Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School                            

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, December 1, 2005

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Tom Haley, Kevin Barry, Paul Yergeau,Gigi Klipa,, Kevin Webber, Don Gorman, Diane Arzigian, Deb Campelia, Kathy Matthews, Walt Hooker, Kandy Davitt

 

1. Call To Order

 

The December 1, 2005 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:37PM 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 November 3, 2005 as written by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes of November 10th, 2005 as corrected by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Pg. 1:  Kevin Webber was present

Pg. 2:  $1,1216 should read $11,216

Pg. 2:  Sentence should read:  Mr. Yergeau stated that an LPN could not distribute medications and this is an area where someone is needed.

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes of November 17, 2005 as written by Don Gorman, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

 

 

4.  Immediate Business

 

  1. Agenda Review

 

No Changes were made.

 

  1. Citizens’ Staff Comments

 

None made                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

  1. Building Committee Update - Mr. Webber.

 

Mr. Webber informed the board that presently the committee and MaryAnn Clark are working on what types of outlets are available to communicate to the public, how and when notices should be made, flyers, updating the website, etc.

Mr. Webber also stated that forums will be scheduled in January to discuss Middle/High School options and proposed building plans.

Mr. Webber mentioned that the land owned by the school district needs to be cleaned up at the front of the driveway area and that he would stop by and put the logs back in place etc.

                                                 

  1. Negotiations Update- Mr. Gorman Mr. Webber

 

Mr. Webber stated that he had information that would need to be discussed in a non-public session.

  

5.  Old/Unfinished Business

 

  1. Budget Development -Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Harrington stated that he met with Peter Aubrey and Tom Haley to review the school budget that was being presented to the MBC on Tuesday, December 6th at 6:30.

Mr. Haley passed out to the members of the board the most recent 06-07 budget.  He noted that the 12.2% increase for insurance that was planned for in the budget is now actually an increase of 8.8% .

Mr. Haley noted that Salary adjustments for Administration and Non-Certified staff have yet to be determined.

Mr. Barry informed the board that the 1st draft of Warrant Articles has been typed up and is available to the board to review.  He also stated that a voter guide will be mailed out with sample ballots.

 

  1. Policy Review and Development- Mr. Barry

 

This was the board’s second review of the Policy Statements concerning the

 

 

 

 

 

Manifest Policy, Payment of Bills, Maintenance & Fire Code Policy, Student Use of the School Site during Hunting Season.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to reaffirm the 3 policies, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

  1. NCLB/HQT – Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Gorman stated that he did not see the purpose in complying with the NCLB or HQT requirements if the state and federal governments were not enforcing compliance.

Mrs. Matthews stated that it is insulting to ask someone to jump through artificial hoops.

Ms. Klipa stated that teachers are not against assessment but 30 content questions do not determine if a teacher is highly qualified or not. 

Mr. Yergeau stated that teachers are finding it difficult to find places to take the required testing. One teacher at DCS would have had to fly to North Carolina to take the test that was required because there was no where else to take it.

The board discussed what could and what could not be done concerning the No Child Left Behind Legislation and how to work with the Teachers at DCS to meet the federally mandated “ Highly Qualified Standards”.

Don Gorman stated that both of these pieces of legislation are unfunded and it was time to draw a line in the sand.  If everyone agrees that the legislation is ridiculous then the board should officially state that they are not going to meet the requirements.     

 

A motion was made stating that the Deerfield School District would not send out a letter stating that a teacher did not meet HQT standards in regards to No Child Left Behind, Seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

Mr. Webber stated that he would like more details before stepping forward.   Mr. Barry agreed.

 

Mr. Haley stated that by law the information has to be given if requested by parents. 

Mr. Yergeau stated it is one thing to make these requirements but the Praxis times, and places are limited and need to be increased if they want to begin having teachers comply.

Ms. Klipa stated that the requirements to meet this legislation comes in bits and pieces and that a comprehensive plan does not seem to exists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Roll Call Vote was Taken:

 

Don Gorman-Yes

Bonnie Beaubien-Yes

John Harrington-Yes

Kevin Webber-No

Kevin Barry-No

                    

Motion Carried

 

  1. Staff Request-Mr. Yergeau

 

The School board received a letter from Ms. Voveris requesting a leave of absence from her teaching duties for the 06-07 school year.  According to the terms of the DEA master agreement, a Sabbatical Committee met on November 29, 2005 and reviewed Ms. Voveris’ request and the master agreement language. The committee unanimously offered the following recommendations to the Deerfield School board:

That the board approve Ms. Voveris’ request for a  one year paid sabbatical followed by a one-year unpaid sabbatical as detailed in the master agreement.

