August 23, 2012 Minutes


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									<h1 class="entry-title">August 23, 2012 Minutes</h1>
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					<p>APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD</p>
<p>STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE<br />
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #51<br />
PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD</p>
<p>MINUTES</p>
<p>Pittsfield School Board Meeting<br />
5:30 p.m., Thursday, August 23, 2012<br />
Pittsfield Middle High School</p>
<p>I.	CALL TO ORDER</p>
<p>Members Present:  	Clayton Wood, Chairperson<br />
				Mike Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson<br />
				Nicole Manteau<br />
				Gary Mullen</p>
<p>Others Present: 		Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS<br />
				Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES<br />
Lois-Jean Stevens, Director of Student Services<br />
Brian Donohue, PES Physical Education Teacher<br />
Pam Williams, District Speech Pathologist<br />
Kathy Corliss</p>
<p>Mr. Clayton Wood called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.</p>
<p>II.	AGENDA  REVIEW</p>
<p>The following items were added:<br />
•	Introduction of new staff (Mr. Kilmister)<br />
•	Introduction of new staff (Ms. Stevens)<br />
•	Globe Trust for Music &#038; Arts (Mr. Wolfe)</p>
<p>III.	ACTION ON AGENDA</p>
<p>On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda as amended.  </p>
<p>IV.	APPROVAL OF MINUTES</p>
<p>A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2012, meeting.  The motion was approved unanimously.</p>
<p>V.	PUBLIC INPUT</p>
<p>A.	Kathy Corliss expressed concern about the Student Success Through Competency (SSTC) grade change policy at PMHS. The concerns voiced were based on insurance information required for discounted and merit scholarships. Ms. Corliss asked how many parents participated in this process and whether the approval of the grade change policy at the previous School Board meeting gave the administration approval to proceed with changes contained in the proposal.</p>
<p> Mr. Wood and Mr. Wolfe stated that School Board approval at the previous meeting did give the administration permission to proceed with the plan. Mr. Wood explained that several concerns were addressed at the last meeting. Mr. Bickford confirmed that PMHS would be continuing to use a grade point average scoring and class ranking as has been used in the past. Mr. Wood encouraged Mrs. Corliss to contact members of the SSTC Task Force for more information and to raise her questions. Mr. Wood explained that a concern was raised regarding a number of community members not being aware of the changes. School administrators provided information regarding events planned to communicate the changes to the grading system. Mr. Wood stated he attended some of the Task Force meetings and was impressed by the process.</p>
<p>Ms. Corliss stated that she would like a larger discussion extending to the community.  Mr. Wood explained he also had concerns about getting the word out.   Ms. Stevens explained that several informative sessions are planned. These events include the seventh and ninth grade orientation meetings with students and parents, a public event on September 25, a senior meeting with parents, an October meeting to planned explain progress reports in collaboration with Pittsfield Listens.  Mrs. Corliss asked that the information be shared on the website. Mr. Bickford explained that the informative session being planned for September 25 will give parents the opportunity to see the actual product and that faculty members will be on hand to answer questions. Mr. Wood will be encouraging a School Board member to join the SSTC Task Force.</p>
<p>Ms. Corliss asked if this system was going to be used at the elementary school. Mr. Kilmister explained that they were looking at a standards based reporting system.</p>
<p>VI.	INTRODUCTIONS</p>
<p>A.	Principal Doug Kilmister introduced Brian Donahue as PES Physical Education Teacher.</p>
<p>B.	Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services, introduced Pam Williams, as District Speech Pathologist.</p>
<p>VII.	PES ADMINISTRATION</p>
<p>A.	ENTRYWAY SECURITY SYSTEM</p>
<p>Principal Doug Kilmister reported that the new entryway security system is installed and is operational. </p>
<p>B.	CAFETERIA </p>
<p>Mr. Kilmister reported that round replacement tables will be installed in the PES cafeteria to provide a positive social environment. Also, lunches will be served in three sittings, and lunch periods will be extended to twenty-five minutes.</p>
<p>Ms. Manteau encouraged the elementary school to invite the Girl Scouts to lead the Pledge of Allegiance for an all school meeting.    </p>
<p>C.	NOMINATIONS</p>
<p>On a motion by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to affirm Melissa Heath as school nurse for the Pittsfield School District.</p>
<p>VIII.	PMHS ADMINISTRATION</p>
<p>A.	FACULTY AND STAFF HANDBOOK</p>
<p>Mr. Bickford reported that there is some concern about the scheduled graduation date.  A significant number of a snow days may cause high school seniors to fall short of the state-mandated number of hours required unless the date is changed. </p>
<p>Mr. Wood asked Mr. Bickford if the course syllabus requirement was new. Mr. Bickford explained that it was.  Teachers of all classes will provide student and parents with a course syllabus which will be then posted on the web site.  Mr. Wood asked Mr. Bickford to bring examples to the next School Board meeting.</p>
<p>B.	SUMMER SCHOOL</p>
<p>Mr. Bickford commended Danielle Harvey, District Math Coach and Summer Program Coordinator, for her summary of summer programming.  Mr. Bickford added to the report information received from Summer School Teacher Derek Hamilton.  Mr. Hamilton reported that thirteen students took advantage of the ninth grade Jump Start program, and nine of those students attended more than 50% of the time. Mr. Bickford mentioned that two senior students worked with Mr. Hamilton during the summer to share their own experiences with the incoming ninth grade students.  Mr. Wood stated that he would like to incorporate this program into the beginning of the school year and make it mandatory for all incoming ninth grade students or have an opening day just for ninth grade students. </p>
<p>Mr. Bickford explained an extended rollout of information for students taking place at the beginning of the school year so as not to overload students with a large amount of new information on the first day of school.  Students will attend several assemblies in the first month of school to learn about changes at Pittsfield Middle High School.</p>
<p>IX.	SAU ADMINISTRATION</p>
<p>A.	DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY PLAN </p>
<p>Mr. Wood expressed concerns about the technology plan that was presented, stating that he was not sure if the plan is ready to be approved.  Mr. Wood stated the financial section lacks sufficient detail.  Mr. Wood also stated that some of the elements of the plan are not clearly defined, for example, around the bring your own device (BYOD) aspect especially since the district is making plans to provide students with devices.  He also had a concern on goal four, which aims to provide community members with broadband, and the implications that would be associated with such a goal.</p>
<p>Mr. Bickford explained the collaborative process used to develop this plan.  The team was led by Matt Mervis, an external technical assistance provider.  Mr. Bickford discussed the changes that had occurred over the year while the plan was developed.  In the beginning, BYOD was discussed because earlier in the year it was not believed the district would have the resources to provide students with devices; as the year progressed, financial opportunities presented themselves that suggested that the district could do so.</p>
<p>Mr. Wood asked about implementation of giving students their own devices and identified a number of issues, including insurance, access from home, and personal use.   These issues should be addressed in the plan, he stated.   Mr. Kilmister agreed and explained that employees will be visiting other schools that have implemented such a plan in their schools.  Mr. Wood stated that the plan should include a greater level of detail.  </p>
<p>Mr. Wood expressed concern about voting on this plan at this time. Mr. Wolfe asked what the impact of not approving the plan this evening.  Mr. Bickford stated that having a technology plan has an impact on the eligibility for an e-rate discount. This e-rate discount is based on free and reduce lunch counts and impacts telephone and internet costs.</p>
<p>Mrs. Manteau asked about the timeline and getting iPads into the hands of students. Mr. Bickford explained that research is in process.  Carin Kilar, Technology Integrator, will be using the month of September to develop an implementation timeline. It is anticipated that some grades will be equipped this year.  Mr. Bickford explained the request for proposal (RFP) would come to the school board for approval.  Then devices would be purchased and given to faculty first and then to students.</p>
<p>Mr. Wood asked about the status of wireless access in the schools.  Mr. Bickford stated that internal upgrades have been completed, but that the district is now waiting for Metrocast to install a new line into the schools.  It is anticipated that Metrocast will complete the installation sometime in the fall. </p>
<p>Mr. Wood discussed tabling the plan until the next meeting.  Mr. Wolfe asked if we could treat this as a first read and accept it.  However, the Board took no action on the plan, tabling it until the next meeting.  Ms. Manteau expressed appreciation to the District Technology Team for its work on the plan.</p>
<p>B.	POLICY REVIEW AND REVISION</p>
<p>Dr. Freeman provided a proposed Policy Review &#038; Revision schedule.</p>
<p>C.	FY’13 BUDGET</p>
<p>Mr. Wood directed the administration to develop a budget with no increase in the tax burden on the community, but also not negatively impacting music and art classes. </p>
<p>Mr. Wolfe asked about upcoming capital expenses.  Mr. Bickford explained that repairs to the sprinkler system at PMHS may be required.  The Pittsfield fire chief met with Mr. Bickford and advised him to contract with another vendor to secure an assessment of the system before proceeding.  Several cost estimates to repair the system have been received.  The Board discussed potential parties who may be responsible for the condition of the system. </p>
<p>Mr. Wolfe asked the administration about the potential impact of a FY13 budget, given the direction of the Board.  Principal Kilmister stated that he was hopeful of a minimal impact as several teachers were hired who are at the beginning of their careers.  Principal Bickford expressed concern around class size in science and the potential of having to continue to run three sections.  Principal Kilmister stated that the Kindergarten enrollment has increased this year. </p>
<p>Mr. Wolfe stated that he looks forward to the day when students want to tuition into Pittsfield. Mrs. Manteau affirmed the need not to increase the school tax and stated that the core academic subjects are important.  Mr. Wood commended on the quality of Ms. Davis’s music program at Pittsfield Elementary School.</p>
<p>X.	SCHOOL BOARD </p>
<p>A.	GLOBE MUSIC AND ARTS TRUST FUND</p>
<p>Mr. Wolfe met with Ms. Kristoferson, who is associated with the funding of the Globe Music and Arts Trust Fund, to answer questions about the use of the trust fund established by Globe to support music and arts in the schools.  Mr. Bickford explained that Mr. Mitchell recently accessed the trust fund to bring an artist-in-residence to PMHS. The trust funds can be used to bring art and/or music in the schools or also for supplies and equipment.  Mr. Bickford asked if funding the second half of a music position could be a potential.  Mr. Wolfe stated that funding of positions would be an acceptable use.  Ms. Kristoferson is willing to meet with administration and art and music faculty to encourage use of the trust fund.</p>
<p>Mrs. Manteau asked if the Winter Guard would qualify for access to the fund.  Mr. Wolfe stated that Ms. Kristoferson affirmed that any performing arts, such as drama, would qualify.</p>
<p>Mr. Bickford explained that the application process managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is somewhat cumbersome.  Mr. Wolfe explained that this issue should be communicated to trust fund officials.</p>
<p>B.	TOWN LIBRARY</p>
<p>The children’s reading area at the town library has been closed.</p>
<p>XI.	COMMITTEES </p>
<p>A)	Budget Committee Representative – No report</p>
<p>B)	Drake Field &#038; Facilities – Primex, the organization that provides liability insurance to the district, will be conducting a safety and liability assessment of Drake Field</p>
<p>C)	Negotiating Team – No report</p>
<p>D)	Foss Foundation – No report</p>
<p>XII.	PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd  SESSION – None</p>
<p>XIII.	NEXT MEETING<br />
The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center. </p>
<p>XIV.	ADJOURNMENT</p>
<p>On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.</p>
<p>Respectfully submitted,</p>
<p>Lois-Jean Stevens</p>
<p>Lois-Jean Stevens<br />
Recording Secretary</p>
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