Kensington School Board Minutes

February 7, 2004

 

The Kensington School Board met on Thursday, February 7, 2004. In attendance were: Mrs. Cheryl McDonough, Chairperson; Mrs. Susan Belanger, School Board member; Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board member; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools; Barbara Guth Switzer, Principal.

 

Mrs. McDonough called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM.

 

The monthly manifests were signed and the financial report was reviewed.

 

The board unanimously approved the minutes of the January 15, 2004 School Board meeting.

 

Sue Lalime, PTO President, gave an overview of PTO activities. Mrs. Lalime stated that the PTO would be sponsoring a Sweetheart Dance on February 14^th, a Yankee Candle fundraiser in March, and was investigating the possibility of having Friday movie nights at KES. Mrs. Lalime also stated that the teachers used half of their monetary allotment to purchase a new refrigerator for the kitchen. Mrs. Lalime reported that Walmart had donated 4 DVD/CD players to the school as well as a microwave oven.

 

Nancy Roffman, Kensington Recreation Department representative, asked the School board if it were possible for the Recreation Dept. to use the multipurpose room for their Summer Program in the event of inclement weather.  The board was receptive to the request and will await the Insurance Policy to check on Liability. Additionally, it was suggested that the SALT Group might want to use the Library/Media Center for Computer Instruction.

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

           

Mrs. Switzer reported on the recent early release afternoon which focused on the KES Emergency Management Plan. Mr. Gregg Champlin, from the NH Dept. of Emergency Planning was in attendance to answer questions regarding evacuation, lockdown, shelter in place, and reverse evacuation. Mrs. Switzer stated she was in hopes that Mr. Champlin would be available some evening to talk to parents about evacuation.

 

Mrs. Switzer stated that approximately 100 community members participated in the Community Clay Night held on January 30^th.

 

Enrichment Classes will be held every week during the month of February.

 

Mrs. Switzer reported that the KES Community Healthfare had been held on February 4^th and was very well attended. Mrs. Switzer thanked Carrie McDonough and Lili Spinosa for all of the time and effort they put into organizing the program.

 

Kensington Elementary School will once again receive the Blue Ribbon Award for volunteerism. The award will be presented at a breakfast meeting on March 16^th.

 

Mrs. Switzer noted that the Winebago Software for the Library has been ordered and will be installed shortly. Laptop computers will also be ordered for the library. A Technology Survey will be sent to all staff for input regarding what computer training they would like to participate in.

 

A Parent Information Night on the Everyday Math Curriculum has been scheduled for the evening of Monday, March 8^th. Susan Deese will be in attendance to answer any questions parents may have.

 

Mrs. Switzer noted that she, Mrs. Kilcoyne, Mrs. Greenwood and Mrs. Mosher would serve on the KES Assessment Team to evaluate how KES is doing on academic assessments.

 

Mrs. Switzer stated that the 2^nd Artist In Residence Grant was sent on February 6^th and is hoping that the Grant will be awarded and a Landscape Artist would be at KES during the 2004-2005 school year.

 

Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:

 

The Exeter School District, Exeter Region Cooperative School District, Kensington School District and Newfields School District are all SB2 communities. They have all conducted their deliberative sessions and all Articles have remained intact.

 

Mr. Flynn reported that Brentwood has a Municipal Budget Committee and may be looking at decreasing their budget.

 

The Visioning Summit for the COOP was held with Mrs. Cheryl McDonough representing Kensington. Mr. Flynn noted the Summit was well attended.

 

The Exeter Region Cooperative School District has three School Board Member positions open.  Greg Kahn (Exeter), Robin Scott (Kensington) and Ralph Adler (Brentwood) are all running unopposed for the positions. Locally, Sue Belanger has chosen not to run for a third term for Kensington School Board. Mrs. Alice Mower will run unopposed for that position.

 

Mr. Flynn reported that the air handler in the multipurpose room has been modified and is much quieter. Mr. Wiggin will insulate the ceiling in Mrs. Spinosa’s office to hopefully, achieve the same result.

 

The outside fire enunciator and lock box will be installed during the February break.

 

Mr. Flynn stated that the septic system in the kindergarten wing has frozen up and he has been advised to wait until spring to rectify the situation.

 

Mr. Flynn informed the board that Mr. Arthur Wiggin Sr. has passed away and services will be in the spring.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted: 

 

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary