Kensington School Board
Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2008
In attendance: Mrs. Cheryl Camacho, chairperson; Mrs. Alice Mower, board member; Mr. Paul Flynn, Associate Superintendant; Mrs. Barbara Guth-Switzer, Principal
Mrs. Camacho called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.
Visitors: Mrs. Felica Motherway spoke regarding her efforts to aid in finding green alternatives for cleaning and pest control. Mrs. Motherway has found a woman from VT who owns her own cleaning company and uses only green cleaning supplies. Mr. Wendall and Mrs. Switzer have agreed to meet with this woman on September 16th and listen to her suggestions. Mrs. Mower inquired as to how this woman is supported and Mrs. Motherway told her by the companies that use her services.
Mrs. Camacho relayed that this topic was discussed at the chairs meeting and goals are being established regarding “going green”.
PTO ~ Mrs. Amy Phifer told the board that the PTO is off to a great start. Some of the upcoming events they have planned are an ice cream social, family literacy night, as well as a spaghetti dinner on election night.
Unfortunately, there will not be a fall festival this year due to the lack of volunteers interested in helping to make the event possible. In an effort to raise funds for PTO programs there is currently a Fund Raising Drive in process. Each KES family has been asked for a $35 contribution. The goal is for at least 50% participation. $1300 has been raised so far. There will be a table at the Ice Cream Social with information explaining what the PTO does and where the funds are spent. If enough money is not raised, alternative fund raising methods will be explored.
Mrs. Mower asked what the PTO sponsors. Some of the things the PTO sponsors are calendar magnets for every family, field day which includes the much loved Bouncy House, yearbooks for fifth graders, a donation towards Sargent Camp tuition, pumpkin contest prizes, books for the school library and classrooms, and this year they are hoping to sponsor an author visit. A few items the PTO has purchased for KES in the past include choral risers for the multipurpose room, an electronic keyboard for Mrs. Vallone, a portable stage, a refrigerator for the staff kitchen, and a warming oven for hot lunch.
Minutes: Mrs. Mower made a motion to approve the minutes from meetings June 11, June 30, and August 19, 2008. Mrs. Camacho seconded. All in favor.
Principal’s Report: Mrs. Switzer presented the September calendar. School Pride Day is September 24th. They are seeking donations of pumpkins, mums, hay, and volunteers to help with the day. Mrs. Spinosa’s Walking Club is meeting, as is Cross Country. Today was their first meet where 8 schools participated. KES girls placed 4th and the boys placed 5th. All the kids did a great job! There will be 6 meets this season and KES will host one at the Town Park.
Fourth and Fifth grade students were treated to a band performance by CMS students. Mrs. Vallone has 21 students performing with her at concerts throughout the SAU and she hopes to talk with fifth grade students soon and fourth grade students in January. The CMS students were great answering questions and sharing their thoughts with students.
School pictures will be next Wednesday. An Early Release is planned for September 24th.
A SAU wide incentive is to have digital portfolios available by January.
September 17th is Constitution Citizenship Day. Mary Knightly will be celebrating with all grade levels by presenting age/grade level appropriate material.
School is open! The discovery of West Nile in Kensington made for a more visible opening than normal. All told, everything went well. Information was given to anyone seeking it.
The buses are running, however Mrs. Switzer has spoken with the bus company and the morning buses need to arrive closer to 8:30 am. First Student will try having the buses start the routes a little earlier to see if this alleviates the tardy bus concern. The routes this year are a little longer than in previous years, but with a little patience all the kinks will be worked out.
KES is looking for a part time kindergarten teaching assistant. Interviews are taking place. Mr. Flynn and Mrs. Switzer are also interviewing for the KES kitchen position.
Staff is using previous NWEA and NECAP scores to gather more information on how students are progressing.
KES continue to focus on literacy and writing. Staff has reviewed writing assessments and GLE’s for students. The Special Education team has also reviewed assessments to be sure that every student at KES is receiving the extra help they may need to achieve.
The first grade staff is thrilled to have teaching assistants.
The Wellness committee is entering its fifth year. Parents have volunteered to work on the website. This year promises to show progress and continued growth in learning and wellness as well as a continuation of the offerings already in place.
NECAP science results from testing last spring will be out next week.
October 1 thru 23 NECAP testing will be administered at KES.
Enrollment is 213 students.
Field Trips ~ Mrs. Lawler has planned a trip to the Kensington Town Offices. Students will walk to the Town offices. This trip will include a police escort and two teacher chaperones. Ms. Knightly is also planning her annual class trips to Strawbery Banke this fall as well as her annual class trip to the NH State Capitol in June. Mrs. Mower made a motion to accept all three field trip requests, Mrs. Camacho seconded, all in favor.
Associate Superintendants Report: Mr. Paul Flynn relayed that a joint board meeting with all 33 members will be held on Monday September 22, 2008. Our new superintendant, Mr. Morgan will discuss strategic planning initiatives. The Co-Op Board is very interested. Mr. Morgan looked ahead with his projected budgets, rather than one year at a time. He has made a strategic assessment of future costs and planning. He is interested in development of a planned initiative for saving energy on heating, lighting, and cooling throughout the district.
KES has been actively adjusting procedures so that lights are not left on all night as well as looking into the use of more “green” based cleaning products.
The SAU no longer issues as many paper paychecks. Payroll stubs are sent via First Class, the SAU mail server and not over the internet. Most employees now take advantage of direct deposit.
East Kingston invested in retrofitted lighting which helps reduce the cost of this utility. Exeter high School is looking into purchasing power from Seabrook Station which will allow them to take advantage of power incentive programs offered.
Academics ~ The State of NH is considering mandates that will require certain competencies which will need to be achieved before full class credit is earned. There is still concern over how this can be implemented.
Mr. Flynn reported that the SAU is still hoping to fill Jerry Frew’s vacant position.
Mr. Flynn reported that the SAU budget will most likely show a savings, including reductions in some areas. The SAU plans to have the budget prepared earlier this year, October or November, which will allow more time for boards to devote to their budgets. Budgets are driven by state formulas and the size of the school.
Mr. Flynn reported that 10 years ago Exeter contributed 50% to the Co-Op budget. Today that figure is down to 39% with the difference being split among the other towns.
Mr. Flynn reminded the board that it is important that enrollment and the budget remain proportionate, and reminded them that schools are not just operating September to June anymore.
Buildings & Grounds ~ Most of the kitchen equipment is in. A crew came over from the Co-Op to clean. After an inspection by the state, the new KES kitchen received a score of 97 out of 100. KES obtained approval from the state to cook; however, approval from the plumbing inspector is required for an occupancy permit. The plumbing inspector still needs to sign off on the vent system after minor adjustments are made. The plan is to offer a complimentary lunch to students for a week before moving forward with the full swing lunch program. It was mentioned again, that there is a local person interested in the position. She has been spending her own time shadowing at EHS and seeking information to learn as much as possible in hopes of being hired for the position.
It may be necessary for the school system to subsidize the program. The kindergarten students will not be considered when figuring service totals for lunches. It will also be necessary to offer free and reduced meals as well. Mr. Flynn presented a detailed accounting of the kitchen project to the board. Between matching funds, the Eastman Trust, the original cost was estimated at $102,207.00 As of this point $96,771.00 has been spent. If all goes well some money may be recouped as part of the 10 year bond which will go back to the town.
The well tests have come back clean. The Board may need to look into purchasing an additional water heater. Water usage is very high at the school due to the proactive efforts being made to alleviate any food allergy issues and once the kitchen is open the demand for water for cleaning will be greater. Mrs. Switzer indicated there is a meeting next week with parents regarding food allergies. One family still has some real concerns and Mrs. Klamarzek continues to check lunch boxes and assists with making sure hands are washed throughout the school. The extra hand washing and precautionary safety measures unfortunately also take away from instructional time and add to water issues. Safety being of the utmost concern, wipes may be an option to the water and time issue.
Mr. Flynn reminded the board that this is year five of a five year contract; therefore this will be a contract year. Official notification has been received and arrangements need to be made to meet with the bargaining team which includes Chris Culver, Wendy Lawler, and Rachel Small.
Insect Spraying~ Town Officials contacted KES to say a trap behind Town Hall held a mosquito that tested positive for West Nile Virus. KES worked with the town and pest management. The Alert Now system was used to notify families that spraying would be done at the school, the town park, and the town hall, as well as a written notice sent home to parents. The effectiveness of spraying does not show effects for a three week period. Additional traps have been placed for monitoring. The SAU Chairs discussed evening football games. A spike in mosquito population and the finding of EEE in Newfields, prompted the Superintendant to move the football game from Friday Night to Saturday afternoon and to avoid as much outdoor activity in the SAU as possible. Mrs. Camacho asked what is being done in Kensington. Mrs. Switzer replayed that Mrs. Spinosa finishes with Cross Country by 4:30. The children are being kept on the playground, away from the woods and fields, and as close to the play structure as possible. The Cohen’s, in a cooperative effort to help reduce the threat of ticks, cut their field early this year.
The KYAA and KES basketball project… The backboards will be installed on Columbus Day.
The wiring in the computer labs has been completed. The KFD is pleases that KES is now in compliance.
KES will be able to become an emergency shelter once the kitchen receives an occupancy permit, and with generator power from the fire department generator.
In preparation for the opening of school as well as maintenance, the septic system has been pumped out, landscaping is complete, and the roof leak has been repaired.
Policies ~ Policies have been placed on the website where interested parents and community members may read them. 7.8.1 – 7.8.4 are second readings.
7.8.5 – 7.8.10 are first readings. The SAU is trying to bring consistency to all the towns, particularly for those families with students in more than one school within the SAU.
Mrs. Camacho read The Goals of the School Board, which will be posted on the website.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan M. Lalime
Kensington School Board Secretary