PRESENT: Tom Haley, Clint Hanson, Ry Weisiger, Gerry Fleury, Tom Serafin, Rick Mitchell, Mike Reardon, Susanne Whitbeck, Sandy Valine (recording secretary), Jonathan Burnham, Margie Poznanski, Luanne Adams, Emily Hebert
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Clint Hanson called the meeting to order at
2. MINUTES OF
PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion to accept the minutes of the meeting was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Weisiger.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
3. IMMEDIATE
BUSINESS
A. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS none at this time
B. MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR
Jonathan Burnham has accepted the position of Maintenance
Director. He will be starting
The district will be developing the budget very shortly. Mr. Weisiger and Mr. Fleury will schedule meetings with Mr. Aubrey and Mr. Burnham to do a rooftop to floor building inspection.
“Proactive and planned, Mr. Fleury stated, is what we need for the district.”
The inside the buildings are fine, grounds have a tendency to become the “stepchild” of the process. Looking for priorities from the Maintenance Director to do both or at least keep both in check. The board will be looking for expertise and feedback from Mr. Burnham.
We do sub a fair bit of grounds-work out, is that the best decision from the district? Mr. Burnham stated that he will be looking at this issue very soon based on conversations with people that have been contacted already. Look carefully that all buildings are kept in the circle. Welcome and look forward to working with you
C. CONSENT AGENDA
There were items to put on the agenda.
Mr. Haley emailed the letter to board members earlier this week.
In case of
inclement weather for the Tail Gate Trick or Treat party, the Pembroke Women’s
Club would like to use the facilities at
A motion to approve the use of facilities for the Pembroke Women’s Club for this day was made by Mr. Weisiger and seconded by Mr. Fleury.
Setting precedent is a concern of the board. The perception of any action taken tonight is also a concern. There was discussion about the obligation of the district. This is a new event. The district would have to pay out of pocket to cover the costs associated with the custodian’s time.
Several members share the concerns expressed, but also know that the group has done quite a bit to help the children of Pembroke and would like to not “ruffle the feathers”.
Mr. Haley made a suggestion to find someone who might act as custodian. There was discussion about the concerns related to setting a precedent to having a volunteer do the work of a paid district employee. Look at other possible funding sources. This use of facility would be only in case of inclement weather.
A motion to table the motion until further information is provided was made by
Mr. Serafin and seconded by Mr. Fleury.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
In the budget process, add money to cover this type of situation was a suggestion.
Another item presented for the consent agenda.
A motion to approve the additional bus stop was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
D. TAX RATE PROJECTIONS
Not done as well with non-AREA students numbers this year to date.
The drop out rate has continued to decrease; however there appear to be many more families moving between towns and out of state, as well as custody issues.
There was discussion related to the district numbers (enrollment), the state funding levels and what the board should keep in mind when making financial decisions.
A motion to confirm the previous Board vote to approve the use of $100,000 of special education trust fund monies and $12,175 of equipment trust fund monies was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
Mr. Fleury stated for the record that he does not feel that it is a conflict of interest to vote on this item as trustee of trust fund.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
4. OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. POLICY REVIEW/DEVELOPMENT
A motion to approve the policy on Daily Physical Activity Policy (JLCF) was made by Mr. Serafin and seconded by Mr. Weisiger.
FOUR IN FAVOR
ONE ABSTENTION
THE MOTION CARRIED
A request was made by a board member to follow up on the TRS “recess” and lunch time routines at another meeting.
B. CIP COMMITTEE UPDATE
Mr. Serafin still has not been contacted about the committee.
Town has received information about how to get in touch with Tom Serafin. Mr. Serafin has again contacted the Town Administrator and left a message.
The track installers do recommend a resurfacing every 5 years but most organizations do it in approximately 6-7 years. Projected cost is $25,000.
”Mr. Serafin was right the first time and Mr. Reardon validated it tonight.”
C. PROGRAM REPORT SCHEDULE
Add: Library-
A program that addresses K-12 skill continuity is necessary.
The students need to know the tools to use the library before they reach the Academy. This needs to be taught by a certified librarian.
We need an update the board upon what is happening in all of the buildings in regard to the libraries and their programs.
Are the schools using the Town Librarian and/or the Town Library to teach these important library skills? Instruction is critical. It needs to be addressed on the K-12 level.
There is a certified Librarian at PA. A certified educator at Hill/Village is present and possibly also at TRS. A Librarian Aide has been in place for a number of years at both elementary buildings.
Other topics of interest to board members:
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. EVALUATION PLAN UPDATE
Mr. Haley thanked committee members of the Evaluation Plan Review Committee. The committee was charged with conducting a review of Teacher Evaluation Model currently adopted by the board.
The plan was written in 1989, but many district wide committee members including administrators.
Mr. Haley had been hearing concerns raised about its effectiveness. It was time to review the policy. Committee met many times since the spring with good representation of each level and the Association.
The committee endorsed keeping the model pretty much intact. There were minor alternations to the current policy. The EAP has also endorsed the changes.
Ms. Kraus reviewed the major changes to the policy. Often the changes were in regard to wording and placement within the document.
Most of the deletions are included elsewhere in the document. Word choice may also be impacted.
The current plan always had 3 parts: Formative, Summative and Intensive
Ms. Poznanski (President of the EAP) stated that when evaluation first was drafted it was very much on the cutting edge of teacher evaluations. It’s a very good plan. It provides for and allows a great deal of professionalism for teachers and overall respect and allows administrators the flexibility to tailor supervision.
Association was well represented on this committee and the EAP thanks the committee.
It was a good plan to begin with.
The overall EAP board liked the fact that the intensive plan was looked at closely and the forms were developed.
Mr. Haley stated that he was impressed that List of Criteria for Effective Teaching was included, but also provided research behind some of the strategies. Charlotte Danielson (author) has provided permission to use her forms.
This plan helped to further clarify information about process and documentation.
A motion to waive the policy to take action on the policy tonight was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Weisiger.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
A motion to approve the plan as presented was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Weisiger.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
Dictionary consultation about evaluatee:
6. OTHER BUSINESS
A. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
Funding sources-
Community service projects- eco phones
In Webster raised $125 for the school
Program for the economy
Pay for shipping, labels
Collect phones and ink cartridges, checks made out to schools
B.
A motion to declare
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at
8. INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS
New Hampshire School Board Institute upcoming meeting. Any interest?
Series of workshops $100
Mr. Haley has the information if you need to make copies.
Board recognition for those that participated in Hurricane Relief programs
NEXT
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
AREA meeting to be held on