APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Bea Douglas, Vice Chair
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 Intervention
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Member of the faculty
Members of the public

Mr. Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Non-public session (Dr. Freeman)

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 Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to approve the minutes of January 8, 2015. On page 5, paragraph 3, it was suggested to remove the specific website address. The motion carried with correction with Ms. Douglas, Mr. Mullen, and Mr. Ramsey voting in the affirmative and Mr. Wolfe abstaining, due to his absence from the meeting.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE – None

VII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Jenny Wellington, advisor to the Justice Committee, provided the School Board with an update. She reported the committee has revised forms and made minor changes in processes. Ms. Wellington reported that one change is in reference to students on the committee who are not performing to its high standards. Twelve new members will be joining the committee; all students have been screened to be sure they are in sound academic standing.

A professional learning opportunity for other school districts has been organized. Teachers from the Burlington-Winooski (VT) School District will be visiting next month. Documents relative to the Justice Committee have been added to the website for the benefit of staff, students, and public.

Four cases have been heard to date, three of which were extraordinarily successful. Ms. Wellington mentioned the committee’s work was highlighted in an article in The Concord Monitor recently. She provided the Board with several anecdotes of success directly related to the work of the Justice Committee.

Ms. Wellington stated the group has set ambitious goals for their work during the remainder of the school year. She reported the growth of the students involved in the work, including a more authentic delivery of the mediation strategies. The PMHS Drama Club assisted the members in role playing exercises in order to gain confidence in their execution of the process

VIII. SUPERINTENDENT

A. BIOMASS PROJECT

Mr. Wolfe introduced Mr. Dan Bisson from Harriman Architects & Engineers. Mr. Bisson distributed an itemized cost projection for the biomass project. The costs included construction of the building and preparation of the site, architectural and engineering fees, design and professional services, materials and installation, permits, and contingency fees.

Dr. Freeman distributed bond rate schedules provided by the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank.

Dr. Freeman explained that Mr. Tim Carney, New Hampshire Department of Education facilities representative, has visited the school and toured the site.

IX. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. NEW COURSE NAME

Ms. Harvey requested the approval of a change in the name of Desktop Publishing for next year. Ms. Massey would like to rename her course to accurately reflect the curriculum, which includes marketing concepts. To avoid documentation issues, the request is to rename the course, Desktop Publishing & Marketing. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the name change.

B. EIGHTH GRADE MASTERY OF COMPETENCIES

According to Ms. Harvey, the middle school team is working to ensure the success of students when they enter high school. She explained the steps the team is taking to review students’ progress and communicate with families.

X. DEAN OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

A. BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

Mr. Hamilton distributed discipline reports for PES. He explained the data, pointing out some increases in referrals and data that explains the reasons for a student being referred. Discussion ensued regarding the frequency of incidents in kindergarten.

According to Mr. Hamilton, teachers from PES and PMHS participated in a futures protocol last summer in order to identify some action steps for improvement. The steps that are being taken include: 1) review of the responsive classroom model with all teachers; 2) review of student support center personnel; and 3) improve the communication process when students are sent to the student support center.

Mr. Hamilton distributed discipline reports for PMHS. He explained the data and pointed out some increases in referrals. Mr. Hamilton stated that the change in administration over the past several years has caused inconsistencies in holding students accountable. He reported the Universal Team is currently analyzing this data and will develop a plan for improvement. Ms. Brown and Mr. Hamilton are using the strategy of conferencing with students, teachers, and parents when other consequences fail.

XI. SUPERINTENDENT (Continued)

A. BIOMASS PROJECT (Continued)

Mr. Jeffrey LaPierre, a colleague of Mr. Bisson, provided the Board with additional information regarding the cost of pellet boilers. According to Mr. LaPierre, there may be options available for the placement of the building. A conversation will be scheduled to include Kevin Foss, a neighbor of the school.

XII. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR AND PROJECT MANAGER

A. COMMUNICATION

Ms. Chassie reported that work is continuing on the journey map, with the help of Artist Teresa Taylor. The next meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2015. The final project will be unveiled at the district Exhibition Night on June 11, 2015.

B. POSITION ANALYSIS

Ms. Chassie requested a date for the Board to engage in a position analysis for school board members.

C. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM

Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Chassie will accompany the nurses, June Keusch and Melissa Miller, on Saturday, January 17, 2015, in a training for the bus drivers of Marston Transportation Company.

D. LEAGUE OF INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS

According to Ms. Chassie, PMHS has been selected as a school to participate in a grant initiative supported by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the Gates Foundation to continue the effort of a creating a student centered learning environment for our students.

E. LOGIC MODELS

The PES logic model is in its final stages of development and the PMHS logic model has been revised. A celebration will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2015. This will be an opportunity to acknowledge the continuation of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation financial support, as well as the completion of the two logic models, which will be the roadmap for continuous improvement.

F. VISITATIONS

Ms. Chassie reported that there have been sixteen visits from districts and agencies from across the region and country since September.

XIII. SUPERINTENDENT (Continued)

A. POLICIES

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the School Board unanimously agreed to take the following action on policies presented by Dr. Freeman: Policy JH, Attendance, Absenteeism, and Truancy – minor modifications; Policy JHC, Student Early Release Precautions – minor modifications; Policy JI, Student Rights and Responsibilities – no changes; Policy JIC, Student Conduct – minor modifications; Policy JICA, Student Dress Philosophy – updated; Policy JICD, Student Conduct, Discipline, and due Process – Safe School Zone – required; Policy JICDD, Student Discipline – minor modifications; Policy JICFA, Hazing – no changes; Policy JICG, Tobacco Products Ban Use and Possession In and On School Facilities and Grounds – required; Policy JICH, Drug and Alcohol Use by Students – no changes.

B. INTERNET MISINFORMATION

Dr. Freeman reported that once again, a website includes anonymous entries that provide misleading information about Pittsfield. He provided an explanation of the misinformation.

XIV. COMMITTEES

A. BUDGET

Mr. Ramsey stated Dr. Freeman is conducting research and will provide the Budget Committee with additional information.

B. DRAKE FIELD

Mr. Wolfe reported the Drake Field Committee met on January 14, 2015. At the next School Board meeting, there will be an opportunity for public input on the new playground.

XV. SCHOOL BOARD

Mr. Wolfe and Ms. Douglas will be meeting with members of the faculty regarding stipends.

XVI. NEXT MEETING

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

XVII. PUBLIC SESSION (2nd Session)

Daryl Wages, a member of the Pittsfield Parks and Recreation Committee, states that members of the community are attempting to create an ice skating rink and would like the School Board to consider the tennis court. Mr. Wages will gather additional information and will communicate with Mr. Hamilton. The School Board supports the concept of an ice skating rink on the tennis court.
XVIII. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:55 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas to enter into non-public session to discuss a student matter pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

A. NON-RESIDENT ATTENDANCE

Dr. Freeman advised the Board of a request for non-resident attendance; the Board authorized the administration to proceed with acceptance, based on an interview and tuition agreement.

At 7:03 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen to exit the non-public session to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session.

XIX. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary