EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL 

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY, January 2, 2008           6:00 PM

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

 

PRESENT

 

Board Members:  Barbara Doughty (Chair), Dave Goulet, Bill Yeaton

Superintendent of Schools:  Tom Haley

Principal:  Patrick Connors

Assistant Principal:  Brian Beaverstock

Board Secretary:  Claire Flannery

Citizens/Staff: Joann Teune, Lane Thomas, Cheryl Gilpatrick

 

  1. Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by Barbara Doughty.

 

  1. Pledge of Allegiance

 

Dave Goulet led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. Minutes of Previous Meetings- After the minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed a motion was made by Mr. Yeaton to accept the minutes as written. Ms. Doughty seconded the motion.

                             

                              DAVE GOULET                            AYE

                              BARBARA DOUGHTY                AYE

                              BILL YEATON                              AYE

                              THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

 

4.      Immediate Business

A.    Agenda Review- Ms. Doughty reviewed the agenda. Ms. Doughty noted that Mr. Gordon Ellis is excused from today’s meeting.  Ms. Doughty pointed out that Judy Snell, 5th grade teacher, was on the cover of the local newspaper. Ms. Doughty complimented the staff on clearing the roof after the latest snowstorm.

B.     Citizen’s/Staff Comments: Mr. Lane Thomas announced he is the new EYAA president.

C.     Fields Update- Mr. Thomas inquired about his role in the project.  Ms. Doughty stated that Mr. Ellis would contact him in the following weeks. It was determined that due to the snow we are at a standstill.

D.    Principal’s Report- Mr. Connors reported that we held our annual geography bee. Luke Andrews, Evan Hall and Brianna Douglas all tied for third place. Emily Belanger placed second and Kevin Kezar won first place. The first place winner will take a written test to determine if he will qualify to compete at Keene State College. It was reported that about hundred cards were sent out to the troops.  Mr. Connors announced that “The Alert Now” phone system would be put into place. A test will take place this Friday, January 4, 2008 at 6 am. The call will be made to the homes of staff and students. A letter will be sent home on January 3rd indicating that the test will take place. With the “Alert Now” system in place, Mr. Connors requested that the number of radio and TV stations he notifies to be limited to one each.

E.     Future Gym Use- Ms. Doughty stated that Tom Brackett would like to use the gym for a February basketball tournament. This would take place during February break. The school could stand to make a minimum of $3,000 from this event. The Epsom team could enter the tournament free of charge. Ms. Doughty suggested that the money earned could be used for new basketball uniforms. The board was agreement on letting Mr. Brackett use the gym.

 

  1. Old/Unfinished Business

 

A.    Budget Update and Development- Ms. Doughty stated that we are prepared for the tomorrow’s Budget Committee meeting. At the previous Committee meeting Ms. Doughty attended, she reported that they handed out a local trust fund report. The report indicated there are two trusts under Epsom School District. One was identified as a technology trust that was set up based on donations. This has a current balance of about $600. The other trust was under the “Epsom School Construction and Renovation Trust”. The specifics of this trust will be reviewed further. In other news, Mr. Haley reported that we are in an $11,895 deficit as of today. Mr. Haley suggested that $12,000 be reserved to cover this deficit. He recommended that the amount be left in the budget, but make sure that $12,000 in total is reserved. Mr. Haley forecast that from this point forward the budget deficit would likely decrease. He stated that we do not seem to have any significant financial problems at this point that cannot be addressed. He applauded Mr. Connors for his financial management.

     

      Mr. Goulet had questions pertaining to the warrant items. Mr. Goulet asked for clarification for items titled: Debt service, Capital Reserve, and Principal and Interest. Mr. Haley explained that we carried those lines over in the event that money is placed into those lines or it is needed to be moved out of those areas. Mr. Yeaton asked if we needed item #2. After discussing building repairs were discussed and it was determined that the line item #2 was necessary.

 

B.   District Meeting Planning- Discussed in the above notes.

            

 

 

 

 

 

6.         Other Business

 

A.  Agenda Preparation- The next meeting will be on February 7, 2008 at 5:30. A deliberative session will take place at 6:30 on February 7, 2008. Mr. Beaverstock requested a review of My Voice results for the next meeting.

 

B.  Citizen’s/Staff Comments- Cheryl Gilpatrick spoke as a parent of an eight grade student. Ms. Gilpatrick stated that the parents concerned about the upcoming 8th grade field trip. She reported that parents are specifically concerned about the chaperones that will be attending. Ms. Gilpatrick stated that she is not requesting that the trip be stopped for next year; however, she is concerned about the process of chaperone selection. She stated that she along with many parents would like to attend the trip, however, as it stands parents cannot attend. Mr. Connors explained the process and how the number of staff selected as chaperones was determined. He reported that a second bus is trying to be arranged.  He stated at this point there is not enough space to fit all of the students and staff on one bus. Ms. Gilpatrick stated her concern with the fact that the cost of the staff to attend is included in the overall cost. She also stated that parents are concerned about the cost and coverage of staff who will chaperone the trip.  Ms. Doughty restated to Ms. Gilpatrick that the community is concerned about the cost of substitutes. Mr. Connors stated that the value of staff attending the trip is vital because of the familiarity they have with students. Mr. Goulet pointed out that teachers could recognize students when they are out in public versus a parent who may not be visually familiar with the student. Ms. Gilpatrick stated that she has invested a great deal of time working on fundraising. She is greatly concerned because under the current plan, she has to pay in order to attend.  As a single parent, Ms. Gilpatrick stated, this trip would be very costly.

 

      Mr. Connors stated that we are still working on arrangements for another bus. He also stated that he would be willing to rent a van if necessary. Ms. Teune commented that staff members recently applauded the parents on their fundraising efforts. Mr. Goulet inquired if fundraising could be done for parents to attend. Mr. Haley stated that it would problematic according to the original plan.  It was determined that they will look at the issue once the price is determined. Ms. Gilpatrick reported that the PTO is giving the eighth grade their winter carnival proceeds at no cost to them.

                       

7.   Adjournment

 

      Hearing no further business, Chair Barbara Doughty declared the meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm.

 

      The next regular meeting of the Epsom School Board is scheduled for Thursday February 7, 2008 at 5:30 P.M. at E.C.S.