EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2007

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

 

PRESENT

 

Board Members:       Barbara Doughty (Chair), Gordon Ellis, Dave Goulet, Bill Yeaton, Deane Kellison

Superintendent of Schools:  Tom Haley

Principal:  Patrick Connors

Assistant Principal:  Brian Beaverstock

Board Secretary: 

Citizens/Staff:       Lisa Bauer, Jennifer Gallagher, Tim Riel, Denise Pettigrew, Brendan Pettigrew, Mackenzie Pettigrew, Darcy May, Diane Spaulding, Tom Spaulding, Michael Wiggett

 

  1. Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 P.M. by Barbara Doughty

 

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

 

Gordon Ellis led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

 

The September 5th, 2007, minutes were discussed.

 

A motion was made by Gordon Ellis, seconded by Bill Yeaton, to approve the September 5, 2007 minutes as revised.

 

BARBARA DOUGHTY        AYE

DAVE GOULET                    AYE

BILL YEATON                      AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF   3-0

 

 

  1. Immediate Business

 

A.                 Agenda Review

Chair Barbara Doughty reviewed the agenda.  The field issue will be covered earlier in the evening.

 

 

B.                 Citizens’/Staff Comments There were no citizen/staff comments presented.

 

 

C.                 EYAA Update – Status of EYAA was updated by Denise Pettigrew.  The President of EYAA had resigned and the current Treasurer has stepped up to fill the position until a new president could be found.  The plan is to have a new board by January 2008.  Lori Brown and Nick Angelone are lining the fields.  Mr. Connors requested that the large net be placed in position to prevent balls from leaving the field area.       

 

 

D.                Field Update – Tim Riel spoke about the current status of handling the playing fields.  Billy Gelinas, from Advanced Excavating, met with Tim.  Mr. Gelinas’ idea is to get into the fields with a loader and grader.  He will also add loam to the field area, perhaps six or seven loads of loam, enough to cover the silt area.  The grade of the field is intended to be kept.  The quote includes laser grating, re-seeding, and irrigating.  Mr. Riel felt the quote will come in lower than the proposal.  The current fence will have to be lowered.  The work to be done will not have any effect on the current fields being used for soccer.  There was an additional $4,000 cost for creating the moat.  Mr. Riel is requesting a decision from the Board at tonight’s meeting.  Mr. Connors stated that we will pick up a check from FEMA money from the town tomorrow and this will be deposited into the principal’s account for work on the fields.  Some funds have already been spent.    

 

      A motion was made by Gordon Ellis, seconded by Barbara Doughty, to allow Tim Riel to have Advanced Paving to do field work on the existing field for $4,000, dig a trench for $4,000 providing DES approval, and allow Hillside landscaping to do fieldwork up to $6,300.

 

DAVE GOULET                    AYE

GORDON ELLIS                  AYE

BILL YEATON                      AYE

DEANE KELLISON             Abstain

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF   3-0

                 

            Barbara Doughty asked EYAA to use the gym if there is no basketball practice.  EYAA explained they are currently planning to run a basketball program, but agreed to work together on both time and encouragement of the school team.  The Board reflected on the number of Epsom students who perform well on the Pembroke Academy sports teams.

 

E.                 PA Bus Issue – Parking at PA is an issue because there is no place to park and the bus is being threatened to be eliminated due to a lack of students riding the bus.  Currently, there is a monthly cost of $68 per student.  Michael Wiggett, parent, brought to the attention of the board that the cost was threatened to rise next month if no more students begin taking the bus.  Mr. Wiggett was concerned that if the parents do not sign the form to Dail, bus service to PA would be dropped.  Tom Haley brought up the fact that many students begin the year taking the bus and then become involved after school or meet friends who drive to school and thus acquire rides.  The sophomore class is generally the class who do not get a parking pass.  Tom Haley advised the Board if the Board decides to provide a bus and then there is a need for an additional bus, the Board would be responsible for acquiring an additional bus.  In Deerfield, Mr. Haley noted, parents were previously provided a stipend to transport students to the high school.  Parents had to apply for this opportunity.  Tom Haley agreed to check with Chichester to see if the Epsom Board could work a deal with Chichester Board in order to share buses.  Mr. Wiggett will plan on attending the Chichester School Board meeting to seek permission for his children to access their bus.  Mrs. Doughty suggested discussing the bus issue at the next Board meeting as a budget item. 

 

 

F.                  Principal’s Report  - Mr. Connors reported that the NECAP testing was half over and was going smoothly.  Teacher Judy Snell was awarded a mini-grant for a history project in her classroom.  The Mi-Te-Na camp went extremely well.  The 7th grade team is planning a trip to Ferry Beach, ME  for an overnight for a cost of $60 a student.  The trip is scheduled for Nov. 5-6.  Dave Goulet expressed some concern for students going between the male/female floors.  Mr. Connors reported that the 7th grade team visited the Verizon Center to see the Spirit of America presentation.  A Homework survey was sent home and the results will be tabulated tomorrow, but the majority has been stating that the homework level has been adequate.  Mr. Connors has been checking off the minimum standards to be sure our school is in line with state regulations.  The 8th grade has been working fervently at raising money for the Washington trip through food sales, raffles, car washes, and other activities.  Barbara Doughty had requested to send $500 of her stipend towards all of the students evenly on the 8th grade trip.  Mr. Connors had a discussion with the Student Council Advisor and Mary Yeaton to work together on a Variety Show for the trip.  Mr. Connors advised the Board that a new state regulation had mandated that every field trip and school event must be covered by an adult with CPR and First Aid certification.  Several teachers participated in a First Aid training last week at school.  Mr. Connors has told the staff that the budget for this year has been temporarily frozen because there are preliminary figures that may indicate a potential budget shortfall in special education.   

 

G.                Variety Show – There is a town Variety Show already taking place in October and the school will plan on holding their fundraiser Variety show in February.   

 

H.                Policy Review – Since most of the policies presented by Tom Haley were of the “boiler plate” variety, there was no discussion of the policies.

 

      A motion was made by Deane Kellison, seconded by Barbara Doughty, to accept the new policies as presented.

 

DEANE KELLISON             AYE

DAVE GOULET                    AYE

GORDON ELLIS                  NAY

BILL YEATON                      AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF   3-1

 

 

  1. Old/Unfinished Business

 

A.     Negotiations Update – Dawn Gosselin has emailed Barbara Doughty about wanting to begin negotiations.  Gordon Ellis and Barbara Doughty agreed to be the representatives of the School Board and David Goulet agreed to be an alternate negotiator.   

 

 

B.  Draft Budget – A draft 2008-2009 budget was distributed.

 

  1. Other Business

 

A.     Agenda Preparation – The current budget as well as the 2008-2009 budget, EYAA Fields update, bus routes, Negotiations update, and a new board secretary.

 

B.     Citizens’/Staff Comments – Lisa Bauer thanked Gordon Ellis for the murals that were painted provided by his stipend.  Mr. Ellis agreed to donate his current stipend for the same purpose as well if needed.  Barbara Doughty thanked the staff for the Mi-Te-Na trip and for seeking out an additional trip for the students to participate in.  Lisa Bauer recognized Mr. Connors for taking the heat from many parents and agreed that the students truly enjoyed their trip.  Mrs. Doughty wanted it to be known to parents that Mi-Te-Na was undertaking false advertising when they stated the nurse and EMT available.  Mr. Riel requested to know the Board stipend.  Mr. Riel also noted that the sign out front of the school is at an angle and irks him every time he drives by the school.

 

  1. Adjournment

 

The next scheduled meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th, at 6:00 PM.  The Chair, Ms. Barbara Doughty adjourned the meeting at 7:33 PM.