The
ALLENSTOWN SCHOOL BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
PRESENT: Tom
Irzyk, Jason Carrier, Evelyn Guilbeault, Karen LaPlume, Louise L’Heureux, Terri
Kenny, Betsey Cox-Buteau, Capt. Mulholland, Braco Dulabic, Matt and Patrick
LaHereux, Tom Haley.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
3. Immediate Business
A. Citizens’ Comments
Mr.
Dulabic was present to seek information about the board’s intentions to remove
trees and erect a fence around the new A.E.S. parking lot. Tom Irzyk indicated the board would consider
this matter nearer the end of the fiscal year.
B. Police Department
Services
Capt. Mulholland was present to discuss the school crossing guards. The police department has had to cover when a guard is absent, and emergency calls can leave the crossings uncovered. They propose to turn responsibility for the crossing guards over to the school district, feeling that it would be easier for the school to get an emergency substitute when necessary. Evelyn Guilbeault noted the police are more able to train the guards, and Capt. Mulholland indicated the police would still provide training. Tom Irzyk suggested not changing the responsibility but offer to help with providing substitutes as needed. The principals will seek substitutes for training.
Capt. Mulholland asked the board to appoint officers of the Allenstown Police Department as truant officers for the school district. He also suggested the district provide an agreement that would indemnify the district should an accident occur while truant students are apprehended or transported. The board agreed to complete the appointments and seek an indemnification document as soon as possible. Lighting for the new A.E.S. parking lot was discussed. Capt. Mulholland will contact PSNH to discuss options available to the district.
C. Principals Reports
Terri Kenny discussed the recent lockdown drill at A.E.S., kindergarten registration, staff training and the special education on-sight visit.
Betsey Cox-Buteau highlighted the recent science fair, the baseball team, behavior on a school bus, the grade 8 trip, and Nan Franz’s recognition as school psychologist of the year. She recognized Evelyn Guilbeault for making a new cover for the A.R.D. Clarinova. She requested the board allow use of several technology lines totaling $10,490 to purchase 10 laptops for a mobile cart at A.E.S. The board did not approve the request.
A
request was made by bus coordinator Linda Beaudoin to create a new bus stop at
A motion was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault, to approve the new bus stop.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
D. NECAP and NEWA Assessments
Betsey Cox-Buteau reported on A.R.D. NECAP assessments and results. She gave comparisons with other similar districts. NWEA data was reviewed. A discussion of curriculum development initiatives and state framework expectations was held. The issue of changing the form of state testing over time was discussed. Terri Kenny reviewed A.E.S. scores and discussed strategies for improvement. Jason Carrier discussed tying evaluation of staff and administration with assessment results.
E. Assistant Superintendent Confirmation
Karen LaPlume reviewed the assistant superintendent search process and requested that the Allenstown Board vote to confirm the vote of the Executive School Board to appoint Peter Warburton as SAU #53’s new assistant superintendent.
A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Karen LaPlume, to confirm the appointment.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
4. Old/Unfinished Business
A. Bond Vote
Tom Irzyk reviewed the vote on the requested addition. The board discussed re-instituting a building committee composed of both former and new members and giving the committee a blank slate to review the situation and come up with a plan for presentation in March, 2007. Jason Carrier discussed the current tax increase and the prospect of voters supporting the cost of major construction. The school board discussed Jason Carrier being the board representative to a future building committee. The board noted that the committee needs to be formed and begin its work early. Tom Irzyk will contact the past committee and set up an initial meeting. Tom Haley will place a notice seeking new committee members in the Banner and Concord Monitor and at various postings around Allenstown.
B. Sprinkler System Repair
The board reviewed three proposals for replacing the sprinkler mains at A.R.D. The board requested Betsey Cox-Buteau to contact Carter Fire Protection to see if they will re-calculate and give specifics on their proposal as well as to seek specifics from other companies represented.
C. School Calendar
Tom Irzyk distributed a letter from the Allenstown Selectmen. He provided a history of how voting came to be held at A.E.S. He recalls that the school board agreed not to have school during the 2004 presidential election but did not agree to cancel school for every election. Tom Irzyk identified that the issues are parking and announcements from the school which interrupt voting. The school would have to close three additional days to accommodate this request for 2006/07. Allenstown’s calendar tries to match Pembroke’s to serve the needs of families. Tom Haley suggested the possibility of changing the SAU #53 workshop day so it coincides with March voting in all districts. The board asked that this be done.
A
motion was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Jason Carrier, to approve the
proposed calendar as amended to include a workshop day on
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
5. New Business
A. Staffing
The principals requested the board consider three position changes for 2006/07:
§ Change the A.E.S. library position from an assistant position to a certified position at an increase of approximately $19,333.
§ Add a day for the speech pathologist at a cost of approximately $9,836.
§ Eliminate a grade one position through attrition for a savings of $38,935.
Betsey Cox-Buteau also requested the speech pathologist have an added day for the remainder of 2005/06 at a cost of approximately $1,829, but with elimination of a current aide position to address this cost.
A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault, to approve the request for a certified librarian to replace the assistant at A.E.S., for additional speech pathologist time, and for elimination of a grade one position.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
B. Research Project
Terri
Kenny has been asked by a college student to use A.E.S. data to complete a
college project. Specific data will not
be named in the report. The board
decided not to take part in the research project.
6. Other Business
A. Agenda Preparation
Jason Carrier asked that recommendations regarding use of the principals’ fund be drafted as policy for the next meeting. He also questioned use of the new food service software and creating a resolution on background checks for the upcoming NHSBA Delegate Assembly. The board will also reorganize for 2006/07, discuss a further calendar update and discuss end-of-year expenditures.
B. Staff Review
At
Tom Irzyk YES
Jason Carrier YES
Evelyn Guilbeault YES
Karen LaPlume YES
Louise L’Heureux YES
THE MOTION PASSED
Present in the non-public session were: Tom Irzyk, Jason Carrier, Evelyn Guilbeault, Karen La Plume, Louise L’Heureux, Betsey Cox-Buteau, Terri Kenny, Tom Haley.
The principals reviewed staff with the school board.
At
Tom Irzyk YES
Jason Carrier YES
Evelyn Guilbeault YES
Karen LaPlume YES
Louise L’Heureux YES
THE MOTION PASSED
Chair Tom Irzyk reported that no action had been taken in the non-public session.
C. Nomination/Election of Staff
Tom Haley distributed a list of nominees for the 2006/07 academic year. He noted the addition of Dana Crowell as A.E.S. librarian and increasing Nicole Cotnoir from 60% to 80% time. A motion was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Karen LaPlume, to approve the superintendent’s nominations for 2006/07.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
7. Adjournment
At
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION PASSED
The next
Allenstown School Board meeting is scheduled for
8. Informational Items
None