Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, February 15, 2007 

 

MINUTES OF MEETING 

 

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

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington  

 

The February 15, 2007 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair John Harrington.  

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance 

 

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

 

 

 

3.  Staff/Board Discussion- Mr. Harrington

 

The board members of the Deerfield Community School met with the DCS faculty/staff

to discuss any needs, concerns, etc. from 6:00-6:30 pm.

 

 

 

4.  Minutes of Previous Meetings   

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to accept the minutes of February 1, 2007 as read seconded, by Bonnie Beaubien.   

 

All In Favor

  Motion Carried  

     

5.  Immediate Business 

 

A.  Agenda Review

 

      No Changes

 

B.  Citizens’/ Staff Comments

 

      No Comments

 

C.  Athletics Discussion-Ms. McPherson, Mr. Harrington

 

Mrs. McPhershon stated that Cross-Country and Track do not create a concern in student numbers like basketball, baseball, and softball.  Last year there were 22,  7th and 8th grade girls wanting to play softball.  A number of them are joining for social purposes and are not there for the game but due to the current no-cuts policy there is nothing the coaches can do.   Mrs. McPherson is suggesting that the policy be changed to allow 6th graders on the soccer and basketball teams.  This would bring in enough students so that the school could have A and B teams.  The students would then try out to see which team level they would be placed on.

Cindy Hanson stated that there is not a place for junior high school students to play except for a school team other than baseball where this age group can still join Little League.

Mrs. McPherson restated that the teams are way over-weighted for one team but not enough for two and that is why she is suggesting having 6th graders participate.

Dwight Barnes informed the board that the coaches would have happier parents, and happier players if there are no more than 14 players.  Kids do not like sitting on the bench and when there are too many players there are many who do end up on the bench for a long time. 

The Athletics Policy currently for DCS is: 

 

DEERFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

Athletics Policy

  

Seventh and eighth grade extra-curricular athletic competition is promoted as a natural extension of the school’s physical education program. The program’s goal is to facilitate the development of physical skills, mental discipline, sportsmanship, and a striving spirit necessary for successful living. All students are encouraged to participate regardless of their level of experience. Coaches will model and encourage behavior that represents DCS in a positive manner.  Students will be expected to represent DCS demonstrating appropriate academic prowess, behavior and attitude. If a student is on probation he/she will not be allowed to play during the probationary period.

 

The DCS offers the following team sports for the upper grades: soccer, cross-country, basketball, and spring track. Games and meets are scheduled with surrounding schools and are played on a home and away basis. In addition, Deerfield Parks and Recreation Department offers various athletic opportunities as well.

 

DCS is committed to a no cuts policy, which, allows all seventh and eighth graders to participate. The coaches, along with the administration and athletic director, will determine how to configure the teams. One team will represent the school in the Southeast League.  Additional teams will participate using a comparable schedule with surrounding towns.

 

All students participating in school sponsored interscholastic and intramural athletic programs will be required to have a physical examination by a medical doctor. Sports physicals are required every other year. Evidence of the exam in writing by a physician must be on file before the first day of practice of the particular sport in order for the student to be allowed to participate in a sport. This includes practice as well as attending games.

 

Students who have after school detention on the day of a scheduled game, meet or practice will not be allowed to participate in the activity on that day. If there is no scheduled activity they will be required to sit out at the next game. If a child is absent from school on the day of the game, meet or practice, they will not be allowed to participate in the activity on that day.

 
 
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Knee stated that both her children participated in DCS sports and did not become outstanding baseball, soccer, etc. players but they did learn to value athletics and being a part of a team. Lessons that they would not have been given the opportunity to learn if there had been cuts.

Mrs. Campelia presented to the board members information from the Co-Curricular Physical Activity and Sport Programs for Middle School Students.  She stated that if the Athletic Policy is changed it should reflect and be supported by the information presented by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education’s Middle and Secondary School Physical Education Council. 

 

Pg. 3:  Virtually all middles schools offer co-curricular (during and after school) activities that complement academic programs in order to further address the needs of their students. Ideally, these programs should be “less sophisticated” than those offered at high school.  In fact, middle schools are strongly advised to de-emphasize the sophisticated activates that were commonly found in junior high schools such as marching bands, dances and competitive athletics. Instead, middle school co-curricular activities should be less structured, focus strictly on student development and allow all students to participate (Kohut 1988; National Association for Sport and Physical Ed. 2001; National Middle School Association, 1977)

See Attachment A:  Co-Curricular Physical Activity and Sport Programs for Middle School Students. (Position paper)

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman, that as of tonight to suspend the Deerfield Athletic Policy, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

Mr. Yergeau asked if the current policy is suspended then what policy is in place?

Kevin Webber stated that the motion was too broad of a stroke.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to amend Mr. Gorman’s motion, to suspend the Deerfield Athletic Policy for Baseball and Softball evals. only , seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

4 In Favor

1 Against

Amendment to the motion Carried

 

  Mr. Webber suggested that the board just suspend the policy for baseball and softball and insert a portion of pg. 2 of Ms. McPherson’s paper.

 

Spring Baseball-Evaluations for grades 7&8 offering one 14-player roster.

Player placement will be comprised of a fare and equal evaluation decided by the coaching staff during the evaluation day(s).  Selection will be based on attitude, attendance, sportsmanship, effort and ability.

Students not being placed on the official game roster will be encouraged to attend practices and games throughout the season. This will be an intramural program that will run side by side with our school team. Students will have the opportunity to learn the game and improve upon there skills.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Softball –Evaluations for grades 7 & 8, offering one 14  player roster.

Player placement will be comprised of a fare and equal evaluation decided by the coaching staff during the evaluation day(s). Selection will be based on attitude, attendance, sportsmanship, effort and ability.

Students not being placed on the official game roster will be encouraged to attend practices and games throughout the season. This will be an intramural program that will run side by side with our school team.  Students will have the opportunity to learn the game and improve upon their skills.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Mr. Gorman stated that his intent was to allow the Athletic Director with the assistance of the Administration to determine how to construct the Athletic Policy.

Mr. Webber stated that it is the practice of the board not to approve policies at the first reading but to wait until the next scheduled board meeting to vote for approval.

The members of the board agreed but stated that with the baseball/softball season just around the corner the policy needed to reflect the current needs.

 

Mr. Gorman withdrew his motion.  Mr. Barry withdrew his second.

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to allow the Athletic Director with the assistance of the Administration to determine the Athletic Policy for DCS softball and baseball for the 06-07 school year based on the following criteria:

 

Baseball     

      Evaluations for grades 7 & 8 offering one 14 player roster. Player placement will be comprised of a fare and equal evaluation decided by the coaching staff during the evaluation day(s). Selection will be based on attitude, attendance, sportsmanship, effort and ability.

 

Softball      

      Evaluations for grades 7 & 8 offering one 14 player roster. Player placement will be comprised of a fare and equal evaluation decided by the coaching staff during the evaluation day(s). Selection will be based on attitude, attendance, sportsmanship, effort and ability.

 

Students not being placed on the official game roster will be encouraged to attend practice   and games throughout the season. This will be an intramural program that will run side by side with our school team. Students will have the opportunity to learn the game and hone their skills for improvement in the sport.

 

All ln Favor

Motion Carried

 

See Attach. B:  Proposed Athletic Policy

 

Ms. McPherson stated that the balls that are being used are incredaballs, which are made to be used in gym and requested that the Facility Use Policy be changed to allow these items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to amend the Facility Use Policy to allow the use of bats and ground balls by coaches in the gym, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

In Favor-3

Against-2

Motion Carried

 

 

D.  NECAP Assessment-Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau reviewed with the members of the board the NECAP Assessment results. 

Mr. Yergeau stated that state testing was originally designed to assess a school’s curriculum alignment to the state standards, so that an analysis of grade level testing is an appropriate indication of DCS’s curriculum success.

Deerfield Community has decreased the percentage of students scoring in the Substantially Below Proficient level in both reading and math.  The percentage of students at this level is lower than the state average.  Mr. Yergeau stated that one of DCS’s goals is to increase the numbers of students’ in the Proficient with Distinction Category.    The results of the 2006 testing shows that DCS had a larger percentage of students in all but two grades in reading but exceeded or met the stated level in only two grades in math.

