MINUTES
STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FY 2006-07 BUDGET
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
STRATHAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL
BOARD PRESENT: Mark Poirier, Katherine McDonnell, Bob O’Sullivan, Luke Breton, Jim Dubela
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Tom Fosher, Meg Driscoll, Mary Ellen Palmer, Nathan Lunney
1. CALL TO ORDER – The Public Hearing was called to order by Chair Poirier at 6:33PM.
2. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED FY 2006-07 BUDGET – The Chair and Nathan Lunney reviewed the proposed budget through a slideshow. There was discussion and explanation amongst the board with the public present.
3. ADJOURNMENT - On a motion by Bob O’Sullivan, seconded by Luke Breton, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing at 7:11 PM.
MINUTES
STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
STRATHAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL
BOARD PRESENT: Mark Poirier, Katherine McDonnell, Bob O’Sullivan, Luke Breton, Jim Dubela
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Tom Fosher, Meg Driscoll, Mary Ellen Palmer, Nathan Lunney
1. CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order by Chair Poirier at 7:12PM.
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION – None.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – None.
4. VISITORS – None.
5. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE – None.
6. BOARD REPORTS / POLICY
6.1 Legislative update – The board continued their previous conversation about House Bill 664, which calls for all schools in NH to be open enrollment schools. Staff offered brief updates also on House Bill 1378, which seeks to establish a committee to study the matter of special education students enrolling at charter schools, and House Bill 1685-FN, which seeks to establish essentially a voucher program for special education students to attend private schools.
6.2 Joint Chairs meeting – Mark Poirier attended the January 18th Chairs meeting. He reviewed the minutes from that meeting and noted topics discussed including: House Bill 664, Triple-E mosquito control initiatives, and the Exeter Region Cooperative School District’s potential sale of the Annex property.
6.3 Policy Update - Policies for 2nd Reading and Adoption – The board agreed that policies BIE and JICH were acceptable, but chose to table JH so that the previously discussed amendments could be made before adoption. On a motion by Luke Breton, seconded by Katherine McDonnell, the board voted unanimously with no further discussion to adopt the following policies as presented.
6.3.1 BIE – Board Member Indemnification
6.3.2 JICH – Drug and Alcohol Use by Students
7. CURRICULUM
7.1 Building Use – Principal Fosher distributed a staffing and classroom use worksheet that documented from 1996-97 to 2005-06 the changes in staffing as well as the categorical use of classrooms at SMS. It was noted that over the past 10 years, regular education has maintained essentially the same square footage per student while class sizes have declined. In that time, special education and related services have maintained basically the same enrollment (about 84) but there has been an increase in the square footage per student consumed as a result of the increase in specialized services provided and their need for space. Regular education in general has added space need in the area of enrichment and through the change to extended-day kindergarten. The board participated in a lengthy discussion and exploration with the staff on this subject. Tom will bring a comparison including state minimum standards for class size to the next meeting.
8. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
8.1.1 SAU Update – Nathan reported briefly to the board on the continued work of the Adolescent Health committee, the upcoming NECAP assessment results, and the schedule for the Exeter Region Cooperative annual meeting – Deliberative Session on Thursday, Feb. 9th 7:00pm at Talbot Gym. Dr. Hanson has invited to meet again with the board for additional discussion on the evaluation of the Superintendent, assistants, and the total SAU service to Stratham. The board plans to meet with him on Wednesday, Feb. 8th at 7:30am at the SAU office.
9. SMS Administrative Team
9.1 School Activities – Principal Fosher updated the board on activities at SMS.
Feb 8th – Blood Drive 12 to 8pm – Grade 4 sponsors this annually
Feb 22nd – Spelling Bee at 6:30pm – the Board will be judging
Mar 8th – UNH Thespians will present Peter and the Wolf – separate sessions for K-2 and 3-5
Mar 10th – Immigration Day at SMS
9.2 Special Education – Mary Ellen Palmer reported that there have been three new referrals in the last month. Eight referrals are currently in the process of evaluation. It was noted that there is traditionally somewhat of a surge in referrals following grade reporting. Meg Driscoll reminded that board that this has been a big year for referrals and evaluations on three year-olds.
10. EMPLOYEES – Principal Fosher announced that Laurie Loomis was recognized last Tuesday at a full staff meeting for 20 years of service. The board offered congratulations and thanks to Laurie.
11. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
11.1 Playground – Principal Fosher reported that the manufacturer of the rope-based elements on the playground had completed an inspection of the “Saturn” and “Hammock” apparatus to ensure continued safety and recommend any appropriate actions.
12. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS – None.
13. OLD BUSINESS
13.1 2006-07 Calendar – Principal Fosher alerted that board that the calendar for next year has been adjusted. The SAU 16 elementary staffs will work on Friday, August 25th, will be off on Monday, August 28th, and students will start school on Tuesday, August 29th.
13.2 Gymnasium Use – Jim Dubela and others offered updates on efforts to improve the conditions in the gymnasium following weekend use by the Recreation Department and others. The Recreation Board is making a strong effort to impress upon their participants the importance of restricting food, etc.
13.3 School Profile Surveys – The results of the Parent, Student, and Staff surveys conducted last year as part of the school portfolio project are available on the SAU 16 website under Curriculum and Assessment.
14. NEW BUSINESS – Bob O’Sullivan invited the board to take an interest in recent GASB statements that may impact how we account for, budget for, and prepare for the financial obligation of the compensation of accrued sick leave for retiring teachers. Nathan will work with the auditor to further identify and consider this impact on our district and make report back to the board.
15. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
15.1 Approval of Proposed Budget for District Meeting – The board had no further comment or adjustment to offer for the proposed 2006-07 budget. Nathan will make the modifications to the presentation that were discussed in the public hearing. Otherwise, the budget will be presented as it was this evening.
16. CLOSING STATEMENTS
17. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS: Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at 7:30AM at SAU offices.
Friday, March 10, 2006 at 7:00PM – Annual District Meeting
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at 6:30PM – with New Board members
18. ADJOURNMENT - On a motion by Bob O’Sullivan, seconded by Katherine McDonnell, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Nathan Lunney, Assistant Business Administrator