Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, September 21, 2006

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Don Gorman, Kevin Barry, Kevin Webber, Paul Yergeau, Gigi Klipa, Tom Haley,  Kandy Davitt, Debbie Campelia,

Cindy Hanson, Karen Leavitt, Patience LaPierrie, Patti Willis, Heather Worthen

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington

 

The September 21st, 2006 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chair John Harrington.

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance

 

Mr. Harrington led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

4.  Minutes of Previous Meetings

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to accept the minutes of September 7th, 2006 as written, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

4.  Immediate Business

 

  1. Agenda Review

 

A motion was made to take a portion of 5B (Athletic Policy) and move it to 4B

By Don Gorman, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

Agenda Item 5B was moved to 4B as requested by Don Gorman. (Specifically the Athletic Policy and Wellness Policy)

 

  1. Citizens’ Staff Comments

 

Mrs. Hanson stated that she was not aware that the Athletic Policy was going to be discussed at the September 7th school board meeting and requested that when the board reviewed a policy that the specific policy be posted.  Mrs. Hanson passed out a letter to the board with her concerns about the policy.

Mr. Harrington stated that the board did not want to strip the Athletic Policy down and start from scratch.  It was the opinion of the board that they would track the policy closely and have the administration bring concerns as they arise to the board.  If changes need to be made, the board will then amend the policy.

 

Wellness Policy:

Mrs. Campelia informed the board that the Wellness committed re-wrote the policy as recommended by the school board so that the language made the policy more accessible and manageable.  Wording was changed to “will encourage” etc.

Mr. Barry noted that the changes the board requested had been made and thanked the committee for doing so.

Mrs. Campelia stated that the committee would track the policy and recommend changes as needed.  Mr. Webber suggested that the Wellness Committee determine how many members would be on the Health Council with descriptions noted, such as the Director of Health Services, Nurse, teacher, etc.

Don Gorman asked if there would be a financial impact on Food Services by only allowing a 35% fat content.  Mrs. Campelia replied that 35% is not considered a strict guideline and food services would not be seriously impacted.  Mrs. Campelia stated the greatest concern for Mrs. Duchano (food service director) was the Snack Cart.  Foods such as chips, power drinks would have to be changed with the new policy and foods such as baked chips, fruit juice would need to be sold instead.   Mrs. Campelia stated that it is about making better choices and transitioning students into making those choices.

Bonnie Beaubien stated that this policy was very workable.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to amend the current Health Policy with the proposed changes made by the Wellness Committee  seconded, by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

Mr. Gorman stated that he would like to hear from the Food Service Director (Paula Duchano) about any concerns she may have about the policy changes.

 

Kevin Barry removed his motion, Bonnie Beaubien removed her second.

 

The board will continue reviewing the Wellness policy at the next scheduled school board meeting.

 

  1. Special Education Report-Ms. Willis, Ms. Worthen

 

Patti Willis reviewed with the DCS board last years’ (05-06) On-Site Review.   A team of 20 volunteers visited all the schools within SAU 53.  The review team commended DCS for the quality of Para’s in the building working with the students, small classroom student population, access to general curr., on-site pre-school program, etc.

Areas of improvement noted by the team were more opportunities for Para training increase collaboration, explore co-teaching techniques, space needs for tutoring, etc.

* A detailed report can be located at the SAU office.

 

Mrs. Worthen informed the board that at this time the Sped. Dept. is fully staffed

and presently things are running smoothly.

 

  1. Space Needs -Mr. Webber, Mr. Harrington

 

Chairman, John Harrington informed the board that they needed to decide at tonight’s meeting if they should present a warrant for a school building at this year’s school district meeting. 

Members of the board discussed space needs, pros & cons of presenting a building proposal this year or putting everything on hold.   Members all agreed that the space issues have not gone away and Deerfield’s High School needs are still a concern. 

Bonnie Beaubien stated that it was her opinion that the school should work with

the committee writing Deerfield’s master Plan to get public direction.  Members discussed how to communicate to the community the school’s needs, their research and planning results, etc.

Mr. Harrington stated that he was looking for a consensus from the members of the board.  Mr. Gorman’s opinion was not to recommend any building plans this year and to take another hard look at all options and request monies to do so. 

Kevin Webber stated that he would abstain.

The board members agreed to work with the current Master Plan committee in gathering information, review and research all options.

                        

  1. Old/Unfinished Business

 

A.     Concord Agreement Procedures – Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Harrington stated that the board needed to determine how to approach the open enrollment slots for the incoming 07-08 freshmen.

The board reviewed current policy and determined that everyone would meet one or all of the criteria listed. 

The members also discussed what school of record entailed. 

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to have the board discuss all business under 5.Old/Unfinished Business seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 Mr. Harrington stated that the current policy worked in the past but does not meet current needs. 

The members of the board discussed how to implement the 95% requirement that is stated in the Concord contract, which allows 5% of the student population to attend another High School.

 

A motion w as made by Mr. Webber, that the Concord contract should be interpreted as 95% allowing others to go elsewhere noting that these students meet the minimum requirement, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

A Roll Call Vote was requested:

 

Bonnie Beaubien-Yes

Don Gorman-Yes

Kevin Webber-Yes

Kevin Barry-No

John Harrington-No

 

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made by John Harrington that the3 open slots for the 07-08 Freshmen  year will be honored. In the 08-09 year Concord will become the school of record and 100% of Deerfield students from that point forward will attend Concord, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

A motion to amend the above motion was made by Kevin Webber to add “the estimated, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

The motion as amended:

 

That the estimated open slots for the 07-08 freshmen year will be honored. In the 08-09 year Concord will become the school of record and 100% of Deerfield students from that time forward will attend Concord

 

Mr. Gorman stated that procedures and criteria should be put into place.

Kevin Webber stated that the community should be made aware of the board’s expectations and be invited to participate in this discussion.

Mr. Haley reminded the board that Concord soon will start looking at ADM

(Average Daily Membership) to determine if Deerfield is meeting the 95% requirement.  Mr. Haley stated that it becomes cumbersome and difficult to manage when trying to determine how many students from Deerfield would fall into the 5% category when using ADM as the measurement.  At some point the town of Deerfield could very easily find that it either has to recall a student from

Coe Brown or pay the $12,000 to Concord as required by the contract.

 

A Roll Call Vote was requested:

 

Bonnie Beaubien-Yes

Don Gorman-No

Kevin Webber-No

Kevin Barry-Yes

John Harrington-Yes

 

Motion Carried

 

 

 

 

 

B.     Policy Review and Revision-Mr. Barry

 

The board discussed and set criteria as to how they would determine who would be able to attend a high school other than Concord.  The members of the board agreed that every student could meet the policy criteria.  Several changes to the Alternate Public High School Enrollment policy were suggested but the members of the board agreed that changing the rules at this time would be difficult and unfair. 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to insert after #3 “ the board will determine if the application has met the policy criteria and if so the applicant will then be randomly selected to fill available openings, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

4 In Favor

1 Against

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Don Gorman to remove #4 on page 1 from the Alternate Public High School Enrollment Policy.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to strike “in care of the guidance dept., seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The Alternate Public High School Enrollment Policy as amended will be voted on in its entirety at the next meeting.

 

 

The board reviewed the following policies

·        EGA: IJNDA,IJNDB-Internet and Network Policy

·        EHB: EHB,R- Records Retention

·        IHAK,-Character and Citizenship Education Policy

·        JIA: JICD-R-Student Due Process Rights

·        JICD-E: JICK-Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Policy

·        JICD-R: JFD,JKE- Policy on Suspension and Expulsion of Students Administrative Procedures

·        JLCG:  Daily Physical Activity Policy

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to review and ratify all 7 policies in their entirety, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

C. Confirmation of Polled Vote – Mr. Harrington

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to confirm the poll vote (taken by phone) to support the paid sabbatical as understood by the teachers’ agreement, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

6.  New Business

 

     Negotiation Update-Mr. Gorman, Mr. Webber

 

Mr. Gorman and Mr. Webber informed the board that they just received two letters from Deerfield Teachers’ Association requesting a meeting.  They will come back to the board with more information at their next scheduled meeting.

  

7. Other Business

 

      A.  Informational Items

           

Bonnie Beaubien – Alex Cote (Deerfield Road Agent) informed Ms. Beaubien that he received a complaint about the speed dip at the end of the driveway.

The board saw no need to take action on this item.

Mr. Yergeau announced to the board the 06-07 officers 8th grade class officers.

President- Melissa Rowell

Vice President – Daisy Shampy

Treasurer-Zach Gordon

Secretary- Melissa Nelson

Mr. Yergeau also informed the board that the Deerfield Fair Association is not giving tickets to DCS students who are 13 years old.  The Assoc. requested that the school send students and band members to participated in the National Anthem but DCS did not have the funds to pay the entrance fee and transportation.  The Association agreed to cover those costs.

Also, Mr. Yergeau informed the board that he wrote a letter to the Deerfield Fair Assoc. requesting that they change their policy back to allowing DCS students over 13 to enter the fair grounds free.  One reason for this is due to the fact that the 8th grade class would loose money on their Fair fundraiser if they had to pay to get into the fair grounds.

The board requested that Mr. Yergeau keep them informed on this issue.

Mr. Yergeau informed the board the NECAP testing would begin the week of Oct. 2.

CPR & First Aid Certification. -32 Staff members have received their certification in CPR this fall.

Mr. Yergeau also informed the members of the board that $21,332 was received through the REAP Grant.

 

John Harrington- informed the board that he received a call from a parent

Concerning the EEE threat and according to that parent Raymond fields had been closed.

Mr. Barry stated that he contacted the Deerfield Health Officer who was aware of the situation and who had also been contacted by the state, which will be doing testing.  It was also reported that mosquito that carried the EEE virus did not bite humans.  The board is going to continue monitoring the situation.

           

 

B. Agenda Preparation

 

      Negotiation Update

      Budget

      Wellness Policy (Paula Duchano)

      Alternate High School

      Additional Policies

      Mrs. Boisvert (Technology)

 

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

     

8.  Adjournment

 

At 10: 00 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Don Gorman, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The next Deerfield School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 2nd

at 6:30 P.M. at Deerfield Community School.