January 23, 2014 Minutes

APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

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

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Sue Graham, Dean of Instruction
Paul Newell, Dean of Operations
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Members of the Public

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

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following item was added to the agenda:
• Budget Committee (Mr. Ramsey)

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 minutes of the January 9, 2013 meeting. On page 3, paragraph 6, change to “which will be utilized when a…” On page 4, paragraph 8, change to “According to Ms. Stevens, a new computer based literacy program…” On page 6, paragraph 2, change Mr. Ramsey to Ms. Douglas. The Board unanimously approved the minutes as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Community Liaison Ross Morse informed the School Board of the Soup & Chili Cook-Off, organized by the PES PTO, is scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2014. He encouraged everyone’s attendance at this exciting event.

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE – None

VII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. ROTATING SCHEDULE FOR 11/12

According to Ms. Graham, the rotating grades 11/12 schedule will be discontinued next year. The teachers collected and discussed data concerning the effectiveness of the rotating schedule and decided the intended results were not realized for students.

B. SEQUENCE AND SCOPE OF SOCIAL STUDIES COURSES

The social studies teachers have met to determine the appropriate sequence of courses offered. The courses effected included U.S. History, Government, and Economics.

C. ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

The elimination of the rotating schedule, according to Ms. Graham, has created the opportunity for advanced placement courses in U.S. History and Government. Extensive planning will be necessary; therefore, the target initiation date is fall semester, 2015.

D. WEDNESDAY CONTENT FOCUS BLOCKS

Plans to improve the content focus blocks in the Wednesday schedule are underway. Ms. Graham reported professional development is being provided to strengthen both the support component and the enrichment component.

Ms. Manteau expressed concerns about content blocks being used for competency recovery, rather than enrichment. Ms. Graham provided an explanation that clarified the role of the content block relative to competency recovery and enrichment.

E. HEALTH CLASS

Ms. Graham explained that the middle school health class will experiment with online learning by using the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School. Two benefits include the increase in rigor and the opportunity for middle school students to participate in an online course under the supervision of a teacher.

F. WELLNESS CLASSES

The health curriculum and the physical education curriculum will be combined to create a comprehensive wellness class for 2014-2015. Ms. Graham explained that many middle and high schools are taking this approach and one of the benefits is that a wellness class allows a student’s state of wellbeing to be simultaneously addressed from the perspectives of fitness, nutrition, and emotional health.

VIII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Mr. Newell proposed paying a stipend to PMHS Teacher Jenny Wellington for her role as advisor for the Restorative Justice Committee. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to approve a stipend comparable to that of the advisor to the Site Council.

B. BULLYING

Mr. Newell updated the Board on the continuation of research on potential bully prevention programs.

C. FACILITIES

Mr. Newell informed the Board of his work with bidders on the sprinkler project. Dan Bisson is being consulted on this process, and recommendations will be brought to the Board.

There has been some minor damage, according to Mr. Newell, to the earth near the side of the PES gym. The damage was caused by delivery trucks; higher vigilance with the parking of trucks will occur.

Mr. Newell explained that PMHS Head Custodian Jim Dawson is researching the cost of the purchase of a new oil pump.

General maintenance is being conducted at both buildings with nothing notable to report at this time, according to Mr. Newell.

D. TECHNOLOGY

The district Technology Team, according to Mr. Newell, is in the process of devising a data collection system that will help inform the use of iPads and use of technology by staff and families.

E. DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY POSITION

Mr. Newell introduced Tom Rubino, the newly hired information technology manager for the district. Mr. Rubino informed the Board of his background and how pleased he is to be working for the school district.

IX. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES – None

X. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

A. COURSE OFFERINGS BOOK

The PMHS 2014-2015 Course Offerings Book was provided to the Board. Final editing is being completed.

B. PSAT AND READISTEP SCORES

Dr. Rollins stated that she has received the Summary of Answers and Skills for the PSAT and ReadiStep tests through College Board. She explained that analysis of this data will be taking place to inform the faculty of program strengths and needs.

C. ELEMENTARY COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS FOCUS GROUP

Dr. Rollins is beginning to organize a focus group at PES pertaining to college and career readiness. The focus will be inquiry into a possible vision of what college and career readiness looks like at the elementary level.

D. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

The Home is Where the Heart Is event was a huge success, according to Dr. Rollins. This program brought recent graduates back to PMHS for conversations with current students.

E. ONLINE LEARNING TEAM

According to Dr. Rollins the work being done by a team on the online learning policy is going well. The team will soon be bringing forward a recommendation for policy amendment to the Board.

F. SENIOR MEETINGS

Dr. Rollins reported that senior meetings are being held at PMHS. This provides seniors with an opportunity to assess credits and graduation plans.

XI. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

A. POSITION ANALYSIS

Ms. Chassie asked the Board to consider the approval of the position analysis for the position of special education teacher. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the special education teacher position description.

B. STUDENT EXCURSION

Ms. Chassie asked the Board to approve the trip that will be taken with four students and four adults to the National Association of Secondary School Principals annual conference in Dallas, Texas, on February 5 through 9. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board unanimously approved the trip.

C. GOVERNOR MAGGIE HASSAN VISIT TO PMHS

Ms. Chassie showed a short video production that captured the spirit of Governor Hassan’s visit to PMHS on January 17. There has been extensive media coverage on the event.

D. COMMUNICATION TEAM

A brochure depicting a shortened version of The Explainer, a document that describes student centered learning at PMHS, was distributed to the Board.

E. GOOD TO GREAT TEAM

The Good to Great Team continued its work at a meeting on January 21, which included process mapping by the various sub-teams. The next meeting of the Good to Great Team is scheduled for February 18.

F. LOGIC MODEL

The revised logic model, describing the plan for continued school development at PMHS, was delivered to the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, which is funding school development initiatives at PMHS, in accordance with the required timeline.

G. GRADUATE RECEPTION

A reception for approximately twelve recent graduates was held on January 7. This followed activities facilitated the College and Career Readiness Team, which included graduates talking to PES and PMHS students about their college experiences.

H. PMHS PROGRESS CELELEBRATION

The PMHS Progress Celebration was a huge success. Dr. Freeman took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of community members, faculty, and administrators who have worked diligently over the past two years to implement the strategies outlined in the logic model. The newly revised logic model was unveiled. Encouraging remarks were made by Deputy Commissioner Paul Leather and New Hampshire Senator John Reagan.

I. PITTSFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAM

The next meeting of the PES School Improvement Team is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28. Ms. Chassie explained that Susan Bradley will facilitate the team in completing the needs assessment, using the school approval standards of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Three sub-teams will be proposed to continue the next phase of this initiative, which will culminate in the creation of a long-term planning documents, a logic model, for PES.

J. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM

Ms. Chassie reported that she has completed the certification requirements for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s course, Introduction to the Incident Command System for Schools. Mr. Newell and Ms. Stevens have plans to also complete the certification requirements, thus providing the Emergency Management Team with a new level of certified expertise.

XII. SUPERINTENDENT

A. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

The Board and Education Association of Pittsfield (EAP) have reached a tentative agreement on a three-year collective bargaining agreement. The EAP voted today and unanimously accepted the tentative agreement.

The Board agreed to go into non-public session later in the meeting to further discuss the terms of the tentative agreement.

B. SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING WARRANT

Dr. Freeman distributed a draft of the warrant articles that will be proposed at the annual school district meeting. Further discussion was deferred until the Board could discuss the tentative collective bargaining agreement in non-public session.

C. POLICIES

Dr. Freeman presented the following policies for review:
• EB, Safety Program
• EBB, Safety Procedures / Safe Schools Committee
• EBBA, First Aid
• EBBB, Accident Reports

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board unanimously voted to accept the proposed amendments to Policy EB, EBB, and EBBB; and to rescind Policy EBBA.

D. NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION (NHSBA) DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

Dr. Freeman distributed the PowerPoint used by Ms. Manteau and Dr. Freeman at the NHSBA delegate assembly. Ms. Manteau expressed her excitement in the response of the audience members, who were very interested and impressed with the work of the Pittsfield School Board. She also explained the input she provided on the topic of the Common Core.

E. PMHS CELEBRATION

Dr. Freeman explained that nearly 100 guests attended the celebration of progress and the updating of the logic model recently held at PMHS.

F. GOVERNOR HASSAN VISIT

Dr. Freeman noted that Governor Maggie Hassan, Commissioner of Education Virginia Barry, and representatives of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation visited PMHS on Friday, January 17. The group visited two classrooms and engaged in a round table discussion with students and staff.

XIII. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. Budget Committee

Mr. Ramsey informed the Board that the Budget Committee met on January 22 and raised a number of questions. The Board discussed the questions to which Dr. Freeman will provide answers.

B. Drake Field & Facilities

Mr. Wolfe raised the issue of adding a softball field at Drake Field. Discussion ensued regarding the potential of using space at Drake Field to create a field.

C. Negotiating Team – Discussion to be held in non-public session.

D. Foss Foundation – None

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School. The agenda will include warrant articles.

XV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)

Mr. Daryl Wages, Chair of the Pittsfield Parks and Recreation Department, asked the Board about the broken basketball hoop at PES. Mr. Ramsey stated that the hoop is being repaired and will be installed by the middle of next week.

Mr. Wages shared that the softball field on Tilton Hill is 180 feet in circumference.

Mr. Morse reminded the School Board that the PMHS Learning Studios exhibition will be held on Wednesday, January 29, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at PMHS

XVI. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:48 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to enter into non-public session to discuss the tentative collective bargaining agreement pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board discussed the terms of the tentative collective bargaining agreement, focusing primarily on salary and benefits, including health insurance cost sharing.

At 6:55 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session.

XVII. SCHOOL BOARD

A. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to approve the tentative collective bargaining agreement between the Board and the Education Association of Pittsfield, pending approval by the voters of the district at the annual school district meeting.

B. WARRANT ARTICLES

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the proposed warrant articles.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary