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, March 14, 2013
Pittsfield Elementary School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood
Mary Paradise
Michael Wolfe
Gary Mullen
Nichole Manteau

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Members of the public

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 5:46 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

Mr. Wood prioritized the agenda of the meeting due to the consolidation of time.

The following items were added:
• NMEF (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 February 12, 2013 and February 14, 2013. On the February 14, 2013 minutes, Lois Stevens name was added to the list of participants. Also, on fourth line under topic of NECAP, add grade three. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Eric Nilsson asked about the decision to allow students to use their off highway recreational vehicles to school, with permission. Mr. Wolfe explained that the students will need to follow all laws. According to Mr. Bickford, all of the state laws refer to “off highway recreational vehicles,” which is why the minutes did not specify snow mobiles. Mr. Wolfe explained that there are no trails for other types of off highway recreational vehicles leading to the school, so would be unacceptable on school grounds.

Ms. Stacey Mills explained that at dismissal there was a snow mobile motivating at excessive speeds across the field. Mr. Bickford said this is not acceptable and if the driver was a student and identified, privileges would be revoked.

VI. SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

The members of the Board reviewed the warrant articles and the procedures to raise the articles to the floor for action.

VII. PES ADMNISTRATION

A. PROPOSED NEW STRUCTURE FOR 5 & 6

Mr. Kilmister described a plan for the restructuring of grades 5 and 6, similar to the middle school at PMHS, with students moving between four subject-area teachers each day. He requested indication of the Board’s support in order to move forward on plans to implement the structure.

Discussion ensued regarding the benefits of this restructuring, including helping students’ transition to the high school and maximizing teachers’ strengths in curriculum.

Mr. Wood suggested care be taken to properly communicate the change with parents. Mr. Kilmister explained that he will be working with faculty to iron out the details and then will communicate with parents.

B. ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

According to Mr. Kilmister, during the last week of March, master drummer, composer and ethnomusicologist Sowah Mensah will return to work with 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. On Monday, March 25th, 5th and 6th graders will audition to be in a select group. A public performance will be held on Thursday, March 28th at 6:30 at PMHS. On March 29th, there will be a school assembly for 1st through 3rd graders.

C. MUFFINS WITH MOM

Title I and PES PTO sponsored Muffins with Mom on March 13th, according to Mr. Kilmister.

D. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister provided the Board with a calendar of upcoming events.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. FIRST SEMESTER HONOR ROLL

With the implementation of the Competency Based Reporting and Assessment System, the assessment of student performance and subsequent reporting was significantly changed, according to Mr. Bickford. He explained that in order to receive credit, all competencies must be met. Also, there is an increased level of performance expected and an increased level of rigor in order to be identified for the honor roll.

B. CYBER BULLYING

Mr. Bickford explained recent reports of cyber-bulling that has taken place between some students during non-school hours. He further explained the steps that were taken to assist teachers with a lesson plan to be implemented during Advisories to educate students.

Mr. Wood stated that he was concerned that the Board was not included in the response plan. Furthermore, he is concerned about Facebook. Mr. Wood stated his hope that the new Board will take on this issue and help to educate parents in the topic of social networking. Also, he stated that he thought processes should be changed to include the School Board when incidents such as this occur.

Ms. Manteau expressed her concern that the School Board was not notified, nor were families of middle school students. Ms. Paradise stated that the concern about letting parents know is difficult due to levels of confidentiality that must be maintained.

C. WASHINGTON, DC PRESENTATION

According to Mr. Bickford, representative members of the PMHS Site Council traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Association of Secondary School Principals annual conference. Students included Rebekah Adams, Elizabeth Cyr, Noah Manteau, and Maxwell Tuttle. Alexandra Briggs and Derek Hamilton accompanied the group.

D. IMPACT TESTING

Mr. Bickford explained that the Board had been required to adopt a policy related to concussion prevention and education. With the assistance from a grant from Concord Hospital, the school nurse, Rene D’Allesandro, will conduct testing needed to collect baseline data over the next several weeks for PMHS athletes.

E. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Peter Tuttle, currently the Athletic Director, has submitted his letter of resignation. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted to unanimously to approve the resignation, with appreciation for his work with the students of Pittsfield.

Also retiring is Joyce Roberts, an employee of thirty two years. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board unanimously approved the retirement of Ms. Roberts. Ms. Manteau will send a note of appreciation for her years of service to the district.

F. CALENDAR

A calendar of events for March, April, and May was provided.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES

A. FOCUS MONITORING

According to Ms. Stevens, the Focus Monitoring Team, led by two technical assistants from SERESC, worked on February 25th to review NECAP data from 2012-2013. They specifically looked at student scores in the below proficient level in order to investigate the gap between special education and regular education students.

X. SAU

A. SICK BANK REQUEST

Dr. Freeman stated that PMHS Science teacher Denise Mason has applied to the Sick Bank Committee. She has requested twenty days due to surgery and post surgery health issues.

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board approved unanimously to approve the sick bank request.

B. ADMINISTRATIVE RESTRUCTURING

To facilitate the administrative restructuring plan, a Transition Team – which includes a board member, school and district staff, and external technical assistance providers – has been working with Bill Bryan to plan for a smooth transition. Dr. Freeman distributed organizational charts of programs, teams and supervision. He explained that a faculty meeting has been scheduled for March 25th.

C. EMERGENCY RADIO OFFER

Pittsfield Police Chief Bob Wharem has offered the installation of three radios to the district – one for each school and the SAU – that would facilitate a quick police response in the event of an emergency. The Board appreciated the offer and will accept the gift.

D. NELLIE MAE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Ms. Paradise stated that as part of the Board, she has been part of a team that will meet two times per year for the next three years. She is willing to continue
On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded Ms. Manteau, the Board voted to appoint Ms. Paradise to continue on the Task Force. Mr. Mullen, Ms. Manteau, Mr. Wood, and Mr. Wolfe voted in the affirmative while Ms. Paradise abstained from the vote.

XI. SCHOOL BOARD

A. FOSS FOUNDATION

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board approved the appointment of Mr. Wood to continue as a representative on the Foss Family Foundation.

XII. RECESS

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted to recess at 6:45 p.m. for the purpose of the Annual School District Meeting.

XIII. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION – None

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 5:30 in the PMHS Media Center.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary