EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY JUNE 7, 2006

 

MINUTES OF MEETING

 

 

 

Present:

                Board Members:     Barbara Doughty (Chair), Bill Yeaton, Gordon Ellis,

                                                  Tracey Miner, David Goulet

 

                Superintendent of Schools:    Tom Haley

                Assistant Superintendent of Schools:    Dave Dzuira            

                ECS Principal:     Patrick Connors

                ECS Vice Principal:    Richard Dougherty

 

 

                Citizens/Staff:   Vicki Therrien, Amy Beauchene, Dianna Parichand, Cec Curran,

                Lisa Bauer, Joan Pozner, Linda Elliott, Lisa Strano, Lisa Weaver, Bill Welch,

                Irene Angelone, Lloyd Doughty

 

Agenda Item 1. Call to Order by Barbara Doughty at 7:04 PM.

 

Agenda Item 2.  Pledge of Allegiance led by Gordon Ellis

 

Agenda Item 3.  Minutes of Previous Meeting

                    

                 A motion was made by Gordon Ellis to accept the meeting minutes of May 10, 2006 with amendments as noted.  Tracey Miner 2nd the motion.

                                                  The Motion Carried On A Vote 5-0

Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

Agenda Item 4. Immediate Business

               

            A.        Agenda Review 

 

                        Barbara Doughty suggested that the first portion of agenda 5A be moved to after                                   4B, and then items 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, to better accommodate those in                                         attendence.

                           

 

            B.        Citizens’s/Staff Comments

    

                        Barbara Doughty wanted to extend a thank-you to Richard Dougherty for being                                    Vice- Principal for the past year as well as to Patrick Connors for finishing the                           year as interim principal and agreeing to stay on two more years as Principal.                            Also congratulations to Linda Elliott the newly elected President of the ETA.                              Also Barbara Doughty noted it would be Dave Dzuira’s last board meeting. He is                           retiring at the end of the month as Assistant Superintendent of the SAU  

 

Agenda Item 5.  Old/Unfinished Business

 

            A.        Policy/Review/Development

 

                        The proposed New Policy for Influenza Epidemic/Pandemic Prevention and

                        Response Plan which was presented at the May meeting was reviewed and       discussed with Cee Curran and Joan Pozner, the school nurse. Ms Pozner        presented information concerning germ education, flu shot clinics, and Hand    Sanitizer being placed in the classrooms.  Mr. Curran spoke about utilizing masks       properly if there be a need as well as finding grants or asking the Fire Chief about          supplies.

                             

                        Tracey Miner made a motion to accept Influenza/Pandemic Prevention

                        and Response Plan. Bill Yeaton seconded the motion.

 

                                                The Motion Carried On A Vote 3-0

                                                            Gordon Ellis      abstain

                                                            David Goulet      aye 

                                                            Tracey Miner     aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton         aye               

 

Agenda Item 4.  Immediate Business

                        

            C.        Administrator’s Report - Mr. Connors              

              

                        Patrick Connors discussed the Administrator’s Monthly Report included in

                        the Board packets. Some of the highlights are as follows:

 

                        The kindergarten classes held a Mother’s Day Brunch, they had a wonderful

                        turnout. The students in grades 1-4 were entertained and taught important

                        safety. The seventh grade took a great trip to Boston. The Drama Club put

                        on their Aladdin Performances. A special thanks to Ms. Graichen and the

                        participation in the Memorial Day service at the Legion Hall.

 

 

 

            D.        AAU/Gymnasium Use Issues

 

                        Bill Welch was present to discuss gym use with the board per David Goulet’s    request.  David expressed concerns over the Granite State Crusaders AAU           Basketball team use the gym without a charge from April through October of       2006.  David said he did not have the chance to review the policy on gym use and             found after investigation that he would like to charge the group for using the gym.

 

                        David Goulet made a motion to charge the AAU Basketball team the Granite     State Crusaders a gym usage fee of $230 per month from April to October.      Barbara Doughty 2nd the motion.

 

                        Both Barbara Doughty and Gordon Ellis expressed concern about changing the             prior vote.  Tracey Miner agreed with David that they were not prepared at the       prior meeting concerning the issues. Bill Yeaton expressed his support of the team          using the gym and the benefit the community is receiving.

 

                                                            Motion was defeated 1-3

Tracey Miner             nay

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  nay

                                                            Gordon Ellis               nay

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                                               

                        There was no one from EYAA to speak to the Board concerning the baseball    fields.  Tom Roulliard has been mowing the fields.  There was supposed to be a            schedule of EYAA volunteers to mow the fields and one has not been presented.             Weed whacking by the fences is not being done either and the State has told Tom             this is an issue.  David Goulet agreed to go to the next EYAA meeting or get in contact with Tony Cacciola and find out the status of the field maintenance.

 

                         Discussion followed concerning the use of the large baseball field.  There is some           concern that the T-Ball leagues are using the field and there is damage as a result.           There is no need for any minor, farm, or t-ball team to be using the field.  Gordon         Ellis stated that the Suncook Little League was in need of a field for the major     teams where there are a number of Epsom kids on these teams.

 

            Gordon Ellis made a motion to let Suncook Little League use 90 ft Baseball Field          provided someone from the league fills out a Facilities Use Form.

                

                        David Goulet seconded the motion.

The Motion Carried On A Vote  4-0

                                                            Gordon Ellis           aye

                                                            David Goulet          aye

                                                            Tracey Miner         aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton              aye

           

           

            E.         SAU # 53 Financial Procedures

 

                        Presentation was made for by Diane Parichand of SAU 53 to inform the board on         purchasing and payment procedures followed by ECS and the SAU.

 

    

                 G.                ECS Technology Mini-Grant - Mr. Connors, Vicki Therrien, and Amy          Beauchene

 

                         Vicki assists in writing grants.  Recently, ECS applied for a mini-grant with her   assistance for hardware and software which was used in the 5th grade State Fair   Projects. The grant monies allowed ECS to purchase two laptops and software            such as Map Maker, Movie Maker, and Talking PowerPoint by Microsoft, to         assist students with ELA and Social Studies.  The 5th grade made projects using            the technology to create State Projects.  They will be having a State Fair to      display their knowledge of the various states as well as the use of technology on   Friday June 16th from 1:15 to 2:45 in the classroom.

    

Agenda Item 5.  Old/Unfinished Business

      

            A.        At this point the Board returned to agenda item 5A to complete the policy                                   review/development it had begun earlier in the meeting.

 

                        A  Health and Wellness Policy was distributed to the Board for review to be      discussed at the July meeting. This is to comply with the new Minimum Standards             mandated by the State.

 

                        Barbara Doughty made a motion to accept Home School Education

                        Policy which was presented at the May meeting.

                        Bill Yeaton seconded the motion.

 

                                                The motion carried on a vote of 4-0

                                                            Gordon Ellis         aye

                                                            David Goulet         aye

                                                            Tracey Miner        aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton            aye

 

                        Policy for Paraprofessionals Job Descriptions

 

                        Barbara Doughty made a motion for the Principal to write Job Descriptions

                         for the Support Staff and the Board can review these descriptions .

                        Tracey Miner seconded the motion.

 

                                     

 

 

                                                The motion carried on a vote of 3-0

                                                     Gordon Ellis              abstain

                                                     David Goulet             aye

                                                     Tracey Miner            aye

                                                     Bill Yeaton                 abstain

                                                     Barbara Doughty      aye

 

            B.        NHSBA Resolutions

 

                        Gordon Ellis made a motion to propose a NHSBA resolution to promote vouchers .                  Barbara Doughty seconded the motion.

                                                The motion was defeated on a vote of 1-3

                                                            Gordon Ellis             aye

                                                            David Goulet            nay

                                                            Tracey Miner           nay

                                                            Bill Yeaton                nay     

 

            C.        State Waivers on School Year

 

                        Barbara Doughty made a motion to allow the one day waiver that has been                                granted for May 15, 2006 by the Commissioner. Tracey Miner seconded the                                  motion.

                                                    The motion carried on a vote of 5-0

                                                            Gordon Ellis              aye

                                                            David Goulet             aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty      aye

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                 aye

 

  Agenda Item 6.  New Business

 

            A.        School Board Goals Setting

 

                       Tracey Miner made a motion to look at goals each month, and that we

                       set a board goal for the school budget and the teacher’s contract for

                       March 2007 vote.  Bill Yeaton seconded the motion.

 

                                          The motion carried on a vote of 5-0

                                                   Gordon Ellis              aye

                                                   David Goulet             aye

                                                   Barbara Doughty      aye

                                                   Tracey Miner             aye

                                                   Bill Yeaton                 aye

 

 

     

Agenda Item 7.  Other Business

 

            A.       Consent Agenda

 

                        Gordon Ellis made a motion to allow filming of ECS graduation ceremonies

                        pending legal advice on any potentioal legal issues.

                        Tracey Miner seconded the motion.                                     

                                                      The motion carried on a vote of 4-0

                                                            Gordon Ellis                  aye

                                                            David Goulet                 aye

                                                            Tracey Miner                aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                     aye

 

                        Barbara Doughty made a motion to accept a baby grand piano that was donated to the school.

                         Bill Yeaton seconded the motion.

                                                      The motion carried on a vote of 4-0

                                                            Gordon Ellis                 aye

                                                            David Goulet                aye

                                                            Tracey Miner                aye

                                                             Bill Yeaton                    aye

 

Agenda Item 6.  New Business

 

B.                 Personnel Issues

 

                                At 10:25 P.M. Barbara Doughty made a motion the Board go into non-public                           session under RSA 91-A:3II(a) in order to discuss personnel issues.  Tracey                             Miner seconded the motion.

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

                        Present in the non-public session were:  Barbara Doughty, Gordon Ellis, Dave                           Goulet, Bill Yeaton, Tracey Miner, Tom Haley, Patrick Connors, Peter                                           Warburton, and Dave Dziura.

 

                        At 10:45 P.M. Gordon Ellis made a motion to end the non-public session.  Tracey                                 Miner seconded the motion.

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

                        School Board Chairperson, Barbara Doughty announced that the Board had taken                                no action while in non-public session. 

 

                        Gordon Ellis made a motion that the Board provide the nine non-union, non-                              certified staff at ECS the same sick leave benefit as that provided members of the                                   ESSA bargaining unit except that the annual sick leave for the nine employees                                    would continue to be accrued monthly.  Tracey Miner seconded the motion.

 

THE MOTION CARRIED BY A

VOTE OF 5 AYES TO 0 NAYS

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

At this point the School Board returned to Agenda item 4F that had been partially completed earlier in the meeting in order to complete discussion of parent requests being made to the Board.

 

Agenda Item 4.  Immediate Business

 

             F.        Parent Requests

 

                        At 10:52 P.M. Barbara Doughty made a motion to enter non-public session under                                 RSA 91-A:3II(c) in order to discuss a parent request involving non-resident                              attendance of two students at ECS.  Gordon Ellis seconded the motion.

 

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

                        Present in the non-public session were:  Barbara Doughty, Gordon Ellis, Dave                           Goulet, Bill Yeaton, Tracey Miner, Tom Haley, Patrick Connors, Peter                                           Warburton, and Dave Dziura.

 

                       

                        At 11:00 P.M. Tracey Miner made a motion to end the non-public session.                               Barbara Doughty seconded the motion.

 

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

                        School Board Chairperson, Barbara Doughty announced that the Board had taken                                no action while in non-public session. 

 

                        Gordon Ellis made a motion that both students for whom permission for                                                 continued ECS attendance had been requested be sent to the Allenstown School                                   District where the parents now reside.  Tracey Miner seconded the motion.                               Following a brief discussion Barbara Doughty called for a vote on the motion.

 

THE MOTION FAILED ON A VOTE OF

2 AYES TO 3 NAYS

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Tracey Miner             nay

                                                            Dave Goulet               nay

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  nay

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

                        Tracey Miner then made a motion that the two students be allowed to complete                                     the school year at ECS and that a tuition charge of $350 be assessed consistent                              with the School Board’s Enrollment Policy, that tuition charge to be paid by the                           parents by the morning of Friday, June 9, 2006.  Bill Yeaton seconded the motion.

                        Following a brief discussion, Barbara Doughty called for a vote on the motion.

 

THE MOTION PASSED ON A VOTE OF

5 AYES TO 0 NAYS

                                                            Tracey Miner             aye

                                                            Bill Yeaton                  aye

                                                            Gordon Ellis               aye

                                                            Dave Goulet               aye

                                                            Barbara Doughty       aye

 

9.         Informational Items

 

            Dave Dziura distributed and reviewed copies of updated projections for the end of the   2005/06 fiscal year.  Board members agreed that they should look one additional time at      making decisions for additional spending before the fiscal year end.  It was agreed that     the Board would hold a brief meeting on June 20, 2006 for that purpose.

 

8.         Adjournment

 

            At 11:25 P.M., hearing no further call for additional business to be conducted, Barbara Doughty adjourned the meeting.  The School Board’s next scheduled meeting is Tuesday,         June 20, 2006 at 6:00 P.M.