Kensington School Board Minutes

January 10, 2007

 

 

The Kensington School Board met on January 10, 2007. In attendance were: Mrs. Alice Mower, Chairperson; Mrs. Dana Donovan, Mrs. Cheryl Camacho, School Board members; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools; Mrs. Barbara Switzer, Administrator.

 

Manifests were signed by the board.

 

The minutes of the December 13, 2006 minutes were unanimously approved by the board.

 

Mrs. Switzer gave her report as follows:

• The January calendar was reviewed by the board. Dr. Robert Lister, Superintendent of School for the Portsmouth School District will visit KES for two assemblies with students to discuss his travels to Russia. The Cultural Passport celebration has been changed from January 18^th to January 23^rd.
• The second quarter ends on January 19^th.
• The Enrichment Committee has appropriated  $9,000.00 for teachers to use for various Enrichment Activities. 
• The Literacy workshop day with Ms. Boothroyd from Tufts University had to be cancelled but will be rescheduled.
• Grade Level meetings will begin next week and will focus on writing.
• In conjunction with the KES Vision Statement, two Action Committees have been set up and will meet the end of January. The committee addressing Wellness will focus on teacher stress and the Committee meeting to look at the Kensington Elementary School website will determine ways to use the website as a communication tool.
• Current enrollment is at 215 students.
• Several fourth and fifth grade students have joined with other students from East Kingston Elementary, Newfields Elementary and Swasey School to form a student band which will meet at Lincoln Street School under the direction of Curt Mackail

Mrs. Camacho asked Mrs. Switzer if Ipods are allowed in school. Mrs. Switzer answered that although it is not listed as an item prohibited from school in the handbook she feels strongly that they should not come to school because they are so expensive and could get lost or broken.

 

Mr. Flynn gave his report as follows:

• The SAU Joint Board will meet on December 18^th.
• Mr. Flynn asked that Mrs. Camacho report on the Superintendent’s Evaluation Form and Mrs. Donovan to report on the Transportation contract for the SAU.

 

Mrs. Camacho shared the new Superintendent Evaluation Form with the board. The form will be used as a pilot in order to get Dr. Hanson’s feedback before the new Superintendent comes on board. All board members will complete the form and return it in January. 

 

Mrs. Donovan gave an overview of the new five-year transportation contract which was awarded to First Student.

 

• Mr. Flynn noted that a Seat Belt Safety Committee will be formed. The cost of installing

Seatbelts in the all buses would be cost prohibitive.

• The sub pay for the 2007-2008 school year will be increased to $77.50 per day.
• The Public Hearing on the COOP budget is scheduled for January 11^th, 2007.

 

The board unanimously approved as a second reading the SAU 16 JLCF-R – Wellness, Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy Appendices.

 

The board unanimously approved the following new and revised SAU Policies as a First Reading:

            BEDG – Minutes (Revised)

            JLCF – Wellness, Nutrition and Physical Activity (Revised)

            JICK – Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention (Revised)

            IHBH – Extended Learning Opportunities

            JICDD – Student Discipline Out-Of-School Actions

            BBBC – Board Member or District Officer Resignation (Revised)

            EH – Data Management (Revised)

            GBEB – Staff Conduct (Revised)

            GBEBB – Employee-Student Relations (Revised)

            IHBAB – Special Education Evaluations (Revised)

 

The board unanimously approved as a Second Reading SAU 16 Policy JLCF with the WAC Appendix and its policy on keeping children in for recess.

 

Mr. Flynn will check to see if all policies are available on the website.

 

Mr. Flynn reviewed the timeline for the School District Meetings. The Deliberative Session will be held on Wednesday, February 7^th at 6:00 PM followed by the monthly School Board Meeting.

 

The Second Session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13^th.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret Ruggeri

School Board Secretary