Not Approved
Newfields School Board Meeting – Minutes
ARTICLE 1. June 13, 2005
In Attendance:
Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis, Carolyn Bellisio Kelly
Administration: Steve Kossakoski, Dennis Dobe
Board Officers: Maggie Doane
Visitors: Bruce Sterritt, Ann Sterritt, Ray Buxton, and Michael Woodworth
1. Call To Order – The meeting was called to order at 5:37 PM.
2. Non-Public Session – Called under RSA 91A:3 II.c, at 5:54 PM
3. Approval of Minutes
3.1 May 9, 2005 School Board Minutes – Amendment to 5.4: last line should read,
“Judges decision available in two weeks.”
Also, Carolyn Bellisio Kelly is spelled wrong under Non-Public Session.
Mark Bouzianis made a motion to approve with the above changes, Carolyn Bellisio
Kelly seconded. All in favor.
4. Visitors – Ray Buxton, representing the Playground committee, announced that they are in
the process of dissolving the committee and turning the playground over to the
School Department. The committee will be ordering and spreading a load of bark
mulch to use up the remaining funds. A question was raised by Maggie Doane as to
whether or not the playground belonged to the Town and not just the school.
Perhaps it should be turned over to the Town. The Board thanked Mr. Buxton and
the Committee and decided to take the proposal under advisement until next
meeting in August.
5. Business and Financial –
5.1 Monthly Financial Report – Maggie Doane reported that cash on hand at end of
May is $314,721.90. The Trustees of the Trust Fund closed the School Building
Account as per warrant article which passed in March, 2005 and $4,833.85 was
deposited into the checking account. The Maintenance Account has a balance of
$11,968.17. At this time, Maggie resigned from School District Clerk due to other
job commitments.
5.2 04-05 Budget Status – Steve Kossakoski reported that the Status of the Budget to
be in good shape due to the IDEA Assistance from the SAU in the Special
Education area.
5.3 Non Resident Tuition Update – Steve Kossakoski reported that the judgment
was for the plaintive for $1,200. The School will receive about $800 after lawyer fees are paid.
5.4 Bids for oil and propane - Dennis Dobe reported that the latest bid received for
Oil is $1.89 and for Propane, $1.50. Mark Bouzianis made a motion to encumber
$17,000 for PSNH -Electricity, $10,000 for Eastern Propane – LP and for $6,000 for Hartmann Oil – Oil. Carolyn Bellisio Kelly seconded. All in favor.
6. Curriculum –
6.1 Dennis Dobe reported that the recent SAU Literacy Curriculum project makes the
Curriculum in line with the State Standards thanks to two teachers, Jody Halpern
and Sarah Rosenbleth.
7. Superintendent/Assistant Supt. Report –
7.1 SAU Update – Steve Kossakoski reported that there is a Chairs meeting this
Wednesday.
7.2 Enrollment Updates – Enrollment is at 180 students.
8. Principal’s Report
8.1 Spring NWEA & Gates-MacGinitie Test Results – Dennis Dobe passed out the
results. He reported that the students did well in Math. Next year he hopes to
concentrate on Reading and Language Arts. Mr. Woodworth asked the question if
the results are looked at by gender. Mr. Dobe responded that they are not.
8.2 NES/NPTO School Spirit Campaign – Dennis Dobe reported that the students voted on Silver Arrows as the school mascot with the slogan “We aim for knowledge.” The NPTO will be ordering water bottles, pencils and t-shirts with the new mascot and slogan for next year.
8.3 Enrichment News –Dennis Dobe reported that the Map reading was a big success. He stated that the skills the students learned are “life long skills.”
8.4 School Activities –Next Monday is the Grade 5 Celebration. Mark Bouzianis and
Carolyn Bellisio Kelly will represent the Board and help pass out certificates.
Five High School Students came over to help prepare the playground for receipt of
the bark mulch which the Playground Committee is buying. Other activities include
the DARE program last week and Field Trips.
9. General Correspondence –A letter was received from the NYAA requesting $750 from
the Board to help maintain the fields. Jan Trueman had not been able to go to the SAU to
obtain the information on the Board’s agreeing to a $500 payment. So, the Board
tabled this request until that information can be obtained.
10. Personnel –
10.1 Petition for certification of collective bargaining unit– Steve Kossakoski reported
that there was enough support for a Support Staff Union this Fall. The Coop is also
starting a Staff Union.
10.2 Reading & Special Education position – Two part time teachers submitted their
letters of resignation to accept full time positions in other districts. Mark Bouzianis
made the motion to accept Whitney Schwartz, Special Ed. Teacher and Thea
Burgess, Reading Teacher’s resignation. Carolyn Bellisio Kelly seconded. All in
favor. The Board then discussed the benefit of combining these two positions into
one full time position. Perhaps the teacher who filled both openings would not be
inclined to leave if they enjoyed full time benefits. Mark Bouzianis made the
motion to make it a full time position, Carolyn Bellisio Kelly seconded. All in
favor.
10.3 Permission to hire during summer break – Steve Kossakoski requested
permission from the Board to hire during the summer. Carolyn Bellisio Kelly made
the motion to approve, Mark Bouzianis seconded. All in favor.
10.4 Administrative day for staff to attend funeral – The Board granted an
Administrative Day for Staff to attend funeral services for a parent of a student.
11. Buildings and Grounds –
11.1 Summer Projects –The asbestos removal is scheduled for right after school closes.
The flooring in the multi purpose room is buckling and some tiles need replacing as
well as the court lines need repainting. All to be done after school closes.
12. Pupil Related Matters –
Non public session was called at 5:54 PM under RSA 91A:3 II.c by Mark Bouzianis,
seconded by Carolyn Bellisio Kelly. Role call vote was taken: All in favor.
Present: Board Members: Jan Trueman, Mark Bouzianis, and Carolyn Bellisio Kelly
Administration: Steve Kossakoski. Board Officer: Maggie Doane
Topic: Request to waive policy JEB, Age of Entrance. Mark Bouzianis made a motion to waive the Age for entrance for a kindergartener for next fall. Seconded by Carolyn Bellisio Kelly. All in favor.
Motion to leave non-public session was made by Mark Bouzianis. Seconded by Carolyn Bellisio Kelly. Roll call vote: All in favor.
Returned to public session at 6:09 PM
13. Board Reports/Policy
13.1 SAU Chairs meeting update – Most of the meeting was held in non-public
session.
13.2 Newfields Policy Manual – First Reading
The Board held the first reading on the following:
13.2.1 EBBC-R Standing Nurses Orders
13.2.2 IHBA-R Procedural Safeguards for Students with Disabilities
14. Old Business – Carolyn Bellisio Kelly asked why she had to come down to school to
reset alarm with the Police? She was under the impression that the Board gave the Chief
of Police a key to do this. Mark Bouzianis said that he would speak with the Chief and
find out what he will need from the board to feel comfortable to handle this in the future.
15. New Business – The Board received invitations to attend the High School Graduation.
16. Next board meeting – Monday August 8, 2005 at 5:30 pm.
17. Adjournment – Carolyn Bellisio Kelly made motion to adjourn at 7:20 PM. Seconded
By Mark Bouzianis. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Doane