APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #51

PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Pittsfield Middle High School

CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe

Bea Douglas (exited meeting at 6:35 p.m.)

Linda Freese

Gary Mullen

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools

Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator

Derek Hamilton, Dean of Operations

Danielle Harvey, Dean of Instruction

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

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

AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:

Clock checks at PES (Ms. Harvey)
Education Development Center (Ms. Chassie)
Resignations (Dr. Freeman)
Collective Bargaining Agreement (Dr. Freeman)

APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

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

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas to approve the minutes of March 12, the annual school district meeting, and March 19, 2015, as written. On March 12^th, Kathy LeMay shall be added to the others present. The motion was carried unanimously with the change noted.

PUBLIC INPUT – None
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Tucker Wolfe shared with the Board a report of the recent work of the Site Council, including the acceptance of the IMPACT Team’s Inter-Communication Environment (ICE) proposal to share a weekly newsletter with advisory groups. Also, the Site Council has reviewed data from students and staff on late start Wednesday enrichment activities. They will be collecting additional information before making final decisions.

DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

PES CLOCK CHECK

Ms. Harvey explained that after hearing feedback about the disadvantage of not having a bell or announcement for students to return to their home classrooms at the end of the day, a creative recording was made by Mr. Morse for the enjoyment of the children.

DEAN OF OPERATIONS

STUDENT ATHLETE RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Hamilton informed the Board that four student athletes were recognized as Division IV Scholar Athletes by the New Hampshire Athlete Directors Association and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord.

The PMHS Athletic Department also hosted its annual winter sports awards banquet on Friday, March 20, 2015.

NOT TOO SHARP PERFORMANCE

On Friday, March 20, 2015, Not Too Sharp, an all-male a cappella group from the University of New Hampshire, visited PMHS to work with our chorus classes and perform at a school-wide assembly. Kevin Cleary, PMHS music teacher, is a former member of the group and made the arrangements for their performance.

PARENT FORUM ON TRANSITIONS

On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, a parent forum on transitions for parents and guardians of current sixth and eighth grade students was held. Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Lehmann, and Mr. Morse hosted the forum to solicit feedback on the transition plans for students and answer questions.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

According to Mr. Hamilton, plans are in progress for the third annual PMHS Student Leadership Summit. He explained that work is being done with Gabe Wallman, who will coordinate the summit at Graylag Cabins, a lakeside resort in Pittsfield. Students invited will be those in leadership positions, as well as those who are members of clubs, committees, and organizations.

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

UPDATES

A Parent Focus Group was hosted by Ms. Lehmann and Mr. Morse, with the assistance from the Parent Information Connection. The feedback received at the forum will be used to guide improvements to parent/school communications.

The required New Hampshire Department of Education parent survey has been distributed. Ms. Lehmann appreciates feedback and looks forward to receiving the results.

Ms. Lehmann applauded the efforts of Karley Wilcox, preschool teacher, in providing a personalized learning environment. She has developed centers and will be developing project based learning experiences for her students. Ms. Wilcox is working to develop intentional strategies for the preschoolers that will assist in their smooth transition to kindergarten.

DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

PROGRAM OF STUDIES – PAGE 8

Dr. Rollins provided the Board with a copy of page 8 of the Program of Studies. She highlighted a change that will address the new requirement of a math related course. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve page 8 of the Program of Studies.

SCHEDULING

Dr. Rollins reported that the process of scheduling for next year’s courses is in the hands of advisors. Advisors will be working with students to assist them in designing their schedules for next year.

SAT PREP COURSE

The New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation is in the process of providing a four-week SAT preparation course for the juniors which will provide students with the opportunity to build confidence in their academics and test-taking skills.

FOSS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

The revised Foss Family Scholarship application has been uploaded onto the district’s website.

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Ms. Chassie explained that the Education Development Center, contracted by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to evaluate grantees, has been in the district for their on-site evaluation for the past three days. Before leaving they provided some positive preliminary observational data, including implementation of competency based education, student ownership for learning, teachers’ growth mindset, the district’s professional learning plan, opinion regarding the administrative structure (deans), technology, and team meetings. The evaluation process will continue with student and teacher surveys, administered the first two weeks of May. Reports summarizing the data collected will be available in the fall.

SUPERINTENDENT

NOMINATIONS

Dr. Freeman distributed a Nomination List for master contracts. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen the Board voted unanimously approve the list as presented.

LEAVE REQUEST

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve an additional week of unpaid leave for Christie Dunlavey to extend her current Family Medical Leave Act leave.

POLICIES

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Douglas, Policy JICI, Weapons on School Property; Policy JICK, Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention; and Policy JICK-R, Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention were amended as presented.

RESIGNATIONS

Dr. Freeman explained the circumstances around the resignation of two PMHS teachers, Laurie Service and Katherine Abbott, effective at the end of the school year. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignations of Ms. Service and Ms. Abbott.

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY OPTION

Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that Ms. Harvey began the explanation of Smarter Balanced Assessment program at the last meeting and that she mentioned the district is exploring a less-disruptive, more natural alternative to this annual assessment. Dr. Freeman and Ms. Harvey provided further explanation of the Performance Assessment for Competency Education (PACE), which we are expecting to implement next year.

QUARTERLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Dr. Freeman distributed the quarterly expenditure report for the Board’s review. He stated that the budget is in a healthy condition. Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that $100,000 was removed from the proposed FY ’16 budget for supplies and equipment throughout the budget with the intent of expending this amount in the current budget. Mr. Hamilton shared potential recommendations including a new phone system ($50,000), a security window for PMHS ($2,500), a replacement sink in the PMHS nurse’s office ($1,025), PES cubbies ($14,000), a walk-behind sweeper ($1,200), as well as paving improvements at PMHS, door locks or FOBs for PMHS, and more classroom tables to replace desks at PES.

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of $100,000 for supplies and equipment and approximately $50,000 for a new phone system from the current operating budget.

COMMITTEES – None

NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

PUBLIC INPUT (2^nd Session) – None

NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:35 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen 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 discussed administrator compensation and directed Dr. Freeman to provide a salary proposal for the next meeting.

Dr. Freeman asked for Board guidance on a contract issue.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 7:01 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. Freese, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit from the non-public session.

OPEN SESSION

No action was taken.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie

Recording Secretary