April 28, 2011 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 28, 2011
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Elizabeth Adams
Kathy Corliss
Michael Wolfe

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Lois Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Peter Tuttle, Athletic Director, PMHS

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Resignation (Dr. Freeman)
• Annual School District Report (Mr. Wood)
• School Board Goals (Mr. Wood)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the minutes of the March 31, 2011 meeting. On page 2, first paragraph, change to “Ms. Adams – 5).” On page 5, paragraph 8; add “(4-0-1, Ms. Corliss)”. On page, paragraph 12, change “Policy ADE” to “Policy ACD”. On page 7, paragraph 3; add at the end, “She questioned the practice of scheduling classes for coaching teachers at the end of the day, which necessitates the teacher and students to miss classes.” On page 7, paragraph 5, add at the end, “She noted it was a practice not to pay assistant coaches and wanted to know if that was still the case.” On page 7, paragraph 6, change the first line to “Ms. Corliss asked if substitute teachers are permitted to collect and grade homework.” The heading “C. SCHOLAR ATHLETES” was added to precede paragraph 9 on page 7. The minutes were approved unanimously, as amended.

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2011 meeting. Under Discussion, change to, “It was recommended to make all 3 year contracts and add a clause to allow the Board to review the health care benefits as a potential method to control cost.” Under Goals and Priorities, add “Ms. Paradise suggested having each School Board member shadow a teacher for a day.” The minutes were approved unanimously, as amended.

V. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. ATHLETICS

Mr. Bickford stated that due to the questions that had come up relative to the Athletic Department, Mr. Tuttle volunteered to be present at the meeting.

Mr. Tuttle was present to explain procedures in the Athletic Department that were previously questioned. Mr. Tuttle stated that the only times that students are released from classes early are during soccer and baseball/softball seasons. There are four games during this year’s baseball season when students will need to be released early. During the 2012-2013 academic year, there will be three times during soccer and three times during baseball/softball when the team will need to leave early.

Ms. Corliss stated her displeasure of having teachers who are coaching teaching during the last period, which means the students in that teacher’s class are affected by the teacher leaving early.

Ms. Corliss raised her concern regarding employing an assistant coach for softball. Mr. Tuttle explained that when hiring a male coach, he prefers to hire a female assistant coach for a girls team. In order to secure the position, he felt it was prudent to offer the assistant coach a stipend. Due to the precedent of not paying an assistant coach, the person who had been serving as assistant coach was informed that she would not be paid and she has subsequently resigned. Consequently, there will be no assistant coach this season.

Ms. Corliss asked if there should be coaching caps. Mr. Tuttle suggested that a meeting be organized to discuss stipends as there are some inequities in the stipend schedule. At one time, there were differences due to the length of the season. Ms. Corliss suggested that it would make sense to cap coaches according to level of responsibility, rather than by experience.

Mr. Tuttle stated that the schedules for the 2012-2013 school year athletics are on line for the Board’s review.

VI. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. INTERIM ASSESSMENT

Ms. Corliss asked for more detail about students having difficulty with multi-step math problems. Mr. Kilmister stated that this was a trend noted in a recent scoring and analysis of assessments given to students.

B. PES PROJECT HOME UPDATE

Members of the PES Project Home team will meet again on May 4th, according to Mr. Kilmister. The local team is enthusiastic and has lots of good ideas.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION (Continued)

A. PMHS OUTDOORS CLUB

Mr. Bickford reminded the Board of Brian Ward’s recent presentation to the Board on a proposal for an Outing Club. He presented a proposal for the Board’s approval.

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to approve the Outdoors Club. The motion passed unanimously.

B. SENIOR EXEMPTION FROM FINALS

Mr. Bickford explained that last year the Board voted to temporarily allow seniors that had received an A in a course for the year to be waived from the being required to take the final exam in that course. Mr. Bickford explained several pros and cons for the Board’s consideration.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to allow seniors that had received an A in a course for the year to be waived from the being required to take the final exam in that course.

C. PMHS ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS

Mr. Bickford congratulated the students, faculty, and staff for making AYP in math and reading this year.

D. EARTH DAY

Mr. Wood thanked the student body for their work on Earth Day. He received communications from community members who were impressed with the work that was accomplished throughout the community. Mr. Bickford acknowledged Student Council Advisors Alexandra Briggs and Derek Hamilton for the work they did to organize this service work.

E. ATLAS RUBICON

Ms. Stevens provided a presentation on Atlas Rubicon, the curriculum mapping system that teachers are using through the district. She distributed examples of information that has been entered into the system from PES and PMHS. Mr. Wood asked when the information will be available to the public. Dr. Freeman stated that the information will be fully available within two years.

Ms. Adams requested that the list of resources include the names of textbooks, along with publication information.

Ms. Corliss asked if there would be a way to monitor what parts of the year’s plan are accomplished. Dr. Freeman explained that this information will eventually be available.

F. ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Mr. Bickford noted that a grant through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and Globe Manufacturing has been received to support an artist residency this spring. Potter Kit Cornell of Exeter will spend five days working with students at PMHS.

G. DEVELOPMENTAL DESIGNS

Members of our middle school team will be participating in a week long training this summer on Developmental Designs, which is the middle school extension of Responsive Classroom.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. TEACHER EVALUATION TASK FORCE

Ms. Chassie informed the Board that work continues on the development of a teacher evaluation system. Mr. Bickford, Mr. Kilmister, and Ms. Chassie, along with seven teachers, are devising a system that will be piloted next fall. Discussion ensued regarding the potential components of the evaluation system and the possible timeline for implementation.

B. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANT MEETING

Recently, Dr. Freeman and Ms. Chassie attended a School Improvement Grant regional meeting which proved very useful as plans for our second year of implementation.

C. LOGIC MODEL

Ms. Chassie explained that, as a part of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF) grant planning process, a Logic Model must be developed. A team of teachers, parents, and community members is leading the work with the help of Bill Bryan from CSSR and Andrew Seager from EDC. She requested the Board adding this to their June 9th meeting agenda, providing her with an opportunity to explain the model. A draft of the project’s logic model is due to NMEF on June 24, 2011.

D. INDICATION #13 – TRANSITION

Ms. Chassie reviewed the audit that was recently done of our Individual Education Programs. Although the district is not in full compliance, a corrective action plan is being developed.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GRANT

Dr. Freeman stated that he was joined by Ms. Stevens, Mr. Bickford, and Ms. Chassie in providing an informational session for the schools who will be applying for the second round of School Improvement Grant funds. The New Hampshire Department of Education has stated their satisfaction on the work that is being accomplished by the Pittsfield School District as a result of the School Improvement Grant.

B. SCHOOL CALENDAR

Dr. Freeman presented a proposed school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year for the Board’s approval.

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the proposed 2011-2012 school calendar. The motion passed unanimously.

C. NOMINATION

Herb Moyer is being nominated for a full-time teaching position. A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the nomination.
The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-1 (Ms. Corliss).

D. NON-RESIDENT ATTENDANCE

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to allow a non-resident to finish the school year providing the parent provides transportation. The motion passed unanimously.

E. POLICY REVISION

The following policies were left on the table at the last meeting: Policy AC: Non-Discrimination; Policy ACD: Commitment to Religious Neutrality; Policy BCB: Board Member Conflict of Interest; and Policy BCF: Advisory Committees to the Board. Mr. Wood made suggestions to the Board for possible changes for Policy AC: Non-Discrimination. Mr. Wood suggested rescinding Policy ADD: Commitment to Religious Neutrality. The Board made changes to Policy BCF: Advisory Committees to the Board.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board unanimously approved rescinding Policy ACD: Commitment to Religious Neutrality and Policy BCB: Board Member Conflict of Interest.

On a motion made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board unanimously approved amending Policy AC: Non-Discrimination and BCF: Advisory Committees to the Board.

F. POLICY RESCISSION

Dr. Freeman listed the policies that are next in the series sequentially that are not required by law:

o Mr. Wood BDEC – Quorum – recommended rescission
BDEG – Minutes – recommended rescission
BEDH – Public Participation at Board Meetings – changes were suggested; hold for further discussion
o Ms. Adams BF – Board Policy Development – recommended
rescission
BFA – Policy Development System – recommended rescission
BFC – Policy Adoption – recommended rescission
o Ms. Corliss BFCA – Board Review of Regulations – recommend rescission
BFE – Administration in Policy Absence – recommend to
maintain
BFG – Policy Review and Evaluation and Manual Accuracy Check – recommended to maintain
o Ms. Paradise BHE – School Board Use of E-Mail – defer to next meeting
CA – Administrative Goals – defer to next meeting
DB – School Superintendent – defer to next meeting

o Mr. Wolfe CBI – Evaluation of Superintendent – recommend to
maintain with corrections
CCB – Line and Staff Relations – recommend to maintain
CD – School Administrative Personnel – Principal – recommend rescission

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to rescind Policy BFCA; Policy BFC; Policy BFA; Policy BF; Policy BEDG; Policy BEDC; Policy CD

G. RESIGNATION

A letter of resignation was received from PMHS Teacher Carin Plante, effective June 30, 2011. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board voted unanimously to approve the resignation of Ms. Plante, with thanks for her years of service.

H. FY 12 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman stated that a state budget has not been established and not anticipated until mid to late June. He recapped adjustments made at the last School Board meeting to include the potential shortfall, Edjobs fund, adopted budget adjustments, personnel, state budget adjustments according to Representative McGuire, and the Concord Regional Technical Center.

Mr. Bickford explained the issues that surround the Concord Regional Technical Center. There are three funding scenarios and a proposal from the Concord School District to consider. The consensus was to fund fifteen seats @ $2,360 per student and transportation @ $27,720.

I. QUARTERLY EXPENDITURE REPORT

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with the quarterly expenditure report. The previously anticipated fund balance has been reduced, due largely to costs associated with long term substitute teachers and out-of-district special education placements. Dr. Freeman invited Board members to call or email Sally Blanchette or him if they have questions.

J. STIPENDS

Dr. Freeman presented a list of staff and the stipends that they are paid as requested by the Board. Discussion ensued regarding specific stipends and the tasks associated with each.

XI. SCHOOL BOARD

A. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

The School Board will defer this discussion until the next meeting.

B. SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT

Mr. Wood would like to review the format of the annual school district report, especially in response to Mr. Corliss’ concerns that he expressed at a recent Board meeting. There was consensus that there will be changes considered for next year’s report in order to provide the community with a clearer picture of the budget, including stipends.

C. SCHOOL BOARD GOALS

Mr. Wood stated that he would like the School Board to have a three year action plan in place that would bridge the school redesign effort and the budget. He further stated that the School Board would like to make an effort to increase public participation. Mr. Wood stated his support of a plan for School Board members to shadow a teacher for a day in order to better understand their role and responsibilities. Mr. Wood will schedule a meeting with Dr. Freeman to discuss the long range planning process further.

XII. COMMITTEES

A. Drake Field
o Mr. Wolfe is repairing the fence at Drake Field as the damage is done.
o Dr. Freeman will investigate the progress being made on the roofing project of the grandstand.

B. Budget Committee – Mr. Wood will confer with Ms. Paradise and decide which person will attend the Budget Committee meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2011.

C. Negotiating Team – None

D. Capital Improvement Program – None

E. Select Board Liaison – None

XIII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2011, at 5:30 in the PMHS Media Center. Dr. Freeman reported that he will be out of state and unavailable for the next meeting.

XIV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary