APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pittsfield Elementary School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise, Chairperson
Michael Wolfe, Vice Chairperson
Kathy Corliss, Secretary
Elizabeth Adams
Clayton Wood

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois-Jean Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES

Dr. Freeman called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

II. SCHOOL BOARD REORGANIZATION

Dr. Freeman invited the School Board members to begin the process of reorganizing the leadership of the board.

A motion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to nominate Mary Paradise as chairperson. The motion carried (4-0-1) with Ms. Adams, Ms. Corliss, Mr. Wolfe, and Mr. Wood voting in the affirmative and Ms. Paradise abstaining from the vote.

Dr. Freeman turned the meeting over to the newly-elected chair, Ms. Paradise.

A motion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wood to nominate Michael Wolfe as vice chairperson. The motion carried (4-0-1) with Ms. Adams, Ms. Corliss, Ms. Paradise, and Mr. Wood voting in the affirmative and Mr. Wolfe abstaining from the vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to nominate Kathy Corliss as secretary. The motion carried (4-0-1) with Ms. Adams, Ms. Paradise, Mr. Wolfe, and Mr. Wood, voting in the affirmative and Ms. Corliss abstaining from the vote.

III. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
o Non-public minutes of March 11, 2010 (Dr. Freeman)
o PMHS gym project (Dr. Freeman)
o PMHS fire inspection results (Mr. Wolfe)
o Posting of school board minutes (Mr. Wood)

IV. 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.

V. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the minutes of March 4, 2010 as written. The motion passed (4-0-1) with Ms. Adams, Ms. Corliss, Ms. Paradise, and Mr. Wolfe voting in the affirmative and Mr. Wood abstaining from the vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the minutes of March 11, 2010 as written. On page 2, paragraph 4, it was recommended to change “Thursday” to “Wednesday.” The motion passed (4-0-1) with Ms. Adams, Ms. Corliss, Ms. Paradise, and Mr. Wolfe voting in the affirmative and Mr. Wood abstaining from the vote.

A motion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Corliss to approve the minutes of the non-public session of March 4, 2010 as written. The motion passed (3-0-2) with Ms. Corliss, Ms. Paradise, and Mr. Wolfe voting in the affirmative and Ms. Adams and Mr. Wood abstaining from the vote.

Mr. Wood requested that a draft copy of school board meeting minutes be posted on the school district website within five days of each meeting. Ms. Adams requested that a draft copy of school board meeting minutes be posted in the Carpenter Library within five days of each meeting.

VI. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. FACILITIES

Dr. Freeman stated a meeting with Dan Bisson, architect for the gym project, will be scheduled to establish a timeline for the project and to organize the bidding process. Ms. Adams asked to revisit the conversation about the elections taking place in the PMHS gym at a future meeting. Ms. Corliss asked Dr. Freeman to talk to Athletic Director Peter Tuttle about rescheduling any athletic games that might interfere with the work that will be done. Ms. Corliss asked if the architect could be asked about a warranty for the gym work to ensure that the work being done will be satisfactory. The Board reached consensus and directed the Superintendent to move forward with the plans for replacement of the PMHS gym roof, floor, and bleachers.

Ms. Corliss asked about the PMHS cafeteria leaking during the recent storm. Dr. Freeman confirmed that this had occurred and reported on the measures that will be taken to address the leaking.

B. FIRE INSPECTION

According to Mr. Wolfe, the recent PMHS fire inspection by members of the Pittsfield Fire Department resulted in several areas of concern. The building itself was reported to be in good order, but housekeeping items were an issue. For example, it is a state law to disallow the use of furniture, carpeting, and appliances designed for home use, although examples of these items were found. There were also problems noted in the science labs with the organization and storing of materials. The report will be submitted to the Superintendent and the State Fire Marshall. Chief Johnson would like to present the report to the School Board at a future meeting.

Mr. Wolfe noted that the inspection of the elementary school has been scheduled. Mr. Wood stated his desire to see the report before meeting with Chief Johnson.

VII. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Ms. Paradise called for volunteers to serve on the Board’s committees. The result of this follows:

A. BUDGET – Mr. Wood; alternate Ms. Adams
B. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES – Ms. Corliss and Mr. Wolfe
C. NEGOTIATIONS – Ms. Paradise and Mr. Wolfe
D. SELECT BOARD – Ms. Adams; alternate Mr. Wood

VIII. SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE

Mr. Wood explained that he serves as a member of the Pittsfield Planning Board and the meetings are scheduled in conflict with the School Board meetings. He asked if the Board could meet on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, instead of the first and third Thursday of the month. Ms. Paradise pointed out that when having meetings during the fourth week of the month, it often conflicts with holiday vacations. She suggested that on those occasions, alterations be made. By consensus, the Board agreed to change its meeting schedule to the second and fourth Thursday of the month; the next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, April 8.

IX. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 8, 2010, at 6:15 at the Pittsfield Middle High School. The temporary time change is due to the PES Curriculum Fair, also scheduled on that night. The agenda will include the request for elections to be held at PMHS and other items brought forth by the administration.

X. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:13 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to enter into non-public session to discuss personnel matters pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) and (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Mr. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board discussed the employment status of a current employee.

A5 6:33 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to exit the non-public session and to re-enter open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

XI. OPEN SESSION

A. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

Dr. Freeman responded to questions from School Board members regarding recently-announced School Improvement Grants. Dr. Freeman reported that the grant program was announced by the Department of Education following the announcement of the state’s failure to win Race to the Top funding for school improvement. The School Improvement Grant funds flow through the Title I program and also include Title I eligible schools, which include PMHS. Minimum grants of $50,000 per year for three years will be awarded. Districts must submit intent-to-apply letters by April 2; the deadline for grant applications is May 7.

B. HIGH SCHOOL REDESIGN

Dr. Freeman responded to questions from School Board members regarding the status of high school redesign. Dr. Freeman reported that consultants from the Center for Secondary School Redesign (CSSR) will work with PMHS students, staff, and community members on April 7 to begin planning for redesign in four areas: student advisories, school governance / site council, use of faculty staff development time, and use of faculty team common planning time.

Dr. Freeman also reported that he has received a proposal from the CSSR to continue its redesign work with PMHS. This work is anticipated to include two three-day summer institutes and continued consultation throughout the 2010-2011 school year. Additionally, Dr. Freeman reported that Pittsfield will likely be joining a coalition of other New Hampshire high schools to seek grant funding for development of performance assessment practices in the schools.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Corliss and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:49 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary

John J. Freeman, Ph.D.
Recording Secretary,
Non-Public Session and
Subsequent Public
Session