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, January 3, 2008
Pittsfield Middle High School
I. CALL TO ORDER
Members Present: Scott Brown, Chairperson
Chris Ward
Gary Colby
Leslie Vogt
Mary Paradise
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
Chairperson Brown called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
II. AGENDA REVIEW
Dr. Freeman added a support staff resignation. Dr. Compton added sc hool board
calendar of meetings, School Board Delegate Assembly, and a non-public session
for legal matters. Mr. DeLois added course approval, stipend, and preliminary
prom proposal.
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
On a motion made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the minutes of December 6, 2007, as written.
IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None
Pittsfield School District 1 January 3, 2008
V. PES ADMINISTRATION
A. Job Description
Policy GDA-PCL outlining the job description for the Program Coordinator for
the PES Library was read for the second time. On a motion made by Ms. Vogt
and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted unanimously to approve the job
description as presented.
B. Resignation
Dr. Freeman recommended the Board accept the resignation of Judith Dunne
from her position as food service worker/bookkeeper. On a motion made by
Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Colby, the Board voted unanimously to accept
the resignation of Ms. Dunne, with regret.
C. Principal Selection Committee
Dr. Freeman distributed an update on the principal selection process. Ms.
Paradise and Mr. Brown volunteered to participate on the selection team.
D. Follow the Child Team
Dr. Freeman explained that the most recent work of the Follow the Child Team
has been to assist Mr. DeLois in the writing of the School in Need of
Improvement plan. The team will continue to work in developing greater
curriculum coherence in grades 5-9. Linda Kirszenbaum observed classes in
grades 7-9 and will continue working with the team.
E. Dental Sealant Program
Dr. Freeman reported that the dental program is moving forward. Forms have
been distributed to families and 18 of 96 possible students have signed up.
Appointments are still available.
F. Roof
Discussion ensued regarding the snow on the roof of PES. Dr. Compton will
check into the structural considerations and determine the need for potential
snow removal.
VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION
A. Prom Proposal
Pittsfield School District 2 January 3, 2008
Mr. Rick Anthony, junior class advisor, with Mercedes Valdez, representative
from the junior class, reviewed a proposal for the 2008 Prom. The proposal
included a private charter boat cruise out of Boston Harbor, which includes a
dinner, disc jockey, decorations, and a photographer. Bus transportation will be
provided to and from the boat. The estimated cost ($85 -$105) will include the
cruise, dinner, dancing, transportation, and gifts. Mr. DeLois pointed out tha t in
the past, the Board has supported the prom effort by paying fifty percent of the
bus cost.
Mr. Anthony explained that the cost might be prohibitive so an alternative was
also planned. The alternative included Gunstock Ski Area, charter bus to and
from Pittsfield, and a fireworks display at the end of the evening. The cost for
the alternative is between $55 and $65. Mr. Brown explained that affordability
and a local destination were high priorities for the Board.
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board
voted unanimously to approve the proposal for Gunstock, noting that the first
proposal is cost prohibitive. Compliments were paid to the committee for its
hard work.
B. Guidance Update
Mr. DeLois provided an opportunity for the Board to ask questions regarding a
Guidance update that had been distributed several weeks ago. Ms. Vogt
inquired about the pending receipt of SAT scores. Mr. DeLois agreed to
investigate the issue.
During the second semester, an intern from Plymouth State College will be
working at PMHS with the Guidance Department.
C. Course Approval
Mr. DeLois distributed a proposal for the inclusion of two classes to course
selections. Business Math (Tech Prep) and Independent Study – Write Your
Story were the two classes proposed. A motion was made by Ms. Paradise and
seconded by Mr. Colby to approve the course requests of Business Math and
Write Your Story, as presented. Ms. Vogt suggested that a broader look at the
Independent Study be considered in the future. The motion carried
unanimously.
D. Yearbook
According to Mr. DeLois, Barbara Gardner has worked over and above the call
of duty to assist with the yearbook development during the absence of Herb
Pittsfield School District 3 January 3, 2008
Moyer. The 2007 yearbook has been received and the first deadline for the
2008 yearbook has been met. Mr. DeLois requested the Board approve a $350
stipend for the work that she has done.
Discussion ensued about some of the problems that were faced associated with
the yearbook. Ms. Paradise suggested that the administration take steps to
assure that similar problems did not reoccur and to provide restitution where
necessary. Mr. DeLois reported that there are 12 students in this year’s
yearbook class.
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board
voted unanimously to give Ms. Gardner a $350 stipend.
Ms. Vogt suggested that the Board be presented with financial information
regarding the production of previous yearbooks so that an informed decision
could be made about helping to clear the deficit in order to allow the next group
of students to have a fresh start.
VII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION – None
VIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION
A. FY ’09 Warrant Articles
Dr. Compton explained that the warrant articles have been forwarded to the
attorney for review. To date, he has received no feedback from Board
members regarding potential changes. Dr. Compton explained an option of
adding wording that would allow the expenditure of money beyond the budget
year. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed warrant articles. Mr. Roche
provided the Board with amounts that are currently in reserve accounts. Dr.
Compton agreed to bring forth the final draft of the warrant ar ticles at the
January 17th Board meeting.
Discussion ensued regarding the potential of an SB 2 warrant article. Mr.
Brown stated that the Budget Committee has asked for more information
regarding the options that have been considered for the future locat ion of the
SAU office.
B. Annual District Meeting Timeline
Dr. Compton explained the timeline for the annual school district meeting and
associated meetings. The meetings that have been proposed include the public
hearing on February 11th and the Annual School District Meeting on March 13th.
An open house is scheduled at PMHS on March 5th.
C. Voter Handout
Pittsfield School District 4 January 3, 2008
A draft of the handout to be provided to voters at the Annual School Distri ct
Meeting was reviewed.
D. FY ’09 Budget Update
Ms. Vogt stated that the Budget Committee appreciated the presentation on
special education. She stated that the Budget Committee is interested in a
presentation about the possible options for the location of the SAU.
E. Food Service Report
Mr. Roche distributed a letter that was sent to him by Mr. Kim Dubuque, the
Food Service Director at Prospect Mountain High School. Mr. Roche stated
that he would organize a visit from our food service directors from each school
to visit Mr. Dubuque’s operation.
IX. COMMITTEES
A. Drake Field & Facilities
Mr. Ward stated that a dumpster is being serviced during the winter months at
Drake Field, which may be unnecessary. Mr. Roche agreed to check on the
contract and make recommendations to the Board.
B. Selectman Liaison
Mr. Brown distributed a letter that was received by Mr. Arthur Morse,
Chairperson of the Board of Selectmen regarding Catastrophic Aid. He
explained the concerns that were raised by the Selectmen and the Bu dget
Committee regarding an error that had been made in the initial calculation of
Catastrophic Aid. Ms. Chassie provided details to explain the situation that had
occurred that resulted in the error. The error was found and corrected in a
timely manner and provided no threat of effecting the determination of the tax
rate. The Board agreed to have Ms. Vogt send information to the members of
the Budget Committee to help them understand the situation.
X. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 5:30 at the
Pittsfield Middle High School. Agenda will include further discussion of budget,
warrant articles, and SAU planning.
XI. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)
XII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
Pittsfield School District 5 January 3, 2008
At 7:47 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Ward and seconded Mr. Colby, 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. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, to come out of
the non-public session. The Board was polled and voted to come out of the nonpublic
session at 8:27 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted
unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary
Pittsfield School District 6 January 3, 2008