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, September 26, 2013
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Michael Wolfe, Chairperson
Nicole Manteau, Vice-Chairperson
Bea Douglas
Gary Mullen
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Susan Graham, Dean of Instruction
Paul Newell, Dean of Operations
Sarah Rollins, Director of College & Career Readiness
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Ross Morse, Community Liaison

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Justice Committee (Mr. Wolfe)
• Joint Board Community Forums (Dr. Freeman)
• Benefactors (Dr. Freeman)
• Grandstand (Ms. Manteau)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2013. On page 1, change to “Members of the Public.” The motion passed unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Ross Morse reminded the Board of the premier of In Charge: Student Led Conferences at Pittsfield Middle High School on October 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the PMHS lecture hall. He stated that the video is being used for training and for informational purposes.

VI. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. PMHS MATH

According to Ms. Graham the formerly combined calculus and advanced math has been separated into two classes.

B. NEWSLETTER

Ms. Graham reported that a newsletter for parents and community was sent on September 17, 2013, and will be sent out every two weeks.

C. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

PMHS Physics Teacher Kiza Armour participated in a panel discussion at a regional conference on the topic of student learning objectives and utility in teacher effectiveness programs. Ms. Graham and Ms. Chassie attended the conference with Ms. Armour. Ms. Graham commented that she was disappointed in the conference because the progress Pittsfield has made exceeds other schools in the region.

D. HERO ESSAYS

The third grade class of PES Teacher Bernadette Rowley won second place in an essay contest about heroes. Ms. Douglas, on behalf of the Board, will send a note of congratulations.

E. RESEARCH STUDY

Ms. Graham and Ms. Rollins engaged in a conversation with Julia Freeland, a researcher who works for a California think tank that examines the ways in which innovations change education. The district is being considered as a participant in a case study on innovative schools who use technology with students.

VII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. FACILITIES

Construction at PES continues to be going well, Mr. Newell reported. Mr. Newell has addressed the issue of smoking on the construction site. The windows are being installed on schedule, as is the siding.

Mr. Newell stated that storage space within each of the buildings is limited, so space has been reallocated to accommodate the needs of students, as well as the needs of staff.

Mr. Newell is arranging a safety drill in collaboration with the Pittsfield Fire Department Chief Nick Abell.

B. DISCIPLINE

On September 4, 2013, a work session was held to begin the process mapping of the discipline referral system. Once the plan has been organized, it will be vetted with stakeholders, including the School Board.

C. HANDBOOK

The Site Council is undertaking the task of going through the PMHS student / family handbook to make sure the organization of the handbook reflects the changes that have taken place over the last year. This will include changes with the Restorative Justice program.

D. ATTENDANCE

Mr. Newell has hired the replacement for Ms. Louise Sawyer. This will ensure that attendance protocols will now be fully in place. Ms. Gloria Krochmal has been completing necessary attendance tasks in the meantime.

E. TECHNOLOGY

The District Technology team has organized and written their charter, defining its goals for the year.

The Website Steering Committee is working on a revision to our websites. Feedback is being sought from all stakeholders.

F. ATHLETICS

A pep rally was held on the Friday prior to homecoming.

G. STAFFING

There are three finalists for the PMHS school nurse position. A candidate has been hired to fill the Student Support Center assistant position.

H. PES OPEN HOUSE

Open House was a wonderful success! Turnout was impressive and staff had the opportunity to show off the school, classes, and the positive feeling exhibited throughout the building.

I. GRANDSTAND

Mr. Newell reported that he will be sending former student Quinn Steeves a letter explaining the decision to repaint the grandstand was not the School Board’s. Discussion ensued regarding the inappropriateness of painting over Quinn’s work. There was a breakdown in communication, which is being addressed by the administration. The Drake Field Committee is being re-organized and will meet soon.

J. WELLNESS

Mr. Newell explained that a law requires a board member to be a member of the Wellness Team. He reviewed the additional membership requirements. Mr. Newell asked the Board to consider membership.

VIII. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. FOCUS MONITORING

Ms. Stevens reported that a progress monitoring program to assist with collection and use of data has been purchased. This program is used to measure progress of the interventions being implemented to help close the achievement gap between typical students and student with disabilities.

B. PRESCHOOL

Due to the separation of the 3- and 4-year old students in preschool, space is available for a limited number of typical preschool aged children.

C. OUT OF DISTRICT

Ms. Stevens reported that two students have re-entered school in the district. It is always the district’s hope to have students return to their community’s schools.

D. PARA-EDUCATOR EVALUATION

Over the past year, a sub-committee of the Professional Growth and Evaluation Team, researched and developed a para-educator evaluation system. That system will be implemented this year for the first time.

IX. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

A. COLLEGE FAIR

Dr. Rollins reported a College Fair is scheduled for September 27th at the University of New Hampshire. Students from grades 11 and 12 will be bussed to participate.

B. SAT / PSAT TESTS

Dr. Rollins reported that the SAT and PSAT tests are scheduled. She explained that ReadiStep, a precursor to the PSAT, will be used for 9th graders. She further explained that the reports available from The College Board regarding students’ performance will assist teachers to identify areas of strength and weakness in our academic preparation.

X. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR / PROJECT MANAGER

A. POSITION ANALYSES

Ms. Chassie explained that the four position analyses that the Board has received will be voted on at the next meeting.

XI. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A. FY ’13 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman will report the fund balance at the next meeting of the Board.

B. HVAC PLANNING

Dr. Freeman asked the Board if members were ready to organize a community interest group, to which Mr. Wolfe answered in the affirmative. Dr. Freeman will move forward in this regard.

C. SURVEY REQUEST

According to Dr. Freeman, the district has received a request for participation of four classes of our PMHS students in the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents and students can opt out of taking the survey. The Board did not object.

D. PMHS WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with an informational article that was posted on the website regarding our new PMHS Wednesday schedule.

E. JOINT BOARD MEETING

Dr. Freeman explained that the Pittsfield Economic Development Committee and the Pittsfield Select Board will be participating in a work session from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, at the Pittsfield Senior Center. The School Board, along with Dr. Freeman and Ms. Chassie, has been invited to participate. Unfortunately, because this coincides with the holiday weekend and people have previous family commitments, no one is able to participate from the Board or administration.

F. BENEFACTORS

Dr. Freeman reported that two benefactors have approached him about making a donation to the district. He suggested the Board consider establishing a trust fund for these and future donations. The Board agreed, so Dr. Freeman will investigate further.

XII. SCHOOL BOARD – None.

XIII. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES

B. NEGOTIATIONS

Dates are being considered for the first meeting by the Board and EAP leadership. Dr. Freeman will provide Board members with an electronic copy of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

C. BUDGET COMMITTEE

Mr. Ramsey reported the Budget Committee met on September 25 to begin the budget review process. Mr. Louie Houle was voted as chair, Mr. Mark Riel as vice chair, and Ms. Faith Whittier as secretary.

D. FOSS FOUNDATION

The Foss Foundation Scholarship Fund Committee met today to begin the work for the 2014 awards.

XIV. PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Morse thanked Ms. Manteau for the phone call alerting him that she would be unable to attend the Foss Foundation Scholarship meeting and Mr. Wolfe for attending the meeting as Board representative.

Mr. Morse acknowledged Ms. Chassie for the successful facilitation of the discipline process mapping at PMHS.

Mr. Morse acknowledged Ms. Bradley and Ms. Chassie for the work that was done to complete the position analysis for the Lead Community Partner.

XV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary