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
February 7, 2008
Pittsfield Middle High School
I. CALL TO ORDER
Members Present: Scott Brown, Chairman
Chris Ward
Mary Paradise
Gary Colby
Leslie Vogt
Others Present: Dr. William Compton, Superintendent
Peter Roche, Business Administrator
Karen Erlandson, Principal, PMHS
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PMHS
Lois Stevens, Student Services Coordinator
Leslie Bergevin, Director of Guidance, PMHS
Members of the community
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. AGENDA REVIEW
Principal Erlandson added recognition for recipients of the Scholar-Athlete Awards.
Mr. Roche added approval of warrant article draft, and SY07-08 maintenance
encumbrance balance. Ms. Chassie requested the NH State Performance Plan be
added as an informational item. Superintendent Compton added approval of
minutes of the special budget review meeting on January 29. 2008, personal leave
request, resignation, and two sick bank requests. Dr. Compton also added NH
Department of Education report on Special Education, and a non-public session
under the provisions of RSA 91-A: 3 II (c) [Personnel and Legal Matters].
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
On a motion made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted to
accept the minutes of January 17, 2008 as submitted. In addition, on a motion
made by Mrs. Vogt and seconded by Mrs. Paradise, the Board voted to accept the
minutes of the special meeting for budget review of January 29, 2008, with the
abstention of Mr. Colby who was not present at the meeting.

IV. PUBLIC INPUT
The Board responded to building maintenance and technology inquiries from Mr.
James Theodore.
At 5:35 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Colby, and seconded by Mr. Ward to enter
into non-public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously to enter into
non-public session under the provisions of RSA 91-A: 3 II (c) [Personnel].
At 6:10 p.m. a motion was made by Ms. Paradise, and seconded by Ms. Vogt to
exit non-public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously to exit nonpublic
session.
Mr. Roger Metcalf inquired about the possibility of utilizing an area of Drake Field
for a softball field. Discussion on the new athletic fields being planned for Tilton Hill
followed. The Board voiced support for the fields proposed at Tilton Hill. Mr.
Brown will meet with Mr. Metcalf on Thursday, February 21, 2008 for further
discussion.
V. PES ADMINISTRATION
A. Nomination
Tara Haggert was nominated for the position of Kitchen Utility I Bookkeeper at
PES replacing Judy Dunne. Ms. Vogt made a motion to approve the
nomination, seconded by Mr. Colby, and unanimously approved.
B. Follow the Child Team
Ms. Stevens reported the February 4, 2008 Literacy Curriculum Mapping and
Development meeting with Linda Kirszenbaum was very successful. The team
continues to make great strides in improving curriculum.
C. Principal Selection Process
One candidate will be present at the February 11, 2008 Meet the Candidate
night.
D. Principal Job Description
The job description is still being developed.
E. Calendar
Dr. Freeman submitted PES calendar for February and most of March, 2008.
VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. Open House – March 5th
The event will be open to the public from 3-7 p.m. Student work, a drama,
musical production, and a large variety of displays similar to last year will be
showcased.
B. Program of Studies
Ms. Bergevin distributed a copy of the 2007-2008 Course Offerings Book, and a
Summary of Changes for the 2008-2009 edition. She reported the Course
Offerings Book has been edited significantly due to changes in frameworks. In
addition to summer school, Nova-Net, and the American School of
Correspondence, and other programs offer alternatives to recovering credits.
College Boards want to review syllabus for Advance Placement English classes
to make sure course work is stringent. The syllabus must be submitted and
approved. Mr. Kilmister will write the course description during February
vacation. Concord High School Technology Center requests that we use their
descriptions in our Course Offerings Book. Some advanced placement classes
will be available through Virtual High School (VHS). MaryAnn Hatab is our
VHS and AP Coordinator. Ms. Stevens reported on Algebra competencies for
special students with IEP’s noting we are using Conval’s competencies and
rewriting to make our own. She distributed a course description on Applied
Algebra-Competencies available to special education students to meet Algebra
graduation requirements. School Board members will review changes and look
for approval at the Board meeting on February 21, 2008.
C. Poetry Out Loud Contest
Congratulations to Alexandra Young who won the Poetry Out Loud Contest.
D. Scholar-Athlete Awards
Congratulations to Becky Towle, Kristen Patterson, and Kelsey Metcalf who
were recipients of the Scholar-Athlete Award for maintaining a B+ average or
better and a varsity letter in sports.
VII. District Student Services Administration
A. Nominations
Ms. Stevens proposed the nomination of Anne Banks for the position of
Education Assistant II at PMHS. Ms. Paradise made a motion to approve the
nomination, seconded by Mr. Colby, and unanimously approved.
Ms. Stevens proposed the nomination of Tessie Vaillancourt for the position of
Education Assistant in first grade at PES. Ms. Paradise made a motion to
approve the nomination, seconded by Mr. Colby, and unanimously approved.

B. Resignations
A letter of resignation was submitted by Diane Mayo, Educational Assistant at
PMHS. Ms. Paradise made a motion to accept the resignation, seconded by Mr.
Colby, and unanimously approved.
A letter of resignation was submitted by Nancy Childress, Educational Assistant at
PMHS effective February 6, 2008. Ms. Paradise made a motion to accept the
resignation, seconded by Mr. Colby, and unanimously approved.
D. Leave Request
Ms. Stevens recommended a request for a 2-3 week leave of absence for Jane
Cassin, Education Assistant at PMHS, to arrange a nursing home facility for her
mother. Ms. Paradise made a motion to approve the request without pay ,
seconded by Mr. Colby, and unanimously approved.
E. Juvenile Justice
Ms. Stevens reported on a recent meeting designed to enhance communication
between Pittsfield Police Department, the Department of Juvenile Services, and the
Pittsfield School District. In attendance were Kaye Brazier, Juvenile Parole and
Probation Officer; Robert Wharem, Chief of Police; John Webber, Police Officer;
Jeff Martel, PMHS Guidance Counselor; Richard Bertolami, PMHS Youth
Specialist; Jeff DeLois, PMHS Assistant Principal; Lois Stevens, Coordinator of
Student Services; and Tobi Chassie, Director of Student Services. Officer We bber
was delegated as the contact for PMHS. Monthly meetings have been scheduled
to improve communication. The Safe School Zone area needs to be re-measured
and will include Drake Field. Downtown Pittsfield is now a “drug free” zone.
Signage will be the responsibility of Pittsfield Police Department.
F. NH State Performance Plan
Ms. Stevens reported on the new indicators of performance for statewide
assessment including graduation rates, dropout rates, statewide assessment,
suspension/expulsion rates, school age placement, preschool settings, and early
supports and services.
VIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION
A. Personal Leave Request
A personal leave request was submitted by Jennifer Jean for March 3, 2008.
Dr. Compton recommended approving the request, unpaid. Following
discussion, Mr. Colby made a motion to approve the personal leave request
unpaid, seconded by Mr. Ward, and unanimously approved.

B. Resignation
A letter of resignation was submitted by Sue Hillman effective at the end of this
school year. Ms. Hillman has been an employee of Pittsfield School District and
SAU 51 for fourteen years. Ms. Paradise made a motion to accept the
resignation of Ms. Hillman with our thanks for many years of service to the
district, seconded by Mr. Ward, and unanimously approved.
C. Sick Bank Requests
Dr. Compton presented letters from the Sick Bank Committee approving a
request from Alissa Heppler to borrow ten (10) days, and approving a request
from Herb Moyer to borrow five (5) days. Dr. Compton recommended both
requests. Mr. Colby made a motion to approve the requests, seconded by Mr.
Ward, and unanimously approved.
D. NH Department of Education report on Special Education
Dr. Compton distributed a copy of the NH Department of Education
Determination Report, a requirement under the Disabilities Act 2004. The
NHDOE has determined that the districts of Barnstead and Pittsfield meet the
requirements and purposes of the IDEA based on five criteria: Evaluation, State
Performance Plan Indicator 12, General Supervision Findings, Data, and
Financial Audit. We meet all the requirements with no intervention – good
news.
E. Annual Report Printing Bid Approval
Mr. Roche distributed copies of three bids for printing the annual report and
recommended Speedy Printing of Concord who was awarded the job last year.
Ms. Paradise made a motion to approve the bid from Speedy Printing as
recommended, seconded by Mr. Ward, and unanimously approved.
F. Equipment Upgrade
Mr. Roche distributed a copy of the PES current and proposed copier
configuration as their lease is due to expire. Mr. Roche noted a price
reduction and recommended Konica copiers be leased from Conway Office.
Ms. Paradise made a motion to approve leasing copiers from Conway Office
as recommended, seconded by Ms. Vogt, and unanimously approved.
G. FY09 Budget Update
Mr. Roche distributed a copy of the final version of the warrant articles, as well
as the Pittsfield School District Proposed 2008-2009 Budget to be distributed
at the Budget Committee meeting. The language was discussed for clarity.
The overall estimated tax impact increase is $1.60. The SAU cost impact will

be included under recommendations and removed from obligations. The
warrant articles stand on their own.
Ms. Paradise made a motion to accept the warrant articles as amended,
seconded by Mr. Ward, and unanimously approved.
H. SAU #51 Office Options
We are waiting for a report from a contractor, and to determine what our
system is currently worth.
I. Timeline & Meeting Schedule
A meeting schedule was included with the School Board packet. A SB-2 Public
Hearing is scheduled for February 21, 2008 in the PMHS lecture hall at 7:00
p.m. Mr. Brown requested an SB-2 informational sign be placed in the lobby.
Ms. Paradise will not be present at the February 11, 2008 Public Hearing for
town and school budget.
J. SY06-07 Maintenance
Mr. Roche indicated there is a balance of $35,000.00 remaining in the 06-07
budget for maintenance projects. He stated according to a recent Fire
Department report, we are allowed three (3) years to do additional emergency
light work at PES. Mr. Roche will investigate further to see if items are
outdated or, if due to safety issues need to be brought into code. Mr. Roche
will report findings at the next meeting.
IX. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Mr. Brown announced next year will be his last year on the School Board and
asked the members to consider the chairman position.
A. Drake Field & Facilities-
Nevadun Farms will look at the plans for the state of the art fields proposed at
Tilton Hill. We will need a breakdown of field maintenance costs for Tilton Hill
and Drake Field from Nevadun Farm to determine the cost impact of future
fields at Tilton Hill to see what we will be able to contribute. Nine varsity
level softball games are scheduled at the Tilton Hill athletic field. Mr. Brown
reported that Lee Adams requested consideration for placing a banner in a
visible location downtown for short periods of time to welcome home soldiers.
Mrs. Adams was granted permission to hang the banner at Drake Field as
long as it is an acceptable location. Mr. Brown suggested she also submit
her request to the Chamber of Commerce.
B. Selectmen Liaison
C. Budget

D. SAU Planning
E. Negotiating Team
X. NEXT MEETINGThe
next Board meeting will be held on February 21, 2008 at PMHS Media
Center at 5:30 p.m.
XI. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) –
Ms. Jamie Wrye, the new foreign exchange student representative, thanked Mr.
DeLois, Principal Erlandson, and Ms. Bergevin for their quick response and
cooperation in regard to the student foreign exchange program.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Mr. Ward and seconded by Mrs. Paradise, the Board
voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Payne
Public Session
Acting Recording Secretary