Kensington School Board Minutes
May 8, 2003
The Kensington School Board met on Thursday, May 8, 2003. 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.
The monthly manifests were signed and the financial report reviewed.
Mrs. Belanger made the motion to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2003 School Board Meeting. Mrs. Donovan seconded the motion. The vote was taken and was in the affirmative.
Nancy Roffman, Kensington Recreation Committee member, was in attendance and presented the board with an overview of the proposed recreational area on Trundle Bed Lane. Mrs. Roffman asked that a member of the School Board attend an informational night scheduled for May 14th at the Town Hall.
Discussion followed relative to a playing field at school. Mrs. Roffman voiced her concern about the removal of trees as they are the source of shade for the area. Additionally, the removal of trees could possibly interfere with the Orienteering Program held in the area as well as snowshoeing during PE classes. There was also discussion relative to the possible relocation of the play structure. It was stated it would be cost prohibitive to relocate the structure. The board will continue to investigate the use of the playground.
Mrs. Roffman asked permission to house a rabbit in her classroom. The board approved the request.
Mrs. Donovan spoke on behalf of the PTO noting that a breakfast was held for Staff Appreciation Week as well as a dinner at the Country Brook Café and was very much appreciated by the staff.
Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:
· The KES Times was reviewed by the board as well as the May Calendar.
· Mrs. Switzer stated that the Grade 3 Testing is being administered this week and is challenging for some students.
· Grades 3, 4, and 5 will be traveling to UNH on Friday, May 9th to participate in a Drama Workshop.
· Mrs. Switzer stated that Field Day would be held on June 2nd at the Town Park and June 11th is scheduled for Fifth Grade Recognition Night. The board voted unanimously to move the regularly scheduled School Board meeting on June 12th to June 11th to follow the Fifth Grade Recognition Night.
· Mrs. Switzer noted that the final copy of the SAU #16 Literacy Curriculum would go to the joint boards on May 19th for final approval.
· Mrs. Switzer gave a special thanks to Mary Jane Solomon and Maggi Kilcoyne for the organization of Earth Day. It was a most enjoyable day for both staff and students.
· Mr. Scott Nagley will visit the school on May 28th and will present four programs focusing on the Seasons, the Moon, Night and Day and Direction.
· Mrs. Switzer reported that KES has been awarded the Artist In Residence Grant in the amount of $1,873.00. The Grant Committee is currently investigating procuring an artist who will focus on the theme A Sense of Place.
· Mrs. Switzer shared with the board a student publication entitled K.E.S. Columns.
The board approved the following field trips.
· Grades 1K, 1M, and 1R to Wallis Sands State Park in Rye, NH on June 5th
· Grade 2L to Swasey School in Brentwood to visit their penpals on May 22nd.
· Grade 3H and 3M to visit the Buffalo Farm on June 13th with the stipulation that one additional chaperone join the children on the trip.
Mrs. Switzer presented the board with a list of some of the items that will be covered by staff on June 18th and 19th.
1. Setting KES Goals for the 1003-1004 school year.
2. Everyday Math Workshops
3. Placement of students for the 1003-1004 school year.
4. Packing the classrooms which will be moving.
5. Writing Professional Goals.
Mr. Flynn gave the Superintendent’s report as follows:
Jim Eaves has been appointed the new principal at East Kingston Elementary School.
Nathan Lunney will take over for Walter Pierce, Business Manager for Exeter, during Walter’s assignment at the COOP.
The Professional Development Center is now up and running at 24 Front Street. The Center will offer many and varied workshops on site for SAU #16 staff. Mr. Flynn invited the board to tour the center.
Mr. Flynn reported that both Anne McLaughlin and Bruce Norton are retiring at the end of the school year from their teaching assignments at the COOP.
Paul Amundsen and Peter Clark will be retiring from their positions at the High School.
Mr. Flynn noted that the High School project is progressing. The committee is hopeful to have all permits secured by October, 2003. The new school is projected to be open in September, 2006.
Mr. Flynn stated that there are construction site meetings every two weeks at KES.
The ball field development is being investigated.
Mr. Flynn shared with board the SAU #16 Guidelines for the Distribution of Potassium Iodide in SAU Schools. The information will be sent to parents in the “back to school “ packets for the 2003-2004 school year. The decision wether or not to give a child the Potassium Iodide during an emergency at the Seabrook Power Plant belongs to the parent.
Current enrollment figures were given to the board.
Title I funds were discussed. Mrs. Donovan moved that Kensington agree to participate in the project and meet the requirements of the grant. Mrs. Belanger seconded the motion. A vote was taken and was in the affirmative.
The board determined that student class lists for the 2003-2004 school year would be posted on the front doors of KES during the week of August 18th.
Mr. Flynn noted there might be an unexpected expenditure for new cleaning machines because of the new addition.
The board will review the Building Use Form before the start of the 2003-2004 school year.
Mrs. Switzer will meet with the company that will be keying the new addition to decide just how to key the current building as well as the addition.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Ruggeri
School Board Secretary