MINUTES

STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

STRATHAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL

 

 

BOARD PRESENT:  Mark Poirier, Katherine McDonnell, Luke Breton. Jim Dubela

 

ADMINISTRATION PRESENT:  Tom Fosher, Meg Driscoll, Nathan Lunney

 

 

1.       CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order by Chair Poirier at 6:34PM.  Chair noted the absence of Mr. O’Sullivan, who is out of town, and (despite his absence) wished him a very happy birthday.

 

2.       NON-PUBLIC SESSION – Deferred until the end of the meeting.

 

3.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES – On a motion by Luke Breton, seconded by Jim Dubela, the board voted unanimously with no further discussion to approve the minutes of September 14, 2005.  

 

4.       VISITORS – Visitors present chose not to speak.

 

5.       GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE – None

 

6.       BOARD REPORTS / POLICY

6.1      Legislative update – Mr. Lunney shared that the SAU is watching pending legislation that will clarify the procedures for cameras on buses.  He suggested that there will be other matters, including education funding, which will probably deserve attention in the next legislative session.  Ms. Driscoll reported that the newly revised special education regulations are being reviewed.  There are a series of public comment sessions in Concord for ongoing review of these regulations.  The SAU is represented at these sessions.  Ms. McDonnell asked that the administrators monitor and report regularly on legislative items that are pertinent to their areas of responsibility.  She will continue to review and report on the miscellaneous legislative updates that she receives throughout the year.  She commented on her attendance at a recent SAU meeting at which NCLB was discussed.  Information is available on the SAU website including details on assessment efforts and the Highly Qualified Teacher mandate.  The board talked briefly about the school/district in need of improvement plan of the Exeter Region Cooperative School District and hoped that the plan would soon make it to the website for public review.

 

6.2      Joint Chairs meeting – Mr. Poirier reported that the Joint Chairs have not met since the last board meeting. The next meeting of the Joint Chairs is next Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 5:00PM at the SAU Office.

 

6.3      Policy Update – Policies for First Reading:  The board reviewed the policies listed in the agenda and provided in the board packet.  The board agreed to eliminate policy IKF – Graduation Requirements as not applicable to the elementary level.  Mr. Breton noted that policy JLC – Student Health Services had already been adopted by the board on April 13, 2005.  Mr. Lunney apologized for the oversight in both cases.  The board agreed on amendments to DFF – Equipment and Supplies Sales and DJC – Petty Cash Accounts.  The following policies were accepted as amended for first reading.

6.3.1.1      DFD – Gate Receipts and Admissions

6.3.1.2      DFF – Equipment and Supplies Sales

6.3.1.3      DG – Depository of Funds

6.3.1.4      DGA – Authorized Signatures

6.3.1.5      DI – Fiscal Accounting and Reporting

6.3.1.6      DJ – Purchasing

6.3.1.7      DJC – Petty Cash Accounts

6.3.1.8      DJE – Bidding Requirements

6.3.1.9      DJF – Local Purchasing

6.3.1.10  EEA – Student Transportation Services

6.3.1.11  JICE – Student Publications

6.3.1.12  JQ – Care of School Property by Students

 

7.       CURRICULUM

7.1      After-School Program – Principal Fosher offered a brief review of the after-school programming underway at SMS.  The current programs are generally receiving excellent interest and participation.

7.2      NECAP Testing – Principal Fosher reported that the NECAP testing is wrapping up now.  There has been a measurable impact on the entire school, its staff, and programs.  The process is certainly necessary but it is demanding in delivery, timetable, and logistics.  The board urged the administration to take full advantage of opportunities to provide feedback to the State about the testing experience.

7.3      Healthy Kids Initiative – Laura Batchelder, Physical Education teacher, offered a presentation of “Action for Healthy Kids” of the NH Healthy Schools Coalition.  The presentation first described concerns about the health and wellbeing of children and adults in this country.  Results of research and surveys were reported and interpreted.  Among the comments and questions offered by the board, it was suggested that the results of this study should be communicated as soon and as effectively as possible to parents and public to help impact this issue.  The slideshow will hopefully be uploaded soon to the district website.

 

8.       SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

8.1      SAU Update – Nathan reported that Dragon Mosquito Control did spray at both Stratham Memorial School and the Cooperative Middle School following the conversation at the SAU Joint Boards meeting last month.  The SAU Joint Chairs will hear a presentation from Mike Morrison at their meeting next week concerning the nature of an SAU-wide mosquito control program for next year.  Nathan also updated the board on the possible changes in the NH Right to Know Law included in HB626 being worked in subcommittee right now.

 

9.       SMS Administrative Team

9.1      School Activities – Principal Fosher updated the board on upcoming activities at SMS.  The 4th grade will be visiting Old York.  The 2nd grade will be traveling to Squam Lake.  Brad Russ will present at SMS at 6:30pm on October 24th about internet safety, an informative program for parents.  Leslie Smith will offer a presentation on bullying on November 2nd.  And the SAU Administrative Team will be at SMS for a building walk-through on November 4th.

9.2      Professional Development – Principal Fosher reported that October 21st will be an SAU Inservice Day on which staff will participate in a series of professional development sessions.

9.3      Crisis Planning – At the last staff meeting, Principal Fosher addressed this matter extensively with staff.  The principal has been into kindergarten classrooms discussing the lockdown procedure – helping to educate what it is, why we have it, how it would be implemented.

9.4      Special Education – Meg Driscoll reported that there have been a number of referrals, especially in the preschool area with seven new referrals in the last month.  It has been a very busy start to the school year.  Staff is busy with the NECAP testing and managing appropriate student accommodations.  They have been working to get students started with services for the year.  New staff are settling in.

 

10.    EMPLOYEES

10.1   American Star of Teaching Award – Principal Fosher recognized the achievement of Pat Robinson who has been recognized with the 2005 American Star of Teaching Award by the US Department of Education.  The award cites her “contributions to the classroom, achievements, and successful implementation of No Child Left Behind.”  The principal expects a high level of state and/or federal participation in the future formal announcement and recognition of this award.

 

11.    BUILDING AND GROUNDS

11.1   Energy Costs – The district has locked in on pricing for fuel oil.  The board discussed the impact of this real cost increase.  Nathan explained that the rising cost is certainly frustrating, but the district encumbered dollars for oil at the end of last year and budgeted an increase for this year.  Together these will accommodate the increased cost without otherwise impacting the overall budget.

 

12.    PUPIL RELATED MATTERS – Principal Fosher directed the board to the updated enrollment handout and reviewed the changes.

 

13.    OLD BUSINESS

13.1   Sealed Minutes – The board planned to address this matter in non-public session.

 

14.    NEW BUSINESS – None

 

15.    BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL

15.1   Adoption of Budget Development Timeline – The board reviewed the timeline, had no additional revisions, and accepted it for this budget season.  There were questions asked about the Financial Advisory Committee.  Nathan will touch base with Steve Kossakoski and follow up as appropriate.

 

16.    CLOSING STATEMENTS

On a motion by Luke Breton, second by Katherine McDonnell, the board unanimously voted through a roll call vote to enter non-public session at 8:47 PM under Chapter 91-A:3, II (e).

 

17.    NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:         Wednesday, November 9, 2005 – 5:00PM Budget Workshop followed by 6:30PM Board meeting.

 

18.    ADJOURNMENT - On a motion by Luke Breton, seconded by Jim Dubela, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 PM.