APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Scott Brown, Vice Chairperson
Leslie Vogt
Gary Colby

Others Present: Dr. John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Rick Gremlitz, Principal, PMHS
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PMHS
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Members of the public

Vice Chairperson Brown called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

Ms. Vogt added tallies for Warrant Articles. Dr. Freeman added the driver education contract, facility energy audit and plan, Drake Field, and community forum. Mr. Kilmister added the Sanderson Trust. Mr. Gremlitz added the Sanderson Trust, student recognition, and town hall sign.

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

III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

On a motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Colby, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of February 19, 2009, as written.

IV. PUBLIC INPUT

Kathy Corliss commented on the school newspaper and congratulated the students and Ms. Loud on their hard work and excellent product.

V. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. NECAP Analysis

Mr. Kilmister reported that work to analyze NECAP data started today at PES with Consultant Nancy Dorsky.

B. Artist in Residence

Sowah Mensah, a world-famous musical artist, will be in residence this month. A concert will be held on March 26, 2009, at 6:30 p.m.

C. Sanderson Trust Fund

Mr. Kilmister reported that, due to the work of Anne Grady, a grant from the Sanderson Trust Fund has been received in the amount of $7,500 to purchase risers.

Mr. Colby suggested that Dr. Freeman send a letter of appreciation to the Sanderson Trust Fund Trustees for their generous donation.

VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. Sanderson Trust Fund

Mr. Gremlitz distributed a list of the grants that have been given by the Sanderson Trust Fund. The gifts include money for the Comprehensive Occupational Opportunities Program, Drake Field Summer Program, an elliptical fitness machine, social studies program, thermocycler and reagents, a marine biology program, and a jointer and knives for the industrial arts program.

B. Poetry Out Loud Contest

Eleventh grader Victoria Duquette, PMHS 2009 Poetry Out Loud champion, competed in the NH Eastern Regional recital on March 3, 2009. Based on Victoria’s performance, she was selected, along with five finalists from the regional semifinal, to compete for the NH state finals. The winner of the state finals will be held at Keene State College on March 21, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.

C. Town Hall Sign

The sign at Town Hall has been refurbished by the students in the industrial arts class. The students, under the supervision of Mr. Gonyea, did a wonderful job of upgrading the sign.

D. Student Showcase

Mr. Brown expressed disappointment in the small number of people who attending the Student Showcase on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. Those people who were in attendance had wonderful things to say about the work displayed by the students, according to Mr. Gremlitz.

VII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. NH District Determination Criterion

Regarding the District Data Profiles relative to early transitions of three year olds, Ms. Vogt commented on the fact that, due to a small group sample, conclusions are misleading and possibly invalid. Ms. Chassie stated appreciation for the acknowledgement of problem with the state data reporting system.

VIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. 2009-2010 Calendar

Dr. Freeman presented the 2009-2010 Pittsfield School District Calendar for the Board’s consideration. Dr. Freeman pointed out that November 25, 2009, should have been reflected as an early release day.

On a motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Colby, the Board voted unanimously to approve the calendar with the change of November 25th as an early release day.

B. Driving School Contract

Dr. Freeman explained that Mr. Jack Wedemeyer, the owner of Jack’s Driving School, has submitted a proposal to continue to provide these services for the next three year period with pricing as follows: 2009-2020, $450 (current cost); 2010-2011, $470; 2011-2012, $490. Mr. Wedemeyer’s proposal also includes a potential price increase should fuel costs exceed $3.50 per gallon.

On a motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Colby, the Board voted unanimously to accept the proposal from Jack’s Driving School for the three year contract.

C. Annual School District Meeting

Dr. Freeman distributed a copy of the Warrant Articles and asked what handouts the Board would like to have available on the night of the meeting.

Ms. Vogt explained that Cher Kuenhoff, chair of the Pittsfield Budget Committee, has requested that the voting tally of the committee for each article be read the night of the meeting for each Warrant Article. Ms. Vogt consulted with Mr. Arthur Morse, meeting moderator, who confirmed that he would read the tallies.

Mr. Brown stated that the Foss Foundation has mentioned that they would like the recipients of the scholarship to be listed at the meeting. Mr. Brown will contact someone from the Foundation to see if they are still interested in doing so.

Mr. Brown delegated responsibility for the explanation of the Warrant Articles at the meeting: Article III – Mr. Brown, Article IV – Ms. Paradise, Article V – Mr. Colby, Article VI – Ms. Paradise, and Article VII – Ms. Vogt. Final planning will be done prior to the Annual Meeting at the School Board meeting which will precede it.

Dr. Freeman explained the status of the estimates being determined for the gymnasium roof. The final figures will be available on Thursday. Mr. Brown questioned the status of the stimulus funds, to which Dr. Freeman responded that there is still hope for school districts to receive monies, especially for energy conservation projects, such as the roof replacement with insulation.

D. 2009-2010 Budget

Dr. Freeman distributed and reviewed a list of the staff reductions that would be included in a budget decrease of approximately $200,000 due to the unanticipated expenditure in special education. Discussion ensued regarding the approach to take to explain this to the taxpayers at the Annual School District meeting. The suggestion was made to call upon Dr. Freeman to explain
the impact of any necessary budget cuts relative to the educational programs provided by the schools.

E. Facility Energy Audit and Plan

Dr. Freeman informed the Board that the Jordan Institute has provided an estimate of $27,500 for conducting an energy assessment for both schools. They have been requested to provide separate estimates for each building and to provide information on possible funding support. Dr. Freeman suggested that members of the Board consider the information further before making a decision.

F. Drake Field

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a list of needs that exist at Drake Field. A community volunteer effort will be discussed further in the spring.

Also, Dr.Freeman will inform Dan Ward of the items on the list, as he has indicated the availability of skilled labor through the Merrimack County Correctional Facility.

G. Community Forum

Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that the next Community Forum is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 7, 2009.

IX. COMMITTEES

A. SAU Planning

Dr. Freeman stated that he would like direction from the Board on how to proceed with the plans to relocate the SAU office. It was suggested that local support be sought to help with a plan. Specific names were suggested; Dr. Freeman agreed to make the appropriate contacts. A three-month notification needs to be made to the current SAU landlord.

X. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2009, at 5:30 at the Pittsfield Elementary School. The agenda will include final preparation for the Annual School District Meeting. The meeting on March 19, 2009, will be cancelled. The meeting scheduled for April 2, 2009 at 5:30 will include the newly elected members of the School Board. The agenda will include nominations of professional staff. There remains potential for a meeting of the Board on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

XI. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)

Mr. Ross Morse suggested that the chronology of events be outlined clearly to the public at the Annual School District meeting so they will understand the ramifications of their decisions on the reduction and retention of staff. He further stated that it should be clearly explained what effect the budget cuts will have on the accreditation process for high school and the meeting of minimum state standards for elementary and middle school. Pointing out the minimal percentage of the budget that represents discretionary funding may be important.

Ms. Vogt thanked Mr. Colby and Mr. Brown for their years of service to the School Board and Town of Pittsfield.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary