APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
6:15 p.m.; Thursday, August 9, 2012
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Nicole Manteau
Gary Mullen

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Rob Hanson, Curriculum Coordinator
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Members of the public
Members of the faculty

Chairman Wood called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Purchase of Technology (Mr. Kilmister)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Manteau to approve the minutes of the June 19 and 28, 2012. The motion passed unanimously.

V. INTRODUCTIONS

Dr. Freeman introduced the candidates recommended by the administration and approved by the superintendent for hire:

Kim Putnam – PMHS Math Intervention Teacher
Melissa Heath – School District Nurse
Terry Littlefield – Grade 7 Special Education Case Manager

Mr. Wood, as well as the other Board members, welcomed the candidates to the school district.

VI. PUBLIC INPUT

Kathy Corliss, parent of a sophomore student, stated her concern that there were many students taking French II, who would no longer have access to a French class. Mr. Bickford stated that ELO Coordinator Sheila Ward is investigating the possibility of using Rosetta Stone for instruction as an extended learning opportunity. He explained that the Dual Enrollment / On Line Learning Coordinator will begin on Monday, August 13, 2012, at which time Ms. Ward will turn her research over to be continued.

Elizabeth Adams, parent of two students, stated that Tara Pinto was a wonderful coach who put in extra time and utilized personal funds in coaching middle school girls soccer. She stated her appreciation for Ms. Pinto’s coaching and stated that Ms. Pinto was “wonderful for the kids.”

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. PES FAMILY HANDBOOK

Mr. Kilmister requested approval of the PES Family Handbook, which has been sent electronically to Board members. He stated that additions and deletions were highlighted in yellow.

Mr. Wood commented on the addition of the security measures and the pick-up / drop-off routine, which was piloted in the spring.

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to approve the PES Family Handbook.

B. TECHNOLOGY

Mr. Kilmister distributed the results of a bid for thin clients to run off the district terminal server. Bids were solicited from three vendors and two vendors responded. Daystar Computer Services’ bid was for $16,974.90, and Dell Computer Company’s bid was $24,689.90. Mr. Kilmister recommended the bid from Daystar Computer Services.

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to purchase the thin clients from Daystar Computer Services.

C. PES ROOF

Mr. Kilmister reported the progress on the roof is satisfactory.

D. CURRICULUM INSTITUTE

Mr. Kilmister reported the attendance of almost all PES faculty members in grade-level teams at a two-day curriculum institute. The institute was planned and organized by Curriculum Coordinator Rob Hansen, Math Coach Danielle Harvey, Literacy Coach Kathy LeMay, and Intervention Coordinator Chris Teague.

E. INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES

According to Mr. Kilmister, a prime focus of work at PES this year will be on research-based instructional practices that promote strong student achievement and engage students in their own learning. The Team Leaders will be meeting with consultant Susan Villani for a half-day training on teacher leadership and a half-day training of planning on implementing and supporting these practices across the school.

F. GIFT

PES Parent Jeff Edmunds, who works with Millican Nurseries and serves as a member of the PES Project Home Team, planted two additional birch trees, gifts from Millican, in the front loop.

G. STAFFING UPDATE

Mr. Kilmister informed the Board that the physical education teacher selected for hire in June notified him that he would not be taking the position offered to him. Interviews are being scheduled to hire for that position. All other PES positions are filled.

H. ENTRYWAY PROJECT

Mr. Kilmister reported that the work on the entryway system is underway. Technicians are wiring doors, installing cameras and monitors, and working with the office staff and District Technician to install software that will monitor and track entries.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. PMHS SITE COUNCIL

Mr. Bickford introduced Derek Hamilton, co-chair of the Site Council, as well as Alexandra Briggs, member of the Site Council. Mr. Hamilton reviewed the work that has been done by the Site Council relative to the by-laws. In order for the Site Council to have the decision making authority that has been proposed and encouraged in our school redesign efforts, there will need to be a board policy to provide that authority. The Site Council has drafted a proposed policy for the Board to consider.

Discussion ensued regarding the proposed Site Council policy, with recommendations made for improvement. The efforts of the students and staff working on the Site Council were acknowledged.

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the proposed policy, with several changes was approved.

B. STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH COMPETENCIES (SSTC)

Mr. Bickford explained that the district is required by law to award credit based on student demonstration of course competencies. Teachers have identified competencies for their classes, which clearly articulates what students need to know and do to master competencies. The SSTC Task Force, led by Lois Stevens and Rob Hansen, has developed a proposal for assessing and reporting the status of students’ mastery of competencies.

Ms. Stevens explained the utilization of rubrics, on a 1 to 4 scale, which will be used to score students’ mastery of competencies. Discussion ensued regarding the use of the rubric for all students, including students with disabilities, who may require modifications and accommodations and students who meet competencies before the end of the course. Mr. Wood stated that he has reservations regarding the proposed approach to student learning and grading.

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board approved the SSTC proposed plan unanimously.

Ms. Manteau thanked the SSTC Task Force for the work that was evidently necessary to develop the proposal. Mr. Hanson stated that there was an extraordinary level of collaboration between the administration, teachers, students, and parents in the development of the proposal.

C. PMHS STUDENT AND FAMILY HANDBOOK

Mr. Bickford presented the PMHS Student and Family Handbook for the Board’s approval. On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board unanimously approved the PMHS Student and Family Handbook.

D. COACHING STIPENDS

Mr. Bickford explained the process by which the coaching stipends were determined. Peter Tuttle, Athletic Director, presented the Board with a proposal for 2012-2013 coaching stipends that altered the system of determining coaching stipends that would support fairness among the various coaches. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the stipend proposal.

E. SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Mr. Bickford reported the work that has been accomplished by teachers over the summer, including curriculum development, competency refinement, 21st Century learning expectation rubrics, continuation of the Advisory Council work, cleaning of the building, and summative evaluations according to the new Professional Growth and Evaluation plan. He updated the Board on the status of hiring, indicating all positions have been filled.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. HIRING

Ms. Stevens reported the hiring of the school nurse and a middle school special education teacher. Work continues to ensure that all necessary paraprofessionals are hired before the beginning of the school year.

Ms. Stevens reported the hiring of a speech and language pathologist, which is a fortunate circumstance for the school district. Other avenues were investigated in the event that a candidate could not be found, such as contracting services. The hiring of a full time employee represents a significant savings to the district in comparison to the alternatives. Mr. Wood thanked Ms. Stevens for her successful efforts.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. PMHS DISHWASHER EXHAUST SYSTEM

Dr. Freeman explained the long time problem of exhaust fan in the PMHS kitchen and the seeking of a solution. Despite best efforts to secure competitive bids, one bid was received by Airtemp for $9,850 for turnkey installation of the dishwasher exhaust system. On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board approved the bid to install the exhaust fan.

B. SAU PHOTOCOPY MACHINE

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board approved the purchase of a photocopy machine from Oce North America for $8,647, the lower of two bids received.

C. SCHOOL MAINTENANCE

Dr. Freeman provided an overview of the maintenance projects undertaken by our school custodial staff during the summer.

D. NEW EMPLOYEES

The newly hired professional employees were listed for the Board’s information.

E. POLICY REVIEW AND REVISION

Dr. Freeman presented a schedule for reviewing sections of the policy book. The Board deferred a decision on the schedule.

F. FY 14 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman requested general guidance from the Board regarding a desired budget target for the FY14 budget. The Board deferred a decision on budget guidance until the full Board could discuss the matter.

XI. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES – None

B. BUDGET COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE – None

C. NEGOTIATING TEAM – None

XII. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION

Ms. Corliss asked if experience points are granted for experience in coaching a sport other than the one being hired for. Ms. Manteau clarified the point for Ms. Corliss, stating the experience had to be in the same sport.

Ms. Corliss asked about the progress of the curriculum mapping. She stated concern for the lack of curriculum that is published for the public to see. Mr. Bickford explained that the work continues, under the direction of the curriculum coordinator, Rob Hanson. The results of the work will be published by June of 2013, as had been previously established as the target date for publication.

Ms. Corliss asked if PMHS is still a SIG school and if teachers will be required to attend meetings that create absences for teachers from classes. Mr. Bickford explained that the reason for absences no longer exists and this situation does not expect to be repeated.

Ms. Corliss asked for a continuation of the conversation around the reporting of grades. She stated concern for merit scholarships being jeopardized if the grading does not allow class ranking, which is the basis for the merit scholarships.

Ms. Corliss thanked Mr. Smith and Mr. Strickhart for their work. She reported that her daughter, a recent PMHS graduate, was in the 25% of the students who succeeded in their college placement exam in mathematics. Many of the unsuccessful students had attended larger schools and/or had successfully completed advanced placement courses in mathematics.

XIII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary