APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Bea Douglas, Vice Chair
Arthur Morse
Gary Mullen
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Derek Hamilton, Dean of Operations
Danielle Harvey, Dean of Instruction
Kathy Lemay, Director of Interventions & Title I Manager
Ross Morse, Community Liaison
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Member of the faculty
Members of the public

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following item was added to the agenda:
• Public Hearing (Dr. Freeman)
• Back-Up Server (Mr. Hamilton)

III. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on December 18, 2014. Mr. Wolfe pointed out a spelling error on page six, paragraph two, changing “heath” to “health.” The motion passed unanimously with the change made.

On a motion made Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve and seal the non-public minutes of the December 18, 2014, minutes as written.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. SUPERINTENDENT

A. BIOMASS

Dr. Freeman explained there have been two public forums regarding the biomass boiler proposal. Dr. Freeman introduced Jeffrey LaPierre, Senior Mechanical Engineer with Harriman. Mr. LaPierre distributed answers to questions raised regarding calculations for pellet consumption and a comparison to fossil fuel consumption. Mr. LaPierre provided the Board with an example extracted from a similar wood pellet fired plant in Fort Kent, Maine.

Mr. LaPierre explained that a member of the public questioned the fuel rate provided. Further research was conducted and the rate was corrected. Mr. LaPierre will now provide the Board with new calculations based on the revised fuel rate. It was noted the rate fluctuates, but they will be as accurate and current as possible.

Dr. Freeman asked when Mr. LaPierre would be able to present an itemized, detailed estimate. Mr. LaPierre promised the estimate for the second meeting in January.

VII. PUBLIC HEARING

Dr. Freeman explained that the School Board has been awarded $10,000 from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation for a consolation prize in the Larry O’Toole competition. No public input was received.

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to accept the gift of $10,000 and to utilize the money to support the PMHS summer academy program.

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT (Continued)

A. NELLIE MAE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Dr. Freeman introduced Mary Paradise, the Board’s representative on the Task Force on Student Centered Learning and the Nellie Mae Cross-Site Meeting. She explained that she attended the Task Force and Cross-Site meetings in November, 2014. Ms. Paradise stated that the revised logic model has been color coded to identify the Foundations’ tenets. Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that the district has been awarded a continuation of the grant, but funded at forty percent of the original award of two million dollars.

Ms. Paradise reported she attended several breakout sessions, some presented by teachers from PMHS. Ms. Paradise commended the staff for the presentations, as well as the time spent analyzing data and making plans for further improvements. She commented on the fact that PMHS uses the logic model to guide the work, which appears to be a departure from what other sites are experiencing.

Ms. Paradise stated that the systems change work, which has happened in Pittsfield with Dr. William Bryan, is exemplary.

Mr. Wolfe thanked Ms. Paradise for representing the School Board and for reporting her perspective periodically.

IX. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Hamilton, on behalf of the absent student, reported out on the Site Council’s recent work. He explained that recently a guest from the Manchester School District visited to learn more about Site Council. Mr. Hamilton noted the Site Council has experienced some student turnover. Work continues on the community service graduation requirement.

X. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. CONCERTS

Ms. Harvey publically congratulated Roxanne O’Connor, PES music teacher, and Kevin Cleary, PMHS music teacher, on the successful concerts that were recently presented to parents and the community. Middle high school students, while introducing songs, commented on their appreciation of having the opportunity to have a concert, thanks to the return of the music program to PMHS this year.

Mr. Morse stated that he was ashamed of the behavior of the audience. Ms. Harvey stated that she and Mr. Hamilton have discussed strategies that will be implemented in the future to support appropriate audience behavior.

B. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

According to Ms. Harvey, PES teachers worked this week with Consultant Susan Villani on differentiation of instruction. At PMHS, teachers have been working on inquiry based learning strategies.

C. ASSESSMENTS

Ms. Harvey explained that on March 5, 2015, our fourth and eighth graders will be participating in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing. Also, students in grades three through eight and eleven will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment in the spring. She assured the Board she is taking adequate steps to prepare teachers, students, and families for these assessment opportunities.

XI. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. BACK UP SERVER

Mr. Hamilton introduced Mr. Ballou, information technology manager, who explained that during the last storm, the schools experienced problems with the server. The problems helped to identify issues with the server for which he recommended two possible solutions, highlighting one in particular. The lease required would be approximately $7,000 for the remainder of the school year.

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Morse, the Board voted unanimously to have the administration check to be certain that existing equipment is not available, and if not, enter into an appropriate lease to ensure back up to the server.

B. FOOD SERVICE PROMOTION

Mr. Hamilton reported on the promotion recently featured by Fresh Picks Café on a made-to-order stir fry action station. A wide selection of vegetables, meats, rice, noodles, and Asian sauces were prepared for students to try.

C. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Mr. Hamilton provided the Board with an overview of the winter athletic season schedule. Mr. Mullen asked if there were students deemed ineligible due to grades to which Mr. Hamilton answered in the affirmative. He stated that there were approximately seven students deemed ineligible.

D. STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Mr. Hamilton reported that a group of students and faculty at PMHS recently participated in a half day work session to conduct a position analysis of class officers and representatives.

XII. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

A. COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

Ms. Chassie reported the Communications Team, with substantial work by Ross Morse, will be publishing a series of brochures explaining components of student centered learning.

Ms. Chassie described the work being planned to create a journey map with collaboration from Artist Teresa Taylor of Salty Dog Pottery. She invited Board members to participate in this process as it unfolds over the next six months.

B. FOCUS SCHOOL – PES

Ms. Chassie reported that Dean Harvey attended the mandatory quarterly meeting on behalf of the district. She was joined by Ms.Chassie and Dr. Freeman at the end of the meeting, at which time Dr. Freeman provided the group with closing remarks.

C. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM

Ms. Chassie informed the Board of the district’s intent to participate in training in Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE). Mr. Wolfe requested access to the training. Ms. Chassie agreed to facilitate his registration and welcomed him to participate.

D. DATA / MULTI TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT

The Administrative Leadership Team will be spending time working on procedures related to assisting students who struggle academically or socially-emotionally.

E. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Ms. Chassie reported that fifteen people participated in a training provided by Consultant Susan Villani on presentation and facilitation skills.

F. LOGIC MODEL AND WORK PLAN

Ms. Chassie reported the PMHS logic model is being finalized and professional printed and matted. She invited the Board to attend a vetting of the PES logic model on Tuesday, February 3, 2015.

XIII. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL (Continued)

A. NOMINATION

Dr. Freeman presented the application of Catherine Hayward and recommended her as the candidate for the position of second grade teacher. Ms. Harvey described the qualities of Ms. Hayward that impressed the interview team.

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

B. LEAVE REQUEST

Dr. Freeman presented the request of PES Teacher Shannon DeRosa for an uncompensated leave following her FMLA leave to take place this spring following the anticipated birth of her child. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to approve Ms. DeRosa’s leave without compensation as requested.

C. POLICIES

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the change in JBAA, Sexual Harassment or Violence, and the approval of JBAA-E, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Report Form.

D. PROPOSED FY16 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman stated that he and the administrative team attended the Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2014. Mr. Ramsey asked a question about class size and teacher assignment.

E. DISTRICT WARRANT

Dr. Freeman presented the ten articles from last year’s warrant, which the Board was invited to consider. Mr. Morse suggested that no further funds be reserved in the special education capital reserve fund. Dr. Freeman and Ms. Chassie confirmed that this fund has not been used in recent years. Mr. Morse further suggested that no further funds be added to the building maintenance capital reserve because of the biomass project and asked if consideration was given to using some of this reserve for that project. Discussion ensued regarding the use of the reserve to help defray the cost of the biomass project, if approved.

XIV. PUBLIC SESSION

Ross Morse provided an update on the work being accomplished to make summer academy opportunities a reality in our district.

XV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XVI. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:41 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Morse and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to enter into non-public session to discuss an student issue pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Morse, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board discussed a manifest educational hardship placement request.

At 7:24 p.m. a motion was made by Mr. Morse and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to exit from the non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Morse, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit from the non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

XVII. SCHOOL BOARD

Discussion ensued regarding the assignment of the newly hired second grade teacher. Mr. Hamilton explained the assignment of the teacher has not yet been finalized. She will be working within the classrooms until the end of the second quarter, at which time a final assignment will be made.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Morse, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary