Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, November 10, 2005

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Peter Aubrey,  Kevin Barry, Paul Yergeau,Gigi Klipa, Kandy Davitt, Ann Ryan

 

1.  Call To Order

 

The November 10, 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.  Immediate Business

 

 

A.     Citizens’ Staff Comments – None Made

 

B.     Staff Requests - Mr. Harrington

 

Ms. Ryan a 6th grade teacher at DCS was present to discuss with the board a request for leave that she has made.

Mr. Gorman a school board member had spoken with numerous staff members concerning suggested criteria for the board to use when determining time allowed for travel.  Ex. Of Suggested Criteria:

Limited to International Travel

Use of Sick Days

Explanation of the benefit the experience would have for the grade level.

Mr. Harrington stated that he was concerned about the use of sick days for travel

and that sick days already had established language in the contract, which does not include travel. 

Ms. Beaubien stated that a decision needed to be made for Ms. Ryan and that establishing criteria for travel was a separate issue at this time.

Mr. Webber stated that the board needed to be careful not to cross-contractual agreements.

The board members discussed the verbiage in the Teachers’ contract, educational benefit of travel, etc.  The board decided to continue their discussion on this issue at the next board meeting.

           

 

 

 

 

C.     Budget Development – Mr. Harrington

 

The board reviewed with Mr. Aubrey the proposed 06-07 DCS budget.  The budget will be presented to the MBC December 6th at the George B. White building at 6:30. 

Several Initiatives were presented to the board.

Mr. Yergeau presented the need for air conditioning in the computer lab.  This room has poor ventilation and when you put a roomful of students in the room the environment becomes very stagnant.   It was discussed that the students for state testing use the computers and the poor air quality is an area that needs to be improved.

Copier- Mr. Yergeau informed the board that the second copier that was leased specifically for Special Ed is not meeting the needs of the building.  The lease will be up and the school is looking to upgrade.  The company rep. stated that the cost per copy on the current machine is more expensive than the larger office copier due to the amount of copies being run.

Grade level stipends – Mr. Yergeau informed the board that each grade level has a

designated representative who meets with their grade level and in return meets with Paul/Gigi concerning grade level issues, curriculum, testing etc.  Teachers who are asked to do this job end up having a planning period taken away.   Mr. Yergeau stated that by setting grade levels with a teacher representative in place it assists Mr. Yergeau and Ms. Klippa in addressing the needs of each grade level.

The cost would be $1,1216 for 10 people. 

Registered Nurse Position-Mrs. Matteson wrote the board a letter concerning adding on a 20 percent position.  Mrs. Matteson stated in her letter that with the increased demands due to school growth and changing health issues the added part time position is necessary.  The board members asked if the person had to be a Registered Nurse or would an LPN be able to do the job.  Mr. Yergeau stated that an LPN could not distribute medications and this is an area

Mail Currier to the SAU, World Language position increased by 20 percent, fulltime Kindergarten, PE Assistant, Art Assistant,  were also initiatives that were discussed.

The board reviewed the Tech. Line .  Mr. Webber shared with the board the success of the Deerfield Lego League that is overseen by Debbie Boisvert and Maria Knee.   

 

A motion was made to increase, Co-Curricular Activity line by 500 dollars to support the lego league in purchasing robot parts, etc. by Kevin Webber,

Seconded by Kevin Barry .

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

4.         Other Business

 

A.                 Informational Items

 

Paul Yergeau-Informed the board members that Debbie Boisvert (Technology Coordinator) has been awarded the Teacher of the Year Award for her work

at DCS and the use of technology in the school setting.

 

Kevin Barry-Mr. Barry informed the board that the Select board has decided to use DCS for their Deliberative Session and for polling.  The date has yet to be determined.

 

Kevin Webber-Mr. Webber informed the board that MaryAnn Clark has accepted the board’s Public Relations position. 

 

A motion was made to add a volunteer position for Public Relations to the school board by Kevin Webber, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Peter Aubrey- Stated that the SAU budget was passed.  Also, as of Monday the SAU office is now again fully staffed.

 

John Harrington- stated that a newly formed indoor soccer team had approached him concerning the use of the upper field for practices.  Mr. Harrington stated that this team was made up of Deerfield residence that played in the Candia indoor league.          

The board members discussed liability issues and it was determined that at this time the team would not be able to use the school field.

Mr. Harrington also inquired about the fall maintenance of the field and asked for information concerning seeding, fertilizing, and mowing for the next meeting.

 

B.     Agenda Items

Budget

Teacher Request

 

C.   Citizens/Staff Comments

 

5. Adjournment

 

At 9:10 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

 

 

     

6.         Informational Items