APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Mike Wolfe, Chair
Gary Mullen, Vice Chair
Linda Freese, Secretary
Bea Douglas
Ray Ramsey

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Donna Lehmann, Director of Student Services
Kathy LeMay, Director of Interventions
Ross Morse, Community Liaison
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Tucker Wolfe, Student Representative

Chairman Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added:
· Update on Struggling Students (Dr. Rollins)
· Technology Requisition (Ms. LeMay)
· Donation Acceptance (Ms. LeMay
· Budget Request (Ms. LeMay)
· Letters to the School Board (Ms. LeMay)
· Dream Catchers (Ms. Lehmann)
· HVAC Contract (Dr. Freeman)
· Health Trust Membership Agreement (Dr. Freeman)
· Resignation (Dr. Freeman)
· Paraprofessional Benefits (Dr. Freeman)
· FY15 Budget (Dr. Freeman)
· Non-Public Session (Dr. Freeman)

III. APPROVAL OF AMENDED AGENDA

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Mr. Mullen, 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 May 21, 2015. On page 7, section D, change to Harriman and on page 8, Section XVI, change to “Mr. Morse questioned…” The Board unanimously approved the minutes as corrected.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Tucker Wolfe, student representative, informed the School Board that fifty middle school students signed a petition for a late start Wednesday proposal to be reconsidered after it was vetoed. A formal vote followed, which did not meet the two-thirds majority required to overturn the veto. The Site Council approved two by-law revisions. The new term for council members begins on June 17, 2015. Tucker informed the Board that there will be a presentation of the Graylag project on Friday, June 6, 2015, and invited members to attend.

VII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. Exhibition Night

On behalf of Ms. Harvey, Ms. LeMay extended an invitation to the School Board to attend Exhibition Night on June 11, 2015. The members of the Board have been invited to attend a dinner preceding the exhibition.

B. Letters to the School Board

On behalf of Ms. Harvey, Ms. LeMay distributed letters of appreciation from the students in grade three for the new playground equipment at Drake Field.

C. Spring Student Led Conferences & Parent Teacher Conferences

Ms. Harvey provided the Board with updated data on the number of parents / guardians participating in student led conferences and parent teacher conferences.

VIII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. Technology Requisition

Ms. Lemay, on behalf of Mr. Hamilton, explained that due to a budget freeze, the technology department is requesting $3,788 for textbook and library management software, which were allocated in the FY15 budget. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board unanimously approved the requisition.

B. Donation Acceptance

Donations have been received from the Renaissance Charitable Foundation for the amount of $500 and from the University of Massachusetts Research Center for the amount of $1,000. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board unanimously approved the acceptance of the donation.

C. Budget Request

Mr. Hamilton, according to Dr. Freeman, would like to improve the grounds in the main entrance area of PMHS. He is requesting $6,000, which is an estimate for the improvements. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board voted unanimously to approve up to $3,000 for the enhancement of the entry area.

D. Softball Participation

Information was gathered by Athletic Director Jay Darrah on softball participation rates in Division IV. Ms. LeMay, on behalf of Mr. Hamilton, distributed the information that was collected from twelve schools.

E. School Climate Survey

Mr. Hamilton’s report informed the Board of the annual school climate report at PMHS, administered by the Center for School Climate and Learning. The data collected will be reviewed in the fall and action plans devised to address key issues around school climate.

F. High School Graduation

Ms. LeMay, on behalf of Mr. Hamilton, asked the Board to determine the Board’s delegate to deliver the annual graduation address. Mr. Wolfe agreed to deliver the address.

IX. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS

A. STUDENTS IN ACADEMIC DANGER

Dr. Rollins informed the School Board of the twenty-two eighth grade students who are in danger of ineligibility to participate in promotion ceremonies. Ms. LeMay explained to the Board the administration is taking the step to hold students accountable for all competencies in order to participate in promotion ceremonies. Telephone calls have been made by administrators to parents to inform them of the students’ status.

According to Dr. Rollins, there are four seniors in danger of not graduating. One of the students will likely complete competencies and be able to graduate. For three students, plans have been created that will allow students to complete work over the summer and graduate by the end of August.

Mr. Ramsey asked if work has been done to identify freshmen who might be in danger of failing. Dr. Rollins stated that generally the class is succeeding; there may be several individuals who are having difficulty with competencies in English Language Arts.

The School Board, specifically Ms. Douglas and Mr. Ramsey, expressed their grave concern regarding the administration’s lack of oversight of students’ academic progress. The Board directed the administrators to devise a system that will identify students earlier on and provide them support needed to succeed.

X. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. Section 504 Handbook

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the Board unanimously approved the revision of the Section 504 Handbook.

B. Monitoring for Compliance for Transition – Indicator 13

Ms. Lehmann informed the Board that the district has been notified by the New Hampshire Department of Education that we were randomly selected for monitoring on transition, also referred to as Indicator 13.

C. Dream Catchers

Ms. Lehmann distributed brochures describing a program called Dream Catchers. She stated that the special educators are interested in developing such a program for Pittsfield students. The Dream Catcher organization will provide a $1,000 grant to assist in initiating the program.

XI. SUPERINTENDENT

A. School Resource Officer Proposal

Dr. Freeman introduced Pittsfield Chief of Police Jeff Cain. Chief Cain distributed a packet of information regarding the potential of a school resource officer. He stated that the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program has opened up for possible funding of a resource officer. Chief Cain distributed sample memoranda of understanding from neighboring towns. He stated his interest in applying for a grant that would allow for the hiring of a resource officer. Dr. Freeman stated his support for the hiring of an officer and a memorandum of understanding.

Mr. Ramsey asked how many calls for assistance are made by the schools to the Pittsfield Police Department, to which Chief Cain answered at least one time per week and usually more. If the grant was received, it would allow the police department to hire an additional officer, who would be assigned to the school for the 180 days of school.

The probable timeline for the start-up process, according to Chief Cain, would include submission of the grant by the end of June, award given by late summer, a warrant article submitted to the Town in March, hiring of the officer in summer 2016, and implementation in the 2016-2017 school year.

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board voted unanimously to support the Chief in his efforts to submit the grant with the willingness of the Board to split with the Pittsfield Police Department the twenty-five percent not funded by the grant.

B. FY15 Budget

Dr. Freeman distributed an expenditure report for the FY15 budget.

C. Interior Lighting

Dr. Freeman distributed a proposal for interior LED lighting for most of PES and all of PMHS interior lighting. The cost, according to one estimate received, will be $77,061 after accounting for a rebate from Eversource of $56,000. The estimated electricity savings per year is $16,000, the estimated bulb and ballast replacement savings per year is $3,500, and the estimated payback term at $19,500 savings per year would be four years.

According to Mr. Wolfe, Eversource is offering the district a free energy audit, which the Board would be interested in accepting.

On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Ms. Freese to move forward to receive the appropriate number of bids and spend up to $80,000 for the lighting project.

D. Authorization to Accept Resignations & Election

On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Mr. Mullen, the School Board voted unanimously to give authority to Superintendent Freeman to accept resignations and elect employees during the summer months commencing immediately.

E. HVAC Contract

Dr. Freeman distributed three proposals for HVAC maintenance and repairs contracts. The quotes were received from Control Technologies, Johnson Controls, and Siemans, the district’s current contractor. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Wolfe, the Board voted unanimously to approve the proposal from Control Technologies.

F. Health Trust Membership Agreement

Dr. Freeman distributed the Overview of HealthTrust’s New Membership Agreement. The document highlighted changes and updates included in the new Membership Agreement. On a motion made by Mr. Ramsey and seconded by Ms. Douglas, the Board unanimously agreed that School Administrative Unit #51 shall participate as a Member in the HealthTrust pooled risk management program for the provision of group medical and/or other benefit plans in accordance with the “Application and Membership Agreement: and NH RSA 5-B. The board also agreed that School Administrative Unit #51 shall participate in the combined rating arrangement for medical coverage offered by HealthTrust with School Administrative Unit #86.

G. Resignation

Dr. Freeman distributed a letter of resignation from Pamela Casey, special education teacher at PMHS. On a motion made by Ms. Douglas and seconded by Ms. Freese, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Ms. Casey.

H. Paraprofessional Benefits

Dr. Freeman requested from the Board that they adjust salaries of the paraprofessionals by $500 to accommodate the reduction by the same amount in the flex card program offered to paraprofessionals required by law. On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board agreed to adjust the salaries as recommended.

I. School Board Meeting Schedule

The schedule for June, July, and August was adjusted to include a Board retreat on June 23, 2015 and meetings on July 16 and August 20, 2015. If business is in need of being conducted on June 23rd, a meeting will be posted.

XII. COMMITTEES

A. Budget Committee – None

B. Drake Field and Facilities – None

C. Negotiating Team – None

D. Foss Foundation – None

XIII. PUBLIC SESSION (2nd Session)

Mr. Morse reminded the School Board of the dedication of the PMHS Journey Map at Exhibition Night on June 11, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

XIV. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:05 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Ms. Freese to enter into non-public session to discuss employee compensation and a personnel issue pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a and c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Ms. Freese, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

Dr. Freeman reviewed a paraprofessional compensation issue and updated the Board on a personnel issue.

No action was taken in non-public session.

At 7:22 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to exit from non-public session and to re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Douglas, yes; Ms. Freese, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit from the non-public session and re-enter into open session.

XV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Freese and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary