Exeter Region Cooperative School Board Meeting MINUTES

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 – 7:00 PM

CMS Library

 

 

PRESENT:      Kim Casey, Patty Lovejoy, Roy Morrisette, Linda Henderson, Robin Scott

                        Ray Trueman, Greg Kann and Lucy Cushman and Anne Krane

 

ABSENT:       

 

ADMINISTRATION:            Arthur Hanson, Peter Stackhouse, Steve Kossakoski and Tom O’Malley

 

1.   CALL TO ORDER: Chair Casey called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  All board members introduced themselves.

 

2.   ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC INPUT: Chair Casey thanked the members of both of the EHS Principal Search Committees for all their time and hard work in bringing forward three fine candidates for the board to interview.  Chair Casey gave a brief speech regarding the retirement of long term board member Linda Henderson and on behalf of the board presented her with a gift in honor of her eighteen years of service both on the Exeter and ERCSD Boards.  Three board members also spoke to Linda’s retirement and how very much she would be missed as an outstanding board member.

Principal O’Malley introduced CMS Peer Mediation Coordinator and Enrichment Teacher Laurie Loosigian, who was present with CMS 6th grade students to share with the board information on Kids on the Block puppets and how they are utilized at CMS.  All the students introduced themselves and shared some of the scripted background that came with each of their loaner puppets from UNH’s Cooperative Extension Office.  Ms. Loosigian also introduced 7th grader Eva Wilson and 6th grader Margie Hassan, the founders of a new CMS social group called Chain of Friends.  This friendship group comprised of students with disabilities and typical kids meets twice a month to play games, do activities and to hang out.

Mr. O’Malley also noted that Eva Wilson was a participant in the “Diversity Conference” with thirty six 7th and 8th grade students at Waterville Valley in January to learn more about cultural diversity.  This was offered from the NH Diversity Council and was promoted by Ben Clapp, Enrichment Coordinator and Laurie Loosigian.  Additionally, CMS staff members Esther Asbell, Katherine Brown, Steve McDonald and Andy Littlefield were involved earlier this evening with about 30 students and about 35 parents to spearhead an interactive educational activity on Internet Safety.  No one from the public spoke on any issues.

 

3.  CHAIR’S REPORT

3.1    Student Board Representatives’ Report: Anne reported on the activities at EHS.  John Atsalis was absent.

3.2    EHS Principal Elect – Victor Sokul: Superintendent reported that there will be a public reception for new 2005-06 EHS Principal Victor Sokul in mid-March and the information about this reception will either be on the SAU Website or in the local newspaper.  Lucy noted that in all three principal candidates’ interviews, each of the candidates spoke to the term “small learning communities”.  Lucy has received several calls from individuals who believed this term meant that the high school would be “teaming” in the future, and explained that no that would not be happening and what “small learning communities” are.  The Superintendent noted that Mr. Sokul has been responsible for developing small learning communities at Keene High School with great success.

3.3    Review of ERCSD Deliberative Session – Thursday, February 10, 2005: Chair Casey explained that even though there was inclement weather Thursday, February 10th, the Deliberative Session was held as planned and since there were no amendments called for at the session, all the warrant articles will go on the ballots as presented.

3.4    Special SAU Joint School Board Meeting (2/28/05 7:00 PM SST): Chair Casey shared that there will be a Special SAU Joint School Board meeting for the Superintendent’s evaluation.

3.5    ERCSD Parent Survey: Steve Kossakoski, Assistant Superintendent of SAU 16 Technology and Research gave background information on how long data driven decision making has been used in SAU 16; talked a little of what school portfolios are and how SAU 16 will develop their school portfolios on-line for each district; developing district and school data teams; hope to have beginnings of on-line portfolios by late spring or early summer; reviewed how SAU 16 surveys were broken up (for ERCSD: all students surveyed; all teachers and support staff were surveyed; and the parent survey was a random selection 604 EHS parents out of 1388 families and 560 CMS parents out of 1177 families).  Steve offered many, many thanks to both Kathy Weise and Susan Fournier for all their assistance with this survey; noted when we hope to begin the surveys with the elementary schools.  Discussed the methodology of the survey; what confidence interval and confidence levels were; where the survey originated; and briefly reviewed the parent results.  He explained that all the data to date on this can be found on the SAU 16 Website under the Curriculum and Assessment heading.  Steve explained why he would recommend this survey only be done every three years.  The board thanked Steve for all his hard work.

 

4.   SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATION REPORT

4.1    Principals’ Reports: Principal Heald thanked the board for their thorough search for the new principal, Victor Sokul, whom he has had the privilege of knowing through various Class L meetings.  He reported on various events and activities at EHS, noting that senior EB Meade is one of 15,000 finalists nationwide who have been nominated for one of the 8,200 merit scholarships awarded nationwide.  Thursday, 2/17 is a freshmen dialogue night at EHS and Wednesday, 3/2 is eighth grade orientation night at EHS.  No report from Mr. O’Malley in lieu of the two staff reports this evening.

Superintendent explained that Peter Stackhouse was present to speak on the Average Yearly Progress (AYP) with regards to Schools in Need of Improvement (SNI) designation and No Child Left Behind (NCLB).  Peter gave background on the SNI designation and then presented a power point presentation (see Attachment #1) and noted that the same test that has been used to show we are in need of improvement bears out that we have been making great progress.

 

4.2    Presentation of Curriculum & Philosophy Goals: Tom and Peter discussed the Curriculum and Philosophy goals noting that the gains and achievements that Peter referred to in his presentation are due to the efforts and support of the board in assisting CMS in achieving those improvements.  An overview of the presentation (see Attachment #2) dealt with the following areas at CMS: communication; professional development; grouping practices, curriculum; scheduling, student advocacy; sixth grade enrichment activities; and areas of immediate focus: consistency across teams – grading, homework, projects, assessment of student learning, communication, challenging all students, advisory; School Improvement Plan initiatives – mathematics and literacy.  Mr. O’Malley feels the three most important areas are numeracy, literacy and technology.  Diane Sawyer spoke to the MathScape Training at CMS.

Chair Casey asked for a five minute recess to change the video tape.  Ray left the meeting. Bill Perkins gave an overview of scheduling and student advocacy at CMS.  The Superintendent elaborated on the fact that Peter now has the departments between CMS and EHS dialoging with some very meaningful conversations that will certainly help in student achievement, etc.

 

4.3    Nominations and Resignations: The Superintendent recommended that the board accept the appointment of CMS Math teacher Mike Dumant who is replacing Kenneth Silverstein and accept the resignation of part-time EHS Latin and ESL teacher Sean Dougherty, effective June 2005.  Motion by Linda Henderson, seconded by Lucy Cushman and unanimously voted with no further discussion to appoint CMS Math teacher Mike Dumant.  Motion by Roy Morrisette, seconded by Greg Kann and unanimously board voted with no further discussion to accept with regret the resignation of Sean Dougherty effective June 2005. 

 

5.  COMMITTEE REPORTS

5.1    Personnel, Policy and Communication: No report at this time.

5.2    Facilities: Chair Cushman reported the committee did not meet this evening so no report at this time.

5.3     Curriculum and Philosophy: Chair Henderson noted her committee’s report was presented by Mr. O’Malley and Mr. Stackhouse and she had no further report at this time.

5.4    Finance: Since the 2-2-05 minutes were in the board packet, Chair Lovejoy noted that according to budget, everything is going well and, the 1996 bonds were refunded giving the district an upcoming $197,000 payment to the district.

5.5    Technology: Greg reported they are meeting 2-18-05.

5.6    Transportation: No meeting to date.

5.7    SAU Chairs: Chair Casey reported no report at this time.

5.8    SST: Linda reported no report at this time.

5.9    NCLB: Roy reported no report at this time.

5.10Great Bay eLearning Charter School: No February meeting, next meeting is 3-2-05.

5.11 SAU Policy Committee: Patty explained that since she has not received any comments/feedback from the board on these policies, motion by Patty Lovejoy seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously board voted (7-0) with no further discussion  to approve the following policies: EBCA – Emergency Plans; EBCA-R –  School Emergency Plan; EBCB – Fire Drills; EBCB-R – Fire Exit Drills in Educational Occupancies; EBCC – Bomb Threats; EBCD – Emergency Closing; IGA – Curriculum Development; IGD – Curriculum Adoption; IHBG – Home Education; JICD – Student Conduct/Discipline & Due Process; JICD-R – Memorandum of Understanding; JICH – Drug & Alcohol Use by Students; JICK – Pupil Safety & Violence; JLC – Student Health Services; JLCB – Immunization of Students; JLCB-R – Immunization Schedule; JLCD – Administering Medications to Students; JLF – Reporting Student Abuse; and JRA – Student Records.

 

Patty asked if any board members has any changes to the following policies, to contact her before the next March 14th policy meeting: BBBA – Board Member Qualifications; BEDG – Minutes; BIE – Board Member Indemnification; DM – Cash in School Buildings; IHBAB - Special Education Evaluations; IKE – Promotion and Retention of Students; and JJF – Student Activities Fund Management.

Policies To Be Deleted: Patty explained that majority of these policies are either already covered in combined policies, are some you no longer need (example is that by law, you have to do a budget, so do not need policy on budget) and some are related to teacher contracts and already covered in the contract.  When you delete a policy, the policy does not need to come back for a second reading.  Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously board voted (7-0) with no discussion to accept the following policies for deletion noting that on the policies in your packet, DKE should be DKC: BIA – New Board Member Orientation; DB – Annual Budget; DIA – Transfer of Appropriations; DIB – Integrated Maintenance Improvement Plan Policy;   DIE – Audits; DKA – Payroll Procedures; DKC – Expense Reimbursements; EC – Buildings and Ground Maintenance; ECA – Buildings and Ground Security; EDB – Maintenance and Control of Instructional Materials; ECE – Traffic and Parking Controls; EF – Food Services Management; EGAD – Reproduction of Copyrighted Materials; EIB – Liability Insurance; EID – Insurance; GBK – Employee Complaints and Grievances; GCK – Staff Assignments and Transfers; GCO – Evaluation of Staff; GCOA – Performance Appraisal and Development; GCQA – Reduction in Workforce; GDL – Staff Load; IC – School Calendar; IHBCA – Programs for Pregnant Students; IHCD – Advanced College Placement; IHD – Adult Education Programs; IIB – Class Size; IK – Academic Achievement; IMBB – Teaching About Religion; JJG – Contest Students; JP – Student Gifts and Solicitations; KCD – Gifts to School; KDA – Public Information Program; KDB – Public’s Right To Know; KFA – Use of School Facilities For Motor Vehicles; KFB – Use of School Buildings For Religious Purposes; KHC – Posting of Community Notices; and KL – Relations With State Government Authorities.   The next meeting of the SAU Policy Committee is March 28th.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

A.  January 13, 2005 – Public Hearing on Budget: Motion by Greg Kann, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board approved with no discussion to accept the January 13, 2005 Public Hearing on the Budget minutes as presented.

B.  January 13, 2005 - Regular Board Meeting: Motion by Greg Kann, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board approved with no discussion to accept the January 13, 2005 board minutes as presented.

C.  February 7, 2005 – Special Board Meeting: Motion by Greg Kann, seconded by Patty Lovejoy and unanimously board approved with no discussion to accept the February 7, 2005 board minutes as presented.

 

7.   NON-PUBLIC SESSION: None at this time.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Patty Lovejoy, seconded by Roy Morrisette and unanimously voted with no discussion to adjourn at 9:32 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Sally Boyd, Secretary