Stratham School Board Minutes
Wednesday December 12, 2007
Stratham Memorial School
On Wednesday, December 12, 2007, The Stratham School Board met at the 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: Approximately, sixteen visitors.
1. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Breton opened the meeting at 6:56 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
He said that Mr. Dubela’s absence this evening is due to his work schedule, and that Ms.
McDonnell will join the meeting at the conclusion of the interviews of the superintendent
candidates, being held this evening.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Breton said that a nonpublic session will be convened at the close of this meeting to
discuss negotiations with the teachers, and a student matter.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The acceptance of the minutes of November 14, 2007, was tabled. Dr. Hanson will complete
the closing information, and the acceptance of these minutes will be on the next meeting
agenda.
3. Mr. Breton welcomed the visitors, and thanked them for their attendance. He asked if
anyone wished to speak.
4. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
None.
5. BOARD REPORTS / POLICIES
5.1 SAU Joint Chairs Meeting
The SAU Joint Chairs met on December 4, 2007. The major issue at that meeting was
the draft of the SAU budget for 2008 / 2009. This will now be taken to the Joint Board.
5.2 SAU Joint Board Meeting
The SAU Joint Board will meet on December 17 at 7:00 p.m. The public hearing on the
budget will be at 6:30 p.m. prior to that meeting.
Dr. Hanson mentioned the website and that there was talk of the data on the site being
more consistent. Dr. Kossakoski received a bid from a contractor which totaled,
approximately, $35,000. This issue will be investigated further.
Mr. Breton said the SAU budget was discussed, and that, by law, the SAU budget
needs to be set by December 30.
5.3 Visioning Committee
Mr. Hazekamp said that the committee will meet on January 28, 2008, and on the
agenda will be a discussion of demographics.
5.4 Legislative Affairs
Dr. Hanson distributed an Email communication from NHSBA listing the bills dealing
with special education. Ms. Driscoll said that there will be a hearing on January 9th
with the Board of Education where commentary will continue to be accepted.
5.5 Financial Advisory Committee
It was reported that, at last night’s meeting, there was full attendance. Addressed was
special education encumbrances and adding to or changing the policy dealing with the
reporting of encumbrances. The committee will meet again on January 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Breton mentioned the policy discussion at last night’s meeting regarding
encumbrances. The policy in question requires that the business office give the school
board a report on fund balances. He suggested adding to the policy what the
expenditures were, and the reason for the expenditures. He spoke to Nate Lunney and
that reporting can be regular practice. He entertained a motion to amend the policy.
Mr. Scamman concurred with Mr. Breton’s suggestion for the policy, but said that a
motion was not necessary. Mr. Breton will be in touch with Dr. Hanson on this issues.
6. CURRICULUM
7. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Superintendent Search
Mr. Breton asked Dr. Hanson about the superintendent search. Dr. Hanson said that the
committee is interviewing five candidates, three are being interviewed this evening, and the
field will be narrowed down to two or three. He said that on January 7th the finalists will tour
the schools, meet the teachers and administrators, and public forums will be held. Dr.
Hanson said this information is on the website.
8. SMS ADMINISTRATIAVE TEAM
8.1 SMS Activities
Mr. Fosher reported on the New Hampshire Theater Project. Grade three will
perform New Hampshire Native American Tails. This Friday, at 1:45 p.m.,
will be the holiday concert. The Geography Bee will be the 19th . He spoke of good
deeds at the school through the holidays, and that thirty students were being helped
through the Giving Tree, and mentioned the other benefits being supplied. One child
had a birthday party and all the gifts that were brought, were then given to those in need.
CPR Training
Rebecca Ruel shared a request from the state to have staff members trained in CPR.
She said they are looking at a core group to start, and eventually a group of twelve
members will be trained. The certification is good for two years. Nurse Judy Lewis is not
qualified to train in CPR. The Exeter Hospital and the Fire Department have
been contacted. Training is expensive, but the school will be given a discounted price.
Training will be ongoing, and the training of paraprofessionals will be explored. There
were questions on incentives for staff to be trained. Mr. Fosher said in order to
participate in field trips, staff members need to be trained in CPR.
Enrollment
Mr. Fosher reviewed the school enrollment, and said that the school has lost two students
since the last board meeting, but will be gaining three more students.
Enrichment Programming
Mr. Fosher referred to his list of enrichment programs / activities, thus far, for this school
year. He included on the list the grade levels and the number of students involved, along
with a brief description of each activity or program.
SPED Report
Ms. Driscoll reported on the ongoing work to complete entering into the data entry
system, and the December 1st deadline to meet the target date for federal funding. She
said that there is not yet a final word on the data-dump, but they are working with the
state to get this completed.
Ms. McDonnell arrived at 7:15 p.m.
9. EMPLOYEES
Superintendent Search
Ms. McDonnell reported that this evening the committee finished the first round of interviews.
Eighteen applications were received and eight individuals were interviewed. Three finalists
will be chosen. There will be forums for the staff and public to meet the candidates. This
information will be broadcast through Email and via newspapers. Mr. Scamman suggested
using the Alert Now system to broadcast this information.
9.1 Assistant Principal Ruel – Maternity Leave
Mr. Breton read Becky Ruel’s letter requesting a maternity leave beginning March 31st
through May 9th; a six week leave. When returning for the remainder of this school year,
Ms. Ruel will work a 20% contract. Mr. Fosher explained that Mary Ellen Palmer has
offered to help with the workload and will start in April on a per diem basis. Mr.
Scamman moved to accept the request; seconded by Mr. Hazekamp, and voted
unanimously.
Mr. Fosher made the board aware that an employee in the school has had an emergency
situation with a critically ill child, and that the absences are being covered in-house.
10. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
10.1 Temporary Custodian
Mr. Fosher explained that the night custodian had surgery and is not able to return,
as yet, and that a second custodian is extremely ill. He said they are looking to hire
temporary help. He has contacted students who worked this last summer and will be
hired until they return to school. Mr. Breton entertained a motion to hire the
temporary workers; so moved by Mr. Scamman; seconded by Ms. McDonnell,
and voted unanimously.
Mr. Fosher made the board aware that there are mice in the trailer; extermination is
being pursued.
11. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
Mr. Fosher directed the board to the letter sent home to parents of one fourth grade
classroom relative to a transgender student issue. On the reverse of the letter
was a newspaper article dealing with gender identity disorder.
12. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
Dr. Hanson reviewed the financial report. Mr. Breton spoke of the discrepancy
in the retirement data. Dr. Hanson said that questions can be referred to the
administration.
13. OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Hazekamp spoke of the postings on the website being consistent. Suggestions will be
brought forward. Mr. Breton said that the positing of agendas and minutes has improved.
14. NEW BUSIENSS
14.1 Common Concern Committee
Speaking of the board’s goal of better communication, Mr. Breton proposed forming a
Common Concern Committee with board members and staff members. Mr.
Scamman moved to create this committee with six members: at least one board
member, three members from the staff and three members appointed by the
board; seconded by Ms. McDonnell. Mr. Breton said that this committee could
meet, perhaps, three times per year to address issues such as safety and
communication. After discussion, the vote was three in favor; Mr. Hazekamp against.
Joint Board Subcommittee
Mr. Scamman moved that the Stratham School Board make a formal request of the
SAU 16 Joint Board that a subcommittee be established at its next meeting to study
the following issues:
1) Review proper governance and jurisdiction of the various school boards responsible for
overseeing the various SAU 16 schools and school districts.
2) Should SAU 16 consider changing this governing structure and, if so, how?
3) Create a policy statement and / or bylaws to outline expectations and interactions with
all the boards and the central office.
4) Study possible ways to create a clearer budget structure for viewing the various schools
and districts within SAU 16 in an understandable and coherent manner that would
improve transparency to school board members and taxpayers.
5) Study the administrative structure of SAU 16. Are we operating as effectively and
efficiently as possible? Do the school boards receive adequate service from the SAU
central office to fulfill their needs? If yes, are there any areas that we can cut or are we
adequately staffed? If no, where can we do things more efficiently or do we need new
staff?
6) The SAU administrative budget is similar in size to three of our single town school
district budgets, but it does not receive similar scrutiny by board members or the
public. Therefore, the central office budget should have its own Budget Advisory
Committee (or as an alternative the new Cooperative District Budget Advisory
Committee could also take on this responsibility).
7) Any other issues that may arise in the areas of governance, budget oversight, and
administrative operations that would improve accountability, communication, and / or
fiscal efficiency.
This proposed subcommittee should be comprised of a representative sample of all the
SAU 16 school districts. An approximate suggestion of this Joint Board Subcommittee
would be as follows: Cooperative School Board – 5 representatives; Individual town
school boards – 6 representatives, totaling 11 members.
With a new superintendent arriving this year, and stiffening budget pressure facing each
of our boards, it is important that this subcommittee form immediately and report its
findings back to the full Joint Board as soon as possible and preferably before the end of
the 2007 / 2008 school year.
Mr. Hazekamp seconded the motion. Ms. McDonnell expressed that this was a good idea
to reevaluate the way things are done every once in a while. Dr. Hanson suggested
waiting to convene this committee until the new superintendent comes onboard. Mr.
Hazekamp thanked Mr. Scamman for his efforts to bring transparency to the process.
The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Breton said he would bring this to the Joint Board. Dr. Hanson suggested that Mr.
Breton bring this to the Joint Board for information, and have it brought to the Joint
Chairs.
Mr. Breton, for informational purposes, mentioned to the board using the DOE building aid
for the sprinkler system, an estimate of $425,000, and said that there may need to be
money in the budget for engineering. He said he spoke with Mr. Lunney who suggested
doing this on the cusp of this financial year.
15. CLOSING STATEMENTS
A visitor to the meeting mentioned Principal Fosher’s letter and the newspaper article
dealing with the transgender situation in the fourth grade. Both the principal and
chairperson instructed that their discussion of student issues is constrained by the federal
privacy act, and they directed the speaker to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools.
16. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 6:30
p.m.
17. NONPUBLIC SESSION
At 8:15 p.m., on a motion by Mr. Hazekamp; seconded by Mr. Scamman, 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 9:49 PM .
18. ADJOURNMENT
By Consensus, Chair Breton adjourned the meeting at 9:50 PM.
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Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
* Action Items are underscored
Meeting Handouts (PDF)
Attachment 1 -- Stratham Memorial School Enrollment 2007 / 2008
Attachment 2 -- Special Education Report
Attachment 3 – Enrichment Programming
Attachment 4 – Talents Unlimited
Attachment 5 – Principal’s Memo / Print Media Article, Gender Identity
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