EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2006

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

Present:               

Board Members:     Barbara Doughty (Chair), Bill Yeaton, Gordon Ellis, David Goulet,
                                 Tracey Miner
Tom Haley -              Superintendent of SAU 53 Schools

David Dziura -           Assistant Superintendent of SAU 53 Schools

Patrick Connors –      ECS Principal

Richard Dougherty -   ECS Vice Principal

 

Citizen/Staff:  Tony Cacciola, Elizabeth Clark, Bob Begin, Robert Jacques, Janet Stickney, Deborah Ulmer, Dale Gregory, Michelle Pinsonneault, Stacey Manning-Harwood, Diane Lewis, Mary Beth Magan, Debbie Grenier, Meadow Cacciola, Mike Grenier, Michael Hazlett, Tom Rouillard, James C. Decker, Lisa Strano, Kristen Rhoades, Karen Keeler, Sharon Gelinas, Bennie Porter, Lisa Lamb, Lloyd Doughty, David Kezar, Kevin Kezar, Lisa Bauer, Megan Todd, Molly Todd, Chelsea Jarest, Amanda Taillon, Steve Patterson

 

Agenda Item 1.           Call to Order by Barbara Doughty at 6:01 PM

 

Agenda Item 2.           Assistant Principal Interviews

 

At 6:02 PM, Barbara Doughty  made a motion to enter Non-public Session Under RSA 91-A:3II(b) for the purpose of conducting the Assistant Principal Interviews.

Tracey Miner 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

In attendance in non-public session were Tom Haley, Dave Dziura, Bill Yeaton, Gordon Ellis, Barbara Doughty, Tracey Miner, Patrick Connors, David Goulet, Rich Dougherty and Aaron Pope.

 

At 6:24PM, Gordon Ellis made a motion to end the Non-public Session.

Bill Yeaton 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

No action was taken during non-public session. 

 

Tom Haley placed Aaron Pope’s name into nomination as vice principal at Epsom Central School for the 2006/07 school year.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept the nomination of Aaron Pope as vice principal at Epsom Central School for the 2006/07 school year.

Barbara Doughty 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Patrick Connors then formally introduced Aaron Pope as the new assistant principal.

 

Agenda Item 3.           Pledge of Allegiance lead by Gordon Ellis

 

Agenda Item 4.           Minutes of Previous Meetings –  March 21, 2006

 

Accepted by unanimous consent with edits as follows:  last page, meeting should have been listed as “April” instead of “March”; page 3, under Other Business, change “This” to “The poles” to read “The poles will cost $1,600.“

 

 

Immediate Business

 

Agenda Item 5A.        Agenda Review

 

Bill Yeaton suggested that the agenda items in 7 be moved up to after the agenda items in 5 to better accommodate those in attendance.

 

Agenda Item 5B.        Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Mary Beth Magan spoke in support of closing the school building at 3:30PM.  If the town continues to fail the budget, it causes great hardship to the school.  No one is realizing the impact, because we always patch the budget together.  Mary Beth also spoke about the need for new text books, as some are ancient.  Many text books had to be cut from the budget for next year.

 

Michelle Pinsonneault spoke about Mr. Dougherty, who did the school a big favor by stepping into the vice principal position for this year.  Next year he is being moved to 6th grade.  Anyone that’s been here for a while knows that ‘Mr. D’ is an icon in the 8th grade, and he likes teaching 8th grade.  Patrick Connors explained that the choice has to do with new requirements mandated by Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT)/No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and by a new teaming concept for the teachers.

                                                    

Michael Hazlett commended the Board for the work they have done.  Michael wanted to state his objection to a comment that was made at the last school board meeting, concerning taking special education children out of the standard classroom.  Michael also objected to the proposal created by Andrew Turnbull for addressing the cost of special education, as that is illegal.

 

Tracey Miner made a motion for Janet Stickney to be the new secretary for the school board.

Barbara Doughty 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Agenda Item 5C.        Administrators’ Report

 

Patrick Connors distributed and discussed the Administrator’s Report.  Some of the highlights are as follows:

 

The 8th Grade Cultural Expo at PA gave the students a chance to tour the high school and observe and talk to PA students, and to meet with PA advisors to plan their schedules for next year.  Eighth grade commencement will take place on Friday, June 16th. 

 

The last day of school is Tuesday, June 20th.

 

The 5th Grade Business Fair was wonderful.  There were articles in the Banner, the Monitor and the Union Leader.  The children made anywhere from a few dollars to over $100.

 

On Tuesday, March 28th, Jack Agati, a nationally acclaimed expert on child behavior, came to the school and spoke about the effects of birth order on personal development.  About 20 parents attended the event.

 

The incoming kindergarteners and 1st grader screenings were done.  There were 31 kindergarteners and 4 first graders that were tested.

 

Upcoming events for April can be found on the ECS website calendar at: 

http://www.sau53.org/cgi-bin/we3.07/webevent.cgi?cmd=opencal&cal=cal8&

 

Patrick distributed an advanced copy of the Epsom Central School Report Card to the Board, which shows a comparison of our district with the others in the SAU, in the areas of Reading, Math and Writing.  Epsom falls at the top, or in the middle compared to the other local districts.  The report also includes information on numbers of students, teachers and other staffing, salaries, class size and participation in extracurricular activities.  The reports will be available to the public when they come back from the printer, and will be sent home in the Friday folders.

 

Agenda Item 5D.        Parent Request

 

At 6:50 PM, Tracey Miner made a motion to enter Non-public Session Under RSA 91-A:3II(c).

Bill Yeaton 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

At 7:22 PM, Gordon Ellis made a motion to end the Non-public Session.

Dave Goulet 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

The parent withdrew their request.  No action was taken in non-public session.

 

Agenda Item 5E.        Teacher’s Request

 

Teacher, Debbie Grenier, thanked the Board for allowing her children Michael and Stephanie to attend Epsom Central School, and said that they are doing well.  She is requesting that her children be allowed to enroll for the next school year.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept the request to have Debbie Grenier’s children attend ECS for the 2006/07 school year.

David Goulet 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Teacher, Steven Patterson, requested that his daughter Paige be allowed to continue to attend Epsom Central School, and enroll for the 2006/07 school year.  Steve also asked the Board to consider waiving the $500 tuition fee for next year.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept the request to have Paige Patterson attend Epsom Central School for the 2006/07 school year.

Tracey Miner 2nd.

 

The request for the tuition waiver will be place on next month’s agenda.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Agenda Item 5F.         EYAA Issues

 

Bill Welch requested that Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Granite State Raiders be allowed to use the ECS gym for practice twice a week, starting immediately, under his supervision.  Bill will coordinate through Patrick Connors for use if there are conflicting events.  Lisa Strano’s drama team are done with the gym by 5:00 P.M.  The Board discussed whether or not AAU should be charged a fee for the gym use, and decided not to charge at this point.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion that the EYAA be allowed to use the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. for the Epsom residents for the month of April, and Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. for the AAU team from now through October, provided there are no conflicting activities.

Bill Yeaton 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Bill Welch was asked to send a copy of the insurance to the SAU.

 

$3,000 was cut from the budget that paid for the chemical treatment of the fields.  That amount is being requested from EYAA.  Tony Cacciola is going to contact Patrick Connors to reconcile this issue.

 

 

New Business

 

Agenda Item 7A.        PTO Playground Issue

 

Diane Lewis, PTO president, and Stacey Harwood, PTO vice president gave a presentation to request to install new playground equipment by Miracle Recreation Equipment Company where the current structure sits.  The old structure will be removed.  The swings will be kept but moved.  The cost of the new structure will be $33,622.69.  New mulch will cost $2,000.  New swings will cost $1,000, for a total cost of $36,622.69.  Currently, there is $11,196 in the playground fund.  PTO will obtain non-profit status by the end of summer.  With that, PTO will be able to go to some of the big companies that help support non-profits.  All funding for the project will be provided by the PTO.

 

The structure will be installed in three phases.  Phase I will begin this summer, with the subsequent two phases each occurring on a yearly basis.  The full structure has several climbers, a triple slide, an overhead glider and a tower.  PTO would also like to put in a permanent shade area.  There is no shade in the play area.  Phase I would be the glider and part of climbing structure.  Installation would be done by volunteers with guidance from the manufacturer.

 

David Goulet made a motion to accept the proposal presented by Diane Lewis from the PTO to remove the old playground structure, and start with Phase I of the new playground system, to continue with Phase II and Phase III within the next three years, having the PTO provide all the funding for the structure, with the understanding that the equipment could get moved if a building addition is approved.

Bill Yeaton 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Agenda Item 7B.        Suncook Little League

 

Suncook Little League requested the use of the fields for baseball.  This request was deferred to EYAA and Lisa Strano, the athletic director, because they are in charge of use of the fields.

 

Agenda Item 7C.        Better Buddies Program

 

Debbie Ulmer requested a renewal of the Better Buddies contract.  She distributed copies of the Better Buddies Manual and Use of Facilities agreement.  Better Buddies is a non-profit organization and is currently paying a stipend to the school, in the amount of $.25 per child per day to cover the cost of utilities and custodial care.

 

Tracey Miner made a motion to renew the yearly contract (April to April) for Epsom Better Buddies, Inc., with no changes.

Gordon Ellis 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Epsom Better Buddies, Inc presented a donation in the amount of $290 to ECS to pay for the flowers for commencement for next year’s graduation.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept a $290 donation from Epsom Better Buddies Inc., for commencement flowers for next year’s graduation (2007).

Tracey 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

 

Old/Unfinished Business

 

Agenda Item 6A.        Well for Athletic Fields

 

This item will be moved to the May agenda

 

Agenda Item 6B.        School Boiler Replacement

 

Patrick Connors received several quotes for replacement of the boiler.  The bids were all close.  Lemire is the company that currently does a lot of the work in the building, and we have a track record with them for reliability.  Tom Rouillard also felt that Lemire was the best choice for the job.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to accept the quote in the amount of $56,640 from Armand E. Lemire Co, Inc., to replace the boiler and do HVAC modifications.

Tracey 2nd.

 

Gordon suggested that for continuity purposes, Lemire was the best choice, as they know the building. 

Bill Yeaton felt that we could justify replacing the boiler based on its efficiency factor.  There are currently two boilers.  Bob Begin from Lemire explained that we would only need to run one boiler at a time, and the second boiler (newer of the two that currently exist) would only be used as a backup.  If the weather becomes very cold, it’s possible that both boilers would have to be used. 

 

It was noted that at one point, at the beginning of the year, both boilers failed, and if the children had been present, the building would have to have been evacuated.  Bob Begin said that the next time the boiler (that is going to be replaced) fails, he would have to condemn it.  The jacket on the outside of it is burned off.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

The Board discussed the bids that were provided for a new tractor/snow blower.  Tom Rouillard recommended the Cub Cadet (GT3200) based on the ease of repair.  The tractor would include a mowing deck, a cab, a snow thrower and wheel weights and chains.

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to purchase the Cub Cadet tractor as presented in the quote for $10,235.

David Goulet 2nd.

 

Bill Yeaton asked if the existing tractor (John Deere – 10 years old) was going to be traded in.  Tom said that he would keep it as long as the cost to fix it was not prohibitive.  This way, there could be two people out snowplowing at the same time.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 - 1

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               nay

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

Agenda Item 6C.        Board Reorganization

 

Epsom Board Assignments 2006/07:

 

Board Chair:                     Barbara                                    Board Vice-Chair:        Bill

ETA Negotiations:           Barbara, Andrew Turnbull         ESSA Negotiations:     (not needed)

A.R.E.A. Advisory:           Gordon, Tracey

Graduation Activities:       Tracey, Lisa Bauer                    SAU Executive Bd.:     Barbara

Manifest Review:              Gordon, Barbara                        PA Scholarship:            Gordon

Athletic Fields:                 David, Bill

NHSBA Delegate:            Tracey                                      MBC representative:   Barbara

SAU High School Options Committee:  David

 

Agenda Item 6D.        School Name

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion that we discuss changing the school name.

Bill Yeaton 2nd.

 

Gordon Ellis wants to entertain changing the name of the school to let people realize what little effect the school board has on the budget.  For example, if the budget was $280, we only have control over $10 of that spending.  Almost 2 million dollars of our budget is for unfunded mandates.  Gordon is suggesting changing the name to “Unfunded Mandated School in the Town of Epsom”, or, as Rich Dougherty suggested “Epsom Mandated but Unfunded School”, which would be EMUS, and that could also serve as a mascot.

 

This motion will be tabled until next month.

