June 14, 2012 Minutes

APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
5:30 p.m.; Thursday, June 14, 2012
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chair person
Mike Wolfe, Vice-Chairperson
Nicole Manteau
Gary Mullen
Mary Paradise (arrival at 5:52 p.m.)

Others Present: Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Lois-Jean Stevens, Director of Student Services
Chuck Corliss, Member of the Public
Kathy Corliss, Member of the Public
Christie Dunlavey, PMHS Science Candidate

Mr. Wood called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
• Alarm and Door Proposal (Mr. Kilmister)
• Grant Award (Mr. Kilmister)
• Resignation (Mr. Bickford)
• 2 Non-Public sessions added RSA 91-A:3 II (a) and (c) (Mr. Wood)

The following items were deleted:
• Nomination of Math Intervention Teacher (Mr. Bickford)
• Policy Revision (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER NOMINATION

Principal Bob Bickford recommended and Dr. Freeman nominated Christie Dunlavey for a PMHS science teacher position. Mr. Wolfe asked Ms. Dunlavey about the interviewing process that included teaching a lesson. Ms. Dunlavey said it was an interesting process and looks forward to working in the district. Mr. Wolfe welcomed Ms. Dunlavey on behalf of the Pittsfield School District.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mrs. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to approve the nomination of Ms. Dunlavey as PMHS science teacher.
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V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to approve the minutes of the May 24, 2012, and June 6, 2012. Ms. Manteau asked for the “h” to be removed from her name on the May 24, 2012 minutes. The motion was approved unanimously.

VI. PUBLIC INPUT- None

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. ALARM AND DOOR PROPOSAL

Principal Doug Kilmister brought forth a door and alarm proposal to improve security at PES from Capitol Alarm Systems. An additional cost of $800 is not reflected in the proposal but would fund additional outlets and movement of doors.

The Board discussed the possible addition of another door to the project. Ms. Manteau about what door was the extra door that needed. Mr. Kilmister advised it was a door in the kitchen area.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve the alarm and door proposal as submitted, but including the added cost for electrical outlets and doors at approximately $800, and excluding $2,200 for an additional door.

B. GRANT AWARD

Mr. Kilmister reported that Pittsfield Elementary School is on the Laura Bush Foundation list of schools that have been selected to receive a grant to support the school’s library. Pittsfield Elementary School is the only New Hampshire school on the list. It is not known, at this time, how much the school will be awarded; the award is to provide books and periodicals for the library at Pittsfield Elementary School.

C. PES STAFFING

Principal Kilimister reported that two resignations have been received and one retirement announced from the PES faculty. PES Special Education Teacher Rachel Levine and PES Classroom Teacher Nanine Venetos have submitted letters of resignation; PES Kindergarten Teacher Faith Whittier Kindergarten Teacher has indicated intent to retire.

Changes in assignments among current staff are anticipated; the recruitment process is underway to fill vacant positions.

D. SUCCESS OF NEW DISMISSAL

Mr. Kilmister discussed the new dismissal procedures and commented on the amount of time saved.

E. CURRICULUM INSTITUTE

Mr. Kilmister reported that PES teachers will be involved in a Curriculum Institute in late July, the purpose of which is to establish standards and design curriculum in literacy and math subject areas.

F. YEAR OF THE BOOK

Mr. Kilmister reported on collaboration among PES staff, Carpenter Library staff, and the PES PTO to designate the next school year as the Year of the Book.

G. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister provided a calendar of upcoming events at PES.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. NOMINATIONS

Mr. Bickford reported that the candidate for math interventionist has withdrawn, and the position will be reposted. This is a one year position funded by the SIG grant.

B. RESIGNATIONS

Mr. Bickford reported that letters of resignation have been submitted by PMHS Foreign Language Teacher Amy Gardner and PMHS Special Education Teacher Shawnda Hopkins.

C. RECOMMENDATION FOR CHANGE IN WORLD LANGUAGE OFFERING

Principal Bickford reported that with the resignation of Foreign Language Teacher Amy Gardner, it would be difficult to find a replacement candidate with certifications in both Spanish and French. Recently, more students have been interested in learning Spanish than French. Principal Bickford requested to be able to post for a Spanish teacher, with students having the opportunity to take other foreign languages on line. Ms. Manteau asked if students would then be given the opportunity to take multi levels of Spanish. Mr. Bickford reported that students would be able to take the multi levels of Spanish, as well as have online opportunities for other languages.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau, the Board voted unanimously to post for a Spanish teacher.

D. Student Success Through Competencies Proposal

The Student Success Through Competencies Task Force will present a proposal to the School Board at the next meeting for review. The proposal has been approved by the Site Council. Mr. Wood expressed concern and expects some discussion about the plan. Mr. Wood stated that he had attended one session of the Task Force and that he appreciated the process. Mr. Bickford explained that the committee would present the proposal and be prepared to answer questions. Mrs. Stevens, chair of the committee, is working with the team to develop a rollout plan that includes presentations to students, parents, faculty, and the community.

E. VARSITY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL TEAMS

Mr. Bickford reported on the success of this year’s baseball and softball teams.

F. RECOMMENDATIONS OF NEW HIRES

Mr. Bickford has offered to recommend a candidate for the part-time PMHS music position and is waiting to hear if the candidate will accept.

G. GRADUATION

Mr. Wolfe congratulated all on a successful graduation of the Class of 2012 and offered thanks to Leslie Bergevin and all involved. Ms. Manteau stated that she appreciated the entire three days of celebration and the large number of students who were recognized.
IX. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. NEW HAMPSHIRE SPECIAL EDUCATION DISTRICT REPORT

Ms. Stevens reported on the special education district report required by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Mr. Wood asked if Mrs. Stevens thought the district was on track and how the district is are doing in light of the size of the schools. Mrs. Stevens reported that the district is making progress, but at times cell sizes are too small to be measured, and because of low enrollments, district percentages are sometimes affected drastically by few students. Ms. Paradise agreed, specifically in the area of dropout rates and the fact that schools are federally mandated to educate specific special education students until they are 21.

X. DISTRICT LEVEL SYSTEMS CHANGE ADMINISTRATION

A. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND EVALUATION PLAN

Ms. Chassie reported on the work of the team that developed the revisions to the Professional Growth and Evaluation Plan. She described the essential features of the Plan.

B. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Ms. Chassie provided a status report on the performance management aspects of the redesign project. Elements included in the update were position analysis, strategic planning, transformation charting, communications, and discipline process analysis.

C. COMMUNICATION PLAN

Ms. Chassie reported that the consultant provided by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Jane Feinberg, is drafting a communications plan for the district.

D. DUAL ENROLLMENT / ONLINE LEARNING COORDINATOR

Ms. Chassie reported that interviews for this new grant-funded position are scheduled for June 15.

E. TECHNOLOGY PLAN

Ms. Chassie reported that the draft Technology Plan is to be presented to the Board, with Board action taking place as soon as the next Board meeting.

F. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STATEWIDE EDUCATOR CONFERENCE

Ms. Chassie reported that Literacy Coach Kathy Lemay and Middle School Language Arts Teacher Chris Davitt will be attending a conference sponsored by the New Hampshire Department of Education.

G. PROJECT MANAGEMENT BUCKETS

Ms. Chassie described an organizational plan for tracking different aspects of the redesign initiatives.

H. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER REPRESENTATIVE VISIT

Ms. Chassie reported that Karen Shakman of the Educational Development Center (EDC) visited PMHS on May 30. The EDC has been contracted by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to serve as evaluator of the District Level Systems Change grant program.

I. WESTED AND NELLIE MAE EDUCATION FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVE VISIT

Ms. Chassie reported that representatives from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation visited PMHS on June 6. They were accompanied by two representatives from WestEd, which has been contracted by the Foundation to provide professional development services that would meet the needs of all schools in the District Level Systems Change grant program.

XI. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. TEACHER EVALUATION SYSTEM

The revised teacher evaluation system was previously presented to the Board for consideration at this time. Mr. Wood reported the teacher evaluation process is very detailed and also appears to be very complicated. The enthusiasm about the process and the plan was very clear at the presentation, which took place at the previous Board meeting.

On a motion made by Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to accept the teacher evaluation system

B. RESIGNATIONS

On a motion by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignations of PMHS Special Education Teacher Shawnda Hopkins, PES Special Education Teacher Rachel Levine, and PES Classroom Teacher Nanine Venitos.

On a motion by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of PMHS Foreign Language Teacher Amy Gardner with regret and much appreciation for her years of service to students both as teacher of foreign languages and as advisor to the Pittsfield Chapter of the National Honor Society.

C. NOMINATIONS

On a motion by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Sarah Ahern as full-time school nurse for the Pittsfield School District.

D. TECHNOLOGY PLAN

Mr. Wood inquired about the status of the technology plan and when it would be presented. Principal Bickford explained that the process has taken longer than expected; next week three vendors will make presentations of technology devices that are being considered for one-to-one implementation to team members, students, and other faculty members.

XII. SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS – None

XIII. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION – None

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center.

XV. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:49 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

The Board discussed the retirement and compensation for an employee

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 6:53 p.m., a motion was Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to exit the non-
public session and re-enter open session. The Board was polled and voted
unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe,
yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open
session.

XVI. OPEN SESSION

On a motion by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the superintendent to employ Faith Whittier as teacher through October 1.

XVII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:58 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Mullen to enter into non-public session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously ( Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into a non-public session. Mr. and Mrs. Corliss arrived for a scheduled non-public session.

The Board discussed concerns regarding the girl’s athletic program brought by two parents. In reviewing relevant Board policies, the Board directed Principal Bickford to ensure the review of Policy GDA-AD with the Athletic Director to and ensure that observations and evaluations of coaches occur in accordance with policy. Further, the board directed Principal Bickford to comply with Policy GBEA relative to the restriction on supervising relatives.

At 8:15 p.m., a motion was Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau to exit the non- public session and re-enter open session. The Board was polled and voted
unanimously (Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe,
yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open
session.

XVIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lois-Jean Stevens

Lois-Jean Stevens
Recording Secretary