April 16, 2015 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 16, 2015
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Gary Mullen, Vice Chair
Linda Freese, Secretary
Bea Douglas

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Derek Hamilton, Dean of Operations
Donna Lehmann, Director of Student Services
Kathy LeMay, Director of Interventions
Ross Morse, Community Liaison
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Tucker Wolfe, Student Representative
Members of the Faculty
Member of the Student Body

Chairman Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
· Policy JICD-R, Memorandum of Understanding (Dr. Freeman)
· Non-Resident Enrollment (Dr. Freeman)
· Graduation Date (Dr. Freeman)
· Liability Insurance Agreement (Dr. Freeman)
· Drake Field (Mr. Wolfe)

III. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board unanimously approved the agenda as amended.

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas to approve the minutes of April 2, as written. On page three of the April 2 minutes, paragraph two, change Greylag to Graylag. The motion unanimously carried with the changes made.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Mr. Morse updated the Board on the progress of the PMHS journey map which is being created for the main hallway. He stated that there have been numerous, successful opportunities for students, school personnel, and community members to participate in the creation of ceramic tiles. The unveiling of this exciting project will take place during Exhibition Night on June 11, 2015.

VI. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A. NON-RESIDENT REQUEST

Dr. Freeman invited PMHS Business Education Teacher Jen Massey and her daughter, PMHS Student Lyndsey Massey, to the table. Ms. Massey requested from the Board permission for her daughter to attend Pittsfield Middle High School for the 2015-2016 school year, in spite of the fact that her family has moved to Epsom. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve Lyndsey Massey’s enrollment as requested.

VII. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Tucker Wolfe shared with the Board the recent work of the Site Council, including community service and late start Wednesday enrichment activities. Mr. Wolfe explained that the Site Council will be developing a focus group to draft a proposal for a hybrid model of community service that will include standard practices and a senior project.

VIII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. SPRING ASSESSMENT UPDATE

Ms. Harvey, by report, updated the Board on the Smarter Balanced assessments, which are underway at PES. PMHS will be conducting Smarter Balanced assessments in May.

IX. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS

Mr. Hamilton distributed a list of proposed requests for potential facilities expenditures. Mr. Hamilton reviewed the list, which included a safety window at the main office of PMHS, surveillance cameras at Drake Field, replacement of sinks in the nurse’s office at PMH, replacement doors for the Drake Field grandstand, storage centers for PES classrooms, spring clean-up at PES and PMHS, front office furniture at PMHS, and trash cans for Drake Field.

Ms. Douglas asked if consideration could be given to a community clean up at Drake Field. She also suggested having the cubbies constructed, rather than purchasing them already built. Ms. Douglas stated that the purchased items are often of lesser quality than those that could be constructed. The Board was in favor of the surveillance cameras in light of the recent vandalism.

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the total expenses with consideration of options for cubbies, a possible volunteer day at Drake Field, and options for trash receptacles for Drake Field.

B. SPRING ATHLETICS

Mr. Hamilton reported the number of students interested in spring sports has decreased. Twenty-nine students, or eleven percent of PMHS enrollment, have come forward to participate in girls’ softball or boys’ baseball.

C. ATHLELTIC FACILITIES

The fields at Drake Field and Tilton Hill Road are both very wet, reported Mr. Hamilton. The softball field will not be ready for play until at least late April. Drake Field will hopefully be ready for play by April 15.

X. DIRECTOR OF INTERVENTION

A. AFTER SCHOOL TITLE I PROGRAM

Ms. LeMay reported the commencement of the after school Title I program on April 7. Current enrollment is twenty-five students with hopes of maximizing enrollment to eight to ten students per grade level. The program will be utilizing a web-based intervention program called MobyMax to support student skill development.

XI. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

A. COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

According to Ms. Chassie, Communications Consultant Jane Feinberg will be beginning a project that will entail interviewing recent graduates to learn about their experience with student centered learning since leaving Pittsfield Middle High School. She is also going to be writing some brief biographies of notable graduates of Pittsfield Middle High School.

B. CROSS AND JOFTUS

The financial oversight company hired by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Cross and Joftus, has been assisting the district in meeting the Foundation’s requirement to participate in sustainability planning. To that end, a budget proposal, a project summary, a transformation budget narrative, and plan for stakeholder and community support have been drafted. Once finalized, Ms. Chassie will provide the Board with copies.

C. EASTCONN

Ms. Chassie, Mr. Hamilton, Dr. Freeman, Mr. Morse, and Ms. Ward have made presentations on components of student centered learning in Connecticut for fellow educators. Plans are being made for this collaboration to continue.

D. GOOD TO GREAT TEAM

A recent meeting of the Good to Great Team was held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Dr. Freeman explained a new approach will be utilized to ensure the community’s engagement in the continuous improvement process.

E. NEW ENGLAND SECONDARY SCHOOL CONSORTIUM PERSONALIZED LEARNING GRANT

Our school coach provided by the New England Secondary School Consortium grant, Mary Hastings, has been visiting PMHS approximately three to four times per month. She will be returning shortly to provide individuals with training on a software program that will help to monitor the implementation practices of teachers.

F. STUDENT CENTERED LEARNING.

A short video recently produced by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, which clearly articulates the goals of a student centered learning philosophy, was shown.

G. VISITS

The most recent visits to our schools have been made by the Winnisquam (NH) School District and the Heinemann Publishing Company. A group of thirteen people from the PES and PMHS will be visiting four schools in California during the week of April 20, 2015. We will be visiting High Tech High, San Diego Metropolitan High School, and the MUSE School with the goal of observing and learning about innovative, student centered learning approaches to learning in action.

XII. SUPERINTENDENT

A. POLICIES

Dr. Freeman presented Policy JIG, Pregnant and Married Students – recision, Policy JIH, Searches of Students and Their Property – changes, Policy JIH-R, Searches of Students – changes, Policy JIHB, Searches of Student Vehicles on School Property – changes, Policy JIHB-R, Searches of Student Vehicles on School Property – no changes, Policy JJ, Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities – recision, Policy JJIF, Daily Physical Activity – recision, Policy JK, Student Discipline – recision, Policy JK-SPED, Student Discipline Procedures for Special Education – recision, Policy JKA, Corporal Punishment – no changes, Policy JKD, Suspension and Expulsion – recision. He also presented Policy JICD-R, Memorandum of Understanding, outlining an agreement with the Pittsfield Police Department and recommended approval. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board unanimously approved all recommended policy actions.

B. NON RESIDENT ENROLLMENT REQUEST

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board unanimously approved a request for a non-resident enrollment for a student whose parents will be deployed by the military during which the student will be living with grandparents residing in Pittsfield, as long as the grandparents receive temporary legal guardianship during the deployment.

C. GRADUATION DATE

Dr. Freeman recommended to the Board that graduation be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, and that the last day of school would be Wednesday, June 24, 2015. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve graduation on June 20, 2015

D. LIABILITY INSURANCE AGREEMENT

Dr. Freeman explained that Primex, the district’s current property and liability insurance carrier, has offered the Pittsfield School District a multi-year proposal for liability insurance. He provided the Board with a positive critique of their services. The proposal will cap the increase at nine percent per year, which will assist the Board in future budgeting. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board unanimously

approved the proposed agreement to enter into a CAP (Contribution Assurance Program) with Primex for Property and Liability Insurance. The agreement places a cap of a maximum of 9% that the property and liability insurance premiums can increase for the fiscal years 7/1/16-6/30/17 and 7/1/17-6/30/18. Actual premiums may be lower or even decrease but cannot be increased more than 9%.

E. CONGRATULATIONS FROM SENATOR SHAHEEN

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a letter of congratulations to the Board from Senator Jeanne Shaheen, recognizing the Board for the Larry O’Toole Award (Nellie Mae Education Foundation) nomination and for the School Board of Excellence Award (New Hampshire School Boards Association)..

F. SCHOOL MEAL PRICES

Dr. Freeman informed the Board of a deficit in the last two years’ school breakfast / lunch programs. Since there was a recent increase by $.10 per meal, he suggested the Board delay making another increase and have an adjustment made through a transfer from the general fund to address the current shortfall. The Board agreed to defer further adjustment of the price and to make the recommended transfer.

G. SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT

The selection of a date was deferred until all members of the Board are present.

H. SUPERINTENDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Dr. Freeman stated that it was time for an evaluation of his performance. He will provide the Board with additional information for discussion at the next meeting.

XIII. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD COMMITTEE

Mr. Wolfe explained that a softball field at Drake Field has been under consideration for some time. Mr. Darrah has presented to Mr. Wolfe a bid for $49,000, using local vendors. Mr. Wolfe stated the goal of the Board is to have a school district owned softball field.

XIV. PUBLIC SESSION (2nd Session)

Mr. Morse questioned the building of a softball field in light of the low participation rate of students and suggested consideration be given to assisting in the improvement of the Tilton Hill ball field instead.

XV. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:45 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Freese to enter into non-public session to discuss employee compensation pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c and e). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Ms. Freese, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board reviewed the administrator salaries which had been previously discussed. No action was taken in non-public session.

At 6:58 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to exit from non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Ms. Freese, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit from the non-public session and to re-enter into open session..

XVI. OPEN SESSION

A. ADMINISTRATOR COMPENSATION

On a motion by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to provide compensation of the district’s school administrators as proposed by the superintendent.

XVII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary