STRATHAM SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES
STRATHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
March 19, 2008
On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, the Stratham School Board met at the Stratham Memorial School.
PRESENT Gary Giarrusso, John Hazekamp, Katherine McDonnell, Wendy Poutre, Bruce Scamman; School Board Members; Arthur Hanson, Superintendent of Schools; Tom Fosher, Principal.
ALSO PRESENT: Approximately, three visitors.
1. CALL TO ORDER
In the absence of a chairperson, Dr. Hanson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. OATH OF OFFICE / ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Moderator, David Emanuel, issued the Oath of Office to Gary Giarrusso and Wendy Poutre,
the newly elected members of the Stratham School Board.
In accordance with school board policy, Board Organizational Meeting, and RSA 91-A2,
Dr. Hanson asked for nominations for a chairperson for the ensuing year. Ms. McDonnell
nominated Bruce Scamman for this position. There were no other nominations.
Nominations were closed. Ms. McDonnell moved to elect Mr. Scamman; seconded by
Mr. Hazekamp, and voted unanimously.
Chairperson Scamman asked for nominations for a Vice Chairperson for the ensuing year.
Ms. McDonnell nominated Mr. Hazekamp for this position. There being no further
nominations, nominations were closed. Ms. McDonnell moved to elect Mr. Hazekamp;
seconded by Ms. Poutre, and voted unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Scamman called for acceptance of the minutes of the board meeting of the March 5th.
After review, all were in agreement, and the minutes will stand as written.
4. VISITORS
Mr. Scamman recognized the visitors.
5. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
There was none.
6. BOARD REPORTS / POLICIES
6.1 Assignment and Explanation of Committees
Mr. Scamman said that before committee assignments are made, he would like the
board to discuss these responsibilities. He said as chairperson of the school board he
wants more transparency. He distributed the SAU 16 Committee Assignments,
and Dr. Hanson reviewed when and where they meet. The organizational
Charts, created by Mr. Scamman, were reviewed with new listings of officers and
committees. Besides the existing offices of Chair and Vice Chair, a Secretary position
was added with the responsibility for minutes, website, and annual report; a Financial
Officer, with the responsibility of creating and reviewing budgets, payables, and audits;
an officer for Policy to review existing policies and propose new policies; and a Truant
Officer. The new committees proposed were Hiring, Goals, Common Concerns,
and a category of “Other” for matters unknown at this time.
There was discussion of having shorter meetings of the board, and that, perhaps,
meeting in a work session once a month, or as needed, would be helpful for discussion
of issues prior to taking action at the regular meeting. The board discussed morning
sessions, 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. at the school. The first work session will be Wednesday,
April 23rd. Dr. Hanson asked the board to be sensitive to Mr. Fosher’s time, and the
time of the other administrators who attend school board meetings.
In discussing the hiring of the new assistant superintendent, Dr. Hanson said that
Paul Flynn, Nate Lunney, and Jerry Frew will review the applications and choose three
or four as candidates. Superintendent Elect, Mike Morgan will be involved, as well as
Mr. Scamman and Principal Fosher.
The following Officer / Committee Assignments were made:
Secretary – Mr. Hazekamp
Financial – Mr. Giarrusso
Policy – Ms. Poutre
Truant Officer – Principal Fosher. (Mr. Scamman asked for a vote of the board for this
assignment. Mr. Hazekamp moved; seconded by Ms. McDonnell and
voted unanimously.)
Visioning Committee – Mr. Hazekamp. (Mr. Hazekamp will serve for two months; then
Ms. McDonnell, and an alternate, will serve.)
Common Concerns – Mr. Scamman, with Ms. Poutre, as alternate.
Legislative Affairs / Town Liaison -- Ms. McDonnell
Hiring Committee – Ms. McDonnell
SAU, Transportation Committee – Ms. McDonnell
SAU, Policy Committee – Ms. McDonnell
SAU, No Child Left Behind – Mr. Giarrusso
SAU, Superintendent Evaluation – Mr. Hazekamp
7. CURRICULUM
There was no review.
8. SUPERINTENDENT / ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Visioning Committee
Mr. Hazekamp reported that a member of the Visioning Committee has stepped down, and
said Bob Goodrich was interested in serving. The board was in agreement.
Joint Board
Dr. Hanson said that on Monday, May 19th, the SAU Joint Board will meet.
This will be its organizational meeting. Mike Morgan, will be in attendance.
School Board Orientation
Dr. Hanson said that the SAU orientation for new board members will be Thursday, April 3rd,
at 6:30 p.m. at the SAU Office. Pizza will be served, and that all board members are
welcome to attend. On May 15th, in Concord, the New Hampshire School Boards
Association (NHSBA) will hold its orientation. Details will be sent to board members, and
the SAU Office will register anyone interested in attending.
On April 16th, the Joint Chairs will meet, and on April 17th the SAU Policy Committee will
meet at the SAU Office. Those interested in attending should e-mail Sally Boyd.
9. SMS ADMINISTRATIAVE TEAM
Mr. Fosher welcomed the two new members of the school board.
9.1 School Activities
Mr. Fosher reported that Grade 3 will visit the Ice House in Exeter; the Kindergarteners
will visit the Music Hall to see Eric Carle; Grade 2 will have its wax museum presentation
with a PowerPoint presentation of the famous characters; Grade 3 will have its recorder
performance on the 28th, and Grade 4 is getting ready for its visit to Lowell Mills. April
10th and 11th will be the variety show with the support of the Arts Boosters Club. He
spoke of the need for two more handheld microphones. The Dancing With The Stars
fundraiser, to benefit the Stevens Field project, will be in mid-April. The Earth Week
activities will culminate with 750 participants in the cafeteria.
9.2 Family Leave Request
Mr. Fosher referred to a letter from a staff member requesting a second year of child
care leave. Mr. Scamman distributed, for the board’s review, the district’s agreement
with the teachers. Ms. McDonnell moved to accept the request; seconded by Mr.
Giarrusso and voted unanimously.
9.3 Employee’s Conference Request
Mr. Fosher distributed background data on a request to attend a week-long Everyday
Math Seminar this summer. Since the request exceeds $1,000 it is being brought to the
board. There was concern expressed about the transportation request. Mr. Scamman
asked that the teacher share his experience with the board. Ms. McDonnell moved to
accept the request; seconded by Ms. Poutre. The vote was unanimous.
9.4 SMS Enrollment
Mr. Fosher reviewed the current enrollment, which is 623 students. He said that
the numbers, traditionally, increase after April recess.
Special Education
Mr. Fosher said that Ms. Driscoll will follow-up with a Special Education Report. There was a brief discussion of the Special Education Audit.
10. EMPLOYEES
Mr. Fosher reported that Paraprofessional, Judy Joy, is now a published author. Her book
is available in the school’s library. Mr. Scamman asked that a letter of congratulations be
sent to her.
11. BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Mr. Fosher and Mr. Scamman discussed the removal of the sign on Rt. 33, as requested by
the DOT. Mr. Scamman said they are working toward getting a sign erected, and he had
various pictures to show as examples. He will be in contact with the town.
Mr. Fosher discussed the two mini storage units. He said he spoke with the vendor and
the 8’ x 20’ foot unit is owned; the other unit, 10’ x 18’, which is insulated, is used for
paper storage, and is rented monthly for $93.50. Renting is now nonbinding. After the
company is notified for removal, it will take up to ten days. Mr. Scamman spoke about
discussing going forward with building something long-term, and permanent.
12. PUPIL RELATED MATTERS
Mr. Fosher reported on Stratham student, Haden Cassassa’s, success in the state’s
Geography Bee for Grades 5 through 8. The Bee is April 4th, at Keene State, and Hayden
is one of the 100 finalists.
13. BUSINESS AND FINANCIALS
There were none.
14. OLD BUSINESS
The makeup of the Common Concerns Committee was discussed. Mr. Fosher said Laurie
Noyes Hand will remains as a member, but that two others have stepped down. Two
other teachers will join the committee: Tracey Christelles and Nancy Gilbert. Of the three
paraprofessionals who have expressed interest in serving, names were drawn, and
Melissa Poirier will serve.
15. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
16. CLOSING STATEMENTS
Ms. McDonnell felt that this was a very productive meeting.
Dr. Hanson welcomed the new board members and said that he, Chairperson Scamman,
and Principal Fosher produce the agenda a week prior to the meeting, and to contact them
with items for the agenda.
Mr. Fosher reviewed, with the board, the roles of Mary Ellen Palmer and Becky Ruel for
the remainder of this school year. He said that he can be contacted at any time.
17. NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.
18. NONPUBLIC SESSION
There was none.
19. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Scamman moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Giarrusso, and the meeting
adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
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Mary Lou Clinton-Stevens
* Action Items are underscored
Meeting Handouts (PDF)
Attachment 1 – SAU Joint Board Organizational Chart
Attachment 2 – SMS Board Organizational Chart
Attachment 3 – SAU 16 Committees 2007 / 2008
Attachment 4 – Teacher Master Agreement
Attachment 5 – Request for Leave of Absence
Attachment 6 – Conference Request
Attachment 7 – Stratham Memorial School Enrollment 2007 / 2008
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