Kensington School Board

Meeting Minutes May 14, 2008

 

The Kensington School Board met on May 14, 2008.

 

~In attendance  Mrs. Cheryl Camacho, School Board Chairperson;   Mrs. Alice Mower, and Mrs. Dana Donovan, School Board members;  Mrs. Barbara Switzer, Principal;  Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendent of Schools;  Mr. Michael Morgan, Incoming Superintendent of Schools;  and Mrs. Wendy Lawler.

 

Mrs. Camacho called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm.

 

Manifests were signed.

 

Visitors   No visitors wishing to address the board, however, the board thanked Mr. Flynn for inviting Mr. Morgan to join the meeting tonight. 

 

Minutes  Mrs. Donovan made a motion to approve the minutes from April 2008.  Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor.        

 

Principal  Mrs. Switzer presented the May calendar and the KES Times.  Librarian, Suzie Gilbert, arranged for author David Aguilar to visit grades 3, 4, & 5 this past Monday.  The visit was well received. 

Student Council has raised approximately $300.  They plan to donate $80 to the NHSPCA, $80 to the Kensington American Legion to help with building repairs, $80 towards a larger “jumpy house” for field day, and the remaining funds will be used for a pizza and ice cream party. 

A fire drill was held last Friday, and another will be held tomorrow.  Mr. Green and Chief LeBlanc were invited to observe and be sure that the new training was being utilized as well as to make sure all needs previously raised were met.    

 

NWEA testing will take place this week and NECAP tests will be given next week.

 

Last Wednesday, the PTO hosted a dinner at the Old Salt to honor KES staff for Teacher Appreciation week.  The dinner and company was marvelous.   In addition to the dinner, the staff has been treated to breakfast goodies all week.  The staff is very thankful.  

 

Today 27 volunteer parents attended a lunch in appreciation of their efforts.  It was nicely done. 

 

The Spring Concert will be next Monday, May 19^th

Mrs. Camacho asked about first aid for the Spring Concert.  Mrs. Switzer said that Mrs. Klemarczyk, KES nurse, was unable to attend, but she has been asked to make sure there will be a nurse covering the event.  Also, per Fire Chief Leblanc, Mrs. Switzer will make an announcement pointing out emergency exits and reminding people not to block doors. 

 

A Memorial Day Ceremony has been arranged for Friday May 23^rd.

by Mary Knightly.

 

Today was an early release.  Staff participated in tier training with Ms. Chick the school psychologist.  The tiers include  -  class instruction, identification of those in need, and special education.  It is expected to take 4-6 years to have the system fully implemented. 

 

The NH Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health, awarded Kensington Elementary School’s physical education teacher, Lili Spinosa, the 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award for Physical Activity and Health.   Mrs. Spinosa was one of only four recipients in the state to receive this award.  Mrs. Spinosa received letters of endorsement from the Hall and Andreasse families nominating her for this award.   

Mrs. Mower asked Mrs. Switzer to extend the board’s congratulations and to tell Mrs. Spinosa how proud the board is of her accomplishment.  

 

Enrollment is down to 212.  One grade four student moved from Kensington to Manchester, NH.

 

The PTO met last week and the new executive board for 2008-2009 is:  Amy Phifer, President;  Amy Sanderson, Vice President;  Barb Darby, Secretary;  Wendy Chisholm, Treasurer;  Heather Douglas, Member at Large;  and Mary Larson, Outgoing President/Member at Large. 

 

Three field trip requests were presented:

1.  Grades 2K and 2L would like to visit Brentwood Elementary School and meet their Pen-Pals in late May or early June. 

2.  Grades 1R and 1M would like to go to the Stratham NHSPCA on June 3^rd  to donate $150 raised at their Microsociety Market Day.  The trip will include a small group reading of a nonfiction book about caring for animals and veterinary care.  This trip is also in conjunction with their animal research projects. 

3.  Grade 3 would like to travel to the Boston Public Garden, the Boston Common, and the Swan Boats on May 30^th.  This trip would be the culminating activity for the literacy unit on Trumpet of the Swan, by E. B. White. 

Mrs. Donovan made a motion to approve the three field trips.  Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor. 

 

Assistant Superintendent  Report  Mr. Flynn indicated that class placements are beginning to be created. 

On Monday May 19^th a reception will be held from 4-6 at Exeter High School honoring Dr. Hanson.  Donations have been accepted for the event and any excess funds will be donated to Mosquitonet.org.

The Joint Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 following the reception. 

 

A committee of volunteers, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Frew, Mr. Fosher, Mr. Scammon, and Mrs. McNeil, have met to review candidates for the assistant superintendent position.  There were five final candidates interviewed for the position.  A candidate for approval will be presented at the joint board meeting. 

 

The Cooperative Middle School has been named the 2008 NH “Middle School of the Year”.   The NH “Ed”ies committee bestowed the “NH Excellence in Education Award upon CMS.  An assembly was held outside with all 1300 CMS students attending on the lawn. 

 

Acknowledgement was made of other staff retiring Mdm. Douglas - 38 years of service, Mr. Tildo - 39 years of service, Mr. O’Donnell, and Mr. Taylor. 

Steve Adler will take over as Principal at Main Street School. 

 

Mr. Flynn asked that the KES School Board delegate the Superintendent’s office to act on their behalf regarding hiring issues that might occur over the summer when the board is not in session.  Mrs. Mower made a motion to delegate that Superintendent’s office act on the KES Board’s behalf regarding hiring issues that might occur over the summer when the board is not in session, Mrs. Donovan seconded, all in favor. 

 

Amy Danusis will be the KES reading specialist.  Interviews are being held for the grade five teaching positions.  KES is still well within budget range.  A one year contract will be offered to the person filling Mrs. D’Agostino’s position while she is on LOA.  Year end financial figures will be presented in June. 

 

Building & grounds – Mr. Flynn has spoken with Mr. Wendall concerning the need to spray for ticks and Lyme disease prevention.  KES will be able to go in with other SAU schools and a spray barrier will be applied to school grounds during non-school hours.  A note will be sent home to parents advising them of when spraying will occur.  Mr. Flynn said the town will be addressing mosquito control.  Mrs. Camacho asked how the town determines where and when to spray.  It was believed that spraying is usually done in the fall but that the town was planning to spray pool areas.  Mrs. Mower suggested speaking with town selectmen to find out what plan was in place.  Mrs. Mower asked Mrs. Switzer if many ticks have been seen on the kids, and unfortunately she said some had been found on the children.   All ERCSD schools are monitoring the mosquito situation. 

 

Kitchen Renovation -  The project is still on budget.  The floor is in.  The dishwasher window has not yet been set.  Installers are in need of the dimensions of the shelf.  Funds from the operating budget will be necessary to staff and get the kitchen up and running.  Once everything is running the board will need to revisit self operation.   Consulting with other SAU kitchen staffs will be helpful.

 

Mr. Wiggin has spoken to Mr. Flynn regarding the need for roof repairs, however a final decision will have to wait for year end figures.  

 

A retirement party for Sue Hill and Sue Hodgen has been planned.  Invitation shave been sent and RSVP’s have been received. 

 

Grade 5 “Move-up” day is June 4^th.

 

Fifth Grade Recognition Night is June 11^th. 

 

Field Day is Monday June 16^th.

 

Exeter High School Graduation is June 13^th.   Great Bay Charter School will have their first independent commencement ceremony on June 11^th .  The board will need to consider moving the meeting. 

 

Will the board move to allocate Title 1 funding received to the SAU?  Mrs. Donovan made a motion to do so, Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor. 

All elementary schools made adequate yearly progress, however the High School and Cooperative Middle School, did not achieve adequate yearly progress in math. 

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Donovan, seconded by Mrs. Mower, all in favor.

Mrs. Camacho adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm. 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan M. Lalime

Kensington School Board Secretary