APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m.; Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Michael Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson
Gary Mullen
Mary Paradise (arrived at 5:50 p.m.)

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Members of the faculty and staff

Chairman Wood called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Nomination (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2012. The motion was unanimously passed to approve the minutes as written.

V. INTRODUCTION

Mr. Bickford introduced Laurie Service, candidate for the PMHS Math Intervention Teacher position.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the nomination of Ms. Service.

VI. PUBLIC INPUT

Community Liaison Ross Morse thanked Mr. Wolfe, Ms. Paradise, and Ms. Briggs for their participation in the Framing Education for Public Understanding workshop held on October 24. Mr. Morse reported that his presentations of the draft district values, guiding principles, mission, and vision statements have been going well; he is receiving feedback from the various groups to which he is presenting.

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. NEW HAMPSHIRE GOES TO COLLEGE MONTH

Mr. Kilmister reported that New Hampshire Goes to College Month was celebrated at PES. Mr. Morse assisted in recruiting community partners who spoke to the students about their preparation for various careers.

B. NATIONAL ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS

Mr. Kilmister reported that Pam Williams, Speech and Language Pathologist, has offered to pursue grants that will provide an opportunity for her to supervise an archery program for grades 4 – 12. With the Board’s support, Ms. Williams will investigate grants.

C. iPad PILOT

Mr. Kilmister explained that several teachers, the IT technician, and he will be visiting Milan Community School on Friday, October 26th, to see the iPad program in action.

D. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister provided the Board with dates for October and November.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. CO-CURRICULAR/EXTRA-CURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY

Mr. Bickford explained the proposal for revising the co-curricular / extra-curricular eligibility requirements. Site Council Member Rick Anthony provided further information, explaining the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association eligibility requirements and proposed the same requirements be used for all non-classroom activities. The Site Council has worked diligently on this proposal. Site Council Member Alexandra Briggs stated that this policy raises the bar to hold the students to a higher standard.
Further discussion ensued and questions were answered.

On a motion by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the co-curriculum / extra-curricular eligibility proposal, which is a part of the Student Handbook.

B. DUAL ENROLLMENT / ONLINE LEARNING

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with a flyer about dual enrollment and online learning opportunities, prepared by Sarah Carri, coordinator.

C. DRAKE FIELD PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Mr. Bickford informed the Board of Jim Dawson’s work to obtain cost estimates to bring the play structure a swing set into compliance with the specifications identified by the district’s insurance carrier, Primex. The options are to repair or remove the equipment. The total estimate cost to bring the swing set and play structure up to minimum specifications is $10,575.00.

Mr. Wolfe stated that there are issues with the drainage system near the playground equipment. He suggested the possibility of moving the swing set to the other side of the tennis court. Discussion ensued.

As research is conducted on the options available, the swings will be removed. Mr. Bickford will report back to the Board as more information is gathered.

D. CALENDAR

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with dates for October and November.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATIONS

A. FOCUS MONITORING

A letter was shared by Ms. Stevens, sent to the parents of students whose special education files were reviewed by the Focus Monitoring Team. She reported that the New Hampshire Department of Education joined the Focus Monitoring process and completed an additional sixteen file reviews for the purpose of monitoring compliance. Ms. Stevens will send letters to notify the parents of the sixteen students that their child’s file was reviewed.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. FY14 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman distributed a copy of the proposed FY14 budget for the Board’s consideration. The health insurance increase and the required state retirement increase were included in the budget proposal. Salary increases have not been included. Dr. Freeman explained that the revenues and information on the adequacy grant will be provided at a later time, as they are not presently available. He also distributed additional documents intended to help inform the Board of the budget process, including an explanation of position shifts, explanation of benefit options, salary information, and stipend information.

B. RACE TO THE TOP GRANT

Dr. Freeman explained that the work on the Race to the Top grant application continues and will be submitted on Monday, October 29th. The decision on funding will be rendered by the end of the calendar year.

C. SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with information about the administration of the first-ever School Day Administration of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) on Wednesday, October 17th. He expressed “a very special thanks” to Guidance Director Leslie Bergevin and the faculty and staff for administering the SAT without a hitch.

XI. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES – Discussed under PMHS business.

B. BUDGET COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE

C. NEGOTIATING TEAM – None

D. FOSS FOUNDATION – None

XII. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION

XIII. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:00 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to enter into non-public session to discuss two personnel matters and negotiations with the Education Association of Pittsfield pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a) and (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into non-public session for the purpose of discussing a personnel issues and negotiations.

Dr. Freeman provides the Board with updated information regarding two personnel matters.

The Board discussed the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the Education Association of Pittsfield, the teachers’ union.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 7:29 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes).

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

Dr. Freeman suggested that the meetings in November be held on the 8th and the 29th, skipping November 22 due to Thanksgiving. There will be a meeting on December 13, but the meeting scheduled for December 27 may be cancelled.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary