Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Tuesday, February 7, 2008   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

An informal meeting with the DCS Staff began at 6:00.  Items that were presented were:

Outside lighting for the parking lot, parking spaces (paving,grading the lot in the spring, sanding of walkways & parking lot, discussion on the charter school proposal, weekend custodian, air quality etc.

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The February 2nd, 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 Webber to accept the minutes of December 22, 2008

 as written, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

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 DCS is in process of the 2nd phase of planning that is required by the state for a school in need of improvement.  Mr. Yergeau stated that it would be finished on Monday. 

Mr. Yergeau also notified the board that the state has approved a math coach which will be funded by a stipend that is paid for by the state.   Apparently the Governor’s Council approved additional funding which had currently no money for this coach.

Mr. Gorman asked if any correspondence has been generated between the Commissioner of Ed. and Federal Government officials concerning N.C.L.B.  Mr. Warburton stated that he does not have particular correspondence but assured Mr. Gorman that the state is pursuing their growth model.  Mr. Gorman stated that any type of correspondence, such as letters,  memos, etc. that provided the direction in which the state is going would be appreciated because he feels as a school board member he is operating in a vacuum.

 

D.  Wetlands Plan -Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. Gorman reported that it would take approximately 4,800 cubic yards to fill in the wetland area for parking. He spoke with Mr. McGarry about any discussions with the Wetland’s board and Mr. McGarry replied that he has not yet spoken to anyone.

 

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

 

Mr. Harrington stated that 9:00am the Deerfield School’s Deliberative session would begin.

The board reviewed which members would move each warrant. 

Members of the board stated that it would be inappropriate for the Deliberative Session to be a forum on the proposed charter school but to inform those present that Warrant 4 would open up charter schools in the town of Deerfield.

 

F.  Action Items-Mr. Webber

 

The board had no items on the action list to review                               

 

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

 

 

A. Policy Review-Mr. Barry

 

The board was given the High School Transportation Reimbursement Policy and the Policy Statement concerning Agenda Preparation and Dissemination.  They will be discussed and voted on at the next board meeting.

 

7.  Other Business

 

A. Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Kevin Webber – stated that some of the items that were brought forward by the teachers could and should be discussed by the members. He brought forward the concerns about the sanding of the parking lot before the staff began to arrive.  Mr. Barry stated that he would talk to Road Agent and if needed Alex Cote would meet with the board. 

 

John Harrington- brought to the board’s attention a letter from Mrs. Oliver concerning enrollment of her daughter into the kindergarten program at DCS. 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Gorman, to accept Mrs. Oliver’s  daughter into the Kindergarten program according to the Master Agreement, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

It was noted that this motion did not place Mrs. Oliver’s daughter into the full day program.

 

Kevin Barry- informed the members that the filing date for town/school offices was January 23 to February 1.

 

Bonnie Beaubien-stated that the search committee for an Assistant Supt. has received 24 applications.

 

Mr. Yergeau-informed the members of the board the visit to DCS by the Dept. Of Ed. had been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Mr. Burgess has been able to locate a card and other items for the phone system by placing and being awarded a bid on E-Bay.  This purchase should allow the school to automate their phones, etc.

Mr. Yergeau shared with the board a book that was published “Pine Tree Poetry” which contained poetry that had been written by several Deerfield students.  The board stated that they would like to purchase a book for each student that was published with a written letter recognizing their work.

Mr. Yergeau also passed out to the members of the board a questionnaire by a DCS intern for them to fill out and return.

 

B.  Agenda Preparation

 Policies

Plant issues

Review of Deliberative Session

NCLB

 

C. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

No Comments were made

 

At 8:00 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 Webber, seconded by Kevin Barry to come out of non-public session at: 8:20  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 8:20 P.M. a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Barry seconded by

Bonnie Beaubien

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The next scheduled Deerfield School Board meeting will be Tuesday, February 21, 2008 at 6:30 P.M.