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
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise
Michael Wolfe
Elizabeth Adams
Kathy Corliss
Clayton Wood

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Lois-Jean Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Sarah Adams, Student Representation to the Board

Stacey Polizati, Parent

Chairperson Paradise called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW – No items added or deleted.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to approve the minutes of November 30, 2010. On page 3, second paragraph, change “opined” to “stated there is a belief”. On page 4, fourth paragraph, omit “mentioned.” The motion was approved unanimously.

A motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to approve the minutes of December 2, 2010. Lois-Jean Stevens’ name was omitted from the list of others present. Mr. Wood requested that a statement made at the meeting be added: “The Board thanked the administrative team for their hard work.”

IV. PUBIC INPUT – None

V. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

The Board welcomed Sarah Adams to the meeting and expressed their appreciation for volunteering to represent the student body. Ms. Paradise encouraged Sarah to ask questions and invited her to leave when she was in need to do so.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. PES NEWS
Mr. Kilmister shared the PES News for the week of December 3, 2010. He thanked Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Wood for their participation in the Schoolyard Enhancement Project. Other participants included teachers, custodians, and PTO members.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. SITE COUNCIL

Mr. Bickford reported that the Site Council had a successful meeting and is moving forward with decisions regarding its operating procedures.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. SPECIAL EDUCATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

Ms. Chassie presented the Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual for the Board to consider for approval. Ms. Adams asked if parents are obligated to participate in the referral process, to which Ms. Chassie explained procedural safeguards that protect parents’ rights to make decisions relative to their child’s education.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. POLICIES – ADOPTION

Policy JICK – Student Safety and Violence Prevention – Bullying was considered. On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to approve Policy JICK as presented.

B. DRAKE FIELD GRANDSTAND ROOF

Dr. Freeman reported that a meeting took place with the bidders on the Drake Field grandstand roof replacement project. The bids will be due on December 15, 2010. The Board will act on the bids at the next meeting.

C. FY12 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman stated that the budget books will be available to the Budget Committee on Wednesday, December 15, 2010. They will be delivered to the Town Hall at the time of the Budget Committee meeting. Dr. Freeman will be conducting a meeting for all staff on December 10, 2010, to provide basic information and answer questions relative to the budget.

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the budget as presented.

D. SICK BANK REQUEST

Dr. Freeman presented a request from PES Teacher Sheila Bartlett for days from the EAP Sick Leave Bank.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request.

E. SIG UPDATE

Dr. Freeman provided a summary of the School Improvement Grant project components including Curriculum / Instruction / Assessment, Culture / Climate, and College / Career.

Dr. Freeman distributed the Re-Design Organizational Chart and provided an explanation of the components included. Discussion ensued regarding the development of instructional practices, especially in the area of math.

Discussion ensued regarding elements on the district, PES, and PMHS website, specifically the calendar of events.

Ms. Adams asked if Extended Learning Opportunities have been offered. Dr. Freeman stated that Ms. Ward has reported that there are currently thirty-five students involved ELOs. Mr. Wood is interested in seeing a list of the sites at which students are working. Mr. Bickford stated that he would invite Ms. Ward to a future Board meeting to provide further information.

Ms. Adams asked about parent teacher conferences at PMHS. Mr. Bickford stated that on the day of the conferences, fifteen people attended a showcase of other schools participating in school reform. Reportedly, more parents participated in conferences than in the past. Ms. Adams expressed concern about the advisors leading the conferences. Ms. Corliss expressed her appreciation for having had the opportunity to speak to all of her child’s middle school teachers. Ms. Adams suggested developing some components that would provide consistency. Mr. Wood asked, and Mr. Bickford confirmed, that eventually all conferences would be student led. Consultants strongly encourage the delay of the student led conferences until the staff has organized and planned adequately for this practice and is ready to move forward.

X. COMMITTEES

A. BUDGET COMMITTEE – Ms. Adams and Ms. Corliss – None

B. DRAKE FIELD – Ms Corliss and Mr. Wolfe – None

C. SELECT BOARD LIAISON – Mr. Wood and Ms. Adams

D. NEGOTIATING TEAM – Ms. Paradise and Mr. Wolfe

E. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – Mr. Wood

XI. NEXT MEETING

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Thursday, January 13, 2010, at 5:30. The meeting previously scheduled for December 23, 2010, has been cancelled due to the proximity to the holidays.

XII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)

Ms. Stacy Polizati stated that she attended the meeting because she is interested in learning more about what the Board does. She asked if abbreviations used could be better identified. She further stated that although she has read about the reform project, it was helpful to hear the anecdotal information provided by the administration at the meeting.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary