Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, October 18, 2007   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The October 18th, 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 October 4, 2007 as corrected, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

4.  Immediate Business   

 

A.  Agenda Review   

 

No Changes

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

Several parents who were concerned about high school transportation were present.  Many spoke to the board about the issue and stated that they would be working towards educating the public about the need to provide transportation to Concord High.

Mr. Godbois asked Mr. Yergeau and the members of the board what precautions have been set in place (if any) concerning the recent reports on staff infections in schools.

Lori Palacios inquired about the Alternative High School Lottery system and how it would work.

A concern about a hunter of the property was brought to the board’s attention by a concerned parent.

C. N.C.L.B. Update-Mr.Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the board that students in grades 3-8 just finished taking their NECAP tests.

Mr. Yergeau stated that he had concerns about how Deerfield Community School could make the significant progress required in the Special Ed. Math area.  Designated staff is meeting with the consultant to work on the required Root Cause Analysis. 

Mr. Gorman inquired about how the Consultant is being paid.  Mr. Haley stated that state funding is paying.  Mr. Gorman asked who is paying for Mr. Yergeau’s time, the staff that is attending additional meetings etc.?  Mr. Yergeau stated that it is time taken away from his other duties and that it was the taxpayers in the end paying for it.  Mr. Gorman stated that teachers use to educate students and he is hearing how educators are now having to teach “to the test.” Mr. Gorman asked where as a frustrated school board member could he address his concerns.

Mr. Haley stated that the Commissioner of Education and the Governor are trying to change NCLB so that changes are made on how a student is assessed.  The formula is which they are proposing would measure each student’s significant progress.

Mr. Gorman asked if the board could review correspondence that discusses the actions that are being taken.

Mr. Haley stated he would contact the Commissioner.

D. Modular Update-Ms. Yergeau, Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Yergeau stated that he is currently working on enrollment projections and will bring the information back to the board but until then no decision can be made on the removal of any modulars.  Mr. Yergeau informed the board that one of the initiatives being brought forward would be full day kindergarten.  If supported by the board it might change student enrollment projections.

Mr. Haley stated that the necessary repairs to the modulars have been addressed.

 

 E.  Negotiations with Surrounding Towns- Mr. Gorman

Mr. Gorman informed the members of the board that he has discussing with Mr. Warburton

strategies.  They have been prioritizing towns to talk to based on distance, need, space, etc.

For an example Mr. Gorman mentioned that Manchester has empty space since Bedford moved out.  Mr. Gorman stated that at this time he is fact finding and no formal discussions have taken place with anyone.

F.  Action Items-Mr. Webber

 Will be reviewed at next board meeting.

 

It was suggested and all members of the board agreed that the concerns of the community members that were in attendance should be addressed before Old/Unfinished Business.

 

Mr. Harrington gave a brief history concerning High School Transportation and procedures.  He stated that last year the board had two options.  The board could place High School Transportation in the budget as a line item or as a warrant.  The members decided to place high school transportation on the ballot as a warrant so that the school budget would not become a referendum on transportation.  Mr. Gorman informed those present to start looking at car-pooling options just in cast High School Transportation does not pass.  Mr. Harrington encouraged those in attendance to attend the District’s Deliberative Session, and the MBC meetings.  Mr. Harrington stated that it would be important to have conversations with neighbors and other parents that providing transportation to high school is the right thing to do.

Ms. Beaubien informed those present that transportation was never a concern to Deerfield residents because there is a long history of school choice.  Students went wherever it was convenient.  Ms. Beaubien stated that due to increased student populations in area high schools Deerfield has to look at a school that would accept all students.  Ms. Beaubien further stated that since there is now one school where all Deerfield students attend it would be the most sensible to provide transportation at this time.

 

Mr. Harrington then reviewed the process for Alternative High School admissions.  He stated that Deerfield has a contract with Concord, which states that 95% of all 8th grade students must attend Concord High.  Mr. Harrington stated that last year there was a petition warrant article on the ballot that requested that a sibling clause be included.  The petition was supported by the community and therefore written into the Alternative High School policy.  Mr. Harrington further stated that this has created a two-tiered process. The lottery would include two categories, the first would be for siblings, the second for those seeking alternative placement.  If siblings filled the open slots and were accepted into the high school of choice the process would stop if not the process would continue until the slots were filled.

 

Mr. Harrington informed those present that in the 08-09 proposed budget there is money for a security system.  Mr. Harrington stated that the board wants to properly think it through making sure what is put in place truly secures the building.

 

Mr. Yergeau stated that Monday the Crisis Team would have a meeting concerning the outbreaks of staff infections and how to protect DCS students’ and staff.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

A.  Well Issues- Mr. Barry, Mr. Gorman

Mr. Gorman, Mr. Barry, Mr. Fowler, and others met prior to the 6:30 Board meeting to discuss the well issue.  Policy Well was invited to send a representative but did not.  It was noted at that meeting that purchase orders should be written for any and all expenditures.

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to recommend to the board to pay the outstanding balance noting that any further work done by Policy Well always be accompanied by a purchase order, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

B.  Paraprofessional Negotiations-Ms. Beaubien, Mr. Webber

Ms. Beaubien stated that their meeting with the paraprofessional representatives would be next week.

 

C.  Staff Request-Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Haley informed the board that the paperwork for Ms. McGovern’s (7th Grade Teacher) maternity leave was completed.  Mr. Haley recommended approving Ms. McGovern’s request.

 

A motion was made by Bonnie Beaubien to approve Ms. McGovern’s request for maternity leave, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

D.  Landscape Improvement-Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that he is waiting for Averell landscaping to submit their plan.

 

6.  New Business  

 

A.  Budget Development- Ms.Beaubien, Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Haley passed out to the board members the initial 07-08 proposed budget.  Mr. Haley stated that several lines in the budget have not been finalized: the Sp.Ed.line, custodial salaries and staff that are not under any contractual agreement were mentioned.

Mr. Haley informed the board members that the Dental Insurance increase would be a 2.6% increase not a 5% as expected.

Mr. Gorman asked those present if they would prefer to see High School Transportation costs placed in the budget as a line item or as a warrant? The response from those in attendance was they preferred to see the Transportation costs as a line item in the budget.

Mr. Harrington thanked those in attendance for their input.

 

7. Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Mr. Harrington- reviewed with the board additional school board meeting dates.  Mr. Harrington noted that these meetings would be to discuss, review, and finalize the 08-09-school budget.  November 8th and November 29th (tentative) were determined to be the best times.

 

Tom Haley- brought Kathy Whittaker’s name to the board to replace Heather Worthen as Special Ed. Coordinator.  Mr. Haley also brought Barbara Cook’s name forward as a Special Ed.

Teacher replacing Kathy Whittaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the nomination of Kathy Whittaker as Sp. Ed. Coordinator and Mrs. Cook as Special Educator for the remainder of the 07-08 school year, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Mr. Barry- informed the members of the board that Wednesday, October 24, 2007 in the café there would be an informational meeting concerning the Athletic policy.  Mrs. McPherson (Athletic Dir.) was inviting school board members to attend.  It was noted that there was a SAU Board meeting that same evening therefore no board members could attend. 

 

Paul Yergeau – noted that letters were sent out to the 8th grade parents concerning the Alternative High School Policy and when letters of intent need to be received.

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the board that as to date DCS is in need of a Speech Lang. Therapist.

Mr. Yergeau stated that it is very difficult under the best of circumstances to find a Speech Lang. Therapist and that trying to find one this time of year would be near impossible.  He suggested that a Speech Assistant be hired instead.  A Speech Assistant works with a Speech Lang. Therapist.  A student who’s IEP requires Speech can meet with the Assistant for 2 hours and then must meet with a Speech path. for 1 hour.  Mr. Yergeau informed the board that he has reviewed the IEP’s and no matter what changes are made there are two grades not receiving required services.  Mr. Yergeau also stated that this would be for the 07-08 school year as a temporary position.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Berry to approve the hiring of a Speech Assistant for the 07-08 school year, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

B.  Agenda Preparation-Mr. Harrington

 

Budget

Charter School

 

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

A concerned parent thanked the board for their efforts and for the discussion concerning NCLB.  He informed the members that he recently moved from N. Andover which at one time he noted was one of the top 5 school systems in Massachusetts.  He referred to an article in the Eagle Tribune that stated the North Andover schools were in jeopardy of losing their accreditation. He stated that due to the concentrated efforts of educators teaching students so they pass the MCAT’s the quality of education has declined.

 

D.  Personnel matter-Mr. Harrington (non-public)

 

          At 8:03 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss a personnel matter was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.  On a roll call, the board voted:

 

                                                John Harrington                                    YES

                                                Kevin Barry                                          YES

                                                Bonnie Beaubien                                   YES

                                                Don Gorman                                        YES

 

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

            Present:  John Harrington, Kevin Barry, Bonnie Beaubien, Don Gorman, Paul Yergeau (until 8:35), Peter Warburton (until 8:35), Tom Haley.

 

           

 

At 8:54 P.M. a motion to end the non-public session was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.  On a roll call, the board voted:

 

                                                John Harrington                                    YES

                                                Kevin Barry                                          YES

                                                Bonnie Beaubien                                   YES

                                                Donald Gorman                                    YES

 

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

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

 

            A motion was made by Don Gorman, seconded by Kevin Barry to officially support the Pembroke School Board’s intended nomination of Assistant Superintendent Peter Warburton as SAU #53’s next superintendent beginning July, 2008.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

8.   Adjournment

 

      At 8:57 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

      The next scheduled Deerfield School Board meeting will be on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.