APPROVED 1-10-07
Stratham School Board Meeting
Wednesday December 6, 2006
Stratham Memorial School
The Stratham School Board met on Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at the Stratham Memorial School.
PRESENT: Kate Adler, Luke Breton, Jim Dubela, Bob O’Sullivan (Chairperson), School Board Members; Nathan Lunney, SAU 16 CFO; Tom Fosher, Principal; Margaret Driscoll and Mary Ellen Palmer, Directors of Special Services.
ABSENT: John Hazekamp.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson O’Sullivan called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. NONPUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Breton moved to enter into nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II [c]; seconded by Ms. Adler. The board entered nonpublic session at 5:01 p.m. on a unanimous roll call vote. The board returned to public session at 6:15 p.m. and began their scheduled budget worksession.
Mr. Dubela left the meeting at that time.
The board completed their budget worksession at 6:45 p.m. and moved into the regular meeting.
Mr. Lunney introduced Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens, who will be recording the school board minutes of tonight’s meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. O’Sullivan called for acceptance of the minutes, public and nonpublic, of November 8th and the minutes of the budget work session of November 16th. After a brief discussion, acceptance of the minutes was tabled until the end of the meeting, in the event Mr. Dubela returned to the meeting.
4. VISITORS
No visitors were recognized.
5. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
There was none.
6. BOARD REPORTS
6.1. Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. O’Sullivan said that there needs to be a more serious discussion of Capital Improvements, and proposed that costs should be identified and discussed. Mr. Lunney spoke about the fire suppression system including installation of a cistern and bigger water main, and having it go to bond. He discussed costs and timelines to put it forward as a warrant article. There was further discussion of the warrant article. There was a lengthy discussion about going forward with, or tabling, the project until next budget year. Mr. Lunney said that he can have available the bottom line budget for the board at its meeting on the 18th. Mr. O’Sullivan suggested that he, Mr. Lunney, and Fire Chief Law meet for a discussion on going forward with this project.
There was a brief discussion of including paving.
6.2. Legislative Update
Ms. Adler had no report.
6.3. Space Needs Update
Mr. O’Sullivan, in Mr. Hazekamp’s absence, discussed the space needs flyer, saying that a copy will be sent to the Selectmen. Mr. Fosher suggested that some corrections needed to be made. Ms. Driscoll said some of the legal references are skewed. Mr. O’Sullivan asked Mr. Lunney to do the editing.
6.4. Policy Update
Mr. Breton reviewed policies with the board: BBBC, Board Member or District Resignations;
EH, Data Management; GBEB, Staff Conduct -- Mr. Lunney explained that this policy speaks
to the district’s liability; GBEBB, Employee / Student Relations -- Mr. Breton explained that this policy is new to the district; it is an optional policy, and that wording was added to item #2. He asked Mr. Lunney to add a line for legal reference and a line for adoption date. Each policy was accepted on motions by Mr. Breton; each seconded by Ms. Adler, and voted unanimously.
Mr. O’Sullivan asked Mr. Fosher about the debit system in the food service program. Mr. Fosher explained how the system worked; what other district’s do, and the difficulties surrounding collection. Mr. O’Sullivan suggested that, perhaps, a policy needed to be implemented.
7. CURRICULUM
Principal Fosher reported that NECAP testing will be conducted in January in grade four, and that letters have gone home to parents. He said that, at a staff-led meeting, reading was discussed, and the group decided to continue with the program and with curriculum mapping.
8. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
The calendar for 2007 / 2008 was discussed. SST’s schedule was mentioned, and Principal
Fosher said that one more early release day may be requested.
Mr. Lunney distributed a report showing the districts’ SAU assessments for 2006 / 2007 and 2007 / 2008, and there was a brief discussion of equalized valuation and the Coop’s share. Mr. Lunney said that the budget is up by 5.75%. He explained Stratham’s share.
He said that the joint board meeting will be on December 18th; the public hearing will be at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting will be at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Lunney reported that there was no action on the Arsenic Project; that the project crew from UNH cancelled a scheduled meeting, and that he will report back on this after the first of the year.
9. SMS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
9.1. Mr. Fosher reported on fundraisers underway, and that Friday of this week will be Read for
2007 (minutes); Geography Bee Week is ahead, and that the Pancake Breakfast, and pictures
with Santa, will be on the 16th.
9.2. Special Education
The Directors reviewed the SPED report. In November, there were six students in process and eighty students coded as of the 30th.
10. EMPLOYEES
Mr. Fosher reported that Mary Jo Spencer was invited to present at the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference in November.
11. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Mr. Fosher reported that there was a blowback incident while the oil tank was being filled. The accident was reported, but there was not enough oil spilled to be considered hazardous.
12. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
Mr. Fosher distributed the report on enrollment, and said that there were three new students; kindergarten, grade one and two. He reported that he followed-up on the homeless kindergarten student.
Mr. Lunney distributed a report of teacher / pupil ratio in the SAU 16 schools. There was a brief discussion.
13. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
14. NEW BUSINESS
Review of Superintendent Evaluation Document
In Mr. Hazekamp’s absence, Mr. O’Sullivan discussed the form drafted, by committee, which may be used by the school boards to rate the performance of the superintendent of schools. He said that any suggested changes should be brought to the joint board meeting on December 18th. Mr. Breton suggested that there be space for the superintendent’s goals. There was discussion about the rating scale, and perhaps adding a N/A column. Mr. Lunney will pass on this suggestion to the committee chair, Kate Miller. There was a brief discussion of the process.
15. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
Mr. Lunney had nothing more on finance.
16. CLOSING STATEMENTS
Mentioning the cuts made to the academic portion of the school district’s budget earlier, Principal Fosher shared his disconcert when hearing, “add $12,000 for paving.” He said he felt at the point where academic programs are being cut into, and said that we need to be careful. There was a discussion about: not deferring maintenance; finding a balance; cuts coming from regular education programs; the special education program, and looking, again, at the budget. A meeting was set for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 16th, for this review, and to look at the CPI.
17. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The next, regular, meeting of the school board will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2007.
18. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Breton; seconded by Ms. Adler, the board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m.
Submitted by:
Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
These minutes are unofficial until accepted at a subsequent meeting of the school board.