Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, May 3, 2007  

MINUTES OF MEETING  

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Kevin Barry, Kevin Webber, Don Gorman, Peter Warburton, Paul Yergeau, Kandy Davitt 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington   

The April 18, 2007 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.   

3.  Minutes of Previous Meetings   

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to accept the minutes of April 5, 2007 as corrected seconded, by Kevin Barry

ALL IN FAVOR

MOTION CARRIED

 4.  Immediate Business  

A.  Agenda Review  

No Changes 

B.  Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

Mrs. Boisvert asked the school board if they planned on extending the school year to make up for the week that school was closed due to flooding.  Mrs. Boisvert suggested that if they did that the board use June 1st (which is a Teacher Workshp. Day) as a school day.  She also suggested that the board review extending the school day by 30 min.  

Mrs. Edith Tatulis thanked the board for the time they gave her to work with the UNH intern program.  She stated that she appreciated the Deerfield school community and all that it offered a classroom teacher. 

C.  Department Head Report – Ms. Matteson

Mrs. Matteson met with the school board to review 06-07 school year.  Mrs. Matteson thanked the board for supporting her in the hiring of a part-time nurse.  Mrs. Matteson stated that this year she was able to be with the 6th grade environmental camp to care for the medical concerns in that grade level while Mrs. Shepard worked at the school. 

Mr. Yergeau listed just a few of the extras Mrs. Matteson does for the Deerfield Community.

 

  • DCS has had a dental program for 3 years.
  • Community Wellness Program
  • Community Blood Drive
  • Health Screenings
  • Nurse Internships

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the board that DCS is very lucky to have such a devoted professional.

The members of the board thanked Mrs. Matteson for all that she does for the Deerfield Community.

D. World Language Update-Ms. Oliver

     Re-scheduled

 E.  Budget Review-Mr Warburton 

Mr. Warburton passed out to the members of the board the Year End Projection for the 06-07 school year. The surplus for 06-07 is $81,639. The surplus would allow the board to fund the Building Repair Trust Fund and the Special Ed. Fund. 

5.  Old/Unfinished Business 

A.  Ventilation Repair – Mr. Harrington

 Mr. Yergeau informed the board that the Fire Chief (Mark Tibbits) looked at the ventilation system in the gym and the fire suppression system and had no concerns with setting up the system.  The estimated cost brought forward by G&B electric was $1,388.

The board discussed when the system could be set in place.  It was suggested that June 1st might feasible, if not it could be done during the summer break. 
 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to go forward with the gym ventilation system (suggested time table of June 1) for a cost of (up to) $1,588  seconded, by Bonnie Beaubien.

(Mr. Webber stated that the amount of $1,588 would allow for a 20% labor buffer)

ALL IN FAVOR

MOTION CARRIED

 

B. Public Relations Update – Mr. Webber

 Mr. Webber informed the members of the board that Mrs. MaryAnn Clark was interested in the proposed Public Relations position.  Mr. Webber and Mrs. Clark were going to review the stipend and the required hours that would be needed to meet the boards’ expectations.

 

C. Town Survey Results-Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Webber and Mr. Harrington reviewed the parts of the Town Survey that specifically focused on the school.  The survey can be found on the Deerfield Town Website.

The board discussed several of the outcomes concerning local control, high school ,etc.  They will continue to review the survey in a more detailed manner and how the board can apply the survey results to better help the board move forward in making decisions concerning overcrowding, building, high school needs, etc.

D. Policy Review – Mr. Barry

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to move the following policies as written, seconded by Kevin Webber.

  • Student Health Services-JLC
  • First Aid and Emergency Medical Care-JLCE
  • Emergency Information Form-JLCE-R
  • Truancy Policy-JHB, JHB-R
  • Student Release Precautions Policy-JHC
  • Student Records and Access-JRA
  • Student Records and Access /Procedures-JRA-R
  • Instructional Approach-IF
  • Instructional Materials-IJ
  • Promotion and Retention Of Students-IKE
  • Evaluation of Instructional Programs-IL
  • Assessments-ILBA
  • Student Class Placement-JG
  • Electronics Policy

 ALL IN FAVOR

MOTION CARRIED

 

Mr. Barry passed out the following policies for board review: 

  • Homework Policy-IKB
  • Retention Of Students-IKEA
  • Retention of Students (Administrative Procedure)- IKEA-R
  • Student Conduct, Discipline and Due Process (Safe School Zone)-JICD
  • Discipline of Students With an Educational Disability-JICD-Appendix B
  • Automated External Defibrillator Policy-JLCEA
  • Reporting Suspected Child Abuse-JLF  JLF-R

 

 *See Attachment B

 

The board will vote on these policies at their next meeting. 

6.  Other Business 

A. Informational Items – Administrators and Board Members 

Paul Yergeau- asked the board if they wanted to continue with the same lawn care service or put the work out to bid again. 

Kevin Barry stated that he was unaware of any concerns with the current lawn care company and thought this should have been brought to the board earlier than April.

Mr. Yergeau stated that the biggest problem was getting the lawn mowed in a timely manner.

Mr. Harrington stated that a more detailed proposal should be written out.

The board will stay with the same company for the moment but put the work out to bid again. 
 

Bonnie Beaubien- Hazardous Mitigation has not met since the flooding.  Ms. Beaubien stated that there has been no more info. on the generator. 

Kevin Webber stated that the board should have a discussion on offering the school as a Emergency location for the town.

The board noted that the need for a suitable power supply would be needed for any building that was used. 

Kevin Webber-The information concerning the proposed grandfather clause has been given to the Concord School Board.  Mr. Webber stated that he is waiting for a meeting date and will have more info. at their next board meeting.

Mr. Webber also stated that the parking signs need to be straightened and the posts cut. 

John Harrington- read a letter from Carol and John Richards concerning the 5 days of school missed due to the floods and the damage to road.  It was their hope that the board would waiver the days if the state approved. 

Don Gorman-Mr. Gorman spoke to the board about all the extra hours that a board member puts in because they care about the community.  It was Mr. Gorman’s opinion that the several of the board members have not acted appropriately towards other members of the board or taken care of school business in the manner that the board should.

Mr. Harrington called a recess for 10 min.

The board returned from recess at 7:25

Mr. Gorman again began talking about the issues that he felt the board had not addressed such as overcrowding.  Mr. Harrington stated that this part of the agenda pertained to informational items and that what Mr. Gorman was speaking about did not pertain to this part of the meeting and told Mr. Gorman to speak to informational items only. 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to overrule the chair, seconded by Kevin Webber.

Roll Call Was Taken

Kevin Barry-No

Kevin Webber-Yes

Bonnie Beaubien-No

Don Gorman-Yes

John Harrington-No

 

MOTION FAILED

A motion was made by Don Gorman to recall the chair.  There was no second.

 

B. Agenda Preparation- Mr. Harrington

Public Relations Proposal

Policies

Curriculum-6th grade

Mr. Gorman-Comments for a duly elected member of the board

 C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments 

Mrs. Yurek wanted the board members to know that as a parent she appreciates Mrs. Matteson ’s work and how caring she is. 
 

9. Adjournment 

At 7:53 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Kevin Barry. 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED 

The next Deerfield School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 6: 30 P.M.