The Kensington School Board met on Thursday, December 13, 2001. In attendance were: Mrs. Cheryl McDonough, Chairperson, Mrs. Susan Belanger, Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board Members; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Switzer, Principal.
Chairperson McDonough called the meeting to order at 6:55 PM.
Monthly manifests were signed by the board and the financial report was reviewed.
The minutes of the November 8, 2001 School Board Minutes were unanimously approved by the board after being amended to indicate that Mrs. Donovan was not in attendance.
Mrs. Switzer gave the Principal’s Report as follows:
The December Calendar was reviewed with the board. Mrs. Switzer reported that the Holiday Program is scheduled for Monday, December 17th at the East Kingston Elementary School.
Mrs. Switzer reviewed the December issue of KES Times.
Mrs. Switzer asked the board for permission for the Kindergarten classes to walk to the Fire Station and the Social Library to give Poinsettias the librarians and the Fire Chief. The board unanimously approved the request.
Alice Mower, Chairperson of the School Needs Committee, was in attendance and provided the board with an update of recent activities. Mrs. Mower reported that small groups from the design team have met with both Steve Wilson and John Bernier. Both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bernier have submitted designs and are working on budgets for those designs for the committee to review. Mrs. Mower stated that the School Needs Committee will determine their final recommendation at the next School Needs Meeting on December 19th. Mrs. Mower stated the committee is working very hard on the Yes Program which will focus on encouraging the community to vote.
Mrs. McDonough thanked Mrs. Mower for her time and the effort she has put into the project. Mrs. McDonough asked that Mrs. Mower thank Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bernier for the time both men have devoted to the proposed addition.
Mr. Kimball was in attendance and introduced Mr. Carl Orio from Water Energy Distributor Inc. who gave the board an extensive overview on the pro’s and con’s of using Geo Thermal energy.
Mr. Merrill gave the board a synopsis of why he used thermal heating in his home stating that although the initial cost is more than a conventional system he felt it was safer than fossil fuel and over the long range would be more cost efficient.
Mrs. McDonough stated she was fascinated with what she discovered about Geo Thermal Energy and is in hopes that it will be looked at as a viable option should the proposed addition pass.
Mr. Flynn gave the Superintendent’s Report as follows:
Mr. Flynn reminded the board that there is a scheduled Joint Board Meeting on December 17th. The 2002-2003 School Year calendar will be finalized at the meeting.
Mr. Flynn reported that the Federal Court did not dismiss the suit relative to the High School project. Arguments will be heard in March. Bond sales are on hold.
Mr. Flynn gave the board an updated enrollment status and stated that the kindergarten numbers will continue to be watched carefully.
Mr. Flynn stated the 2002-3002 budget is in the developmental stage and it appears there may be a 17% increase in the operating budget. The budgeting of an additional classroom teacher, an aide, the acquisition of a modular classroom and an increase in the special education budget drive the increase. The budget hearing is set for January 10, 2002.
The first deliberative session is Saturday, February 9th.
Mr. Flynn noted that Art Wiggin has placed a light outside of the back door to illuminate the teacher’s parking area a little better.
Mr. Flynn stated that the Board of Selectmen would address the plowing of the school issue on Monday, December 17th. Mrs. McDonough stated she hopes that the selectmen will determine the plowing continue as it always has.
Paul Kimball provided the board with some information on alternative structures, acoustical materials etc. Mr. Kimball has been very active in seeking and investigating various cost-effective structures as alternatives to the multi-purpose room. Paul Flynn will review the materials and information.
Mrs. McDonough thanked Mr. Kimball for bringing all of the information to the board.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Ruggeri
School Board Secretary