Stratham School Board Minutes
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Stratham Memorial School
PRESENT: Luke Breton (Chairperson), Katherine McDonnell, John Hazekamp, Bruce Scamman; School Board Members; Arthur Hanson, Superintendent of Schools; Tom Fosher, Principal; Becky Ruel, Assistant Principal; Margaret Driscoll, Director.
ABSENT: Jim Dubela.
ALSO PRESENT: Fifteen visitors.
1. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Breton opened the meeting at 6:32 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. NONPUBLIC SESSION
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Breton called for acceptance of the minutes of the board meeting of August 8,
2007. Mr. Hazekamp suggested changes and corrections: correction to his name and
the moving of a paragraph for editorial purposes. It was suggested to insert into
Board Goals, “Review the pros and cons of all testing and a goal to foster open
communications with the community and staff.” The minutes were accepted, with
changes, as noted.
Mr. Breton called for acceptance of the nonpublic minutes of August 8, 2007. Mr.
Scamman suggested a change to the spelling of his name in the signature line. The
minutes were accepted, with correction, as noted.
Mr. Breton said that, since the meetings have been running long, he will call for a recess at
the midpoint of the agenda.
4. VISITORS
Mr. Breton welcomed the visitors.
Mr. Breton asked, at that time, if anyone wanted to address the board. Nathan Merrill had questions on Roberts Rules of Order in connection with the acceptance of goals in the minutes. Mr. Breton explained that board action on routine matters does not need to be moved or seconded.
5. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Fosher, referring to Emails, said he did receive contacts from two individuals about one Curriculum Night being held on a Jewish holiday; Rosh Hashanah. He said, when scheduling that event, he did not realize September 13th was a Jewish holiday.
It was mentioned that the decision was made to allow Tim Harrington, Food Service Director, to assist Brentwood with its food service program, and that Brentwood is paying any costs that are incurred.
Mr. Breton said that the nonpublic minutes would stand with the correction noted.
6. BOARD REPORTS / POLICY
Dr. Hanson introduced Victor Sokul, Principal of the Cooperative High School, who, as part
of completing his C.A.G.S., is shadowing Dr. Hanson’s administrative duties including
attending meetings.
Mr. Scamman asked to have the nonpublic session indicated in the minutes, and have the minutes of the nonpublic session at the next meeting of the board. He asked to have a statement read into the minutes, at the end, and he read, “At the request of Superintendent Hanson the board signed the DOE 25 and the MS 25 certifying the annual financial reports even though the reports were not supplied to the board. Mr. Scamman said that he would not certify the budget without reviewing it first. Mr. Scamman also stated that he will not sign the payables also until more backup has been supplied. He also stated that he has asked for copies of the budget since March and has not received a copy to date even after asking on the record at the August meeting.”
6.1 Visioning Committee.
Mr. Hazekamp reported that the Visioning Committee met Monday night. Eleven of the
fifteen members were there. There was an in-depth discussion on the impact to
programming. Charts were handed out, a discussion of NCLB was held, and a
discussion of extended day kindergarten and the trend away from half day programs,
state-wide and nationally. He thanked Principal Fosher for his help. Mr. Hazekamp
moved to acknowledge Principal. Fosher and Meg Driscoll for their effort and help with
the building use analysis and gathering information for Monday’s meeting; seconded
by Mr. Scamman and voted unanimously.
6.2 SAU Joint Chairs Meeting
At the last meeting of the Joint Chairs there was discussion of the Alternative School,
Great Bay Learning School, the SAU, and Special Education all now being housed at
the Tuck Learning Campus. Mr. Ford, Main Street School Principal, was recognized for
his 21 years at the school. He will be retiring at the end of this school year. Forty-five
new teachers were hired in the SAU. There is a Substitute Coordinator for the entire
SAU. Substitutes are paid from $75 to $77.50 per day, which increases to $95 after
eleven days. All schools will require digital portfolios to show their students can use
technology and these will be student generated.
Virtual Charter School
Dr. Hanson reported on the kickoff of the Virtual Charter School, which is supported by a
state grant. Invitations were sent state-wide and 50 individuals attended. Dr.
Kossakoski presented most of the in-service. Students can take classes online in AP
calculus, biology, English and algebra. The Community Technical Vocational Colleges
are excited about the offerings and their students taking courses. There was a question
about transfer of credits, which needs to be answered. The Virtual School is not part of
SAU 16, but is renting space at the Tuck Learning Campus. There were questions on
the tuition breakdown, and athletics being impacted if a student goes full time to the
virtual school, and Dr. Kossakoski’s salary being partly paid by the Virtual Charter School.
Dr. Hanson said that the SAU budget will realize a savings, which will be spent on the
Superintendent Search.
All SAU 16 schools made AYP, out of 81 in the state, and SAU 16 was the largest SAU
to do so. There will be a report at the next meeting.
Ms. McDonnell said that “Shift Happens” was viewed at the meeting, and that
those interested can view this online at Google.
6.3 Legislative Affairs
Mr. Breton said that there is no report. The legislature is not yet in session.
Ms. Driscoll said that there are five bills that are being reviewed and these bills are
controversial; some of the changes exceed federal laws. Mr. Breton asked Ms. Driscoll
to Email the board members if something like this comes up.
She said that transportation is now a billable service but may not be continued. She said
that Medicaid programs are also being looked at.
6.4 SAU Policy Committee
Mr. Breton said that Mr. Dubela was unable to attend this meeting because of his work
schedule, and that he has asked to have meetings changed to Thursdays.
Dr. Hanson said that it was reported at the meeting, last week, that there are policies
outstanding that need to be addressed, as well as five new policies.
Mr. Scamman spoke of the policy cover sheets he had suggested for policy review. Mr.
