STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, February 6, 2008, 7:30 PM

STRATHAM MEMORIAL SCHOOL

                               

PRESENT:            Luke Breton, Katherine McDonnell, Jim Dubela, John Hazekamp and Bruce Scamman

 

ADMINISTRATION:              Arthur Hanson, Tom Fosher, Becky Ruel, Meg Driscoll and Nathan Lunney

 

 

 

1.       CALL TO ORDER:  Chair Breton called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

2.       APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2.1      January 9, 2008 Public Minutes and Non Public Minutes: Chair Breton stated that the January 9, 2008 public minutes are approved as corrected.  Chair Breton also stated that the January 9, 2008 non-public minutes stand as written.

 

3.       BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL: Mr. Lunney requested that the board sign the MS 26 and he issued the monthly financial report.  Mr. Scamman questioned as to whether all employees, not just staff, should be listed with salaries in the town report.  It was noted that the Town Manager was trying to decrease, not increase, the size of the town report.   Chair Breton and Mr. Scamman will check with the Stratham Town Manager on this.

The Warrant Articles from the Public Hearing were voted on.  The following reflects the vote:

Warrant Article 1: Motion by Mr. Scamman, seconded by Ms. McDonnell and unanimously board voted to accept Warrant Article 1 as presented.
 Warrant Article 2: Motion by Mr. Scamman, seconded by Ms. McDonnell and unanimously board voted to accept Warrant Article 2 as presented.
 Warrant Article 3: Motion by Mr. Scamman, seconded by Ms. McDonnell and unanimously board voted to accept Warrant Article 3 as presented.  Mr. Lunney left the meeting.

               

4.       VISITORS: No public input.

 

5.       GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE

5.1      Department of Transportation: Principal Fosher read a letter from the DOT regarding the school’s signage on Route 33/Portsmouth Avenue need to be removed.  The superintendent noted that Walter Pierce is working with the DOT on this issue and has received a 30 day extension from removal of the signs.  Mr. Pierce believes we can continue to get 30 day extensions until the matter is resolved.

 

6.       BOARD REPORTS / POLICY

6.1  SAU Joints Chairs Meeting – February 6, 2008: Superintendent explained rationale for the cancellation of the SAU Joint Chairs meeting that was suppose to be held at 5:00 PM this evening.

6.2  SAU Joint Board Meeting – February 18, 2008: Superintendent mentioned the meeting on February 18, 2008 and Chair Breton informed the board that if they had any thoughts on Dr. Kossakoski’s position or SAU Administrative salaries to email the superintendent by February 15, 2008.  Mr. Hazekamp talked about the superintendent’s evaluation and that the Evaluation Committee is using Survey Monkey.  He noted that there has been a fairly good rate of return and the board is trying to streamline the process.

6.3  Visioning Committee – January 4, 2008: The board feels that they have received good feedback from the committee and the next step is to decide what to do with the feedback they have received.  Peter Francese will speak to the committee it March and offer some recommendations.  It was noted that all board members might want to read Mr. Francese’s book “Communities and Consequences”. 

6.4  Legislative Affairs: Discussion about binding arbitration and this legislation is still being discussed.  Still in committee is the Right To Know law.

6.5  Financial Advisory Committee – January 29, 2008: This was a good meeting and people can get further information on the Stratham Website.

6.6  Superintendent’s Search: Ms. McDonnell noted that the SAU Joint Board selected Michael Morgan and he will begin his duties on July 1, 2008.

6.7  Common Concerns Committee Appointments: On a motion by Mr. Scamman, seconded by Ms. McDonnell and unanimously voted to approve Ms. Morrison, Ms. Noyes-Hand and Ms. Maher o the committee.  Also the administrative representative will be Mrs. Ruel and are still looking for a para representative.  The board will wait until after the March elections to approve board members to this committee

 

7.       CURRICULUM

7.1      NECAP Presentation: Mr. Fosher presented the NECAP results, which are very favorable, and he also explained that the board should use this as just one piece of data.

7.2      Progress Reports: Mr. Fosher issued progress reports for kindergarten and grade 4 and noted that these are generated from PowerSchool.

 

8.       SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

8.1  SAU Policy Committee Meeting – January 31, 2008: Superintendent explained that the January 21, 2008 committee meeting was attended by approximately 15 individuals representing the Jewish faith, to discuss special observance days in the SAU.  The Policy Committee is going to further investigate what other schools across the country may have in regards to this issue.  It was also noted that the committee has four policies to forward to the boards, but it was decided to do so at the March meetings for first readings, rather than second readings, so new school board members would have to vote on any policy at this time.

 

9.       SMS ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

9.1      SPED Draft Report: Chair Breton discussed the SPED Draft Report that was issued by Dr. Michael Opuda.  He felt the report contained some very valuable information and should generate a lot of discussion over the next six to seven months.  Once the report is finalized, each school board member will receive a copy.

9.2      School Activities: Mr. Fosher issued an enrollment update for both SPED students and regular education students, noted the Title I Open House, the second grade field trip to Concord, Tim Harrington Safety Awareness Day, the opportunity for school board members to read to classes on February 26th, and the March 7th Immigration Day that will be held at SMS.

9.3      2008 – 2009 Calendar: Mr. Fosher issued the SAU 2008-2009 calendar with the SMS early release dates included.

 

10.    EMPLOYEES

10.1   Teacher of the Term Award: Mr. Fosher announced that SMS Pre-K teacher Cheryl MacLean-Smith was recently named the SAU 16 Employee of the Quarter.

10.2   Family Leave Request: On a motion by Mr. Dubela, seconded by Mr. Hazekamp and unanimously voted to approve Cindy McPherson’s Family Leave Request for the school year 2008-2009.

 

11.    BUILDING AND GROUNDS

11.1                Snow Removal Budget: Mr. Fosher noted that it has only $3800 left in the snow removal line and if this is exceeded, the grounds budget will have to take monies from other areas.

 

12.    PUPIL RELATED MATTERS

12.1                Spelling Bee – February 7, 2008: Mr. Fosher announced that the spelling bee scheduled for
February 7, 2008 is postponed and will be rescheduled to February 11, 2008.  He also noted that he has not heard the results of the Geography Bee.

 

13.    OLD BUSINESS: The board directed the superintendent to see if a secretary at SMS could be appointed a Deputy Clerk to assist in the candidate filings for office.

 

14.    NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Hazekamp noted that the SAU Technology Committee has decided to have school based Websites done on site and not through the SAU.  Because there was a previous motion about what should be contained in the SMS Website, Mr. Scamman requested that the previous motion be brought off the table to discuss.  The board will decide in the future what they want on their school Website.

 

15.    CLOSING STATEMENTS: None at this time.

 

16.    NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:  Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 6:30PM:  On a motion by Mr. Scamman, seconded by Mr. Hazekamp, the board voted 3-1 (Dubela) – 1 (abstain Breton) to have two school board meetings in the month of March, March 5th and March 19th.  The March 5th meeting will be a bare bones agenda and the purpose is just to review school based goals, SAU goals, etc.  The March 19th meeting will be the organizational meeting with the board.

 

17.    NON-PUBLIC: None at this time.

 

18.    ADJOURNMENT: Chair Breton adjourned the meeting at 10:06 PM.

 

Minutes taken by, 

Arthur Hanson, Superintendent