Ms. Voveris provide the Board, prior to its final vote a specific overview of the program.

The board extend the time period for Ms. Voveris to accept or reject its offer to February 1, 2006

Ms. Voveris will be subject to the master agreement clause requiring a return to work for a minimum of two years or repayment of salary (Article XIII-G-3).

 

A motion was made to approve Ms. Voveris’ request for leave by Kevin Webber, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

*It was noted that the budget would have to be adjusted to reflect ˝ year salary.

 

6. Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Kevin Barry reminded the board that there would be a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, School Board, and Planning board Thursday, December 8th concerning town growth.

Mr. Barry stated that Mr. Googin will be looking for direction from the committees and those in attendance concerning growth issues.

Mr. Barry also stated that Mr. Cote will seed and fertilize the field this fall.

 

Kevin Webber-passed out to the board members a flyer concerning the MBC meeting Tuesday, Dec. 6th that will go home with the Bridge.

Mr. Webber stated that he is still seeing windows open and is concerned about the loss of heat.  Ms. Klipa stated that the teachers are aware of the school board’s policy but there seems to be an uneven distribution of heat, leaving some rooms very warm and others cold.  Mr. Harrington agreed that there seems to be a systemic problem and stated that a poll should be taken to determine which rooms seem to have a problem.

Mr. Webber stated that at the end of the day the staff should shut all windows.

Mr. Webber also stated that people are parking in the fire lane again.  The board agreed that the Deerfield Police need to be notified of the situation and will continue to discuss the problem at a later meeting.

 

The board reviewed a letter from Kathy Matthews that stated she will not be retiring at the end of the 04-05 school year as planned.  The board members stated that they would be glad to see her continue her employment as DCS.

 

A letter from Deb Campelia was read concerning the full-time health/PE position.  In the letter Mrs. Campelia stated that by increasing this position from half-time to full-time it would:

 

1. Restore physical education to established levels at DCS that support the curriculum approved in June 2004.

2.  Continue implementation of grant monies that the school district has already accepted that include in-kind contributions of staff time.

3.  Assure that health curriculum, imbedded in Science Curriculum, is delivered through an integrated approach within Health and PE classes.

4.  Supports the formation and implementation of a School Wellness Policy that needs to be in place by September 2006.

5.  Ensure continuity of programming with personnel currently involved and committed to the newly established Health Curriculum.

6.       No increase of expenditures in facility or equipment supplies.

7.       Supports the belief of the Deerfield Community School that the health of the students is directly related to academic performance.

 

A letter was sent to Mrs. Campelia announcing that the Board of Directors of the HNH foundation awarded the Deerfield Community School a grant in the amount of $4,894 to enable students in Kindergarten through second grades to make sustainable healthy choices by increasing opportunities for and removing barriers to regular physical activity and healthy eating in the school setting.

 

Mr. Gorman asked if letters of recommendation have been sent/  Mr. Harrington stated that he was currently working on them.

 

B. Agenda Preparations

 

      Energy Policy

      Budget

      HQT

      Parking Traffic/Fire Lane

      Use of Facility

     

 

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

            None Made

           

5.      Old/Unfinished Business (Cont.)

 

D.  Staff Request (Cont.)

 

            At 8:36 P.M. a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss staff issues was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien .  On a roll call, the school board voted:

 

                                                   Kevin Barry                                       YES

                                                   Bonnie Beaubien                                YES

                                                   Don Gorman                                     YES

                                                   John Harrington                                 YES

                                                   Kevin Webber                                   YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

               Present in the non-public session were: Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubien, Don Gorman, John Harrington, Kevin Webber, Kandy Davitt, Paul Yergeau (until 8:50), Gigi Klipa, Tom Haley.

 

               Personnel matters and compensation were discussed.

 

               At 10:12 P.M. a motion to end the non-public session was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Don Gorman.  On a roll call, the school board voted:

 

                                                   Kevin Barry                                       YES

                                                   Bonnie Beaubien                                YES

                                                   Don Gorman                                     YES

                                                   John Harrington                                 YES

                                                   Kevin Webber                                   YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

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

 

               A motion was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien, to approve Billi Goodnow’s leave request.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

               A motion was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by Kevin Barry, to offer domestic partner health insurance coverage.

 

3 IN FAVOR

2 OPPOSED

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

7.   Adjournment

 

      At 10:15 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by John Harrington.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

      The next Deerfield School Board business meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. at Deerfield Community School. 

 

8.   Information Items

 

      None