Kensington School Board
Meeting Minutes June 11, 2008
The Kensington School Board met on June 11, 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
Mrs. Camacho called the meeting to order at 4:41 pm.
Minutes Mrs. Donovan made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 2008 meeting, Mrs. Mower seconded, all in favor.
Visitors Mr. Dick Wendall, Mrs. Felicia Motherway, Mr. Andy White, Mrs. Mary Spaulding, and Mrs. Mary Larson
Mrs. Motherway is a KES parent and a horticulturist. She expressed her concerns regarding the recent spraying of pesticides on school grounds. She felt the decision to spray was made in haste. She asked if there is a pesticide policy in the SAU, there is not. Mrs. Camacho told her the decision to spray was not taken lightly, and this is a safety issue. The board felt it was necessary to take action to protect the children from Lyme disease and EEE. Mrs. Donovan stated that ticks have been found on children at school. The Board’s decision was motivated by the prevalence of ticks in the community and the severe consequences of bites which have been suffered by area children. Mrs. Motherway read a prepared letter to the board that included statistics and information she had obtained from sources such as the American Medical Association, the EPA, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Mrs. Motherway expressed to the board that she would prefer that the products used were chemical free and safer for the community. She also inquired as to exactly what chemical was sprayed. Mr. Wendall indicated he had all of that information at his office and could supply it for her. Mrs. Motherway also expressed her dissatisfaction that spraying was done in the morning before students arrived. Mr. Wendall indicated that the site had been dragged and that ticks had been found although they had not been tested. The service was originally planned for the evening. Mr. Wendall also relayed that he was told by the vendor that 10 -15 minutes of drying time was sufficient and due to planned activities the evening before and weather, they took advantage of the opportunity to have spraying done while other scheduled spraying was being done in the SAU. Mr. White reiterated that he felt the real issue was the lack of communication. He felt that it was unacceptable that parents were not notified until after the spraying had occurred. Mrs. Donovan apologized that parents weren’t given more notice, however the board felt the urgency was there and felt the need to act quickly. Mrs. Mower said the decision was not made lightly and was not made to convenience the vendor. She also apologized that parents were not given reasonable notice and expressed the board’s open mindedness to chemical free options in the future.
Mr. White asked if the item of spraying was on the meeting agenda. Mrs. Camacho said the spraying of school grounds falls under Building and Grounds. Mr. White felt strongly that it should have been on the agenda. Mrs. Camacho relayed that the chemical recently used is the same chemical that has been used in previous sprayings, and that parents had been notified for prior sprayings. Mr. White reiterated that more notice should have been given. Mrs. Donovan said the board will be certain to make sure adequate notice is always given in the future. The board also expressed their willingness to look into alternative options to chemical treatments.
Mr. Wendall expressed that he feels the Board and Mr. Flynn have made good choices.
Mrs. Motherway suggested that KES should use “good cultural practices”. She feels that the neighbor’s should mow their field in, at least 10 feet, from the playground perimeter, natural repellants should be introduced, and children should be kept away from the grass and woods. She asked that the KES School Board and SAU 16 adopt a policy regarding the use of chemical spray as a last option. Mr. White also expressed his desire to have the board create a policy as well as better communication on the meeting agenda. Mrs. Motherway expressed her thoughts on the importance of educating the public on reducing the use of pesticides. Visitors reiterated that they wanted the board to work towards adopting a policy regarding the type of controls used for ticks and mosquitoes. Mr. White asked what policies and practices do other schools in the country have? Mrs. Camacho was also asked to bring the topic up at the Chairs meeting. Mrs. Motherway offered to be on any committee to help facilitate policy creation or parent awareness.
Mrs. Mower stated that cultural practices are utilized at KES and that Mrs. Switzer and the KES staff are mindful when using and storing cleaners. She asked Mrs. Motherway not to make the assumption that everyone is “pesticide happy”. Mrs. Mower said the Board welcomes and is interested in information on healthy alternatives, and she thanked Mrs. Motherway for the information she provided.
Principal’s Report
Mrs. Switzer asked the board members to please look at the letter posted on the bulletin board from the NH Statehouse staff regarding the 4th grader’s visit to the Statehouse. They stated that the two classes this year asked great questions and they said this group of students was wonderful.
Enrollment projections for next year show high numbers for 1st grade and 5th grade. The possibility of adding a teaching assistant is a consideration.
The science NECAP testing was administered to KES students for the first time. A date for when test results will be available is not yet known, however scores will be used as a baseline when results are reviewed. A decision needs to be made as to whether KES will participate in the NWEA testing next year. Mrs. Switzer and the staff would like to try a year without the test and use the NECAPs and Performance Pathways for placement data. Exeter is currently not administering the NWEAs nor is East Kingston except for fifth grade. Mr. Flynn said most districts opted not to give the tests again. Another consideration is the person in technology who was relied heavily upon regarding the test being administered, has accepted another position. Schools currently not taking the NWEAs will utilize other options for placement. It appears that the test itself costs more and more to administer as well as the fact that the students take the test, but are really not vested in the results. Interest has diminished on the part of parents as well.
Mrs. Camacho feels confident that Mrs. Switzer knows what is best for the students and trusts she will make the right decision whether to continue administering the test or not. Mrs. Mower made a motion to authorize KES administration to determine whether to move forward with renewal application for the NWEAs, Mrs. Donovan seconded, all in favor. Mrs. Camacho asked that Mrs. Switzer update the board when a decision has been made.
Two to three weeks ago Mr. Green and Kensington Fire Chief Charlie LeBlanc conducted a walk through of the school. He spent at least an hour and found a few code violations concerning technology hook-ups. He said he would write is all up for the Lab Technician to correct. He did not like seeing wires running in various directions and wanted to see power strips used on the wall. Over the summer, these items will be corrected. When Mrs. Switzer receives the list of areas in need of improvement, she will share it with the board. Solutions need to be created, solutions found, and corrections made. It will be necessary to be sure that enough funding is encumbered to cover any expenses affiliated with compliance to fire safety issues.
Kitchen (Building & Grounds) Mrs. Spaulding attended the meeting primarily in hopes of hearing an update on the status on progress of the kitchen renovation. Due to the planned celebration of Fifth Grade Recognition Night, Mrs. Spaulding had to leave before the kitchen was discussed. Mrs. Camacho asked Mrs. Switzer to follow –up with Mrs. Spaulding to be sure she did not have any questions or concerns she had planned to bring to the board.
Mr. Wendall reported that the kitchen equipment should arrive within 6 weeks. They are continuing to try to stay under the allotted $100,000.00 budget figure. The HVAC hood, moisture tables, dishwasher and countertops are all expected soon. Mr. Flynn said they were hoping to have a state inspection mid August. East Kingston continues to be the kitchen KES is using as a model. A food service manger (approx 30 hours) and an assistant (approx. 14 hours) will be necessary to operate the kitchen. Mr. Flynn reported that districts are currently having a difficult time breaking even, let alone making profits. The implementation of the Healthy Foods Program which excludes the sales of cookies, chips and “junk type” foods has played a part in lower sales figures. All districts are challenged to break even. The first year of operation at KES will be a pilot year.
The Chairs meeting will be one week from tonight, 6/18/08.
All positions being vacated and those that have been filled, will end June 30th and begin July 1st, respectively. Mr. Morgan, incoming superintendant of schools, plans to wait until after the office retreat in August and budget reviews, to determine whether Mr. Frew’s position will be posted. As Dr. Hanson’s retirement approaches, gatherings honoring his years of service have been taking place.
Linda Felch will cover Tammy D’Agostino’s leave. Technology Services staff member, Brooke Petrocelli, has accepted a new position. Funds for position obligations should be available to cover without concern.
Mr. Flynn encouraged the board to hold a year end workshop in the coming weeks.
Mrs. Donovan motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Mower, all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 6:01 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan M. Lalime
Kensington School Board Secretary