The Kensington School Board met on Thursday, February 14, 2002. In attendance were: Mrs. Cheryl McDonough, Chairperson; Mrs. Susan Belanger, Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board members; Mr. Paul Flynn, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Guth Switzer, Principal.
Mrs. McDonough called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
The monthly manifests were signed and the financial report was reviewed.
The board unanimously approved the minutes of the January 10th school board meeting.
Mrs. Mower, Chairperson of the School Needs Committee, addressed the meeting stating that the Informational Night is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19th at 7:00 PM at the school. At that time the School Needs Committee will present an overview of how the committee arrived at where they are now. Mrs. McDonough suggested that the tone of meeting should be soft-shoe and not be presented with a negative connotation.
Mrs. Mower noted that the YES Campaign is well under way. Approximately twenty-three persons will be calling all registered voters to remind them to vote on March 12th. Mrs. Mower stated the committee expects to have a write up in the Exeter NewsLetter as well as the Kensington Community NewsLetter in the next few weeks.
Mr. Kimball stated he has contacted SERESC relative to school building project funding but has not heard anything. Mr. Kimball also asked if the board has dealt with NESDEC relative to the financing of a building project and stated that there is an upcoming seminar relative to the subject. Mr. Flynn answered he is acquainted with both and will investigate what may be available. Mr. Kimball asked if the board ever considered appointing or working with a finance committee. Mrs. McDonough stated that the board is always receptive to input but has never seen a necessity for appointing a budget committee. Mr. Kimball stated he would like to see a warrant article next year relative to moving the district back to the more traditional School District Meeting style. Mr. Kimball stated he feels that people are more educated during the voting process because of ongoing dialogue during the meeting.
Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:
The February Calendar was reviewed as well as the KES Times.
Mrs. Switzer stated the Transition Meeting for parents whose children will be attending the Cooperative Middle School next year was well attended and well received by parents.
Mrs. Switzer noted that approximately sixty parents attended the pizza luncheon as part of the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on February 7th. Claudia Scofield has sent out a survey to both parents and staff requesting their input relative to the luncheon.
Mrs. Switzer reported that Mrs. Scofield, Mrs. Donovan, Paul Flynn and she attended the Blue Ribbon Award Program on February 8th and that all were impressed with the program.
Mrs. Switzer stated that Martin Luther King Jr. Week was very successful and thanked the staff for the diverse programs and activities which were scheduled for the week.
Mrs. Switzer noted that the 4th and 5th grades chorus will present a musical play on March 18th for parents and that May 2nd is the tentative date for the Spring Concert.
The board gave permission for Mrs. Spinosa to use the Grange Hall in the event that additional space is needed for her afternoon enrichment program with the stipulation that a crossing guard be in attendance.
Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:
The projected operating budget for the SAU #16 towns for the 2002-2003 school year are as follows:
Brentwood - $3,000,000 with a student population of 300 students.
Exeter - $9,700,00 with 1,050 students.
East Kingston - $1,700,000 with 163 students
Kensington -$1,600,000 with 182 students
Newfields - $1,600,00 with 179 students
Stratham - $6,300,000 with 630 students
Coop - $31,000,000 with 3000 students.
Mr. Flynn stated that a teacher at the Stratham Memorial School recently passed away. The teacher had been teaching at Stratham for eight years.
Mr. Flynn gave the board an updated enrollment report stating that the board should continue to carefully watch for significant enrollment changes in each classroom.
Mr. Flynn presented the board with a draft of an agreement relating to Musical Instrument Instruction at Kensington Elementary School. The board will review the agreement and provide Mr. Flynn with any input they may have. The question was raised that if the District charged the Instrumental Music Teacher rent for use of the school would the District be less liable. Mrs. Flynn will investigate and report back to the board.
The board unanimously approved the new enrichment activity of ice skating for the after-school program. Parents will sign a liability waiver from the Rinks at Exeter for all children participating in the program.
Mr. Flynn reviewed the ballot for the upcoming March 12th vote.
Mr. Flynn stated that Dick Wendell, Arthur Wiggin and himself investigated the cleaning materials used at KES and determined that only soap and water will be used by classroom teachers during school hours for cleaning until further notice.
Mr. Flynn reported that members of the Kensington Fire Department recently walked through the school and recommended that several fire safety issues they observed be rectified. They include: no tables should be in halls for an extended period of time, no TV carts, or other moveable carts should be in the halls, and the ventilating fan in the attic should be wired to the fire alarm. Mr. Flynn will continue to monitor all safety issues at the school and keep the board informed. Mr. Flynn is also monitoring the boiler and voiced his concern as to its age and efficiency.
Mrs. Donovan moved to approve the minutes of the January 18th School Board Meeting. Mrs. Belanger seconded the motion. The vote was taken and was in the affirmative.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Ruggeri
School Board Secretary