EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
PRESENT:
Board Members: Barbara Doughty (Chair), Bill Yeaton, Tracey Miner, David Goulet
Superintendent of Schools: Tom Haley
Assistant Superintendent of Schools: Peter Warburton
Principal: Patrick Connors
Assistant Principal: Aaron Pope
Citizens/Staff: Linda Elliott, Lisa Strano, Carolyn Puffer, Neal Burns, Pam Rouillard, Diane Lewis, Tony Cacciola, Tom Rouillard
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Dave Goulet led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of June 7, 20, and 28, 2006 were reviewed. A number of amendments were suggested.
A motion was made by Dave Goulet, seconded by Bill Yeaton, to approve the minutes of June 7, 20, and 28 as amended.
BARBARA
DOUGHTY AYE
DAVID
GOULET AYE
TRACEY
MINER AYE
BILL YEATON AYE
THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4-0
4. Immediate Business
A. Agenda Review
Ms. Doughty reviewed the agenda. Since Gordon Ellis could not be present, agenda item 5A, Computer Lab Schedule, will be tabled until the next meeting.
B. Citizens’/Staff
Comments
Diane Lewis reviewed PTO plans for Old Home Day. The PTO also has scheduled a benefit softball game against the Epsom Fire Department. She updated the board on plans for dismantling and constructing the new playground.
C. Principal’s Report
Pat Connors reported that enrollment has increased by 9 students thus far during the summer. Effort and Honor Roll lists were distributed, as was a library report for the 2005/06 year. He updated the board on the progress of summer maintenance projects at E.C.S. A phone line required to use ECS as a polling location has been installed at state expense. The stick-built modular has been found to have some deterioration in its floor joists and sills. He is seeking repair quotes. Bill Yeaton noted his concern that the problem was not discovered earlier by the maintenance department.
D. EYAA
Fields Usage
Dave Goulet reviewed several topics the board wished to discuss with EYAA leadership. Tony Cacciola reviewed efforts to schedule regular field maintenance. A formal schedule has been created, but volunteers are not adhering to it in some cases. He is seeking a more reliable commitment to the tasks. Work on repairing the water pump and obtaining electric service is progressing. He plans to line all fence areas with hard-pack to limit the growth of weeds, thus lessening the need to trim. The upcoming soccer season schedule was reviewed. Barbara Doughty asked that use of facilities paperwork be completed. Dave Goulet also noted that storage concerns in the Quonset but have been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
E. Food Service
Barbara Doughty reviewed a concern of several board members and parents that the present bookkeeping system does not adequately inform students when they have almost exhausted their lunch money reserve. This results in children being suddenly cut from participation in the program and parents being notified of large bills after the fact. The board asked administration to work with the food service director to create a plan to address the concerns. The board will discuss lunch prices at its August meeting.
5. Old/Unfinished Business
A. Computer Lab Schedule
Tabled until next meeting.
B. Report Card Distribution
Pat Connors suggested that final report cards be prepared at the very end of the year and mailed to parents. The cost is estimated at approximately $200. Staff supports this change. Barbara Doughty indicated that the change will help keep students engaged in valuable learning activities right up until the final day of the school year. The board indicated its support for this change.
6. New Business
A. District Goals
The board reviewed the current draft goal of “Obtaining voter approval for a teacher contract and recommended district budget.” It was noted that several of the stated objections, such as negotiations with the ETA and forming a committee to promote the contract and budget, have already begun to be acted upon.
A motion to accept the goal as written was made by Tracey Miner, seconded by Barbara Doughty.
The board emphasized that the goal or specific objectives can be changed as necessary.
BARBARA
DOUGHTY AYE
DAVID
GOULET AYE
TRACEY
MINER AYE
BILL YEATON AYE
THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4-0
The board asked that a second current goal be placed on the August agenda and that review of the accepted goal be done in September.
A discussion of possible activities to help gain support for the teacher contract and school budget was held.
Barbara Doughty suggested that the board enter non-public session to discuss the hire of employees prior to agenda items 6B and 6C. She further suggested that Agenda Preparation and Citizens’ Comments could be taken up at this time so that those who wished to do so could leave.
7. Other Business
A. Agenda Preparation
At the August meeting, student handbook review, food service discussion, goals, the modular repair and a grade 8 class trip will be agenda topics.
B. Citizens’/Staff
Comments
Pam
Rouillard asked about meetings with Pembroke.
Tom Haley noted that there is an AREA Advisory Board which meets several
times per year. Gordon Ellis and Tracey
Miner are Epsom representatives.
Generally the first meeting is in the early fall. The next Pembroke School Board meeting is
scheduled for
At 7:55 P.M. a motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Dave Goulet, to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) to discuss the hire of district employees. On a roll call, the board voted:
BARBARA
DOUGHTY AYE
DAVID
GOULET AYE
TRACEY
MINER AYE
BILL YEATON AYE
THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4-0
PRESENT:
Board Members: Barbara Doughty (Chair), Bill Yeaton, Tracey Miner, David Goulet
Superintendent of Schools: Tom Haley
Assistant Superintendent of Schools: Peter Warburton
Principal: Patrick Connors
Assistant Principal: Aaron Pope
The board discussed the hire of district employees.
At
BARBARA
DOUGHTY AYE
DAVID
GOULET AYE
TRACEY
MINER AYE
BILL YEATON AYE
THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4-0
Chair Barbara Doughty noted that no action had been taken in the non-public session.
6. New Business (Cont.)
B. Board
Secretary
Janet Stickney has resigned as board secretary. Board members will consider possible candidates. Tom Haley will fill in until a new secretary is hired.
C. Nomination/Election of Staff
Barbara Doughty noted that a vacancy has occurred due to the resignation of Janet Allen. She asked if there was a nominee for the opening.
Tom Haley said that, based upon the unanimous recommendation of an interview committee comprised of administration, staff and board members, he would nominate Lisa Strano for the position. Interview committee members present noted her energy, good grasp of curriculum, growth as an educator, and effective team work as strengths.
A motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Tracey Miner, to elect Lisa Strano.
BARBARA
DOUGHTY AYE
DAVID
GOULET AYE
TRACEY
MINER AYE
BILL YEATON AYE
THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4-0
8. Adjournment
Hearing no further business,
Chair Barbara Doughty declared the meeting adjourned at
The next Epsom Board meeting
is scheduled for
9. Informational
Items
None