ADVANCE COPY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Scott Brown, Chairperson
Chris Ward
Gary Colby
Leslie Vogt
Mary Paradise

Others Present: Dr. William Compton, Superintendent
Peter Roche, Business Administrator
Karen Erlandson, Principal, PMHS
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PMHS
Dr. John Freeman, Principal, PES
Tobi Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services

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

Dr. Freeman narrated a PowerPoint presentation that has been prepared for the selection process for NH Excellence in Education award for Elementary School of the Year. He explained that the presentation is the next step in the selection process, the first step being the completion of an application addressing points outlined in a rubric. If selected to continue in the process, the final step will be a visitation to the Pittsfield Elementary School by a team of educators.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

Dr. Compton added hiring and a non-public session for legal issues. Ms. Erlandson added informational items.

III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Ward to approve the minutes of February 21, 2008, subtracting Mr. Colby and Mr. Ward from the list of participants. The motion passed with Mr. Ward abstaining from the vote and Ms. Vogt, Ms. Paradise, and Mr. Brown voting in the affirmative.

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IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None

V. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. Roof

According to Dr. Freeman, eight members of the Pittsfield Fire Department helped shovel the roof to prepare for the predicted rains. The effort was appreciated and ensured the safety of the people in the building. Mr. Brown described a procedure of calculating weight in order to determine potential hazards caused by the snow build-up. Chief Johnson offered Dr. Freeman his services for continuing to monitor the situation as spring weather progresses.

Mr. Brown commented that there is some leakage through the PMHS gymnasium roof, near the stage. Mr. Roche will discuss the issue with Mr. Dawson.

B. ASCD Convention

Dr. Freeman explained that he would be away for five days, from March 12th through March 18th to attend the ASCD Convention.

VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. Resignation

Alyssa Heppler submitted a letter resigning her position from her position as Varsity Girls Soccer coach.

B. Student Showcase

Ms. Erlandson thanked Mr. DeLois for his effort in organizing the PMHS Student Showcase. Mr. DeLois distributed a brochure describing the events that were available for viewing. Approximately fifty members of the public attended the Showcase. Suggestions were considered for increasing the attendance next year. Mr. Brown asked if email addresses are gathered from parents. Ms. Erlandson and Dr. Freeman both assured the Board that email addresses are collected from families.

C. Discipline Data

Mr. DeLois distributed the discipline data for the second quarter, including the statistics for the first quarter and the second quarter of 2007, for comparison purposes. The data is indicative of improvement in the behavior of the middle and high school students.

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D. Graduation Date

Ms. Erlandson suggested that the Board consider moving the projected
graduation date from June 7, 2008 to June 14, 2008, to which the Board agreed.

E. Cost Comparison

Ms. Erlandson distributed a chart that she prepared illustrating the comparison between administrative salaries between 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

F. Diplomas

Ms. Erlandson presented the diplomas to Dr. Compton for his signature. Dr. Compton will forward the diplomas to Mr. Brown for his signature.

VII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. Medicaid Reimbursement

Ms. Chassie explained that notification has been received from the Department of Education stating that the Medicaid reimbursement for transportation will cease as of July 1, 2008. Figures were presented that noted the reimbursement that has been received over the past four years.

VIII. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. SAU Staffing Nomination

Dr. Freeman explained that discussions have taken place to secure the employment of Sally Blanchette as Financial Manager of SAU #51, effective July 1, 2008. He explained that a job description would be finalized at a later date. The vote was deferred until later in the meeting.

B. SAU #51 Inventory/Assets

Mr. Roche distributed a list of the SAU #51 office inventory. He explained details regarding the software and licensing of computer programs. A meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2008 with the Barnstead School Board to further discuss the issue.

C. FY ’09 Budget

Mr. Brown invited the Chair of the Budget Committee to come to the meeting scheduled prior to the School District Meeting. He also provided Arthur Morse, the Moderator of the School District Meeting, with a listing of the people who will move and second each of the warrant articles. Mr. Brown explained the

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strategy that will be employed in presenting the warrant articles to the public participating in the School District Meeting.

D. Reorganization

Dr. Compton prepared the Board for the task of reorganizing the leadership of the School Board on March 20, 2008.

E. Annual District Report

Dr. Compton thanked Christine Blouin for her work to organize the Annual District Report. He also thanked the many people who authored reports that appear in the publication. Mr. Brown reiterated appreciation to Ms. Blouin for her work.

F. School Funding

Discussion ensued regarding the potential funding solutions that are being considered by the State of New Hampshire. Ms. Vogt raised the issue of the formula including a rate of free and reduced lunch participants and how the rate of participation in that program at the middle and high school levels is not accurate, due to the significant decrease in families completing the paperwork.

Gary Colby joined the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

G. SAU Staffing Nomination

On a motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted unanimously to accept the superintendent’s nomination of Sally Blanchette for the position of Financial Manager, effective July 1, 2008, according to the terms of the contract.

H. Affirmation of Nomination

Mr. Brown asked the Board for a motion reaffirming the hiring of Doug Kilmister, with all members of the Board present. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted unanimously to reaffirm the vote of the Board to accept the recommendation of the administration to hire Mr. Kilmister as principal of the Pittsfield Elementary School.

I. Mr. Ward

Mr. Ward acknowledged that tonight was his last night as a member of the School Board and thanked everyone for the assistance along the way. Mr. Brown, on behalf of the School Board, thanked Mr. Ward for his time and work over the past six years.

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IX. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 5:30 at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

X. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XI. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:55 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Ward and seconded by Ms. Vogt, to enter into non-public session to discuss legal matters. The Board was polled and voted unanimously to enter into a non-public session under the provisions of RSA 91-A:3 II (e) [Legal Matters].

A motion was made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Paradise, to come out of the non-public session. The Board was polled and voted to come out of the non-public session at 7:09 p.m.

At 7:10 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Paradise, to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel matter. The Board was polled and voted unanimously to enter into a non-public session under the provisions of RSA 91-A:3 II (c) [Personnel].

A motion was made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Mr. Ward, to come out of the non-public session. The Board was polled and voted to come out of the non-public session at 7:52 p.m.

XII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary

Pittsfield School District 5 March 6, 2008