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, May 10, 2012
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Mike Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson
Nicole Manteau
Gary Mullen
Mary Paradise

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

Mr. Wood called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Parent request for waiver of residency requirement (Mr. Kilmister)
• Conference (Mr. Bickford)
• RSA 91-A (Mr. Wood)

The following item was deleted:
• Teacher Evaluation System (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. PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Chuck Corliss stated his concerns regarding the girls’ junior varsity soccer program. He thanked Dr. Freeman and Mr. Bickford for their willingness to discuss this issue with him before he made the decision to come to the Board. He stated his discouragement of not having a coach for this program who can move the team forward. Based on his experience on the Pittsfield recreation program and coaching many sports programs, he feels that the coaching of this team is not adequate. Mr. Corliss stated that Athletic Director Peter Tuttle has not addressed the issue in a way that is satisfactory. He reiterated his disappointment and urged the Board to consider a change in coach; he feels the girls deserve a richer opportunity with a coach who is more qualified and able to bring the team forward. He stated that other parents are equally concerned but are concerned about retribution if they speak up

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2012. On page two, under Approval of Minutes, change “seconded by Mr. Wolfe” to “seconded by Mr. Mullen.” The motion was approved unanimously.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. RESIDENCY WAIVER REQUEST

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to waive the residency requirement for two students at PES at the request of family. The waiver is for the current school year only; parents are required to provide transportation to and from school.

B. CLiF YEAR OF THE BOOK GRANT

According to Mr. Kilmister, PES is one of two schools in NH to win a Children’s Literary Foundation (CLiF) “Year of the Book” grant. The grant will bring $20,000 of resources to PES.

C. PARENT PARTICIPATION DATA

Mr. Kilmister reported data for family attendance at two spring events. At the Curriculum Fair, 69% of families attended. At the Parent – Teacher conferences, 87% of families attended. Mr. Kilmister intends to continue to collect participation data and make comparisons over time.

D. BIKE RODEO

PES families are invited to a bike rodeo at PES next Friday, May 11. Guidance Counselor Mike Curtin is the lead organizer; the event is sponsored and organized by the Pittsfield Safe Routes to School Committee.

E. PARENT CONCERNS WITH LICE

Mr. Kilmister, Dr. Freeman, and School Nurse Mary Fiset met with a parent who expressed concerns about recurring lice infestations at certain grade levels. As a result Ms. Fiset and Mr. Kilmister have developed guidelines and language that will in the future PES Family Handbook.

F. SCHOOL-COMMUNITY INDEX SURVEY

On the recent on-line survey sponsored by the Pittsfield Parent Connection (PPC), PES had a good return with 142 parents of students responding. The PPC will be reviewing the data from PES and PMHS. Dr. Freeman will report results to the Board at a later date.

G. CALENDAR

Dates of significance were listed by Mr. Kilmister for the remainder of the school year.

H. SECURITY

Mr. Kilmister distributed estimates from Capital Alarm Systems for $6,995, from A&B Locksmith for $861, and from One Source Security for $12,378 for solutions to the PES security issue at the main entrance. Mr. Wood reviewed the options available, stating advantages and disadvantages. He stated that the conclusion is to maintain the entrance without renovations and investigate the purchase of a camera.

Ms. Manteau raised the issue of inappropriate parking in the “drop off” zone, stating her frustration.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. AWARD

On Tuesday, May 1, during a press conference held by Governor John Lynch and Education Commissioner Virginia Barry, PMHS was identified as a charter member school to “The Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence” in recognition of innovative practices that support student achievement.

B. US DOE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY JASON SNYDER

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Jason Snyder visited PMHS on May 1, according to Mr. Bickford. As overseer of the SIG program, he was interested in seeing a rural school that had succeeded in raising the standardized test scores. Dr. Snyder summarized his visit with us by saying our work is unique as compared to all the other schools with similar demographics.

C. CHICHESTER GRANGE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Mr. Bickford informed the Board that Social Studies Teacher Derek Hamilton has been awarded the Chichester Grange Educator of the Year award for 2012. By all accounts, Mr. Hamilton is an outstanding teacher, advisor, and coach. Congratulations, Mr. Hamilton! Ms. Manteau, on behalf of the Board, will send Mr. Hamilton a note of congratulations.

D. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

Mr. Bickford has been invited with a team of students, teacher leaders, and administrators to present a 90-minute program about PMHS’s redesign successes during a one-day showcase designed to help participants gain insights into personalized learning and school redesign initiatives. The letter of invitation stated that Pittsfield Middle High School is one of the twenty-one nationwide high-performing middle and high schools selected to present stories of successful implementation of student personalization.

E. CALENDAR

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with a list of significant dates.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. FOCUSED MONITORING

Ms. Stevens explained that the district has been selected to participate in a Focused Monitoring process. The New Hampshire Department of Education’s Focused Monitoring process brings together requirements and expectations of No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Educational Disabilities Act. The process will help to design a way for the district to analyze the achievement gap between students with disabilities and the remaining population. The process will be used as an opportunity to strengthen our special education program for our students. Technical assistance and a small amount of money will be provided to the district to support this work.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. 2012-2013 DISTRICT CALENDAR

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a proposed calendar for 2012-2013. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the calendar as proposed.

B. FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT

Dr. Freeman stated that a contract with Café Services will be considered. Mr. Wood suggested inviting Mr. Crossan, a representative from Café Services, to the next meeting to answer some questions. Mr. Wood stated that there are some logistical issues for which Mr. Crossan might have suggestions. Overall, people are very satisfied with the quality of the food being provided to our students.

C. PHOTOCOPIER CONTRACT FOR PES

Dr. Freeman explained that the proposed contract is about the same as the current contract. He recommended approval of the contract. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board approved the contract with Conway Office Solutions for the PES four-year lease and service agreement for two machines.

D. DRIVING SCHOOL CONTRACT

Dr. Freeman presented a proposed three-year contract with Jack’s Driving School. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board approved the contract.

E. PES FACILITIES

Dr. Freeman distributed information from Advanced Roof Management regarding the PES roof replacement. The contract included 1) Schematic Design and Project Acceptance ($8,000); 2) Preliminary Design Development ($8,000); 3) Construction Documents ($3,000); and Project Management ($1,000).

A meeting will be scheduled with Architect Dan Bisson and Advanced Roof Management consultants to discuss the contract further and answer any questions that people may have.

F. SCHOOL BOARD STRATEGIC PLANNING

Dr. Freeman stated the Board will begin the strategic planning session on Wednesday, June 6. The Board agreed to invite past Board members to participate in this process.

G. PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION PROCESS

Dr. Freeman explained a process, referred to as a “360 degree evaluation,” that will be piloted with the superintendent and both principals. He distributed several surveys that he asked the members of the Board to complete anonymously. He also asked for three Board members to participate in a one-hour interview, which is part of the process.

H. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE INITIATIVE

Dr. Freeman reported on a meeting of the Pittsfield Economic Development Committee, which he attended. The conversation included sub-topics such as manufacturers’ needs, NHTI’s potential contributions to our community, and the post-graduate planning work currently being done in the schools. Several good suggestions surfaced and will be pursued further.

X. SCHOOL BOARD

A. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The following assignments were made:

• Budget Committee – Ms. Paradise & Ms. Manteau
• Drake Field & Facilities – Mr. Wolfe & Mr. Mullen
• Negotiating Team – Mr. Wolfe & Mr. Wood
• Foss Foundation –

B. RSA 90

Mr. Wood reviewed the laws regarding School Board members’ participation in committee meetings.

Mr. Wood stated that he appreciates the weekly email but requests the Board not respond to the email. If emails are exchanged between all Board members, the body of the email will need to be included in the following meeting’s minutes. Mr. Wood will investigate this further and report back if additional information is found.

XI. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION – None

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 24, at p.m. 5:30 in the PMHS Media Center.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary