APPROVED 6-13-07
Stratham School Board Minutes
Wednesday May 9, 2007
Stratham Memorial School
On Wednesday, May 9, 2007, the Stratham School Board met at the Stratham Memorial School.
PRESENT: Luke Breton (Chairperson), Jim Dubela, Katherine McDonnell, Bruce Scamman; School Board Members; Nathan Lunney, CFO; Tom Fosher, Principal; Steve Gagnon, Assistant Principal; Mary Ellen Palmer, Margaret Driscoll, Directors.
ABSENT: John Hazekamp.
1. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Breton opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. NONPUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Lunney reminded that a nonpublic session can be called at any time during the meeting according to RSA 91-A:3, II.
3. SPECIAL PRESENTATION – INTRODUCTION OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CANDIDATE
Mr. Breton spoke of the workload of the School Board Members and that of the Principal, saying and their efforts, on behalf of the school district, do not ago unnoticed.
He said that Katherine McDonnell was involved Thursday and Friday with interviews for the Assistant Principal position, and on tonight’s agenda is a nonpublic session during which the nomination will be considered and the contract discussed. The finalist, Becky Ruel was introduced. She said she was currently Assistant Principal at the Allen School in Rochester, and that she is a resident of Stratham. Mr. Breton offered his congratulations to Ms. Ruel.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Breton called for the acceptance of the minutes listed on the agenda. He told the board that Mr. Hazekamp asked to have the minutes of the public sessions of February 7th and March 14th tabled. Mr. Breton asked that the unapproved minutes be forwarded to Mr. Hazekamp for his review, amendment, and subsequent return to the board for adoption.
The minutes of the nonpublic session of March 14th were accepted on a motion by Mr. Scamman; seconded by Mr. Dubela, and voted unanimously.
The minutes of the April 11th public and nonpublic sessions were accepted on a motion by Ms. McDonnell; seconded by Mr. Scamman, and voted unanimously.
5. VISITORS
Mr. Breton welcomed the visitors.
6. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Lunney distributed a copy of a letter received earlier by the board from Murray Segal discussing waning support for the school and the board due to school spending.
Mr. Lunney mentioned that when the school board participates in the conveyance of e-mails, notification to the public is necessary. He distributed copies of e-mails received and sent by the school board members around the hiring of the AP, salaries, and SB 88. There was a brief discussion of how other school districts handle electronic mailings.
Mr. Lunney, referring to the handouts from the April 11th meeting, said that we now have the Exhibit A referred to, and that is now available.
Mr. Fosher said correspondence from Marlo Thomas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, was received thanking the school for the $2,700 that was raised.
7. BOARD REPORTS / POLICY
7.1 Capital Improvement Update
None.
7 .2 Legislative Update
The board reviewed SB 88, which passed in the Senate and is now in the House, reducing negotiations unit to 3 from 10 members, and the ramifications.
7.3 Space Needs Update / Visioning Committee
Mr. Breton reported that the Committee has set its schedule and dates, and the next meet is at 6:30 p.m. on June 4th, at the school.
7.4 Joint Chairs Meeting.
Joint Chairs will meet on May 16th at 5:00 p.m.; Ms. McDonnell will attend.
7.5 Policy Update
The policy Committee will meet on May 14th at 7:00 p.m.
8. CURRICULUM
8.1 Mr. Fosher spoke of the 50 / 50 kindergarten job share proposal. He said he was in support. Details of contractual days will be worked out and added to the proposal. He suggested that the proposal be accepted, as a pilot, for its first year. Parents will be surveyed for feedback. Jessica Caldwell and Kristen Sullivan answered questions from the audience. Mr. Lunney explained the savings to the district. Mr. Scamman moved to accept the job share proposal, as a one year pilot program, and that it be reviewed at the end of the first years; with details of days to be worked added; seconded by Ms. McDonnell. After discussion, the vote was unanimous.
9. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
9.1 SAU Update
Mr. Lunney explained Stratham’s share of Title I Part A
funding, and that SAU 16
accepts these funds on behalf the school district. On a motion by Mr.
Dubela; seconded by Ms. McDonnell, the board authorized SAU 16 as fiscal agent
to administer grants. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Lunney updated the board on the renovation of the Tuck campus explaining that the
new spaces would be complete by early June, and that the Seacoast School of
Technology has moved in at the Tuck Learning Campus.
There was a brief discussion of SAU Special Education Department and how the staff
works within the different districts. Mr. Breton discussed the proposal for an SAU-wide
preschool.
9.2 Superintendent Search Committee
Ms. McDonnell reported on the Superintendent Search. On the committee is a
representative from each school board, Paul Flynn, SAU 16; Walter Garland, Assistant
Principal, EHS; Jane Sewalk, an Exeter Teacher, and the community representatives are
Marty Wilcox, Brentwood, and Bill Thompson, Stratham. At its meeting on May 2nd, plans
were made for two forums, one on May 31st at the high school, and one on June 5th at
the middle school, for input from the public on what characteristics, and professional
experience should be sought, and what should be some of the issues and tasks to first
be taken up by the new superintendent. Letters on the forums are going home with
students. Mr. Lunney said the COOP Board suggested that the search timeline should
allow for a second search, if necessary, or for an interim.
10. SMS ADMINISTRATIAVE TEAM
10.1 School Activities
Mr. Gagnon reported on the successful Wellness Walk conducted today, and thanked
the Wellness Committee. The Staff Appreciation Lunch will be tomorrow. Grades
three, four and five are beginning standardized testing in language arts, math and
reading. The fourth grade is testing with NECAP science exam. A representative from
Tufts is working with staff on literacy and reading. Early release will be next
Wednesday for following up Tufts’ work with the staff. The grandparent
luncheon will be on June 6; Kindergarten May Day will be May 30th, grade five will visit
CMS on June 1st, and the second grade musical will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 5th.
Kindergarten orientation will be June 12th and 13th, and the last day of school will be
June 15th.
10.2 Assistant Principal
Referring to the Job Description handout for the SMS Assistant Principal position, Mr.
Fosher spoke of the responsibilities of the Assistant Principal, and the requirements for
the position.
10.3 Special Education
Ms. Driscoll reviewed the information on the special education report. She discussed
the tuition for typical learners in the preschool program, and there was a brief
discussion of the number of typical learners in the program.
11. EMPLOYEES
11.1 Nominations/Resignations
Mr. Lunney reminded that there will be a nomination for Assistant Principal later in the
meeting.
He explained that there has been a letter of resignation (retirement) received from
Tere Bowen-Irish. It is a 60% contract. Mr. Dubela moved to accept the
resignation; seconded by Ms. McDonnell. The vote was unanimous. The board
extended its best wishes.
Jennifer Snow was nominated as Speech and Language Pathologist. Ms. Driscoll
spoke highly of Ms. Snow’s appropriate experience. Mr. Dubela moved to elect Ms.
Snow; seconded by Mr. Scamman, and voted unanimously.
Mr. Lunney spoke of additional hiring that will be necessary over the next few months
and asked the board to grant authority to the superintendent of schools to complete
these hires and bring them to the board, for verification, at the June meeting and again
at the August meeting. Mr. Scamman had concerns around filling these positions and
cautioned not to go over budget. Ms. McDonnell asked for a list of vacancies. Mr.
Breton asked for a motion to extend this authority to the superintendent of
schools. Mr. Dubela so moved; seconded by Ms. McDonnell. The vote was three
in agreement with Mr. Scamman abstaining.
12. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Mr. Fosher reported that the asphalt curbing, which was damaged, is being repaired, and
he reported on the fuel tank, the NHDES water testing, and that the irrigation system was
ready for use. And mentioning EEE, he said that Mr. McAlpine is in touch with vendors for
mosquito control.
