Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, January 3, 2008   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

The January 3rd, 2008, 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 December 6, 2007 as written, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

4.  Immediate Business   

 

A.  Agenda Review   

 

Items 5 A and B were placed before items 4 E, F, G, and H.

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

 

No Comments were made.

 

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

 

Mr. Warburton passed out to the members of the board an article by columnist George Will concerning N.C.L.B. as an article of interest. 

The members agreed that there appears to be a ground swelling of concern about the N.C.L.B. legislation and the impact on local schools. The members of the board agreed that it was important to stay current concerning this issue.

 

D.  Wetlands Plan -Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman shared with the board an e-mail from Mr. McGary.  In the e-mail Mr. McGary stated that he had completed a draft plan showing the wetlands, drainage pipes etc.  Mr. McGary also stated that he would need direction from the board as to what application he should be filing with the state and should it be for a school addition and if so what size or should it be for a parking lot.  Mr. McGary stated that a more significant use would be for an addition. 

Mr. Gorman stated that because of the snow he has not been able to contact any excavators to come and look at the area for their opinion.  Mr. McGary reviewed the site plan with the members of the board.  He stated that there was a pipe that can drain the wetland already set in place.  Mr. McGary also stated that there are several source pipes and that the water from the school roof also drained into that area.   Mr. McGary stated that he could go to the NH State Wetlands board for an informal review of the plans.  He also stated that the more concrete the plan the better the chances of approval.

The board discussed if the existing wetlands were created to replace another wetland at the time the school was being built. The board asked if Bill Fowler might have the original application.  Mr. Gorman agreed that he would look into it and report back to the board.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Gorman to request that Mr. McGary have an informal discussion with the wetlands staff concerning the filling in of the wetland area next to the 2nd grade wing of the school for the possibility of an addition.

 

4 In Favor

1 Against

Motion Carried

 

E.  Charter School-John Harrington, Janet Carpentier

 

Ms. Carpentier was present to review with the members of the board the current status of the proposed Charter Schol.  Ms. Charpentier stated that there will be Forums at the Deerfield Town Library January 11,12,13th,26th and 31st and February 1st.  The presentation will be a power-point format.

Ms. Carpentier also stated that the 501C was being prepared and sent out. 

Ms. Carpentier asked that board if a brochure could be sent out with the Bridge concerning the Charter School.  It was also discussed that a total of 80 middle grade students over a three year period could be attending the Charter School if passed.

 

F.  Para-Educators Negotiaions-Mr. Webber, Ms. Beaubien

 

Mr. Webber stated that they met with the Para Association December 11th and requested to go into non-public session at 7:00 pm.

At 7:00 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss residency issues.

                                                John Harrington                                  YES

                                                Kevin Webber                                     YES

                                                Bonnie Beaubien                                 YES

                                                Don Gorman                                       YES

                                                Kevin Barry                                        YES

 

THE MOTION CARRIED

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

 

A Motion was made by Don Gorman, seconded by Kevin Barry to come out of non-public session @ 7:10 P.M.

 

John Harrington                      YES

Kevin Webber                         YES

Bonnie Beaubien                     YES

                                                  Don Gorman                            YES

                                                  Kevin Barry                             YES

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to accept the Para-Educators contract, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

G.  Budget

 

Mr. Barry stated that with the increase cost of fuel the board should consider adding and additional $2,000 to the Contracted Services/Maintenance line for snow plowing. 

Kevin Webber asked if the town has stated that there will be an increased cost and suggested that the town come back with a quoted price.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to increase line 264431-0-431-108-000 an additional $2,0000 seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

The members of the board discussed how to proceed and were uncomfortable coming in with a change to the budget at this late date.

Mr. Yergeau asked if the town’s budget would be decreased $2,000?

 

Bonnie Beaubien withdrew her second, Kevin Barry withdrew his motion.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to approve the 08-09 Deerfield Community School budget prior to warrants ( $11,806,471), seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The board reviewed the remaining 08-09 warrants:

*See attachment A for warrants.

 

Warrant 4:  (Shall the District adopt the provisions of RSA 194-B, regarding charter and open enrollment school; and shall no more than__________(any whole number from 0-100) percent of the district’s current pupil enrollment be eligible for tuition to attend charter and open enrollment schools located inside the school district?

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to allot 25% of the district’s current pupil enrollment ( 42.5 from grades 6,7,8)  that would be eligible for tuition to attend charter and open enrollment schools located inside the Deerfield School District, seconded by Don Gorman.

 

Kevin Webber stated that this would open up the town of Deerfield to Charter schools and that the town could see Charter Schools for Kindergarten, etc.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Warrant #5 by PETITION:  ( Shall the Deerfield School board raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of establishing the Ledge Boring profiles of the Deerfield School District property located on Stage Road?  The section(s) of the property that will be profiled are the sections that “on prior plans” there were buildings and athletic fields proposed. This information will be used as a basis of determining the potential use of such property in the future. (Approval of the petition article will result in and estimated $0.03 per $1,000 increase in the tax rate.)

 

Mr. Gorman and Mr. Webber stated that they did not support this warrant .  The board members discussed the need for ledge borings and what it would do. Mr. Harrington stated that he understood the concept of the drillings but was not sure this was the time to do it.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Gorman to not support the petition warrant, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

3 In Favor

2 Against

Motion Carried

 

H. Action Items-Mr. Webber

 

Action Items were reviewed:  Remaining items to review, School property lines, Middle School,

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

 

A. Reverse Calling System-Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau reviewed with the board a proposal for Alertnow a rapid communication service/reverse calling system.  The fee structure for unlimited use is priced per student.  There would be no charges for staff members and the system usage is unlimited.  The price per student is an annual fee and is billed each year at the contracted rate.  The proposed annual total was noted at $1,512.00 and the annual total for a 3 year term would be $1,285.20.

Mr. Yergeau informed the members that Allenstown, Chichester, and Epsom have approved purchasing the system.  Mr. Yergeau and the members of the Emergency committee spoke with the Deerfield Police Chief and the Deerfield Fire Chief.  Both parties recommended it.

The board members discussed the pros and cons of such a system and decided it would be a good replacement for the student emergency phone tree.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to approve up to $1,512 from anticipated 07-08 surplus for the purchase of the Alert Reverse Calling system, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

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.

 

B.  Residency Issues-Mr. Harrington

 

This item was discussed in non-public session at the end of the reg. Board meeting.

 

C.  Staff Request-Mr. Harrington

 

Ms. Adams, sent a letter to the board members requesting an additional day off (the Wednesday following vacation, without pay) so that she could attend a relative’s wedding.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to accept Ms. Adams request, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

6.  New Business

 

A. Meeting Schedule-Mr. Harrington

 

The Pembroke Budget Committee has scheduled sessions with the Pembroke schools on January 3, 10,and 17th.  Mr. Warburton and Mr. Haley need to attend those meeting and requested that the Deerfield Community School Board’s meeting be changed if at all feasible.   The board agreed to change the meeting date from the 17th of January to the 22nd. 

 

7.  Other Business

 

A. Informational Items

 

Kevin Barry- informed the members of the board that Cindy Tomilson (school district treasurer) would not be seeking re-election for the 08-09 school year.  The town is reviewing the option of changing the position for the town from and elected position to an appointed position.  The school board members discussed the pros/cons of doing the same.  Mr. Barry stated that Mrs. Tomilson has held the positions of School/Town treasurer since 1977.

Mr. Barry stated that by making the position appointed the district would ensure that the person met the qualifications needed with the person being elected there would be no guarantees.  Several of the members stated that even though they shared the same concerns they supported the election process and would review the situation next year.  

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to change the position of school treasurer from an elected position to an appointed position, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

1 In Favor

3 Against

Motion Did Not Carry

 

 

Peter Warburton-Mr. Warburton reminded the members of the board that the members of the proposed Charter School in Deerfield requested that they be able to use the Bridge to send home information concerning their proposal.  The board discussed the policy and it was determined that information could be sent home with the disclaimer:  ““The Deerfield School District neither endorses nor sponsors the organization or activity represented in these documents.  The distribution of this material is provided as a community service.” 

 

A Motion was made by Don Gorman to approve the handing out of printed materials concerning the proposed Charter School with the Bridge (noting the disclaimer needed to be printed on the material), seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

4 In Favor

1 Against

Motion Carried

 

Mr. Warburton handed out to the board members the 08-09 budget development timeline for the Deerfield School District.

*See Attachment B

Kevin Barry- stated that the MBC’s Public Hearing for the town and school would be held, January 9th at the Town Hall,6:30 pm.

 

Bonnie Beaubien-informed the board that the NH School board association would be meeting January 19th.

 

Mr. Yergeau- informed the members of the board that Americom came to determine if the

the phone system that is in place could be automated. It was determined that it would cost $100,000 to do so because the phone system is outdated.  Mr. Webber asked if a used card could be found to update the system.  Mr. Yergeau stated that Garde Burgess would look into the matter.

Mr. Yergeau also stated that the December 17th meeting with the state concerning District In Need of Inprovement had to be done remotely due to the snowstorm.

Mr. Yergeau reminded the board that it is the time of year that the board and staff typically meet and that the board should discuss setting a date.  The board decided that February 7th they should meet with the DCS staff.

 

B.  Agenda Preparation

 

Staff Meeting

Deliberative Session Planning

Middle School Update

Awards presentation

N.C.L.B.

 

C. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

At 9:40 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss residency issues.

 

                                                John Harrington                                  YES

                                                Kevin Webber                                     YES

                                                Bonnie Beaubien                                 YES

                                                Don Gorman                                       YES

                                                Kevin Barry                                        YES

 

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

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

 

A Motion was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Kevin Webber to come out of non-public session @ 10:00 P.M.

 

John Harrington                      YES

Kevin Webber                         YES

Bonnie Beaubien                     YES

                                                  Don Gorman                            YES

                                                  Kevin Barry                             YES

 

John Harrington, Board Chair, announced that no action was taken.


8.  Adjournment


At 10:00 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 Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.