January 8, 2009 Minutes

APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise, Chairperson
Scott Brown
Michael Wolfe
Leslie Vogt
Gary Colby (left meeting at 6:24)

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

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

Dr. Freeman added the informational items of the gym roof and school district audit. Mr. Gremlitz added season passes for athletics and a recent school break-in. Ms. Stevens added informational item of hiring/resignation of support staff. Dr. Freeman added a non-public session regarding personnel.

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

III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

On a motion made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of December 18, 2008, as written, with Mr. Brown, Ms. Vogt, Ms. Paradise, and Mr. Wolfe voting in the affirmative and Mr. Colby abstaining from the vote due to his absence from the meeting.

IV. PUBLIC INPUT

Kathy Corliss reported that her daughter’s SAT score in writing was disturbingly low, as compared to her grades and class standing. Ms. Corliss asked if this is a general observation for all students who take SATs. She also asked what efforts are made by teachers to correct the mechanics of writing. Mr. Kilmister explained the strategies that are used to teach the conventions of writing. Mr. DeLois further explained the school-wide assessment efforts that are occurring at PMHS, indicating that conventions are a target area for improvement for the school.

Ms. Corliss asked if it was common practice to have students correct their own quizzes. Ms. Paradise suggested that Ms. Corliss go directly to the teacher to ask for an explanation of the purpose of the quizzes and the motivation behind having students grade their own.

V. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. Senior Class Trip

Senior Class Vice President Wylie Clattenburg was introduced and asked to explain the plans for the proposed senior class trip. The trip will include a white water rafting experience, a dinner cruise of Portland Harbor, exploration of Portland, and attendance at a Sea Dogs baseball game. The trip will take place from Thursday, May 7th to 9th, 2009. The cost per person will be $238.00. It was stated that over half of the senior class has expressed interest in participating.

On a motion made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Mr. Brown, the Board voted unanimously to approve the senior class trip proposal as presented.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. Writing Professional Development

Mr. Kilmister explained the approach that is being taken at PES to improve the instruction of writing. The long-term goal is to develop a curriculum spiral that will ensure that our students write in a variety of modes and develop their writing skills more deeply over time.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION (continued)

A. Guidance Update

Mr. Gremlitz called attention to the Guidance update that was included in the Board’s packet. He stated that the second edition of Panther Pause, the school’s new parent newsletter, will be distributed with second quarter student report cards.

B. Faculty Recognition

Mr. Gremlitz acknowledged the selection of Kiza Amour, who has been invited to make a presentation at the National Science Teachers Association’s national conference to be held in New Orleans in spring 2009.

C. Season Pass

Mr. Gremlitz updated the Board on the progress of basketball season passes. The practice has been well received by parents.

D. Break-in

Mr. Gremlitz explained that there was a break-in through a ground level window that was inadvertently left unlocked. Upon entry, intruders went into the hallway, which set off the alarm, at which time the two people left the building through the same window from which they entered. No vandalism occurred, and no property was reported as missing. The break-in was recorded by one of the school’s exterior security cameras. Pittsfield Police responded to the security alarm and are investigating.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. Resignation/Hiring

Ms. Stevens stated that Mary Christy has resigned from her position as educational assistant. Tonja McMasters has been hired to replace Ms. Christy.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. School Board Policies

Dr. Freeman presented the drafts of Policy BEDH: Public Participation at Board Meetings and Policy JLCC: Communicable Diseases for the final reading. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Colby, the Board voted unanimously to accept Policy BEDH and Policy JLCC for acceptance.

Dr. Freeman presented the drafts of Policy AA: School District Legal Status, Policy AC: Non-Discrimination, Policy ADD: Commitment to Religious Neutrality, Policy ACE: Procedural Safeguards, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap/Disabilities, Policy ADB: Drug-Free Workplace, Policy ADC: Tobacco Products Ban Use and Possession in and on School Facilities and Grounds, Policy ADD: Safety Schools, Policy EB: Safety Program, Policy GBCD: Background Investigation and Criminal Records Check, Policy IHBG: Home Education , and Policy KFAA: Public Conduct on School Property – Athletic Events. On a motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to accept all of the above listed policies for first reading.

B. Expenditure Report

Dr. Freeman distributed copies of the district’s quarterly expenditure report. Currently the report indicates a current fund balance of $146,098.30. Dr. Freeman asked that the members of the Board review the report and prepare any questions that might arise.

C. Budget Committee Meetings

Due to the cancellation of the Budget Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2009, the School District will visit the Committee on January 21, 2009, to continue the line-by-line review with questions and answers and to review warrant articles and capital improvement plan.

D. Capital Improvement Plan

Dr. Freeman reported that a team from the Jordan Institute visited the gym roof. The team is reviewing blueprints and additional information in order to make an analysis of the potential snow load that the roof can carry. Ms. Vogt explained the considerations that are being made in this attempt to calculate the cost of adding insulation.

Dr. Freeman listed the Capital Improvement Plan submitted to the town include, which included gym roof replacement, gym floor replacement, and PES window replacement.

Discussion ensued regarding the federal economic stimulus/recovery program that Congress will be considering in January. A list was submitted by Dr. Freeman of identified potential short-term projects that may be funded.

Discussion ensued regarding the strategy that would be used to insulate the gym roof. The analysis will potentially cost $1,000 to $2,000, depending on what documents are found that will help make the final recommendations. The consensus of the Board was to make this expenditure, if it becomes necessary.

E. Warrant Articles

Warrant articles that have been previously suggested for consideration include building maintenance toward the CIP, Drake Field, energy, and special education. Status of the Town’s CIP was questioned by Mr. Brown; however, no one had information.

Discussion ensued regarding the suggested warrant articles. Ms. Vogt stated
that, in her opinion, the options should be presented at the annual meeting for
the voters to consider. Mr. Brown reminded the Board that in the past, there have been warrant articles that allow using money from the fund balance to increase the contingency funds, such as for special education. The Board agreed to drop the proposed warrant article regarding Drake Field maintenance and to propose funding of the energy and special education warrant articles with an anticipated fund balance up to a maximum identified, $25,000 for energy costs and $20,000 for special education costs in addition to a $35,000 warrant article to fund maintenance projects identified in the district’s proposed CIP. Dr. Freeman will draft the warrant articles for the Board’s consideration. In the meantime, the concepts of the proposed warrant articles will be provided to the Budget Committee.

F. Annual School District Meeting Timeline

Dr. Freeman presented a proposed timeline, which was approved by the Board by consensus.

G. Annual School District Report

Dr. Freeman has suggested a trimming of the contents of the Annual School District Report, to which the Board agreed by consensus.

H. Senate Bill 2 Petition

Dr. Freeman provided information on S.B. 2. He asked the Board to consider a plan to address the eventual vote in March. Dr. Freeman will gather some additional information and Mr. Brown will research current information. Handouts will be developed for the Board to distribute to the public. Ms. Paradise will prepare a letter for the Suncook Valley Sun and invited any other Board member to do the same.

I. School District Audit

Dr. Freeman distributed the Pittsfield School District Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules and asked members of the Board to prepare questions and comments for the next meeting.

J. Residency Issue

A request was made by members of the Budget Committee via the Chairperson, to provide a list of the district employees who pay taxes in Pittsfield. The Board agreed to have the Superintendent provide the Committee with the number of employees who live in Pittsfield.

K. Community Forum

The Community Forum will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

L. Visit to District by Commissioner

Lyonel Tracy, NH Commissioner of Education will be visiting our Pittsfield schools on Monday, January 26, 2009.

X. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. Negotiating Team

The Board reiterated the fact that negotiations will be opened, according to schedule, in the coming months.

XI. NEXT MEETING – The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2009, at 5:30 at the Pittsfield Middle School. The agenda will include the warrant articles and the audit report.

XII. PUBLIC INPUT

Ms. Corliss asked if there is also an alcohol policy, to which the answer was affirmative. She also asked if the Jordan Institute will investigate the potential of hazardous material used in the gym roof construction. Ms. Vogt stated that they will ask the team for information.

Ross Morse offered suggestions on writing letters to the Suncook Valley Sun regarding S.B. 2. Also, he suggested investigating H.B. 41, which may be a way of setting a quorum for the deliberative session, eliminating the possibility of a small group of citizens determining the budget.

XIII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:09 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to enter into non-public session to discuss personnel matters. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Mr. Brown, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Ms. Vogt, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes)to enter into a non-public session under the provisions of RSA 91-A:3 II (c).

The Board discussed an anticipated reduction in force.

A motion was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by M. Wolfe to come out of the non-public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Mr. Brown, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Ms. Vogt, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to come out of the non-public session and re-enter open session at 7:41 p.m.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Brown, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary