ADVANCE COPY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #51
BARNSTEAD – PITTSFIELD PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD
MINUTES
Pittsfield School Board
September 20, 2007
Pittsfield Middle High School
I. CALL TO ORDER
Members Present: Scott Brown, Chairperson
Mary Paradise
Chris Ward
Gary Colby
Leslie Vogt
Others Present: Dr. William Compton, Superintendent
Peter Roche, Business Administrator
Karen Erlandson, Principal, PMHS
Jeff DeLois, Assistant Principal, PMHS
Dr. John Freeman, Principal, PES
Tobi Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Member of the Faculty
Member of the Community
Chairperson Brown called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. AGENDA REVIEW
Dr. Freeman deleted resignations from the PES agenda. He added the lunch and
recess schedule. Dr. Compton stated that there is a legal issue for the non -public
session. Ms. Stevens added a resignation to the agenda.
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
On a motion made by Chris Ward and seconded by Gary Colby, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 6, 2007 meeting, as written.
IV. PRESENTATION #1
Mr. Brown introduced Mr. Larry Berkson, who provided the Board with a description
Pittsfield School Board 1 September 202, 007
of a proposal for improving the Pittsfield Youth Baseball Association’s field on
Tilton Hill Road. The proposal includes three fields, parking, access for people with
handicaps, and visitor bus parking. Two challenges are the money that will be
required to complete the project and the closing of the fields for a minimum of one
year. During the construction, PMHS would need to find an alternate location for
girl’s softball practices and games, starting in September of 2008. PYBA is
considering scheduling all of their games away during construction. Mr. Berkson
reported that donations, both monetary and in-kind, have been given to start the
project. The September, 2008 start date is dependent on continued success with
fund raising.
Mr. Brown explained that there is a strong connection between the school and
PYBA. PMHS uses the fields, and in return, keep the fields mowed during the
summer. PYBA and the School Board are interested in continuing the cooperative
relationship.
Mr. Brown asked Ms. Erlandson to report the potential effect of this proposal to
Allison Roberts, Athletic Director. She will need to keep this effort in mind as she
proceeds with scheduling games during the effected time.
The Board provided Mr. Berkson with a unanimous consen sus of support of the
project and wished him well in the completion of the project.
V. PRESENTATION #2
Ms. Doris Filson explained her involvement with the State Board for the Arts
Advisory and the State Collaborative Assessment and Student Standards and the
work that is being accomplished in the area of assessment of the arts. She
provided examples of assessment tools designed to demonstrate a student’s
“understanding of art and the principles of design to accomplish commercial,
communal, or other purposes of art” and “comparison of two or more perspectives
about the use of organizational principles and function in artwork and defend
personal evaluations of these perspectives”.
VI. PUBLIC INPUT – None
VII. PES ADMINISTRATION
A. Nomination
Dr. Freeman recommended Melissa McKeen to fill the position of part time
educational assistant for the PES preschool program. On a motion made by
Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Paradise , the Board voted unanimously to
approve the hiring of Ms. McKeen with Mr. Colby, Ms. Paradise, Ms. Vogt, and
Mr. Brown voting in the affirmative and Mr. Ward abstaining from the vote.
Pittsfield School Board 2 September 20, 2007
B. Open House
Dr. Freeman reported that there would be an Open House on Thursday,
September 27th with the traditional PTO sponsored cook-out preceding the
event. He invited Board members to join the fun.
C. Lunch and Recess
Dr. Freeman explained that after conducting research on the topic, PES
decided to provide an opportunity for recess before lunch, instead of the
traditional schedule. Teachers are reporting that there has been a positive
effect associated with this change. Although it is early to analyze discipline
data definitively, there is a pattern of fewer discipline issues being reported by
teachers. Research suggests that there will be a positive influence on dietary
habits, as well.
VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION
A. Nomination
Ms. Stevens recommended that the Board consider Susan Nelson for the
position of educational assistant at PMHS. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise
and seconded by Ms. Vogt, the Board voted unanimously to hire Ms. Nelson.
Ms. Erlandson recommended that the Board consider Diane Mayo for the
position of long-term substitute for the health teacher who is on maternity leave.
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board
voted unanimously to hire Ms. Mayo as the long-term substitute as
recommended.
B. Resignation
Ms. Chassie explained that Susan Bridge verbally resigned after one day of
employment. On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward,
the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Ms. Brid ge.
C. Agenda
Dr. Compton suggested that a new section for “Student Services
Administration” be added to the agenda. The Board agreed to his suggestion.
IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION
A. Substitute Teacher Employment Policy
Dr. Compton explained the elements of the policy to outline the conditions of
Pittsfield School Board 3 September 20, 2007
compensation for short-term and long-term teacher substitutes. Policy GCG:
Substitute Teacher Employment Policy was discussed by the Board. On a
motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Colby, the Board voted
unanimously to accept the second reading and the adoption of Pol icy GCG.
B. Softball Field
Ms. Vogt asked if the field between the two schools could be used for a softball
field during the construction of the PYBA fields. Mr. Brown suggested that
improvements might need to be made.
C. Gymnasium Lighting
The lighting project has been scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2007.
D. Facility Projects
Mr. Roche distributed an update of facility projects. He reported that the new
phone system at PES was nearly completed this week. Discussion ensued
regarding the accuracy of the estimates for the proposed projects. The steps
outside of the Technical Education annex need to be replaced and options were
discussed for accomplishing this task. Mr. Brown asked Mr. Ward to research
the possibility of a local contractor completing this project. The Board’s
consensus was to gather additional information before taking action.
Mr. Roche asked the Board for the authority to divert the money saved from the
telephone system to purchase window replacements for one PES classroom.
More information needs to be gathered by Mr. Roche before proceeding with
this project. However, the shades for PMHS will be purchased.
E. Financial Update
Mr. Roche distributed the Expenditure Report for the current school budget and
explained the status of the accounts for building maintenance (oil), special
education teacher salaries, support staff salaries, special education tuition, and
principal office salaries. Further information will be forthcoming. The Board
requested that transfers be completed by the next meeting and an expenditure
report be provided in a month.
F. MS25
Mr. Roche distributed the MS25 report for the members of the Board to sign.
He thanked Christine Blouin and Sally Blanchette for their diligent work in
preparing this lengthy and complex report.
Pittsfield School Board 4 September 20, 2007
G. SAU Planning – Office Space
Dr. Compton explained that space continues to be explored for the office of the
SAU, once Barnstead withdraws.
Dr. Compton reported that the advertisement for Superintendent has been
published and the deadline for entry is Friday, October 5, 2007. The resumes
will be forwarded to Mr. Brown on Friday, October 5, 2007. Mr. Brown stated
he would like the Board to meet once the application period is over.
X. COMMITTEES
A. Budget
Ms. Vogt requested clarification on how the district budget will be differentiated
from the SAU budget, relative to the withdrawal. Mr. Roche will research this
topic. The timeline for budget preparation was reviewed.
B. SAU Planning
The Superintendent applications will be reviewed on October 18, 2007 at 4:00
by the School Board.
XI. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 5:30 at the
Pittsfield Middle High School.
XII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None
XIII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION
At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Ms. Paradise, to
enter into non-public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously to
enter into a non-public session under the provisions of RSA 91-A:3 II (c) [Legal
Matters].
A motion was made by Mr. Colby and seconded by Mr. Ward to come out of the
non-public session. The Board was polled and voted to come out of the non-public
session at 7:52 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Ward, the Board voted
unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
Pittsfield School Board 5 September 20, 2007
Respectfully submitted,
Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary
Pittsfield School Board 6 September 20, 2007