Deerfield Community School

Public Hearing

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Monday, January 9, 2006 6:30 PM

Present: John Harrington, Don Gorman, Kevin Webber, Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubien, Kandy Davitt (recording secretary)

1. Call to Order – Mr. Harrington

Mr. Harrington called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM

2. Public Hearing: School Bond: Junior High/High School

Mr. Harrington welcomed the public to the Public Hearing concerning the proposed School Bond. He then read the Public Notice: The Deerfield School Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed bond issue to construct, furnish, and equip a new middle/ high school on Monday, January 9^th, 2006 at the Deerfield Community School. The Hearing will begin at 6:30 PM.

The Public Notice was posted at the following places: Concord Monitor, Philbrick James Library, Deerfield Community School, US Post Office, Town Newsletter, Town Website, Forum, Sign at the G.B. White Building, and the DCS sign at the end of the school driveway.

Mr. Harrington then proceeded to inform those present as to the intent to the proposed bond and how the school board decided to present the bond this year.

The school board as in the past 5 to 8 years noted that DCS has reached its’ limit with no viable way to expand. Last year the project was started to study a middle school (stand alone) to be constructed at the site already owned by the school district across from the fair grounds on 107. Mr. Harrington stated that after reviewing that proposal and the financial impact it would have the board felt that it was not fiscally responsible to build a middle school only when it did not solve the other issue concerning Deerfield High School students. Mr. Harrington noted that High School placement for the past 10 years has been tenuous at best. The last two years have been more organized since the town has signed a 10-year contract with Concord giving the town one school to send all the graduating 8^th graders.

Years past each graduating 8^th grader would have to apply to different high schools and at one time there were 10 different high schools that were accepting our students. The application process was stressful due to the fact that you may or may not be able to attend the school of their choice, etc. The school board a number of years ago entered into a 10-year contract with Concord. This was not a solid solution and not wanting to wait till year 8 or 9 to find out where we needed to go with our high school students, Mr. Harrington stated that the current school board felt that it was their duty to come up with a concurrent plan to be working on while the contract was going through its’ paces. Keeping in mind that a middle school study had been done and realized what the financial impact would have on the town in building a middle school only, the board decided to look back at a plan that had been studied extensively 5 years ago which was a middle/high school plan. The District already had drawings, architectural renderings, and concise cost analysis. The plan was brought back and updated giving it current financial numbers and updated the curriculum to today’s requirements.

Mr. Harrington opened up the meeting to the public:

Mr. Sullivan asked when would the proposed building be ready to hold students?

Mr. Webber stated that in 18 months the middle school portion could be opened and then staggering in the High School students the following years. Mr. Webber stated that a high school staff would need to be brought in to develop the curriculum, where there is a functioning middle school curriculum in place. This would all be tied in with the Concord contract.

Mr. Gorman stated that Concord cannot remove Deerfield students but in year 7 they have the right to say that they are not going to accept any more students. For years 8,9 and 10 Mr. Gorman stated that they would still take our students but after that would not have too. Mr. Gorman stated that this is the boards biggest concern and that it is important for the town to plan for 10 years out.

Mrs. Hanson asked if Concord High gets to a certain population level what happens to the town of Deerfield? Mr. Gorman stated that if Concord reaches a total of 1,900 students, the town has to pay an additional stipend, over the $10,000 per student. Mrs. Hanson asked how close is Concord to the student population of 1,900? Mr. Webber stated last year we had to pay that stipend but this year the Concord population is below that number. Mr. Webber continued to say that the tuition has been set so the board believes that if 34 students come in they could not charge the town of Deerfield that stipend. Mr. Webber stated that at 1,975 total population Concord could say they will not accept any more students.

Concord is roughly 100 students away from that total.

Mr. Webber reviewed with those present a few of the highlights of the middle/junior high school proposal. Grades 7 through 12 would be placed in this facility. Extensive site work has been done so the board is confident that it is feasible to put two schools on that property

for a maximum build out. He reviewed the layout of the plan with those present. Mr. Webber stated that separate space was created to separate the middle school from the high school. The building could house 525 on opening day. Mr. Webber stated that this plan would allow the town of Deerfield to expand its’ Junior High School program. The elementary school has met a lot of the demands for the 7^th and 8^th grade students but there are no advanced placement math, language or science labs. This plan would allow us to remove 140 students out of the building allowing us to remove all modulars and bring back all the students into the building. Tuition at Concord has risen dramatically, when Deerfield first entered into the contract with Concord the tuition was under $9,000. It is now at $10,600. Transportation to Concord is 45 to 50 min from Deerfield. Mr. Webber also stated that if this proposal is accepted it will allow Deerfield to tuition students in and/or we could start talking about a cooperative.

Mr. Hooker asked how many students would be in an advanced Math or Language class. Mr. Webber stated that at an opening of 350 students Deerfield could establish Advance Math & Lang. classes.

Mr. Hooker asked if the proposal showed just building expenses or building and operating expenses. Mr. Webber stated that the proposal included an estimated building and operating expense determined by state averages. Deerfield spends 6 percent more than the state average and Concord is 25 percent more than the state average. Mr. Webber stated that Deerfield estimated cost per high school student would be approx. $9,000 where Concord is $10,000.

A member of the audience asked if it would be easy to add additions to the building if deemed necessary. Mr. Webber stated that, yes wings of the school could be extended.

Mr. Hooker asked what programs would Deerfield gain by leaving Concord and what types of programs would they loose in terms of academics, athletics, etc. Mr. Webber stated that it is not a simple yes or no answer and that there is a more detailed handout that he could share with Mr. Hooker and others.

A member of the audience asked if the state assisted towns in setting up their curriculum? Mr. Haley (SAU 53 Supt.) stated that the state has minimum standards and will come in and review whether you meet those standards or not.

Mr. Shute asked if there were other schools of this size in the area. Mr. Webber stated that there are 6 to 8 other schools. Mr. Shute was wondering if school teams would have to travel to Pittsfield to play sports?

Mr. Aubrey asked about storage space. Mr. Webber stated there were a number of storage areas factored into the building.

Mr. Schibblehute asked how recently was the cost analysis done due to the fact that building supplies have continued to climb. Mr. Webber stated that the cost analysis was done this year. Mrs. Hanson stated that we used the same company (Lauer Assoc.) for the DCS additions and asked how close did they come with their cost estimates? Mr. Haley stated that both additions came in under budget.

A member from the audience stated that in her opinion and that of several friends that are educators that a combination junior high/high school program lacks in its’ curriculum compared to programs where the junior high is grades 5-8 and the high school is separate. Mr. Webber replied that the committee had numerous conversations on the subject but could not justify the cost for a stand-alone junior high school which would cost approx. 18 million dollars compared to a junior/senior high at 21 million dollars. Presently we have 8^th graders with pre-schoolers, if we were to have a junior/senior high there would be 7^th graders with 12^th graders. With the current proposal 7^th graders would have access to advanced math/science classes.

Mr. Gorman stated that the town needs to focus in on the fact that with the design we are looking at the core facility is built to accept at a later date an additional high school facility. Mr. Gorman stated that the town would not have to build but with the Concord contract looming over our shoulders it would be criminal not to build the core facility that could expand into a high school facility. Presently we are projecting out 7,8,9 years and we want to be in the position to act not react.

Mr. Hooker asked what towns might want to tuition high school students in? Mr. Harrington stated that currently Pembroke is nearing their functioning capacity. Epsom and Chichester will have to look elsewhere for their high school students. If Deerfield has a program in place these towns could come in our direction.

A member from the audience asked if Concord had other contracts with other towns like Deerfield and if that caused the population to go over the cap would we pay an increased tuition. Mr. Harrington stated that nothing is stopping Concord from doing so and that number is derived from the total high school population.

A member of the audience asked what happened to the 6^th grade and a new study brought forward. Mr. Harrington stated that last year the board asked for $160,000 to further study a middle high school or another plan to take care of the overcrowding. The warrant was defeated which prohibited the board from doing any further study on this topic. Therefore the board had no choice but to resurrect a plan that had already been done which was 7-12.

Mr. Hooker noted that if your house doubled in value your taxes should have been about the same as it was in 2004. If it tripled in value your taxes would be higher.

Mr. O’Neil asked where our bonds are currently?

Mr. Barry stated that the bond for the original building was paid off in 2003.

A member of the audience asked if 7^th and 8^th grade were moved how did it change the numbers at DCS. Mr. Webber stated that it would remove 140 students and gives the school back 7 classrooms, which would put DCS, back to functional capacity. The school would gain back its’ science lab, teacher workroom, language rooms, etc.

Mr. Hooker asked that if this plan is accepted that puts DCS at functional capacity and if it continues to grow the 6^th grade then might be moved to the other location? Mr. Webber stated that there would be enough classroom space but the curriculum would have to be reviewed and set in place.

Members present spoke about the site, test pits and how the site was laid out to work with the known ledge etc.

Mr. Hooker asked if this plan does not pass is there any standby warrant article to do a study update to present more information next year. Mr. Harrington stated that presently there was not a proposal.

Mr. Gorman stated that the school could do that again but last year they asked for $160,000 to do what Mr. Hooker stated but it got defeated and he guessed that it would be defeated again. The money that they were asking for would have brought the plans to the point where they could have given it to a construction company to bid on.

Mr. Hooker stated that board was taking the right approach in trying to look at this before it becomes a problem but the town is looking at a safety complex and the District is looking for a new school building and it is voted down as it has done before where does it leave the leave the school district 5 years from now at what point do we really have a crisis.

Mr. Harrington stated that there could come a point where the state comes in and mandates changes and come up with a plan. As a board this has to be looked at and at some point it has to be done. Mr. Harrington stated that it has to be done and the board would rather do it with today’s dollars than 5 years from now with each dollar costing us more.

Mr. Harrington stated that it is important to communicate to the community but without the school district meeting it is difficult to get the word out now that the town and school are SB2.

Mr. Gorman stated that in other communities they are not in the position where they have a piece of land; therefore Deerfield is ahead of the curve. These communities also do not have a conceptual plan as Deerfield does, so again Deerfield is ahead of the curve. Mr. Gorman stated that if we build it they would come making us a receiving town, which would bring in tuition money reducing the cost of the school.

Mr. Harrington stated that Concord is now 25 percent above the stated average and that Deerfield could educate our students for less tax dollars and giving us more local control.

Mr. Harrington thanked those in the audience and participation.

3. Adjournment

At 7:55 P.M. Chair John Harrington noted that there were no more questions or comments regarding the proposed middle/high school bond. He then declared the Public Hearing closed.

The board announced that, following a brief recess; it would re-convene to discuss negotiations with the Paraprofessional Association.

At 8:20 P.M. the board reconvened.

Present: John Harrington, Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubien, Don Gorman, Kevin Webber, Tom Haley.

Kevin Webber announced that an agreement had been reached in negotiations with the Paraprofessionals Association. The settlement calls for 3% increases to the salary schedule for 2006/07 and again for 2007/08. Also included is a $.25 per hour stipend for certified paraprofessionals and $1.00 per day stipends for paraprofessionals who also serve as bus monitors.

A motion was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Don Gorman, to approve the negotiated agreement.

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

Kevin Barry noted receipt of a petitioned warrant article seeking to rescind the SB-2 (RSA 40:13) voting method.

A motion was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Don Gorman to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 P.M.

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

The next scheduled School Board business meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 6:30 P.M. at Deerfield Community School.

4. Information Items

None