Kensington School Board

Meeting Minutes March 12, 2008

(as amended 4/09/08)

 

 

The Kensington School Board met on March 12^th, 2008.

 

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

 

Mrs. Donovan called the meeting to order at 6:09 pm.     

 

Mrs. Dana Donovan made a motion to nominate Mrs. Cheryl Camacho as chairperson of the Kensington School Board for the coming year.  Mrs. Alice Mower seconded, all in favor.

 

Visitors

No visitors wishing to address the board

 

Minutes

Mrs. Donovan made a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting in February.

Mrs. Camacho seconded, all in favor.

 

Curriculum/Principal/Assistant Superintendent Reports

Tonight Mrs. Switzer is attending the parent meeting for Sargent Camp, which is being held in Brentwood.   Mr. Flynn will relay the information provided by Mrs. Switzer as well as the Assistant Superintendent’s Report.    

 

Yesterday was an in-service day for teachers in SAU16.  In the morning, staff attended literacy based motivational speeches.  In the afternoon Kensington Elementary staff returned to KES to attend grade level curriculum meetings.  They were joined by staff from Newfields and East Kingston.  Brentwood and Exeter joined for meetings, but   Stratham met on their own. 

 

Individual NECAP results have been reviewed.  A pilot exam in science will be given to fourth graders in May.  The results will not be recorded.  The NWEA test will also be in May.  The NWEA is a “pace level” test to measure academic growth.  The amount of time taken away from classroom teaching is receiving a great deal of scrutiny.   Test results are used to aide in placement for math.  There has been discussion as to whether to continue with NWEA or to consider another test called the California Achievement Test.  Exeter has been using this test, just for math, in grade five. 

Staff at CMS have indicated that they can suggest placement using teacher recommendations and without the NWEAs. 

In April the results of AYP should be in.  Each year the bar is moved up 4 points, with expectations at 100% by the year 2013.  Exeter is at 90% above level, however a small percentage in a specific learning cell, may bring the entire ranking down to in-need-of-improvement.  They have been off the list, but if unable to make the AYP figures required they may be back on.  Math scores statewide are causing a flag of concern for educators.    

The fifth grade trip to Sargent Camp is included as part of the curriculum.  East Kingston, Brentwood, Newfields, and Kensington all go together the same week.  This year students will be going April 14 – April 18.  The cost of Sargent Camp is paid 1/3 by budgeted funds, 1/3 fund raising (the March Madness Calendar sales), and 1/3 parent support.

 

There will be no Chairs meeting in March due to transitioning of members after the election.  The meetings will resume in April.

 

KES enrollment is currently at 213. 

 

Mrs. Larson reported that the PTO has cancelled the spaghetti dinner for this year due to lack of volunteers.  The monthly meeting is tomorrow.  They have had a logo wear sale.  Nominations for members to serve on next year’s executive board will begin soon. 

 

Mrs. Camacho reported that Enrichment did not have a meeting last month.  However, they are working on organizing a Follies Night. 

 

The fifth grade teachers have requested permission to take students on a field trip to Boston’s Freedom Trail on May 21^st.  There will be 31 students, 3 teachers, and 4 parents chaperoning.  They plan to stay together in one large group rather than breaking into smaller groups as they have in the past.  Mrs. Donovan made a motion to approve the field trip request, Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor. 

 

In the recent elections:  Brentwood’s budget and teacher contracts passed.  Senate bill #2 did not pass and they will remain a traditional school district meeting community. 

East Kingston had their school district meeting.  Their budget was approved and they will become a SB2 school community.    The KES budget passed by 14 votes. Newfields is a SB2 district and their budget and teacher contracts passed.  The increase at Newfields was 1.5%.  The Stratham budget and contracts passed.  Exeter also passed.  The Co-op is a  SB2 district.  Its budget passed Co-op wide,  but not in Kensington, Brentwood, or Exeter.  The advisory article on the renovations for old high school did not pass, nor did the article on the audit.   

 

The Co-op board has three new members.  Kim Casey, Lucy Cushman, and Sally Oxnard did not run for another term.  

 

A search for a replacement for the assistant superintendent position being vacated by Mr. Kossakoski has begun.  April 4, 2008 is the closing date for applications.  The chairs will make the decision on the replacement.  At this time, the decision on the distribution of towns and whether to change them has not been made. 

Mike Morgan is the Superintendent elect for SAU 16. The towns of Barrington and Newmarket now have superintendent positions open in their districts. 

 

Mr. Flynn mentioned that the halls of the Central Office are decorated with the artwork of area students and it looks great!  He also suggested that people could view photos of the artwork on the SAU 16 website, www.sau16.org .  

 

Buildings and Grounds

Work has moved forward on the new kitchen!  The masons have been in to rework the floor and walls.  The masons relayed that they found the construction on the multipurpose room to be sound, and a structural engineer has signed off on the renovation.  Plumbers have been in to do piping and drainage.  Quotes are coming for appliances.  Mr. Wendall was told that a propane tank could be buried in the area currently the occupied by a young tree and benches.  The propane tank would allow for gas stoves.  Propane stoves would not depend on electricity which would also be beneficial should the multipurpose room need to be used as a temporary shelter for the community.  The current generator, which is shared with the fire department, does not generate enough power for the multipurpose room. 

The proper building permits were obtained for the kitchen renovation.  Work to date, has passed all inspections.  Trying to keep costs down, Mr. Flynn filed the necessary paperwork with the state for some aide.  It only affects encumbered funds, meaning about 30% of $34, 000, but still a helpful figure.  The project is a collaborative effort of everyone involved, and people are mindful to keep costs down. 

Mrs. Mower asked Mr. Flynn to express the board’s appreciation to Mr. Wendall for his efforts. 

 

Mr. Flynn indicated that he has received a request from KYAA.  KYAA has been looking into the cost to purchase and install two new basketball hoops on the inside half of the multipurpose room.  Currently, the room can be divided in half to accommodate smaller players, but only one half has hoops on the side walls for short court games.  KYAA has been working hard to fund raise and they have the funds to purchase one hoop.  John Andreasse has approached Mr. Flynn to ask that if there are any surplus funds if the board would consider the purchase of the other hoop.  Mrs. Camacho asked if anyone knew whether Mrs. Spinosa had looked into possible grant funding for the hoops; no one was aware whether she had for the hoops but, Healthy- Tasty- Food month is April, and Mrs. Spinosa has looked into a grant to apply toward having the walking trail paved.  It will not be enough money for the entire project since all of the funds cannot be used for one item due to the missing “nutrition component”. 

 

The multipurpose room is getting lots of use from the community!  People love coming to walk in the morning! 

 

The board continued their discussion about requiring volunteers to have a criminal background check.  Mrs. Donovan moved that “Any individual coming in contact with students in an unsupervised capacity will be required to submit to a background check”.   Mrs. Mower seconded the motion, all in favor.  The board indicated this does not include volunteers during school hours.  It will include, but is not limited to, volunteers teaching after school Enrichment classes and chaperones for overnight trips. 

 

Mr. White suggested this information should be included in the parent/student handbook.

 

Mr. Flynn informed the board that a longtime employee who had announced retirement plans, would like to withdraw their notice for two to three years.  Mrs. Donovan made a motion to allow the withdrawal, Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor. 

Funding was received for the reading specialist.  Rachel Small will return to teaching grade five next year.  There may be a one year LOA becoming open.  A student requiring English as a second language is in need of a certified ESL person.  There may already be a person at KES available to meet this need however no commitment has been made. 

 

Mrs. Camacho adjourned the meeting at 7:25pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan M. Lalime

Kensington School Board Secretary