September 22, 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, September 22, 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 Freeman, Superintendent of Schools
Tobi Gray Chassie, Director of Student Services
Bob Bickford, Principal, PMHS
Doug Kilmister, Principal, PES
Rob Hanson, Curriculum Coordinator

Chairperson Wood called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.

II. AGENDA REVIEW

The following items were added to the agenda:
• Performance Management (Dr. Freeman)
• Non-Public Session (Dr. Freeman)
• Science NECAP (Mr. Bickford)
• Bus Route (Mr. Wolfe)
• Email Status (Ms. Corliss)
• Website/Lunch Menus (Ms. Corliss)

III. ACTION ON AMENDED AGENDA

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

IV. PUBLIC INPUT – None

V. PRESENTATION

Mr. Rob Hanson, part-time curriculum coordinator for the school district, explained that his first few weeks in the district have been spent gathering information relative to curriculum and competencies. He explained that he has been in conversation with Rose Colby, consultant from the New Hampshire Department of Education with significant background in competencies. She will come to PMHS to share information on the competency validation rubrics. Mr. Hanson explained that the common planning time teams will be meeting with Ms. Colby throughout the day. He explained that he has shared a model for competencies that have been completed by Rick Anthony with Ms. Colby, and her comments were extremely positive. Mr. Hanson explained the process that he will engage in with the faculty to determine a comprehensive Kindergarten through Grade 12 curriculum.

Discussion ensued regarding the Board members’ concerns relative to competencies, standards, and curriculum. Mr. Bickford explained the process that the New Hampshire Department of Education is following to have all high schools in New Hampshire assigning course credits to students based on the mastery of competencies.

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise to approve the minutes of September 8, 2011. Ms. Adams asked to remove “some additional” from the second paragraph on page 2. The motion passed unanimously.

VII. PES ADMINISTRATION

A. ENROLLMENT DATA

Mr. Kilmister provided the Board with enrollment data. Ms. Chassie explained that the preschool enrollment numbers should not be included in the percentage calculation for special education, so the percentage may be different than the 20% noted decrease from previous years. Ms. Chassie will provide the special education statistics for the district in her next report.

B. PROJECT HOME

According to Mr. Kilmister, Pittsfield Project Home has identified two areas of focus for the coming school year: the inner loop in front of the school and the nature path that goes behind the school along a wetlands area. Emile Birch, an artist in residence, and New Hampshire Technical Institute will assist in the work.

C. COLLEGE MONTH KICK OFF

Mr. Kilmister will be meeting with Kiki Moore-Vissing of the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation. The PES kick off of NH Goes to College Month will be marked by a visit from the “College Bear.”

D. OPEN HOUSE

The Open House at PES was a success. The PTO cookout was very well organized and enjoyed by all.

E. CALENDAR

Mr. Kilmister shared a calendar of events for the remaining days of September and the month of October.

VIII. PMHS ADMINISTRATION

A. PERSONAL LEARNING PLAN HANDBOOK

Mr. Bickford reviewed the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Handbooks, highlighting a summary of one of the focus groups who worked on the handbook last year, written by Sheila Ward. One handbook is for the advisors, and one is for the students. Mr. Bickford explained the way in which Career Cruising, an online personalized planning tool, will be utilized by students.

Ms. Adams stated that she thought some of the questions asked in the student handbook were invasive. Ms. Corliss stated that she thought it should be made clear that the answering of the questions is optional.

Mr. Bickford stated that the PLP is kept in the room where their advisory meets in a notebook.

On a motion made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Paradise, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Personal Learning Plan Handbooks – Advisor and Student.

B. ATHLETIC GAME PERSONNEL

In response to the Board’s request, Mr. Bickford provided a job description for the home game personnel – time keeper, game director, and ticket taker. Mr. Bickford stated that an effort will be made to help the crowd be informed of who the game director is. For example, a uniform shirt will be worn and an introduction will be made at the beginning of the game.

Mr. Wood directed Mr. Bickford to have a conversation with Mr. Tuttle and report to the Board the ideas that are generated to ensure the identification of the game manager at each home game.
C. CALENDAR

Mr. Bickford provided the Board with a calendar of events for the remainder of September and the month and October.

D. SCIENCE NECAP
There was a significant increase in the Science scores reported from the NECAP. In the middle school, the average went from 8% proficient or above to 11%. In the high school, the scores moved from 8% to 43%.

E. COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

Mr. Bickford informed the Board of an initial community conversation on October 19, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. regarding grading of competencies. Mr. Fred Bramante, a member of the State Board of Education and originator of the use of competencies in New Hampshire, will be the guest speaker.

IX. STUDENT SERVICES

A. CRISIS INTERVENTION AND RESPONSE PLAN

Ms. Chassie explained that per Board policy, an annual review of the Crisis Prevention and Response Plan is required. She reviewed the plan and the names of the people who serve on the Crisis Intervention Team.

B. STATE PERFORMANCE PLAN

Ms. Chassie reported that a letter has been received by New Hampshire Department of Education Commissioner Virginia Barry stating that the district has met the requirements and purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act based on the criteria established by the New Hampshire Department of Education. She specifically thanked Melissa Pazdon, school psychologist; Lois Stevens, coordinator; Susan Bradley, preschool and out of district coordinator; and Sally Blanchette, business manager.

C. PARENT NOTIFICATION SERVICE

Ms. Chassie explained that demonstrations have been viewed by the administrators for a parent notification service. The service will allow Dr. Freeman, Mr. Kilmister, and Mr. Bickford to send automated messages by phone, email, and possibly phone text to all or groups of parents. A selection of vendor will be made and an implementation date will be targeted for later this fall.

X. SAU ADMINISTRATION

A. POLICY JFABB – FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

A motion was made by Mr. Wolfe and seconded by Ms. Adams to approve Policy JFABB: Foreign Exchange Students. Suggestions were made for amendment; the motion was passed unanimously as amended.

B. 2012-2013 BUDGET

Dr. Freeman presented information regarding the budget preparation work being done by the administration.

There is a meeting scheduled on Monday, September 26, 2001, with Architect Dan Bisson of Harriman. Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Wood will join Dr. Freeman in this meeting to discuss replacement of the PES roof, siding, and windows.

C. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Dr. Freeman explained that Dr. Bill Bryan from CSSR worked with a group of students to complete a performance management exercise, similar to the one that was done by the community. It was a successful day, with students offering meaningful feedback.

Dr. Freeman offered the Board an opportunity to use the information being generated to create a strategic plan. Although Mr. Wood is interested in doing so, he would like to postpone the work until other more critical issues are addressed. Dr. Freeman will bring the issue back to the Board in December.

Dr. Freeman thanked Mr. Wood and Ms. Paradise for their time to work on the superintendent’s role and responsibilities with Dr. Bryan. Mr. Wood reported the level of engagement as being very strong in these activities.

XI. SCHOOL BOARD

A. HB 164

Ms. Adams distributed a letter she was asked to write on behalf of the School Board to New Hampshire State Senator Barnes asking that he support HB 164 without amendments. HB 164 was tabled in the Senate, requiring legislative approval for the adoption of the Common Core State Standards in New Hampshire. A few changes were suggested, were made by Ms. Adams before sending to Senator Barnes. The final letter read as follows:

Pittsfield School District SAU #51 September 22, 2011
23 Oneida Street Unit 1
Pittsfield, New Hampshire 03263

Re: HB 164

Dear Senator Barnes,

Pittsfield School Board would ask that you support HB 164 without amendment, which was Laid on the Table in the Senate, requiring legislative approval for the adoption of the Common Core State Standards in New Hampshire, which came out of the House Education Committee, February 23, 2010, Ought to Pass, (17-0).

CCSSI is about nationalizing public education, a concept that is still unconstitutional.
NH Constitution [Art.] 7. [State Sovereignty.] The people of this state have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state; and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right, pertaining thereto, which is not, or may not hereafter be, by them expressly delegated to the United States of America in congress assembled.

At its annual meeting, the NH School Board Association adopted a resolution with the wording, “The NHSBA opposes any branch of NH government adopting or supporting curriculum standards that usurp state’s rights and de-emphasize and limit local control of curriculum and local school board oversight.”

As was testified during the NH Senate hearing, CCSSI was implemented before the standards were written and assessments created in order to be eligible for Race to the Top dollars. Discovering what the standards contained before adopting them would be prudent practice in all areas of government involvement. If in fact they define an adequate education, why would the people of NH, in the spirit of sovereignty and autonomy, not wish to replicate them voluntarily as state-only, not federal, standards?

The federal government, using our tax dollars, will pay for the CCS, but it will be the states’ responsibility to pay for the expenses incurred with the administration and implementation of the CCS and federally required subjective assessments. With this fiscal burden placed on the states, we ask that careful consideration be taken before relinquishing our state’s rights to federal oversight. When the decisions are then made in a Washington department without Legislative oversight, will our towns then be found in a position of “taxation without representation?”

Respectfully,
Pittsfield School Board

B. BUS ROUTES

Mr. Wolfe asked if there could be a change in bus routes per parent/driver request. Dr. Freeman stated that the driver should bring the request to Mrs. Marston, who may then speak with Dr. Freeman.

C. EMAIL PROBLEMS

The recent email problems are now repaired with the exception that staff are not able to access their email from home. According to Mr. Bickford, repairs have been made so that email is leaving and being received at both schools. There is a possibility that previously sent email will be unable to be retrieved.

XII. COMMITTEES

A. BUDGET COMMITTEE

According to Ms. Paradise, the timeline that was provided by the Budget Committee was inaccurate. The timeline that was presented by Dr. Freeman is the one that will be used.

B. DRAKE FIELD & FACILITIES – None

C. NEGOTIATING TEAM – None

XIII. NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 9:00 p.m., a motion was made by Ms. Paradise and seconded by Mr. Wood to enter into non-public session to discuss employee 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 a non-public session.

The Board discussed employment and compensation of the superintendent of schools.

The Board discussed the upcoming negotiations to take place between the Education Association of Pittsfield and the Pittsfield School Board.

At 9:52 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 Thursday, October 13, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. 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. Corliss, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tobi Gray Chassie
Recording Secretary

John J. Freeman
Non-Public Session Re-
cording Secretary