The Allenstown School District is committed to graduating all its students prepared for success as effective communicators; problem solvers; community contributors; and life-long, self-directed learners. -           District Mission Statement Adopted August, 2001

 

ALLENSTOWN SCHOOL BOARD – SPECIAL MEETING

ALLENSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2006, 3:30 P.M.

MINUTES OF MEETING              

 

PRESENT: Tom Irzyk, Jason Carrier, Karen LaPlume, Louise L’Heureux, Mark Joyce, Dennis Pope, Terri Kenny, Betsey Cox-Buteau, Tom Haley.

 

1.   Call to Order

 

      The meeting was called to order at 3:35 P.M. by Chair Tom Irzyk.

 

2.   Facility Needs Report

 

      Dr. Mark Joyce and Mr. Dennis Pope, representing the N.H. School Administrators Association, met with the board to review their recent Facilities/Environment Report.  Dr. Joyce reviewed the process used in updating the report as well as the report’s content.  Dr. Joyce supplied specifics of the population and enrollment study and Mr. Pope detailed the facility report.  The community is growing but the student population is dropping.  Many communities are currently experiencing this.  The report details capacity needs, standards/compliance needs, and program crowding issues.  The report concludes that, even though the district’s enrollment has declined, current space is not adequate to accommodate the program for the existing population.  Several possible ways for addressing the space needs were addressed, including constructing additions to each school, shifting grade 5, enlarging the elementary school and renovating A.R.D., constructing a new middle school and renovating A.E.S., or taking temporary measures like adding additional modulars, raising class sizes, or instituting year-round school.  They noted the final two options from the above list are neither advisable nor cost effective.

 

      The board thanked Dr. Joyce and Mr. Pope for their report.

 

3.   Minutes of Previous Meeting

 

      A motion to approve the December 8, 2005 minutes as written was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Jason Carrier.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      A motion to approve the December 20, 2005 minutes, with an amendment to specify bond interest rates, was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Karen LaPlume.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

 

 

4.   Immediate Business

 

      A.  Citizens’ Comments

 

            None

 

      B.   School District Clerk

 

            Tom Irzyk noted that Jen Morin has agreed to serve as school district clerk for the 2006 meeting and vote.

 

            A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to appoint Jen Morin as district clerk.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      C.   Public Hearing Preparation

 

            The board reviewed the power point presentation for the upcoming public hearing and discussed presentation to the community.  The warrant was reviewed once again.

 

            A motion to approve the warrant was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Karen LaPlume.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      D.  Health Insurance Update

 

            Tom Haley reviewed the status of discussions regarding a switch from School Care to Health Trust for Health Insurance.  The Allenstown faculty and staff have indicated a desire to adopt the Health trust plan if possible.  Other districts are continuing to discuss the matter.  A decision will be made by February 1.

 

      E.   Principals Reports

 

            Terri Kenny and Betsey Cox-Buteau reviewed their reports and answered board questions.  Terri discussed installation of lights in the new parking lot.  Dr. Cox-Buteau discussed repairs needed for the sprinkler system.  A quote of $60,115 was received.  The board requested additional quotes be obtained.

 

            The board expressed concern about the painting, slow progress on ceiling repair, and general cleanliness at A.R.D., specifically in the gym area.  Tom Irzyk will meet with Dr. Cox-Buteau to identify specific concerns.  The board requested that Dr. Cox-Buteau follow up with custodial staff regarding board dissatisfaction.

 

5.   Other Business

 

      A.  Staff Requests

           

            Kathy Backman and Mary Dollard both requested unpaid leave.

 

            A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Louise L’Heureux to grand Kathy Backman’s request for 2 unpaid days’ leave.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Karen La Plume, to grant the 6 days of unpaid leave requested by Mary Dollard.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            The board discussed a request from the Boys and Girls Club to use the A.R.D. gym without charge on January 27 for a middle school dance.

 

            A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Karen LaPlume, to grant the request.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      B.   Policy Review

 

            A motion was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to reaffirm the current Investment Policy.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      C.   Agenda Preparation

 

            The Board requested that replacement of the bookkeeper, Deliberative Session planning, an A.R.E.A. update and NHSBA Legislative request be addressed on February 9.

 

6.   Adjournment

 

      At 5:10 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Jason Carrier.

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      The next Allenstown School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2006 beginning at 5:30 P.M. at Allenstown Elementary School. 

 

7.   Informational Items

 

      None