ADVANCE COPY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, November 9, 2010
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mary Paradise, Chairperson
Michael Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson
Elizabeth Adams
Kathy Corliss (departed at 6:55 p.m.)
Clayton Wood

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

Chairperson Paradise called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Leave request (Dr. Freeman)
• Commissioner visit (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the amended agenda.

IV. PUBIC INPUT – None

V. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve minutes of the October 28, 2010 meeting.

On page 3 under Curriculum Fair, the dates should be changed to 2011 from 2010. Also on page 3 under Reach, “They program” should be changed to “The program.”

The motion carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended with Ms. Adams, Ms. Corliss, Mr. Wolfe, and Mr. Wood voting in the affirmative, and Ms. Paradise abstaining from the vote.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. PROJECT HOME

Mr. Kilmister reported that Project Home is an initiative that helps school communities look at their school grounds and develop a plan for habitat enhancement. Three teachers, two staff members, approximately six community members, and possibly two PMHS students will be working on this project. An introductory session for interested community members will be scheduled for November or December.

B. KYDSTOP

Mr. Kilmister explained that the after-school program, run in partnership with the Concord Family YMCA and supported with funding from a five-year 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, has a new director, Deb Gallipaeault. She informed the Board that the program’s Advisory Council is gearing up to write another 21st Century Community Learning Center continuation grant. She stated that the RFP will become available in March, unless federal legislation relative to ESEA reauthorization prevents that from happening.

C. STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS

Mr. Kilmister’s report included information regarding the sharing of student progress during the Parent – Teacher conferences on November 15, 2010, on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests.

D. EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS

Mr. Kilmister reported that the work for the next two early dismissal days will include training in Responsive Classroom and a reporting out on progress with team goals.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. SCHOOL STANDARDS REPORT

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with the School Standards reports for the middle school and the high school. The reports identify the school standards with which the school is not in compliance. A plan for meeting each standard is included in the report.

Mr. Bickford explained that the middle high school is in need of offering two credits of physical education program. Also, the middle high school is in need of offering four credits in three different content areas, including power, energy, and transportation within the technology education course offerings.

Ms. Paradise suggested that there might be ways to provide students with opportunities that are consistent with the secondary school redesign project. For example, an extended learning opportunity in an area of interest may be an appropriate option.

Ms. Corliss stated concern regarding whether students have time in their schedule to take courses that might be offered. She suggested “thinking outside the box” to meet some standards such as contracting a dance teacher to come in to teach a course.

Mr. Bickford provided additional information. Ms. Paradise asked the report to include the options for meeting competencies in a less traditional way. The work that the district doing around secondary school redesign, according to Ms. Paradise, should be reflected in this report and state that the competencies are being approached in a useable fashion with all of the redesign work we are doing.

Discussion ensued regarding the purpose of the School Standards Report and the timeliness of this report. Also, there seem to be different perspectives offered throughout the Department of Education that influence decisions that are made.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION – None

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. POLICIES

Dr. Freeman submitted to the Board Policy IJO – Community Resources; Policy IMAH – Daily Physical Activity; Policy JLC – Student Health Services, and Policy JLCE – Emergency for the first reading. A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve Policy IJO – Community Resources; Policy IMAH – Daily Physical Activity; Policy JLC – Student Health Services, and Policy JLCE – Emergency as the first reading. Discussion ensued and minor corrections were suggested. The motion carried unanimously.

B. STUDENT SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION – POLICY JICK

Dr. Freeman provided the board with three documents relative to the board’s need to revise this policy in compliance with state law by January 1. These documents include a technical advisory from the Department of Education, a draft policy provided by the New Hampshire School Boards Association, and a draft policy provided by Primex, the district’s liability insurance provider.

Dr. Freeman informed the Board that a community forum on student safety is being rescheduled. The originally scheduled date of December 2, 2010, is in conflict with a PMHS Site Council meeting.

C. FY12 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a draft of the FY12 budget. He highlighted the key personnel cost increases which included partial funding for the kindergarten-plus teacher, literacy interventionist, math coach, and library/media personnel.

Ms. Paradise asked Dr. Freeman to calculate the tax impact of the draft budget over the next three years. The budget needs to be ready to present to the Budget Committee on December 15, 2010. Ms. Paradise asked the Board to review the budget line-by-line to determine what areas have the Board’s support and where changes are recommended. She also suggested that thought be given to the positions that are being proposed that originated with grant funds.

Discussion ensued regarding the library / media positions and the technology-related decisions that need to be researched and ultimately made.

A budget work session is scheduled for December 2, 2010, at 5:30 in the PMHS conference room.

D. LEAVE REQUEST

Dr. Freeman presented a request for a paid leave of absence for extenuating family circumstances. He asked the Board for their guidance. The consensus of the Board was in favor of having Dr. Freeman approve the request as present as well as such requests that may be submitted in the future.

E. COMMISSIONER’S VISIT

Dr. Virginia Barry, New Hampshire Commissioner of Education, will be visiting the district on Monday, November 29, 2010, beginning at 1:00 p.m. She will be taken on a tour of both schools and then will be guest of honor at a reception at 3:00 p.m. with faculty and staff. Dr. Freeman invited the School Board to attend this event.

X. SCHOOL BOARD – None

XI. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD – Ms Corliss and Mr. Wolfe – None

B. SELECT BOARD LIAISON – Mr. Wood and Ms. Adams

Mr. Wood and Ms. Adams reported that Arthur Morse and Fred Okrant have been appointed to fill vacancies on the Select Board.

C. BUDGET COMMITTEE – Ms. Adams and Ms. Corliss – None

D. NEGOTIATING TEAM – Ms. Paradise and Mr. Wolfe – Deferred to non-public session.

E. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – Ms. Paradise – None

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XIII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:43 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wood to enter into non-public session to discuss employee compensation in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II (a). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

Ms. Paradise informed the Board of the details of the Board’s collective bargaining agreement with the Education Association of Pittsfield which were agreed to during recent contract negotiations. She explained changes to the health insurance options for teachers. She also reported that the cap for insurance will remain the same as is provided in the current agreement. The salary package will include the step and track increases and longevity increases; the agreement is for one year.

Discussion ensued regarding personnel practices relative to lodging concerns or complaints about a teacher’s performance. Ms. Paradise asked Dr. Freeman to confirm the meaning of the language in the contract relative to personnel relations.

At 8:06 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to exit the non-public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to re-enter into open session

No action was taken in the non-public session.

XIV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary