Kensington School Board Meeting Minutes
September 12, 2007
Attending: Assistant Superintendent Paul Flynn, Alice Mower, Dana Donovan, Cheryl Camacho, Principal Barbara Switzer
Called to order at 6:15
Visitors
Mary Larson from the KES PTO reminded the board about Fall Festival on 9/29/07. She asked whether the PTO would need to pay a custodial fee. She inquired as to whether Mr. Wiggin might be available from 8-5 for custodial services including opening the building. It was believed that Mrs. Motherway had already spoken with and made arrangements with Mr. Wiggin. The police and fire departments will be on hand as well as first aid service. The day will include a live band, BBQ, bingo, carnival games, face painting, balloons, crafters.
Principal’s Report
The September calendar is in place. Chris Vallone and participants from the CMS band held an assembly for parents and students wishing to join. Approximately 20 students signed up for band.
The Back-To-School picnic was moved in doors due to the recent concerns regarding EEE. Instead of the picnic the PTO hosted an ice cream social in the multipurpose room.
This week Walking Club, which promotes health and wellness, began. There are approximately 45 students and parents participating. The group, grades K thru 5, meets before school at 7:30am. After protecting themselves with insect repellant, most participants walk at least 1 mile (4 times around the track = 1 mile). The children are receiving rewards for their efforts.
Cross Country is also going well and there are several parent volunteers to help out.
Monday is Constitution Day and Mary Knightly will do something special to mark the day for students.
Curriculum Night will be 9/19/07. There will be 2 sessions so parents with more than one student and/or with time restraints will be able to attend. Child care will be offered. The PTO and Enrichment Committees will be there with sign-up sheets and to answer any parent questions regarding the group(s). The PTO will also provide refreshments.
ON opening day of school, there were 214 students. The 4th grade has the largest number of students and Mary Knightly has the largest class with 22 wonderful students. The buses have been wonderful this year. They have been on time for the start of school and dismissal time has been great as well. The buses have been held briefly, as they were last year, allowing for most of the carpooling parents to leave the lot before the buses arrive.
Third grade teacher, Tammy D’Agostino has returned from her leave. Librarian, Susie Gilbert was interested in additional hours and she was able to fill the need for a Special Education Secretary.
Building Usage… Missy Ronan, parent of 2 KES children, has expressed an interest in opening a private tutoring business. Mrs. Ronan would like to offer a Study Skills/Homework type of group to KES students. She would be paid for this service, offered a few day a week, and would accommodate approximately 5 interested children. She would like to know if there is a policy regarding the school for such purposes. Mr. Flynn indicated that the idea is not out of the question and he will investigate it some more. He said he will be in contact with the board regarding his findings. However, he also said the Board will need to look further into the following items: Liability issues and insurance, Non-profit vs. Profit, and any additional specifics.
Field Trips and Track Meets
The first grade would like to visit Cider Hill Farm.
The Cross Country team has 6 meets and the cost for buses to those meets is $616. Sharing buses with other participating schools is not an option. There was discussion about charging a nominal fee for the program. It was agreed that a fee of $5 per meet was not unreasonable. Mrs. Switzer is not aware of any family who would have an issue with a fee, but of course the school would work with anyone who might have an issue with cost. Mrs. Switzer told the Board that Mrs. Spinosa is very mindful of asking for any money from parents. Mrs. Switzer also reminded the Board that Mrs. Spinosa does not get paid for offering this after school program to students. Another option discussed was the possibility of fewer meets which would reduce the fee.
Mrs. Donovan said she was thrilled to see the X-Country and Jump Rope programs offered at KES. Discussion continued and a motion was made by Mrs. Mower to provide
$216 from this year’s operating budget to supplement the cost of buses for this season and to build similar funds into next year’s budget for this purpose. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Camacho, all in favor. A motion to send a notice home to parents seeking additional funds for buses to/from meets as well as to approve the Cider Hill Field trip, was made by Mrs. Camacho and seconded by Mrs. Mower, all in favor.
Indoor recess
Mrs. Switzer relayed that she has heard from some parents that they are frustrated that the children did not go to the multipurpose room for recess recently. The Board approved this procedure last spring on a trial basis. She also expressed to the Board that the children love to be in their classrooms rather than go to multipurpose for indoor recess. She said the staff agrees. The staff feels the result is not what parents were hoping for, to get the children moving. The younger children may benefit because they can move about, however, due to larger numbers, the older children prefer to remain in the classroom working on the computer, reading, completing puzzles, and playing board games. It is a different form of socializing and the children seem to enjoy it. The Board indicated that they would prefer not to tell the staff what to do by setting a policy. They would prefer to give the staff discretion to decide whether the children need to move about and release some energy when needed.
Testing
Mrs. Camacho asked Mrs. Switzer about testing. Mrs. Switzer said NECAP testing, required by the state of NH, will occur October 1 –24th Mrs. Switzer said she and staff are training on how to help students test more comfortably. Test results will not be back until January, but a plan is in place for a parent night to answer any questions regarding scores. Conversation turned to attendee and parent, Mr. White. He indicated that his reason for going before the Board last spring with his concerns regarding test results, was to find out “why” the students scored at the levels they did. He wanted to know, “What happened last year?” Mrs. Switzer said that teachers are using practice tests and data from prior scores to help them to help students achieve better scores in the future. Mr. White feels there are two separate issues…what happened last year and what is the plan for the future. He questioned why, when test scores are compared to other school in the SAU, the results for Kensington are so different. Mrs. Switzer offered to sit with Mr. White and review the information at hand and the prior test results. Mrs. Donovan said she was pleased with plan in place to explain scoring to parents in the future as well as trying to answer any ongoing questions they may still have. Mrs. Camacho expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Switzer for all the work she has put into this matter as well as that of the staff.
Treasurer
Donna Hall, school District Treasurer for 23 years, presented some questions brought forward by the newly elected school district auditor, Mary Larson. Mrs. Larson has suggested that all payroll manifests past, present, and future be signed by the Board. Payroll for the elementary schools is done electronically. Mrs. Hall stated that in her 23 years as school district treasurer, Board member signatures have never been required by any elementary school due to the fact that the Board signs all teacher contracts. Mrs. Hall signs each and every check for Kensington and she works closely with Peggy Meyer. The Board unanimously agreed that they are not prepared to start a new procedure unless they are required to do so by audit. Mrs. Donovan said she feels they should move forward following the procedure that has been in place for at least 23 years. Mrs. Mower said she is comfortable leaving things as is, unless per audit, they are informed it is in their best interest to change. Mr. Flynn will look into the matter as well. He will also look into the new form, created by new software, being used for manifests and whether any changes have been made. The Board agreed to remain with current manifest signing policies unless they hear differently from the Central Office and/or the auditing firm’s office.
Assistant Superintendent’s Report
The Joint Board will be meeting 9/17/07. Packets should arrive shortly.
Testing…the state has published a list of all schools that did not achieve Adequate Yearly Progress. This year all schools in SAU16 achieved AYP. CMS will be removed from the list in one more year.
The search for a new Superintendent continues. Ads will be placed nationwide. November 13th will be the deadline for applications and interviews will begin thereafter. The hope is to have chosen a new Superintendent by January to begin work in July.
The Squamscott Community Commons has not yet purchased the property behind the old high school annex. The SAU may have to start-up the facility for the winter so pipes do not freeze.
Athletics at EHS have been curtailed due to the threat of EEE. After school athletics will be over by 6:30pm. There will be no night games. The perimeter of the school has been sprayed as well as some fogging in Exeter, Stratham, and Kensington.
A website has been set up by the family of Nathan Grays so that friends and family can keep updated on his progress.
Staffing at KES…An aide has been added for grade one, this was not budgeted for but adjustments will be made to accommodate the change. A part time special education secretary has been added. The new storage area is being put to good use. The school looks great, thanks to Mr. Wiggin and people from Exeter Grounds. They were able to do some collaborative cleanup at a nominal cost to Kensington.
Kensington Education Foundation has received the $50, 000 check ($6000 was raised by donations).
Mr. Flynn called Frank Marinase. He will let Mr. Flynn know how much they will charge for a floor plan for a new kitchen area. Mrs. Donovan has been to Lincoln Street School and Mrs. Camacho has been to East Kingston to view their kitchen set-ups. A question regarding a roll-up window was asked and the Board needs to choose a plan that best fits the area. The location of the kitchen area is not conducive to propane but it has not been ruled out. A walk-in freezer vs. chest type has been suggested too. It is hoped that KES can interface within the SAU for purchasing supplies and perhaps even storage. There will be the need to lock the school’s food so that community use of the space will still be permitted. A quote from the Marinase’s should arrive within the next two weeks. The Board will also seek the opinion of Steve Wilson regarding his thoughts on the kitchen. It is the hope to have the kitchen finished and staffed by September 2008.
Mrs. Mower made a motion to accept the minutes from 6/14/07 and 6/18/07 as well as the minutes from 8/23/07 as amended. Mrs. Camacho seconded, all in favor.
Mrs. Donovan made a motion to adjourn, Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan M. Lalime
Kensington School Board Secretary