ADVANCE COPY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, January 9, 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
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Paul Newell, Dean of Operation
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Lily Plummer, Student Representative
Member of the Public

Chairperson Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Audit Reports (Dr. Freeman)
• Confidentiality Issue (Dr. Freeman)
• Expenditure Report (Dr. Freeman)
• Negotiations (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 minutes of the December 12, 2013, meeting. The Board voted to approve the minutes as written with Ms. Douglas, Mr. Wolfe, Mr. Ramsey, and Mr. Mullen voting in the affirmative and Ms. Manteau abstaining from the votes, due to her absence from the meeting.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Ross Morse thanked Ms. Douglas for attending the recent community vetting of the revised logic model. He stated that it is very helpful to have school board members included in such public events.

Nicole Manteau, parent, raised a concern about the recent PMHS Spirit Day. She stated that her son broke a finger, which raised her concern about student safety. Further she was concerned about the fact that the person officiating a soccer game in the gym was not a recognized soccer coach, who would have been better qualified to supervise. Ms. Manteau stated that she approves of Spirit Day in concept, but would ask that more attention be paid to the activities selected and the level of supervision provided. The administration agreed with this recommendation.

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Ms. Plummer, representative from the Site Council, spoke regarding Site Council’s recent activities. She explained that the Community Engagement Sub-Team has made their presentation to the Site Council and received feedback. They will be presenting at the PMHS celebration on January 11, 2014.

The Student/Family Handbook continues to be the focus of Site Council’s attention. They hope to have it completed by the end of February.

VII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Discussions are underway among teachers to consider further changes in the Wednesday schedule for next year.

B. ROTATING SCHEDULE FOR 11/12

The 11/12 Team have engaged in discussions relative to the rotating schedule. The team will continue discussions to pursue ideas that have been raised.

C. COURSE ALIGNMENT

Social studies and language arts teachers are in the process of discussing the sequence of courses and to tie the curriculum of the two courses at each grade level more tightly together.

D. SPANISH PROGRAM

PMHS will be hosting a small conference for world language teachers interested in using immersion instructional methods in the classroom. The conference will be held on January 23 and February 14 and will include approximately ten participants.

E. MID-TERM EXAMS

Ms. Manteau praised Ms. Graham for facilitating the reinstatement of mid-term examinations. Dr. Freeman stated that the faculty took the lead on this change and have been working on it since the fall. The Board all agreed that this action will likely better prepare students for post graduate plans. Ms. Stevens explained the way in which the exams are being linked to competencies.

VIII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY / YEARBOOK

Mr. Newell stated that the quality and overall product / experience with the current vendor has raised concerns. A team will be investigating other options and will keep the Board apprised.

B. BULLYING

Mr. Newell reported that he is meeting with parents to continue discussions on practices relative to bullying and cyberbullying. Programs are being investigated to be used as an intervention when bullying behavior is discovered.

C. DE-ESCALATION / PROCESSING SPACE

Mr. Newell explained that space allocation is being reconsidered at PES. A space for students who need an opportunity to de-escalate disruptive behavior is being reconsidered.

D. TWO HOUR DELAY

Mr. Newell provided the Board with a schedule for a two-hour delayed opening which will be utilized the a two-hour delay is called due to inclement weather.

E. DISTRICT TECHNICIAN

A candidate has been selected to fill the information technician position.

F. FACILITIES

Mr. Newell explained that efforts are in place to manage the potential effect of extremely cold temperatures. He reported a fire alarm went off on January 6, 2014.

There was a potential concern regarding oil delivery. Due to the state-wide concerns with Fred Fuller, Inc., there were strategic moves made to ensure delivery before the tank was empty. However, Fuller made a delivery as promised and the oil tank was filled. Mr. Newell stated that PMHS Head Custodian Jim Dawson was diligent in monitoring the situation.

G. DISCIPLINE

Mr. Newell reported that the Restorative Justice team continues to undergo training and work on the process.

IX. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. SECTION 504 HANDBOOK

Ms. Stevens presented the School Board with a copy of a revised Section 504 Handbook. The term “principal” was changed to “director of student services.”

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the changes in the handbook.

Ms. Stevens explained that there is a situation being handled at PES that includes a complaint by a parent to the Office of Civil Rights. She is taking the necessary steps to remediate the problem, with the hope that the complaint will be retracted.

B. OUT-OF-DISTRICT PLACEMENTS

Ms. Stevens reported that there have been some recent changes in out-of-district placements, which she reviewed.

C. LITERACY SOFTWARE

According to Ms. Stevens, new computer based literacy program has been purchased to address reading deficits for students. Ms. Stevens and six teachers have been trained to use the program, which will be implemented in January.

X. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

A. MILITARY CONTACTS

Ms. Rollins brought forward the issue of releasing names of students to military branches. The Board agreed that this is an acceptable practice.

XI. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

A. POSITION ANALYSIS

Ms. Chassie distributed the position analysis for special education teacher and asked that the Board plan to vote at the next meeting.

XII. SUPERINTENDENT

A. EXPENDITURE REPORT

Dr. Freeman distributed a mid-year expenditure report. He explained that most significant encumbrances have been documented in the report. Specific items were highlighted. Dr. Freeman stated that, in his opinion, the budget is healthy for this time of year. He suggested the Board keep in mind the need for updating the sprinkler system.

B. WARRANT ARTICLES

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with information regarding potential warrant articles. He suggested the Board consider requesting modest allocations from potential balances, such as building maintenance. Discussion ensued about possible maintenance issues.

C. AUDIT REPORT

Dr. Freeman distributed the Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules with Independent Auditor’s Reports Thereon. No findings or question costs were reported. The School Board thanked Sally Blanchette for her continued competent service to the district.

D. CONFIDENTIALITY

Dr. Freeman explained that we have received a grant for student counseling services which requires the completion of an anonymous student survey. There are questions in the survey that some parents or students might not want to answer. Parents will need to provide their permission before students will be allowed to take the survey. We were not notified of this requirement before accepting the grant.

It was decided that the program be continued, that the survey be utilized with the guarantee of anonymity, and that parents and students are offered the clear opportunity to opt out of the survey.

E. SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION

Dr. Freeman explained that some preliminary research has been done on a school district foundation. Ms. Manteau, Mr. Wolfe, and Mr. Ramsey expressed interest in participating in further conversations.

F. POLICY REVIEW

Dr. Freeman distributed updated Policy Binders and provided a quick tour, discussion of recent history, and plans to move ahead with a review process.

XIII. SCHOOL BOARD

A. COMMON CORE

Mr. Wolfe stated that he has received further information about the Common Core. He will provide Dr. Freeman with the information. Dr. Freeman reminded the Board that it was previously decided that the Common Core would be used as a resource for the curriculum used in the district.

XIV. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. Budget Committee

Mr. Ramsey reported that the Budget Committee is continuing its work. The Committee members have been very positive about the school’s budget.

B. Drake Field & Facilities – None

C. Negotiating Team

Negotiations with the Education Association of Pittsfield is proceeding with the hope of a tentative agreement in the near future.

D. Foss Foundation – None

XV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School. The agenda will include warrant articles.

XVI. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session)

Mr. Morse asked for clarification about possible financial gifts and its relationship to the district’s budget.

Mr. Morse stated that the Site Council work with the Student/Family Handbook has been positive and has proven to inform them about school district policies.

Ms. Manteau stated her pleasure in the changes that were made in advisory assignments.

XVII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary