TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2006
PRESENT: Tom Haley, Clint Hanson, Tom Serafin, Rick Mitchell, Gerry Fleury, Michael Reardon, Susanne Whitbeck, Deb Bulkley, Mona Sandberg, Sandy Valine (recording secretary), Peter Warburton, Pam Rouillard, Lisa Weaver,
1. CALL TO
ORDER
Chair Clint Hanson called the meeting to order at 7 PM in the PA Library.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 6/26/06
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Fleury.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
3. IMMEDIATE BUSINESS
A. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS None at this time
B. TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Normal bus routes were presented. The routes are identical to 2005 but a few stops may have shifted slightly.
Mrs. Beaudoin would be looking for at least preliminary approval at this meeting.
A motion to accept the draft travel of bus routes as presented was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
One request has been distributed to the board for consideration. Mr. Haley and Mrs. Beaudoin have reviewed the route. There is a concern about a lack of sidewalk, although there are many streets in Pembroke that do not have sidewalks. Mrs. Beaudoin has presented via Mr. Haley a couple of items for consideration regarding changes in routes.
Mr. Haley will invite Mrs. Beaudoin and the parent to the next school board meeting for further information.
C. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion to approve with the usual conditions was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
The request involved being able to attend the upcoming National Convention.
A motion to approve the field trip request was made by Mr. Serafin and seconded by Mr. Fleury.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
A motion to approve the Memo of Understanding was made by Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Fleury
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
The law reads that the Immunization Waiver for medical or religious reasons should be notarized; this request is not notarized. The board discussed whether they should take action now or wait until the document was notarized.
A motion to accept the waiver pending the receipt of a notarized copy prior to the beginning of school was made by Mr. Fleury, and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
There was discussion regarding the options if the notarized receipt is not received.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
D. SUMMER ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
major changes involved: Cell phones on during the day, high heels, healthier snacks, and greater emphasis for changing dismissal procedures in writing.
Few staffing changes: speech and language pathologist at Village; New first grade teacher replacing Mrs. Lister.
Enrollment is stable: K is smaller than usual at this time. It is currently down about 15-20; new children appear to be in fourth grade;
Facilities are in pretty good shape.
Hill and Village are waiting for some last minute cleaning to be
completed.
Program Changes: New Reading Program K-4, Harcourt Brace presentation during the first couple of days with additional staff development throughout the year.
Village BBQ is Wed. 9-13 at 5 PM
Home
Line painting machine is available to use for the footsteps being painted on the sidewalks. Over a million minutes were read last year.
Volunteers should sign some type of waiver to participate in the painting releasing the district from liability. Sherwin Williams will be contacted regarding the safety project information, and any additional product information that should be shared with volunteers Town Officials have been contacted and have given approval for the project.
Four new teachers- Math, LA in Eighth Grade; New Health Teacher; and a new PE Teacher from PA.
Paraprofessionals still open
No major changes to handbooks,
Enrollment is down- 361 at TRS currently
Facilities: little bit behind, quite a bit of painting done, landscaping done by Carol Ward, replaced carpeting in four rooms, now it’s the cleaning of the hallways. All classrooms are done.
New math books for 6th and 7th grade-
In eighth grade- Accelerated literature class for those in World Languages has been planned for implementation this year.
Large 9th grade class has been registered. There are currently 281 kids enrolled.
Fully staffed, 9 new staff except for those presented tonight
All classrooms are done, hallways need to be done, outside doors painted; security system updates involved readjustments in the cameras and lens to make them much clearer; trees were cut down; Courtyard is being redone. Re-keying classrooms is planned, Lobby changes are in process due to class gift; Irrigation system is functioning much better now that it is hooked to Town Water.
Pushing Our Limits- 200 kids participated (record); 90 kids in Summer School- saves resources and helps programming; PA Summer Institute 10th session this summer. Recommended classroom management strategies; reduce student cuts; revert to earlier mission statement; Legal advice regarding not taking exams if outstanding financial obligations have not been met. There is a 10% penalty for missing exams without justified cause; Graduation requirements were shared with the board for feedback.
The following are a few other highlights that were shared. Read 180 for Remedial Reading program, new computers in the computer section of the Library, new computers in Teacher work rooms, journalism class has a pod of computers, New programming for grading and attendance; Going to a House system- separating 2 assistant principals and teaming with the guidance office staff; work in tandem with teachers to address behavioral concerns; more efficient in getting to kids. The houses will be called: Blanchard and Walker (tied to the history of the Academy).
Dedication of the basketball court to Ed Cloe to be held.
Fifth block program: Title 5 monies used to help with academic study/ probation and additional support
Honor code is being developed. This will
be presented to the board for approval at a later date.
Music: looking at trying to arrange SAU wide transportation for music.
Goals for the school were shared.
OPEN HOUSE Th 9-14 beginning at 6:30 PM for PA
Questions and/or clarification regarding the following information was presented to the board:
Handbook changes,
Parking Lottery for performance on assessments
Computers
Goals for PA- quantifiable data reflected in the goals/benchmarks was positive
A motion to accept the changes to the Hill/Village and PA handbooks and reaffirm TRS’s handbook was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Haley presented a summary of the 2005-06 budget status. More details will be presented at a later date.
4. OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. GOALS REVIEW
School Board reviewed the draft of goals. The goals will be distributed at the beginning of school for additional feedback and the School Board will take action at the next meeting in Sept.
B. PEER RECOGNITION AWARD
Committee has met and discussed the nominees. This award will be presented on the first day of school for teachers. Mr. Serafin will present the award.
C. POLICY REVIEW
Approved district policies- Required by new state standards. Mr. Haley has worked on revising or creating policies to match the state standards compliance.
Take action at another meeting. Mr. Haley is looking for a reaffirmation in some cases, and the approval of new policies in others.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. COMPUTER PURCHASE PROGRAM
The board has approved in the past the staff being able to purchase at district prices.
A motion to reaffirm the current practice of computer purchase program through payroll deduction was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Fleury.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
Mr. Serafin shared information related to a recent audit that might be of interest to the district
B. NOMINATION/ELECTION OF STAFF
The following nominees were placed in consideration by Mr. Haley:
Alison Gelinas, Keegan Heavey, Caroline Thompson, and Ruth Cornwell
A motion to elect all of the above nominees to positions at PA as discussed was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Fleury.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
C. SELECTMEN’S REQUEST
School Board needs to endorse or not endorse a school resource officer.
A motion to approve the request was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.
There is no cost associated to the school district. The school would have input into the
selection process. The presence of an
officer in the school is a good idea.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
The Emergency Generator at
A motion to endorse the Emergency Generator Proposal and to ensure that the proper installation such that it doesn’t impact the health and safety of PA or the school district in any way was made by Mr. Fleury and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
There was discussion regarding the sound system at PA. Mr. Haley is working on obtaining prices of new equipment.
Recreation Commission: A school board representative to that group is needed. Mr. Hanson mentioned that the board would not appoint Mr. Weisiger just because he’s not here tonight. Mr. Mitchell is interested in serving on that committee.
D. NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
The board representatives (Mr. Weisiger and Mr. Hanson) reported on the status of negotiations. The Negotiation Teams are working toward “emerging negotiations”. The teams will be exchanging initial proposals prior to school. If fail to reach an agreement or impasse at the end of 2 weekend meetings, a tentative date with the Mediator has already been scheduled.
No special district meeting will be held if an agreement is not reached prior to the March timeline.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
A. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
There were a few questions about items on the agenda tonight.
Computer purchase: good program for the staff in the district.
Ms. Rouillard
Son attended, dropped out, and then re-enrolled at
There were some problems created in the past based on sports cuts.
There was discussion about a few concerns related to
Mr. Reardon recommended that the parent set up a meeting to get the answers to the questions being asked as a first step.
Updates regarding curriculum and issues are provided to board members generally at each meeting. The district’s goal setting meetings look at the information as well.
Re: Parking permits: If someone had no other way to get to school, then there are some parking spaces that can be utilized.
Ms. Weaver:
Thank you for the 2 week session for students to a new school! It was worth it and the child would like to help in the future if possible.
Are all school sports are funded through the budget?
Currently they are funded through the budget with several groups (Friends Of) assisting with some of the costs.
What is the Guidance ratio?
1 counselor: 250 students
Can have the same guidance counselor for multiple years?
Having the same counselor for multiple years is a goal the board works toward achieving
SAU Schools – Liaisons There is also an AREA Advisory Board which does have representation from the other towns in the SAU.
B. CIP UPDATE
Mr. Serafin shared information about the progress of the CIP and some of the items that will be put onto the schedule for the CIP.
C. CABLE TELEVISION
The District is at the equivalent of “impasse” with Comcast: 3 products- entertainment, digital phone and internet are part of the package. Comcast appears to be limiting the scope of what’s available. The Comcast contract will probably expire before an agreement can be reached in mid September. There are some federal legislation changes in the works.
Verizon can offer some of the projects, but they are not really competitive.
D. SOLID WASTE
Town is sending out an RFP to contract out for garbage removal. There are other items that are also happening. Capacity for town to pick up trash could potentially double, which would have a significant impact on the budget. If the tonnage expands too much more there will be huge consequences. There will be budget implications. There are new trash regulations that are not being pleasantly received by the community.
New Public Works director has been hired.
7. ADJOURNMENT
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING Sept. 12 at PA 7PM
8. INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS
VILLAGE BBQ is Wednesday, September 13 at 5 PM
PA OPEN HOUSE Thursday, September 14 beginning at 6:30 PM
HILL OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, September 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM in a motion by Mr. Serafin and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED