November 6, 2014 Minutes

APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Bea Douglas, Vice Chair
Arthur Morse
Gary Mullen
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Derek Hamilton, Dean of Operations
Danielle Harvey, Dean of Instruction
Donna Lehmann, Director of Student Services
Kathy Lemay, Director of Interventions & Title I Manager
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Members of the public

Mr. Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following item was added to the agenda:

• Athletics Eligibility (Mr. Hamilton)

III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2014, meeting. The minutes shall reflect that Mr. Morse left the meeting at 6:20 p.m. The motion passed to approve the minutes as amended.

IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None

V. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Student Representative Lily Plummer explained that the Site Council is considering a proposal for allowing students to opt out of middle school late start Wednesday. She stated that representatives from Burlington and Winooski, Vermont, will be visiting on December 3, 2014, and that representatives from Manchester West High School will be visiting on December 15, 2014, to learn about the Site Council.

VI. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. UPDATE ON SECOND GRADE CLASS SIZE

Ms. Harvey reached out to other schools to investigate what they have done when class size has exceeded optimal numbers. All suggestions that came back were to add another teacher / paraeducator to make small groups, but not to regroup the classes.

Darlene Stewart, second grade special educator, distributed a document outlining possible plans. Kathy Mahanes explained three potential options. Ms. Douglas asked if there was space available if a third class was added, to which Ms. Harvey answered in the affirmative. Mr. Wolfe asked if a teacher could be recruited at this time of year, to which Ms. Douglas answered in the affirmative. Ms. Harvey explained that a teacher could be hired within a month’s time.

A motion was made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Morse to hire an additional certified teacher for the second grade. Discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of regrouping the students into three classrooms. The motion carried unanimously. The administration will decide on the utilization of the additional teacher.

B. CHILD CARE LEAVES

Ms. Harvey informed the Board that Shannon DeRosa, grade one teacher, and Christie Dunlavey, high school science teacher, will be taking child care leaves later this school year. Actions are being taken to recruit permanent substitute teachers.

C. MIDDLE SCHOOL TECH EDUCATION AND THE GLOBE

Ms. Harvey explained that the middle school technical education class is working to create a video to enter into the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” contest. Carin Foss, district technology integrator, is supporting the project and teaching the students how to use iMovie.

D. FIRST QUARTER UPDATE

Ms. Harvey reported that first term grades closed on October 31, 2014. Students at PMHS will be conducting student led conferences in the coming weeks. At PES, conferences will be on November 20 and 21, 2014.

VII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER

Mr. Hamilton recommended Bruce Ballou to fill the position of information technology manager. During the vacancy, Mr. Ballou has been leased to the district through Robert Half, a job search agency that specializes in technology professionals. In order for this transition to take place, the district will need to pay a conversion fee of twenty-five percent of Mr. Ballou’s salary, which will amount to $15,000. However, it will be more cost effective to hire him in the long term rather than utilize the search agency.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board agreed unanimously to approve the hiring of Mr. Ballou as information technology manager.

B. SUBSTITUTE NURSES

Mr. Hamilton explained the difficulty in hiring substitute nurses when the district’s nurses are absent. Although recent interest was expressed by a local nurse, there may be the need to utilize a temporary nursing service.

C. STIPEND POSITIONS

During last year’s contract negotiations, discussions were held around the stipend amounts and stipend positions at both PES and PMHS. Mr. Hamilton explained that he worked with two members of the faculty to develop a proposal. Ms. Douglas stated that the intent of the Board was to have a conversation with faculty representatives about stipends following last year’s negotiations. It was agreed by the Board that Mr. Wolfe and Ms. Douglas will participate in an informal conversation with teacher representatives regarding stipends. Dr. Freeman will schedule the meeting.

VIII. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. COMMUNICATION

Ms. Lehmann distributed a summary of the Parent Involvement in Special Education Survey. She explained the process that is used to solicit feedback from parents. Ms. Lehmann shared the results of the survey. In reaction to the survey results, the special education team expressed that it would like more
feedback beyond the survey data, an increased parent participation in future surveys, and the opportunity to respond to the feedback which is received to improve programs.

B. LEGAL ISSUES

According to Ms. Lehmann, SB 396 redefines restraint and seclusion and will require an update in school policy and local procedures. A draft policy is being developed and will be proposed to the Board at a future date. To the question asked by Ms. Douglas, Ms. Lehmann explained that some employees are trained specifically to deal with behavioral interventions.

C. COMPLIANCE

Ms. Lehmann reported that trainings offered by the New Hampshire Department of Education have been helpful in giving guidance to improve compliance and required paperwork. There are several procedural questions yet to be answered.

IX. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

A. COLLEGE BOARD TESTING

The SAT / PSAT / ReadiStep testing was a success for eighth through twelfth grade. The three tests work in conjunction with one another to measure the progression of skills and support interventions through high school to achieve student success.

B. COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STRATEGIC PLAN

The district College and Career Readiness Team will continue to meet and create a strategic plan to build a cohesive college and career readiness plan for the district.

C. ADVISORY

Dr. Rollins, along with the co-chairs of the Advisory Council, met with Bill Preble from New England College to create an evaluation plan for the advisory program.

D. CONCORD REGIONAL TECHNICAL CENTER

Dr. Rollins reported that the Concord Regional Technical Center is expanding its program to include theatre production. She stated that information has been provided on their new competency based grading system.

E. COLLEGE VISITS

In excess of fourteen colleges have been scheduled to visit PMHS. Interested juniors and seniors are encouraged to meet with the representatives to discuss college plans.

F. NEW HAMPSHIRE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (NHTI) INSTANT ADMISSIONS PROGRAM

PMHS students has been invited to participate in a new program called Instant Admissions. This program allows every graduating senior to apply to NHTI free of charge. Students are being strongly encouraged to participate in this program.

X. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A. POLICIES

A motion was made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen to update the policies with recommended action: Policy IJL, Library Materials Selection and Adoption – recommend using the first of two repeated policies; Policy IJLA, School Libraries – rescission; Policy IJLA-E, Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a Book – rescission; Policy IJO, Community Resources – amendment; Policy IJOA, Field Trips and Excursions – amendment; Policy IJOA-R, Rules and Regulations for Field Trips and Excursions – rescission; Policy IJOC, School Volunteers – maintain; Policy IKAA, Interdisciplinary Credit – amended. The motion carried unanimously.

Discussion ensued regarding Policy IIB, Class Size. Dr. Freeman will be prepared to facilitate a further conversation with the Board at the next meeting regarding this policy.

B. PROPOSED FY16 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman distributed the proposed FY16 budget for the Board’s review. He stated that there are several areas of the budget to highlight including health insurance, personnel, stipends, technology. Dr. Freeman answered several questions posed by Board members and asked them to consider the information for final decisions.

Dr. Freeman distributed the 2015-2016 budget revenue summary. He provided the Board with information to explain the summary. He shared a document showing the trend in school portion tax rates since 2008. Due to the conservative stance of the Board over the past several years, there would be an increase in the tax rate if the draft budget was approved. Mr. Morse asked Dr. Freeman to consider writing a press release to help explain to taxpayers the effect of years of returning fund balances.

C. BIOMASS ENERGY PROJECT

Dr. Freeman presented a draft of a letter for the Suncook Valley Sun regarding informational meetings about the biomass energy project. He distributed information regarding bonding information. The dates selected for public forums on this topic are December 3, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. and December 6, 2014, at 10:00 p.m., both forums will take place in the PMHS lecture hall.

Mr. Morse stated two concerns regarding this project: the inadequacy of the access road behind PES to accommodate pellet deliveries and the proximity of the proposed plant to the elementary school, citing the danger presented to our youngest students, in the case of an emergency. Mr. Wolfe stated that the siting of the proposed plant remains open for discussion.

XI. PUBLIC INPUT (2nd Session)

Mary Cote asked if there was an update on the family and consumer science teacher. According to Ms. Harvey, the teacher continues to experience serious health concerns. Dr. Freeman stated that a resolution to this issue is imminent.

XII. SCHOOL BOARD

A. BOYS SOCCER TEAM AND ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

The PMHS boys soccer team entered the meeting.

Mr. Hamilton distributed a copy of the current PMHS Family / Student Handbook and drew the Board’s attention to the Athletic Eligibility section.
He explained the fact that a determination of eligibility was taken on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, as scheduled and three students on the soccer team were determined to be ineligible by current PMHS standards.

Student Josh Fraser introduced himself and explained that, as of Wednesday, he was ineligible due to his work in his advanced math class. He explained that he was caught off guard by this realization, but has now made up the work necessary and currently meets eligibility standards.

Student Garrett Strouth introduced himself and explained that as of Wednesday he, too, was ineligible due to not being up to date in an online class. He explained that he made a mistake by not keeping up with his work and has made up the work necessary to complete the work required to meet eligibility criteria.

Student Jeremy Kennepohl spoke on behalf of the soccer team and read a letter of support of the two teammates.

Athletic Director Jay Darrah stated that he called NHIAA and confirmed that a decision to waive the local policy was within the right of the local school board.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted to grant a waiver of the athletic eligibility requirement for two students based on their effort and their ability to overcome their failing grades with Ms. Douglas, Mr. Morse, Mr. Mullen, and Mr. Wolfe voting affirmative, and Mr. Ramsey voting against the motion.

XIII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XIV. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:35 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Morse to enter into non-public session to discuss an employee compensation issue pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Morse, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

Dr. Freeman discussed an employee work schedule and compensation issue with the board.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 7:38 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Morse, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Morse and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary