Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, November 1, 2007   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The November 1st, 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 Don Gorman to accept the minutes of October 18, 2007 as corrected, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

4.  Immediate Business   

 

A.  Agenda Review   

 

No Changes

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

Ms. Heath thanked the board for the article in the recent Communicator concerning High School Transportation.  Ms. Heath asked if the board had done an assessment on the transportation needs of High school students?

C. Charter School Discussion-Mr.Graykin, Mr. Harrington

 

Members of the proposed Charter school attended tonight’s meeting to answer any questions the board might have since they last met.

Mr. Gorman asked if those involved with the Charter School might be able to provide feedback on a regular schedule.  It was agreed that it would be a good idea and would be done.

It was stated that the 501C application could take a year to be processed.  Those involved in the Charter School proposal would like to see it open in the fall of 2009.

Mr. Webber stated that if that were to take place it would have to be placed on the ballot as a Warrant Article.

D. NCLB Update-Ms. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that the issue in place is finding a Math consultant before the plan is finished.  The problem that exists is that the state currently has no money left and is in the process of formulating/submitting a proposal for more funding to be given to the Governor for his approval. 

 

E.  Modular Update-Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman stated that the dry rot in the back of one of the modulars has not been repaired and that the skirting around the modulars is broken.  Mr. Yergeau stated that the repair of the skirting is the responsibility of the school.

Mr. Gorman also inquired about the ramps and that he has heard they can be very slippery. 

The board members talked about putting an abrasive strip and asked that Mr. Fowler review the situation.

 F.  Negotiations with Surrounding Towns- Mr. Gorman

Mr. Gorman informed the board members that due to the Charter proposal and the ongoing transportation discussions no further action has taken place.

Mr. Harrington stated that negotiations with surrounding towns should be kept in the field of interest.  The board decided to put it on the Action List instead of being placed on the agenda.

G.  Action Items-Mr. Webber

Posting of No Hunting Signs of the property:  Mr. Yergeau stated that Mr. Fowler has contacted Fish and Game about postings.  It was determined that property lines would need to be clearly marked before posting of any signs.

The board asked that Mr. Fowler review the boundary lines and if there are currently any markers.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

A.  Concord Agreement-Mr. Webber, Ms. Beaubien

 

The board noted that a reply from the Concord school board has not been received.

In Mr. Haley’s letter to Dr. Chrisitine Rath, Superintendent Mr. Haley noted that the Deerfield School Board voted against the acceptance, largely due to its belief that the Deerfield community would strongly oppose any further instances (additional to those in the current contract) where Deerfield would be obligated to pay for students not actually in attendance at Concord High.  Mr. Haley further stated in his letter that the 08-09 school is Deerfield’s only known problem year, with Deerfield able to assign 3.45 students elsewhere and 4 current Deerfield students with a sibling in a non-Concord placement. Mr. Haley requested on the board’s behalf that flexibility might be possible on Concord’s part regarding this circumstance on a one-time basis.

It was noted that as of tonight’s meeting three students would be able to attend an alternative high school and that under current policy siblings would be given first opportunity.

 

 B.  Well Update-Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Warburton and Mr. Yergeau informed the board that several sets of testing have taken place and that there appears to be a loop or a small area in a section of pipe causing the issue.  The NHDES has responded in a letter dated October 23rd that several violations can be corrected and future violations prevented by taking the following actions:

 

1.      By November 6th retain the services of a qualified water system consultant to address the system’s water quality problems relative to the recent bacteria contamination; and

2.      By November 20, submit to DES for review a copy of the consultant’s report which shall include recommendations to correct the bacteria contamination; and

3.      By November 27 submit tot DES for review and approval an implementation schedule which identifies specific dates by which steps to correct the bacteria contamination will be accomplished.

 

The board members noted that a consultant is in place and that the process that NHDS has requested has started.

 

C.  Paraprofessional Negotiations Update-Ms. Beaubien, Mr. Webber

 

Mr. Webber stated that they have had a meeting with the paraprofessionals and that five additional meeting dates have been set in place between now and the end of the year.

 

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

 

Tonight the board reviewed the 1200 series (Special Ed.)in the budget.  Paul Yergeau and Patty Willis went through this section with the board members line by line.  Mrs. Whitaker (DCS Sped. Coordinator) also was present to answer any questions.  The board was reminded that many of these lines such as tutoring services and specialists change throughout the year due to IEP accommodations and changes.

Line 12323-Contracted services changes based on need.  Mr. Yergeau stated that the proposed Speech Assistant is a proposed temporary position.

Mr. Gorman inquired how an IEP is put together and asked if the cost of services discussed included costs to implement the proposed plan.  Patty Willis informed Mr. Gorman that costs cannot be discussed but that an LEA was present to make sure that only the services needed were written into the IEP.

Mr. Yergeau stated that parents many times request that their child be tested elsewhere at the school’s expense and for the most part it is not typically allowed unless it is paid at the parents own expense.

Mr. Yergeau reviewed with the board the DCS 08-09 budget int.

*See Attached Document.

The board will discuss the 08-09 Initiatives at their next meeting.

 

7. Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

John Harrington-brought to the board’s attention the bus issue concerning Pleasant Hill.  The board re-stated that because of the steepness of the road that creating new stops and drop offs

that require going up Pleasant Hill be left to the discretion of Dail Transportation.

Bonnie Beaubien-informed the members that December 15th the MBC would be reviewing the 08-09 proposed school budget.  The time is yet to be determined.

The board agreed that December 6th would be the budget would have to be finalized and given to the MBC so that they would have a full week to review it before the meeting.

Mr. Yergeau-informed the members of the board that the DCS Soccer Teams won the League Championship.

 

B.  Agenda Preparation-Mr. Harrington

 

Budget

 

C.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

Mrs. Yurek stated that she hoped that the ½ day Kindergarten would still be accessible if the full day Kindergarten were put into place.  It was Mrs. Yurek’s opinion that many parents and children enjoyed the ½ day.

Mr. Godbois requested that extra copies of the budget be made available to people in the audience.

Mr. Godbois also inquired about the Staph update since he did not hear it mentioned during the meeting.

Mr. Yergeau replied that information concerning the issue had been reviewed.  Staff and teachers are working with the students to educate them on the importance of hand washing since this is the best way to prevent infection.  Information was also sent home via the Bridge to parents.

 

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

 

At 8:32 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss a personnel matter was made by Don Gorman, seconded by Kevin Webber.  On a roll call, the board voted:

 

                                                John Harrington                                    YES

                                                Kevin Webber                                      YES

                                                Bonnie Beaubien                                   YES

                                                Don Gorman                                        YES

 

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

Present:  John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Don Gorman, Kevin Webber, Paul Yergeau, Peter Warburton

 

A Motion was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by Kevin Webber to come out of non-public session @ 9:15 P.M.

 

John Harrington                        YES

Kevin Barry                              YES

Bonnie Beaubien                       YES

                                                  Don Gorman                             YES

 

John Harrington, Board Chair, announced that a decision was made in non-public session to have SAU personnel, along with Deerfield Community School Administration, review and revise the job description of the DCS maintenance supervisor with the present supervisor.

7.  Adjournment:
At 10:22 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Bonnie Beaubien seconded by John Harrington.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

The next scheduled Deerfield School Board meeting will be Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.