APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Nicole Manteau, Vice-Chair
Gary Mullen
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Sue Graham, Dean of Instruction
Paul Newell, Dean of Operation
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Lily Plummer, Student Representative
Members of the Public

Chairperson Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following item was added to the agenda:
• Sick Bank Request (Dr. Freeman)
• Gift to School District (Dr. Freeman)
• Photocopier Lease (Dr. Freeman)
• District Meeting (Dr. Freeman)
• Joint Board Forum (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

A motion was made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen to approve the minutes of January 23, 2014. On page 4, paragraph 4, change to “into a possible vision of what college and career readiness looks like at the elementary level.” On page 4, paragraph 6, change to “will soon be bringing forward.” On page 7, paragraph 5, change “visiting” to “visited.” Motion was carried unanimously to approve the minutes, as corrected.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

According to Ms. Plummer, the Site Council used a discussion protocol to review the proposed online course policy during last week’s emergency session. The proposed policy was approved by the Site Council and will now be forwarded to the Superintendent before it comes to the School Board.

The Student Behavior Sub-Committee shared its revisions of the Student Handbook with the Site Council. The General Information Sub-Committee will be sharing its work on March 12, 2014.

Ms. Plummer extended an invitation to the Board to attend a special session of the Site Council meeting on March 12, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the invitation is to allow the School Board the opportunity to see the process that was used to review the Family Handbook.

VII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. INNOVATION LAB NETWORK PILOT

Ms. Graham announced that PMHS will be participating in a project to develop an open-access performance assessment resource site. Five New Hampshire schools were nominated for participation in this pilot program.

B. SECOND SEMESTER LEARNING STUDIOS

Second semester Learning Studios are underway. Among others, two Learning Studios will be jointly sponsored by a teacher and a student.

C. NECAP SCORES

Ms. Graham presented data from the fall of 2012 NECAP assessment. Data is being analyzed and organized for study by faculty. Action plans will be developed to address the issues that come to light during the data analysis.

D. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Consultant Kevin Perks provided a recent professional development activity on literacy for first and second year teachers at PMHS.

E. ALGEBRA I AND GEOMETRY

Consultant Diane Kruse met with PMHS math teachers to analyze the midyear exam results and identify students in both courses who are struggling. The math teachers discussed various strategies to help the students and will execute plans for rendering assistance to students in need of additional support.

F. MIDYEAR ACADEMIC AWARDS CEREMONY

The Student Council is planning a midyear academic awards ceremony to be held on February 21, 2014. The Students of the Month and the Honor Roll students will be recognized. The Citizenship Award and the Most Improved Award for each grade level will be presented. The Bryce Paradise Community Service Award recipient will be announced.

G. QUALITY PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (QPA)

The QPA Team recently attended a day long workshop which featured discussions on the deeper learning demonstrated in performance assessments, calibration of rubric grading, team work time, and planning for the next stages of implementation.

H. HEALTH CLASS

Ms. Graham advised that a letter has been sent to parents explaining changes that will be occurring in the health program at PMHS.

I. PMHS LEARNING STUDIO EXHIBITION

On January 29, 2014, students presented their Learning Studio projects to each other and to the community.

J. INTEGRATED 3rd AND 4th GRADE CLASSES

The team of PES teachers involved with the integrated subjects in 3rd and 4th grades met to evaluate the work of the first semester and to plan for the second semester.

VIII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. FACILITIES

Replacement of PES drain covers continues in process.

The ill-performing phone system in both buildings has been an ongoing issue. A viable phone system is a vital part of the district’s emergency response plan. Options for replacing the current phone system are being investigated.

Maintenance staff has been working to ensure adequate egress at both schools to allow for potential and practice evacuations during the winter season.

B. DISCIPLINE

According to Mr. Newell, recent issues around the improper use of school-issued iPads have caused a re-evaluation of the disciplinary response to students who misuse district technology. Measures are available to address the iPad of an individual who may be abusing the technology.

C. TECHNOLOGY

In collaboration with the newly hired information technology manager, Mr. Newell and the sub-team of the Technology Team will be investigating ways in which the system can be brought to optimum efficiency.

D. SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS / YEARBOOKS

Mr. Newell explained that he has met with the current school photography / yearbook provider. He is negotiating options for parents for purchasing both school photos and yearbooks.

The yearbook for 2014 will include a higher level of craftsmanship. An alternative company is being investigated for next year.

E. SNOW REMOVAL

Mr. Newell explained that a company has been hired to remove the snow from the roof of PES. The Town of Pittsfield is providing the heavy equipment necessary to remove the snow from the immediate area of the school, once taken off the roof.

IX. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. PARENT SURVEY

Ms. Stevens reported that the New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education will be distributing the seventh annual statewide Parent Involvement Survey in March. The special education staff will be discussing ideas to gain a high level of parent participation in the survey.

B. DATA

During the month of January, all special education teachers met with Director Stevens to review student data relative to education plans. Action plans were developed to continue to monitor students or enhance delivery of services for students demonstrating slow or little progress.

C. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Danielle Harvey, district instructional coach, offered a professional development opportunity for the paraeducators. The topic was executive functioning skills. Also, the special education department took advantage of a free webinar given by the renowned autism expert Temple Grandin.

D. STAFFING

Ms. Stevens updated the Board on the staffing being arranged for a specific student with disabilities.

X. SUPERINTENDENT

A. POLICIES

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following policies: Policy EGGD – Indoor Air Quality; Policy EBC – Crisis Intervention and Support; Policy EBCA – Emergency Plans; Policy EBCB – Fire Drills; Policy EBCC – Bomb Threats; and Policy EBCE – School Closings. Policy EBCD – Emergency Closings was rescinded.

B. SICK BANK

PMHS Teacher Katie Howe has submitted a request for twenty-four days from the sick bank; her request was approved by the Sick Bank Committee of the Education Association of Pittsfield. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board unanimously approved the request.

C. GIFT

Dr. Freeman explained that he has engaged in conversations with Richard and Lois Foss, in collaboration with Community Liaison Ross Morse, regarding a financial gift to the district. With a gift of $10,000, the district expects to initiate a summer academy program. Mr. Ramsey expressed his interest in working on this plan.

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board unanimously approved the acceptance of the gift of $10,000 from Mr. & Mrs. Foss with extreme gratitude. Ms. Douglas will be asked to write a thank you note to the Foss family on behalf of the Board.

D. PHOTOCOPY MACHINE

Dr. Freeman recommended the district enter into a forty-eight month service lease for the two copy machines at PMHS, for a cost of $349.94 per month. It was moved by Mike Wolfe and seconded by Ray Ramsey to accept the 48 month lease for the care of PMHS copy machine for $349.94 a month. The motion was approved unanimously.

E. SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING WARRANT

Dr. Freeman reported that the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration has reviewed and approved the draft warrant for the annual school district meeting. The warrant was signed by the members of the Board.

F. POLICIES

Newly approved policies were distributed for the Board member’s policy books.

G. HVAC SYSTEMS REVIEW TEAM

Dr. Freeman has tried to recruit community members to serve on a committee to review the status of our HVAC system and make recommendations for the long run. To date, no one has volunteered. Architect Dan Bisson has agreed to meet with a team. Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Ramsey volunteered to join the team. A date will be announced after the school district meeting.

H. SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

The School District meeting will be held at Pittsfield Elementary School on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. Assignments for motions and seconds were made.

I. PITTSFIELD JOINT BOARD/COMMITTEE FORUM

Dr. Freeman summarized the Pittsfield Joint Board/Committee forum he attended on February 8, 2014, and provided Board members with copies of documents utilized at the forum.

XI. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. Budget Committee

Mr. Ramsey, the School Board representative to the Budget Committee, reported that the Committee has completed its work for this year.

B. Drake Field & Facilities

Athletic Director Jay Darrah is working with Mr. Wolfe to investigate the development of a softball field at Drake Field.

C. Negotiating Team – None

D. Foss Foundation – None

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2014. It will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the PES library.

XIII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)

Ross Morse asked that if a softball field were to be developed at Drake Field, would the district’s agreement with Pittsfield Youth Baseball be ended. Mr. Wolfe said it would be a future goal.

Ross Morse explained that letters should be coming out shortly to announce recipients of this year’s grants from the Sanderson Trust.

XIV. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:51 p.m., a motion was made by Mrs. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to enter into non-public session to discuss personnel assignments pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a and c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board discussed current administrative personnel assignments as well as potential reassignments for the 2014-2015 school year.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 7:25 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Manteau to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit from a non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

XV. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary