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, July 18, 2013
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Michael Wolfe, chairperson
Nicole Manteau, vice-chairperson
Bea Douglas
Gary Mullen
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Susan Graham, Dean of Instruction
Paul Newell, Dean of Operations
Sarah Rowell, Director of College and Career Readiness
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services

Chairperson Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Distribution of Position Analysis (Ms. Chassie)
• Athletes’ Contract (Dr. Freeman)
• New School Leaders (Dr. Freeman)
• Kindergarten Enrollment (Dr. Freeman)
• Priority and Focus School Identification (Dr. Freeman)
• Non-Public – Employee Compensation (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Manteau to approve the minutes of the June 20, 2013, meeting. On page 3, paragraph 4, change to “as robust and rigorous a curriculum…” On page 3, paragraph 7, change the last sentence to, “As in the middle school, student work in the learning studios will be assessed on 21st Century learning competencies, but not on content competencies.” On page 4, paragraph 8, change the last sentence to, “He provides Mr. Kilmister with invaluable assistance.” On page 5, paragraph 4, change to, “…end-of-quarter progress reports.” On page 6, paragraph 3, change to …site council, and restorative justice.” The motion carried unanimously with the changes made in the minutes.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

On behalf of PMHS Teacher Jenny Wellington, Community Liaison Ross Morse shared information regarding the Restorative Justice program. He said that twenty-one students volunteered and were approved as student representatives. These included five 8th graders, 5 10th graders, five 11th graders, and six 12th graders. PMHS Secretary Gloria Krochmal and PMHS Teacher Christie Dunlavey will be advisors. A training for all of the volunteers and the advisors will be held on August 12, 2013.

Mr. Jay Darrah, the newly appointed PMHS Athletic Director, distributed the 2012-2013 PMHS Student / Athlete Handbook. He also distributed information about a newly developed Athletic Contract and provided an explanation of the sections in the contract and sections that will be included in the 2013-2014 Student Handbook. Mr. Darrah answered several questions regarding addressing major and minor infractions. Mr. Darrah reported to the Board that he will manage forms in his office, negating the need for parents to complete forms for each athletic season. Mr. Darrah advised that the PMHS Site Council had approved the changes in a unanimous vote.

Dr. Freeman acknowledged the great start that Mr. Darrah has had as Athletic Director; the Board agreed. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board approved the Athletic Contract unanimously. Noah Manteau reported the advantages noted by the Site Council when they considered the Athletic Contract proposal.

VI. SITE COUNCIL

Noah Manseau stated that the Site Council met and took action on Mastery of Competencies and the Athletic Contract. They will be considering the Class Meeting proposal at the next meeting. Mr. Manteau stated that student members of the Site Council, along with other PMHS student leaders, will be participating in a two and a half day training on leadership at New England College this summer.

VII. WEBSITE

Mr. Wolfe stated that the website requires updating, which Dr. Freeman and Ms. Stevens agreed to do. Also, the hours that the PMHS Media Center is open are not posted. Ms. Stevens stated that the PMHS Media Center is open on Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. She will update the website with the hours.

VIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. OIL BID

Dr. Freeman reported information on the market value of oil. Fred Fuller Oil & Propane Company placed a bid for $3.195; this was the only bid received. On a motion by Mr. Mullen and Seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve the oil bid from Fred Fuller Oil & Propane.

B. PES PROJECT

Dr. Freeman explained that there was a walk around at PES this week by potential bidders and Architect Dan Bisson. He thanked Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Mullen for participating. The bids for windows and siding will be opened at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26.

C. RESIGNATION

Dr. Freeman reported the resignations of Ronda Fernald, PMHS Special Education Teacher; Tina Nevins, District Speech Assistant; and Meghan Wilson, PES Special Education Teacher.

D. POLICY JICI

Dr. Freeman will continue to work on Policy JICI by making arrangements to confer with Pittsfield Police Chief Wharem.

E. NEW SCHOOL LEADERS

Dr. Freeman invited the new administrators to provide brief oral reports of their work since beginning on July 1. Dean of Instruction Sue Graham updated the Board on the curriculum work and hiring of new staff. Director of College and Career Readiness Sarah Rollins introduced herself and stated that she has been pleased with people’s eagerness to design the new College and Career Readiness department. She updated the Board on the work that has been done with on line and dual enrollment and extended learning opportunities. Dean of Operations Paul Newell stated he has been touring facilities, participated in the PES contractor walk through, and attending meetings that have provided an opportunity to learn about the school district. He is working on handbooks in order to present to the Board for approval.

F. IMPACT TESTING

Dr. Freeman reported information to the School Board, which had been gathered by former Principal Bob Bickford.
G. PITTSFIELD LISTENS SURVEY

During its June meeting, Pittsfield Listens conducted an opinion survey. The results were distributed by Dr. Freeman.

H. PMHS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with an article that will be posted on the website in the next week or so entitled, The Wisdom Within: Teacher-Led Professional Development.

I. KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT

Dr. Freeman informed the Board of a lower than usual Kindergarten enrollment. Ms. Stevens distributed data from the Pittsfield Town Office, including the number of births from 2005 to 2012. She also provided Kindergarten enrollment numbers from 2001-2002 to 2012-2013. Ms. Stevens reviewed several options for the Board’s consideration. The Board’s consensus was to provide two half day Kindergarten sessions with approximately 10 students, given current enrollment data, in each. This will allow a refinement of the preschool program for this year while kindergarten enrollment is low.

J. FOCUS / PRIORITY SCHOOL STATUS

Dr. Freeman explained that the New Hampshire Department of Education has received a flexibility waiver to the federal No Child Left Behind Act and described the effect that the waiver will have on our schools. He explained that the bottom 5% of the schools are in a Priority status and the next 10% up of the schools are in a Focus status, based on NECAP test scores. Also, the schools which were formerly under the School Improvement Grant, such as our middle and high school, will automatically be in the Priority status. The elementary school has been selected for Focus status due to student achievement.

Dr. Freeman further explained that 10% of our Title I entitlement, approximately $25,000, must be targeted for school improvement. He stated that PMHS has a strong plan for improvement, which will continue to be implemented. At PES, he plans to convene a group of stakeholders to work on a plan, following the process used to develop the logic model for PMHS.

Selected faculty will be attending the New Hampshire Department of Education Summit at Keene State College next week, where additional information will be provided and the work to plan a strategy will begin.

IX. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES

Mr. Wolfe asked if there was an update on the care of Drake Field. Dr. Freeman stated PMHS Head Custodian Jim Dawson is investigating and will address the weed and lighting issues that have been reported.

B. NEGOTIATIONS – None

C. BUDGET COMMITTEE – None

D. FOSS FOUNDATION – None

X. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION

Mr. Morse invited the School Board to a Pittsfield Listens Community Network session at 6:30 p.m. this evening.

XI. NON – PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:30 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to exit open session and to enter into non-public session to discuss three personnel compensation matters pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms.Douglas, yes; Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe) to enter into non-public session for the purpose of discussing a personnel issues and negotiations.

A. EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION MATTERS

Dr. Freeman reviewed three employee compensation matters, which were further discussed by the Board.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 6:38 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Manteau to exit the non-public session and to re-enter open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms.Douglas, yes; Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to re-enter into open session.

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary