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, March 8, 2012
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

Members Present: Clayton Wood, Chairperson
Elizabeth Adams
Kathy Corliss
Mike Wolfe

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

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Property and liability insurance (Dr. Freeman)
• Sex offender letters (Dr. Freeman)
• School District meeting (Dr. Freeman)
• School Board meeting schedule (Dr. Freeman)
• Strategic planning (Dr. Freeman)
• NFL Fuel up to Play (Mr. Kilmister)

III. ACTION ON AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve the minutes of the February 23, 2012, as written. The motion passed unanimously.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. NFL FUEL UP TO PLAY GRANT

PES Physical Education Teacher Laura Smith worked with thirty students to write a grant. They have been awarded $2,700 for the purchase of jump ropes and a smoothie machine for the cafeteria.

B. READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK

Mr. Kilmister informed the Board that PES Library Coordinator Sue Kinney, Second Grade Teacher Rachel Levine, and the PES staff offered a fun-filled week highlighting reading. Activities included dressing as book characters, guest readers, and a contest to read a collective 2012 minutes during the week. Mr. Kilmister kept his promise and kissed a goat to honor the meeting of the goal.

C. RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM INSTITUTE

Mr. Kilmister, accompanied by Third Grade Teacher Sue Elliott and Grade Four Teacher and Responsive Classroom Coach Katie Bass, explained a proposal to sponsor a week long institute during the week of June 25-29, 2012. An explanation of the program and its benefits was provided. Twenty-three of twenty-nine PES teachers have said they will commit to attend the institute if it is offered.

The budget for this endeavor included $18,000 for the trainer, books, two follow-up trainings, and a library of Responsive Classroom resources. An additional $22,112 will be needed to compensate teachers for the week of work.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Mr. Wood, the Board voted unanimously to approve the expenditure of $25,000 toward the Responsive Classroom Institute.

D. PROPOSAL FOR ACTION RESEARCH

Mr. Kilmister and Music Teacher Melissa Davis explained a proposal to conduct
an action research project that would explore the dynamic of having all-male and all-female classes in grade six for music and physical education. After six weeks, Ms. Davis and physical education teacher Ms. Smith will survey the
students involved, examine the student outcomes, and evaluate the research.

Ms. Adams stated that she had done some research and learned that, because of civil rights law, if a student requests access into the class with the opposite gender, the request would have to be accommodated.

Discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of separating students according to gender. The Board supported the concept, asked that the parents be informed of the proposal in advance, and requested an update on the outcome of the project.

E. IMPORTANT DATES

Mr. Kilmister provided the Board with a list of important dates for March and
April.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. PMHS NEWSLETTER

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with a copy of the PMHS newsletter that was mailed out with the progress reports.

B. GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with a copy of the PMHS Guidance Newsletter that was mailed out with progress reports.

C. IMPORTANT DATES

Mr. Bickford provided a list of important dates for March and April.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

A. TRANSITION

Ms. Stevens reported that she has participated in transition activities with Ms. Chassie. She thanked to members of the School Board for the opportunity to serve as director of student services. She is enjoying her new responsibilities.

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. DISTRICT LEVEL SYSTEMS CHANGE

Ms. Chassie explained that as co-project manager of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation grant-funded project, she will be providing the Board with reports documenting the progress of the initiatives.

Ms. Chassie reviewed the plans for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation grant celebration on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Greenleaf Auditorium. Exhibits will depict the progress of the many initiatives that are in progress. Students will visit the exhibits during third period and the public is welcome in the evening. A Kindle Fire will be awarded as a door prize at both sessions.

B. PROPERTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

Dr. Freeman requested the Board’s approval of the extension of the Primex property and liability insurance policy. He explained the conditions of the insurance policy and recommended the Board approve the purchase.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board unanimously approved the extension of the Primex property and liability insurance policy for three years beyond the current contract.

C. POLICIES

Dr. Freeman presented Policy IJOA: Field Trips and Excursions. He suggested that he propose some changes because the senior trip does not meet the criteria established in the policy. The Board asked Dr. Freemen to recommend changes to the current policy.

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a final copy of Policy IHBG: Home Education Instruction, for addition to their policy books.

D. DRAKE FIELD SIGNAGE

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with the requested information regarding the Safe School Zone signs. Discussion ensued regarding the issues of smoking, weapons, and penalties. The Board requested Dr. Freeman to seek legal advice about what requirements are necessary and what options may exist for public notice.

E. SEX OFFENDER LETTERS

Per the newly approved policy, the required letters have been sent out this week by the superintendent of schools.

F. SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

Dr. Freeman explained that the Board will meet prior to the School District meeting on March 15, 2012, at 6:00. He distributed a copy of the warrant articles. Articles were assigned for moving and seconding to the members of the Board.

Mr. Wood suggested the Board consider not having the attorney present at the meeting. The Board agreed and asked Dr. Freeman to inform the attorney of the decision.

X. SCHOOL BOARD

A. PUBLIC HEARING

Mr. Wood requested a public meeting be scheduled for the purpose of considering need for facility improvements at PES. The date of Tuesday, April 17, 2012, was selected, and the meeting will be held in the cafeteria of PES.

B. MEETINGS

Dr. Freeman suggested cancelling the School Board meeting on March 22, 2012, because of the absence of several members of the administration, to which the Board agreed. The next meeting of the Board will held be April 12, 2012.

C. STRATEGIC PLANNING

Dr. Freeman suggested the dates of Thursday, May 17, and Thursday, May 31, 2012, to participate in a strategic planning exercise with Dr. William Bryan. The planning would involve both current and past members of the Board.

D. GARDEN

Dr. Freeman explained the proposal that will be coming forward for a community garden.

XI. COMMITTEES

A. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES – None

B. BUDGET COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE – None

C. NEGOTIATING TEAM – None

XII. PUBLIC INPUT – 2nd SESSION – None

XIII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 6:00 in the PMHS Media Center.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary