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, October 27, 2011
Pittsfield Middle High School

I. CALL TO ORDER

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

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

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

Items added to the agenda:
• Non-public session (Dr. Freeman)
• PTO lunch visits (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 October 13, 2011 meeting. On page 3, third paragraph, change to “accreditation cycle will include…” Also, on page 4, second paragraph, change “rood” to “roof.” The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

V. PUBLIC INPUT – None

VI. PES ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Kilmister distributed a copy of his report, which was sent to the Board after the mailing of the packet.

A. POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE DATA

Mr. Kilmister explained that a school climate survey was completed by students and faculty last spring. On Wednesday, October 19, 2011, the PES staff reviewed some of the positive data stories from the surveys. Mr. Kilmister summarized several data points. He explained the work that will be done this year to increase the capacity of the students to respond to inappropriate peer to peer interactions.

B. VETERANS’ DAY PROGRAM

Mr. Kilmister explained that Teacher Assistant Penny Ridener and Music Teacher Melissa Davis are organizing a school-wide program for Veterans Day. The commemoration will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 8:05 a.m.

C. PTO LUNCH VISITS

The PTO is planning visits by parents for lunch. Parents want to experience the new food service company and consider the possible effects on the students of having a fifteen minute lunch.

D. THANK YOU

Mr. Kilmister expressed appreciation for Third Grade Teacher Susan Elliot and her husband, Peter, who brought in a beautiful harvest display in the PES hallway. He also thanked Fifth Grade Teacher Lindsey Bickford, who organized a pumpkin display and guessing game for the students in the front lobby. Finally, he thanked the PES PTO for taking on the lobby bulletin board; each season they will set up a new display featuring children’s birthdays.

E. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister provided a list of PES activities for October, November, and December.

VII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. NO-SCOPE GAMING CLUB

Mr. Bickford explained the process for a student initiating a new club at PMHS. He further explained that a student has submitted a request for a No-Scope Gaming Club. Discussion ensued regarding the potential of inappropriate games being considered by the students. 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. Although the Board conceptually agreed with the club, the Board reserved approval until they receive this additional information from Mr. Bickford.

B. SAT SCORES

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with SAT data for PMHS, the state, and the nation.

C. CALENDAR

Mr. Bickford provided a list of PES activities for October and November.

VIII. STUDENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION – None

IX. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. PES FACILITY ISSUES

Architect Dan Bisson has encountered some delays with vendors in providing information on PES facility issues. It is anticipated that cost estimates for PES repairs will be available for the November 10 meeting.

B. OCTOBER 11 NELLIE MAE VISIT

Dr. Freeman thanked the School Board for their participation in the October 11th Nellie Mae event. The School Board thanked Project Manger Susan Bradley and Director of Student Services Tobi Chassie for the work that was done to ensure a successful visit for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation dignitaries.

C. DRAKE FIELD GRANDSTAND

Dr. Freeman stated that the roofing vendor, Skyline Roofing, is ready to go but estimate that they need two consecutive dry days to complete the project.

D. BUDGET COMMITTEE REQUESTS

Dr. Freeman explained that the Budget Committee has requested compensation data in a new format. The SAU staff is working to prepare the new report, and it is anticipated that this compensation report will be completed by November 10th meeting.

E. HEALTH INSURANCE

Dr. Freeman reported that the guaranteed maximum for FY14 health insurance costs has been received and is included in the proposed budget.

F. Pittsfield Listens Recognition

Volunteer NH has selected the facilitators of Pittsfield Listens to receive a Spirit of New Hampshire award in recognition of their volunteer service to the town of Pittsfield. The award will be presented in a state-wide ceremony at the Capitol Center for the Arts on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

G. FY13 BUDGET

The budget proposal was distributed. This is a first draft but has not yet been reviewed for accuracy by the principals and director. Dr. Freeman reviewed the highlights of the budget with the Board. The first draft represents a $437,000 decrease compared with the current year budget. The Board decided they would review the proposal and plan to act on it at the next meeting.

H. ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING

Dr. Freeman requested the Board to set the date for the Annual School District Meeting. If tradition is followed, this year’s meeting will be Thursday, March 15, 2012.

I. NEGOTIATIONS

Dr. Freeman asked if the Board members who are negotiating the contract would be willing to meet on Saturday mornings. Mr. Wood and Mr. Wolfe stated that this is a possibility, depending on the dates. Mr. Wood further suggested that the Board hire a facilitator to assist in the process. The Board will discuss this further in the non-public session.

J. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT

Dr. Freeman provided the Board with a copy of the first quarterly financial report. Discussion ensued.

X. SCHOOL BOARD

A. GRADING

Ms. Stevens reported that the team that will be researching and subsequently making recommendations on the procedures used to grade competencies. The Student Success Through Competencies Task Force will meet on November 16th at 6:00 p.m. and will include parents, community members, teachers, administrators, a Board member, and a consultant from the Center for Secondary School Redesign. A Pittsfield Listens forum will be initiated to gather information from the greater community.

XI. COMMITTEES

A. BUDGET – None

B. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITY – None

C. NEGOTIATIONS

Mr. Wood would like to meet with the Board to gather information about the intentions of the members of the Board. He would like to develop a schedule for meetings.

Ms. Paradise will share a document that summarizes the newly passed laws that will influence the negotiation process this year.

XII. NEXT MEETING

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center. The second meeting of the month falls on November 24, 2011, which is Thanksgiving. A short meeting will be scheduled on November 22, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. in the PMHS Media Center, instead.

XIII. PUBLIC INPUT (Second Session) – None

XIV. NON-PUBLIC SESSION

At 6:45 p.m. a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wolfe to enter into non-public session to discuss employee hiring and compensation pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II (a and b). 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 non-public session.

XV. ADMINISTRATOR HIRING AND COMPENSATION

The Board discussed administrator schedules, hiring, and compensation.

No action was taken in non-public session.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:18 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Corliss to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session. The Board was polled and voted unanimously (Ms. Adams, yes; Ms. Corliss, yes; Ms. Paradise, yes; Mr. Wolfe, yes; Mr. Wood, yes) to exit the non-public session and re-enter into open session.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary

John J. Freeman, Ph.D.
Non-Public Session Re-
Cording Secretary