STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Stratham Memorial School

 

Members Present: John Hazekamp, Mark Poirier, Ann Sloan

Administration: Tom Fosher, Principal, Katherine Nichol, Assistant Principal, Med Driscoll and Mary Ellen Palmer, Co-Directors of Special Services, Ray Raudonis, Interim Assistant Superintendent

 

1.        Mr. Hazekamp called the meeting to order at 7:42 PM.

2.        NON-PUBLIC SESSION: none

3.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Mr. Poirier to accept the minutes of October 13, 2004.  Seconded by Ms. Sloan, motion carried 3-0.

4.        VISITORS: Laura Batchelder discussed the continuing problem with dogs on the athletic field and play areas.  Dog owners are using the area and not cleaning up after their pets.  The board is interested in some type of policy or procedure that they could adopt in order to address the issue.  Mr. Poirier moved, Ms. Sloan seconded a motion to prohibit pets on the fields at SMS and to post signs to that effect.  Motion passed 3-0.

5.        GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: None.

6.        BOARD REPORTS/POLICY:

6.1. Legislative update: None.

6.2. Chairs Meeting: Next meeting of Chairs is November 17th.  Last meeting was October 20th.  NHSBA Executive Director Ted Comstock visited with the SAU Chairs and discussed Superintendent evaluation models.  Steve Kossakoski, Assistant Superintendent, discussed the proposed WAN (wide area network).

6.3. Second reading of policies relative to advisory committees to the board - BDF.  Mr. Hazekamp noted that the SAU 16 board has made several edits to the draft.  Mr. Poirier moved the policy as written with the exception of one sentence questioned by Ms. Sloan.  Ms. Sloan seconded and the motion passed 3-0.

6.4. Assistant Superintendent job descriptions committee members met with Mr. Fosher to discuss priorities for the future should this position continue to exist after this year.

7.        CURRICULUM

7.1. Literacy Initiative.  Writing prompts for student writing have been developed by the Literacy Task Force.  Continued discussion is occurring regarding the dates for testing.

7.2. NECAP testing.  Mr. Fosher reported an update on NECAP testing for the fall of 2005.

7.3. DDDM Surveys.  The questions for the surveys sent to parents of CO-Op middle school and high school were made available to Stratham board members.  A discussion ensued relative to the value of the coop surveys open response questions.

7.4. Empowering Writers Program.  This training program for staff will be occurring on Friday October 12th beginning at 8:30am.  Board members were invited to observe.

8.        SUPERINTENDENT/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT:

8.1. SAU 16 Update:  Mr. Raudonis described several SAU16 initiatives including a visit by Dr. Hanson to district board meetings, NWEA training, spring NWEA testing dates, work being accomplished by the science task force regarding a common vocabulary, and an early edition of the school calendar for 2005-06.

8.2. October enrollments:  Mr. Raudonis provided NESDEC projections and enrollment comparisons with 2003 projections and actual enrollments.

9.        SMS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM:

9.1. School activities were described by Ms. Nichols for the month of November including staff training, field trips, a “mix it up lunch”, celebration of American Education week, parent conferences, school concerts and the book fair.

9.2. Special Education updates were provided by Ms. Driscoll and Ms. Palmer regarding special education enrollments, student referrals, student re-evaluations, the reauthorization of IDEA, and a progress report from a teacher on sabbatical.

10.     EMPLOYEES

10.1.   Support staff advise and confer process.  Ms. Sloan reported on her meeting with representatives of SMS support staff on November 10, 2004.  Ms. Sloan is going to discuss several requested changes with Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent.  She should be back to the board with recommendations at the December meeting.  Mr. Fosher also discussed an upcoming teacher leave of absence and the Greenberg fund.  Motion to accept $100 from the Greenberg fund by Ms. Sloan.  Seconded by Mr. Poirier.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

11.     BUILDING AND GROUNDS:

11.1.   Security camera proposal for the budget is being prepared.  New acoustical panels and sound system in the cafeteria have been installed and are compatible with students using auditory assistance. 

12.     PUPIL RELATED MATTERS:

12.1.   Parent conferences: taking place now (this week) some were last week and some will continue into next week (Wed.).

12.2.   Recycling Club.  The fall copy of school recycling news cites SMS as the second place winner in their annual contest for the school recycling.

12.3.   A mock election was held.  Students used town voting booths and there were pictures in the paper.  Very successful program.  SMS sent 6 members to UNH (Channel 11) to celebrate the SMS participation in the mock election.

12.4.   League of Women Voters sponsored a mock election poster contest and essay contest.  SMS had a winner, Tyler Heath, and three honorable mentions.  SMS also received a certificate for participating.

13.     OLD BUSINESS: Town flag is mounted on the wall in the hall and a second will be in the library.  Pamphlet in the box described the significance of the flag.  One flag will hang outside the school in good weather.

14.     NEW BUSINESS: None

15.     BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL: None.

16.     CLOSING STATEMENTS: Meg Driscoll asked about the presentation requested of them regarding brain based research.  Is the agenda too busy for the presentation to occur in December was the question asked.  Probably the meeting in March might be a good time.  Will discuss at the December meeting as to a date and specific topic.

17.     NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:

17.1.   The board will meet on December 9, 2004 with a budget workshop at 5:00PM and a regular meeting at 6:30PM.

18.     ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Poirier moved to adjourn at 8:35 PM.  Ms. Sloan seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.

 


Respectfully submitted:

 

 

_______________________________________

Ray Raudonis