APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Bea Douglas, Vice Chair
Linda Freese
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Melissa Brown, Director of College and Career Readiness
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
Members of the Faculty
Members of the Public

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
· Parent Involvement Survey Results (Ms. Lehmann)
· CCSSO Video (Ms. Chassie)
· PES Logic Model (Ms. Chassie)
· PES Facilities Update (Mr. Hamilton)
· Budget (Mr. Ramsey)
· Non Resident Attendance Request (Dr. Freeman)
· Energy Update (Dr. Freeman)

The following items were deleted from the agenda:
· Policies (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2015, meeting as presented.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

A. PES Logic Model

Ms. Chassie provided an overview of the work of the PES School Improvement Team, which has resulted in the development of their logic model outlining the Team’s plan for long-term school development. The logic model will be the roadmap for the work to be accomplished over the next six years to transform the educational setting from traditional to one of student centered learning. She explained the similarities between the PMHS logic model and the PES logic model, intending to provide a cohesive pre-kindergarten through grade twelve experience for Pittsfield students.

Ms. Harvey, Ms. LeMay, Susan Bradley, Tara Ash, Ross Morse, and Ms. Chassie explained each of the five following sections: 1) Ensuring student ownership for learning; 2) Raising academic achievement; 3) Developing work study practices and social-emotional learning; 4) Improving systems and infrastructure support for student centered learning; and 5) Engaging the community.

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board unanimously approved the PES logic model. Ms. Chassie stated that there would be a celebration of the work in February with more details to come at a future meeting.

VII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. Conference Participation

Ms. Harvey distributed updated data relative to the parent participation in fall conferences. At PES, participation was as follows: Pre-K – 92%, K – 92%, 1 – 95%, 2 – 94%, 3 – 82%, 4 – 44%, 5 – 85%, 6 – 86%, 7 – 88%, 8 – 94%, 9 – 95”, 10 – 94%, 11 – 81%, 12 – 44%.

B. Unified Arts During Conferences

Ms. Harvey reported that as advisors and homeroom teachers are meeting with parents and students, the unified arts teachers take on different tasks. She outlined the work that was accomplished by the unified arts teachers.

C. Consultant Update

Ms. Harvey updated the Board on the work being accomplished by Diane Kruse, math consultant and Kevin Perks, curriculum consultant.

D. Upcoming Dates

Ms. Harvey alerted the Board of winter concert dates and the production of It’s a Wonderful Life by the Drama Club.

VIII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. Gym Floor

Mr. Hamilton provided the Board with details on the refinishing of the PMHS gymnasium floor. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve $12,870 for the sanding, polyurethane seal, painting volleyball and basketball lines, and applying a polyurethane finish to the floor. The refinishing will be scheduled for May 2016.

B. School Resource Officer

Mr. Hamilton provided the Board with an update on the hiring of the school resources officer (SRO). He provided the Board with statistics relative to other New Hampshire districts who have an SRO, as well as the number of visits made to our school in the past year by the Pittsfield Police Department. Mr. Hamilton reported on the initial work of Officer John Webber, who began serving as SRO on December 1.

C. Oil Leak

Due to an oil leak, classes at PES were cancelled today. The oil leak has been repaired and the spillage taken care of. School will resume its usual schedule on Friday, December 4.

IX. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR (Continued)

A. Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Video

Ms. Chassie reminded the Board of the filming that was done in Pittsfield this fall. The CCSSO organization commissioned the production of a film on aspects of student centered learning. The film is complete, and although not for public viewing, was made available to us for a screening. Ms. Chassie shared the video with the Board.

X. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. Seclusion and Restraint Training

Ms. Lehmann explained that due to changes to New Hampshire law, it was necessary to provide staff with a training on seclusion and restraint, which was accomplished on November 5.

B. Staffing Changes

Due to the resignation of a PES special educator, a candidate has been recommended for hire to the Superintendent. The candidate will be nominated at the next Board meeting.

C. Dream Catchers

Ms. Lehmann explained that Dream Catchers is a social and service group for middle and high school students, specifically students with disabilities. Funds have been provided for materials by the Dream Catcher organization. The program will be evaluated for potential continuation.

D. Parent Involvement Special Education Survey

Ms. Lehmann reported on the results of the special education parent involvement survey. 31% of Pittsfield parents responding to the survey agreed that their child’s school facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities, which was up from 25% last year.

XI. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

A. Senior Meetings

Ms. Brown reported she has met individually with a total of thirty-two students in senior standing. She reported on the progress of these students toward their goal of graduating in June of 2016.

B. 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Letters

Ms. Brown stated progress reports were sent on November 13, 2015. With these reports, a letter was included regarding the criteria that must be met in order for students to participate in a promotion ceremony in June of 2016.

C. Homeschool Students

Since the beginning of this school year, twelve students have withdrawn to be homeschooled. Ms. Brown expressed her concern for these students, as she lacks confidence in their follow through with a home-based program.

D. Student Led Conferences

Ms. Brown reported on the observations made by the administrative team when they participated in students’ conferences. It was observed that conferences varied, depending on the student; additionally, the conferences are structured similarly from one grade to the next. Strategies to improve student led conferences will be investigated, including the potential development of varying formats by grade for greater relevance for students and families.

E. Community College System of New Hampshire

Ms. Brown stated that admission counselors from New Hampshire Technical Institute, Great Bay Community College, Lakes Region Community College, and Manchester Community College were present today. Numerous students signed up for the opportunity to be instantly accepted to these schools.

XII. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A. Budget

Dr. Freeman distributed the most recent version of the FY17 budget proposal, including the revenue summary. Mr. Ramsey reported the Budget Committee is dissatisfied with the prospect of a $2.14 increase, especially given the increase expected by the Town of Pittsfield budget proposal.

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board unanimously approved the FY17 budget proposal. Work with the Budget Committee will commence on Wednesday, December 16.

B. Non-Resident Request

Dr. Freeman explained that the Manchester school district has requested placement of a student at Pittsfield Middle High School. The student’s file has been reviewed. Discussion ensued regarding the motivation for this student wanting to attend PMHS and whether it was a good match for the student and the district. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to deny the student’s request for non-resident attendance.

C. Energy Update

Dr. Freeman informed the Board that an energy audit is being investigated. Eversource has stated its endorsement of one company and will, in fact, provide funding for much of the cost of the energy audit if the company is selected to do the work. The audit will likely occur in January.

XIII. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Tucker Wolfe informed the Board that consultant Bill Bryan will be present on December 9 and January 6 to work with the Site Council on the group’s charter.

XIV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XV. SCHOOL BOARD

A. Budget Committee

Mr. Ramsey informed the Board that the Budget Committee had some concerns about the process of hiring the school resource officer.

XVI. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XVII. ADJOURNMENT

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

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary