APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: 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
Ross Morse, Community Liaison
Lily Plummer, Student Liaison
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Member of the faculty
Members of the public

Ms. Douglas, vice chair, called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW – No changes made.

III. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board unanimously approved the agenda, as written.

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

On a motion made Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of December 18, 2015, as written.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Lily Plummer explained that visitors from schools connected with Investing in Innovation grant will be visiting on January 28, 2015, to focus on the advancement of student voice and school governance at PMHS. The visitors will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of students and staff, observe a Site Council meeting, and draft a team charter to bring back to their schools.

A group of students and staff from Burlington-Winooski (VT) will be visiting on February 11, 2015, according to Ms. Plummer. They will meet with Justice Committee and Site Council members.

According to Ms. Plummer, Nick Reid, reporter from the Concord Monitor, interviewed members of the Justice Committee and observed their meeting on January 7, 2015. A profile on the Justice Committee will be published soon.

VII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. BACK UP SERVER

Mr. Hamilton reported that a backup server has been ordered and is on its way to being delivered. He explained that status of the current server.

B. FOOD DRIVES

Mr. Hamilton reported that over 1200 items were donated by the students and staff of PES and PMHS to the Pittsfield Food Pantry. Susan Elliott’s third grade class, Lindsey Bickford’s fourth grade class, and the eighth grade class brought in the most items.

C. SPIRIT WEEK

Under the supervision of advisors Anne Banks and Jen Massey, the Student Council successfully held Spirit Week, a week consisting of hall decorating, dress, days, and activities to promote school spirit and class camaraderie at PMHS.

VIII. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

A. COURSE SELECTION GUIDE

The Course Selection Guide will be ready for the Board’s review at their next meeting.

B. COLLEGE BOARD TESTING SCORES

Dr. Rollins provided the School Board with a graphical representation of the College Board Testing scores from the past two years.

C. COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS STRATEGIC PLAN

Dr. Rollins reported the strategic plan of the College and Career Readiness Team has been completed. Elements of the plan will be incorporated into the logic models.

D. UPCOMING DATES

Dr. Rollins notified the School Board of several important dates.

E. SCHOOL PROFILE

Dr. Rollins provided the School Board with an updated copy of the School Profile.

IX. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. IEP PROCESS MAP

Ms. Lehmann reported that the special education team is working with Ms. Chassie on developing a process map for the development of IEPs. The goal of this activity is to provide increased clarity of procedure, improved communication with parents and staff, and increased compliance to state and federal mandates concerning IEP development.

B. MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION

According to Ms. Lehmann, Ms. Chassie is helping the middle school team to develop a vision and plan for the provision of support services, resulting in improved outcomes for students.

C. PITTSFIELD IMPACT AWARD

Ms. Anne Banks, special education teacher at PMHS, was presented with the award of Outstanding Staff of PMHS. Congratulations, Ms. Banks.

X. SUPERINTENDENT

A. NOMINATIONS

Dr. Freeman recommended the hiring of a long-term substitute teacher, Daniel Courtney, to replace Christie Dunlavey during her maternity leave. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Mr. Courtney.

B. ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT

Dr. Freeman provided the School Board with a copy of the annual audit report. On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the annual audit report.

C. AUDIT SERVICES

Dr. Freeman presented a proposal from the Mercier Group for auditing services for the next three years. Mr. Ramsey asked if it would be beneficial to engage in the bidding process to ensure cost effectiveness. Dr. Freeman agreed to put the contract for the annual audit out to bid and will report back to the School Board for further action.

D. SCHOOL LUNCH PRICES

As a result of a recent analysis, Sally Blanchette, our financial manager, is advising the School Board to increase hot lunch fees. On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to raise PES lunches to $2.50 and PMHS lunches to $2.80. The last increase, Dr. Freeman noted, was during the 2009-2010 school year.

Dr. Freeman will provide families appropriate notification of the price change, which will be made as soon as practically possible.

E. MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH THE REGIONAL CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded Mr. Ramsey, the School Board unanimously agreed to accept the agreement with the Concord Career and Technical Education Center.

F. POLICIES

On a motion 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 JCA, Change of School or Assignment – new policy required by law; Policy JEA, Compulsory Attendance Age – no change recommended; Policy JEB, Age of Entrance – no change recommended; Policy JEC, Manifest Educational Hardship – recommended amendment; Policy JFAA, Admission of Resident Student – no change recommended; Policy JFAB, Admission of Tuition and Non-Resident Student – recommended amendment; Policy JFABB, Foreign Exchange Student – no change recommended; Policy JFABD, Admission of Homeless Students – no change recommended; Policy JG, Assignment of Students to Classes and Grade Levels – recommended amendment.

G. BIOMASS PROJECT

Dr. Freeman stated that he will be meeting with to discuss further plans on the Biomass Project.

Mr. Bill Miskoe has requested a meeting with the superintendent, according to Dr. Freeman, to discuss some questions and issues that he has regarding the project.

H. INTERNET MISINFORMATION

Dr. Freeman provided the School Board with information regarding errors that have been made public on a website.

XI. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XII. NON PUBLIC SESSION (2nd Session) – None

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 5:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary