EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2008    6:00 P.M.

 

 

PRESENT

 

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

Assistant Superintendent of Schools:  Peter Warburton

Principal:  Patrick Connors

Assistant Principal:  Brian Beaverstock

Board Secretary:  Claire Flannery

 

Citizens/Staff:

Joan Pozner, Lane Thompsom, Kathy Conway

 

1.         Call to Order  – Ms. Doughty called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm

 

2.         Pledge of Allegiance – Mr. Ellis

 

3.         Minutes of Previous Meetings – Mr. Ellis requested that the last line in Item B be removed.  Mr. Goulet requested that wording be changed from people to students under Item 4 E.  Mr. Connors made specific requests for clarifications under Items 4 D and 4 E. Ms. Doughty requested that under Item 4 D the next meeting date be changed from April to March.

Mr. Goulet made the motion to accept the changes. Mr Yeaton seconded the motion.

                                              

                                                BARBARA DOUGHTY                    AYE

                                                GORDON ELLIS                              AYE

                                                DAVE GOULET                                AYE

                                                BILL YEATON                                  AYE

 

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 – 0

 

4.         Immediate Business

 

A. Agenda Review – Ms. Doughty requested moving up 5 C as the next item discussed on the agenda. Ms. Doughty stated that this will be Dave Goulet and Gordon Ellis’s last school board meeting as they will not be returning after this year.

 

            B.         Citizens’/Staff Comments:

 

C.                 Fields Preparation/Repair – Mr. Ellis stated that he spoke to Mr. Yeaton. Mr. Yeaton stated that work cannot be done until it freezes or until summer when it dries out. Mr. Thomas stated that he would look into the wetlands permit and prices on silt fence versus a sock. Mr. Thomas stated that the previous group who surveyed the land used a hand held GPS system. He stated that he will go out and survey the land using a GPS and robotic unit. When Mr. Thomas spoke to the previous organization they told him very few positives about the site. Mr. Thomas stated that the main concern was the historical photos that showed potential wetlands. He reported when looking at the pictures it was difficult to tell when the pictures were taken. Mr. Thomas spoke to DES who stated that if we pursue developing the fields we must see how the last fields were developed. It was stated that they were hay field prior to being made into playing fields. Mr. Thomas questioned if there had been a permit in order to accomplish it. Mr. Thomas said that we need to find out how the fields were created before moving on to fix the rest.

In looking at ways to repair the fields, Mr. Thomas said that mitigation is a possibility.  He stated mediation that has to do with wetlands and shoreline is also possible. Mr. Thomas stated mitigation would involve turning uplands into wetlands and that they might request we build the ball fields there.

D.                 EYAA- Mr. Thomas reported that Mr. Rouillard generously offered his home as a secure location to store it at this time. Mr. Thomas reported that EYAA approved the purchase of a new mower. Tim Reil will conduct a training session for those who will work with the machine. Mr. Thomas reported that a group of 8th grade students did a presentation about their upcoming field trip at the most recent EYAA meeting. Mr. Thomas stated that EYAA was very impressed and made a contribution to the trip. Mr. Thomas went on to report that there is a potential for dugout material. He inquired if there was electricity to the hut. Mr. Ellis stated that the poles are in place as well as the underground conduits; however, wires need to be run and put up. Ms. Doughty asked Mr. Thomas to look into how much it would cost to get a telephone and electricity installed.

 

Mr. Thomas reported that after their most recent meeting, EYAA decided to not take over Babe Ruth. Mr. Thomas reported their decision was based on the cost that would be involved.  Mr. Goulet asked about the February basketball tournament that took place over vacation. Ms. Doughty reported that the weather impacted the results. Ms. Doughty requested that Luis and Grant our custodians be thanked for the cleanliness of the gym during that time.

 

E.                  Principal’s Report – Mr. Connors reported that Epsom held their annual spelling bee. It was very competitive and lasted about 20 rounds. He reported that the spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held again by the support staff. The support staff sent home order forms for tickets. Mr. Connors reported that Read Across America is taking place this week.  One of the Monarch’s hockey players visited the school. He read

            “Z is for Zamboni”. The students asked the player a variety of questions.

             Mr. Connors reported that the player was enjoyed by all.

             Spring sports info was distributed just before vacation. Mr. Connors

             reported that Ms. Buff will  be the track coach and Ms. Lessier will be the

             softball coach. Mr. Beaverstock reported that the Words of Wisdom this

             month are about caring. Perseverance will be the word for the month of

             April. Mr. Beaverstock reported that another “My Voice” training is

             coming up. He stated that some members of the staff will attend. He              

              reported that certain members are putting this training toward graduate

              school credits.

            

 

F.                  Budget Update – Mr. Warburton reported that he would provide Epsom, and all districts, budget updates every month. He stated that Epsom is currently at a plus factor of $40,408. Mr. Connors stated that at this point only the real necessities are being purchased. Ms. Kellison asked if new science texts would come out of that budget. Mr. Connors stated that the new ELA text would be coming out of next year’s budget. Mr. Connors stated that the science books were originally planned to be purchased this year for a slated cost of $7,255. However, due to unexpected costs, the budget had to be put on hold. Therefore, Mr. Connors stated, the book purchase was moved to next year’s budget.

Mr. Yeaton stated that he will donate his stipend to the 8th grade trip. Mr. Ellis inquired about the cost and fees for students and chaperones. Mr. Connors explained that the company built in a cost for chaperones into the overall cost. Mr. Connors reported that the bus for the field trip is now full.  He stated that up to this point the 8th grade has raised over $10,000. Mr. Beaverstock thanked for all who attended the Applebee’s fundraiser breakfast including Mr. Ellis and Mr. Goulet.

 

5.         Old/Unfinished Busines

A. Reaffirm Investment Policy – Mr. Ellis made a motion to continue with the

current investment policy. Mr. Goulet asked about the role of internal controls.

Mr. Warburton explained that it is anytime a school receives or expends money.

Mr. Ellis made a motion to continue with the currently investment policy. Ms.

Doughty seconded it.

                                                BARBARA DOUGHTY                    AYE

                                                GORDON ELLIS                              AYE

                                                DAVE GOULET                                AYE

                                                BILL YEATON                                  AYE

 

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 – 0

 

 

 

            B.   School Calendar, 2008/09 – Mr. Connors asked the board to think about

                   April vacation. He reported that in a proposal, the staff asked for vacation to                       

                   be moved to 27th through the 31st. The second item Mr. Connors asked the

                   board to consider is to have early release days common with other schools in

                   the district.  He stated that we may not match all days, but making most

                   days common would be beneficial. Mr. Connors stated that common early

                  dismissal days would promoted staff interaction with other schools. Mr.

                   Warburton stated that the goal is to look at least 3 or 4 days to match schools.

                   He stated that we have a lot of expertise in our district and it would benefit

                   staff to share with each other. Mr. Connors stated that they tried to be 

                    consistent with it occurring on the same day each month to assist parents this

                     year. He reported that they are working to do so for next year as well              

                  

                   .     

       

 

C.                 Staff Request – Ms. Conway requested to take the rest of the school year. Ms. Conway stated that would like to take the time be with her new baby. She reported that she has met with her team. Ms. Conway stated that she is planning on returning next school year. Ms. Conway stated that she will meet with her team and her substitute to make sure that the curriculum is getting covered for the rest of the year. Mr. Warburton stated that we have highly qualified staff covering for Ms. Conway. Mr. Ellis made a motion that we grant her leave with the caveat that granting such permission is a one time occurrence. Mr. Goulet seconded the motion.

 

                                               BARBARA DOUGHTY                     AYE

                                                GORDON ELLIS                              AYE

                                                DAVE GOULET                                AYE

                                                BILL YEATON                                  AYE

 

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 4 – 0

 

6.         Other Business

 

A.     Agenda Preparation – Mr. Warbuton requested to plan the June meeting at this

      time. A get together in honor of Tom Haley is planned to occur prior to the

      start of the board meeting. The meeting will take place on June 4th at  E.C.S.

 

 

7. Adjournment

 

Hearing no further business, Chair Barbara Doughty declared the meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M.

A meeting for March 19th at 6:30 pm at E.C.S. has been tentatively scheduled.  The next regular meeting of the Epsom School Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. at E.C.S.