April 10, 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, April 10, 2014
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Bea Douglas
Gary Mullen

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Sue Graham, Dean of Instruction
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Ross Morse, Community Liaison
Paul Newell, Dean of Operations
Lily Plummer, Student Representative

Mr. Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Resignation (Dr. Freeman)
• Quarterly Expenditure Report (Dr. Freeman)
• Non-Public – Personnel and Student Matters (Dr. Freeman)
• Web Filter (Mr. Newell)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board approved the minutes of March 13, 2014, as written.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Ross Morse congratulated PMHS Student Lily Plummer for her appointment to a team working with the Nellie Mae Education Foundation on developing the summer Youth Leadership Institute. Two other PMHS students, Joshua Fraser and Heather Cole, have also been selected to work on this team.

Mr. Morse was asked by Lois Stevens to assist in the communication of the full-day Kindergarten. A community forum has been planned for April 16, 2014, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at PES.

Parents Heidi Cook and Angela St. Germaine introduced themselves. Ms. Cook stated that they were in agreement with the possibility of full-day kindergarten. She congratulated the district on the work that is in progress to improve the educational environment in Pittsfield.

Parent Dan Ward asked if the decision on replacing deans has been made. Dr. Freeman stated that the decision has not been finalized, but internal candidates are being considered. The process will be completed within the next four to six weeks. A public forum will be scheduled in order to provide the community with an opportunity to be involved. Dr. Freeman explained that according to RSA, it is the superintendent who shall make a recommendation to the School Board and the School Board that shall make the final decision. Dr. Freeman explained that the process has been developed based on the experience of the past processes.

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

According to Ms. Plummer the student members of the Site Council will be meeting with high school students on April 11 to discuss changes to Open Campus and Late Start Wednesday. Site Council reviewed final revisions to the student handbook and will vote on the draft after April break. An action plan has been developed to share a draft copy with student, staff, and community members for feedback on May 14, 2014.

PMHS Teacher Derek Hamilton, co-chair of the Site Council, reiterated that the Site Council is in the final stages of revising the Student / Family Handbook. He asked what process in which the Board would like to engage to review the proposed handbook. Dr. Freeman suggested that the Board be provided a copy of the current handbook so a comparison can be made.

VII. SUPERINTENDENT

A. POSITION ANALYSIS

Dr. Freeman introduced Susan Bradley, Co-Project Manager, who explained the position analysis process. She specifically explained the that the role of the School Board is an integral part the student centered learning efforts and has a role of its own that should be analyzed.

Susan distributed the position analysis proposed for the Community Liaison position, which will be voted on at the April 24, 2014, meeting.

VIII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULING

Mr. Hamilton distributed a memo regarding alternative scheduling for Wednesdays. He pointed out that attendance on Wednesdays is comparable to the attendance of other days of the week. Mr. Hamilton explained that a feature of the Wednesday schedule is Learning Studios. He introduced PMHS Student Quinn Boyce, who explained his first semester Learning Studio, What Ifs in History. PMHS Student Emlee Sanuth was introduced; she explained her Learning Studio in which she learned about the profession of epidemiologist.

Christie Dunlavey, PMHS science teacher, explained the work that has been done to refine the concept of content blocks in regards to enrichment and support. Two late start Wednesday professional learning opportunities in March to share support and enrichment strategies. The in-house coordinated sessions offered multiple strategies for teachers to meet the diverse needs of student in support blocks and creative approaches for appealing to student interests in enrichment blocks. The middle school team is working with District Instructional Coach Danielle Harvey to develop math and reading intervention blocks to be implemented next year.

Chris Davitt explained the middle school Learning Studio evolution. Upon hearing feedback from the teachers and students, the time middle school students spend in Learning Studios was shortened and refined.

Mr. Hamilton introduced PMHS Student Ryan Marquis, who spoke to the flexibility allowed to students in signing up for Learning Studios.

Ms. Douglas congratulated the team for their work. Dr. Freeman thanked the School Board for their support in allowing teachers to experiment with new teaching strategies.

B. IOWA VISIT

Ms. Graham reported that a team of fourteen educators from Iowa visited PMHS on March 31 through April 1, 2014. They visited to learn about competency based education and successfully learned about the celebrations and challenges in Pittsfield.

C. KEVIN PERKS

According to Ms. Graham, Consultant Kevin Perks is presenting a series of five sessions focused on strengthening student engagement and motivation in the classroom and in lesson planning.

D. CONFERENCES

PES teachers are hosting parent-teacher conference on Friday, April 18, 2014. PMHS student led conferences are taking place from April 7 to April 18, 2014.

IX. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. TECHNOLOGY

Mr. Newell reminded the School Board that work has been in progress to identify a web filter that is appropriate for our district. He described several options that have been investigated and the cost associated with each.

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the purchase of Fortinet.

Mr. Newell reported that the technology department has created a new website aimed at answering some of the most frequently asked technology questions.

The District Technology Team has conducted walk-throughs, looking at how technology is used throughout the district. The team is gathering data that will guide their future plans.

B. SITE COUNCIL

More information was provided by Mr. Newell regarding the efforts of the Site Council.

C. FACILITIES

The timeline for the sprinkler project, according to Mr. Newell, is being planned and will include having bids considered by the Board in early May. Other facility issues include the hot water heater at PES, oil pumping concerns, painting, fixing the slope of the cement slab off the boiler room at PMHS, and repairing the roof at PMHS.

D. PMHS DANCES

A dance will be held for high school students on April 12, 2014. On May 3, 2014, the middle school will be hosting a cotillion. The annual prom will be held on May 24, 2014.

E. WELLNESS FAIR

The Wellness Fair, organized and presented by the district’s Wellness Committee, was held on April 10, 2014, and was a great success. Dr. Freeman agreed that the fair was excellent.

X. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. KINDERGARTEN

By report, Ms. Stevens explained that a community forum will be held on April 16, 2014, to discuss the concept of full-day kindergarten. Thirty-one students registered for the kindergarten screening held on April 9 and 10, 2014.

B. PARENT SURVEY

The New Hampshire Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education is in the process of conducting the seventh annual statewide Parent Involvement Survey in Special Education. All surveys were mailed on March 27, 2014.

XI. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

A. ELEMENTARY COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS FOCUS GROUP

Dr. Rollins updated the Board on the efforts being made by the focus group working on elementary college and career readiness. They have engaged in an activity around what the PES graduate would encompass to be a successful student and individual in subsequent years.

B. ADVISORY

The culture and outcomes of the advisory program continues to be explored and its effectiveness evaluated.

C. COURSE SELECTIONS

Course selections for students at PMHS are underway and will be completed no later than Monday, April 7, 2014.

D. BLENDED LEARNING

Dr. Rollins explained that faculty will be trained on how to design and teach blended courses. Blended learning will provide each student a more personalized learning experience, meaning student control over time, place, path, and/or pace of his/her learning. Blended learning also affords customization of instruction and assessment as a major benefit of this approach to learning.

E. COLLEGE BOARD

Dr. Rollins has been asked to serve as a candidate for the regional council for the College Board. Dr. Freeman congratulated Dr. Rollins for having been invited to serve on the council.

XII. SUPERINTENDENT (Continued)

A. RETIREMENT

Dr. Freeman presented the retirement letter from Anne Bouchard, first grade teacher at PES. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the resignation was accepted with many thanks for her years of service.

B. POLICIES

Policy EEAG – Use of Private Vehicles to Transport Students was modified to replace “principal” role. Policy EF – Food Service Management was recommended for rescission. Policy EFA – Availability and Distribution of Healthy Food remains unchanged. Policy EFC – Free and Reduced-Price Lunch was modified to replace “principal” role. Policy EGA – Acceptable Internet Use was recently modified and required no further changes. Policy EEAEA – Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing remains unchanged.

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve the policies as outlined in the paragraph above.

C. RESIGNATION

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted their unanimous approval of the resignation of Kerri Hughes, PES special educator.

D. NOMINATIONS

The topic of nominations will be entertained in non-public session.

E. PITTSFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORT FOUNDATION AND STAPLETON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Dr. Freeman distributed draft documents that establish a district foundation and the Stapleton Scholarship, the result of a behest from the estate of Edmond Stapleton. These documents will be reviewed by the Board further, but for now agree to move forward with the establishment of these two new structures.

F. SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT

The School Board retreat will be held on May 28, 2014, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

XIII. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. Budget Committee – None

B. Drake Field & Facilities

Mr. Wolfe invited members of the public to volunteer to work on a planning team for use and upgrading of Drake Field, including the installation of a softball field. He would like to gather multiple stakeholders to work on this endeavor.

C. Negotiating Team – None

D. Foss Foundation – None

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)

On behalf of the PMHS Alumni Association, Ms. Chassie explained to the School Board that decisions are being made regarding the LED announcement board that the Alumni Association would like to donate to the district. She stated that members of the executive board will be present at a future meeting to explain the details.

Mr. Morse stated that he attended a Nellie Mae Education Foundation 2017 Student Centered Learning Task Force meeting this week. Data was shared that reassured him of the value of the work being done in the district and supported by the School Board.

XVI. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:00 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas to enter into non-public session to discuss employee and student issues according to RSA 91-A:3, II (a, b, and c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board discussed the professional nomination list, a parent request for non-resident attendance, the administrative positions, and grant-funded positions.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 7:33 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit from a non-public session.

XVII. OPEN SESSION

A. NOMINATIONS. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the professional nomination list as presented.

B. PARENT REQUEST FOR NON-RESIDENT ATTENDANCE. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the non-resident attendance of two students, who are children of a faculty member, for the remainder of the current school year; and to approve the non-resident attendance of one of the students for the 2014-2015 school year, continued attendance beyond the 2014-2015 school year to be reviewed in advance of the start of that school; and further reaffirmed the Board’s longstanding practice of acting on such requests for non-resident attendance on a year-by-year, case-by-case basis.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary