APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise, Chairperson
Kathy Corliss
Leslie Vogt
Michael Wolfe

Others Present: Dr. John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Rick Gremlitz, Interim Principal, PMHS
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PMHS

Chairperson Paradise called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
o Request to use Drake Field (Mr. Gremlitz)

III. 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.

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to approve the minutes of November 5, 2009. Ms. Corliss recommended the following changes: to page 2, paragraph 1, change “Ms. Corliss recommended” to “Ms. Corliss and Ms. Adams recommended”; on page 3, paragraph 5, change “influenza like illness are” to “influenza like illness was”; on page 4, change heading to “NON-PUBLIC”; formatting changes to ensure adjournment was in the correct position. The motion was carried unanimously.

V. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Dr. Freeman introduced Dan Bisson from Harriman Architects and Engineers, who gathered information relative to four projects: at PMHS, the gym floor and roof, and at PES, the roof and HVAC system. Mr. Bisson distributed information that explained the options to be considered. Discussion ensued regarding the details of Mr. Bisson’s report.

VI. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

In Mr. Kilmister’s absence, the PES report was reviewed, and there were no questions or comments.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. DRAKE FIELD REQUEST

Mr. Gremlitz presented a request to use Drake Field by the Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce for a fireworks display. A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded Ms. Vogt to approve the use of Drake Field as requested. The motion was approved unanimously. The Athletic Director will be contacted to coordinate the location of the fireworks display.

B. FIRST QUARTER GRADE REPORTS

Mr. Gremlitz reported that first quarter student grade reports were mailed on November 6, 2009. The new software program, Powerschool, was used to produce the reports.

C. NEASC UPDATE

Mr. Gremiltz explained that George Edwards, assistant director of NEASC, was present on November 18, 2009, to discuss the on-going re-accreditation process with the PMHS faculty.

D. MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Ms. Corliss inquired about the way in which middle school conferences were conducted. Mr. Gremlitz explained that, due to the sharing of staff between the high school and middle school, it may be difficult to maintain conferences with a full team of teachers on a single day. Discussion ensued regarding possible solutions.

Ms. Corliss raised a concern about attracting parents who may not necessarily attend conferences. Ms. Paradise reviewed the practice of “student led conferences” as a way to motivate parents to attend.

E. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Gremlitz responded to the desire of the Board to have a student representative sit at the table during School Board meetings. He explained that he will be discussing the parameters of this responsibility at a Student Council meeting and hopes to have a student volunteer by January. He also stated that next year, he will suggest a student representative be an office that is elected at the time of student government elections.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. CENSUS COMPARISON

Ms. Chassie reviewed the table comparing the numbers of students with disabilities with state statistics. The percentage of students with disabilities in Pittsfield is higher than the state average. She explained that measures will be taken to investigate the potential reasons for this discrepancy.

B. RESIGNATIONS

Ms. Chassie informed the Board of three resignations: Sheila Gaudreau from her contracted position as Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Danielle Johns-Densky from her position as educational assistant at PES, and Tonjia McMasters from her position as educational assistant at PMHS.

Ms. Corliss asked if the reasons for the resignations were known, to which Ms. Chassie explained the family circumstances for each of the three resignations.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. LEAVE REQUEST

Dr. Freeman presented a request from Faith Whittier for leave with pay for her work as a Supervisor of the Checklist on Election Day in March. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted unanimously to grant Ms. Whittier the requested leave with pay.

B. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (CIP)

Dr. Freeman asked if any action should be taken as a result of Mr. Bisson’s presentation. Mr. Wolfe suggested conducting an energy audit that would provide an evaluation for the buildings and perform energy models for each building. Ms. Paradise suggested resurfacing the existing translucent panels on the PES roof for $19,000 before they need to be replaced for a significantly greater cost. It was also suggested that conducting a roof management service would be beneficial, and the board asked Dr. Freeman to engage the contractor in a roof survey as described in the proposal submitted by ARM for this purpose. Discussion ensued regarding the way to fund projects: warrant article, current maintenance budget, proposed projects in next year’s budget, and this year’s fund balance. Ms. Vogt asked Dr. Freeman to investigate whether building aide would be available for the PMHS roof work at 40% return.

C. FY11 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman distributed the current draft of the FY11 budget proposal. He explained some changes that have been made since the last version was shared, including changes in special education programs. Discussion ensued regarding the changes that have been made and changes that still might be made in the special education function. The topic of support staff salary increases was discussed. Dr. Freeman agreed to revisit the support staff salary schedule to resolve the problems previously identified.

D. CLASS SIZE DATA

Revised data was emailed out to Board members today.

E. HIGH SCHOOL REDESIGN

Dr. Freeman reported that Mr. Joe DiMartino facilitated a discussion with 32 members of the staff and community on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Prior to that day of work, three groups visited schools in Manhattan, NY; Ithaca, NY; and Deven, MA. Dr. Freeman distributed information from the Center for Secondary School Redesign and explained the work that was accomplished. He explained that work will continue on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 25, 2009 to more carefully define the vision for PMHS.

The factors being considered in the work include: Leadership and Governance, Professional Community, Personalized Learning, Personalized Teaching, Personalized Curriculum, and Personalized Assessment. Ms. Paradise added that the energy and enthusiasm that was observed was impressive. She stated that it was exciting to see our staff ready and willing to make changes that will improve the education that we offer to our students.

Dr. Freeman explained the “Race to the Top” grant opportunity. The NH Department of Education is posturing itself to apply for this grant and is optimistic about receiving the funds. The four aspects that will be included in the work of this grant are: Standards and Assessments, Effective Teachers and Leaders, Data Systems, and Struggling Schools. Dr. Freeman continued the explanation by explaining the work of Marc Tucker, proponent of a “move when you are ready” model.

F. SAU RELOCATION

The SAU will move to its new location by the holiday vacation. There were several delays that will need attention before a move is possible.

G. ATTENDANCE

Mr. DeLois distributed a brochure designed for parents to emphasize the importance of attendance. He explained that a committee has developed a protocol for dealing with attendance issues and distributed a copy of the protocol. Finally, Mr. DeLois distributed statistics that compare the first quarter attendance record for the elementary, middle, and high school for the past three years.

XI. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. ASSIGNMENTS

Ms. Paradise reviewed assignments as follows: Drake Field – Mr. Wolfe and Ms. Corliss, Selectmen Liaison – Ms. Adams, Budget Representative – Ms. Vogt and Ms. Adams, Negotiating Team – Ms. Vogt and Ms. Paradise, and Finance – Ms. Vogt. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board approved the committee assignments as listed.

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School. Agenda items include principal selection process, budget, and administrative job descriptions. The second meeting in December will be on Thursday, December 10, 2009. The presentation by the PES Intervention Team will be postponed until the first meeting in January.

XIII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XIV. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 8:15 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Vogt and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to enter into non-public session to discuss employee compensation pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Ms. Vogt, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

A. NEGOTIATIONS

The Board discussed the negotiations currently underway between the Board and the Education Association of Pittsfield, the teachers’ bargaining unit.

XV. PUBLIC SESSION

At 8:34 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Vogt to exit the non-public session and to re-enter public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Ms. Vogt, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to conclude non-public session and to re-enter public session.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary

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