APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise
Michael Wolfe
Kathy Corliss
Elizabeth Adams

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois-Jean Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Rick Gremlitz, Interim Principal, PMHS
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PES
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES

Chairperson Paradise called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
o Donations (Mr. Wolfe)
o Town elections (Dr. Freeman)
o Stan Davis consultation (Mr. Gremlitz)

The following items were deleted from the agenda:
o Non-public session (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2009, meeting as written. Ms. Paradise changed the last paragraph on page 4 to: “At present the operating budget represents a zero percent impact on the tax rate.” The final sentence of the paragraph was omitted. On page 6, Mr. Wolfe changed Pittsfield Elementary School to Pittsfield Middle High School, as the location for the next meeting. The Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. PRESENTATION

Ms. Chassie explained that she is joined on the PES Intervention Team by Christine Teague, Danielle Harvey, Kathleen LeMay, with frequent visits from Mr. Kilmister. The purpose of the presentation was to inform the Board of the preliminary results of using the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant on the two positions of Literacy Interventionist and Math Lead Teacher. The purposes behind the two positions is professional development, implementation of Response to Intervention (RtI), and direct instruction for struggling students.

Ms. LeMay provided a brief description of the work that has been accomplished in literacy thus far. This includes the implementation of a new program, Leveled Literacy Intervention; organizing data using a data wall; working with the staff and literacy consultants; and direct instruction of struggling students.

Ms. Harvey provided a brief description of the work that has been accomplished in math thus far. This includes the implementation of two new programs, Pin Point Math and Number World; organizing data using a data wall; working with the staff and math consultant; implementing best practices relative to differentiated and remedial instruction; and direct instruction of struggling students.

Ms. Chassie concluded by stating that having Ms. LeMay and Ms. Harvey in these positions has allowed deliberate and thoughtful use of resources and materials. Mr. Kilmister stated that these positions are important in building capacity of the school staff. Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that the ARRA grants were planned to address drop-out prevention and this is an early intervention to that end. He stated that the success of Ms. Harvey and Ms. LeMay is due to their hard work and the respect that they have from their colleagues with whom they work closely.

Ms. Paradise thanked the Intervention Team for their work.

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. ENHANCING EDUCATION THROUGH TECHNOLOGY (E2T2) GRANT

Mr. Kilmister stated that the E2T2 grant was awarded to the Pittsfield School District in the amount of $150,000. He explained that the eight participating teachers represent a range of grade levels and content areas. These teachers have agreed to take an on-line course and participate in project development and evaluation.

Ms. Paradise stated the writers of the grants should be commended for their long hours of hard work to secure this grant. Mr. Kilmister thanked Ms. Paradise, Clayton Wood, Dr. Freeman, and the Pittsfield Youth Workshop for their letters of support.

B. HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Mr. Kilmister reported that the two holiday concerts on December 8 and 15 were very well attended. He stated that most PES teacher and several educational assistants volunteered to attend and support their classes at the concert. Ms. Paradise asked for clarification about the obligation of teachers to participate. Mr. Kilmister and Dr. Freeman explained that the teachers have historically demonstrated their support by attending concerts, but that it is not a specific contractual obligation.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT

Mr. Gremlitz reported on an all day in-school field trip for the junior class held to address the topic of civil rights. The day consisted of a variety of activities and discussions aimed at helping students understand themselves, their peers, and the world around them through the concepts of language and respect.

B. NEASC

Mr. Gremlitz reported that the completed NEASC surveys from students, faculty/staff, and parents were returned to the Endicott Research Center on December 22, 2009. The results will be available in late January and will provide a rich array of data on which to base our self-study conclusions.

C. STAN DAVIS

Mr. Gremlitz explained that due to recent concerns, the administration participated in a conference call with Stan Davis, author of Schools Where Everyone Belongs. He explained that from the information received from Mr. Davis, a draft of a protocol for addressing the issue of unacceptable peer to peer behavior. Ms. Adams suggested that measures be taken to help students understand the United States Constitution and the judicial process.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. PLACEMENT UPDATE

Ms. Chassie explained that three students with disabilities have been placed in out-of-district schools. Two placements were made by the special education team and one placement was made by the Court. Ms. Stevens explained that the court placement will be financially supported by the Department of Education after approximately $37,000 has been paid by the district in a fiscal year and that the district placements will be supported by the Catastrophic Aid program through the Department of Education.

B. EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS

Upon being questioned by Ms. Adams, Ms. Chassie explained that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires the special education team to determine if individuals will regress severely during vacations and will, therefore, require an extended school year program. Steps are in process to determine which students meet the very stringent criteria and to develop an appropriate program.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. POLICIES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to adopt Policy IJ, Instructional Materials; Policy IKJ, Supplemental Materials Section; Policy KEC, Request for Reconsideration of Instruction Materials; and Policy KEC-R, Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials. Further suggestions were made by Ms. Corliss and Ms. Adams. Discussion ensued regarding the timeframe of the grievance process for reconsideration of instructional materials (Policy KEC). Grammar was taken into consideration and changes were recommended. Dr. Freeman will rework Policy IKJ. Mr. Wolfe amended the motion by removing Policy IKJ for further work and Ms. Corliss seconded the amendment. The Board voted unanimously to approve Policy KEC, Request for Reconsideration of Instruction Materials; and Policy KEC-R, Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams the Board voted unanimously to delete Policy IJL, Media Center Selection and Policy IJLA, School Libraries from the Board’s policies.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to approve Policy DBJ, Transfer of Appropriation.

A motion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to approve Policy IKAD, Changing Student Grades and Policy IKAD-R, Changing Student Grades – Process as the first reading. Discussion ensued resulting in making several changes. The motion passed unanimously.

B. EARLY RELEASE DAY

Dr. Freeman explained that the school cancellation due to weather on December 9, 2009, significantly interfered with the early release and a teacher workshop opportunity. He requested the Board consider adding January 27th as an early release day to the school calendar. On a motion made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board approved unanimously adding January 27, 2010, as an early release day to the school calendar. Mr. Kilmister and Mr. Gremlitz will immediately notify parents of this change.

C. CONTRACTS

Dr. Freeman reviewed a list of school district contracts, as requested by the Board.

D. BUDGET

Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that the school budget will be reviewed with the Pittsfield Budget Committee on two upcoming Saturdays, January 9 and 23, 2010. He delivered the budget notebooks to the members of the Board. Dr. Freeman reviewed information relative capital improvement projects.

Dr. Freeman distributed information relative to potential warrant articles including the teacher contract, PMHS gym roof, and special needs emergency fund.

E. TOWN ELECTIONS

Dr. Freeman explained that he has been contacted by the town administrator, Paul Skowron, who has asked to attend the next Board meeting to discuss the use of PES for voting purposes.

XI. SCHOOL BOARD

A. DONATION

Mr. Wolfe reported that a member of the community has offered a donation of wood working equipment. Ms. Paradise suggested asking Glen Traquair to visit Mr. Firstenberger to view the equipment and Mr. Gremlitz stated that he would be willing to accompany him. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board unanimously voted to accept any equipment that might be of use to the district.

XII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Corrections should be made on the agenda for board member assignments to committees.

A. NEGOTIATIONS

Ms. Paradise reported that the contract was unanimously ratified by the EAP.

XIII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School. Agenda items will include warrant articles.

XIV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary