Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Tuesday, January 22, 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 22nd, 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 Bonnie Beaubien to accept the minutes of December 3, 2008               as corrected, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

4.  Immediate Business   

 

A.  Agenda Review   

 

No Changes Made

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

 

No Comments were made.

 

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

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that the 1st phase has been sent to the NH Dept. Of Ed. and that DCS is still waiting for confirmation that the plan has been approved.  The committee is now working on Phase 2.

Peter Warburton-stated that NECAP scores would be available by January 29th for public review. 

 

D.  Wetlands Plan -Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman stated that he has spoken to  several contractor’s in town concerning the wetland area next to the school.  Several of them are aware of the fill material located at the other site owned by the district.  Mr. McGary is in the process of determining how much yardage is needed to fill the area. 

 

E.  Budget/Deliberative Session-Mr. Harrington, Ms. Beaubien

 

Mr. Warburton passed out to the members of the board the projected high school tuition costs for 08-09.  Mr. Warburton noted that there is a decrease in expected costs for the amount of $119,808.00.  The rate impact will be 20.7 cents.

It is projected that there will be:

Pembroke High School- 5 students @ $8,982=$44,910.00

Coe Brown-20 students @ 11,931=$238,620.00

Concord High-208 students @ $11,514=$2,394,912.00

Central-5 students @ $7,313=$36,565.00

Memorial-2 students @ $7313=$14,626.00

Pinkerton High-1 student =$8479.00

Raymond High-3 students @ $11,208= $33,624.00

Total Cost Projections:  $2771,736.00

 

Mr. Barry stated that he has spoken with the School District’s Clerk and that she is in the process of contacting Kelly Services to make arrangements for a recording secretary for the School’s Deliberative session.

 

Mr.Harrington brought to the board’s attention that a request has been presented to him that the School’s Deliberative session be held at the Town Hall next year.

 

A letter was received from Molloy Sound and Video Contractors stating they have booked their services for Saturday February 9th, 2008 for the Deliberative Session at the Deerfield Community School.  The total cost for these services was not stated in the letter but it was stated that it would be approximately the same as last year assuming the equipment needs and time frame were about the same as last year. 

 

F.  Action Items-Mr. Webber

 

The board reviewed the following  action items:  Phone system, land boundaries, residency concerns, AlertNow (emergency calling system)and the Middle School Curriculum.       

                                               

G.  Middle School 6th Grade Curriculum-Mr. Yergeau

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members of the board that he met with the 6th, 7th, and 8th  grade team in the fall and assigned them several articles to read.  He asked them to come back with sound information so that they could have a data driven conversation on self contained classroom vs. departmentalized.  The following items were presented to the board:

 

 

 

 

 

Grade 6

Self Contained versus Departmentalized

 

 

Background:

 

  • Staff members did literature survey in order to read current research in order to have a data driven conversation. Almost all of the literature spoke of the maturity level of the students being the driving force behind the success level of students’ academic achievement and social growth.

 

  • Integration of curriculum was an instrumental underpinning for students having the strongest understanding and retention of material.  We do this in all self contained classes and strive to provide time for departmentalized teachers to integrate curriculum where and when appropriate.

 

  • Staff surveyed other school in the area that have programs that are considered exemplary. 

 

  • Our staff found that staff members from other schools noted that students who had a gradual transition make a better social adjustment from 5th and 6th.   Allowing 6th grade students to be in a self contained setting allows them to have “one more year of childhood”.  In a K-6 grade building, having 6th graders as the oldest kids in the school allowed them to be the “top of the heap” and this is seen as good for their self esteem.

 

  • No teachers (in the trenches) stated that going from a self contained class to a departmentalized class worked. 

 

  • Most successful schools had teachers team teaching.

 

  • Staff members who heard about our model stated we have a healthy progression.

 

  • Students at younger grades have organizational issues that are developmental in nature and the success of students in a departmentalized setting is based on their growth in this area.

 

 

  • Our integrated arts teachers noted a large difference in stature of the kids going from the end of grade 6 and the beginning of grade 7.  Grade 6 kids are much less ready to be able to address the expectations of multiple teachers.

 

 

                                                                                      

Currently at DCS:

 

Grade 4 students have varied units taught by all members of the certified staff who go to classes rather than have students switch classes.  Students stay together with the class they are with during the day.  Students attend integrated arts classes as a homeroom.

 

Grade 5 students switch classes throughout the year based on varied academic needs and for certain curricular units.  For instance, teachers will meet together to determine math abilities and will regroup students which at times has students going to other teachers for certain math lessons.  The students start the year with the water unit where all homerooms go to another classroom teacher for their science class.  Students attend integrated arts classes as a homeroom.

 

Grade 6 students switch classes during the final quarter of the year in preparation for having a departmentalized model in the 7th and 8th grade.  The students are regrouped for reading.  The science and social studies units, in the final quarter, are taught by teachers that are not students’ homeroom teacher.  Students are mixed in heterogeneous groupings as they would be in the traditional departmentalized model.  Students attend integrated arts classes throughout the year in a mixed grouping.

 

Grade 7 and 8 students switch classes for literacy, math, science and social studies with other members of their grade.  Teachers meet regularly to integrate coursework and to review student performance across each academic discipline.  Students are regrouped for each of these academic areas with other peers at their grade level so students see most students from their grade in a variety of classes.  Students attend integrated arts classes throughout the year in mixed groupings.  Some classes are grade level specific and others are integrated with a mix of 7th and 8th grade students.

 

Mr. Yergeau stated that the maturity level of students in the 6th grade was the driving force in determining how to set up the 6th grade curriculum.  He stated that a quick jump from a self contained classroom to departmentalized classes is not proven to be as successful as to those who have programs that transition in.

The board members discussed multi-aged classrooms for 6th,7th, and 8th grades.  Mr. Warburton stated that the program in Barrington to this point has been successful.

Mr.Yergeau stated that a number of staff members have visited Barrington to observe their program model.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

 

A. Residency issues-Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Gorman addressed with the Chief of Police and the members of the board, his concerns about the process of enrolling a student into school.  Mr. Gorman stated that one of the steps (determining residency) was part of the process and at times the process can be contemptuous.  Mr. Gorman’s intention in having the Chief present was to discuss a process that would include the Deerfield Police Dept.  The Chief stated that his department would certainly be able to assist in the process and stated that an officer could go to the place or person in question and review the situation.  The board also reviewed truancy concerns at Concord High school.  Mr. Gorman stated that the costs of paying for students with truancy issues and those who may not be residents of Deerfield can add up and that a procedure to correct concerns not only is a safety matter but a financial concern.

 

6.  New Business

 

None

 

7.  Other Business

 

A. Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Bonnie Beaubien-thanked the members of the board for attending the MBC school budget hearing.

 

Paul Yergeau-informed the board members that the 7th grade energy project (STEM) has ended.  The students that have participated in the project are ready to meet with the members of the board with their results.  February, 21st the (STEM) program was placed on the board’s agenda.

Mr. Yergeau stated that the Deerfield Community School has had 3 snow days and 2 delays so far this year.

The Fire Chief  visited the school and asked that the computers that were being stored in the stair hallway had to be removed.  Mr. Yergeau stated that Mrs. Boisvert has moved them to the conference room where they will be inventoried for pick up in two weeks.  Mr. Yergeau stated that Mrs. Boisvert has been very busy with the school play, teaching, etc.

Healthy Kids- Mr. Yergeau stated that the Deerfield Community School with the assistance of Mrs. Matteson and Mrs. Guardia has been designated as school with 100% of their students insured.

February 5th, staff from the Dept. of Ed will be visiting Deerfield Community School.  They will be visitng with the students, observing the use of technology at DCS, etc.

Mr. Yergeau informed the board that there is a shooting range located across from the pond.  It has been  in use during and after school hours.  The police went to inspect the property and assured school staff that the shooting range was set up properly and that no bullets could come onto the school property.  Mr. Yergeau stated that it made staff, parents and students nervous because they were not sure where it was coming from.

March 6th  DCS will be having the K-5 Curriculum Night from 6- 7:30 pm.  Since parking is a concern Mr. Yergeau asked the board members if they wanted to change the night for their school board meeting.  Members of the board decided to meet at 7:30pm after Curriculum Night activities.

Winter Carnival-Mr. Yergeau stated that the Amoskeag League Games will not be held this year but instead a Winter Carnival will be organized. 

 

Kevin Barry informed the members of the board that the High School Transportation Reimbursement Policy should be reviewed since it is no longer being used.

Kevin Barry also brought to the board’s attention that the posting of the School Board meetings can be found on the web, at DCS, and the Municipal Building.  He stated that in the past a warrant had been passed stating that the Agenda should be posted at the Municipal Building, DCS, Library, Post Office and the Town Hall.

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber to post the Board’s Agenda at all of the above stated places, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

B.  Agenda Preparation

 

Meeting with School District Moderator-Jack Hutchinson

Policy-High School Tuition reimbursement

Meeting with teachers @ 6:00 pm

NECAP update

Wetlands update

 

C. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Non-Made

 

At 7:55 P.M., a motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) was made by Bonnie Beaubien, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

                                                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 Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien to come out of non-public session at 8:28 pm.

 

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 8:30 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Webber seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The next scheduled Deerfield School Board meeting will be Tuesday, February 7th, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.