Thursday, August 17, 2006
MINUTES OF MEETING:
PRESENT: Don Gorman,
Tom Haley, Kevin Barry, Kevin Webber, Gigi Klipa, Peter Warburton,
Mr. Harrington called the
2 Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Harrington
Mr. Harrington led the school board and others that were present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the minutes of the June 29th meeting as written, seconded by Don Gorman
Mr. Gorman requested that notes of appreciation be sent to the Crisis Team for a job well done concerning the death of a DCS student during school hours.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
A motion was made by Kevin Barry
to accept the minutes of the July20th Goal Setting meeting as written, seconded
by Kevin Webber.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
4. Immediate Business
A. Agenda Review
Mr. Gorman requested that the board review and discuss the Teachers’ Room and the
Athletic Policy at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Harrington stated that the board could discuss the
Teachers’ Room during (4C) and the Athletic Policy during (5C) on the agenda.
A. (2) Citizens’/Staff Comments
None Made
B. Transportation Review – Ms. Dail, Mr. Gorman
Chris Dail was not able to make
tonight’s meeting. Ms. Klipa stated that
there were no changes to current bus routes.
The White bus is crowded but it is only doing Middle and
A motion was made by Don Gorman
to accept the proposed bus routes as presented, seconded by Kevin Barry.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
C. Administrators’ Report -Mr. Yergeau, Ms. Klipa
Ms Klipa introduced Patience La Pierrie to the School Board members. Ms. LaPierrie is the ˝ Health Teacher.
Ms. Klipa also informed the board that MaryAnn Driscoll has resigned from DCS as the Literacy teacher. Jackie Veal will now become the Literacy Teacher for DCS and a Special Ed. Teacher will have to be hired.
Ms. Klipa informed the board that there are still 3 Para positions that are still need to be filled.
Ms. Klipa stated that enrollment for the full day kindergarten and First grade is looking good.
Ms. Klipa informed the board that changes to the DCS student handbook were minimal. She will be presenting to the board an Addendum to the Handbook, which will be specific to Middle School needs.
A motion was made by Kevin Barry
to accept the resignation of MaryAnn Driscoll, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
Ms. Klipa informed the board that the facilities reconfiguration has gone smoothly.
Custodial Staff has done a great job and is ahead of scheduled.
The air-conditioning unit was delivered and they are working on putting it in place as of August 16th.
Mr. Gorman stated that during the school year the custodial staff works around others, and that during the summer the same courtesy should be given.
Ms. Klipa stated that no one has approached her concerning this issue and that re-configuration has moved forward in a positive manner.
Ms. Klipa stated that she has sent out e-mail to the staff-requesting volunteers to work on the staff room. Dredging up the space for a teachers’ room has been difficult and that in reviewing H. Swanson’s room it was determined that the programming that went on in that space would not work at another location and that another space needed to be found.
Mr. Gorman stated that the board announced to Gigi and Paul that a teachers’ room was needed. Correct protocol should have included Tom Haley. The board was asked to review 5 to 6 rooms and the board decided H. Swansons’ room was the best suited for a Teachers’ room. Mr. Gorman stated the board took a vote and proper procedure was not followed. Mr. Gorman stated that no one should be able to reverse the board’s decision without a vote.
Mr. Harrington stated that he was informed by Mr. Yergeau that the room was not suitable and felt that it was best to allow Administration to make the correct changes. It is the board’s duty to oversee general policy and not to make day-to-day decisions.
Kevin Webber stated that Mr. Gorman is not incorrect concerning procedure but the outcome of the change is the same, DCS now has a Teachers’ room. In the future board members should be notified. Mr. Harrington agreed that in the future he would e-mail members if this were to happen again.
5.
Old/Unfinished Business
A. Policy Review– Mr. Barry
Wellness Policy
Debbie Campelia, Karen Leavitt, Patience La Pierre, Louise Matteson from the Wellness Committee were present to discuss with the board the proposed Wellness Policy.
Mr. Gorman stated that he had concerns about the policy and wording that stated certain items would not be allowed. Karen Leavitt stated that the wording should reflect the positive vs. the negative.
Mr. Gorman asked about recess and what was school policy. Ms. Klipa stated that there is not policy in place but staff is encouraged to give recess time. Mr. Gorman stated recess should be mandated. Ms. Klipa stated that contractually recess for middle school was twice a week for ˝ an hour. It was noted by D. Campelia that the state has required that a policy be put in place before the start of school and that the committee has done their work and the board needs to put the policy into action. Mr. Harrington stated that the state has also written a policy to meet their requirements. D. Campelia replied that the State’s policy was a great place to start but should and needs to be expanded upon.
John Harrington stated that he was concerned about enforcement and the taking away of parental rights.
Mr. Gorman was also concerned about the cost of training, supplies, etc. D. Campelia stated that in the past as in the future resources have been sought out that do not cost the school money.
Mr. Harrington suggested that the committee revisit the policy and change language to allow flexibility and to make the policy easier to manage and to accept.
A motion was made by Kevin Barry
to go forward with the Wellness Policy GBGC, seconded by Kevin Webber.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
B. Staff Requests – Mr. Harrington
Mr. Haley informed the members of
the board that in the past they have voted to allow
A motion was made by Don Gorman
to implement the Payroll Deduction plan for computer purchases, seconded by
Bonnie Beaubien.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
C. Goals Review- Mr. Harrington
A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the DCS 2006-07 Goals as written, seconded by Don Gorman.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
A. Budget Calendar- Mr. Harrington
C. Nomination/Election of Staff – Mr. Haley, Board Members
Mr. Haley brought Lisa Shepard’s name forward to fill the 20 percent Part-Time Nursing position.
A motion was made by Kevin Barry
to accept Lisa Shepard’s name to fill the position, seconded by Bonnie
Beaubien.
ALL
IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
7. Other Business
A. Informational Items
Ms. Klipa stated that the Athletic Policy should be placed on the agenda for future discussions and that there needs to be a committee in place to review the current needs of the school community.
Kevin Barry requested that Open Houses should be scheduled on non-school board nights due to traffic, space, etc. Ms. Klipa stated that she and Mr. Yergeau are discussing unifying Open Houses.
John Harrington stated that the board had received a request from L. Inman to allow her son to continue his education at Manchester Central.
A motion was made by Don Gorman to allow the above stated request, seconded by Kevin Barry.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
The board also received a request
from an Incoming Freshman who had been placed as an Out of District student by
DCS for the last few years to attend Coe Brown.
Mr. Haley stated that he had contacted
A motion was made by Kevin Barry
to allow the above stated request, seconded by Don Gorman.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION CARRIED
Agenda Preparation- Mr. Harrington
March Budget-Bond Direction
Wellness Policy
Handbook Review for Middle School
Athletic Policy
B. Citizens’ Staff Comments
None Made
7. Adjournment
At
August 17thth, 2006 Deerfield Community School Board meeting.
ALL IN FAVOR
MOTION
CARRIED