Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

December 21, 2006

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Kevin Barry, Don Gorman, Kevin

                   Webber, Paul Yergeau, Peter Warburton

 

Call to Order – Mr. Harrington

 

The December 21, 2006 DCS Board Meeting was called to order at 6:31 P.M. by Chair John Harrington.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to table the minutes of  November 16, 2006, and December 7, 2006 to the next meeting, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Immediate Business

 

A.  Agenda Review

 

No Changes

           

B.  Citizens’ /staff Comments

 

Approximately eight citizens were present and asked questions of the Board regarding alternative high school placements for Deerfield eighth grade students, and for the results of the recent meeting with Concord School District representatives. Kevin Webber, speaking as a citizen of Deerfield and not as a Board member, addressed the Board. Mr. Webber questioned the decision of the School Board to have all Deerfield students  attend Concord High School beginning in the fall of 2008, and asked the Board to ‘grandfather’ those students who had siblings attending other schools so they would be able to attend. 

 

At the completion of Citizens’/Staff comments, a motion was made by John Harrington and seconded by Kevin Webber to move item 5C ‘Concord Contract’ next on the agenda.

 

 

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

Old Business

 

A.  Concord Contract

 

Bonnie Beaubien and Don Gorman provided a summary of the recent meeting with representatives from the Concord School Committee, their Superintendent, and a member of their Finance Committee. Mr. Haley also attended.

 

Mr. Gorman and Ms. Beaubien reported that they asked Concord Representatives to be ‘released’ from the present contract language, which stipulates that beginning in the fall of 2007, 95% of Deerfield graduating 8th grade students will go to Concord.  During the discussion Mr. Gorman referenced the # number of students wanting to attend another high school as 12 not 6.   

Mr. Beaubien and Mr. Gorman, representing the sentiment of the Deerfield Board, sought to have the percentage changed to 90% ADM (Average Daily Membership) for the coming year, and for each succeeding year of the contract. Mr. Gorman stated that the Concord representatives would need to take the Deerfield request back to the Concord Finance Committee.

 

At 7:07 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) to discuss the Concord High School Contract was made by John Harrington and seconded by Bonnie Beubien. On a roll call, the Board voted:

 

John Harrington         Yes

                                                   Kevin Barry              Yes

                                                   Bonnie Beubien         Yes

                                                   Donald Gorman        Yes

                                                   Kevin Webber           Yes

 

 

At 7:29 P.M. a motion to end the non-public session was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beubien. On a roll call, the Board voted:

 

John Harrington         Yes

                                                   Kevin Barry              Yes

                                                   Bonnie Beubien         Yes

                                                   Donald Gorman        Yes

                                                   Kevin Webber           Yes

 

 

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

 

Immediate Business

 

A.  Meeting Schedule

 

The Board scheduled a meeting with the Deerfield teachers on Thursday, February 1st at 5:30 P.M. Also scheduled were the next two School Board meetings: Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 6:30 P.M., and Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.

 

B.  Staff Request

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien to approve a staff leave request.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Old/Unfinished Business

 

A. Policy Review

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber to approve the following policies: IC, EEAL, ICA, JLIA, and IJO.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

      Kevin Webber asked to have future policies sent electronically in a PDF format. He

      also asked that approved policies and future agendas be put on the SAU #53 website.

 

Deliberative Session Planning

 

Kevin Barry made a motion, seconded by Kevin Webber to explore the cost of employing a secretarial service for the Deliberative Session.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Mr. Barry agreed to bring back cost estimate(s) to the next meeting.

 

Kevin Barry made a motion, seconded by Kevin Webber to continue the practice of using Malloy Sound during the Deliberative Session.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

 

Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items

 

Bonnie Beaubien mentioned that the school ’s Emergency Management Plan should be shared with the Town of Deerfield. 

 

Paul Yergeau stated that the new staff ID’s were in. He also alerted the Board to the lower water level in one of the wells, stating that it is not low enough to cause problems, and that the school would be alternating use of the two wells.

 

Mr. Harrington shared two letters with the Board.

 

At 8:13 P.M. a motion to adjourn was made by Bonnie Beubien, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried