ADVANCE COPY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #51
BARNSTEAD – PITTSFIELD PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD
MINUTES
Pittsfield School Board
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Pittsfield Middle High School
I. CALL TO ORDER
Members Present: Scott Brown, Chairperson
Mary Paradise
Chris Ward
Gary Colby
Leslie Vogt
Others Present: Dr. William Compton, Superintendent
Peter Roche, Business Administrator
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PMHS
Dr. John Freeman, Principal, PES
Tobi Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Chairperson Brown called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
II. AGENDA REVIEW
Dr. Compton confirmed the need for a non-public session. Mr. DeLois added
volunteer coaches, discipline statistics, and Follow the Child surveys and follow up.
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
On a motion made by Mr. Ward and seconded by Ms, Vogt, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the minutes of November 15, 2007, as written.
On a motion made by Mr. Ward and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the minutes of November 27, 2007, as written, with Mr.
Brown, Ms. Paradise, Ms. Vogt, and Mr. Ward voting in the affirmative and Mr.
Colby abstaining from the vote.
IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None
Pittsfield School District 1 December 6, 2007
V. PES ADMINISTRATION
A. Library Assistant Job Description
Dr. Freeman explained that since the Library Assistant was changed to a part
time position, a revised job description has been proposed. The proposed
changes would actually warrant a revision of Policy GDA-PCL. Dr. Freeman
explained that the management of equipment is now under the supervision of
Tom Merrill. The Board accepted the discussion as the first reading of Policy
GDA-PCL.
B. Principal Selection Process
Dr. Freeman distributed and reviewed a proposed process for the PES principal
selection. He pointed out that the proposed timeline would allow time to return
to the recruitment step, if necessary. Ms. Vogt inquired as to whether the
principal’s job description should be reconsidered at this time. Dr. Freeman and
Dr. Compton agreed to review the policy and bring forwar d potential changes.
Mr. Brown asked School Board members to notify him of interest in participating
in the process.
C. Discipline Data
Dr. Freeman reviewed discipline data as compared to the same time period in
2006: (1) out of classroom referrals from 58 6 to 331 – decrease of 44%, (2)
referrals for defiance/disrespect from 175 to 125 – decrease of 29%, (3)
referrals for disruption from 106 to 86 – decrease of 19%.
D. Holiday Concert
Mr. Colby complimented PES on the holiday concert. Participation was
impressive. Ms. Grady was complimented on her efforts to put on a wonderful
concert.
VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION
A. Resignation
Mr. DeLois recommended that the Board consider accepting the resignation of
Carin Plante from the position of middle school girls’ basketball coach. On a
motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Ward, the board voted to
approve the resignation of Ms. Plante, with regret, with Mr. Brown, Mr. Ward,
Ms. Vogt, and Ms. Paradise voting in the affirmative and Mr. Colby abstaining
from the vote.
Pittsfield School District 2 December 6, 2007
B. Nominations
Mr. DeLois recommended Denise Gordon to fill the position of middle school
girls’ basketball coach. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by
Mr. Ward, the Board voted to hire Ms. Gordon with Mr. Brown, Mr. Ward, Ms.
Vogt, and Ms. Paradise voting in the affirmative and Mr. Colby abstaining from
the vote.
Mr. DeLois recommended the following volunteer coaches: Steven Perras for
middle school boy’s basketball, Tara Pinto for junior varsity girls’ basketball, and
Samantha Payne for middle school girls’ basketball. On a motion made by Mr.
Ward and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted to accept the coaches of the
volunteers as recommended with appreciation for their gift of time with Mr.
Brown, Mr. Ward, Ms. Vogt, and Ms. Paradise voting in the affirmative and Mr.
Colby abstaining from the vote.
Mr. DeLois reported that plans are being made for a game with the Fisher Cats
on May 22, 2008.
C. Leave of Absence Request
Mr. DeLois informed the Board of the medical leave of absence that has been
requested by Duane Johnson. He will be absent, due to surgery, from February
18, 2008 to April 8, 2008.
D. English Language Arts/Reading Competencies
Mr. DeLois distributed PMHS General English Language Arts/Reading
Competencies. He explained the way in which the competencies are affecting
courses of study and distributed a sample course of study. Mr. DeLois reported
that the faculty has been asked to submit one revised c ourse of study by
January 18, 2008. The remaining courses will be completed by June of 2008.
E. Discipline Data
Mr. DeLois distributed a copy of first quarter discipline data, along with a
comparison with the same period a year ago. During the first qua rter in 2006
there was an average of 12.4 incidents per day, while in 2007 there was an
average of 6.2 incidents per day. He suggested that Student Advisories are
likely contributing to the positive change.
Discussion ensued regarding the changes in documenting tardiness, which may
account for the decrease in this infraction.
Pittsfield School District 3 December 6, 2007
F. My Voice Surveys
Mr. DeLois reported that the results of the Follow the Child My Voice surveys
have been calculated. The results will be shared with the Leadership Team and
an analysis will be made. Ms. Erlandson and Mr. DeLois will attend a series of
four workshops in order to utilize the information in the most effective manner.
VII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
A. Nominations
Ms. Chassie recommended the nomination of Nancy Childress, Jane Nelson,
and Mary Ann Weiss for the positions of educational assistant at PMHS. On a
motion made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the hiring of Ms. Childress, Ms. Nelson, and Ms. Weiss
as recommended.
Ms. Chassie recommended the nomination of Catherine Morency for the
position of educational assistant at PES. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise
and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted unanimously to hire Ms. Morency
as recommended.
VIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION
A. Personnel Request
Faith Whittier has requested time off to fulfill her civic duties as Supervisor of
the Checklist for the Town of Pittsfield on January 8, 2008 and March 1 1, 2008.
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board
voted unanimously to approve the request for leave with pay as recommended.
B. Drake Field Summer Program
Dr. Compton provided the Board with documentation regarding the Drake F ield
Summer Recreation Program. The Board had previously requested that Dr.
Compton investigate insurance coverage for the program. He talked with the
insurance company and the suggestion was made to revise the drop -off
procedures implemented by the program staff. Dr. Compton will work with Ms.
Sawyer to devise a protocol for dropping off for field trips.
C. Building Maintenance Report
Mr. Roche distributed a list of facility projects with an indication of the status of
each task. Mr. Roche explained that the dish room floor replacement and
installation of security camera equipment would be completed over the
December vacation. He explained the situation relative to the oil tank and
heating system at PMHS and suggested that work may need to be complete d.
Pittsfield School District 4 December 6, 2007
D. FY2009 Budget
Ms. Vogt explained that she and Mr. Roche would be working this week to
develop the handout for the public hearing and Annual School District Meeting.
Ms. Vogt reported on the conversation that occurred at the Budget Committee
regarding the elementary portion of the FY2009 budget proposal.
E. School Bus Bid Update
Mr. Roche explained that the bidding process for the school bus contract would
be in place with bids coming in after the first of the year. It was suggested that
a final decision be made on January 17, 2008.
F. Warrant Articles
Discussion ensued regarding the development of warrant articles. During the
development of the SAU budget, it was determined that a sum of $32,000
needed to be recalculated. Therefore, items including roof rocks and the front
walkway at PES and the gym floor, front door replacement, and cupola repair at
PMHS would become part of a warrant article. Dr. Compton agreed to provide
a first draft of the warrant articles.
Discussion ensued regarding the location of the SAU. It was agreed that Mr.
Roche would provide a cost comparison between three potential scenarios that
have been discussed, to be presented to the Budget Committee before their
last meeting in January.
IX. COMMITTEES – None
X. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 5:30 at the
Pittsfield Middle High School. Agenda will include further discussion of budget and
warrant articles.
XI. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)
XII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
At 7:15 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Vogt and seconded Mr. Ward, to enter
into non-public session to discuss legal matters. The Board was polled and voted
unanimously to enter into a non-public session under the provisions of RSA 91-A:3
II (c) [Legal Matters].
A motion was made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Ward to come out of the
non-public
Pittsfield School District 5 December 6, 2007
session. The Board was polled and voted to come out of the non-public session at –
7:38 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted
unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary
Pittsfield School District 6 December 6, 2007