Stratham School Board Minutes
Wednesday January 9, 2008
Stratham Memorial School
On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 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; Tom Fosher, Principal; Becky Ruel, Assistant Principal; Margaret Driscoll, Director.
ALSO PRESENT: Approximately, fifteen visitors.
1. CALL TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Breton opened the meeting at 6:33 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Breton said that a nonpublic session will be convened at the close of this meeting to
discuss the teacher contract, the salary and benefits for non-contract employees, and
one personnel issue.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Breton called for acceptance of the minutes of the board meeting of December 12th.
After review, all were in agreement and the minutes will stand as written.
Mr. Breton called for acceptance of the minutes of the nonpublic session of December 12th.
After review, all were in agreement and the minutes will stand as written.
Mr. Breton called for acceptance of the minutes of the nonpublic session on November 14th.
After review, all were in agreement and the minutes will stand as written.
3. VISITORS
Mr. Breton welcomed the visitors.
4. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Fosher referred to four letters received from staff with the intention of retiring. The
letters were received from Mary Ann Jenness, Pat Robinson, Cathy Henson, and Jackie
Ellis. Ms. McDonnell move acceptance of the letters; seconded by Mr. Dubela. Mr.
Breton asked that letters be forwarded to the staff members, from the board, expressing
regret for their departure. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Fosher reported that The First Tee of New Hampshire, a foundation that provides
students with learning facilities and educational programs that promote character
development and life- enhancing values through the game of golf, recently presented Laura
Batchelder with its 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was presented for her
generous commitment of time and support to the youth of New Hampshire. The board
congratulated Ms. Batchelder.
5. BOARD REPORTS / POLICIES
5.1 SAU Joint Chairs Meeting
The SAU Joint Chairs will meet on January 16. Discussed will be Mr. Scamman’s
recommendation for a committee to study the structure of the SAU, administrators’
salaries, and the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School.
5.2 SAU Joint Board Meeting
The SAU Joint Board will meet on February 18.
5.3 Visioning Committee
Mr. Hazekamp said that the committee met, last, in November and will meet again in
February. He said they are waiting for input from members for space utilization.
(Mr. Scamman arrived at 6:45 p.m.)
5.4 Legislative Affairs
Mr. Breton spoke of adequacy and about the shortfall in benefits.
Ms. Driscoll said that, today, there was a hearing on rules for special education and the
state is accepting commentary from the public until January 26th.
5.5 Financial Advisory Committee
Dr. Hanson said that the Financial Advisory Committee will meet on January 17th at
7:00 p.m. and that the meeting date of January 29th is tentative. All should have
received their copy of the budget from Mr. Lunney.
5.6 Superintendent Search
Ms. McDonnell reported that the field has been narrowed to four candidates who met
with the administrators, teachers, and the community at public forums. Information on
the feedback forms are being compiled into graphs. The committee will meet tomorrow
to narrow the finalists to two or three individuals. The next step will be site visits. The
final interviews will be January 28th, then a recommendation will be made to the Joint
Board.
6. CURRICULUM
6.1 Sabbatical Report
Donna Lee reported to the board her professional activities while on sabbatical leave;
the books and prospectuses she researched on science and literacy, and the
professional conferences she attended. She spoke of the importance of the sabbatical
experience for educators. She thanked the board for allowing her this sabbatical leave.
7. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Dr. Hanson reported that the SAU Joints Chairs will meet January 16th. Mr. Breton and Ms.
McDonnell will attend.
8. SMS ADMINISTRATIAVE TEAM
8.1 SPED Update
8.2 SMS Activities
Mr. Fosher reviewed with the board the report card system update and the progress
report that parents will be receiving on February 1st. The kindergarten report card is
significantly different.
On January 15th the whole school will participate in activities observing Martin Luther
King Day and Civil Rights; Plimoth Plantation will be coming to the school; the Spelling
Bee is starting tomorrow.
LRR will visit next week. Two representatives from Tufts will be involved in the training.
On the January 30th early release day, teachers will be involved in Make-it and Take-it
groups.
8.3 NECAP and NWEA Timelines
Mr. Fosher reported that he received four correspondents from parents not wanting their
student involved in testing. The NECAP results are due on January 29th.
Mr. Breton, referring to the PowerPoint presentation on the NECAP given at the last
District Meeting, said that this may be informative for the Budget Committee.
9. EMPLOYEES
9.1 Sabbatical Request
Mr. Fosher referred the board to the sabbatical proposal submitted by Carol Tuveson.
Because of the hard-to-read font, the proposal will be reconfigured and re-sent to the
board. Mr. Fosher explained the process for submitting a proposal for sabbatical leave.
The board reviewed the initiatives listed. Mr. Fosher said he supports the proposal and
trusts the board will support the request for a half year sabbatical leave to begin in the
fall of 2008. Mr. Dubela moved to accept the request; seconded by Ms. McDonnell.
All were in favor; the vote was unanimous.
9.2 Substitute for Assistant Principal
Mr. Fosher explained the details of Mary Ellen Palmer helping with Ms. Ruel’s workload
while she is on a six week maternity leave, from March 31st through May 9th. Ms. Palmer
will begin her duties the first Monday in April.
10. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
10.1 Sprinkler System Update
Mr. Fosher reported on updating the sprinkler system, and the
application for building aid.
11. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
11.1 Geography Bee
Mr. Fosher reported on Stratham student, Hayden Cassassa’s, success in the state
Geography Bee.
11.2 Spelling Bee
Mr. Fosher explained that the Spelling Bee will be at 6:30 p.m. on February 7th, and
that he was soliciting two judges from the school board for this project, which was a
school board initiative. Chairperson Breton asked for assistance; Ms. McDonnell
volunteered.
12. BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL
Dr. Hanson, referring to the financial report, asked if there were questions. Mr. Breton
reviewed the statement and had questions on the fuel oil expenditure.
13. OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Hazekamp revisited the motion he made at the November meeting, which was tabled,
that requested that the webpage, on the SAU 16 website, include additional data to give
the constituents a more thorough knowledge of the school district’s proceedings. Mr.
Scamman said he felt strongly that the board should add more documents to the website
since, now, the school district annual reporting, included in the town report, is not being
mailed to every household in town. The town’s report was discussed as was publishing
electronically. Mr. Breton asked Mr. Hazekamp to inventory what has to be published, and
Sue Fornier will be consulted.
Mr. Scamman thanked the administration for fixing, by patching, the holes at the end of the
driveway.
14. NEW BUSINESS
14.1 Appointments -- Common Concern Committee
Discussed was the makeup of the committee and how membership will be developed.
Mr. Fosher will submit names to be sent to the board before, hopefully, the next
board meeting.
Mr. Scamman, who was not present at this meeting when the December 12th minutes
were accepted, said that, in his motion on page four relative to establishing a study
subcommittee, the last paragraph was not part of his motion, he said to take off the time
line, and he requested that the minutes be amended as he outlined. There were no
objections to amending the minutes. The minutes will stand as amended, as
suggested by Mr. Scamman.
Mr. Dubela asked Mr. Fosher about the gymnasium floor and the slipping danger because of dirt, and salt brought in on shoes and boots. After discussion, Mr. Dubela said he will be in touch with the recreation department about this issue.
Mr. Dubela asked Mr. Fosher to comment on the computer hardware. Mr. Fosher spoke of the replacement process as being tedious. He said that the school is now entirely wireless.
Mr. Scamman asked about the calendar. Mr. Fosher explained that the calendar is coordinated with the other districts because of bus transportation. It will be on the next agenda.
Mr. Scamman said that he has been contacted by parents about the schedule. Mr. Fosher asked to have parents contact him directly.
Mr. Scamman spoke of the mob scene at yesterday’s voting and discuss other locations where the community could vote. It was explained that on the November 4th voting day there will be no school for students and in-service activities scheduled for teachers. There was further discussion.
Mr. Dubela asked if a portable sign in front of the school, to advertise baseball signups, would be allowed. Mr. Fosher said the PTA can help with this.
15. CLOSING STATEMENTS
There were none.
16. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at 6:30
p.m.
17. NONPUBLIC SESSION
At 8:32 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].
The board returned to public session at 10:39 PM
18. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:40 PM, Chair Breton adjourned the meeting.
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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 – Sabbatical Proposal
Attachment 4 – Budget Development Calendar for 2008
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