EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2006

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

 

PRESENT

 

Board Members:    Barbara Doughty (Chair), Gordon Ellis, Dave Goulet, Tracey Miner, Bill Yeaton

Superintendent of Schools:  Tom Haley

Assistant Superintendent:  Peter Warburton

Principal:  Patrick Connors

Assistant Principal:  Aaron Pope

Board Secretary:  Dawn Vaillancourt

Citizens/Staff:          Diane Lewis, Tony Cacciola, Ryan Cacciola, Aleah Cacciola, Lori Brown, Lori Bryant, Carolyn Ortisi, Joy Rousseau, Lloyd Doughty, and Jan Santosuosso.

 

  1. Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Chair Barbara Doughty.

 

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

 

Gordon Ellis led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

 

The October 4, 2006, minutes were discussed.  Several changing were noted on the minutes as follows:  page 3 to correct the spelling of Stacy to Stacey; paragraph on the bottom of page 2 and top of page 3 are the same; under 4B. Cal Ripken baseball will be returning provided EYAA can retain a commissioner and no field adjustments will be needed.  Joni Kiten stated that drainage away from school and away from paved area.  If paved it will have to be re-graded.  Drainage easement needed if not on school property; bottom of page 2, the Pembroke Board meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month; bottom of page 3, Tracey Miner excused herself not Abstain; page 4, E. Principal’s Report, a mock election if slated for November 1, 2006; under 6A, Tracey asked why was the School Board involved in the approval of field trips and it is from a district liability on the part of the School Board for approving all field trips, and to change the work “how” to why in the first sentence.  4C, add the following sentence of, He also stated no safe turnaround beyond where it is.  Current situation is the safest.   6C, the number of hours should be 5/10/15, respectively not 5/15/25. 

 

A motion was made by Dave Goulet, seconded by Tracey Miner, to approve the November 1, 2006 minutes as revised.

 

               BARBARA DOUGHTY        ABSTAIN

               DAVE GOULET                    AYE

               TRACEY MINER                 AYE

               GORDON ELLIS                  AYE

               BILL YEATON                      NOT PRESENT

            THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3 – 0

 

  1. Immediate Business

 

A.                 Agenda Review

 

Chair Barbara Doughty reviewed the agenda.  The board decided that citizen/staff comments would come before other items.

 

B.                 Citizens’/Staff Comments

 

Chair Barbara Doughty stated that once the board starts a discussion, no public input will be recognized.  Public/citizen’s comments will be no more than five (5) minutes each.

 

Mrs. Lori Brown spoke of the bus route on North Pembroke Road stated that she gathered information regarding the 463 traffic violations in Epsom and Pembroke.  She said she spoke with Cpl. Burke about his letter and that he only looked at stationary buildings.  She asked if the Board could review the bus stop issue when snow piles up in the winter time.  Barbara Doughty asked Tom Haley to provided an update; Dail Transportation is sending information on how to extend the current route through Pembroke starting on the Pembroke side and looping around the Epsom bus stop with a time and cost which is feasible to do.  Tom checked with other transportation companies to see if any where interested in providing a quotation for term and they were not.  Barbara Doughty stated that the Board has put all it can into this agenda and the board has voted on it. 

 

Dave Goulet wondered if both route ways in the morning and afternoon were unsafe.

 

Tracey Miner would like an agenda item for December about restrictions on the bus.  She also mentioned that she was surprised that children had homework on Halloween night.  Her thought was that children were not focused on the homework at hand and it was a struggle for them to complete it properly.  She thought children should not have homework on Halloween.

 

Dave Goulet also thought that homework should be minimal on Halloween. 

 

Dave Goulet wondered if there was a school policy for sixth through eighth graders for monies spent for competition for playing time.  Barbara Doughty said there was no guarantee of playing time.

 

Diane Lewis, President of PTO, thanked all who participated with the Haunted House as it made of $1000.  All seemed to have a good time.  Parents commented that it was nice to meet other parents and children you don’t see on a day-to-day basis.  The 7th and 8th graders helped at the haunted house as it contributed to their community service hours.  The Fund Raiser total was approximately $9,500.  With the top class being Ms. Rodes.  There is roughly five grand that went towards the playground fund.  There will be a workshop to make Christmas present and crafters to buy from in the coming months.  Thanks to Principal Connors for putting information in the newsletter.  As a parent, what is the homework requirement time wise for third – fifth graders?  With it being 10 minutes, per grade; 30-50 minutes per night, respectively.

 

C.                 EYAA Update

 

Tony Cacciola as acting president (as position has not been voted on).  The Cal Ripken Baseball is still waiting approval from the district.  Tuesday of next week he should hear.  A commissioner is still being sought.  He has received two estimates for paving the parking lot.  80 spots with the trees and 88 spots with removing the trees.  The price difference is because of the grade around the trees and easement to the grass area not the swamp.  It would be a two-year project at this time as only half the funds are available.  The Liquor commission information regarding signage is not available so the issue is dead as far as he is concerned. 

 

Barbara Doughty asked how many signs are in place.  Tony stated eight.  A profit of $150. which is divided between the school and EYAA.  Tony to write a check to the ECS Principal account. 

 

David Goulet stated he will be the liaison for EYAA to contact the Board.  Meetings are the last Wednesday of the month.

 

D.                Modular Classroom Update

 

The modular looks new as it has all new paint, floors, tile, roof, etc. 

 

Tracey asked how the repair was decided.

 

Barbara stated that the insurance company decided that because of the smell, all should be replaced that they recommended the contractor.  Added benefit of a new roof which was included by the contractor.  The School Board was there the day the damage happened and the contractor said the repairs would be completed by November 6th, 2006.  As a courtesy to the contractor, the board should write him a thank you letter for completing everything on time.

 

Gordon Ellis stated that the board made a huge mistake on not waiting for local contractors to submit their bid and that the board got hood-winked into hiring the insurance company’s contractor.  A phone vote was taken and the board was in a rush, not waiting for the local contractors’ bids.  Perhaps the board should have waited for all bids as the board lost votes.  Nothing should be voted on the day/night it happens.

 

Barbara reiterated that Gordon Ellis is upset from a timing standpoint.  Tracey was upset that time was of the essence.  Dave Goulet – lesson learned – if it comes up again there should be an immediate meeting of the board. 

 

Tom Haley spoke that the best way to handle any issue is to have the board meet and discuss it.  As of now, the library is being used as a classroom while the modular gets repaired.  The insurance company brought in someone they had worked with in the past and had confidence in to do a complete and professional job.  Should the board not have voted, the contractors might not have been available for several weeks.  As it was, the building repair started within two days and might not have if the insurance company had not brought the contractor in when he did.  Barbara said the insurance company can dictate on who the contractors is. Tom Haley not necessarily dictates but work with people they know to assure that all issues were taken car of properly.  Tracey wanted to know who has the ultimate decision.  Tom answered a poll of the Board. 

 

E.                 Principal’s Report

 

Patrick Connors said that NECAP testing was complete.  The students should be commended for the chicken dance around the boom box during the power outage at the Halloween dance.  TD Banknorth has been working with students setting up saving accounts.  The possibility of a bus trip or rail trip rather than a plane was being looked into for cost purposes. 

 

Prompted by what are safety precaution comments received via Tom Haley, for school safety precautions, a buzzer system allowing entrance into the main entrance to the school is being looked at.  A quotation of $7200 has been received, which includes moving the second doors back six feet and installing a sliding window system to the front office with the buzzer at the moved doors.  The second set of doors was put there to keep heat in the building each time the front doors are opened. 

 

Tom Haley will email Dave Goulet Greg Champlain’s (state office for school safety) telephone number so he and Tracey can look into alternative safety measures other than a buzzer system.  This will be an agenda for December.

 

Barbara Doughty asked when the results of the NECAP testing would be received and Patrick stated not until March, 2007.

 

In the newsletter, it will be clarified what community service is by summing up the fact that you are not getting paid that you are helping out the community.

 

The staff of ECS wanted to know what can be done, with possibly providing a scholarship at ECS in the name of Officer Briggs or naming a field after him.  Bill Yeaton has been speaking with Patrick about dedicating the softball field after Officer Briggs.  Board to discuss naming of the field at the December meeting.  Gordon asked what purpose it would serve to name after Officer Briggs.  Patrick replied that the staff would feel good and like it.  Tracey said a goal of why it’s being named after him.  If we as a board are going to name something, it should have a goal/purpose.  The children should know what each person’s job is/was and what they do in life.  A scholarship should be accepted by the board.  Gordon said it should go to a student going into criminal justice school or a policeman’s son or daughter.

 

Barbara asked Patrick if there was/is a problem with drop-off/pickup of students?  Parents usually park where the construction is going on for pickups.  And some parents come to the school early for pickup.  At this time, no problems that Patrick was aware of.

 

Dave Goulet asked if a show for drama had been scheduled as to not conflict with spring sports.

 

Tracey stated that comments made on the website are not showing up.  Patrick will check into this.

 

Barbara asked Patrick if enough students had signed up for sports and yes they had.  Dave asked the policy for playing sports.  No F, only one D, said Patrick.  Tryouts after one month of bringing up your grade you can revisit eligibility of sports.

 

F.                  Budget Promotion Committee

 

Tracey Miner gave the following update on the committee.  It has been paired down to three areas of focus.  A raffle, the brochure, and parent phone tree.  Raffle (in development) for voters to put in their child’s name and the committee will ask the PTO to sponsor a prize for the raffle.  Brochure is still in draft form and is being developed and will be handed out by other means than being sent home with students.  The brochure will be available once approved, by the end of January, 2007.  The parent phone tree is for parents to contact other parents to vote.  The committee is encouraging people in Epsom to vote.  Other ways to distribute the brochure would be an ad in the papers and possibly put in mailboxes which will be looked into.  The next meeting of the committee is November 10, 2006 with the town moderator.  Daycare at the polls is being looked at by the committee.  Mr. Patterson did offer his room for the voting.  The goal is to get the Yes voters out to vote.  The next few moths will be a work-in-progress on all items.  The committee is also stepping down on the mock election as it is done in the school by Lisa Bauer.  Signage will be posted on voting day telling where in the school voting is.  An update in the committee progress will be put on the agenda for December.

 

G.                Parent Request

 

Barbara asked Tom if it should be non-public and Tom replied no.  The request is a student living in Epsom district to have an immunization exemption.  An information sheet was passed out to the board members to make a legitimate decision.  The school board needs a motion to accept religious exemption in a childcare program (immunization), as provided by law.

 

A motion was made by Dave Goulet, seconded by Tracey Miner, to accept this request. 

 

               BARBARA DOUGHTY           ABSTAIN

               DAVE GOULET                       AYE

               TRACEY MINER                    AYE

               GORDON ELLIS                     ABSTAIN

               BILL YEATON                         NOT PRESENT

            THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 2 – 0

 

By Roberts Rules, if there had been a tie, Barbara Doughty would have had to vote.

 

  1. Old/Unfinished Business

 

A.     School Board Goals.

 

As Bill Yeaton was not present at the meeting, Chair Barbara Doughty made a motion to put off discussing the School Board goals at this time.  The motion was seconded by Tracey Miner.

 

               BARBARA DOUGHTY           AYE

               DAVE GOULET                       AYE

               TRACEY MINER                    AYE

               GORDON ELLIS                     ABSTAIN

               BILL YEATON                         NOT PRESENT

            THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3 – 0

 

B.     Budget Development

 

Barbara Doughty stated the budget would be presented to the committee on December 7th, 2007.  A separate school board meeting needs to be dedicated to budget only.  Nothing for the budget is being voted on tonight as all board members are not present.  November 15, 2007, 6:30 PM is slated for the next school board meeting.

 

Tom Haley handed out the Epsom Tax Rate forecast numbers/budget, Dail Transportation Proposal and Patrick handed out Epsom Initiatives information.  A proposal from Dail Transportation is in the budget numbers.  Sheets/roster of how salaries came about.

 

A discussion of supporting creation of a trust fund was held.  Tracey Miner noted that she would prefer surplus for a trust could be taken from a particular line instead of the bottom line of the budget.  Trust funds will be further discussed.

 

Dave stated an error in the Dail Transportation quotation under option 4th and 5th year.  It states Allenstown, not Epsom.  Dail Transportation is contracted to do bus routes set up by the School Board.  In budget for 2007 – 2008, 2008 – 2009 and 2009 – 2010, K – 8 daily transportation, no high school included.

 

A motion was made by Dave Goulet to accept the proposal from Dail Transportation dated 10/5/06 with changes to optional 4th and 5th year from Allenstown to Epsom.  The motion was seconded by Tracey Miner.

 

               BARBARA DOUGHTY           ABSTAIN

               DAVE GOULET                       AYE

               TRACEY MINER                    AYE

               GORDON ELLIS                     AYE

               BILL YEATON                         NOT PRESENT

            THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3 – 0

 

Tom Haley reviewed line items on the budget that was handed out including that some raises are reflected in the budget as teachers are receiving their degrees; substitutes’ pay went from $60.00 to $65.00 to keep up with other school; budget figures are “worst-case” scenarios for aides; software maintenance agreements; a reduction in tuition to other districts; special education costs are based on students in the system as of this year; media costs decreased due to the fact that the Website is being utilized to get information out to the public; decrease in utilities by oil company and utility company as they indicated over-budgeted at this time; increase in maintenance costs; Grants/Food Service have to be in the budget, but are not tax rate based.  Column A is a description, Column B is actual, column C is budget for 2006-2007 year, Column E is 2007-2008 proposal and Column F is dollar increase/decrease.  Tom will bring a default budget for the November 15th meeting along with Epsom Initiatives.

 

Dave asked why the boiler maintenance costs were up.  Patrick stated that a new contractor is doing the work.

 

Gordon wanted to know if the duct work had ever been cleaned and Patrick said he would find that out.

 

C.        Freezer Update

 

Tracey Miner said the information given to Neil included both freezers; and it was not broken down to which was an actual invoice for the two-door and not the walk-in freezer.

 

D.                Additional Business

 

Hours of the NHSBA Assembly meeting are 1 – 4 pm and at this time Dave Goulet cannot make the full session as a representative as the Epsom School Board, so he will go and stay as long as possible.

 

Barbara stated that there are two copiers on the budget – one line is a lease and the other line is a maintenance contract.

 

Dave Goulet wanted to know if the budget included a line for gifted and talented students.  Career day is being worked on by Barbara Nelson and it will be make part of the principal’s report in future meetings.

 

 

  1. Other Business

 

A.                 Agenda Preparation

 

Transportation, PTO updates to come under the Principal’s Report not citizen comments, building security, memorial plans, and contract negotiations.

 

B.                 Citizens’/Staff Comment

 

Tracey Miner asked if the transportation contract for Special Education excluded regular transportation and Tom Haley replied yes.

 

Gordon Ellis wanted something educational on the marquee sign in which Barbara Doughty replied “Why Not Vote?”

 

Tracey started off by saying that she is grateful and encouraged by the hard work that Barbara Doughty does for the Epsom School Board and that she hoped she continues.  She {Tracey} is citing three items of concern:  on the town agenda representing the school board, busing, letter that was sent out.  If someone on the board does something by themselves, it’s unilateral.  Barbara said it was not unilateral it was discussed by the board.  The town agenda was personal, not about the board.  The town assumed it was about the School Board.  Tom stated the letter was drafted by him for the board chair as the chair has certain authority as to what goes on the agenda for Epsom School Board an oversight of the meeting.  A poll was taken on the modular by the board members.  The board can empower any member to make a decision for the board as a whole.  ESB meeting minutes are public records.  Any letter sent out to a person on behalf of the School Board, all members will receive a copy.

 

Barbara discussed with Tom, Gordon, Tracey and is now informing the board the no other school board presents their budget to the Board of Selectmen which is scheduled for November 27, 2007, 8:00 P.M..  Barbara will call Mary Frambach to discuss.

 

  1. Adjournment

 

Next scheduled meetings are November 15, 2006 and December 6, 2006.

 

Hearing no further business, Chair Barbara Doughty declared the meeting adjourned at 10:25 P.M.