Stratham School Board Minutes
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Stratham Memorial School
On Wednesday, November 14, 2007, The Stratham School Board met at the Stratham Memorial School.
PRESENT: Luke Breton (Chairperson), Jim Dubela, Katherine McDonnell, John Hazekamp, Bruce Scamman; School Board Members; Arthur Hanson, Superintendent of Schools; Nate Lunney, CFO; Tom Fosher, Principal; Becky Ruel, Assistant Principal; Margaret Driscoll, Director.
ALSO PRESENT: Approximately, twelve visitors.
1. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Breton opened the meeting at 6:34 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. NONPUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Breton said that the board met in nonpublic session prior to this public session, to
discuss the stipend paid to the school district treasurer. The board will enter into nonpublic
session at the end of the public session under RSA 91-A:3, II [a].and [c] to discuss a pupil
matter and a public employee matter.
He said that there is an audio recording being made of this meeting.
3. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
Mr. Breton said that Mr. Lunney was in attendance for the nonpublic session, and is present
to review the financial statements with the board.
Mr. Lunney reported that the manifest is available at the SAU office for review and the SAU
staff can answer any questions board members may have. The financial statement is not
significantly different from last month’s. He answered board members’ questions.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Breton called for acceptance of the minutes of the board meeting of October 10th. Mr.
Hazekamp asked for corrections (Visioning Committee) “DVD video upon request”
included in fourth sentence, and (NEWA Testing) add, “Fordham Institute’s, The
Proficience Allusion, NWEA.” Mr. Breton said that the minutes would stand, as
corrected.
The nonpublic session minutes of October 10th were reviewed. Mr. Scamman requested to
have his name corrected. Mr. Breton said that the minutes would stand, as corrected.
The nonpublic session minutes of September 12th were on the agenda for acceptance. There
was discussion of additions made to the minutes and sealing the minutes. Mr. Scamman
moved to accept the minutes, with attachment, and seal the minutes until
negotiations are complete, and requested to have his name corrected; seconded by
Ms. McDonnell. Mr. Breton said that the minutes would stand as corrected.
Mr. Hazekamp moved, to afford better communication and a more thorough knowledge
of our proceedings by our constituents, the header of our meeting minutes webpage
on the SAU 16 website include, in addition to the district’s monthly meetings, include
the Stratham School District’s: 1] Annual Reports, 2] Annual Public Hearings,
3] Annual Principal’s Reports, 4] Annual Special Education Reports, 5] Annual
School Board Reports, 6] Annual School District Budgets (proposed), 7] Annual
School District Warrants, 8] Annual March Voting Results; seconded, for the purpose
of discussion, by Mr. Scamman. Mr. Breton remarked that items in the
annual report need not be on the website. There was further discussion. Dr. Hanson
suggested that this could be on the SAU meeting agenda to discuss uniformity, and
entertained a motion to table this until after that discussion. Mr. Dubela suggested a
discussion at the Joint Chairs meeting. Mr. Hazekamp moved to table this item;
seconded by Mr. Scamman and voted unanimously.
5. VISITORS
Mr. Breton welcomed the visitors. Parent, Shawn Mijo asked to speak, and expressed his
appreciation for the work of the school board and how the board’s decisions affect his and
all of the Stratham students.
6. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Principal Fosher brought to the board’s attention a request from The YMCA to utilize the
parking lot for bus pickups and drop-offs for Camp Lincoln. This has been allowed in the
past.
Mr. Dubela announce that this coming Saturday, at his home, will be a collection to benefit
children in the Dominican Republic. Item, such as, backpacks, other school items, sporting
equipment, clothing, and donations would be appreciated.
Mr. Breton made certain that each board member received the email communication from
the Financial Advisory Committee.
7. BOARD REPORTS / POLICY
7.1 Visioning Committee
Mr. Hazekamp reported that the committee met on November 5th . There was
discussion of related arts, freeing up classrooms, and changes to the related arts
schedule. The committee also discussed having the culminating meeting in March,
rather than May, to report on creative ways of using spaces. Mr. Hazekamp said that,
in light of the recent behavior of our SAU administration toward both newly
elected board members seeking to carry out their charge of greater transparency
and accountability within their districts and, in general, those who pose a
challenge to the status quo, he moved that the Stratham District’s Vision
Committee expand its charge by including the following in their final report to the
board -- other options for the organization of an SAU, the pros / cons of the
Stratham School District’s withdrawal from SAU 16, and the cost of the Stratham
School District’s withdrawal from SAU 16; seconded by Mr. Scamman. After
discussion, Ms. McDonnell said that the SAU administration was making
headway, and moved to table the previous motion; seconded by Mr. Scamman.
The motion passed with Mr. Hazekamp against.
7.2 Legislative Affairs
Mr. Breton had no update on legislative affairs.
Ms. Driscoll reported that the Board of Education is restarting the rule making process
with a public hearing on January 9, 2008; the most pertinent issue will be discussion of
New Hampshire’s version of IDEA; RSA 186C, special education law.
7.3 Financial Advisory Committee
The Financial Advisory Committee will meet tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. A member of the
Board of Selectmen will be solicited to serve. Mr. Scamman said that the selectmen will
be discussing this. Ms. McDonnell spoke of making communication better between the
other town boards and the school board. Mr. Breton asked if there was a member of
the school board who would serve on this committee. This will be discussed at next
month’s meeting.
7.4 SAU Policy Committee
Mr. Dubela said there were no policies to present. Dr. Hanson said that the committee
is looking at Mr. Breton’s suggested policy. Mr. Hazekamp asked about minutes
and Dr. Hanson said the transcriber has not, yet, been replaced.
Superintendent Search
Ms. McDonnell said that there will be six or seven interviews conducted on January 7th.
The finalists will visit the SAU’s elementary schools as well as the middle school and high
school, and that forums will be held for finalists to meet the teaching staff and the SAU
administration, and that public forums will be held that evening. The plan is to bring two or three
candidates to the Joint Board for a final decision. Mr. Dubela asked about the format of the
forums, and spoke of the importance of the public forums. Ms. McDonnell said she was impressed with the quality of the candidates. The contingency plan, if someone is not found, will be an interim superintendent.
8. TESTING
8.1 NWEA Testing
Mr. Fosher said that the NECAP results are due January 29, and he spoke of the impact
of NWEA. Third and fourth grade will be assessed in a winter session and fifth grade in
the spring session. Students are not tested all at the same time because proctoring is a
concern as is utilizing accommodations for special education. Ms. Ruel said her
experience was that the wireless lab utilization was not ideal. The NWEA battery takes
three hours. Mr. Dubela thanked the administration for studying this problem and
coming up with alternatives and said he favored winter testing.
9. CURRICULUM
Mr. Fosher referred the board to his report on NWEA Testing.
RECESS
At 7:57 p.m. the board recessed, and resumed its meeting at 8:05 p.m.
10. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
10.1 SAU Budget Development Process – 2008 / 2009
Dr. Hanson reported that the SAU budget is being developed and when it is
complete it will be given to the Chairs. The SAU Joint Chairs are meeting December
4th , the Joint Board on December 17th , and the public hearing will be held before the
SAU Joint Board meeting.
11. SMS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
11.1 SPED Statistics
Ms. Driscoll gave her monthly update and reviewed the historical data, saying that the
numbers are fairly consistent across the last decade. She reviewed parent referral
process saying that often times a parent referral is accompanied by a physician’s
recommendation.
11.2 SPED Audit Update
Ms. Driscoll said that she is putting data together for the auditor. Dr. Hanson said
they are having difficulty getting material from the state to complete the audit. Ms.
Driscoll is working on the special education budget.
11.3 Parent Conferencing
Mr. Fosher reported that today was the second early release day for parent
conferencing. He reported on enrollment and that two new students will be starting at
the school.
11.4 Alert Now
Mr. Fosher reported that the Alert Now messaging system will be piloted soon.
11.5 School Activities
Mr. Fosher reported on the Lego League and that the team finished in the top ten.
He reported on the successful movie night with 123 participating.
The book fair will be November 26 through 30. The theme for the last part of the
term is “Giving Thanks.” After the break, the Artist in Residence program; the New
Hampshire Theater Project, will begin, based on New Hampshire stories.
Mr. Scamman reminded that he has asked for a list of all of the different program
being offered.
12. EMPLOYEES
Mr. Fosher reported on the number of teachers who may go out on leave and asked that all
queries be directed to him. He explained that the school’s two permanent substitutes are
certified teachers who are utilized for long-term teacher absences; they know the routine
and they know the students, and that this system is working well.
Ms. Driscoll updated the board on the conference request that was in excess of $1,000.
The expenses will be $1,318.46. There was no action required by the board.
13. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Mr. Dubela spoke of the Fire Marshall’s visit and the list of contraventions, saying that if
there is anything to put into the budget it is important to do so. Mr. Fosher said that follow-
up and future contacts will be with the local Fire Chief, not the Fire Marshall, and that the
school has made significant progress; thirteen of the twenty-five items have been
addressed.
Mr. Scamman asked about sabbatical leaves. There is one per year. Mr. Fosher explained
the school based sabbatical as opposed to ones such as the McAuliffe sabbatical, currently
active.
14. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
The pupil related issues will be discussed during nonpublic session.
15. OLD BUSINESS
None.
16. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Scamman spoke of the interactions of all of the boards in the SAU and asked if the
Stratham School Board should make a request of the Joint Board to form a subcommittee,
with one representative from each of the boards, to study the issues, structure, and
governances to improve communications for the benefit of the citizens, and to report back
to the Joint Board. Dr. Hanson discussed the issue of local control and the complexities of
an SAU, in particular, a large SAU. Mr. Breton suggested bringing the proposal to the
Joint Chairs when the new superintendent is onboard.
Mr. Breton said that in nonpublic session the board discussed increasing the stipend for the
school district treasurer to $2,000 from $1,000. After discussion, Mr. Scamman moved
to increase the school district treasurer’s stipend from $1,000 to $2,000, to take effect
immediately; seconded by Mr. Dubela and voted unanimously. This will be brought
up with the Financial Advisory Committee.
17. CLOSING STATEMENTS
None.
18. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at
6:30 p.m.
Mr. Breton reminded the board that the Financial Advisory Committee will meet tomorrow
at 7:00 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
At 9:02 p.m., on a motion by Mr. Hazekamp; seconded by Mr. Dubela, and a unanimous roll call vote, the board entered nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II [a].and [c].
The board returned to public session at _____________________
19. ADJOURNMENT
M ____________ moved to adjourn; seconded by M __________ and the meeting
adjourned at ___________ p.m.
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Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
* Action Items are underscored
Meeting Handouts (PDF)
Attachment 1 -- Special Education Report
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