APPROVED BY THE PITTSFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

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

MINUTES

Pittsfield School Board Meeting
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

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

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

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

There were no items added or deleted to the agenda.

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to approve the minutes of Thursday, October 27, 2011. On page two, paragraph two; omit “that” to read “Mr. Kilmister explained that a school climate survey was completed by ….”
Mr. Wood asked Mr. Bickford to explain the “No-Scope Gaming Club.” Mr. Bickford explained that the games would be appropriate for general audiences and there would be no references to inappropriate materials, such as snipers. On page 5, section XV, change spelling to “administrator” and “compensation.” The minutes were unanimously approved as amended.

V. PUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Derek Hamilton, the co-chair of the PMHS Site Council, recognized the request of the Board to have a student representative and asked for clarification of the role. Dr. Freeman explained that the function has traditionally been to 1) apprise of the Board of pertinent information, and 2) upon request, advise the Board of the students’ perspective on topics being discussed.

Mr. Wood acknowledged that the students may want to assist in identifying their role. Mr. Hamilton suggested that the Board include an item in the agenda that would provide the student representative with a time certain to participate in the meeting. He also suggested students serve on a rotating basis. Discussion ensued regarding the time commitment and decided that it would be most appropriate for the student to remain for the first ninety minutes of the meeting. There was no opposition to the possibility of rotating the responsibility.

Mr. Hamilton stated that the Site Council discussed the possibility of an enticement for serving as a student representative to the Board. He stated that they talked providing community service credit for this time, fulfilling the requirements of an extended learning opportunity, or creating a “college fund” as a way to provide a stipend for their service on the Board.

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. NH GOES TO COLLEGE KICKOFF

Mr. Kilmister reported the kickoff to NH Goes to College Month on Tuesday, November 7, 2011, was a great success. A panel of current college students from Pittsfield –Stephanie Joyce (NHTI), Kelsey Metcalf (UNH), Craig Paggi (UNH), and Joe Suchomski (UNH) – shared their advice and experiences with the students. Mr. Kilmister thanked Leslie Bergevin, Bob Bickford, Sheila Ward, and John Freeman for their support at this event.

B. VETERAN’S DAY

Mr. Wood complimented PES on their Veteran’s Day tribute. Ms. Penny Ridener and Ms. Melissa Davis organized the assembly which was very well received.

C. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister provided the Board with the list of activities for November and December.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. MINIMUM SCHOOL STANDARDS

Mr. Bickford provided the annual status report that he completed and will be filing with the Department of Education later this month.

B. NEWS FROM PMHS

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with the news items that were included in the first quarter report card mailing.

Mr. Wood asked if there were plans to institute a newsletter such as the “PES Pink Newsletter.” Mr. Bickford stated that the problem is the reliable delivery of a weekly newsletter by students. Ms. Stevens suggested that a newsletter be sent with progress notes and report cards, which would be eight times per year. A calendar of events has been requested in several forums.

C. COMPENTENCIES

Dr. Rose Colby from the Department of Education is providing information for the public at a meeting on November 10, 2011.

D. CALENDAR

Mr. Bickford provided a list of activities for November.

VIII. PRESENTATION

Mr. Zach Powers and by PMHS Students Julia Cole and Emily Buchanan were present to discuss Pittsfield Listens: Strong Schools, Strong Community. The question that was posed to the community was “How can all of us make Pittsfield a great place for everyone to learn and live?” The students showed several aspects of the process, including puzzle pieces, the “To Do” list, and pictures of several discussion groups. A summary report was provided to the Board. The report stated a list of priorities: student-centered curriculum, individual learning differences, behavior, positive relationships, experiential learning, accountability, and transitions.

Mr. Powers reported that a meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 2011, to provide an opportunity for Pittsfield Listens participants to hear responses from the school district relative to the issues raised during the community conversations, including the integration of ideas into the district’s logic model.

Mr. Powers explained that the future of Pittsfield Listens includes further community conversations regarding competencies and grading, town office candidates’ platforms, and topics generated through collaboration between town leadership committees.

Mr. Bickford asked Emily and Julia if they would be willing to present information to the faculty and staff at both schools.

The School Board thanked Emily, Julia, and Mr. Powers and agreed that their work and the people who accomplished the work were amazing.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES

A. CEC CONFERENCE

Sheila Ward, our Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator, will be making a presentation at the CEC conference in Denver, Colorado, in March.

B. PARENT INVOLVEMENT SURVEY

The preliminary report from the Department of Education relative to a mandated parent involvement survey was very positive, reporting a 52% return rate, as compared to the state’s target of 35%.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. BUDGET

Dr. Freeman distributed revised copies of the budget proposal. He reminded the Board that potential teacher contract cost items are not included and asked the Board to consider potential salary increases for non-bargaining unit employees.

Dr. Freeman encouraged the Board to make final decisions on their budget proposal as soon as possible. Discussion ensued regarding some of the components of the budget including positions. The Board will meet on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. to continue work on the budget.

B. FACILITY ISSUES

Dr. Freeman distributed a letter from Jeff LaPierre from Harriman Architects and Engineers providing the Board with clarification relative to replacement of existing boilers at each school. An estimate of replacement for the PMHS system is between $70,000 and $100,000, with an estimated date of replacement at 2030. An estimate for PES is between $60,000 and $90,000, with an estimated date of replacement at 2018.

Also distributed was information regarding the estimates for the replacement of PES roofing, windows, and siding. The cost estimate for this project is estimated to be $1,068,321. The Board asked for information on a bond for this project as well as the tax impact of a bond.

C. BUDGET CALENDAR

Dr. Freeman will have a budget calendar at a later date.

D. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a document regarding the impact of new legislation on collective bargaining which was provided by Ms. Paradise.

E. GRANDSTAND ROOF

The grandstand roof has been delayed due to weather. The vendor will attempt to complete the project as soon as possible.

F. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

As the district moves forward with curriculum articulation, it will be important to identify the standards or frameworks on which our curriculum will be based. Dr. Freeman distributed information on the Common Core Standards. Rob Hanson, our curriculum coordinator, will join the Board on December 8 to discuss this issue as well as follow up on his previous discussion on competencies.

Discussion ensued regarding the Common Core Standards and the Smarter Balance Assessment consortium. Dr. Freeman encouraged Board members who may have questions to contact Rob Hanson directly.

G. TAX RATE

Dr. Freeman distributed information regarding the recent Pittsfield tax rate calculation.

XI. COMMITTEES

A. BUDGET COMMITTEE

Ms. Paradise informed the Board that John Kidder, the chairperson of the Budget Committee, has been ill. Louie Houle, assistant chairperson, will likely take over the facilitation of the meetings.

B. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES – None

C. NEGOTIATING TEAM

Dr. Freeman presented the possibility of December 3 and 10 for the negotiating team to meet. After considering the soccer schedule, Dr. Freeman will confirm the time.

XII. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:27 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise to enter into non-public session to discuss teacher contract negotiations pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a). 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.

XIII. TEACHER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

The Board discussed teacher contract negotiations, including Board goals for a new collective bargaining agreement with the Education of Pittsfield.

No votes were taken during the non-public session.

At 8:00 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to exit the non-public session and to re-enter into 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.

XIV. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center. A meeting is also scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at 5:30 in the Pittsfield Middle High School Media Center.

XV. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary