Kensington School Board Minutes

October 13, 2004

 

 

The Kensington School Board met on Wednesday, October 13, 2004. In attendance were: Mrs. Cheryl McDonough, School Board Chairperson, Mrs. Alice Mower, School Board member; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Guth Switzer, Principal.

 

Mrs. McDonough called the meeting to order at 6:55 PM.

 

Monthly manifests were signed.

 

Mrs. McDonough recognized Lili Spinosa and Stuart Estey who were present to speak about the installation of the climbing wall in the KES Multi-purpose room. Mr. Estey presented the board with a print of the proposed climbing wall. Mr. Flynn noted that he had met with representatives involved with the construction of the wall earlier and noted that most issues have been resolved. A contractor has come forward and will use his certificate of insurance during construction. Mr. Estey will get a copy of the insurance certificate to Mr. Flynn as well as a written proposal for construction of the wall. Mr. Flynn will check on the location of the wall and exactly how it can be used for liability purposes. When asked when the wall would be completed, Mr. Estey stated it should be done before Christmas.

 

Mrs. Mower moved to approve construction of a traverse climbing wall in the multi-purpose room. Mrs. McDonough seconded the motion.

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

·        The KES Times was reviewed as well as the October Calendar. Mrs. Switzer stated that Curriculum Night was fairly well attended.

·        Mrs. Switzer thanked the volunteer fire department members for their Fire Safety Program with KES students. Mrs. Switzer stated that KES has redone its Emergency Response Plan and are practicing fire drills, reverse evacuations and will practice evacuations to the Grange in the very near future.

·        Mrs. Switzer noted that after-school Enrichment Classes will begin the following week. Woodworking and Chorus are the two programs being offered.

·        The NECAPS testing will take place with grades 3-5 the last week of October.

·        Mrs. Switzer shared with the board that Mrs. Mosher recently received her Masters Degree.

·        Mrs. Switzer noted that the Literacy Assistant position has been filled by Dorianne Barr.

·        A Student Council will be formed at KES under the supervision of Mr. Fennell, Mrs. Schulthess, and Mrs. Switzer.

·        Mrs. Switzer reported that recess time is more structured this school year thanks to Nancy Roffman and Lili Spinosa’s implementation of Responsive Classroom activities.

·        Recycling will resume at KES under the supervision of Mrs. Kilcoyne.  Mrs. McDonough asked Mrs. Switzer to thank Mrs. Kilcoyne for her efforts.

·        Mrs. Switzer stated that the Primary Report cards are in the process of being changed in order to reflect the curriculum more accurately. The copy of the new Kindergarten report was given to the board for their perusal. Mrs. McDonough asked that it be changed to be more in line with the other report cards. The board approved the changes.  Mrs. McDonough asked that the parents be asked for their input relative to the changes.

 

Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:

·        M. Flynn stated that there is Chairpersons Meeting next week.

·        NWEA testing has been completed throughout the SAU.

·        October 20th is the deadline on submission of applications for the Exeter High School Principal position. Interviewing will take place on November 5, 6, 7, and 8. Six or eight finalists will be chosen and three will be forwarded to Dr. Hanson’s committee with the final decision being made by December 14th.

 

The board reviewed its goals for the 2004-2005 school year. Mrs. McDonough stated that the Kensington School Board would continue efforts to align its goals and policies with those of SAU #16 in order to promote a commonality within the SAU. Mrs. Mower stated that another goal would be to get the elderly involved in the school as well as continue efforts to recycle.

 

Mr. Flynn stated that Mrs. Switzer’s goals are most worthwhile and include: reviewing and implementing the SAU #16 Technology Plan,  the Literacy Curriculum and organize a School Portfolio.

 

The following SAU 16/Kensington Policies were unanimously approved as a First Reading:

            IGA                 Curriculum Development and Adoption

            IHBF               Homebound Instruction

            IHBG               Home Education Instruction

            IJOA                Educational Field Trips

            IJOC                Volunteers

            IL                     Evaluation of Instructional Programs

            IMD                 School Ceremonies and Observances

            IMDA              Pledge of Allegiance

            JEB                  Age of Entrance

            JFAC               Change of School or Assignment

            JH                    Student Absences and Excuses

            JH-R                Student Absences and Excuses – Rules

            JHC                 Student Release Precautions

            JICD                Student Conduct, Discipline ad Due Process

            JICE                Student Publications

            JKA                 Corporal Punishment

            JKB                 Detention of Students

            JKD                 Student Suspensions

            JKE                 Long-term Suspension or Student Expulsion

            JLIA                Supervision of Students

            JQ                    Care of School Property by Students

           

The board unanimously accepted the resignation of Anne Tufts, Occupational Therapist, with regret.

 

The board acknowledged the many volunteers who have been instrumental in having  Kensington Elementary School awarded the Blue Ribbon Achievement Award for the twelfth year.

 

Due to the holiday on November 11th, the School Board will meet on Thursday, November 4, 2004.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary