Kensington School Board Minutes

October 13, 2005

 

The Kensington School Board met on October 13, 2005.

In attendance were: Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board Chairperson; Mrs. Alice Mower, Mrs. Cheryl Camacho, School Board members; Mrs. Barbara Switzer, KES Principal; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools.

 

The minutes of the June 8, 2005 and September 8, 2005 School Board Meetings were unanimously approved by the board.

 

Mr. Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools gave his report as follows:

• SAU #16 Chairpersons Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19^th. Discussion will focus on the 2006-2007 budget and to discuss uses for the current high school and annex.
• Mr. Flynn reported he is currently negotiating contracts with Newfields Paraprofessionals, High School and COOP support staff, COOP Teachers, Exeter Teachers, and COOP Administrators.
• The new high school has formed a committee to discuss the configuration of the high school.
• Charter School has been approved for grades 11 and 12.
• Mr. Flynn will provide the board with a timeline for the 2006-2007 budget process. Mr. Flynn noted that there will be significant increases in the utilities portion of the operating budget.
• Mr. Flynn stated that the past three water tests for Arsenic levels have come in under the required levels.
• A letter reiterating the arrival and dismissal procedures was given to the board. The letter will be going home to all parents.
• Mr. Flynn reported that Mrs. Spinosa will be charging parents for their child/ren’s participation in the jump rope program this school year. Mrs. Spinosa will be paid through the district and will be covered by the school’s liability insurance.
• The new report cards were briefly discussed by the board. It was determined that Art, Music and PE will only report for the 2^nd and 4^th quarter of the school year unless a teacher feels parents need to know something regarding their child’s performance in Art, Music or PE. Mrs. Mower moved to pilot the new report cards for one year in grade 2-5. Mrs. Camacho seconded the motion. A vote was taken and was in the affirmative.
• The board was given several SAU #16/Kensington School district policies to peruse. The policies will have a First Reading at the November School Board Meeting.

 

Current enrollment figures were given to the board.

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

• KES Times and the October calendar were reviewed by the board.
• The Visioning Committee met recently to review the parent, student and staff surveys which were sent out last spring. Two additional meetings have been scheduled which should finalize the new Vision Mission and Belief Statements. A meeting will be scheduled in early December for parents to introduce them to the new Vision Statement.
• The School Portfolio is in the process of being finalized.
• The NECAP testing is almost completed. Make-ups will take place next week.
• Enrichment classes will begin next week.
• On the October 21^st In Service Day, teachers will be working on their websites.
• A letter addressing appropriate Halloween costumes was sent home to parents.

 

The following field trips were unanimously approved by the board:

            Grade 5 visits Freedom Trail in Boston on November 3, 2005

            Grade 5 visits Leddy Center for a production of A Christmas Carol on December 14^th.

            Grade 2 visits the Music hall on May 9, 2006 for a production of Lava & Bones.

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The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary