Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, November 8, 2007   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

PRESENT:  John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Kevin Webber, Kevin Barry, Don Gorman, Gigi Klipa, Peter Aubrey, Kandy Davitt  

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The November 8th, 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.  Immediate Business  

 

A.  Citizens’ Comments

 

Mrs. Yurek asked if a letter had letter had been received from Concord High concerning the sibling issue. Mr. Harrington stated that a letter had been received. Mrs.Yurek also asked the members of the board if parents of high school students were willing to pay towards transportation such as ($180 a year) would it help draw support from the community for high school transportation.

Mr. Harrington stated that a letter had been received from Concord High.  He also thanked Mrs. Yurek for her idea concerning transportation but did not see how the District could require partial payment. 

Mr. Harrington stated that the school board has received a reply from the Concord Board concerning the sibling issue.  As of 11/08/2007 the Concord Board has declined any further changes to the Deerfield/Concord High School Agreement.   The DCS board will be drawing names at the next meeting for Alternative High School choices.

 

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

 

The board discussed furniture replacement/purchases.  Ms. Klipa stated that most of the furniture such as teacher desks, book cases etc., in the building were from the GB White Building.  Ms. Klipa further stated that she has set in place a replacement schedule for these items.

Line 1100-Regular Programs:

The board noted a change in line 001-110-111-108-000 Intern Stipends.  Ms. Klipa noted that there has been a rate increase for interns.

The board reviewed line 001-1100-561-108-000 High School Tuition.  It was noted that current year high school enrollment is 250 and the budget for high school tuition was determined for the 08-09 academic year with the enrollment of 248 students at area high schools.

v     Pembroke Acad. 3 students @ $8,982=$26,946 (3% est. increase)

v     Coe Brown Acad. 20 students @ $11,931=238,620 (5% est. increase,)

v     Concord High 216 students @ $12,090=$2,611,330 (3% act. increase)

v     Central 4 students @ $7,687=$30,748 (3% est. increase)

v     Memorial 2 students @ $7,687=$15,374(3% Est. increase)

v     Pinkerton Acad. 1 student @ $8,479=$8,479

v     Raymond High 2 students @ $11,208=$22,416 (3% est. increase)

Line 001-110-610-108-000 General Supplies:

Mr. Webber inquired about the increase in this line. 

Mrs. Davitt replied that for the last few years many items such as crayons, markers, and other student supplies were not ordered.  These items will be ordered for the 08-09 school year. Also costs of paper, toner, paints, etc. have increased in cost.

Line 001-1100-610-108-027 Lang. Arts Texts:

Ms. Klipa informed the board that Lang. Arts texts were ordered last year and would not be ordered this year but line 030 Social Studies texts would need to be ordered because the current books are no longer in print and cannot be replaced.

Line 001-1410-110-108-000 Co-Curricular Salaries:

Mr. Barry stated that there was a request last year to increase this line but it did not make it into the budget.  A stipend of $800 instead of $600 would be given to coaches.

Line 001-2123-330-108-000 NWEA/Testing:

Ms. Klipa informed the members of the board that this testing was in addition to the NCAP testing and was used for diagnostic purposes.  Ms. Klipa also noted that Aimsweb would now include Pre K-2.

Line 2290 Other Inst. Staff Services:

It was noted that this line was level funded.

Items in the 2600 Operation/Maintenance lines were reviewed.

Mr. Barry asked how many employees were actually working for maintenance and how many were full time/part time?

Mr. Harrington asked if an estimate for the cutting of brush and shrubs on the fire road up to the fields could be brought forward at the next meeting.

Line 2720-Pupil Transportation: 

It was noted that the Deerfield District is in year 5 of a 5year contract and should meet with Dail representatives next year. (08-09)

Mr. Aubrey brought to the board’s attention that in the current Allenstown contract with Dail there is a clause concerning fuel costs therefore transportation costs could change.  Currently there is no such clause in the Contract between Dail and Deerfield.

The board discussed the need for high school transportation and that the cost for two buses (morning and evening) would cost the district $73,440.

The board discussed if the buses were truly filled coming and going from DCS or if routes could be mainstreamed.  Mr. Barry reminded the board that in the agreement with Dail no student should ride the bus for more than 40 minutes and that more than likely this was the reason some buses were not filled to capacity.

Mr. Gorman stated that a plan should be brought forward to review and determine the need for keeping the modulars that DCS has in place or if updating the modulars was necessary.

Line 001-4300-330-108-000-High School Feasibility study/options was changed to Facility Study Options and $5,000 was placed in that line in order to study the space needs in the DCS facility.

 

 

4. Other Business

 

A.  Informational Items

 

No Items were discussed

 

B.  Agenda Preparation

 

High School Lottery

DCS Initiatives

Budget

 

C.  Citizens’ Staff Comments

 

Mr. Godbois asked if the District might consider having their own buses again to take care of the high school transportation needs?

Mr. Aubrey stated that the cost of start up is expensive.  Cost of buses, insurance, maintenance, fuel and staffing issues makes it nearly prohibitive.

 

 5.  Adjournment:
At 8:25 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Bonnie Beaubien seconded by Don Gorman.

 

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

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