NOT APPROVED
NEWFIELDS SCHOOL BOARD
Monday, September 11, 2006 – 5:30 PM
NEWFIELDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In Attendance:
Members: Ms. Carolyn Bellisio, Mrs. Jan Trueman, Mr. Joe Army.
Administration: Mr. Steve Kossakoski, Mr. Dennis Dobe.
Officers: Ms. Maggie Doane, Clerk.
Secretary: Mrs. Jo Anne Coon
Visitors: none.
1. Call to Order – 5:35 PM.
3. Approval of Minutes
3.1 August 14, 2006
Mrs. Trueman makes motion to accept minutes as corrected. Ms. Bellisio seconds the motion. All in favor.
4. Visitors
4.1 Mr. Ed Oddo, Parking lot project.
Mr. Oddo is not attending the meeting tonight. He does not have any new information to present at this time. He will be in attendance when he does.
5. Business and Financial
5.1 Monthly financial report
Ms. Doane reported that as of the end of August, there was $66,026.86 in cash on hand.
5.2 06-07 Encumberances
Mr. Kossakoski reports that there are not a lot of encumberances from last year. The bills are still coming in at this time.
5.3 07-08 Budget
Mr. Kossakoski discusses the up-coming budget season with the board. Last year a 2.5% increase from the previous budget was allowed. Discussion followed. Mrs. Trueman makes a motion to give direction of a 2.5% budget increase over the 2006/2007 school year budget for discretionary spending. Mr. Army seconds the motion. All in favor.
6. Curriculum
6.1 NWEA Spring 2006 School Results
Mr. Dobe presented the NWEA results to the board. Discussion followed.
6.2 Writing Program Initiatives
Mr. Dobe discusses the writing program initiative with the board. The staff has all ready received training this summer. The staff will have additional training and consultation through Tufts University this year. Discussion followed.
6.3 Constitution Day Activities
Mr. Dobe discusses the new law requiring students to participate in Constitution Day activities. Information has been shared with the staff at the last staff meeting. Discussion followed.
6.4 NECAP Preparations and Administrators
Mr. Dobe discusses the upcoming NECAP assessment preparations. The assessment is to be done between October 2nd and October 25th. Reading and math will be assessed in grades 3, 4, and 5. Writing will also be assessed in grade 5. Last year the school did achieve AYP. Discussion followed about the results and what they mean for the school.
6.5 Everyday Math Research
Mr. Dobe presents information about some research he found online regarding Everyday Math.
7. Superintendent/Assistant Supt. Report
7.1 SAU Update
Mr. Kossakoski reported that the athletic fields at the new high school have been dedicated. The high school will be dedicated on September 24th. The policy committee will meet on September 24th. There will be a Joint Boards meeting on September 18th.
7.2 Enrollment Update
Mr. Kossakoski reported that enrollment is holding steady at 168. The following changes have occurred this past month: grade K down one, grade 3 down one, and grade 1 up two.
8. Principal’s Report
8.1 Opening of School
Mr. Dobe reported that the opening of school was very smooth at NES. Discussion followed.
8.2 Kindergarten Update
Mr. Dobe reported that the kindergarten class is large and everything is going well.
8.3 Harassment Awareness Training
Mr. Dobe reported that the staff will be working through an on-line course through Primex about harassment training.
8.4 Emergency Preparedness Training & Drills
Mr. Dobe discusses the emergency drills the school has had since the opening of school.
8.5 NES Website Update
Mr. Dobe reported that all of the updated information has been sent to the web master to be posted. As of right now, all of the information is current. Discussion followed.
8.6 PowerSchool
Mr. Dobe reported that the staff is beginning to use the PowerSchool software. It is being implemented SAU-wide and is a large data-base of student information.
8.7 Enrichment Program Start-up
Mr. Dobe reported that the first enrichment meeting of the year will be September 14th. At this meeting the committee will be looking at the funds on hand and make decisions regarding programming.
8.8 NPTO Donations
Mr. Dobe reported that the NPTO has donated the following items to the school recently: new playground equipment, sound for the audio-visual cart, bark mulch, student and parent information guides, and “Silver Arrow” student folders and pens.
8.9 Student and Parent Information Guides
Mr. Dobe reported that the student and parent information guides are now available for families. All of the information was updated before they were sent to the printer.
8.10 School Activities
Mr. Dobe reported on the following recent school activities: American Music Assembly and parent night, Officer Phil assembly, and a brief 9/11 observance for grades 4 and 5. Mr. Dobe reported that the following school activities are coming up: NECAP assessments, Picture Day on September 20th, Volunteer Orientation on September 21st, and Open House on September 28th.
9. General Correspondence – none.
10. Personnel
10.1 Mr. Dobe reported that Jodi Haskell, an educational assistant, has taken and passed the Praxis-II. The board offers their congratulations.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1 Facility Update
Mr. Dobe reported that the following work on the building has been completed: new balk head, speed bumps in the parking lot, clean-up and gravel from summer storms, playground mulching, and the window project.
11.2 Building Use Requests
Mr. Dobe reported that all of the building use requests have all ready been seen prior to the meeting.
11.3 Health and Fire Inspections
Mr. Dobe reported that the required health and fire inspections have been completed. All concerns have been addressed.
12. Pupil Related Matters – none.
13. Board Reports/Policies
13.1 Joint Board Chairs Meeting
Ms. Bellisio attended the recent Joint Board Chairs meeting. The information will be discussed at the next Joint Board Meeting on September 18th. Discussion followed.
13.2 School Board Goals
The board set the following goals for the 2006/2007 school year: assess and evaluate parking lot needs and alternatives, create a communication and public out-reach plan, and continue with on-going maintenance and capital plan. Mrs. Trueman makes motion to accept the goals. Mr. Army seconds the motion. All in favor.
13.3 Policies: First Reading
13.3.1 BDB-R Board Officers – Clerk & Treasurer
Policy read.
13.3.2 JLCF-R Wellness, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Policy Appendices
Policy read.
13.4 Policies: Third Reading
13.4. 1 JLCF Wellness Policy
Policy read.
14. Old Business
14.1 Automated external defibrillator (AED)
Mr. Dobe discusses the information he found out from the police station. The police department has two devises, but neither one of them are currently working due to dead batteries. The police station will not be replacing the batteries at this time. Discussion followed. Mrs. Trueman makes a motion to purchase AED for the school, all related accessories, and training for the staff. Mr. Army seconds the motion. All in favor.
15. New Business
15.1 Ms. Bellisio has been called to the school on non-school days for retrieval of necessary items left at the school. There was a question about what would trigger the alarm in the building. Mr. Dobe explained that only heat, smoke, fire, etc., would trigger the alarm.
16. Next Meeting
16.1 Board Meeting: October 17, 2006 at 5:30 PM. (proposed)
17. Adjournment – 7:45 to a non-public session.
Motion to enter into non-public session under Chapter 91A:3II, (a) promotion or compensation of a public employee made by Carolyn Bellisio. Seconded by Jan Trueman.
All in favor
Time 7:45
Roll call vote
Present: Board Members: Carolyn Bellisio, Jan Trueman, Joe Army.
Topic discussed: Extension of contract and compensation for Superintendent of Schools
Motion to leave non-public session made by Joe Army. Seconded by Jan Trueman.
All in favor
Time 8:17 PM
Motion to adjourn made by Jan Trueman. Seconded by Joe Army.
All in favor
Time 8:18 PM