Hazekamp referred to Jean Tucker’s request to show origins of policies.
7. TESTING
7.1 NWEA Testing
NWEA Testing will be addressed when Tony Baldasaro, CMS, Curriculum Coordinator
arrives.
7.2 SMS Testing
NHEIAP vs. NECAP testing was discussed. NECAPs have been tested in Stratham
since the Spring of 1996. The genesis of the NECAP testing was NCLB. Mr. Fosher
reported on the grades that are tested, and answered questions as to the length of time
testing is conducted, and the curriculum.
Mr. Fosher reviewed with the board the NWEA testing. He said that the school also
participated in NAPE testing, where schools are selected for participation, and that
outside individuals administer the test. The scores are not received by the school but
are added to the ranking of the nation's schools.
Ms. Driscoll said that an indirect fallout of this testing is accommodating special needs
students, which is time consumed. She asked Laurie Moreno, Resoiurce Teacher, to
speak of her experience with the testing of fourth and fifth gtaders, She reported that
because of the great deal of time consumed by the testing, she is unable to cover her
caseload.
Mr. Breton introduced Tony Baldasaro, saying that Mr. Baldasaro will speak about
NWEA testing. He said that a decision on NWEA testing will not be made tonight. The
administration will ge given time to respond.
Mr. Baldasaro spoke of the testing and the results as they are used at CMS. He said
that the NWEA, a state-aligned computerized test, reflects the instructional level of each
student. These tests provide results that can be used to identify the skills and concepts
that individual students have learned, and monitor academic growth over time. He said
that this data has been gathered for four years at the middle school. The NWEA sets
targets for students. It is a nationwide assessment tool. Testing is conducted at the
middle school in the fall and spring. The data is used for placements in mathematics.
.
Mr. Baldasaro spoke of student portfolios. He described the portfolios as a powerful and
rich representation of the students’ educational progress and, in time, may replace the
NWEAs.
Mr. Breton thanked Mr. Baldasaro for taking the time to make this presentation to the
school board.
RECESS
The board recessed at 8:30 p.m. and the meeting resumed at 8:38 p.m.
8. CURRICULUM
8.1 Professional Development
Mr. Fosher said that there is a significant increase in the professional development line
account but that this is not a true number. He spoke of administrative days, and how
professional development is generated; that 15% comes from administration; 3 to 5%
are SAU initiatives, and the rest is team driven.
Mr. Scamman asked about curriculum. Dr. Hanson said curriculum is not top down, but
teacher driven. Mr. Fosher suggested curriculum presentations for the board at future
board meetings.
In discussing Everyday Math, it was decided that the program began in Stratham in
1999/2000.
9. SUPERINTENDENT/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
9.1 SAU Joint Board Meeting and Open House
Dr. Hanson reported that at Monday’s Joint Board meeting there will be a tour of the
Tuck Learning Campus from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Dr. Hanson called the board
members’ attention to the premeeting packets for that meeting that he distributed earlier.
9.2 EEE Update
It was reported that on Tuesday precautions were sent home, grades K – 5. Grades 6
through 12 received a message through Alert Now alerting parents about what is being
done and the spraying that is being conducted. The data is also on the website. Mr.
Hazekamp asked for board members to be included in the Alert Now contacts. Mr.
Fosher spoke about adjustments in the schedule being made because of EEE.
10. SMS ADMINISTATIAVE TEAM
10.l Curriculum Nights
Mr. Fosher announced the dates for the Curriculum Nights.
10.2 Ms. Driscoll reviewed her report with the board and spoke of House Bills 677, 678,
679, 765, and 766 as being important.
11. EMPLOYEES
Mr. Fosher said that salaries for permanent substitutes comes from line 2210-322,
Professional Services/Instruction Improvement, $40,000 for 2007/2008.
12. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Mr. Fosher said that LCD projectors are permanently mounted, one in the library and one
in the computer lab. This was paid for with PTO funds.
13. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
None.
14. OLD BUSINESS
Land Acquisition
Mr. Breton referenced the parcel of land that is being acquired. The deed has not yet
changed. Mr. Lunney has asked if the board wished due diligence for so small a parcel of
land, or is it too low a risk to survey. The land is on the other side of the power lines; it is lot
12 on the tax map. Walter Pierce has been contacted by an attorney to see if the board was
going to go ahead with the acquisition. Mr. Scamman said he told Mr. Lunney of his
concern that chemicals may have been used to prohibit growth under the power lines.
There did not appear to be a problem with this. There was no objection to the acquisition.
15. NEW BUSINESS
Parent Teacher Organization
Mr. Fosher reported on the activities of the PTO, saying that it is alive and well and does
more than just fundraise. They meet the first Monday of the month.
16. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
16.1 Fiscal Report
Dr. Hanson reviewed the financial statement with the board saying questions can be
referred to the administration.
16.2 Budget Process, 2008/09
The budget process was discussed and meetings have been scheduled with FAC.
Separate meetings could be on Wednesday nights. Mr. Breton will get back to the
board before October.
Mr. Scamman had a question on the dental line item. Dr. Hanson said that line item
was under budgeted, and that Primex went up 25%.
There was a brief discussion of providing transportation for special needs students. Ms.
Driscoll said that on Friday she met with Pat Dowey and representatives from the other
towns to discuss this and other issues.
17. CLOSING STATEMENTS
There were none.
18. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The board will meet next on Wednesday, October 10, 2007.
19. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. McDonnell moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Scamman and the meeting
adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
Submitted by:
Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
* Action Items are underscored
Meeting Handouts (PDF)
Attachment 1 – School Portfolio, Student Achievement, Assessments
Attachment 2 – NWEA Measures of Academic Progress
Attachment 3 – Special Education Report
Attachment 4 -- 06/07 Financial Statement (9/6/07)
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