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
November 15, 2007
Pittsfield Middle High School
I. CALL TO ORDER
Members Present: Scott Brown, Chairperson
Mary Paradise (5:48)
Chris Ward
Gary Colby (5:43)
Leslie Vogt
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.
II. AGENDA REVIEW
Ms. Erlandson added coaching nominations. Dr. Freeman added the principal
search. Mr. DeLois postponed the curriculum update and added honor roll. Ms.
Chassie added additional resignations and a special education informational item.
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
On a motion made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the minutes of November 1, 2007, as written.
IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None
Pittsfield School Board 1 November 15, 2007
V. PES ADMINISTRATION
A. Principal Search
Dr. Freeman asked for the Board’s approval to advertise for the PES principal
position. He informed the Board that he would be presenting a timetable for the
hiring process at the next meeting. Dr. Freeman reported that the PES teams
are identifying the qualities being sought and that he will be reviewing the
process with the PTO at it’s next meeting. The consensus of the Board was to
proceed with the advertising. Ms. Vogt suggested that information be provided
in the pink newsletter so parents will understand why the position is being
advertised. Mr. Brown agreed to submit an article to the Suncook Valley Sun
informing the public of Dr. Freeman’s appointment as Superintendent of
Schools, effective July 1, 2008.
VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION
A. Athletic Director Report
Allison Roberts, Athletic Director, distributed the brochure for the F all Sports
Awards Night, being held concurrently with the Board meeting. She provided a
report detailing fall sport teams’ season results. Ms. Roberts reviewed the
awards being presented, including Granite State All-Conference Award to
Kelsey Metcalf, Richard Papastefanou, and Becky Towle; All State 1st Team to
Kelsey Metcalf and Richard Papastefanou; All State 2nd Team to Becky Towle;
and All State Honorable Mention to Heidi Webber.
Mr. Brown asked if there have been any repercussions from the events of last
fall. Ms. Roberts stated that she was not aware of any problems, but would
apprise the Board of issues, should they arise.
Dr. Compton stated that Ms. Roberts was doing a tremendous job in her role as
Athletic Director and commended her for her effort.
B. Award
Mr. DeLois stated that Doug Kilmister has been nominated for the award of
English Teacher of the Year.
C. Coach Nominations
Ms. Erlandson nominated Jason Darrah for varsity boys basketball, Derek
Hamilton for junior varsity boys basketball, Laura Smith for middle school boys
basketball, Gary Colby for varsity girls basketball, Peter Tuttle for junior varsity
girls basketball, Rodney Taylor for varsity spirit club, Nicole Taylor for junior
varsity spirit club and middle school spirit club. On a motion made by Ms. Vogt
and seconded Mr. Ward, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
Pittsfield School Board 2 November 15, 2007
nominations for coaching with Mr. Brown, Mr. Ward, Ms. Vogt, and Ms Paradise
voting in the affirmative, while Mr. Colby abstained from the vote.
D. Honor Roll
Jeff DeLois distributed a list of students earning honor roll status for the first
quarter.
V. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
A. Resignation
Ms. Chassie recommended that the Board accept the resignations of Deb
Paiva, Claire Emery, and Cara Baker from their educational assistant positions.
On a motion made by Mary Pardise and seconded by Chris Ward, the Board
voted unanimously to accept the resignations of Ms. Paiva, Ms. Emery, and Ms.
Baker.
B. Special Education
Ms. Chassie distributed Special Education Basic Facts document for the
Board’s review.
VI. SAU ADMINISTRATION
A. Facility Projects
Mr. Roche distributed an update of the status of facilities projects.
B. Budget
Mr. Roche distributed the most current version of the budget proposal for the
Board’s review. Mr. Brown asked the Board to consider the 5% incre ase and
the possibility of warrant articles. He suggested that the Board provide the
administration with a directive relative to further budget cuts.
Issues that were raised included: support staff increases (currently not
included); substitute pay (proposed increase of 5% included); health insurance
(includes actual costs); and administrative increases (currently not included).
The budget represents an approximate 3.2% increase at the PES, 0% increase
at middle, 13% increase at the high school, and 6.2% increase district-wide.
Discussion ensued regarding the athletic department expenditure proposal.
There was consensus by the Board and administration that additional work
needs to be done on that portion of the budget.
Other issues discussed included: mentoring/summer curriculum (movement
from guidance to improvement of instruction), totals in the notes should
Pittsfield School Board 3 November 15, 2007
correspond to the total in the budget line, potential redistribution of salaries
relative to the district-wide employment, athletic tech official services (potential
cut of $10,000), driver education fees, and technology data communications
(rate increase in internet service).
Mr. Brown reiterated the Board’s intention to propose a budget that reflects a
5% increase. Dr. Compton stated that the administration needs to work
collaboratively to make the necessary cuts and will do that prior to the
Thanksgiving holiday. Ms. Paradise suggested that two salary scales for
support staff be presented, one at minimum wage and one slightly above
minimum wage.
VII. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 5:30 at the
Pittsfield Middle High School.
VIII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None
IX. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted
unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tobi Gray Chassie
Pittsfield School Board 4 N ovember 15, 2007