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

ALLENSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ALLENSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE

THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2006, 6:00 P.M.

MINUTES OF MEETING            

 

PRESENT: Tom Irzyk, Jason Carrier, Evelyn Guilbeault, Karen LaPlume, Louise L’Heureux, Terri Kenny, Betsey Cox-Buteau, Marilyn Brison, Denise Schmidt, Roger LaFleur, Nick Brown, Peter Warburton, Tom Haley.

 

1.   Call to Order

 

      The meeting was called to order at 6:02 P.M. by Chair Tom Irzyk.

 

2.   Minutes of Previous Meeting

 

      The minutes of April 13, 2006 were reviewed by the board.  Jason Carrier questioned whether the reduction of a grade one position was to add a grade 6 position.  It was noted that some funds from the position were used to add extra psychologist and library services for 2006/07, but most funding for a future position remained within the budget.

 

      A motion was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Karen LaPlume, to approve the April 13, 2006 minutes as written.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

3.   Immediate Business

 

      A.  Citizens’ Comments

 

            None

 

      B.   Policy Review and Development

 

            Nurses Marilyn Brison and Denise Schmidt were present to review the recent health and wellness fair and to discuss the proposed Health and Wellness Policy.  This policy has been required by state and federal law.  The content of the policy was discussed in detail.

 

            A motion to adopt the policy was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Louise L’Heureux.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            The board reviewed the Student Funds Policy and the auditor’s recommendations for amendment.  The policy was revised to allow special cash amounts to be given to students for the eighth grade trip.

 

            A motion to approve the policy as amended was made by Evelyn Guilbeault, seconded by Karen LaPlume.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      C.  Building Committee Update

 

            Tom Irzyk and Jason Carrier discussed a recent meeting of the re-authorized building committee.  Approximately 12 members were present, some from the previous committee and some new.  Jason Carrier will work with the superintendent’s office to provide background information to the committee.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2006 at 6:30 P.M.  The board is continuing to seek additional members.  The committee has recommended that an engineering study of A.R.D. be completed.  A decision will be made at the June school board meeting.

 

      D.  Principals Reports

 

            Dr. Cox-Buteau reviewed her written report.  She noted the hire of a new day custodian.  Tom Irzyk asked that greater thought be exercised in choosing activities contained in the class trip itinerary.  Proposals for sprinkler system repair at A.R.D. were reviewed.

 

            Ms. Kenny reviewed her written report.  She updated the board on interviews for open positions.  She reviewed a recent workshop on performance pathways software.

 

            Tom Irzyk asked about plans to reduce the current four seventh grades to three eighth grades.  He feels this may be a problem.  He suggested hosting four sections of grades 5, 7 and 8 and use the current art room for the extra class.  This would require hiring an additional teacher that is now not fully funded.

 

            A motion to add an additional teacher to allow grades 5, 6 and 8 to have 4 sections each and consequently give up the art room was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Louise L’Heureux.  Evelyn Guilbeault noted she could not support giving up the art room.

 

Jason Carrier – YES

Karen LaPlume – YES

Louise L’Heureux – YES

Tom Irzyk – YES

Evelyn Guilbeault - NO

THE MOTION PASSED

 

 

 

 

      E.   Parent Requests

 

            The board reviewed 2 requests for non-resident enrollment so students can complete the current year in Allenstown.

 

            A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault to approve the requests without cost for the remainder of the current year.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

4.   Old/Unfinished Business

 

      A.  Truant Officer Procedure

 

            The board discussed the Truant Officer Liability waiver suggested by Chief Mulholland.  The board asked Tom Haley to forward the waiver to the Chief for the selectmen’s review and endorsement.  The board will then officially appoint Allenstown police officers as district truant officers.

 

            The board discussed the issue of responsibility for obtaining regular and substitute crossing guards.  The responsibility has long been with the police department, but the police and selectmen wish to reassign this obligation to the school district in the future.  Tom Irzyk suggested inviting the police chief and selectmen to the next school board meeting to discuss the matter.  The other board members concurred.

 

5.   New Business

 

      A.  NHSBA Resolutions

           

            Jason Carrier discussed the idea of preparing a resolution to modify the current background check law.  He distributed and reviewed a draft resolution.

 

            A motion was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault, to support the resolution as discussed.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            Tom Haley will write up the resolution as drafted by Jason Carrier for the chairman’s approval and submission to the N.H.S.B.A.

 

      B.   Budget Update

 

            The board reviewed the May budget update.  Questions were raised about specific items in deficit at this time.  Jason Carrier was concerned that budgeting of specific items should be more precise.  The board will review the budget at its June meeting and make any decisions for support of special projects.  Betsey Cox-Buteau was asked to contact sprinkler firms to obtain further information regarding repair prices.

 

      C.  Nomination/Election of Staff

 

            Tom Haley nominated the following candidates for election by the board:

 

            Deanna Lavoie – Health 40% A.E.S.

 

            A motion was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault, to elect Deanna Lavoie.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            Hayley Lane-Theriault – Health – full time – A.R.D.

 

            A motion was made by Louise L’Heureux, seconded by Jason Carrier, to elect Hayley Lane-Theriault.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            Maureen Egan – Gifted and Talented, 40% - A.E.S. and A.R.D.

 

            A motion was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to elect Maureen Egan.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

            Nancy May – Special Education, full time – A.R.D.

 

            A motion was made by Evelyn Guilbeault, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to elect Nancy May.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

6.   Other Business

 

      A.  Agenda Preparation

 

            At the June meeting, the agenda will include discussion of the crossing guard position, health curriculum development, budget review and expenditures, and the building committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      B.   Board Organization

 

            The board reviewed the current slate of officers and committee chairs.  The list below was compiled:

 

                                                Chair -                                     Tom Irzyk

                                                Vice Chair -                             Jason Carrier

                                                MBC Representative -              Tom Irzyk

                                                                                                Jason Carrier (Alt.)

                                                                                                Evelyn Guilbeault (Alt.)

                                                SAU Executive Board              Tom Irzyk

                                                A.R.E.A. Advisory Board -      Louise L’Heureux

                                                                                                Karen LaPlume

                                                N.H.S.B.A. Delegate -             Evelyn Guilbeault

                                                                                                Louise L’Heureux

                                                Facilities Committee -               Jason Carrier

                                                P.A. Scholarship -                    Evelyn Guilbeault

 

            A motion was made by Karen LaPlume, seconded by Louise L’Heureux, to approve officers and committee chairs for 2006/07.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      C.  Staff Meeting

 

            Tom Irzyk reviewed suggestions made by staff during a recent informal meeting.  They include the need for a behavioral program and after-school program at A.E.S. and the need for greater formal reading instruction.  Cleanliness is a continuing problem overall.

 

7.   Adjournment

 

      At 8:05 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Jason Carrier, seconded by Evelyn Guilbeault.

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION PASSED

 

      The next Allenstown School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 8, 2006 beginning at 6:00 P.M. at Armand R. Dupont School. 

 

8.   Informational Items

 

      None