11,196, in the next meeting the board will plan to make a motion to approve the bid for the exact amount. The board has already made the decision to remove the asbestos during the summer and use the Building Maintenance Fund to complete this project.
11.2 Door closer installation quotations - The current amount quoted for this project is $4,200 in the next meeting the board will plan to make a motion to approve the bid for the exact amount.
11.3 Computer Tables – Mr. Dobe is researching having a local carpenter give an estimate on building tables for the new computers to accommodate the space that is available for them in the classroom.
11.4 Building Use Requests – Jan Trueman approved school use for a scrap-booking club and for Mrs. Wilette to run a summer art camp.
12. Pupil Related Matters
12.1. NPTO ‘Spectacular Search for School Spirit’ – The students had the opportunity to generate designs for a new school motto or slogan. A group of judges will look at the submission and will chose three that will go to the student body for a vote. The NPTO will use this slogan to renew the school mascot, create color schemes and a logo. NPTO hopes to have new home/school folders for children to provide at the beginning of the school year.
13. Board Reports/ Policy
13.1 SAU 16 Chairs meeting update – last meeting was on January 19th and opted not to have a February meeting.
13.3 Newfield Policy Manual: Second Reading – The board is still waiting for further information on prior request on GBG and JFAA, Steve Kossakoski will research these and report back to the board.
13.2.1 GBGA Staff Health
13.2.2 GBJ Personnel Records
13.2.3 GBJ-R Personnel Records
13.2.4 GCQC Resignation of Instructional Staff Member
13.2.5 GCQE Retirement of Professional Staff Member
13.2.6 JEB Age of Entrance
13.2.7 JFAA Admission of Resident Students
13.2.8 JFAB Admission/Attendance of Non-Resident Students
13.2.9 JH Student Absences and Excuses
13.2.10 JHC Student Release Precautions
13.3 Policy for fourth reading – GBG Staff Protection
14. Old Business – None
15. New Business – Barbara Clark asked if the last day of school has changed due to the number of snow days NES has had. Mr. Dobe responded that at this point the last day of school should be Tuesday, June 21st.
16. Next Meeting - Monday, April 11, 2005, 5:30 PM.
17. Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 pm. Mark Bouzianis motioned to adjourn first, Carolyn Bellisio second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Bellisio