Kensington School Board Meeting Minutes

October 11, 2006

 

 

The Kensington School Board met on Wednesday, October 11, 2006. In attendance were Alice Mower, Chairperson; Mrs. Dana Donovan, Mrs. Cheryl Camacho; School Board Members; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Switzer, Administrator.

 

Mrs. Mower called the meeting to order at 6:09 PM.

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

·        The KES Cross Country Team has done very well in competition this year. It has been a very positive experience for the children.

·        Three KES staff members facilitated some of the workshops on the SAU In-service Day.

·        The Heart of Art Club made scarecrows and dispersed them around the school grounds as decorations.

·        It has been determined that the Run, Pedal and Paddle Program is too much for our children to participate in.

·        The end of the First Quarter is October 27^th.

·        Mrs. Camacho moved to approve the revised report cards for grades 4 and 5r. Additionally, the grade 3 Report Card was also approved but after clarification of whether the letter grade is correct or not on the report card. Mrs. Donovan seconded the motion. A vote was taken and was in the affirmative.

·        Mrs. Switzer briefly discussed the Curriculum Initiatives with the board noting that Kim Boothroyd from Tufts University met and reviewed literacy goals with all staff. Numerous SAU 16 Curriculum Teams are meeting monthly/quarterly to revise the various Curriculum.

·        The KES Health-Wellness Committee will reconvene soon to prepare guidelines for the policy.

·        Enrollment has not changes since last month.

·        Mrs. Switzer acknowledged and thanked the PTO for all of their generosity and help when Timberland came to work at KES. On October 18^th KES will be finalizing some of the things not completed on that day.

·        It was determined by those who run the PTO Lunch Program that Pizza
(from various establishments) will be offered every Friday to our children.

·        In lieu of PTO fundraisers families have been donating $35.00 per family to offset the cost of the PTO financial commitments.

·        The Enrichment committee has offered teachers $6000.00 to enrich their curriculum.  Follies Night is scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2006.

·        The Cultural Program this school year will focus on Russia.

 

The board unanimously approved the following Field Trips:-

            Grade 3            IMAX Theater on November 9, 2006

            Grade 3            Christa McAuliffe Planetarium on November 19, 2006

            Grade 5            Freedom  Trail Boston, MA

            Grade 5            Capital Center for the Arts Concord, NH

            Grade 4            Strawbery Banke on October 20, 2006

            Grade 2            Exeter High School for James and the Giant Peach

 

Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:    

·        Chairs Meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2006. The meeting will focus on theSAU#16 budget

·        Mr. Flynn reported that the District could anticipate a 9 – 10% increase in the transportation account, a 2% increase in the NH Retirement System account and an increase in the Medical Insurance account.

·        Dr. Hanson’s contract has been extended through the 2007-2008 school year A search committee, comprised of SAU #16 staff, parents, community members, administrators, will be formed   before the end of the year.

·        Sing-up date for School District Officers is January 24^th – February 2^nd.

·        The board will set a date for a 2007-2008 budget workshop

·        Public hearing on the proposed budget could be on January 10,, 2007 followed by the regular School Board Meeting

·        The School District Meeting could possible be held on February 7^th.

·        Mr. Flynn presented the meeting with a plan for equipping the kitchen

·        The Board took under advisement the Policy JLCF-R which is the Wellness, Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy Appendices

 

Under Old Business a former request to have the bus travel down French’s Lane to pick up a number of students was approved by the Board. Mrs. Mower will contact the bus company relative to the decision.

 

The matter of compensation for a student who conducted computer classes for Senior citizens this past summer was discussed. It was determined that an expenditure of $150.00 would be made to the student.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary