APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

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

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, District Administrator
Lois Stevens, Director of Student Services
Sue Graham, Dean of Instruction
Paul Newell, Dean of Operation
Sarah Rollins, Director of College and Career Readiness
Ross Morse, Community Liaison
Lily Plummer, Student Representative

Chairperson Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Resignation (Dr. Freeman)
• Non-Public Session (Dr. Freeman)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, 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 the minutes of February 20, 2014. On page 7, paragraph 3, change to “Mr. Wolfe said it would be a future goal.” The motion passed to approve the minutes as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT

Ross Morse thanked Michael Wolfe for running for a position on the School Board. He stated appreciation for his willingness to continue in this post.

Mr. Morse acknowledged Dr. Freeman for the work he is doing on the search team for the Town Manager. Dr. Freeman, as a member of the team, is sharing success factor interview strategies. Mr. Morse pointed out that this is over and above his job responsibilities and is indicative of the strong relationship that has been forged between the school district and town management.

Ms. Manteau acknowledged Molly Messenger from Pittsfield Listens. She is reaching out to School Board members to seek information regarding the community and the School Board. She is using this strategy to get to know the community better in order to more effectively address its communication needs.

VI. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

According to Lily Plummer, the Site Council meeting scheduled for March 12, 2014 was cancelled due to weather. The date of March 19, 2014 was suggested, but four out of five Board members were unable to attend. Another date will be selected.

VII. DEAN OF INSTRUCTION

A. NECAP SCORES

Ms. Graham explained that several steps have been taken or will be occurring to make changes to the instructional program based on the NECAP data. She explained the process in more detail for PES and PMHS.

B. IOWA VISIT

A team of nine administrators and teachers from the Howard-Winneshiek Schools in Iowa are visiting PMHS on March 30 to April 2. This district is preparing to implement competency based education and is coming to Pittsfield for discussions and observations.

C. HIGH TECH HIGH

A group of teachers and administrators from both schools will be visiting High Tech High campuses in San Diego, California. Board member Bea Douglas will be accompanying the group on the visit. The trip will introduce our educators to a set of schools that excel in student centered learning.

D. MATH PROGRAM

PES teachers are continuing to work toward a final decision on a math program. The final recommendation will go before the Board at a future meeting.

VIII. DEAN OF OPERATIONS

A. SENIOR TRIP

This year’s senior class is requesting that the School Board approve an overnight trip to North Country Rivers in Maine from May 29th to May 31st.
Mr. Newell will ask for a student, by request of the Board, to come and talk directly to the Board.

B. FACILITIES

The custodians at both schools have been watching heating fuel levels carefully.

Graffiti, according to Mr. Newell was discovered on the PES chimney and will be removed when the weather warms up.

C. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Mr. Newell reported that the Restorative Justice Committee would be making a presentation to the Board at their next meeting.

D. TECHNOLOGY

Mr. Newell explained recent work completed on the computer network during February vacation. A short term solution was found, but a long term decision for successful web filtering is needed. Further investigation is being done and a recommendation will be presented to the Board at a future meeting.

E. SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY & YEARBOOKS

Mr. Newell continues to work on changing vendors for our school pictures and yearbooks. No objections were heard from the Board.

F. WELLNESS TEAM

According to Mr. Newell, the main focus of the Wellness Team has been a Health Fair, which is being planned for April 10, 2014 from 9:00 to11:30 in the gymnasium at PMHS. All are welcome to attend.

IX. DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES

A. KINDERGARTEN

Ms. Stevens reported that a full day kindergarten is being recommended for the 2014-2015 school year. It is expected to have little or no monetary impact at this time. Research is clear that children who participate in full day Kindergarten demonstrate greater achievement gains over half day counterparts. Members of the Board, including Ms. Douglas and Ms. Manteau, stated their support of the recommendation.

B. PARAEDUCATORS

Ms. Stevens stated that after gathering information on the status of paraeducators in Pittsfield, she has been able to eliminate 2.5 positions that were previously budgeted.

C. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Recently, according to Ms. Stevens, the school district was working with the Office of Civil Rights on a Section 504 matter. It was brought to the district’s attention that the Office of Civil Rights provides professional development opportunities free of charge. She will be making arrangements for the special education team to participate in training.

X. DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

A. COURSE OFFERINGS BOOK

Dr. Rollins presented the 2014-2015 Course Offerings catalogue. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the catalogue was unanimously approved. Compliments were paid to Dr. Rollins for her work on this project.

B. ELEMENTARY COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

A focus group has been working on elementary college and career readiness. They began by defining what that means at PES and the vision of the department.

C. ADVISORY

Dr. Rollins stated that the outcomes of the advisory program continue to be explored and its effectiveness evaluated.

D. ONLINE COMMITTEE

The revised online policy has been completed and will be presented to the School Board at their next meeting.

E. BLENDED LEARNING

A focus group has been exploring the possibilities for blended learning for the Pittsfield School District.

XI. SUPERINTENDENT

A. POLICIES

Dr. Freeman presented several policies for the Board’s review, including: Policy EBCF – Pandemic / Epidemic Emergencies; Policy EC – Buildings and Grounds Management; Policy ECA – Buildings and Grounds Security; Policy ECAB – Access to Buildings; Policy ECAC – Vandalism; Policy ECAF – Video and Audio Surveillance on School Property. On a motion made by Mr. Mullen and seconded by Mr. Ramsey, the Board voted to approved the listed policies.

B. RESIGNATION

Dr. Freeman distributed a letter of resignation from Dean of Instruction, Susan Graham. A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Manteau to accept the resignation of Ms. Graham from the position of Dean of Instruction, with thanks. The motion passed unanimously.

C. HVAC SYSTEMS REVIEW TEAM

Dr. Freeman provided dates on which the team could meet with Jeff LaPierre on the HVAC system. The team agreed on April 2, 2014 at 5:30. An invitation will be extended to members of the public at tonight’s District Meeting, as so far we have been unable to recruit people.

D. SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

Dr. Freeman distributed the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan and Buildings and Maintenance Reserve Fund. He stated that good progress is being made in executing the plan.

The School Board engaged in a conversation with Ammy Ramsey, School District meeting moderator. Logistical details were discussed.

E. SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT

Dr. Freeman invited the School Board to participate in a Board Retreat in April or May of each year. The retreat would provide an opportunity to bring members up to speed on school district issues as well as provide an opportunity for the full Board to update work on the Board’s strategic plan, as well as other relevant school development issues. Dr. Freeman will provide the Board with some dates for consideration.

XII. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

A. Budget Committee – None

B. Drake Field & Facilities – None

C. Negotiating Team – None

D. Foss Foundation – None

XIII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pittsfield Middle High School.

XIV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XV. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:40 PM, a motion was made by Mrs. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to enter into non-public session to discuss employee compensation pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (c and e). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Mr. Wolfe, yes; Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

At 6:45 PM, a motion was made by Ms. Manteau and seconded by Mr. Ramsey to exit the non-public session and resume the public session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Mr. Wolfe, yes; Ms. Manteau, yes; Mr. Ramsey, yes; Ms. Douglas, yes; Mr. Mullen, yes) to exit from a non-public session.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion made by and seconded by , the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary