Deerfield School Board

Deerfield Community School

Deerfield, New Hampshire

Thursday, October 6, 2005

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

PRESENT: John Harrington, Bonnie Beaubien, Tom Haley, Don Gorman, Kevin Barry, Paul Yergeau,Gigi Klipa, Kandy Davitt

 

1.  Fall Board/Staff Meeting-Mr. Harrington

 

The Deerfield Community School Board members and several members of the DCS staff met to discuss school issues and concerns.

           

 

2. Call To Order

 

The October 6, 2005 DCS Board meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chair John Harrington.

 

3. Pledge of Allegiance

 

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

 

4.  Minutes of Previous Meetings

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes of  August 11, 2005  by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes of September 15, 2005 as written by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

4.  Immediate Business

 

  1. Agenda Review

 

The board agreed to move to items 5. C (PE Program Update with Mrs. Campelia and Item 5 E. Electrical Analysis with Mr. Fowler since they were both in attendance.

 

  1. Citizens’ Staff Comments

 

None Made

  1. P.E. Program Update-Mrs. Campelia

 

Mrs. Campelia spoke to the board concerning the amount of time that is allotted for Physical Education.  She stated with scheduling conflicts time is diminishing.

The following is a copy of the handout that Mrs. Campelia gave to the members of the board.

 

Issue: The PE program established and supported by the board has become diminished from the level that the staff, students, parents and the school board has come to expect.  Nutrition and Physical Activity policies and initiatives are not adequately implemented due to lack of staff time.

 

History:

The PE program established at the GBW School was 2 times/ week, 50 minutes with one full-time PE teacher. As population increased, the program was diminished in increments, shortening class time, increasing the number of classes taught in a day, in some grade levels having PE once a week and finally in the year 2000, the school all PE classes were 2 times per week for ½ year. In the year 2001, a second PE teacher was added, again restoring the program to 2 times per week.

 

At this time:

Grades 1 – 2:    PE for 30 minutes, 3 times per week      (90 minutes)

Grade 4:                       PE for 45 minutes, 1 time per week        (45 minutes)

Grade 3, 5 – 8:  PE for 45 minutes 2 times per week       (90 minutes)

 

PE Curriculum goals/recommendations based on NASPE recommendations for Physical Education classes:

                        150 minutes/week at the elementary level

                        225 minutes/week at the middle – high school level

The appropriate class length for elementary students is 20 - 30 minutes, 45 for intermediate, and 50 - 60 minutes for middle and school high school.

 

School Board Goals 2005-2006

3. Program and Instruction

B. Schedule two yearly meetings with the C.R.B./appropriate staff to familiarize the board with curriculum implementation as well as utilization of assessment data for improving instruction and demonstrating student achievement.

 

Deerfield L.E.I.P. Goals

3.2:       Full and consistent implementation of existing curriculum

3.2.5:    Curriculum is supported by the necessary human, physical, technological and financial resources.

3.3.4:    Provide sufficient and appropriate staffing to implement the entire curriculum

5.3:       A program of instruction that is informed by the analysis of assessment over time.

 

Deerfield School District Daily Physical Activity Policy as approved at last School Board meeting

 

5.         Support committing adequate resources that include program funding, personnel, safe equipment and facilities (funding, equipment, and facilities are adequate at this time. Additional personnel is needed to accommodate student population growth)

 

Grants in Progress:

 

  • HNH Grant year 2: up to $5,000 for increasing Physical Activity and Nutrition in preschool to grade 2 (This grant with the approval of administration includes in-kind matching funding that includes significant  dedicated time of a PE teacher and Health Educator)

 

  • Healthy Schools Coalition: up to $1,000 for programs increasing Physical Activity and Nutrition in the general school population. (Also includes in-kind district contribution of health and physical educators)

 

  • 2005-06 recipient of the Healthy Kids Challenge Grant from Cigna supporting physical activity and nutrition to be administered by the Health Teacher.

 

A number of other grants are available and become available as corporations come forward to help address the national obesity epidemic. Last year we unsuccessfully applied for American Dairy Association $10,000 grant addressing physical activity and nutrition, and as it becomes available again we will reapply.

 

In conclusion:

 

  • Changing the ½ time health position to full time Health/PE educator position would restore PE classes to 90 minutes each week in all grades. In addition, it would facilitate supported nutrition education and physical activity policies and initiatives.

 

  • No additional space requirements are needed.  We are fortunate to have a facility that supports a quality PE program for the number of students we have.

 

  • This is not a new initiative; it is supporting goals and programs already well-established.

 

  1.  Space Needs – Mr. Webber

This issue was tabled until the next school board meeting because Mr. Webber was not present.

 

  1. Electrical Analysis- Mr. Fowler, Mr. Harrington

 

Mr. Fowler who is the Maintenance Superviors for Deerfield Community School reviewed with the board the electrical system of DCS.  At present Mr. Fowler stated that he was able to fix the area that tended to blow fuses frequently.  Mr. Fowler stated that because there is no Teachers’ Room many teachers have set up Microwaves, small refrigerators, and coffeepots in there rooms therefore causing certain areas to have problems.  Mr. Fowler stated that in the future rooms should have their own breaker.  Mr. Barry asked how many available spacers does DCS have. Mr. Fowler replied that the downstairs is maxed out.  The board agreed to continue monitoring this issue.

                        

F.      Negotiations Update –Don Gorman, Kevin Webber

 

 

Mr. Gorman stated that they have had their 2nd meeting with the Para-professional union and will meet again October 18th to continue negotiations.

 

G.     Informational Items-Administrators and Board Members

 

Paul Yergeau-Informed the members of the board that DCS has received $20,00 in REAP Grant Funding.  This will be used in part for Professional Development. 

Testing began on Friday and space for students who need modifications has been difficult to find.

Oct. 21 NWEA training will be held.

 

Kevin Barry- Stated that the Sept. 21st Planning Brd. Mtg. met.  The SNH town planner was there.  The discussion was concerning the impact of growth.  Mr. Barry passed out to the members the minutes of the Planning Brd.  In the minutes Mr. Coogan who has provided consulting services to towns such as Raymond and Chester stated that Deerfield’s population growth has risen significantly since 1995 and is above average relative to abutting towns. 

Participants in the meeting conveyed a desire to manage growth to protect Deerfield’s character, citing the quiet of the country setting, limited traffic and environmental concerns, open fields and working farms, and easy access to outdoor recreation, as resources that should be preserved.  

*For further information refer to the Planning Board min of September 21, 2005.

 

Tom Haley- Presented a request from the school to increase Mary Boyea’s time from 2 days to 3 days.  There would be no impact on the budget since Ms. Boyea is a COTA and the budget was for an OT.  Since Ms. Boyea cannot test Mrs. Rose has to do the testing which has increased her workload in this area but Ms. Boyea can work with the students allowing Mrs. Rose to handle this type of increase.

 

A motion was made to increase Ms. Boyea’s time from 40% to 60% from Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

                                                            All In Favor

                                                          Motion Carried

 

John Harrington- A request was received from Ms. Ryan (6th Grade teacher).  Ms. Ryan requested time off to travel to southwest Asia.

The board discussed the pros and cons of such a trip and school policy. 

Mr. Gorman stated to the members of the board that trips like this enhances teaching and brings information into the classroom that a book just cannot do.  Mr. Gorman stated that this is not like a trip to Las Vega etc. and encouraged the board to review their policy and tighten the policy up where needed.

Ms. Klipa suggested that the policy should reflect longevity and that once every number of years a teacher can request a leave for educational travel.

Mr. Gorman was asked to review the policy and come back with suggestions for the next board meeting.

 

 

 

6.  Old/Unfinished Business

 

  1. SB II Planning – Mr. Harrington

 

The board reviewed the Budget and Dev. time line. 

Oct. 20 Budget draft document available to School Brd.

Nov. 3,10,17- Budget draft reviewed/discussed revised by School Brd. at public meetings.

Nov. 17- School Brd. approves preliminary budget

Dec. 1 – approximately, School Brd. presents preliminary budget to Budget Committee.

 

                                               

  1.  Policy Review and Development - Mr. Barry

 

 A motion was made to reaffirm the following policies Deerfield School District Policy Statement: Rules of Order, Voting Method, Citizens’ Comments at Board Meetings, Energy Conservation Policy, Daily Physical Activity Policy, Public Complaints Policy, Public Complaints about School Personnel, by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

                                                All In Favor

                                               Motion Carried

 

 

Draft Policies were reviewed:  Goal Setting and Eval. of Board Operational Procedures, Budget Management Policy, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination.

 

  1. Public Relations -Mr. Harrington

 

The board discussed having a stipend put in place for the person who is selected to work on Public Relation issues.

                              

                                                                                 

                                               

7. Other Business

 

      A.  Agenda Preparations

           

            Ms. Ryan’s request

            Budget

            Space Needs

                                                                      

B. Citizens/Staff Comments

 

      Kandy Davitt asked the board for clarification concerning Bridge Articles, attachments and flyers.  The board reviewed a flyer that was asked to be sent home concerning the upcoming Planning Board Meeting.

 

      A motion was made to send home information concerning the Planning Board/Conservation Commission Meeting and other town related information to be sent home along with the Bridge by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien.

 

                                                                  3 Yes

                                                                  1 No

                                                         Motion Carried

     

 

8.  Adjournment

 

At 8: 40 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Kevin Barry, seconded by Bonnie Beaubien

 

All In Favor

Motion Carried

 

      The next Deerfield School Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 P.M. at Deerfield Community School.