Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Tom Haley, Kevin Barry, Paul Yergeau, Gigi Klipa, Kevin Webber, Kandy Davitt, Diane Arzigian, Bill Fowler, Fire Chief , Mark Tibbits

 

1. Call To Order

 

The January 18,2006 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:34 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 January 9, 2006 as written by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made to Table the minutes of January 4, 2006 as written by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

4.  Immediate Business

 

  1. Agenda Review

 

Added:  Fire Chief, Mark Tibbits

 

  1. Citizens’ Staff Comments

 

Bill Fowler requested that the board review a request made by Full-Time Year Round Employees to pay 90 percent of all school health insurance plans after 10 years of employment. 

Mr. Harrington stated that the board would review the request and vote on it at a later meeting.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

  1. Building Project Update-Mr. Webber

 

Proposed Junior High/High School

Mr. Webber stated that they are working on a flyer that will be mailed out before the Deliberative Session.  Also, an informational Forum will be held Monday, January 23 at DCS.

                                 

  5.  Old/Unfinished Business

 

  1. Deliberative Session Planning -Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Barry informed the members of the board that Kelley Services will be sending someone to take the minutes at the February 4, 2006 Deliberative Session.

Mr. Barry also informed the members that the town would be renting 2 voting machines. Mr. Barry also stated that se-up for Election Day would need to be done the evening of March 13th.

                                               

B.     Policy Review-Mr. Barry

 

The Board was given the following policies to Review and vote on at the scheduled School Board meeting:

 

DFA-Investment Policy

EEA-Transportation Policy, School Bus Scheduling and Routing

EEAD-High School Transportation Reimbursements

EGAB-Photocopying Policy

EGAD-Copyright Policy

 

Mr. Yergeau asked the board members to review Item #3 concerning the Transportation Reimbursement procedures.  Mr. Yergeau stated that due to the increased use of the reimbursements for transportation it would be beneficial if the checks could be mailed instead of being picked up at the office. The members of the board discussed the change and will vote on it at the next meeting.

 

C.  Heating System Update- Mr. Yergeau, Ms. Klipa

 

      Mr. Fowler stated that the thermostats cannot be upgraded to Digital due to the type of

Heating system in the school.  Mr. Fowler stated that sometimes moisture will affect the thermostats but he has only had to replace 2 motors in 14 years.  

Mr. Fowler also stated that at night the heat automatically goes down 10 degrees and back up in the morning.  It was noted that the current system in no longer used in many buildings today therefore it is difficult to find parts and upgrade the system.

The board at this time will continue to monitor the heating situation at DCS but were pleased to hear that windows are not left open and that the thermostats are being kept at 68 degrees.

 

6. Other Business

 

 

  1. Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Mark Tibbits, the Town of Deerfield’s Fire Chief informed the members of the board that

after a school inspection he wanted to bring several items forward.  Mr. Tibbits stated that the paper hanging on the walls and ceilings has been kept to a minimum and he was pleased.  Mr. Tibbits did have a concern with the number of extension cords and power strips that are in the school and requested that the board review the situation.

The board members concurred and stated that they will look into having an Electrical Engineer review and recommend to the board what needs to be done to correct the situation.  Mr. Tibbits stated that computer use has increased since the school was designed in 1990.

The board members thanked the Chief for coming to them with his concerns.   

 

Paul Yergeau- Mr. Yergeau reviewed with the board the request made by Laura Voveris.  Ms. Voveris thanked the board for their consideration in regards to her one-year sabbatical leave followed by a one-year unpaid leave.  Ms. Voveris stated in her letter that she has accepted the leave and will continue her graduate studies.

Mr. Yergeau also gave the board a letter from Pauline Marston requesting an unpaid leave from the time of February 16th till February 25 for a trip to Israel.  The board discussed this issue at some length and many members felt that if they approved this request they would be stepping outside of the contract but since they already approved the same trip for a teacher the members felt that at this time they were obligated to approve this request.

 

A motion was made to approve the requested unpaid leave for Pauline Marston by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Tom Haley passed out to the members of the board a Draft of the Para contract for review.

 

It was noted that Kevin Barry has been appointed to the NH School Board Assoc.

 

Bonnie Beaubien informed the members that the search for the Assistant Supt. is going        well and after two meetings have selected a few names for interviews.

 

B. Agenda Preparations

 

      Tabled Minutes

      Policy Review

      Final Plans for Deliberative Session.

     

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

            None Made

           

5.      Adjournment

 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to adjourn at 7:50 PM seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

                                                                        All In Favor

                                                                       Motion Carried

 

      The next Deerfield School Board business meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 6:30 P.M. at Deerfield Community School. 

 

8.   Information Items

 

      None