APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT #51
PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Kathy Corliss
Mary Paradise
Michael Wolfe (entered meeting at 7:20)

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Lois Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Members of the Public
Members of the Faculty

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Booster Club (Dr. Freeman)
• Hiring affirmations (Dr. Freeman)
• Energy Audit (Ms. Corliss)
• School Website (Mr. Wood)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board voted unanimously to approve the amended agenda.

IV. INTRODUCTIONS

Dr. Freeman distributed the resumes of several newly hired employees. He introduced Rob Hansen, who has been hired through a grant as a part-time Curriculum Coordinator.
Mr. Kilmister introduced Meghan Wilson, grade four teacher and Lyndsey Bickford, grade five teacher. Mr. Kilmister also introduced Mary Fiset, the district nurse.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board voted unanimously to defer the approval of the July 28 minutes to the next meeting, due to technical difficulties that prevented timely publication.

VI. PUBLIC INPUT

A. BOOSTER CLUB

Ms. Nicole Manteau, president of the PMHS Booster Club, an independent, non-profit organization whose mission it is to support and enhance the student athletic program was present. Ms. Manteau reported that $4,000 was given in the form of camp scholarships, sponsorship of all sports banquets, purchase of trophies and awards, sponsorship of summer sports, and scholarships during the 2010-2011 school year. According to Ms. Manteau, over 80% of the funds raised for these items is realized through the sale of food items at sporting events. She described the efforts of the Booster Club to support the district’s wellness policy by increasing choices at their concession stands to include healthy options.

Mr. Bickford explained that the Booster Club, by some peoples’ interpretation, is included under the rules of the Policy JJIFA: Wellness. Ms. Manteau referred to Public Law 111-296 of December, 2010, which she stated specifically excludes food sold outside of the school day. The School Board directed Dr. Freeman to investigate proposed changes to the current policy to be sure it is consistent with the 2010 law.

B. TRACK AND FIELD

Ms. Christine Hinkley, coach of the PMHS Cross Country Team, was introduced. Mr. Peter Tuttle, Athletic Director, explained that there are not enough students interested in the program to warrant the support of the program. Currently, there seems to be only two students expressing interest in the program. He stated that it costs approximately $3,400 for the program, much of which is for travelling to out-of-town events.

Ms. Hinkley explained that she has been coaching the Cross Country Team for thirteen to fifteen years. She explained the benefits that she has experienced for the students who have remained connected and engaged with their education through their participation on the Cross Country Team. When the district eliminated the winter, spring, and grade 5/6 program due to budget cuts, it had a debilitating effect on the program as a whole.

Discussion ensued regarding the options that are available. Although there will not be a varsity team, Mr. Tuttle will continue to investigate the possibilities of offering track and field to middle school and grade 5/6 students. Mr. Tuttle asked if work can be done on a proposal for a new scale of pay for coaches. Dr. Freeman directed Mr. Tuttle to work with Mr. Bickford on the proposal.

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. FAMILY HANDBOOK

Mr. Kilmister provided an electronic copy of the Family Handbook to Board members early in the week which included changes highlighted in yellow.
Mr. Wood questioned the language used in a description of the “Targeted Team,” wondering if it would be understood by all parents. Mr. Kilmister agreed to rework the description to make the description clearer for families.

Ms. Corliss expressed her concern about granting permission to elementary school students to use electronic devices. Mr. Kilmister explained that cell phones are required to be kept in backpacks during the day. However, electronic game devices are allowed during some approved activities, such as bus rides for field trips.

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board unanimously approved the Family Handbook.

B. SUMMER CURRICULUM WORK

Mr. Kilmister reported that grade level teams have been meeting over the last few weeks to refine and develop literacy/language arts curriculum and to load them onto the online Atlas Curriculum Map.

C. KYDSTOP

Mr. Kilmister reported that the Kydstop summer program has enrolled 55 children this summer and serves an average of 35 children per day. The Concord YMCA will make a decision in the next week whether or not they will run the Pittsfield after-school program during the 2011-2012 school year.

D. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister provided a calendar of events for August and September.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. WELLNESS

Mr. Bickford asked for clarification on whether groups, other than the Booster Club, would be able to sell candy. Ms. Corliss stated her concern for maintaining the Booster Club if they were not allowed to sell snacks. Mr. Bickford suggested that it would be inconsistent to allow the Booster Club to sell high calorie/low nutrition foods outside of school, but to disallow other groups from doing the same. Ms. Paradise suggested that it may be appropriate to apply parameters to the paid employees, such as advisors and coaches, but to be more lenient toward the volunteer groups. She suggested considering this as the policy is being reconsidered.

B. STUDENT/FAMILY HANDBOOK

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with a summary of changes being proposed for the 2011-2012 Student/Family Handbook. Discussion ensued regarding the use of cell phones, electronic devices, soft lockdowns, unmet financial obligations of students. Ms. Corliss expressed her concern that students are not held responsible for books that are not returned. Ms. Paradise suggested that having a process for students who might be in a financial hardship situation will alleviate the inconsistent enforcement of procedures. Allowing the administration discretion so that individual situations can be handled with flexibility seems optimal.

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Student/Family Handbook.

C. WEBSITE

Mr. Wood stated that updated information needs to be entered onto the website as soon as possible. He volunteered to assist a person appointed by the administration to update the information. Ms. Stevens stated that the PMHS website will be updated in the next few days. Updates have been difficult due to a week of technical problems in the district. Ms. Stevens agreed to create a link between the website that has been created by the NMEF Communication Sub-Team.

Ms. Corliss asked if multiple people can receive correspondence from the school in Power School, to which Mr. Bickford responded affirmatively.

D. SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Mr. Bickford offered an explanation of the activities in which faculty have been involved over the summer, including curriculum development, Focus Group work, reading and writing across the curriculum, and participation in a three-day intensive seminar for the school involved in the New England Network (i3 Grant, regarding authentic assessment). He stated that the i3 conference was very beneficial and participants returned energized and excited to promote authentic assessment strategies.

Ms. Corliss asked about grading on authentic assessments. Mr. Bickford explained that decisions will be made during this coming year with community input.

E. CALENDAR

Mr. Bickford provided a calendar of events for August and September.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM

Dr. Freeman explained that the final editing of the proposed teacher evaluation system has yet to be completed. Ms. Chassie explained that the individual who had volunteered to complete this task has been difficult to reach.

B. POLICY RECONSIDERATION – Deferred until the next meeting.

C. POLICY RECISSION – Deferred until the next meeting.

D. HIRING AFFRIMATIONS

Dr. Freeman reviewed the candidates who have been hired for the vacant teaching positions: Rob Hanson for part time curriculum coordinator; Lyndsey Bickford for grade 5; Mary Fiset for school nurse; Paul Sherwood for technical education; and Joan Fossum for part time health.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board unanimously affirmed the hiring of Mr. Hanson, Ms. Bickford, Ms. Fiset, Mr. Sherwood, and Ms. Fossum.

E. HEALTH INSURANCE STUDY GROUP

Dr. Freeman reported that he is working to secure dates for the group to meet.

F. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT

Dr. Freeman distributed a copy of a press release distributed by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation that reported on Pittsfield’s award of $260,668 for a Safe Routes to School grant. The press release has been submitted to the Suncook Valley Sun for publication. Dr. Freeman also provided the names of the people who served on the task force. Ms. Paradise asked Dr. Freeman to include a thank you to the people on the committee in the press release. Mr. Wood agreed to write a personal note of thanks to Mr. Nik Coates for his assistance on this project.

G. CAFÉ SERVICES

Dr. Freeman provided information to the Board regarding Café Services.

H. TRUST FUNDS

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with Trust Fund balances as of June 30, 2011.

I. GRANDSTAND ROOF

Mr. Wolfe asked for an update on the roof. Dr. Freeman stated that the work is scheduled for October.

J. ENERGY AUDIT

Ms. Corliss asked if the audit included information about the water usage rate. Dr. Freeman will further investigate.

X. COMMITTEES – None

XI. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

XII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary