APPROVED
NEWFIELDS SCHOOL BOARD
April 24th, 2008 — 5:30PM
NEWFIELDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In Attendance: Carolyn Bellisio, Joe Army, Michael Price
Administration: Nathan Lunney, Dennis Dobe
Treasurer: None
Secretary: Dennis Dobe
Visitors: Jane Johnson, Dee Kettlewood, Tara Whitney, Richard Evensen,
Melissa Lattman, Mr. & Mrs. Klinetobe, Natalie Fream, Mrs. Vincent, Jamie Gowing, Amy Ferris, Lauren Saltman, Mr. Priest, Keith Meredith, Jeff Ward, Lisa Adam, Kirsten Lord, Cindy Feenstra, Alicia Heslop, Kim Crisp, Mary Kelly, Erin Tyson
3.1 Michael Price Statement – Mr. Price stated that he believed that a longer kindergarten day would be good for students, staff, and parents: it would make for a better kindergarten program. He reflected on his own experience as a Newfields parent needing to decide whether to send his children to NES for kindergarten which would represent a dramatically shorter day than his children had experienced in preschool. Michael stated that he relies heavily on the school principal’s recommendations on such matters, and Dennis believes strongly that the kindergarten day should be extended. Mr. Price indicated that the School Board may wish to revisit this issue in the future, possible electing for a full-day kindergarten program; time will tell. He alluded to a statement made by Ms. Bellisio in a previous meeting on the kindergarten issue where she stated as rationale for the extended-day kindergarten model rather than the full-day kindergarten model, “You need to learn how to walk, before you can learn how to run.” Mr. Price also indicated that he had logistical concerns related to the teacher contract, and more that caused him to favor the extended-day model over a full-day model, either of which were preferable to the current half-day kindergarten program.
3.2 Carolyn Bellisio Statement – Ms. Bellisio stated that although she believed that the current half-day kindergarten program was working, the extended-day program would be far better, and therefore supports the extended-day kindergarten proposal. Further, Carolyn stated that NES was a great community, as with the greater Newfields community, and that we could make the extended program work and work well. Also Carolyn stated, once the school has mastered the extended-day program, perhaps they could move to a full-day kindergarten program.
3.3 Joseph Army Statement – Mr. Army stated his support for quality education and programming at NES, and reminded school administration of his support for these matters over the years of his service to the Board. Having said that, Mr. Army articulated his concerns for the economics of the Newfields community and its school district. Joe outlined dramatic increases in school costs (that the Board and school administration have no control over) associated with energy costs, teacher contracts, employee benefits, and the critically under-funded New Hampshire Retirement System. He also expressed concern with the uncertainty of future funding for education from the State of New Hampshire, citing the turmoil in the State House and the courts on the matter. Additionally, Joe highlighted the critical importance of negotiating a new agreement between the School Board and the Newfields Paraprofessional Association, talks for which will begin this fall. Mr. Army stated that although he felt that now was the right time for extended-day kindergarten for the school, it was the wrong time for the community.
3.4 Moving the Question
3.4.a. Joe Army made a motion to continue the current NES Half-Day Kindergarten Program. Motion – Joe Army, Second – Carolyn Bellisio: Joe Army in Favor, Michael Price and Carolyn Bellisio Opposed. The motion fails.
3.4.b. Carolyn Bellisio made a motion to move to an Extended-Day Kindergarten Program at NES. Motion – Carolyn Bellisio, Second – Michael Price: All in Favor.
4. Next Meeting
4.1 Board Meeting: May 12th, 2008, at 5:30PM.
5. Adjournment – 7:41PM
Ms. Bellisio made a motion to adjourn the school board meeting, second by Mr. Price. All in
favor.