STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Stratham Memorial School

 

Members Present: Katherine McDonnell, Bob O’Sullivan, John Hazekamp, Mark Poirier, Ann Sloan (arrived at 6:50pm)

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

 

1.        Mr. O’Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM.

2.        NON-PUBLIC SESSION: none

3.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Mr. Hazekamp to accept the minutes of December 9, 2004, and December 9, 2004  Budget Workshop as presented.  Seconded by Mr. Poirier.   Motion carried 4-0.

4.        VISITORS – None

5.        SUPERINTENDENT/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

5.1. Feedback for Superintendent forms.  Mr. O’Sullivan suggested that he and Mr. Hazekamp would take the first crack at completing the feedback sheet, share it with the other members of the board, and get their feedback, and coalesce around a single document.  A lengthy discussion followed regarding procedures for addressing Superintendent evaluations successfully.

5.2. Mr. Raudonis provided an update on a variety of issues and initiatives ongoing in SAU16 including the High School Principal search, progress on the High School, the music task force, the Adolescent Health Committee, IDEA and Title I.

6.        GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE:  None.

7.        BOARD REPORTS/POLICY:

7.1. Legislative update: Ms. McDonnell reported on school choice and voucher issues during the legislative update.  She also discussed future hearings before the Senate and House Education Committees.  A legislative advocacy meeting is scheduled for January 24th.

7.2. Chairs Meeting: Mr. O’Sullivan and Mr. Hazekamp will attend the chairs meeting on January 19th.  There was a discussion regarding the new special education position in the SAU.  A question was raised regarding the process for filling this position.

7.3. Review of Policies.  Several new or revised policies were provided by Mr. Hazekamp.  He asked the board to bring them home, read them and be ready to discuss them at the next meeting.  Mr. Hazekamp asked any board member having issues before January 24 to call him.

8.        CURRICULUM

8.1. Literacy: The conversation with Sally Grimes, Reading Consultant, is ongoing regarding a visit to SMS.  Mr. Fosher discussed the ongoing progress with the Write Traits program.

9.        SMS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM:

9.1. Ms. Nichol reported on activities such as dental health, school spelling bee, kindergarten registration, the end of the second marking period, making felt in the cafeteria, a Portsmouth Music Hall field trip, and the grade 5 writing test (NECAP).  Mr. Poirier asked about the NWEA assessments.

9.2. Ms. Palmer and Ms. Driscoll provided a special education update.  Five referrals in December mostly from parents.  Five evaluation meetings resulted in one student being identified.  Currently five new students are being scheduled for evaluation.

Ms. Nichol, Ms. Driscoll and Ms. Palmer are actively working on behalf of assisting paraprofessionals to become highly qualified.  Mr. Fosher extended his compliments and gratitude to them. 
 

9.3. Mr. Fosher discussed the holiday missions.  The STA sent letters home suggesting in lieu of gifts that parents send in either food or money for donation to the NH Food Bank.  Students also collected over $800 for an Exeter program providing cold weather clothing.  Nurse Judy’s annual collection for Stratham people needing assistance at the holidays was again most successful.
There is also planning going on regarding a relief effort for the Tsunami victims.

10.     EMPLOYEES

10.1.   Mr. Fosher reported on his ongoing need for long term substitutes to replace staff members on long leaves of absence.  He has been a creative problem solver in addressing these personnel needs.

 

11.     BUILDING AND GROUNDS:

11.1.   Mr. Fosher described some patching work being done to the damaged curbs in front of the building.  He and Mr. McAlpine are also investigating alternatives to granite curbing.

12.     PUPIL RELATED MATTERS:

12.1.   McKenzie Man, 4th grade student was the geography bee school winner.  She has taken a geography test which will be scored at Keene State College.  If she finishes in the top 50%, she will go on to competition.  She is competing against students through grade eight.

13.     OLD BUSINESS: None.

14.     NEW BUSINESS: None

15.     BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL:

15.1.   The FAC had no questions regarding the budget.  They may have some at the next meeting.  Mr. O’Sullivan talked to the board about putting the curbing bid into the budget at about $64,000 based on the perception that the FAC favored the curbing proposal.  The board was reminded that there is a budget meeting on January 26, 2005 and the Public Hearing is February 2, 2005.

16.     CLOSING STATEMENTS: Ms. McDonnell asked about the Assistant Superintendent long term.

17.     NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:

17.1.   January 26, 2005, 6:30 PM

17.2.   Next School Board meeting February 9, 2005 at 6:30PM.

18.     ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Poirier made a motion to adjourn at 7:56 PM.  Seconded by Mr. Hazekamp.  Motion carried 4-0.
 
Respectfully submitted: 
Ray Raudonis