 

The amount of the stipends received by the Board members (other than the chair) were originally thought to be $1,000, when in fact they were $900.  Barbara Doughty was due a partial stipend ($675) for 9 of 12 months of service.  In January, Gordon Ellis and Bill Yeaton made motions to have their stipends placed back into the budget.

 

Barbara Doughty made a motion to move $2,475 (= $900 for Bill + $900 for Gordon + $675 for Barbara) in stipends from the Board Salaries to the Principal’s Fund.

Tracey 2nd.

 

        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

        Barbara Doughty –     aye

        Bill Yeaton –               aye

        Gordon Ellis -             aye

        David Goulet -            aye

        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

This motion is in conjunction with the following two motions from the January 4, 2006 meeting, as follows:

 

Bill Yeaton made a motion to have his stipend placed toward the Principal’s Fund for the environmental camp.

2nd by Gordon Ellis

 

Gordon Ellis made a motion to have his stipend placed into the principal’s fund to be used to create a mural, or to fix the gym floor.

2nd by Bill Yeaton

 

 

Other Business

 

Agenda Item 8A.        Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Steve Patterson spoke in support of his request for waiving his tuition for his daughter to attend ECS next year.

 

Beth Sirrine asked how the Board can put something in the budget (school board stipends) that was voted down by the town?  Tom Haley agreed to look into it.

 

Lisa Bauer volunteered to help with graduation activities.  Virginia Drew is going to be contacted to ask if she will also be involved.

 

Diane Lewis said that the PTO theme baskets are being created.  These will be raffled off.  Turn Off TV week is the week before vacation.  The book fair is also the week before vacation.  The spring carnival is in May.  Diane mentioned that several people she talked to said that they could not get to the polls during the hours that they are open.  They have to leave for work early, and don’t get home until after they close.  Also, people just don’t want to pay any more in taxes.  Barbara Doughty said that absentee ballots are available to people that can’t get to the polls.

 

Dale Gregory felt that we need to send a message to the people in Concord that they need to fix the school funding issue.  We’re losing teachers.  They don’t want to come to New Hampshire because salaries are not competitive.

 

Beth Sirrine thanked the Board for keeping Patrick Connors on as principal, as she has heard nothing but good things about the administration this year.  Beth asked why it takes so long for the minutes to get online.  Barbara explained that they have to be approved before they are put online, but the SAU can give out a copy of the unapproved minutes.  They are available six days after the meeting.  Beth mentioned that the AAU is a for profit organization, and that the Board should have charged them to use the gym.

 

Stacey Harwood asked about the A.R.E.A. meetings, and if that is the place that parents should bring up issues.  The next meeting is Oct. 18th.

 

Sharon Gelinas said that the children very much look forward to having Mr. Dougherty in 8th grade, and she hopes that something can be done to have him teaching 8th grade again.

 

Keith Cota suggested inviting our state representatives to the meetings so that they can see the issues that we are dealing with concerning budget hardships and laws that control Board decisions.  One of the committees of the Board this is very important is associated with Pembroke Academy.  Being a voter in Epsom and sending money to Pembroke, we should have a say as to what goes on there, as far as academics, policy and budget.  Another important committee is the one that deals with the Pembroke Academy graduates.  Board members can see the results of the student experience at ECS, including its strong points and short comings.

 

At 9:51 P.M., Barbara Doughty made a motion to enter Non-public Session Under RSA 91-A:3II(b) for the purpose of a negotiations issue.

Tracey Miner 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton -                aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

In attendance in non-public session were Tom Haley, Dave Dziura, Bill Yeaton, Gordon Ellis, Barbara Doughty, Tracey Miner, Patrick Connors and David Goulet.

 

At 10:32 P.M., Gordon Ellis made a motion to end the Non-public Session.

Bill Yeaton 2nd.

 

                        THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 5 - 0

                        Barbara Doughty –     aye

                        Bill Yeaton –               aye

                        Gordon Ellis -             aye

                        David Goulet -            aye

                        Tracey Miner -           aye

 

No action was taken during non-public session.

 

Agenda Item 9.           Adjournment

 

Hearing no call for further business, Barbara Doughty adjourned the meeting at 10:34 P.M.

 

The next scheduled meeting will be Wednesday, May 10th, at 6:00 P.M.