ADVANCE COPY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #51
PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m.; Thursday, August 22, 2013
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Michael Wolfe, Chairperson
Nicole Manteau, Vice-Chairperson
Bea Douglas
Gary Mullen
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Susan Graham, Dean of Instruction
Paul Newell, Dean of Operations
Sarah Rollins, Director of College & Career Readiness
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Members of the faculty
Members of the public

Chairperson Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added by Dr. Freeman:
• Pittsfield Listens
• School Board Strategic Plan
• Adequacy Grant
• Communications Plan
• FY15 Budget
• Policy JICI

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda as amended.

IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None

V. INTRODUCTIONS

Ms. Graham introduced Kate Oswald, newly-hired middle school social studies teacher, and Kevin Cleary, newly-hired district music teacher.

Mr. Newell introduced Melissa Canfield, newly-hired student support specialist. Mr. Newell explained that Louise Sawyer will be hired as a temporary substitute to assist.

Ms. Stevens introduced Lesley Putney, newly-hired special education teacher and case manager for grades 11/12, and Karley Wilcox, newly-hired special education teacher and case manager for preschool and kindergarten.

Dr. Freeman introduced Molly Messenger, the newly hired Pittsfield Listens program director. Ms. Messenger spoke to the Board about the experience she brings to the position and work that has been initiated.

VI. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. FACILITIES

Mr. Newell introduced Dan Bisson, architect from Team Design, who described the work that is proposed to begin at the Pittsfield Elementary School. Mr. Bisson exhibited the materials that will be used including the brick front, rain screen, vinyl column covers, and cedar shake vinyl siding.

Discussion ensued regarding light fixtures. Mr. Newell will work with George Szelest to continue the research cost. Dr. Freeman will bring a proposal to the School Board for consideration.

Mr. Bisson and Mr. Newell will meet with Hutter Construction and Granite State Glass on a weekly basis for a construction meeting. Minutes will be taken and will be available for public review. School Board members are invited to attend these meetings on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. at PES.

Mr. Newell explained that the small PES parking lot will be used as a staging area for the construction crew. He explained that a system to accommodate classes as windows are being replaced, room by room, will be devised. Mr. Newell is making arrangements for the cafeteria window replacement to be completed before school begins. Traffic patterns will be disrupted, but safety will be of primary importance. He will be informing parents about construction accommodations via the pink newsletter, kindergarten information night, and the school website.

Mr. Newell reported that the paving has been completed. Drainage issues were discovered and repaired.

VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2013 meeting. The name “Manseau” shall be changed to “Manteau” on page 1 and 2 in three locations. The motion was approved unanimously.

VIII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. CURRICULUM

Ms. Graham explained that curriculum has been entered by the PES faculty on Atlas Rubicon, a software program. PMHS is almost completely entered. In early September, there will be a formal roll-out of the curriculum to the public. The components entered include the pacing calendars, the standards, and the indicator statements. Other elements of the curriculum will be slowly rolled out over the course of the year.

Dr. Freeman explained that this project has been in progress over the last two years. Atlas Rubicon allows curriculum to be continuous when a teacher leaves and is replaced by another. Also, he stated that materials used by teachers in the teaching of curriculum can be housed within the software.

B. QUALITY PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (QPA) TEAM

The QPA Team from PES attended a conference in July and has developed plans for faculty training on quality performance assessments, according to Ms. Graham.

C. LEARNING STUDIOS

PMHS is ready to launch Learning Studios, which will debut on September 11th. The Wednesday schedule has been modified to allow the Learning Studios to occur. Many teachers are choosing to work together to develop interdisciplinary studios. They will be centered on 21st Century learning skills, which are more difficult to teach in traditional courses.

D. INVESTING IN INNOVATION (i3) TEAM

The i3 Team attended the annual summer institute in August. The focus of the summit was on assessment and rubrics. The team discussed the need to revisit the role of student assessment in common planning time teams and created a plan and draft of a professional development plan to continue training on instruction guided by student assessment.

E. COMMUNICATION

Ms. Graham explained that the i3 team also discussed increasing communication between the school and the community. The plan will include ways in which PMHS will provide opportunities for the community to understand new initiatives such as restorative justice, Site Council, and inquiry based learning.

F. COLLABORATIVE SKILLS

Consultant Arnie Clayton from the Center for Secondary School Redesign spent three days with staff members interested in learning protocols that are used to guarantee equity in group discussions. Through the use of the protocols, meetings stay focused on intended agenda, people feel their opinions are being heard and considered, and buy-in to the group consensus seems stronger.

G. UNDERSTANDING BY DESIGN

Several PES and PMHS teachers attended Understanding by Design (UbD) workshops. UbD uses the logic of backward design to bring more focus and coherence to instruction. This training marks the continuation of work that has occurred within the district over many years in the area of UbD.

H. HEALTH CURRICULUM

Ms. Graham explained that a health program is mandated in the elementary curriculum. Because PES does not have a health teacher, the health curriculum must be presented by a combination of faculty, which includes the nurse, school counselor, and physical education teacher.

I. NEW HIRES

As introduced, the new staff include Kate Oswald, middle school social studies and Kevin Cleary, music.

IX. DEAN OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

A. FACILITIES

The schools will be ready to open. The custodians have worked diligently to clean both the buildings for opening day, Mr. Newell reported.

Mr. Newell explained the problem that led to a leak from the ceiling in the lobby of PMHS. A secondary drain line has been installed as a temporary solution. There are other water issues, which are being addressed.

Mr. Newell reported that mold has been discovered in the kitchen of PMHS. It is surface mold, caused by lack of air movement and high humidity. Mr. Newell has made arrangements for abatement and subsequent testing to ensure the effectiveness of the abatement process, which will be completed prior to the opening of school.

Mr. Newell provided the Board with three bids for the abatement work. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board approved unanimously to hire Environvantage to mitigate the PMHS kitchen mold for $7,200.

B. HANDBOOKS

Mr. Newell described two methods previously used by PES and PMHS to present changes to the handbooks and approval by the School Board. He also explained that the goal is to have the handbooks on the website where topics will be searchable and the document can change when necessary.

Discussion ensued regarding the need to have information that parents and students need, while at the same time some information in the current handbook is not entirely accurate.

Dr. Freeman suggested that the PES handbook is in fairly good shape and should be distributed. He further stated that a deadline should be promised for the PMHS handbook. Mr. Newell will provide the Board with a proposed timeline for completion at the next meeting.

C. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

A workshop was held on August 12th for the students and faculty involved in the Restorative Justice program.

D. WEBSITE

Community Member Clayton Wood will be assisting district personnel to improve the website.

E. ATHLETICS

Mr. Newell provided the Board with updates from the Athletic Director, as well as a calendar of upcoming athletic events.

F. TECHNOLOGY

The school will be ready for the first day. Labs have been updated, computers reimaged, wiring pulled, and Windows upgraded.

Mr. Newell stated that the phone system in both schools have issues. An assessment is being done on both systems to troubleshoot and start working on possible solutions.

G. NEW HIRES

As introduced earlier in the meeting, Melissa Canfield will be assuming responsibility for the Student Support Specialist position.

The school nurse position continues to be open. Mr. Newell stated that he has found a substitute to cover the opening of school until someone has been hired.

H. REGISTRATIONS

Registrations are on-going. Parents and students attended the Kindergarten Information Night on August 21st.

I. CELEBRATION

Mr. Newell stated his appreciation for the welcome he has received and the willingness of people to work over the summer. He is confident that the schools are ready to open successfully.

X. DISTRICT STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. FOCUS MONITORING

Ms. Stevens explained that a report was received from the New Hampshire Department of Education stating that all special education programs have been approved. The special education grant is now fully funded and can be used to implement changes in the Focus Monitoring action plan.

B. HIRING

Three new teachers have been hired, including Karly Wilcox, preschool and kindergarten; Sarah McLean, fifth grade; and Leslie Putney, high school. Ms. Stevens continues to fill vacant paraeducator positions.

C. OUT OF DISTRICT STATUS

Ms. Stevens updated the Board on the status of out of district placements.

D. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ms. Stevens stated that a full day professional development opportunity was offered to all special education teachers. A highlight was the dissemination of the Case Manager handbook.

XI. NEW MODELS OF SYSTEM CHANGE ADMINISTRATION – No report.

XII. COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS ADMINISTRATION – No report.

XIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. PITTSFIELD LISTENS

Dr. Freeman introduced Molly Messenger earlier in the meeting.

B. SCHOOL BOARD STRATEGIC PLAN

The administrative leadership team is working on the Board’s strategic plan to develop a corresponding work plan. It is in draft stage and will be completed by the first October meeting.

C. ADEQUACY GRANT

The Department of Education has advised us that this year’s adequacy grant will, unfortunately, be about $30,000 less than estimated.

D. COMMUNCATION PLAN

Working with the NMEF-funded communications consultant Jane Feinberg, the district’s Communications Team has drafted a communications plan for 2013-2014. When finalized, the plan will be introduced to the Board.

E. FY15 BUDGET

Our work on the district’s FY15 budget will soon begin, so Dr. Freeman asked Board members to begin thinking about district needs, goals, and priorities in preparation for this process.

F. POLICY JICI

Policy JICI is still being researched and a consultation with Chief Wharem will occur in September.

G. STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Ms. Graham explained that during the student leadership training, the students were allowed the opportunity to plan the first two days of school. The first two days will look a bit different than it has in the past. There will be time for the sharing of information and time for team building activities. Mr. Newell and Ms. Graham will be assessing the outcome of the first two days and making modifications, as necessary, for next year.

XIV. SCHOOL BOARD

XV. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES

Mr. Newell stated that damage from the Balloon Rally is being assessed. Ms. Douglas stated that it will be important for the district to communicate with Rotary if repairs are necessary.
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B. NEGOTIATIONS – None

C. BUDGET COMMITTEE – None

D. FOSS FOUNDATION – None

XVI. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION – None

XVII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 12, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center. Agenda items will include budget planning and a proposed timeline for the PMHS handbook completion.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary