APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board meeting
5:30 p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2011
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Elizabeth Adams
Kathy Corliss
Mary Paradise (arrived at 5:45 p.m.)
Mike Wolfe

Others Present: John J. Freeman, Superintendent of Schools

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Sex Offender Policy (Mr. Wood)
• Building Aid (Mr. Wood)
• Game Director (Ms. Adams)
• Communication with Select Board (Dr. Freeman)
• Technology Position (Dr. Freeman)
• Communication between the Superintendent and School Board (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. OPEN SESSION

A. SEX OFFENDER POLICY

Mr. Wood recounted parent concerns expressed during a recent meeting of the Pittsfield Parent Connection regarding a convicted sex offender being present at PES school events. In addition, parents also had approached him personally about this concern. He stated that he had invited the parents to speak directly to the School Board at the Board meeting of January 12. He also reported that the Barnstead School District has a policy regarding sex offenders on school grounds. Dr. Freeman will contact Barnstead school officials to discuss the policy and issues surrounding sex offenders on school grounds.

B. BUILDING AID

Mr. Wood reported that Ed Murdough of the Department of Education has advised the district that building aid is not currently available for building renovations. Mr. Murdough further reported that the legislature is expected to make changes to the law governing building aid prior to the reinstatement of such aid. Dr. Freeman will contact Mr. Murdough to try to gain a sense of the direction of building aid in the future.

C. GAME DIRECTOR

Ms. Corliss and Ms. Adams reported that the Game Director is not being introduced or otherwise identified at PMHS athletic events as has been previously discussed. Dr. Freeman will contract Principal Bob Bickford to ensure that the Director is introduced and identified at each game for the benefit of those attending basketball games.

D. COMMUNICATION WITH SELECT BOARD

The Board reviewed a recent letter received from the Select Board regarding fiscal concerns in the town. The Board further reviewed and approved a draft of a response to the Select Board. Dr. Freeman will prepare a final copy for Board signatures.

E. TECHNOLOGY POSITION

The Board discussed the technology position and provided Dr. Freeman with greater flexibility regarding the salary of the position in recruiting a qualified individual to fill the position when vacant. Dr. Freeman will make a salary recommendation when a candidate is presented to the Board.

F. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL BOARD

Dr. Freeman proposed a weekly district update to be sent to Board members in the interest of increased communications. Board members agreed that such a communication would be helpful; Dr. Freeman will commence with the weekly communications in January.

V. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:00 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel issue, compensation for the superintendent of schools, and negotiations with the Education Association of Pittsfield pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a and c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Mr. Adams, yes; Mr. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into non-public session.

A. PERSONNEL ISSUE

Dr. Freeman advised the Board of a personnel issue.

B. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS COMPENSATION

The Board discussed proposed modifications to the superintendent’s current contract as well as terms for a three-year contract extension.

C. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF PITTSFIELD

The Board discussed the ongoing contract negotiations with the Education Association of Pittsfield.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 6:40 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and Seconded by Ms. Adams to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to exit non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

VI. OPEN SESSION

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise to make modifications to the superintendent’s current contract as presented by Mr. Wood effective January 1, and to extend the superintendent’s contract for three school years – 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015 – in accordance with the terms presented by Mr. Wood. The motion was passed unanimously.

VII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. in the Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

John J. Freeman, Ph.D.
Acting Recording Secretary