APPROVED BY APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

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

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise
Michael Wolfe
Kathy Corliss
Leslie Vogt
Elizabeth Adams

Others Present: Dr. John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois-Jean Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Rick Gremlitz, Interim Principal, PMHS
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Peter Tuttle, Athletic Director, PMHS

Chairperson Paradise, although present, was in ill health and asked Ms. Vogt to chair the meeting. Vice Chairperson Vogt called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
o H1N1 (Dr. Freeman)
o Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) (Mr. Wolfe)
o Budget format (PDF) (Ms. Vogt)
o Consider current draft proposals but defer all new policies (Ms. Vogt)

The following items were deleted from the agenda:
o Intervention Team (Ms. Vogt)
o Architect Dan Bisson (Ms. Vogt)
o Photocopy lease (Dr. Freeman)

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. Paradise to approve the minutes of October 15, 2009. Ms. Corliss and Ms. Adams recommended the following changes: on page 4, paragraph 1, change Mr. Vogt to Ms. Vogt. On page 4, paragraph three, capitalize “Emergency.” On page 4, to paragraph 4, add “Ms. Corliss inquired if an individual or committee could be assigned responsibility for annual AED maintenance to ensure battery life and pad expiration dates. Additionally, it was noted a more accessible location, such as in the lobby, would improve accessibility in an emergency.” On page 4, paragraph 6, capitalize “Emergency.” The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. ATHLETIC CONTRACT & HANDBOOK

Mr. Peter Tuttle, PMHS Athletic Director, explained that modifications were in process to the athletic contracts and handbook. He reviewed several proposed changes. Discussion ensued regarding the number of students allowed to be on a middle school team, keeping in mind safety and an appropriate coach-to-student ratio. Mr. Gremlitz explained that the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletics Association (NHIAA) will be transitioning to a division system rather than the current class system. Mr. Tuttle responded by saying that this change will unlikely cause changes for Class S schools.

Ms. Paradise stated that if the need should arise for an additional coach to maintain appropriate coach to athlete ratios, the Athletic Director should make that request to the Board.

Ms. Paradise confirmed that it was the responsibility of the Athletic Director to maintain consistency from coach to coach on the delivery of disciplinary action.

Ms. Adams asked that coaches monitor the level of responsibility required by a student to participate in activities that would conflict with family and/or religious commitments.

Ms. Adams asked about the procedures for notifying parents of any financial responsibilities that may exist for an athlete. It was agreed that Mr. Tuttle would add information in the Coaches’ Handbook requiring coaches to notify parents, in advance, of any expenses that will be incurred.

Ms. Stevens asked if the contract that the athletes sign at the beginning of a sport cover them throughout the year or only for that season. There is a sentence in the handbook, under Level Two Athlete Misconduct, that states consequences can be for behavior throughout the year, which was pointed out by Ms. Corliss.

On a motion made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Athletic Contract as amended.

VII. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. POLICIES

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss , the Board voted unanimously to approve the following policies as amended: Policy DKC: Expense Reimbursements, Policy EBB: Safety Procedures/Safe Schools Committee, Policy EBBB: Accident Reports, Policy EBC: Crisis Prevention and Response, Policy EBCA: Emergency Plans, Policy EBCB: Fire Drills, Policy EBCC: Bomb Threats, Policy EBCD: Emergency Closings, Policy EBCE: School Closings, and Policy EBCF: Pandemic/Epidemic Emergencies.

B. HIGH SCHOOL REDESIGN

Ms. Paradise confirmed her participation in the work being done with Consultant Joe DiMartino on November 14, 2009. She will keep other members of the Board abreast of developments in the process.

C. METALWORK EQUIPMENT

Dr. Freeman explained that currently unused metalwork equipment is stored in the storage room adjacent to the new SAU office. In an effort to reorganize space, Dr. Freeman asked the Board for guidance on the disposition of this equipment. He suggested retaining the equipment in the event that it will again be used for instructional purposes or dispose of the equipment in the unlikelihood that it will be used again in the foreseeable future. Discussion ensued regarding the usefulness of the equipment, given its age and usefulness. Mr. Wolfe agreed to inspect the equipment and make recommendations for its disposition.

D. H1N1

Dr. Freeman provided an update on the incidence of H1N1 in the district. He reported that today’s absence rate due to influenza like illness was 14% at PES and 5% at PMHS.

E. AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)

The AED at PES has been relocated to a more accessible location in the school lobby; the move of the AED at PMHS is in process. Mr. Wolfe informed the Board that the AED should be registered with Division of Fire and Safety Standards. It appears that the AED at PMHS is registered, but the AED at PES is not. Dr. Freeman will follow up on the issue.

F. BUDGET

Dr. Freeman distributed the first draft of the budget to the Board. He reviewed the items that were dramatically changed from the current budget. Dr. Freeman explained that this version of the budget represents no pay raises for any district employee. He further explained that this version of the budget will compute to a level funded budget. In order to maintain a zero tax impact, another $130,000 will need to be cut from the budget.

At 6:25 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(a). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Ms. Vogt, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

VIII. RECESS

At 6:30 p.m., the Board recessed by consensus to attend the PMHS Academic Awards event and National Honor Society induction ceremony in the PMHS gym. The Board concluded the recess at 7:30 p.m.

IX. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

The Board discussed current contract negotiations with the EAP, the local teachers’ association, relative to compensation.

X. OPEN SESSION

At 8:16 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to exit the non-public session and to re-enter public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Ms. Vogt, yes) to conclude non-public session and to re-enter public session.

A. BUDGET

The Board continued its discussion of the FY11 budget. The Board directed Dr. Freeman to provide further information on cost of potential salary increases and the tax impact of various elements in the proposed budget.

B. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

XI. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by — and seconded by —, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at — p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary

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