Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, November 3, 2005

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Tom Haley,  Don Gorman, Kevin Barry, Paul Yergeau,Gigi Klipa, Kandy Davitt, Nancy Shute, Ardie Schmitchen, Diane Arzigian

 

1. Call To Order

 

The November 3, 2005 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM by Chair John Harrington.

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance

 

     Mr. Harrington led the school board and others present in the Pledge of Allegiance

 

3.  Minutes of Previous Meetings

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes of October 20, 2005 as corrected by Kevin Barry, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Correction:  Pg. 1. Pledge of Allegiance should read: Mr. Harrington led the school board and others present in the Pledge of Allegiance

 

 

4.  Immediate Business

 

 

  1. Agenda Review

 

No Changes were made.

 

  1. Citizens’ Staff Comments

 

Mrs. Nancy Shute and Mrs. Schmidtchen were present and commented on the Highly Qualified Teacher legislation. 

Mr. Yergeau stated that the Federal Government determined that the State of NH did not meet the guidelines that were set by the Federal Government on what was needed to determine if a teacher was highly qualified.  Mr. Yergeau stated that this now affects the Pre-School-6th grade teachers and Special Ed teachers.    Mrs. Schmidtchen stated that as an Elem. Teacher she needs to either take a test that costs $150, which is not reimbursable, or submit a house plan.

Mr. Gorman how we can get this “Gorilla” off our backs and that this is another unfunded federal mandate.

Mr. Haley stated that the NH School Administrator’s Assoc. is the only group that is working towards turning this legislation around. 

Mr. Gorman would like to see Deerfield take the lead in this area.  He stated that the No Child Left Behind Legislation is an unfunded mandate and according to the NH constitution should not be recognized.

Mr. Harrington stated that the board will continue to discuss this issue and asked to place it on next week’s school board agenda.

 

  1. Enrollment Projections Update- Mr. Joyce, Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Haley presented the board with a latter from Mark Joyce concerning the methodology used in forecasting enrollment.

In his letter Mr. Joyce stated that he analyzes and interprets enrollment projections by reviewing eight years of history for grades K-8 or K-12 and projections for the next ten years for grades preK-8 or K-12 of the student population.

In addition they will investigate local conditions with town agents, analyze the data in comparison to historic data.

 

  1. Negotiations Update – Mr. Gorman, Mr. Webber.

 

Mr. Gorman stated that the last meeting was cancelled and that there will be another meeting Tuesday, November 8th.

 

5.  Old/Unfinished Business

 

  1. Budget Development

 

The board reviewed changes to the budget.  Mr. Haley stated that High School tuition was increased by $18,000.  Raymond High School Tuition has increased

            Mr. Yergeau gave to the board members the DCS Initiatives for 06-07. 

Air Conditioning of the computer lab.

Replace Mailroom copier

Grade Level Leader Stipend

Increase Registered Nurse Position by 20 percent

Increase ˝ time health position o full time

Courier for SAU/DCS mail delivery

Increase World Language position by 20%

Addition of full time Classrm. Support for 1st grade, 2nd grade and middle school classes

Addition of a third Reading Specialist

Addition of a special ed. Teacher

Physical Ed. Aide

Art Aide

Full time Kindergarten

HS transportation

 

Mrs. Matteson the school nurse wrote a letter to the board requesting a part time registered nurse to assist in the health office.  She stated in her letter that the enrollment has grown 25% since 1992 and that there and been an increase of 15% in office visits this September compared to September 04.

Mrs. Matteson stated that a part time RN would be able to help with screening, medically sensitive paperwork and office visits. 

 

                       

  1.  Policy Review-Mr. Barry

 

A motion was made by Mr. Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien to adopt the Public Complaints Policy as written.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The board will review the following board polices:

1.      Policy Statement Development of Policies

2.      Use of Students in Distribution of Public Information

3.      Policy Statement Dissemination of Information

 

  1. Staff Request – Mr. Harrington, Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman presented to the board suggested standards for International Travel Proposal for Teaching Staff.

The following are suggested standards

1.      It must be shown that the trip can only be taken during the contract year and is for international travel only.

2.      The administration must approve the educational component of the trip; there must be a potential advantage to the school, staff and students of DCS.  This approval must be given 30 days prior to the event.

3.      International travel during the contract year will only be allowed under the following conditions:

4.      *International Only; Canada, Mexico and Central America could be included if other criteria are met>

5.      Consecutive days for any travel should not exceed nine days plus one for travel-ten maximum. Note; due to time constraints, travel to Australia/Asia might not fit this criterion.

6.      Application for international travel must be submitted no later than 45 days prior to the event.

 

The board will continue to discuss this issue at later meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

       Mr. Yergeau:  Informed the board members that Eva Oliver the World Language

Teacher at DCS received a Grant from National Geographic.  This Grant sponsored an artist (Pottery) from Mexico to come to the school to work with the students.

           

     Kevin Barry:  Reminded the members of the board about the SAU Board Meeting.

     on the 9th.

He also reminded the members that December 8th there is a joint meeting with the Select Board, Planning Board School District.     

Mr. Barry also stated that the polls will be open on Tuesday, March 14th and requested that the school building be used for polling therefore not having to close school for polling day. Mr. Yergeau stated that March 24 there would be a Teachers’ Workshop. Day, which could be changed to March 14th.

B. Agenda Preparations

 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Don Gorman to use the DCS building for Polling Day.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The board discussed where the Deliberative Sessions for the Town and School would be held.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Don Gorman to utilize the DCS building for the Dec. 14th Deliberative Session.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

7.   Adjournment

 

            At 8:30 P.M. a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(a) and (c) to discuss personnel matters and contract/compensation matters was made by Don Gorman, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien .  On a roll call, the school board voted:

 

                                                   John Harrington                                 YES

                                                   Kevin Barry                                       YES

                                                   Bonnie Beaubien                                YES

                                                   Don Gorman                                     YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

         Present in the non-public session were: John Harrington, Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubein, Don Gorman, Kandi Davitt (for item C), Paul Yergeau, Gigi Klipa, Tom Haley.

 

         The board discussed personnel issues concerning non-certified, non-union employees and contract/compensation matters.

 

         At 9:05 P.M. a motion to end the non-public session was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by Don Gorman.  On a roll call, the school board voted:

 

                                                   John Harrington                                 YES

                                                   Kevin Barry                                       YES

                                                   Bonnie Beaubien                                YES

                                                   Don Gorman                                     YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

         Chair John Harrington noted that no action had been taken in the non-public  session.

 

7.   Adjournment

 

      At 9:06 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

      The Deerfield School Board will hold a budget development session at 6:30 P.M. on November 10, 2005.  The next full business meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2005 at 6:30 P.M.

 

8.   Information Items

 

      None