March 31, 2011 Minutes

APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Elizabeth Adams
Kathy Corliss
Mary Paradise
Michael Wolfe
Clayton Wood

Others Present: John Freeman, Superintendent
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Robert Bickford, Principal
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Lois Stevens, Coordinator of Student Services

Chuck Corliss
Kim Lachance
Victoria Marcotte
Brian Ward

Dr. Freeman called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

Dr. Freeman stated that this being the first Board meeting after the recent elections, it is the annual Board reorganization meeting and that Board officers for the year would need to be elected. The floor was opened for nominations for Chairperson. Ms. Adams nominated Mr. Wood. Ms. Paradise nominated Mr. Wolfe. No additional nominations were made. The Board voted and elected Mr. Wood to serve as Board Chairperson (Mr. Wood – 2; Mr. Wolfe – 1; Abstentions – 2).

Chairperson Wood assumed the role of Chairperson. He opened the floor for nominations for Vice-Chairperson. Ms. Adams nominated Ms. Paradise. No additional nominations were made. The Board voted and elected Ms. Paradise to serve as Board Vice-Chairperson (Ms. Paradise – 4; Abstentions – 1).

Mr. Wood opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. Mr. Wolfe nominated Ms. Adams. No additional nominations were made. The Board voted and elected Ms. Adams as to serve as Board secretary (Ms. Adams – 5).

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Important date handout – Mr. Bickford
• Curriculum development – Dr. Freeman
• Baseball team request – Mr. Wolfe
• Scholar athlete – Ms. Paradise
• Committees – Ms. Corliss
• Softball – Ms. Corliss
• Substitute expectations – Ms. Corliss
• Budget – Ms. Corliss

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Paradise, the agenda was approved as amended.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of March 10, 2011, as written.

IV. PUBLIC INPUT

Kim Lachance asked the School Board for permission to offer a community band that would be open to all Pittsfield residents from seventh grade through adult. She offered her support to the students and adults in the community who might want to participate in a band. She would like to use the facilities and the equipment that is owned by the school. Ms. Lachance is offering her services at no cost to the district. She feels strongly that an opportunity needs to be provided for students to play in a band. Ms. Lachance is recommending that the band organize on Saturday mornings.

Mr. Wood thanked Ms. Lachance for her interest in supporting the school.

Chuck Corliss addressed the School Board about the Annual School District Report. He asked that the salaries of all employees be included in the annual report and used himself as an example. He explained that as a soccer coach paid by the district, his salary should be included in the report. Mr. Corliss further stated that if people perform multiple roles, they should appear in the annual report with corresponding salaries stated. He would like the annual report to include salaries by person and by function and suggested that this would illustrate transparency for the public.

Senior Brian Ward presented a proposal for an Outdoor Adventure Club. He explained how the club would help to build life skills and provide community service opportunities. When asked who might be willing to be the club advisor, Brian stated that Ms. Plante and Mr. St. James would be possible choices for the advisor.

V. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. CONSIDER COLLEGE AND PARTNERSHIP WITH NHHEAF

An initiative has been started to help students, especially those who may be the first in the family to consider college, to learn more about college life and imagine themselves as potential college students. Sixth grade students will be touring the University of New Hampshire in May and representatives from New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) will be hosting a talk about college planning for students and families.

B. PES DENTAL CLINIC

Mr. Kilmister stated that during the week of March 15, 2011, two hygienists from the Concord Dental Sealant Coalition and Pittsfield Dentist Cedric Dustin provided dental treatment to students at PES. Thirty-four students were screened; twenty-four students were treated, and one hundred and thirty-four teeth were sealed.

C. RESIDENT ARTISTS

Mr. Kilmister explained that African Drum Master Sowah Mensah is an artist-in-residence at PES and invited the School Board to a final concert on April 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Merrick Bennett is another PES artist-in-resident who will be conducting a Comic Convention on April 15, 2011.

D. CHESS CLUB

Mr. Wood asked about the support being provided to Mr. Szelest, who is coaching a chess activity after school at PES. Mr. Wood observed that there are many students participating, so Mr. Szelest might need assistance from another adult. The students from PMHS who were to help have not been attending regularly.

VI. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. SENIOR ENGLISH PUBLICATION

Mr. Bickford enclosed with his report a copy of this year’s senior English writings for the School Board to enjoy.

B. NELLIE MAE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Mr. Bickford, as chair of the Performance Management Sub-Team of the Community Advisory Council, explained that a community forum is scheduled to be held on May 7, 2011, to develop the foundation for a strategic plan for the district to move toward what is referred to as a High Performing Organization.

Dr. Freeman, answering a question of Mr. Wood, explained that thirty- five people are on the Community Advisory Council, with approximately twenty-five people attending meetings on a regular basis. Dr. Freeman explained that the Council is divided into six sub-teams, for which many additional community members have been recruited.

C. GOAL #3 INFORMATION

Mr. Bickford highlighted the work of Ms. Bergevin around the “College / Career” goal under the School Improvement Grant. Six dates were scheduled for activities that will be provided for students as they develop and activate “an informed, realistic, and ambitious plan for college and career.”

VII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION – None

VIII. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Sarah Adams reported that the Student Council is sponsoring Earth Day on April 22, 2011. One focus will be to help the Pittsfield Beautification Committee plant flowers. Another will be to clean several sites in town, such as Lyman Park and the Argue Pool and Recreation Area.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

At 6:23 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to enter into non-public session to discuss employee compensation pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a and c). The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to enter into a non-public session.

A. NOMINATIONS

Dr. Freeman distributed a memorandum regarding the potential impact of the state budget. The memorandum described potential shortfall, recommended budget adjustments to the adopted budget, and potential reduction of staff. Dr. Freeman provided further explanation of the items included in the memorandum.

Dr. Freeman distributed a list of recommendations for the Board to consider relative to professional employee nominations.

Mr. Bickford explained a proposal to consolidate a half time nursing position with a half time health education teacher.

Discussion ensued regarding the role of department heads and their compensation for that service.

Dr. Freeman explained that a proposal for stipends, including job descriptions for the positions that offer a stipend, will be presented at a future meeting.

Discussion ensued regarding the nomination list.

At 7:17 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to exit the non-public session and to re-enter open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wood, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes) to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into open session.

Discussion ensued regarding the anticipated fund balance and how it could be used to salvage programs if used to pre-purchase materials, such as heating oil.

Discussion ensued regarding the potential loss of the vocational education program at Concord High School.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and Ms. Adams, the Board voted to approve the nomination list, as amended (4-0-1, Ms. Corliss).

B. TRANSPORTATION

The District’s three-year transportation agreement with H.A. Marston, Inc. extends through the end of the current school year. According to Dr. Freeman, the Board has the option to extend the agreement for up to two more years.

On a motion made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to accept the extension of the transportation with the H.A. Marston, Inc. with thanks for continuing service.

C. POLICY RECSISSIONS

Dr. Freeman provided the School Board with a list of policies that are not required by law for consideration of rescission.

Mr. Wood recommended that Policy AA – School District Legal Status and rescinded. He recommended that Policy AC – Non Discrimination and Policy ACD – Commitment to Religious Neutrality be tabled for further consideration.

Ms. Adams recommended that Policy ADD – Safe Schools Policy, Policy AH – Interim Policy on Assurances, and Policy BBAA – Board Member Authority be rescinded.

Ms. Corliss recommended that Policy BBBF – Student Members of the School Board, Policy BCB – Board Member Conflict of Interest, and Policy BCF – Advisory Committees to the Board, be tabled for further consideration.

Ms. Paradise recommended that Policy BDDH – Ground Rules for Public Input remain. It was suggested that a copy of this policy be included with the agenda that members of the public receive at the beginning of each meeting. She recommended that Policy BDF – Policy Dissemination, and Policy BEA – Regular Board Meetings be rescinded.

Mr. Wolfe recommended rescinding Policy BEB – Special Board Meetings, Policy BEC – Non-Public Sessions, and Policy BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to rescind the following policies: Policy AA – School District Legal Status, Policy ADD – Safe Schools Policy, Policy AH – Interim Policy on Assurances, and Policy BBAA – Board Member Authority, Policy BDF – Policy Dissemination, Policy BEA – Regular Board Meetings, Policy BEB – Special Board Meetings, Policy BEC – Non-Public Sessions, and Policy BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination be rescinded.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board agreed to the amendment to Policy BBBF – Student Members on the Board.

D. Curriculum

Dr. Freeman explained that since it is a priority of the Board to articulate the district’s curriculum, he is proposing the hiring of a part-time curriculum coordinator for a two-year period using School Improvement Grant funds. The first step in the process will be to develop essential standards to be addressed in the curriculum. Next, the standards will be expanded and included in an electronic record.

This hiring would be done in conjunction with WestEd consultation group, which will increase the chances of hiring of a highly qualified individual. Atlas Rubicon is the web-based mapping tool being used to track curriculum. Ms. Stevens will make a formal presentation at a future School Board meeting.

E. Pittsfield Town Band

Ms. Kim Lachance was present during the public input session of the meeting to explain her proposal for a community band.

X. SCHOOL BOARD

A. Pittsfield Youth Baseball

Mr. Wolfe has received a request from PYB asking if the children can use the tennis court for practicing baseball throwing skills at Drake Field. The Board was in consensus that this would be acceptable. Mr. Bickford asked that a Facilities Use Form be completed.

B. Stipends

Ms. Corliss asked if a list of the committees for which stipends are paid could be provided to the School Board. Dr. Freeman will provide the School Board with a list of stipends. Mr. Bickford will be providing the School Board with a proposal for redistribution of funds for stipends.

Ms. Corliss questioned the practice of paying teachers for coaching. She noted displeasure for “double paying” a teacher when they leave class early for a game while continuing to pay for coaching. She questioned the practice of scheduling classes for coaching teachers at the end of the day, which necessitates the teacher and students to miss class.

Ms. Corliss questioned the practice of paying coaches for years of experience without a cap on salaries that can result in a middle school or junior varsity coach earning more money in a stipend than a varsity coach.

Ms. Corliss asked if there is only a varsity Softball team and whether the stipends for junior varsity and middle school teams are being paid to individuals. Mr. Bickford agreed to investigate this further. She noted it was a practice not to pay assistant coaches and wanted to know if that was still the case.

Ms. Corliss asked if substitute teachers are permitted to collect and grade homework. She has been told that the substitute teachers are not permitted to collect or grade homework. Mr. Bickford will follow up with current substitutes. Ms. Corliss was encouraged to call teachers if their practices were in question.

Ms. Corliss asked about the level funding practices employed during the creation of the budget. Dr. Freeman explained that the operating budget was developed to have no tax impact, as the Board had directed. Warrant articles increased taxes, but only when approved by the public.

Ms. Corliss asked if the purchase of oil is being considered, to which Dr. Freeman reported that the bidding process is under way.

C. SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Katie Piaseczny and Bryce Paradise were recently acknowledged as NHIAA Scholar Athletes. Mr. Bickford explained that he was unaware of the award until after the fact. He has made a call to NHIAA to clarify their notification practices.

XI. COMMITTEES

A. Drake Field – None

B. Budget Committee – None

C. Negotiating Team – None

D. Capital Improvement Program – None

E. Select Board Liaison – None

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 14, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center. If there is no pressing business, the meeting may be cancelled.

XIII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Corliss, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary