APPROVED
NEWFIELDS SCHOOL BOARD
September 10, 2007 — 5:30PM
NEWFIELDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In Attendance: Carolyn Bellisio, Joe Army, Michael Price
Administration: Nathan Lunney, Dennis Dobe
Treasurer: Maggie Doane
Secretary: Dennis Dobe
Visitors: Jan Trueman
3.1 August 13, 2007 Board Meeting (Approved with corrections: Motion— Carolyn Bellisio, Second—Michael Price; Unanimous)
4. Visitors
4.1 Jan Trueman – School Parking Solutions Committee
Mrs. Trueman proposed forming a committee comprised of community members to discuss possible solutions to the parking problems at NES. Further, Mrs. Trueman offered to chair this committee. The Board discussed Mrs. Trueman’s proposal. The goals of the group will be to: A. Engage the Community, B. Find Out What They Want, and C. Determine Whether The Project Should Be Funded By Taxes Or Fundraising. The School Board and School Administration will publicize the committee, and develop an online survey to allow convenient community input.
5. Business and Financial
5.1 Monthly Financial Report
School District Treasurer, Maggie Doane, stated that the Newfields School District had $337,992.16 cash on hand at the end of August. Additionally, she reported the following fund balances: Maintenance Account--$8,258.91, Parking Lot--$6,897.80.
5.2 Encumbrance Figures from 2006-2007 Budget
Nathan Lunney presented a report on the status of projects funded by encumbrances from the 2006-2007 school budget. Those funds not expended will be returned to the Town in the coming year to help defray school tax impact.
5.3 School Budget Development Process, 2007-2008
Nathan Lunney presented the proposed school budget development calendar to the Board. Carolyn Bellisio made a motion to accept the calendar as presented, second by Michael Price, All in Favor. The School Board set the goal of a 1.5% budget increase on discretionary spending items proposed by school administration. Also, the Board discussed the formation of the school budget committee, and will making contacts soon to fill those committee positions.
6. Curriculum
6.1 NWEA Performance Results, Spring 2007
A report outlining results from the Spring 2007 administration of the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress was shared with the School Board. Mr. Dobe stated that our students continue to improve their scores in each of the subtest areas (reading, mathematics, and language usage) and remain above national norms in each of the subject areas.
6.2 NCLB – Adequate Yearly Progress Report
Mr. Dobe announced that NES met ‘Adequate Yearly Progress’ targets resulting from the Fall 2006 administration of the NECAP assessment. Test result reports developed by the State of New Hampshire Department of Education and Measured Progress (the test developer and scorer) were shared with the School Board.
6.3 NES Constitution Day Activities: September 17, 2007
Principal Dobe shared that NES will celebrate Constitution Day throughout the week of September 17th. Activity planning to commemorate this important U.S. and State of New Hampshire historical period is underway.
7. Superintendent / Assistant Superintendent Report
7.1 SAU Update – Nathan Lunney reported on several SAU topics to include: SAU School
Openings, School Busing, AlertNow, Mosquito-Born Disease Prevention Activities, State of NH Annual Financial Reports
7.2 Enrollment Update – Mr. Lunney reported that the current NES enrollment is at 162 students.
8. Principal’s Report
8.1 School Opening – Mr. Dobe shared information regarding summer activity at the school
leading up to school opening activities (SAU Meeting – 8/27, NES Staff Meeting – 8/28, School Opening – 8/29). Dennis stated that the school looks wonderful, and that the summer custodial crew did an outstanding job again this year preparing the school building for opening.
8.2 Mosquito-borne Disease report – Mr. Dobe informed the School Board of several
activities being undertaken to help safeguard students at NES (communications to parents, ‘barrier spraying’ of school grounds, mosquito traps and tests, scheduling of recesses and P.E. classes).
8.3 NES Centennial: November 13, 2007 -- Principal Dobe shared that NES will celebrate
its 100th year on November 13th, and throughout the coming school year. Activity planning to commemorate this important historical event is underway.
8.4 Literacy Assessment Program – Mr. Dobe distributed the schedule for literacy
assessments for the 2007-2008 school year.
8.5 SAU 16 Goals for 2007-2008 – Mr. Dobe shared the SAU 16 Goals for the upcoming
school year.
8.6 NES Goals for 2007-2008 – Mr. Dobe shared and discussed the NES Goals for the
upcoming school year with the Board.
8.7 NES Website Enhancements – Mr. Dobe shared several enhancements of the school
website with the School Board. Many of the enhancements are already online, the
rest will be soon.
8.8 NHPIE Blue Ribbon Award – The NES School Volunteer Program was given the New
Hampshire Partners in Education ‘Blue Ribbon Award’ for outstanding school volunteer programming. The NES school volunteers have won this award for many years in succession.
8.9 School Activities – Mr. Dobe briefly overviewed school opening and upcoming
activities for NES.
9. General Correspondence – The School Board discussed correspondence from the Newfields
Staff Association
10. Personnel -- The School Board briefly discussed the teacher contract negotiations process.
11. Building and Grounds
11.1 Building Use Requests – There were three building use requests approved by the
School Board.
11.2 Facility and Grounds Update – Mr. Dobe offered a brief report on recent and
upcoming facility maintenance and improvement projects.
12. Pupil-Related Matters – There were no pupil-related matters discussed.
13. Board Reports / Policy
13.1 SAU 16 Joint Chairs Meeting Report – Mr. Army provided an overview of topics
presented and discussed at the recent Joint Chairs Meeting to include: a technology
presentation by Dr. Steve Kossakoski, an SAU-wide preschool program, teacher
negations process in three SAU 16 districts, new rate of pay for SAU 16 substitute
teachers ($77.50), and the SAU 16 Superintendent search.
13.2 SAU 16 Policy Committee -- Carolyn Bellisio made a motion to accept the following policies as written: GBGBA Use of Automated External Defibrillators, IMG Animals in School, KF Use of School Facilities, and JEB – Age of Entrance. A second was offered by Michael Price. All in favor. Policy JRA Student Records and Access was tabled to the October meeting.
13.3 SAU 16 Superintendent Search Committee Report -- Mrs. Bellisio reported on the process and progress of the SAU 16 Superintendent Search.
14. Old Business – N/A
15. New Business – N/A
16. Next Meeting
16.1 Board Meeting: October 15th, at 5:30PM
17. Adjournment – 7:38PM
Mr. Price made a motion to adjourn the school board meeting, second by Ms. Bellisio. All in favor. The Board then elected to go into non-public session under provision ‘A’.