The Kensington School Board met on Thursday, December 12, 2002.
In attendance were: Mrs. Cheryl McDonough, School Board Chairperson; Mrs. Susan Belanger, Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board members; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Switzer, Principal.
Mrs. McDonough called the meeting to order at 6:55 PM.
Monthly manifests were signed by the board.
The minutes of the November 14, 2002 School Board Meeting were unanimously approved by the board.
Mrs. Lalime, President of the PTO, gave an overview of the recent PTO activities which included: the Holiday Fair, PTO Shopping Night, Winter Wonderland, the Harvest Festival and the PTO Lunch Program.
Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:
The December calendar was reviewed by the board as well as the December issue of the KES Times.
Mrs. Switzer noted that Friends and Family Day was most successful this year and enjoyed by all.
Mrs. Switzer reported that the entire school has been working hard in preparing for the Holiday Concert scheduled for Dec. 16th.
Mrs. Switzer noted that the SAU #16 Literacy Committee has completed the Elementary Schools portion of the Literacy Curriculum. The curriculum is more in alignment with the Cooperative Middle School’s Curriculum.
All staff will investigate the Everyday Math Program. Training will be made available for those interested in teaching the program.
Mrs. Switzer stated that the January 6, 2002 Faculty Meeting will focus on Responsive Classroom.
The Math Journal Group continues to meet on a monthly basis, as does the Tech Committee.
The entire staff participated in a two-hour training session on the Emergency Response Plan. Ms. Adele Russman and Mr. Mark Pride, Kensington’s Emergency Management Director, were in attendance. Ms. Russman led the training and was able to answer many of the questions presented by staff members.
A list of students who received Letters of Academic Recognition for the First Quarter of the school year was distributed to the board.
Alice Mower provided the board with an update of the building committee’s activities. Mrs. Mower noted the State Fire Marshall’s Office has determined that it is not necessary to sprinkle the building provided the recommendations written up are addressed and corrected. Mrs. Mower reported that the plans for the building project were brought before the planning board as a matter of courtesy. It was noted that David Buxton donated his machinery and time to dig test pits. Mr. Paul Kimball has offered to reopen his gravel pit and donate fill to the building project. He is working closely with the planning board to expedite the paperwork associated with reopening and reclosing the pit.
Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:
Current enrollment figures were distributed to the board.
The Joint Board Meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2002 at which time the SAU
#16 Budget will be finalized.
Information nights are being planned around the SAU relative to the new High School proposal versus the renovation project.
Mr. Flynn informed the board that Dr. Chester Lee is serving as Interim Principal in Newfields.
The Kensington School District budget is being finalized. The board is looking diligently at the operating budget.
The Public Hearing on the budget is scheduled for Thursday, January 16th at 7:00 PM.
Filing dates for School District Officers are January 22nd – January 31st.
The Deliberative Session is scheduled for Saturday, February 8th at 7:00 PM and will be held in the Town Hall.
The problem of backpacks and coats in the hallways will be investigated.
On January 2, 2003 the School Board will meet to review and approve the list of those construction companies that will be invited to bid on the building project.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Ruggeri
School Board Secretary