APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m.; Thursday, January 10, 2013
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Michael Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson (exited meeting at 6:30 p.m.)
Nicole Manteau
Gary Mullen
Mary Paradise (entered meeting at 5:50 p.m.)

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Noah Manteau, Site Council, Student Representative
Members of the public
Member of the staff

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Site Council (Mr. Bickford)

Moved from action to information:
• Special Education Local Education Administration (LEA) Plan (Ms. Stevens)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2013.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Ross Morse, Community Liaison, stated that a second session of communication training would be held on January 16, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. with Communications Consultant Jane Feinberg. He cordially invited School Board members to attend and stated his appreciation to the members who were able to attend the first session.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY (PLC) TEAMS

According to Mr. Kilmister, the PES teachers have met in PLC teams in order to track student progress in reading and math using the data from assessments they have created or adapted from other sources. Teacher teams determine what students need to learn, how they will know if students have learned it, and how they will respond when students don’t learn.

B. WINDOW REPLACEMENT

Mr. Kilmister reported that the dormer windows have been replaced. Workers reported that the old windows frames were badly rotted.

C. FRONT DOOR SECURITY

Mr. Kilmister stated that a paraprofessional will be on duty at the entrance each morning to monitor the flow of traffic before school starts.

D. CALENDAR

A calendar of events was provided by Mr. Kilmister for the months of January and February.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. SITE COUNCIL

Mr. Bickford explained that the PMHS Site Council will be making a presentation entitled “Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships” at a national conference in February. In preparation for that presentation, the group traveled to Noble High School for their annual winter professional development conference to conduct a trial run. Mr. Bickford stated that the presentation at Noble High School was well received by the participants.

Noah Manteau, the representative from the Site Council, explained that the proposal for a Late Start Wednesday academic support program was approved by the Site Council.

B. CALENDAR

A calendar of events was provided by Mr. Bickford for the month of January.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (LEA) SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN

Ms. Stevens distributed copies of the draft the LEA Special Education Plan. She explained that the plan outlines procedures relative to the special education program and is required when the district accepts federal grant funds.
Ms. Stevens asked that the Board be prepared to act on the plan at the next Board meeting.

B. PRESCHOOL

Ms. Stevens explained that the enrollment in preschool is nearing maximum capacity. The preschool team met to evaluate the future of the preschool program and decided to have four year old students continue to attend four mornings per week, but three year olds to attend two days per week. This format will continue to meet the needs of students and the requirements of the program.

C. OUT OF DISTRICT PLACEMENT

Ms. Stevens updated the Board on out of district placements.

D. TECHNOLOGY

On December 5, 2012, 49 iPads were distributed to faculty members of the school district. Professional development was provided and will continue to be provided to enhance the integration of technology in the classroom.

IX. DISTRICT LEVEL SYSTEM CHANGE ADMINISTRATION

A. VALUES / VISION / MISSION / GUIDING PRINCIPLES / SLOGAN / LOGO

Ms. Chassie reviewed the draft of the district’s vision, mission, guiding principles, slogan, and logo. She explained that the work to develop the draft was started by the Community Advisory Council, vetted with many stakeholders, and finalized. Ms. Chassie stated that Mr. Morse was instrumental in presenting the work and gathering feedback from many stakeholders.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved to vision, mission, guiding principles, slogan, and logo.

Ms. Chassie explained that Mr. Morse has arranged to have banners made with the logo, now that it is approved, which will be presented to the students at PES and PMHS at upcoming assemblies.

B. POSITION ANALYSES

Ms. Chassie explained that the work to analyze all district positions is still in progress.

C. COMMUNICATION PLAN

Ms. Chassie reviewed a work plan that was developed from a memorandum of understanding between the district and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to enhance the communication pathways between the school and community.

D. NELLIE MAE EDUCAITON FOUNDATION PROGRESS REPORT

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation progress report is being drafted. A copy will be shared with the Board at the next Board meeting.

E. COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Community Advisory Council Steering Team is in the process of developing a plan for “Continuous Improvement.” This work will ensure the sustainability of student centered learning in our school district.

F. PITTSFIELD PARENT CONNECTION

The Pittsfield Parent Connection sponsored a forum to discuss the implementation of the technology plan. Technology Integrator Carin Kilar did a commendable job of explaining the status of technology in the district. Approximately twelve parents attended and seemed comfortable with the approach being taken to distribute iPads to students.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. LEAVE REQUEST

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted unanimously to approve a request for leave by Sixth Grade Teacher Gloria Kaplan.

B. DISTRICT MEETING WARRANT

Dr. Freeman distributed a spreadsheet of financial information that was requested by the Pittsfield Budget Committee.

Dr. Freeman distributed a copy of the draft of warrant articles for the annual school district meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed warrant articles.

The School Board agreed that the school’s attorney would not be needed at the annual School District Meeting.

C. DRAKE FIELD SUMMER PROGRAM

Dr. Freeman reported the results of his conversation with the school’s attorney relative to the Drake Field Summer Program. The attorney stated his suggestion for a conference call that would include Chairperson Wood and Dr. Freeman regarding the options available for continued support of the program.

D. 360 FEEDBACK PROCESS FOR ADMINISTRATORS

Dr. Freeman explained the 360 degree process initiated to guide the professional development of the two principals and superintendent. He provided the Board with a brief report on the process and product. Dr. Freeman shared three professional development goal areas that he has identified for himself as a result of the feedback received through the process. He will refine the goal areas and develop objectives for the February 14 Board meeting.

E. COMMUNICATION FROM INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a recent communication from The Mercier Group, the independent auditing firm that is contracted to perform the annual financial audit.

F. STUDENT LED CONFERENCES: PUTTING STUDENTS IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Dr. Freeman shared a piece on PMHS student-led conferences which was drafted by Communications Consultant Jane Feinberg. The piece will be posted on the district’s website.

XI. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION

Mr. Morse repeated his invitation to the Ms. Paradise for the communication workshop.

XII. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:43 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen to enter into non-public session to discuss negotiations with the Education Association of Pittsfield and a personnel matter pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a) and (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into non-public session for the purpose of discussing a personnel issues and negotiations.

A. CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF PITTSFIELD

Board negotiators presented the terms of the contract for which tentative agreement has been reached. The Board discussed this item.

B. PERSONNEL MATTER

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with updated information regarding a personnel matter. The Board discussed the matter and available options.

No action was taken during non-public session.

At 7:20 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

XIII. OPEN SESSION

A. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF PITTSFIELD

On a motion my Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approved the terms of the tentative agreement reached by the Board negotiators with the Education Association of Pittsfield as presented.

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 24, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary