MINUTES
STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 6:00 PM
STRATHAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL
BOARD PRESENT: Bob OSullivan, John Hazekamp, Luke Breton, Jim Dubela, Kate Adler
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Tom Fosher, Nathan Lunney, Margaret Driscoll, Mary Ellen Palmer
1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair OSullivan at 6:05PM.
2. NON-PUBLIC SESSION On a motion by Luke Breton, seconded by John Hazekamp, the board unanimously voted (4-0) through a roll call vote to enter non-public session at 8:48 PM under Chapter 91-A:3, II (c).
The board returned to public session at 6:45PM and was joined by Kate Adler.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Jim Dubela, seconded by Luke Breton, the board voted unanimously (5-0) with no further discussion to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2006 meeting.
4. VISITORS None.
5. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE None.
6. BOARD REPORTS / POLICY
6.1 Capital Improvement update Bob OSullivan reminded the board about the continued need to move forward on the exploration with the Stratham Planning Board about upgrading the water capacity of SMS in support of future expansion of fire suppression in the building. Nathan will contact the Planning Office to arrange for the Board to present to the Planning Board in an upcoming meeting.
6.2 Legislative update The legislature is in recess. Nathan reminded the board of the end-of-session update that he had included in the board packets.
6.3 Space Needs update John Hazekamp is working on documentation to publicize details about the space needs at SMS. Principal Fosher reported to the board on the health and fire inspections recently completed to satisfy school approval standards. The Planning Board will appreciate insight and guidance from the school board about the projected needs of SMS based upon enrollments, programming, and staffing. The board intends to be present for more planning meetings and to offer the information requested.
6.4 Joint Chairs meeting The meeting was briefly reviewed.
6.5 Policy update
6.5.1 Adoption of Policies Luke Breton reported from his research that multiple readings of policies considered for adoption are not required. He intends to bring this conversation to the SAU Policy Committee for discussion and possible amendment of the underlying policy regarding the establishment of board policy. An amendment to that policy is expected at the October meeting.
6.5.2 Policies for Consideration Luke introduced policies for consideration.
6.5.2.1 BDD Board-Superintendent Relationship On a motion by John Hazekamp, seconded by Luke Breton, the board voted 4-1 after discussion to adopt the policy.
6.5.2.2 BDD-R Board-Superintendent Relations Appendix On a motion by Luke Breton, seconded by Kate Adler, the board voted unanimously with no further discussion to adopt the policy.
6.5.2.3 BEDG Minutes (with proposed Amendment) Luke introduced the policy as presented by the SAU Policy Committee and also offered an amendment which would establish a routine for regular review of sealed minutes. The board will consider this policy in a future meeting.
7. CURRICULUM
7.1 Sitton Spelling Training Principal Fosher reported to the board on this training offered on the first teacher day at SMS. He briefly described the program and explained that there will be presentations and information provided for parents and public during the year.
8. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
8.1 SAU Update Nathan alerted the board that the Grade Reporting Task Force will be meeting on September 27th at 3:30pm and the NCLB Task Force will be meeting that day at 7:00pm.
8.2 Groundwater Arsenic Research Project Nathan updated the board that this grant has been approved and SMS has been approached for involvement. Nearly two years ago this board agreed in principle to invite our families to participate. Nathan shared some of the details and Tom voiced concerns. The board directed Nathan to work with the other districts involved to investigate more fully, seek answers to staff questions, draft recommendations for scope and limitations, and report back to the board.
8.3 Representative to SAU Transportation Committee Jim Dubela was appointed to represent Stratham.
9. SMS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
9.1 School Approval Fire and Health Inspections Tom updated the board on the inspections recently completed by the Fire Chief and Health Officer in satisfying school approval standards. He alerted the board to issues noted by the inspectors and reported that there were no citations to be addressed.
9.2 Conference Requests Tom updated the board on two requests.
9.3 School Activities Tom alerted the board to upcoming activities:
9.3.1 School pictures are this Friday
9.3.2 September 22 will see Grade 5 travel to Stratham Hill Park for team building activities.
9.3.3 Upper grades will travel to Mount Washington Observatory later in September.
9.3.4 September 27 is SMS Open House
9.3.5 Cross Country group has begun, led by Laura Batchelder, and meet Tuesdays and Thursday.
9.3.6 First home meet for Cross Country will be September 28th.
9.4 NECAP Testing Tom updated the board on the schedule for this falls testing.
9.5 Adequate Yearly Progress Mary Ellen Palmer reported to the board on AYP. Last spring SMS was reported to have not made AYP based upon the scoring of one cohort. The final reporting has recently been released and SMS did in fact make AYP. The State applied a 2% Rule that adjusted our scoring based upon expectations of the particular cohort and raised our performance into the AYP level. The staff reported that steps are being taken to ensure that accommodations are provided appropriately for students in testing and multiple conversations are continuing in an effort to prepare for the fall testing.
9.6 Opening of School Tom reported on a successful opening.
9.7 Special Education Mary Ellen Palmer reviewed the monthly service datasheet. Case-E is new software for special education documentation and IEP maintenance that is being implemented now across the SAU. Meg Driscoll reported that preschool continues to be a growing area of concern because of numbers and the challenges to be met in serving many of these students.
10. EMPLOYEES
10.1 Maternity Leave Tom updated the board on a maternity leave being covered by our long-term substitute.
11. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
11.1 Summer Projects Nathan and Tom updated the board on the success of the summer maintenance projects. The roof work was completed; the hot water system upgrades were successful; the work continues on the electrical outlet upgrades in the classrooms; Tom noted for the board that classroom painting will be a priority as we move toward another round of projects.
11.2 Modular Classroom Project
12. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS Tom alerted the board that SMS was awarded the 2006 Blue Ribbon Award for Volunteerism.
13. OLD BUSINESS None.
14. NEW BUSINESS
14.1 Bob OSullivan asked the board to consider budget planning for this year. It was discussed that salaries will increase, health insurance premiums will be up, NHRS will experience a significant increase, and energy costs may continue to grow. The board had lots of conversation about budget control steps.
14.2 Mentor Program SMS has a program of mentoring with stipend awarded to mentors who work with new educators. Three new teachers from last year are continuing in the program and the new faculty this year have joined the program as well.
15. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL None.
16. CLOSING STATEMENTS None.
17. NON-PUBLIC SESSION On a motion by John Hazekamp, seconded by Luke Breton, the board unanimously voted through a roll call vote to enter non-public session at 9:28 PM under Chapter 91-A:3, II (a & c).
18. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 6:30PM
19. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by John Hazekamp, seconded by Luke Breton, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Nathan Lunney, CFO