EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2005

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

Present:

Board Members:  Bill Yeaton, Brian McCormack, Andrew Turnbull (chair), Gordon Ellis, Barbara Doughty

 

David Dziura - Assistant Superintendent of SAU 53 Schools

Patrick Connors – ECS Principal

Richard Dougherty – ECS Vice Principal

Tracey Miner - secretary

 

Citizen/Staff:  Alison Graichen, Cindy Damelio, Tony Cacciola, Bradley Prescott, Tom Rouillard, Tim Riel, Lisa Bauer, Becky Saulnier, Amy Beauchesne, Linda Elliott, Lisa Strano, Joan Pozner, Rita Kiley, Steven Patterson, Mary Beth Magan, Kelly Dobe, Tamy Anderson

 

Agenda Item 1.  Call to Order by Andrew Turnbull at 6:04PM.

 

Agenda Item 2.  Pledge of Allegiance lead by Gordon Ellis.

 

Agenda Item 3.  Review of the Minutes of Previous Meeting of June 29, 2005

 

June 29th minutes, page 5, first paragraph was amended to read “…7-2 in favor of the alternate candidate selected for nomination, as the original candidate declined the offer.”

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept the minutes as amended.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull –     aye

 

Immediate Business

 

Agenda Item 4A.  Agenda Review – Mr. Turnbull

 

Andrew Turnbull – we have 4 items on the agenda where we have invited guests.  Move 6B up to 4A1.

 

Agenda Item 4A1 (previously 6B).  Athletic Field Issues

 

Tim Riel and Tony Cacciola spoke to the Board about issues with the athletic fields.  Tim thanked the Board for the work that they do and the time that it takes to do it.  He discussed Tom Rouillard’s role with the fields.  The fields are a big job, and volunteer help is requested.  The pump that waters the fields is buried in mud, and they are working to get it out.  Gordon Ellis brought up the idea of putting in a well, in lieu of the pump, right next to pond.  Tim said that they didn’t know if the pump was working, so they’d like to pull it out, then decide how to proceed.

Tony Cacciola spoke about Thursday night soccer for all kids.  Free.  Hour and ½ session.  A soccer net needs to be fixed, which Tom offered to take and get fixed.  Tim mentioned that all soccer will be played on the Cutter fields.  Tony spoke about the dedication for the fields being the 1st week of soccer – week after Labor Day.  It would be on a Saturday, and they would have the School Board, old Board members, EYAA, and Mr. Cutter’s family there, amongst others.  Announcements would be on board on Black Hall, Suncook Sun, Old Home Days.

Barbara Doughty asked about the field maintenance, and how often mowing was done.  Tom said that he mowed every 7 – 10 days, during the work day.  It takes about 9 hours to mow the back fields.  That doesn’t include trim or weed whacking.  Tony spoke about a 99-year lease that was being written between EYAA and the School Board for use of the fields, etc.  An EYAA meeting is held the 4th Wednesday of each month.  The next meeting would be the last week of September (28th).  They meet in the library at 7:00PM.  EYAA is requesting the Board’s presence at the next meeting.

Tim Riel mentioned donating the tractor to the school, with the understanding that EYAA could use the tractor also.  The school would be responsible for the tractor (minus fuel) – insurance, maintenance.  Tony Cacciola said that the donation was in the best interest of all, since, if EYAA dissolved, anything they own goes to the next non-profit organization, so, they want to get everything to the school.

Tony Cacciola discussed the Charron field bleachers.  EYAA is requesting that they be able to rearrange the bleachers around the field.  One of the main issues was that the bleachers were located where cars parked, and there was a safety issue.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to allow EYAA to do whatever they want in regard to the bleachers.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 - 1

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      no

 

Agenda Item 4B.  Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

There were no comments.

 

Agenda Item 4C.  Administrator’s Report

 

Patrick Connors discussed enrollment mentioning that it had fluctuated some from the last report in June.  He anticipates the numbers to go up in the next two weeks.  37 students participated in summer school throughout the month of July.  That was a big success.  The computer server is now up and running – data has been switched from one server to the other.  They are getting fans put in the server.  Maintenance has been very busy with the floors and carpets in the building.  There is one certified special education teacher position to fill for Junior High.  There are three paraprofessional, non-certified staff openings.

Patrick Connors discussed a drainage pipe that is eroding where it touches the land.  It would cost $1500 to have it netted and filled in to stop the erosion.  Gordon Ellis said that the erosion is not that big of a problem, that we have to do something permanent.  The drainage catch basin is totally full, and this is a huge problem.  It could cost $3-4,000 to clean that pipe out.  That could be addressed in next year’s budget.  It was noted that the $1,500 work needs to happen.

 

Agenda Item 4D.  Resident Request (non-public session)

 

Brian McCormack made a motion to go into non-public session, under RSA 91-A:3II(c)

Andrew Turnbull 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

Present in the non-public session:  Andrew Turnbull, Gordon Ellis, Bill Yeaton, Brian McCormack, Barbara Doughty, Patrick Connors, Richard Dougherty, Dave Dziura, Brad Prescott and Jessica Ouellette.

 

Barbara Doughty made a motion to come out of non-public session.

Gordon Ellis 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

Andrew Turnbull – no action was taken in non-public session

 

Agenda item 4E.  Bus Routes/Stops

 

Kelly Dobe of Dail Transportation presented bus routes and stops to the Board.  She said that everything was essentially the same as last year.  Changes to ridership were discussed.  Kelly said that there are new houses being built on Goboro Road, and that there are 7 new kids.

Gordon Ellis said that he felt that bus drivers are overly accommodating, as he often sees kids come out of their houses to get on bus.  He suggested that if they are not out when the bus comes, that the bus should drive on, unless weather is very inclement.  Kelly said that the busses run like clockwork, and the drivers get to know the kids.

Barbara Doughty noted that the pink bus was very full.  It has 82 kids on it, and it’s a 90 passenger bus.  Kelly explained that the pink bus picks up ½ the bus load at the last 10 minutes, so it looks full, but they are only on there for a few minutes.

Dave Dziura said that normally it is left to the administration to discuss stops, but routes should be formally approved by the Board.  Usually the vote is to approve the routes for the start of school, preliminarily, with the idea that you’ll review in September to see if any changes are needed.

 

Andrew Turnbull made a motion to approve the routes as presented tonight, with a follow-up discussion in September.

(2nd was not requested)

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

Patrick Connors said that he would ask Paul to put the bus routes on the website.

 

Agenda Item 4F.  ECS Music Program

 

Patrick Connors discussed the Unified Arts Schedule – for grades 1-5, they attend 1 out of 6-day cycle – 30 periods over course of a year.   Each period is approximately 40 – 45 mins long.  Jr high has music on 3 (days in a row) out of a 6 day cycle for ½ of trimester.  30 days – longer period - 55 minutes for music. 

Alison Graichen spoke about goals for the levels.  Chorus is going to be pay to participate and that is after school.  Alison handed out a condensed version of the curriculum for the purpose of discussion during this meeting.  She explained the concepts used to teach music for the various grades.  The after school chorus group was discussed.  It is held only one day a week.

Gordon Ellis explained that Alison had been asked to the meeting because he had been receiving phone calls about one of the songs selections being inappropriate.  Andrew Turnbull suggested that it could just be that people were uncomfortable with something different than what they are used to.  Alison discussed what the selection was.  It was a South African folk song, written during the time of apartheid, about people struggling for freedom.  The kids learned it in both the traditional African language and in the English translation, which was announced before the children sang it.  It was performed at the spring concert as well, along with other selections.  She said that she was only given about a week to prepare.  She felt that that was what they were the most familiar with, and could deliver at the highest quality.

Brian McCormack asked if Alison was going to teach any instruments.  Alison thought that could be possible with pay to play, that it could be discussed.

Patrick Connors talked about Constitution Day, September 17.  There was discussion about how to celebrate it.  This is a new federal law.  Dave Dziura said that the law states that every school must run a program either on the date or if on a weekend, then 1st day before or after.  The schools must run an educational program on the constitution.

 

(moved up) New Business

 

Agenda Item 6A.        Food Service Fees

 

Rita Kiley requested a food fee increase.  The current fee is $1.50 lunch, $.35 milk, $.40 for reduced.

Gordon Ellis made a motion to increase breakfast to $1.25.  Dave Dziura offered that increasing breakfast would not make a very large impact, as there is a very limited percentage of students that participate in breakfast.  Andrew Turnbull asked how long prices had been at the current amount.  It was determined that they had stayed the same for a few years, now.  Bill Yeaton suggested the increase by spread out between breakfast and lunch.  Rita said that she gets about 10 – 15 that eat breakfast, about 200 – 250 eating lunch, and on pizza day, it’s about 280 – 290.

Rita Kiley talked about the ID cards that are used as a lunch card (for students).

 

Andrew Turnbull made a motion to increase the lunch to $1.75, and the adult meal to $2.80.

(no 2nd requested)

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

Old/Unfinished Business

 

Agenda Item 5A. Board Meeting Procedures

 

Andrew Turnbull initiated discussion on changes to board procedures that were laid out in May.  Provided were Policy Statements on:  Rules of Order, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination and Public Participation and Board Meetings.  There was extensive discussion as to whether or not a 2nd was necessary.  Barbara Doughty mentioned that Robert’s Rules of Order actually recommend that you don’t have a 2nd, but the general public assumes that a 2nd is necessary.  Many sound arguments were made in favor and against having a 2nd.

 

Gordon Ellis mad a motion is to require seconds on all motions.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3 - 2

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     no

                        Andrew Turnbull -      no

 

Andrew Turnbull made a motion that we amend the Robert’s Rules policy statement to identify the relevant authority as Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 10th edition.

2nd by Gordon Ellis.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

                        

Dave Dziura – ask to review whether seconds need to be recorded in the minutes, for the secretary’s benefit.

 

Barbara Doughty made a motion that requires seconds to be recorded in the minutes.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 - 1

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      no

                        

 

Epsom Board Assignments 2005/06:

 

Board Chair:               Andrew                       Board Vice-Chair:         Gordon

ETA Negotiations:     Andrew, Brian             ESSA Negotiations:       Andrew, Gordon

A.R.E.A. Advisory:     Gordon (Barbara Alternate)

Graduation Activities: Barbara                       SAU Executive Bd.:       Andrew

Manifest Review:        Gordon, Barbara          PA Scholarship:              Gordon

Athletic Fields:           Tim Riel [non-board member] (Bill alternate)

NHSBA Delegate:      Bill                              MBC representative:    Andrew

Building Committee:  Bill (Gordon & Brian alternates)

A.R.E.A. High School Options Committee: Don Harty [non-board member] (Andrew to check on this)

 

Agenda Item 5C moved to 7C

 

Agenda Item 5D. 2005/06 School Board Goals

 

Gordon Ellis requested that the administration pencil in length of time for each goal.

Andrew Turnbull said that the Board should also come up with the timelines, and evaluate how a particular objective will be achieved.  Dave Dziura said that the admin will fill in the timelines for the September meeting.  Andrew said that at the September meeting the Board would finalize the Goals and Objectives.

Linda Elliott (5th grade teacher) said that they needed to do their 3-year plan.  Andrew suggested that they go ahead and do their 3-year plan.

 

New Business

 

Agenda Item 6C. Student/Parent Handbook

 

There was much discussion about the Student/Parent Handbook.  Certain sections of the book were questioned as to whether or not they had to be there.  Having certain sections in the handbook is the law.  Parents have to be formally (in writing) advised as to what their rights are under those laws.

Patrick Connors discussed a change in the handbook about Unsupervised Times.  In the past, students were able to be after school, with whatever activity, and not be supervised at all.  Then it changed to they had to be with a staff  member with a note from a parent until the activity started.  Once the activity started, they were still unsupervised.  For their own safety, looking at other district’s handbooks, students need to be supervised while attending an activity.  This pertains to every student (all ages) that attend school at ECS.  The wording in that section of the handbook was changed.  Andrew Turnbull mentioned that this change in the handbook would limit the school’s liability.

Joan Pozner (school nurse) requested a change in the wording under Medication, asking that it read “the nurse or designee of the principal will supervise the student when taking the medication” as opposed to “give the medication”.  Patrick Connors mentioned that Joan also has a practice of having the child read their name off the bottle, as a safety guard to them and to herself.

There was discussion about the temperature of the school, and proper dress for the children.  Barbara Doughty suggested that in the note that goes home in the winter, there could be a sentence that suggests proper dress for students.  There could also be a note on that letter that says that “the school is kept at XX degrees.  Make sure your child has clothing to keep them warm.”

Patrick Connors discussed his proposal to include a Unified Arts Report Card for grades K – 5, and to have a consistent rubric for grades K-5.  Another proposal was for 5 to 8 report card schedule to go along with the trimesters, amended to be 6 – 8 follow a trimester schedule.  The reason for this is that there have been issues with grading with honor roll as well as ineligibility.  This elevates the thought that grades toward fine arts don’t count toward eligibility.  Patrick Connors had met with Junior High teachers and 5th grade, and over-all, they supported the trimesters.  Report cards would have core and unified arts together.  Honor roll and ineligibility would be able to be considered all together.

Richard Dougherty said that this will be a greater incentive for the kids.  If they get bounced, their season is over.

Barbara Doughty mentioned that it would be much better if they get one report card with everything on it, rather than get a separate report card.  Dave Dziura said that it does take a formal vote of the board to approve the recommended changes, because this is board policy, and is in the student handbook.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to approve the change in grading for grades 6 – 8 to be a trimester system on a one-year trial basis.

Barbara Doughty – 2nd

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3 - 2

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     no

                        Andrew Turnbull -      no

 

Barbara Doughty made motion to include the unified arts report card for grades K – 5 within the handbook.

2nd by Andrew Turnbull

 

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 - 0

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

There was discussion about a hunter safety course as part of mini-courses.  The laws that pertain to weapons on school property were discussed.  Andrew Turnbull suggested it read “Board authorized weapons as part of a board-approved hunter safety/education program.”

Gordon Ellis initiated discussion about the handbook that says:  “We do not want any child to participate because of financial reasons.”  There was discussion as to how these situations have been addressed by the administration in the past.

Gordon Ellis reiterate that the handbook is extensive.  Several suggestions were made as to how the handbook could be condensed.  Andrew Turnbull suggested uploading it to the school’s website for next year, and send home a single page that the parents sign, that says that they have read it on the website.  Patrick Connors pointed out that the problem is that when the teachers sit down with the children to discuss expectations, they wouldn’t have a copy in front of them.  There are many things that the teachers point out.  The children sign that they’ve read it as well as the parents.

Dave Dziura said that there are things in the Student Policy manual that the law says that you have to send home in a paper document.  You cut down your liability/risk issues by making sure you send home a printed document that the parents signoff.

 

Brian McCormack made a motion to accept the Student Handbook as presented with amendments that we discussed tonight

2nd by Barbara Doughty

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

Other Business

 

Agenda Item 7A. Oil Bid

 

Dave Dziura presented results of the RFP for oil bids SAU wide.  RFP was sent to every oil dealer that has expressed an interest in the past, and we only got back one bid.  It’s not a good bid at all - $1.999 a gallon.  For Epsom, with a 14,500 (gallon) approximate fuel consumption, this would give us a $1,836 shortage for what was budgeted for fuel oil.  Gordon called Fuller Oil (our current vendor).  They did not submit a bid in response to the RFP  They will quote $1.799 for 14,000 gallons for a total cost of $25,186. Good bid.  They require up front payment for full amount.  Will only do this for deliveries from Oct 1 – April 30.  Otherwise we will pay the prevailing price.

There was much discussion about oil prices and oil vendors.  Gordon Ellis believed that from his original discussion with Fuller about our bid, that our bulk buy should go to June, and we would not have to pay up front.  Gordon said that he would speak with them again about the terms.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept the contract as presented by Fred Fuller Oil, subject to any further positive terms that Gordon can negotiate in writing.

2nd by Bill Yeaton

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Gordon Ellis –             aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Brian McCormack –   aye

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Andrew Turnbull -      aye

 

 

Agenda Item 7B. Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Lisa Bauer mentioned that with the fans, it was hard to hear at the meetings in the cafeteria.  Andrew Turnbull said that he would look into having the next meeting somewhere where there was a better environment.

 

Agenda Item 5C – moved to 7C - Voucher/Scholarship Proposal

This agenda item will move to September.

 

The Board discussed the need to schedule a date for the Resident Issue.  It was decided that 9:00AM Tues, August 16th would be the date for that.  Lisa Bauer asked if it would be non-public?  Dave Dziura said that part of it will be.

 

Agenda Item 8. Adjournment at 10:32PM

 

Next Scheduled Meeting Wed., Sept 7, 6:00PM.