Another goal for DCS is to minimize the number of students in the Substantially Below Proficient category.  The results of the 2006 testing shows that DCS had a smaller percentage of students in all but one grade in reading but had three grade levels with higher percentage in math.

Mr. Yergeau told the members of the board that the following interventions were in place at DCS.

 

  1. Focused lessons on understanding test taking skills.
  2. Realignment of math curriculum with state’s Grade Level Expectations (GLEs)
  3. Primary grades’ professional development focus on Kathy Richardson’s math work.
  4. Involvement with Tufts literacy project in the area of reading for primary grades and grade 6
  5. Analysis of NECAP data to look for trends in strengths and weaknesses
  6. Investigation of Curriculum Mapping concert.
  7. Ongoing professional reading groups to assess best teaching practices

 

Mr. Yergeau also informed the board that the following steps need to be taken:

 

1.      Determine the change in each child’s level of proficiency.

2.      Analyze correct and incorrect responses with the goal of identifying potential trends.

3.      Focus on special education students who have not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in order to determine how to improve their levels of proficiency.

 

Mr. Yergeau stated that Math does not have tutorial support like reading where there are two reading specialists that review curriculum, assist teachers with reading development plans, etc. 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Gorman asked how testing helps or hinders teachers.  Mr. Yergeau replied that teachers do not have as much latitude in designing the curriculum for their students needs.

 

6.  Old/Unfinished Business 

 

A.  Deliberative Session Review – Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Barry informed the members of the board that they should review the minutes of the Deliberative Session that have been e-mailed to them. 

 

Mr. Dwight Barnes informed the members of the board that the confusion concerning the trust funds revolves around the use of two types of calendars. The school uses a physical year calendar and Mr. Aubrey will get from Mr. Barnes a performance report based on a physical year calendar.  Mr. Barnes stated that he will report to the board before the Deliberative Session concerning the schools trust funds and their activity to take away any confusion.

Board members thanked Mr. Barnes for his assistance.

 

B.  Site/Traffic Update – Mr. Webber, Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman stated that he spoke to a police officer concerning the traffic situation at DCS and the use of fire lane and no parking areas.  If the school is concerned about the situation the officer stated that they should call for assistance.

Mr. Harrington stated the school personnel should be aware of how multiple uses of the building can cause parking concerns and try to not book the building so tight.

     

7.  New Business 

 

A.  Mission Statement – Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau stated that the school wide goal for the 06-07 school year is to review the Mission Statement and determine its fit with the current thinking of the district.  During the year, the full staff, School board, Community members, and students will have the opportunity to review the current Mission Statement and determine the degree to which it matches the schools current philosophy and direction.  Each group will have the opportunity to support changes that best fit the direction of the district and then the School board will vote to adopt and updated Mission Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Current Mission Statement is: 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that the current Mission Statement was created and approved by the school board in order to act as a framework for curriculum design and development for a high school during a recent high school building project.  Mr. Yergeau stated that it is a compilation of other school’s mission statements and was approved by the DCS staff after gathering informal feedback.

 

Option A:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option B

Option C

Option D

 

Mr. Yergeau asked the board to review the above mission statements and choose which one is the most compelling.

 

B.  Board Schedule-Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Harrington informed the board that their next scheduled meeting is during school vacation.  The board discussed the need to meet and decided they could wait till the 15th of March.

 

8.  Other Business

 

A. Information Items – Administrators and Board Members

 

Paul Yergeau- Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that Mr. Fowler is looking into the gym ventilation system.  Mr. Fowler will be looking into getting the system wired and running.

Tom Haley – stated that the Governor has a proposal concerning School Funding which if passed Deerfield would lose from the Adequate Education Grant $458,646 in the 07/08 budget.  Mr. Haley will inform the board of any changes.

 

B.   Agenda Preparation- Mr. Harrington

 

Athletic Policy

Administrative Review of Staff

Election results

 

C. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Mrs. Hanson reminded the board that the position of a Co-Curricular  Coordinator had been discussed in the past but never funded.  Currently the Athletic Director who works 5 to 10 hours a week receives $1,500 a year.  It was Mrs. Hanson’s opinion that both of these positions need to be reviewed.

 

9. Adjournment

 

At 9:35 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

The next Deerfield School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.