Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, December 6, 2007   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The December 6th, 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 November 8, 2007 as corrected, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the minutes of November 15, 2007 as corrected, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

4.  Immediate Business   

 

A.  Agenda Review   

 

No Changes

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

 

Mrs. Hanson brought to the board’s attention information concerning the last year’s Southeast League basketball game and the comments made by the Epsom’s Girl’s basketball coach.  Mrs. Hanson informed them that the Coach/Epsom School Brd. Member stated at Epsom’s last board meeting that she felt it was “too dangerous for Epsom to play at Deerfield” therefore she would either not participate or forfeit any games with Deerfield.  Mrs. Hanson was concerned that these types of comments have been made and that Epsom has played soccer with Deerfield and no concerns had been brought forward.   Mrs. Hanson also informed the board that Deerfield would be hosting the Southeast League this year and hoped that these comments/situation could be corrected.

Mr. Harrington stated that it was his opinion that the league should step in and take care of this situation.

Mr. Gorman was concerned that such comments were being made about Deerfield Community School such as, “ DCS being an unsafe environment”.

No Action Was Taken at this time.

Mr. Haley stated that no action had been taken at the Epsom School Board.

 

Mr. Gorman stepped down as a school board member and as a Deerfield citizen announced to the members of the board that he would be running for the open position for State Representative that was vacated by Mr. Johnson. Mr. Gorman stated that if elected he would work diligently on

changing “The No Child Left Behind” legislation.

 

C.  N.C.L.B. Review-Mr. Gorman, Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that he was in a meeting all day Wednesday, to work on developing a plan for Deerfield (which is a District In Need of Improvement) that needed to be submitted to the state by January 15th.

Mr. Haley passed out to the members of the board correspondence written by the Commissioner of Ed. concerning NCLB as to what is happening at the state level.

 

D.  Modular Update-Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman stated that Mr.Yergeau, Mr. Fowler, and he spent time in the modulars while classes were being held.  They also spent time talking to the teachers who had classes in the modulars.

Mr. Gorman noted that the modulars are not functional as a classroom due to the set-up.  One classroom is set up with a study room but there is not heat. He stated that the board should work on a plan for their removal.

Mr. Barry stated that until the community decides to add onto the building or build another school the situation would stay the same even though it is not the most desirable.

 

E.  Phone System Update-Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau asked Mrs. Boisvert to address the board concerning the Phone System.

Attach. A.

Mrs. Boisvert stated that there are currently two formats for the current phone system day mode and nighttime mode.

The members of the board discussed the benefits as well as their concerns about automating the phone system.   Mr. Webber stated that automating the phones should allow the secretaries more time to do other work.  Other members of the board were concerned that those calling the school would not find it convenient and may be frustrated by the process. 

 

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to spend $540 to automate the phone system, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

 

F. Action Items Update

 

Don Gorman- stated that he had additional news concerning the filling in of the wetland area next to the second grade classrooms.  He stated that there is piping under the parking lot that drains the area and if dropped it would drain additional water. 

Mr. Harrington stated that he was concerned that the school would be actively changing the function of a wetland.

Mr. Gorman stated that if the wetland application were to be approved this would first be an area for additional parking and then later for an addition to DCS.

The board members reviewed the paperwork that Mr. Gorman brought in and agreed for Mr. Gorman to continue with his efforts and with the wetlands application.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

 

A.  Water Quality Update-Mr. Barry

 

Mr. Barry stated that since the school has had several non-compliance water tests the state now is requiring water tests once every quarter.  Mr. Barry informed that board that the last test came in negative for any bacteria.  The tanks are fine but the point of confusion is that the bad tests seem to be coming from different places within the school, which makes it difficult to isolate.  One change that should be made Mr. Barry stated is the test point/spigot at the water tank.

 

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

 

Mr. Haley-informed the members of the board that with the 08-09 proposed budget there would be a $1.49 increase in the tax rate.

 

 The board reviewed the 08-09 initiatives.

 Landscaping-Mr. Yergeau reviewed the proposed landscaped needs of DCS.

Mowing-$298/pertime at approx. 17 times a year.

Tru-green Fertilizing-$1,000 for the year

Mr. Yergeau stated that the following items were priorities.

1.  Retaining walls at the back of the school.

Mr. Yergeau stated that the soil is washing away and that the pavement is crumbling.

2.  Loam and Bark Mulch

3.  Bush hogging the playground area and the slope next to the soccer field at a cost of $3,600

4.  Flag pole area cleaning of weeds and plants.  Mr. Yergeau stated that the van Berkum family used to do it but they no longer have children at DCS.

Mr. Harrington stated that a plan needs to be developed that would take care of what we have and then be able to move to another project.

The board decided to hold off on the retaining wall because Mr. Gorman may be bringing information concerning the wetland area that would change that area.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to fund the following items and add onto the Grounds Maintenance line, seconded by Kevin Barry. 

$2,325 for mulch and weeding

$325 for bush hogging playground

$$3,600 for the slope next to the soccer field

$1,000 for gravel between the school and the modulars

$186 for gravel at the front of the building

$535 for clean- up around the flagpole area

Total of $7971

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The board reviewed the paving of the parking lot proposal and decided to wait until they received what they considered more accurate measurements of the parking lot. Mr. Webber stated that he would vote for needed textbooks before he supported paving the parking lot.

 

Stage Curtain-Mr. Yergeau informed the board that the curtains have not been cleaned since they their purchase approx. 10 years ago.

The board decided to put this item on hold.

Additional Office Secretarial position-Mr. Yergeau stated that with additional reports required by the state the Administration is doing their own secretarial work. 

Ms. Beaubien stated that Admin. should not be taking the time to do this type of work and that their time is better spent in the classroom, working with staff, etc.

Mr. Gorman stated that currently there is a hiring freeze and did not see the need for additional office staff.  Mr. Gorman also stated that if extra help is needed because of additional reports, etc. due to NCLB the Dept. of Ed. should come forward with the funding.

Kevin Webber asked where the additional secretary would be placed. 

Mr. Yergeau replied that there was when the office was reconfigured there was an additional work area added.

Mr. Webber stated that he felt there were other solutions that should be reviewed before adding an additional person to the office staff.

Ms. Beaubien stated that a business would not operate in this manner.

The board asked that a job description be written for this position and that the position be confined to secretarial duties.

 

A motion was made by Bonnie Beaubien to include in the 08-09 proposed budget funds to hire an additional secretary.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

CoCurricualr Coordinator- will be reviewed at a later time

Tom Haley-Mr. Haley passed out to the members of the board a request to add Mr. Turnquist who is currently a first grade teacher at DCS to the retirement benefit plan.  The letter submitted to the board was an application for the retirement incentive offered by the district, as stated in Article XIV, Section E in the Agreement between the Board and the DEA. 

The board members discussed their appreciation for Mr. Turnquist and the time he has given the community of Deerfield.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept the request made by Mr. Turnquist to be added to the retirement benefit plan, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The total 08-09 proposed budget including $813,747 for the added initiatives total:  $11,819,413.00.

 

Mr. Webber noted that the 08-09 budget as it currently stands is $180,000 higher than the default budget.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to approve the proposed 08-09 budget at $11,849,723, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

C.  Deliberative Session Planning-Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Barry reviewed with the board members the dates for the town and school Deliberative Sessions.   February 2nd the town will hold its’ Deliberative Session at the town hall, starting at 9 am.  The school will have their Deliberative Session February 9th at DCS starting at 9 am.

 

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

Mr. Webber informed the members of the board that the Para negotiations have failed to reach an agreement and will be going into mediation.  The meeting will be December 11th at 9:00 probably at the SAU office.


6.  Other Business

 

A. Informational Items

 

Paul Yergeau - mentioned to the board that Julie Decosta has donated computers and monitors to DCS.

Mr. Yergeau also stated that he attended a Principals’ meeting this month where he reviewed a product named “ Alert Now.”  Mr. Yergeau stated that he will be bringing more information to the board and that basically, this product is a reverse calling system used for emergencies, school announcements, etc.

Mr. Yergeau also informed the board that he would like to contact a security company to review and set up a security plan for DCS.

John Harrington-stated that he did not feel the board would need to meet on the 20th of January but should meet on the 3rd of January.

 

Mr. Harrington shared with the board a request by Sarah Plater (a 3rd grade teacher at DCS) to allow her son to attend kindergarten as stated by the teachers’ contract.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to allow Mrs. Plater’s child to attend DCS according to the Teachers’ contract, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Kevin Barry-informed the members of the board that the Selectmen voted to purchase a generator for Emergency Shelter use.  The board discussed the use of DCS as the designated shelter.

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to designate the Deerfield Community School as an Emergency Shelter for the town of Deerfield, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Bonnie Beaubien – reminded the members of the board that December 15th at 8:00 am the MBC will have their meeting to review the 08-09 school budget at the George B. White Building

Conference Rm.  Mr. Yergeau was asked to bring his color copy of the school budget.

 

A Motion was made by Kevin Barry to accept Mr. Turnquist’s request for the application for retirement incentive as stated in Article XIV, Section E, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

B. Agenda Review

 

Wetlands

Residency

Reverse calling system

 

C. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Mr. Mitchell asked for information concerning the high school drop out rate.  Mr. Haley stated that he would get those numbers to him.  Mr. Mitchell also stated that there might be a high school program in the area that has a work release program that would have students who are interested in secretarial work experience. 

The board thanked Mr. Mitchell for his comments.

 


7.  Adjournment:


At 9:35 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Webber seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The next scheduled Deerfield School Board meeting will be Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 6:30 P.M.