Kensington School Board Minutes

August 19, 2004

 

The Kensington School Board met on August 19, 2004. In attendance were: Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board Member; Mrs. Alice Mower, School Board Member; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Supt. of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Guth Switzer, Principal.

 

Mrs. Donovan called the meeting to order at 4:11 PM.

 

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

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

·        The projected enrollment figures for the 2004-2005 school year were distributed to the board.

·        Mrs. Switzer stated that class lists were posted on Monday, August 16^th.

·        Mrs. Switzer noted that Tammy D’Agostino has recently received her Master’s Degree and Elizabeth Mosher is very close to completing her course work to attain a Master’s Degree. Mrs. Spinosa attended a week long workshop on Responsive Classroom and is very enthusiastic about putting some of the things learned into her curriculum. Nine staff members are attending a three-day workshop on EDM.

·        Mrs. Switzer stated the building has been cleaned and commended Mr. Wiggin on doing such a thorough job.

·        The matter of arrival/dismissal times for the 2004-2005 school year was addressed. In order to accommodate bus arrivals and departures, school will begin at 8:40 AM and dismissal time will now be 3:10 PM.

·        Mrs. Switzer will check with the Fire Chief to determine whether the school’s bike racks can be placed on fire dept property. Bike safety was discussed and again the board voiced their concern about children riding to and from school. Mrs. Switzer will address their concerns and incorporate new bike safety guidelines into the Student/Parent Handbook.

·        Mrs. Switzer shared with the board that Whitney Schwartz will be the new Special Education Teacher two days a week and that Carole Brooks, Renee Boudreau and Cheryl Rossman will not be returning to KES for the 2004-2005 school year. Mrs. Switzer will be interviewing shortly for their replacements. Peter Fennell will intern with Betsy Schulthess as a Guidance Counselor. Lori Nelson will student intern with Susan Hill for the first half of the year.

·        Mrs. Switzer noted that the Grade 3 assessments are in and will be going home to parents in early September. The NWEA Assessments will be administered to students in grades 3-5 during the first three weeks of September.

·        Mrs. Switzer announced that Nancy Roffman will be the Lead Teacher for the Primary wing for the 2004-2005 school year.

 

Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:

·        The SAU joint chairpersons are schedule to meet in September and December.

·        Mr. Flynn stated that Mr. Heald will be retiring as the High School Principal at the end of the 2004-2005 school year. Mr. Flynn will head up the search committee for the new Exeter High School principal.

·        The High School project is on schedule and much work has been done on the preparation of the fields. Construction steel is beginning to arrive on site.

·        Mr. Flynn noted that there is a study committee looking at what will become of the EHS property when the new high school is completed.

·        Mr. Flynn nominated Whitney Schwartz for the Special Education position at KES. Dana Donovan moved to accept the nomination. Mrs. Mower seconded the motion. A vote was taken and was in the affirmative.

·        Mr. Flynn reported that there are bus issues being discussed relative to how many children can be placed in a seat on a school field trip. Additionally, Mr. Flynn noted that there is a committee formed that is studying the issue of seat belts on school buses.

 

Mrs. Switzer discussed some of her goals for KES for the 2004-2005 school year. Mrs. Switzer asked for a school board representative to serve on a Visioning Committee.  Mrs. Donovan will serve on this committee.

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary