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 24, 2013
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Michael Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson
Nicole Manteau
Gary Mullen
Mary Paradise

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Noah Manteau, Site Council, Student Representative
Member of the staff

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Nomination (Dr. Freeman)
• Auditor’s Report (Dr. Freeman)

The following item was deleted:
• Negotiations with EAP (non-public) (Dr. Freeman)

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 January 10, 2013, as written.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Morse, Community Liaison, stated that the Leadership Communication training, which had previously been cancelled due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. in PMHS Room 113.

Mr. Morse stated that banners displaying the newly-approved school district logo will be presented at assemblies held in each school in February.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. WMUR COVERAGE

By report, Mr. Kilmister informed the Board that a WMUR cameraman and Reporter Sean McDonald recently visited PES to learn about the school’s entryway security system and the safe dismissal routine. The story aired on the 11:00 p.m. news on Wednesday, January 23, and featured Mr. Kilmister and two PES parents.

B. FLU

Mr. Kilmister, again by report, reported the effect of the flu at PES. He stated ten to fifteen staff members and more than fifty students have been absent each day.

C. ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

PES third grade students will work with guest artist, Erin Sweeney, February 11 through February 15. She will be creating handmade books with third graders. This program is sponsored by the PES PTO.

D. CALENDAR

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

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. PMHS COURSE OFFERINGS BOOK

Mr. Bickford presented the PMHS Course Offerings Book, used to assist students in the process of selecting courses for the next school year. The majority of the edits relate to bringing this document in line with the Competency Based Reporting and Assessment System, along with course offering updates in high school English and VLACS.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the PMHS Course Offerings Book.

B. FAMILY LETTER

Mr. Bickford supplied a copy of a letter to all families with information of the academic supports that is offered outside of class time, the extended learning days on January 22 and 23, the change in mandatory attendance on late start Wednesdays for some students, and Google accounts.

C. SITE COUNCIL

Noah Manteau explained that the Site Council discussed the issue of eligibility for extra-curricular activities using a protocol designed to conduct a problem solving discussion.

The Attendance Sub-Committee met today to consider the continued participation on Site Council of two students whose attendance has been irregular.

D. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MEETING

Mr. Bickford reported that he meets with the Athletic Director on a bi-weekly basis.

An emergency health incident occurred at a recent middle school basketball game in Gilmanton. Coaches Alexandra Briggs and Chris Davitt were commended for their quick action to assist the students present. Ms. Manteau stated that the good wishes of Pittsfield people in calls to the school the day following the incident were remarked upon by the Gilmanton school officials.

E. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

Mr. Bickford relayed a note from Basketball Coach Jason Darrah reporting that an official at a recent game asked the identity of #10 – Max Tuttle – as he wanted to nominate him for a sportsmanship player of the year award that the officials give out in all divisions. Unfortunately, this recognition is only awarded to seniors, so Max is not eligible to be nominated. Ms. Paradise asked Ms. Manteau to send a note to Max to congratulate his sportsmanship on behalf of the Board.

F. CALENDAR

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

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. LEA PLAN

Ms. Stevens requested approval of the LEA Special Education Plan. She explained the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each District maintain an updated policies and procedure manual which outlines the procedures the District follow in implementing IDEA.

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board unanimously approved the LEA Special Education Plan.

B. CASE MANAGEMENT ACADEMY

Ms. Stevens reported three newly hired special education teachers have attended a case management academy. She explained that the subjects discussed are the essential procedural requirements in the special education process.

C. FOCUS MONITORING

Ms. Stevens indicated that the results of the fall compliance review will be reported out at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, in the PMHS Lecture Hall.

D. TECHNOLOGY

Ms. Stevens reported the District Technology Team is currently working on proposed revisions to our current technology policies. She forewarned the Board of the request for their approval of a new Acceptable Technology Use policy.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. LEAVE REQUEST

Lynette Rose, PES Student Support Center Supervisor, requested a paid personal day for the day following winter break. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board approved the leave request without compensation.

B. NOMINATION

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board unanimously approved the nomination of Judy Eimicke for position of special education teacher at PES.

C. DISTRICT MEETING WARRANT

Dr. Freeman reported his attendance at the Pittsfield Budget Committee on Wednesday, January 23. He explained the questions asked by the Committee and stated that the draft warrant articles were presented. Dr. Freeman has presented the warrant to the DRA and the school’s attorney. Attorney Jay Boynton offered several minor suggestions.

D. DRAKE FIELD SUMMER PROGRAM

Mr. Wood and Dr. Freeman spoke with Attorney Jay Boynton on options for continued support for the Drake Field Summer program and concluded that, for the time being, the simplest route would be for the district to continue to assume responsibility for the program and provide at least partial funding.

Dr. Freeman recommended that the Board fund the first week of the program – the last week in June – which could be done assuming that the current budget remains healthy. Next year, approximately $7,000 will need to be allocated in the FY15 budget to support the program during the summer of 2014.

X. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION

XI. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:24 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into non-public session for the purpose of discussing a personnel issues and negotiations.

A. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

The Board discussed the current administrative structure and restructuring options.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 6:45 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe 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. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 14, 2012, in the PMHS Media Center.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:46 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary