Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Tuesday, March 20, 2008   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

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

 

 

1.  Call To Order-Mr. Harrington    

 

The March 20th, 2008 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman John Harrington.  

  

Don Gorman and Bonnie Beaubien were sworn in for their 3 year elected school board positions.

Harriet Cady was sworn in as School District Clerk.

 

2. Pledge of Allegiance   

 

Mr. Harrington led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.  

 

3.  Minutes of Previous Meetings    

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to accept the minutes of February 21, 2008

 as corrected, seconded by Kevin Barry.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

4.  Immediate Business   

 

A.  Agenda Review   

 

John Harrington moved item 5A forward (SB-2 Review)

B. Citizens’/ Staff Comments  

 

There were a number of citizens at tonight’s meeting to voice their concerns about the default budget and what that means to high school transportation. 

Kerri Hunter stated that she would like to see the procedure to obtain ridership on the bus change.

Mr. Harrington informed those present that no decision has been made but that the board would make this issue a top priority.

Pam Hayes asked if the School Board would consider consolidating the DCS routes and giving a bus or two for the transportation of high school students.

Maria White asked when the Dail contract was up and if there would be any other companies interested in working with the town of Deerfield?  Mr. Harrington reminded those at the meeting that the contract is not between the school district and Dail but between Dail and the parents.

It was also asked if a cost analysis had been done that compared the District with having their own buses vs. Dail.  Mr. Gorman stated that liability was a huge issue and costly.  Also, the School District does not have a garage, mechanics. Etc.

Mr. Harrington stated that nothing is off the table and all ideas would be considered and encouraged to continue informing the public at large to get behind the issue of transporting High School students to Concord.

The board took a break at 7:15 and came back at 7:20

 

C.  Energy Conservation-Mr. Harrington

 

Tom Haley introduced, Jim Lucy from Honeywell Corp. concerning an Energy Performance contracting overview.  This is a comprehensive “self-funded” program offered by Honeywell where the equipment and technology that Honeywell designs and installs to modernize buildings for energy efficiency.  It is paid by quarantined energy, operational savings and school building aid.        

Mr. Lucy described the parts of the performance-based contacting.

Class 1:  Must do projects

·        Emergency Equipment repairs/replacement

·        Bulding Damage

·        Life Safety issues

·        Environmental compliance

·        Security

(Often unplanned and must be completed regardless of return.

Class 2:  Capital Projects

·        New Program launch

·        New facility

·        Capital Equipment

·        Planned facility renewal

(Typically budgeted, compete for capital, prioritized, projects have similar business risk.)

Class 3:  Performance Based Projects

·        Guaranteed Savings

Efficiency improvements

Productivity

Management asset renewal

·        Option to include

Class 1 & 2 Projects

(Independent of Capital budgets, funded through energy and operational guaranteed          savings, project risk resides with Honeywell.

Mr. Lucy stated that there are three parts to the project’s components:  (Technical, Financial, Contractual.  There will be a detailed energy audit to establish a facilities plan, identify areas of capital improvement and building operating inefficiencies, determine technical feasibility, develop state building aid application and develop utility rebate/grant applications.  The financial aspect would contain a written annual guarantee of building efficiency improvements, building aid, grants, and utility rebates, arrange tax exempt project specific financing, eliminate the need for capital funding or bond issues, allows funding form your existing budget and guaranteed performance and project results.   The contractual agreement is co-authored with Honeywell with a written guarantee of project performance standards and results.

Mr. Gorman asked is renewable energy sources such as solar and wind would be considered.  Mr. Lucy stated that with renewable or green energies there is a long payback and that most school districts consider those options linked with educational curriculum.

Mr. Harrington asked how long the audit take.  Mr. Lucy replied that it would be approximately 60 days.

The board will continue reviewing the proposal.

    

D.  Water Quality Update-Mr. Harrington

 

The Deerfield Community School water system was found to have bacteria contamination in the fall of 07 after having the wells surged in August..  C & C Water Services were called to chlorinate the wells on 9/19/2007.   Samples were taken through out the fall and the sample results were sporadic On 10/30/07 the system was inspected and it was found that the system was not looped having two dead ends: one at the kitchen and the other near room 114.

The12/4/07 5 samples that were taken showed that no bacteria was present in the system.  The system was again tested on 12/18/07 four samples were taken and all samples were absent of bacteria. 

Mr. Crawshaw from C & C Water Services stated in his letter to Peter Aubrey that the results were not conclusive as to where the bacteria originated but suggested in his letter to the board that to alleviate future problems, he  suggestions the following:

  1. Clean the storage tank because it is the furthest upstream source of possible contamination based on these bacteria testing results,
  2. Loop cold water and install a blow off.
  3. Change the backflow device to the heating system.

The board reviewed an estimate from Palmer  & Sicard, Inc. to do the above stated suggestions.

  1. Clean existing underground domestic water storage tank. Cleaning will take place from inside the pump room.  Work will be done by Lakes Region Environmental with support from Palmer and Sicard.  No Chlorination work is included.  Total cost $3,450.00
  2.  Tie together 2 dead end branches and run 1-1” blow down/purge line to the outside.

Approximately 120’ of piping run in ceiling space. Penetrate the outside wall over    classroom extending outside and down wall to a point 2’ above grade. Total cost:  $2,750.00

  1. Replace ¾” Watts 9D backflow preventer in boiler room. Run drain line from new 9D to floor. Total cost $750.00

Exclusions: 

  1. All chlorination of existing tank or domestic water lines.
  2. Any excavation of underground taken if necessary for cleaning. (We do not believe this needed)
  3. Any purging of well system or ‘restarting’ of well system after tank cleaning.

 

A motion was made by Bonnie Beaubien to proceed with the C&W proposal in an attempt to rectify the bacteria concerns in the water, not to exceed $7,500, seconded by Kevin Webber.

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made by Kevin Webber that all work done should not begin until the end of the

School year, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

*It was noted by the board members that by doing the above recommendations, that the water still needs to be closely monitored and that there were no guarantees.  This was a process of eliminating key factors that could be contributing/causing the issue.

 

 E.  N.C.L.B. Review-Mr. Gorman

 

At this time nothing to report.

 

F.      Wetlands Plan-Mr. Gorman

 

Mr. McGary was present to review with the members of the board the filling in of the wetland area located next to the 2nd grade wing.  Mr. McGary passed out to the members of the board a letter that he composed for the board to Mr. Collis Adam P.E. from the Wetlands Bureau, NH Dept of Environmental Services.

The contents of the letter stated that Mr. McGary had been retained by the Deerfield Community School Board to pursue a Wetlands Permit for filling wetlands adjacent to the school.  The intent of the filling is to permit the construction of  an addition to the school.  It was stated in the letter the original alteration permit was issued for the site, #WPD-2864 issued 9/29/1988.  Mr. McGarry passed out to the members a copy of the original permit.  That permit called for the creation of a retention pond for the collection of runoff from the school’s westerly paved access roadway and adjacent parking area.  The retention pond would utilize a wetland, which compromised an area described in the application as 60’ wide by 200’ long.  The letter continues to describe project intended by the board which would include replacing the retention pond with a similar sized holding pond, downstream of the existing location, between the school and Fresses Pond.

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to authorize Mr. Fred McGary as the acting agent for the board regarding the wetland issue, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

G.     Action Items- Kevin Webber

 

The Board members reviewed the Action Items and their progression.

 

5. Old/Unfinished Business  

 

A. SB-2 Vote Review-Mr. Harrington

 

The board noted that the School’s budget did not pass by 43 votes. It was also noted that the para-contract passed.  Mr. Aubrey reviewed with the board members a summary of losses per vote for the 08-09 voted default budget. 

 

A motion was made by  Kevin Webber to move the 08-09 default budget seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Mr. Haley noted that the budget is tight and that there is no obvious place for raises or high school transportation.  The board will have to look at each and everyone line very carefully to see if they can find approx. $10,000 for salary increases for staff not covered by contracts.

The board talked about reducing the Deerfield Community School’s buses from 10 to 9 and designate a bus for high school transportation.

 

* See Attachment A

The board members discussed several options concerning High School Transportation

The idea of having the routes changed for the Deerfield Community School students be changed so that only 9 buses would be needed, taking the 10th bus and using it for High School students.

The board discussed this year’s surplus could be used for busing.  Setting up a transportation trust was another idea.  Mr. Harrington stated that 3 buses were probably needed not 2 as original thought.  The cost for two buses would cost approx. $107,000 and $202,000 for three. 

Mr. Gorman stated that the voters have clearly indicated that that the town does not want to provide transportation for high school students at any cost to the taxpayer.  Mr. Webber agreed but stated that this is an educational issue and it is part of the cost of running a school.

Mr. Gorman recommended that a letter to be sent to the State Reps. and Senator asking that they attend the next board meeting to discuss the issue.  Mr. Gorman stated that he thought this was a legislative issue for the state to resolve not a local issue. 

Mr. Aubrey informed the board that they could hire a bus but could not charge a fee because revenue could not be spent without voter approval.

The board talked about maybe collapsing the route so that they are able to take 2 buses from DCS for high school use.  It would mean that the students from DCS would have to walk to a collective pick up area.

The board agreed on a final list of possibilities.

1.      Approve 8 bus routes and have a double run.

2.      Adding a bus appropriations line and moving monies around

3.      Involving the state legislature

4.      Special District Meeting for High School transportation

a.       for the district to add and pay for three additional buses for high school students

b.      for the district to add and pay for two additional buses/collecting revenue from

parents to reimburse the district for the buses so that they are fully parent paid.

     

6.  New Business

 

A.  Staff Appointments

 

Cindy Tomilson asked that the DCS board  officially designate Paula Duchano as authorized to

make deposits for the food service program. 

 

A motion was made by Kevin Barry to authorize Paula Duchano to make deposits for the food service program, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

7.  Other Business

 

A. Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

The board members discussed several items that were brought to their attention by the Honeywell presentation such as the ventilators in the classroom.  The board members felt that by increasing the number of times the ventilators were cleaned would enhance the air quality and save on energy costs.

 

A motion was made by Don Gorman to have the filters changed once a year and to have the ventilators cleaned on a monthly basis, seconded by Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

Mr. Yergeau informed the members that the Dept. Of Ed. for the state of NH would be visiting DCS April 1st. 

 

Bonnie Beaubien noted that the Assistant Supt. would be chosen by their next meeting.

 

Kevin Barry inquired about the alarm system.  He asked if everyone had their own code for entry.  Mr. Yergeau stated that there was one code for everyone.

 

B.  Agenda Preparation

 

Default Budget

High School Transportation

Board Organization

Staff Roster 08-09

 

C. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

8.  Adjournment


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

Kevin Webber.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

The next scheduled Deerfield School Board meeting will be Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 6:30 P.M.