Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, August 16, 2007   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The August 16th, 2007 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman 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 Barry to accept the minutes of July 16th, 2007 as corrected, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

4.  Immediate Business   

A.  Agenda Review   

No Changes

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

None Made

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

 The board reviewed a letter written by Ms. Dail from Dail Transportation explaining why she was not able to attend the board meeting.  In the letter Ms. Dail also stated that she has spoken with Alex Cote the Deerfield Road agent about the bridges on Middle Rd. and Candia Rd.  Those buses will continue to detour just as they had done in the spring. 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the proposed 07-08 bus routes, as submitted seconded byKevin Webber. 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

D.  NH Center for Integrated Curriculum-Larry Graykin

 Mr. Graykin, Janet Carpentier, and Diane St. James were present to share with the board information for a proposed Charter School in Deerfield

The board took several minutes to review the information.

The proposed school would be opened in the fall of 2009.  Mr. Graykin who is officiating as the Chair for the proposed Charter School stated that the initial costs per student would be $4,800 due to the purchase of equipment etc.  He stated that the cost then would drop down to approx. $2,600 per student.

The school would be open to 6th and 7th grade students and then expand to 8th grade students the following year.  Mr. Graykin stated that this would allow the teachers and students to establish a culture.

Kevin Webber stated that he noticed in the proposal that the school day for the proposed Charter School would be longer and also be a 4-day school week instead of 5.  Mr. Graykin replied that the building would be open on Fridays for teacher planning.  Students would also be participating in extra curricular activities on Fridays.  Mr. Graykin stated that Charter Schools rely heavily on parent participation.

It was stated during the discussion the money from the state would flow from the state directly to the Charter School.

It was the desire of those designing the Charter School that the proposed Charter School would alleviate Deerfield Community School’s overcrowding.

For more information concerning the proposed Charter School visit the NHCIC’s website.

See Attach: A

 E.  Enrollment Request 

Jillian Girard was present to request that her child be allowed to attend Coe Brown. Ms. Girard was dissatisfied with what appeared to be a lack of communication at Concord High. It was her opinion that her stepson would do better in a smaller school setting. 

At 7:05 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss a student specific matter was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber.  On a roll call, the board voted:  

John Harrington YES

Kevin Barry YES

Bonnie Beaubien YES

Kevin Webber YES

Don Gorman YES

  The Motion Carried

Present:  John Harrington, Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubien, Kevin Webber, Donald Gorman, Paul Yergeau, Peter Warburton, Tom Haley. 

The board discussed the request.

At 7:16 P.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

Mr. Harrington stated that it was their opinion that there are avenues available to Ms. Girard that has not been used to better communicate with Concord High.  Peter Warburton stated that he would assist Ms. Girard in the process.  It was the boards opinion that if the tools that Concord High has available were used a successful academic year could happen for her stepson. The members of the board stated that the language of the contract does not allow them to offer another school setting and if Ms.Girard still had concerns after trying to work with Concord that she was welcome to come back and speak to them.  

The board received a letter from the Kim Carlton requesting that her daughter Eliza be allowed to return to Central High as a tuition student.  Eliza is a returning senior.   

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to allow Ms. Carlton’s request for her daughter to return to Central as a Deerfield tuition student since the request does not effect the Concord contract, seconded by Don Gorman. 

Motion Carried

John Harrington Abstained 

F.  Principals Report –Paul Yergeau

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that DCS was not selected this year to receive money from the Technology Grant. 

Mr. Yergeau stated that the school would be using a Speech Pathologist thru the SAU since it has been so difficult to fill that open position.  Otherwise the staffing is set.

The maintenance team has done a great job in getting the school ready for opening day.  They have worked very diligently over the summer.
 

Deb Dimitriadis, the Paraprofessional who worked in the library has resigned to take another position out of district.  Mr. Yergeau stated that she will be missed and that they are interviewing for that position.

Enrollment at DCS is down this year Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board.  As of tonight there are 544 students.  DCS has 5 new 8th graders and 2 new 7th graders, which is a new scenario for DCS.  Peter Warburton stated that other districts are seeing the same types of enrollment and increases in the upper grades.

Mr. Yergeau stated that the full day kindergarten has four students on the waiting list.

The summer program was successful this year and the staff was able to get a number of students from the upper grades to participate, which was encouraging.

Critical Friends Group Training took place earlier this summer and DCS will be starting two new groups.  The cost of this training was supported by Grant funds.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

A.  Action Items

The board reviewed the list of items on the list.

1.  Generator-The board discussed the needs of a generator at DCS if it is used as an Emergency Shelter.  The generator at the Federal Surplus in Concord was built in 1984 and has 560 hours of use.  The board determined with the information supplied by Alex Cote and Rick Pellitier that this generator was not sufficient.

The board members also stated that a clearer plan needs to be formulated before any purchases are determined.  The board will continue to review the needs of the community as presented by the Emergency Risk Management team.

2.  Wetlands-The board will put this item on the agenda for discussion.

6.  New Business  

A.  Nomination of Staff

Jennifer Sherburne’s name was presented to the board to fill the part time health position.

This position is difficult to fill and to keep filled because it is only a 50% position.  DCS has already had 2 Health Teachers but Ms. Sherburne comes to DCS with ties to the community.  Her background is in nursing/public health and will be working with Ms. Klipa on her fieldwork and alternative certification.

Holly Brown’s name was presented to the board to fill the position of Special Educator.

She has a diverse teaching background Master’s in Ed. and a BS in Theatre Ed. She is actively working on her Special Ed. certification and will be working closely with Gloria James.

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept both nominations, seconded by Bonnie  Beaubien. 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

B.  Heating Oil Proposals- Peter Warburton

Mr. Warburton stated that the prices for heating oil change overnight and that Peter Aubrey and Tom Haley are asking that the board vote to allow them to lock in when presented with a good price.  Mr. Warburton stated that the market is very volatile
 and that price quotes are only good for 24 hours.

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to give authority to Tom Haley and Peter Aubrey to lock in a bid for heating fuel for the Deerfield School District for the 07-08 school year, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

All In Favor

Motion Carried

C.  Goal Setting-Mr. Harrington 

The board reviewed their goals that were set at their previous meeiting.

No Action was taken.

7.  Other Business 

A.  Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members 

Don Gorman-stated that the next step concerning the wetlands next to DCS needs to be taken and asked that it be placed on next month’s agenda. 

Peter Warburton-asked the board to re-affirm the employee computer purchase program for DCS.

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to continue the Computer purchase program, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

B. Agenda Preparation-Mr. Harrington

Wetlands

M. Clark

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

Mr. Webber stated that as a citizen he was stepping forward to encourage members and citizens to consider the value of the proposed Charter Middle School.

7. Adjournment 

At  8:20 PM. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber. 

All In Favor

Motion Carried 

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