Mr. Lunney spoke of paving projects: the large lot, the bus loop and car loop, and that a
skim coating on the granite curbing needs to be completed. Mr. Breton asked to have real
numbers presented at the June meeting.
Mr. Lunney updated the board on the first phase of the energy efficiency steps with lighting
and said that there is significant savings. He mentioned the next phase, for longer
payback, and said that Siemens Building Technologies can come back and meet with Mr.
McAlpine on the lighting control project and occupancy sensors, and updating pneumatic
controls.
Mr. Breton explained the sizeable energy savings projects that were proposed and he
suggested they go through the normal budgetary process.
Mr. Lunney asked approval for relocating the compressor to the roof of the building to be
funded out of regular operations from food services, totaling approximately $12,500. Mr.
Scamman so moved; seconded by Mr. Dubela, and voted unanimously.
Mr. Lunney discussed the safety temperatures of food, frozen and prepared, as set by
HACCP.
13. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
Mr. Fosher, referring to his SMS 06/07 enrollment handout, reported that there were 636
students currently enrolled
14. OLD BUSINESS
None.
15. NEW BUSINESS
None.
16 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
Mr. Lunney distributed the Financial Summary with balances as of May 9, 2007. He
explained that there were no dramatic changes, except for an 18.6% increase in health
insurance. Mr. Fosher explained the overage in line 2210. Mr. Dubela asked about the title
“Improvement of Instruction“ being too broad. Mr. Lunney explained that these titles are a
mandate in Handbook IIR.
17. NONPUBLIC SESSION
Ms. McDonnell moved to enter nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II [b & a];
seconded by Mr. Dubela and on a unanimous roll call vote, the board entered
nonpublic session at 9:35 p.m. The board returned to public session at 10:07 p.m.
18. CLOSING STATEMENTS
1. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The next meeting of the board will be Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at 6:30 p.m.
19. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Scamman moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Dubela and the meeting
adjourned at 10:08 p.m.
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Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
* Action Items are underscored
Meeting Handouts and Materials Used at the Meeting (PDF)
Attachment 1 -- Minutes of February 7th Meeting
Attachment 2 -- Minutes of February 7th Public Hearing
Attachment 3 -- Minutes of March 14th Public meeting
Attachment 4 -- Minutes of March14th Nonpublic
Attachment 5 -- Minutes of April 11th Public
Attachment 6 -- Minutes of April 11th Nonpublic
Attachment 7 -- e-mail Summary
Attachment 8 -- e-mail, April 15th McDonnell to Lunney, Hanson, xc Board (AP Interviews)
Attachment 9 – e-mail, April 15th Hanson to McDonnell, xc Board (AP Interviews)
Attachment 10 – e-mail, April 15th McDonnell to Hanson (AP Interview)
Attachment 11 – e-mail, April 16th Scamman to Board, Lunney, Hanson (AP Interviews)
Attachment 12 -- e-mail, April 16th Scamman to Board, Lunney, xc Hanson (AP Interviews)
Attachment 13 -- e-mail, April 16th Hanson to Scamman, xc Board (AP Interviews)
Attachment 14 -- e-mail, April 25th Scamman to Board, Lunney, (Salaries) attachment
Attachment 15 -- e-mail, April 25th McDonnell to Board, Lunney (Salaries)
Attachment 16 -- e-mail, May 7th Scamman to Board, Lunney (SB 88) attachment
Attachment 17 -- e-mail, April 25th McDonnell to Board, Lunney (Salaries)
Attachment 18 – Letter from M. Segal
Attachment 19 – Fiscal Agent Action, August 11, 2004
Attachment 20 – Job Description Asst. Principal
Attachment 21 – Special Education Report (4/30/07)
Attachment 22 – SMS Enrollments 2006 /2007 (4/30/07)
Attachment 23 – Financial Summary FY 2006 / 2007 (5/9/07)
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