Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, July 16, 2007  

 

MINUTES OF MEETING  

 

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

Tom Haley, Paul Yergeau , Peter Warburton, Heather Worthen, Gigi Klipa, Kandy Davitt 

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington   

 

The July 16th, 2007 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Chairman John Harrington.   

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance  

 

There was no flag available in the Teachers’ Room therefore Mr. Harrington announced there would be no Pledge of Allegiance.   

 

3.  Minutes of Previous Meetings   

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the minutes of June 21, 2007 as written, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

ALL IN FAVOR

MOTION CARRIED

Immediate Business  

 

A.  Agenda Review  

 

Chris Dail from Dail Transportation would not be able to attend due to a lightening strike, which damaged their computer system.

*Items B (Citizens’ Comments and C (Wetlands Mitigation) order was changed on the agenda to allow Mr. McGarry to leave after the discussion and go to work. 

 

B.  Wetlands Mitigation-Mr. Gorman, Mr. McGarry

 

Mr. Gorman was not present for this part of the meeting.

Mr. McGarry spoke with Mr. Gorman previous to today’s meeting to discuss filling in the wetlands off of the Southwest corner of the school for an addition to the school building or for additional parking.

Mr. Harrington asked if an application could be filled out when a specific use is not implied.  Mr. McGarry stated that the permit requires that a specific use be stated.  The school would also need to show that there were no other alternative ways to accomplish what needed to be done and that the only possible avenue was to fill in the wetlands. They would also have to have engineering/architectural plans attached to the application.  The cost for the application alone would be $1,500.

The board members thanked Mr. McGary for his time and will continue looking at the situation and the school’s needs. 

 

C. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

At 9:30 A.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss a student specific matter was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.  On a roll call, the board voted: 

 

John Harrington YES

Kevin Barry YES

Bonnie Beaubien YES

Kevin Webber YES

  THE MOTION CARRIED 

 

Present:  John Harrington, Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubien, Kevin Webber, Donald Gorman (joined the meeting at 9:30 A.M.) Paul Yergeau, Karen Leavitt, Ellen O’Donnell, Diane Arzigian, Peter Warburton, Tom Haley. 

The board discussed a student specific matter. 

At 10:05 A.M. a motion to end the non-public session was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by Don Gorman.  On a roll call, the board voted: 

 

John Harrington YES

Kevin Barry YES

Bonnie Beaubien YES

Donald Gorman YES

Kevin Webber YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

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

 

D. Transportation Report-Ms. Dail, Mr. Harrington

 

There was a consensus of the board to accept the tentative Transportation Schedule for the 07-08 school year.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business 

 

A.  Mission Statement-Mr. Yergeau

 

After review from the board, the public at large, DCS staff and teachers Paul Yergeau brought to the board’s attention Mission Statement Option C, for their consideration.

It is the mission of the Deerfield Community School to inspire each student to think, to learn, to achieve, to create and to care

Commitments

We will...

set high expectations based one ach student’s abilities

foster imagination and creativity

create a safe, respectful and cooperative school community

promote individual responsibility, honesty, and service

prepare our students to meet the world with competence, courage, confidence, compassion and commitment to their communities.

 

Mr. Yergeau also brought to the board’s attention an e-mail from Bill Carbonneau a community member.  Mr. Carbonneau stated that he believed that there is one very important thing that was not contained in any of the proposals...money.  He believed that it was important that the board include in the mission statement some mention of financial responsibility to the taxpayers of Deerfield.

 

A motion was made by Bonnie Beaubien to accept Option C as the Mission Statement for the Deerfield Community School, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

B.   Concord Contract Update-Mr. Webber. Ms. Beaubien

 

Mr. Webber informed the other members of the board that he and Ms. Beaubien would be meeting to discuss strategies in presenting their proposal to Concord.  More info. will be forthcoming in August at the next school board meeting.

           

C.   Policy Review-Mr. Barry

 

The members discussed the No Child Left Behind Resolution.  The recommendation is for Deerfield to consider changes in proposed categories. Mr. Gorman had several concerns with the resolution starting with what was actually in the bill and that everyone might be better served after the bill has moved along.  Mr. Gorman also stated that he was concerned about the wording in the letter.

 

No Action Was Taken

 

D.  Generator

 

Mr. Gorman stated that he had several more conversations with Mr. Pellitier.  Purchasing the generator is the easy part Mr. Gorman stated.  The board needs to take into account a shed, concrete pad, switches, etc.  The real cost needs to be determined Mr. Gorman stated before the board proceeds.

Mr. Harrington stated that the town was willing to share costs.  The board discussed the Hazardous Mitigation Grant that may be accessible to the town for the purchase of a generator.  Ms. Beaubien stated that it first appeared that grant money would not be available but that the landscape has changed.

The board will continue to discuss the generator and the needs of the town.

 

6.  New Business 

 

A. Nomination/Election of Staff-Mr. Haley, Board Members

 

No names came forward

 

B. Staff Request-Mr. Harrington

 

The board members received a letter from Mrs. McGovern concerning her son attending DCS for the 07-08 school year. 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to allow Ms. McGovern’s son to attend DCS according to the Teachers’ Contract, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

 

C.  Goal Setting-Mr. Harrington

 

Moved to the end of the agenda.

 

7.  Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Paul Yergeau-informed the board that Mrs. Boisvert wanted them to know that the Technology Grant’s format has changed to reflect $3,000 for training.

Tom Haley-reviewed with the board the contract with Jack’ s Driving School.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the proposed contract with Jack’s Driving School and the Deerfield School District, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Mr. Haley passed out to the members of the board the approved DCS District policies on a CD.

Ms. Klipa-brought forward concerns about Deerfield’s High School students.  Ms. Klipa stated that it is important for the district to track grade point averages, dropouts, absences, etc.  It was suggested that Mr. Haley, Mr. Yergeau, Ms. Klipa, Mr. Warburton, work on a format to gather and record the above information.

 

B. Agenda Preparation-Mr. Harrington

Generator

Charter School

NHCIC

 

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

None were made.

 

7. Adjournment

 

At  11:10 AM. a motion to adjourn the meeting and meet for the board’s yearly goal setting meeting was made by Kevin Webber, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The next Deerfield School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 16th 2007 at 6:00 P.M.