PEMBROKE SCHOOL BOARD

PEMBROKE ACADEMY

PEMBROKE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

 

PRESENT:  Clint Hanson, Tom Haley, Peter Warburton, Mike Reardon, Deb Bulkley, Ryan Quinn, Rick Mitchell, Tammy Boucher, Sandy Valine (recording secretary), Tom Serafin, Ry Weisiger, Ann Marie Morse, Chief Scott Lane, Sarah Ames, Ritza Gullo, Jenn Philbrick, Lisa Gilbert,

 

1.       CALL TO ORDER

Chair Clint Hanson called the meeting to order at 7PM in the PA Library.

 

2.       MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

A motion to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2007 meeting made by Mr. Serafin and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.

ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED

 

3.       IMMEDIATE BUSINESS

          A.      CITIZENS’ COMMENTS                   None at this time

 

          B.       HILL SCHOOL DROP OFF PROCEDURE

Mr. Quinn updated the board as to the status of the new Hill School Drop Off and Pick Up procedures.  He has met with Chief Lane and Chief Paulsen.  Mr. Quinn stated that both chiefs are in support of the new process.  Chief Lane attended two meetings at the school.  There was a meeting with parents and approximately 10 parents attended.  There was also a neighborhood meeting in which one couple attended.  

 

Lisa Gilbert said that she attended the parent meeting.  She really likes the new drop off area.  She stated that it is much safer for the children.  It is a wonderful idea.  She has used the previous system and felt strongly that the positives outweigh the negatives.

 

Another parent (Ms. Gullo) also attended the meeting. Having the buses and cars using same system is very dangerous. The previous system was very inefficient at Pick up.   The new system is efficient and much safer.  Teachers moderate the traffic flow and are very concerned about the safety of the kids.

Safety is the key.  Realize it’s probably inconvenient for the people on the street; however it is limited to approximately 30-40 minutes twice a day.  If a child got hurt, wouldn’t that be significantly worse? 

 

Chief Lane stated that this is not a new problem!  The school administration has wrestled with the problem for much of Ms. Whitbeck’s tenure as principal, but this idea worked.  Small children, cars and buses in the same area are a recipe for disaster.

 

A motion to take this topic off the table was made by Mr. Weisiger and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.

ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED

Mr. Hanson reminded the board that the citizens’ request was to revert to the drop off/pick up procedures of the past.

 

ZERO IN FAVOR

ALL IN OPPOSITION
THE MOTION FAILED

 

          C.       CONSENT AGENDA

o       REQUEST FOR NON-RESIDENT ENROLLMENT

A motion to approve the request for non-resident enrollment was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Ms. Boucher.

 

The request is for the remainder of this first quarter.

ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED

 

o       ADDITIONAL NECESSARY POLICY   (IHCA)

This is a policy required by the new state standards which was overlooked during the policy update.

 

The school board association does not have a sample.  Mr. Haley presented a draft policy.

 

Mr. Serafin made a motion to waive the policy on adopting policies, and Mr. Mitchell seconded.

ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED

A motion to approve the policy as drafted was made by Mr. Serafin and seconded by Ms. Boucher

ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED

           

o       REQUEST TO USE TAX ID NUMBER FOR FRIENDS OF HOCKEY

This is the first time there has been a request of this type.  The request is because of possible donations. 
Mr. Hanson suggests that the Superintendent contact legal counsel to obtain guidance regarding the use of our tax id number and liability.

 

Mr. Serafin agrees to have the consultation.  He also shared a concern about the cost of the investigation.

 

The chair tabled this topic until legal counsel has been consulted.

 

          D.      BUDGET REVIEW/DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Haley updated the board as to the status of the budget.  There has been a significant impact to the budget through special education lines.  The budget committee has been consulted and apprised of the situation.

 

There have been some offers of assistance and understanding.  The administration has also met with principals.  The budget is frozen at this time.

Mr. Haley stated that the district appears to have identified monies that are close to the figure in deficit through money in the budget and trust fund.  The administration is continuing to look for additional ways to address the costs.  There may be some other unanticipated students requiring placements.  The board will be updated as information becomes available.

 

Mr. Serafin requested that the budget freeze impact items be presented for the budget committee meeting on Thursday.  Mr. Haley will compile two lists and get it to Mr. Serafin before the meeting.

 

The budget process for 2008-09 is underway.  Mr. Haley asked if the board had any feedback on how to go further with the budget development.  Mr. Hanson stated that he did not recommend that they change the process at this point and recognizes that all are aware of the demands of a deficit. He wants the administration to present the items and information they need to meet the needs of the schools and students.

 

Mr. Weisiger requested that Mr. Burnham get in touch with the representatives of the Maintenance/Facility committee to schedule a meeting.

 

Mr. Serafin requests that we look more closely at the trust funds and necessities of various upcoming projects.  We may need to fund some through the budget process.

 

4.       OLD/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

          A.      TRIMESTER PLANNING

A letter to the EAP was sent and a response has been received regarding the possible change to Trimesters at the Academy.  A conversation should be scheduled between the board and representatives of the EAP. The board will be updated following the meeting.

Mr. Reardon stated that the scheduling process will be significantly impacted.  Mr. Reardon stated that a “cut off” date of the end of November would be ideal.

 

Ms. Boucher recommends that the whole board participate in the initial conversation.

It would be an official school board meeting.  Mr. Hanson reminded the board that at any time that 3 or more members of the board attend a gathering, it is considered a meeting.

 

5.       OTHER BUSINESS

          A.      CITIZENS’ COMMENTS         

Ms. Gilbert wanted to commend the board on their selection of Ryan Quinn as principal of the Hill and Village Schools.  He is very friendly and personally greets students.  Parents and students really like him. He is very approachable and it is very much appreciated.

 

          B.       NON PUBLIC SESSION

At 7:37 P.M. a motion was made by Tammy Boucher, seconded by Rick Mitchell, to enter

non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II(c) to discuss a personnel matter.  On a roll call,

the school board voted:

                                                Clint Hanson                    YES

                                                Tammy Boucher                YES

                                                Rick Mitchell                   YES

                                                Tom Serafin                    YES

                                                Ry Weisiger                    YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

PRESENT: Mr. Hanson, Ms. Boucher, Mr.  Mitchell, Mr. Serafin, Mr. Weisiger, Mr. Haley.

The board discussed a personnel matter.

 

At 7:55 P.M. a motion to end the non-public session was made by Mr. Serafin, seconded

by Mr. Weisiger.  On a roll call, the school board voted:

                                                Clint Hanson                    YES

                                                Gerry Fleury                   YES

                                                Rick Mitchell                   YES

                                                Tom Serafin                    YES

                                                Ry Weisiger                    YES

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

Chair Clint Hanson noted that no action had been taken by the board during the non-

public session.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Weisiger, seconded by Ms. Boucher to declare the Pembroke

School Board’s intent to nominate Assistant Superintendent Peter Warburton as the next

Superintendent of SAU #53 at the upcoming SAU Board Meeting on October 24, 2007, and further to seek support for his election from the members of the other SAU #53 School Boards.

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

 

The Pembroke Board asked Superintendent Tom Haley to communicate this vote to the

members of other school boards.

 

6.    ADJOURNMENT

 

At 8:05 P.M., a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Tom Serafin, seconded by

Rick Mitchell.

ALL IN FAVOR

THE MOTION CARRIED

The next scheduled Pembroke School Board meeting will be Tuesday, October 23, 2007

beginning at 6:30 P.M. at Pembroke Village School.

 

 

7.       INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

CPI  has an upcoming meeting.

PALS clarification on background checks was requested.  There is a current policy.  Any volunteer who may be “alone” with students would need a background check.  Additional information was received. The SAU covers the cost of the background check.  Prices have increased.  There is money in the budget for that item.

 

Delegate Assembly           Nov. 17        Mr. Mitchell is the representative.

Mr. Hanson distributed the resolutions.  Resolutions are voted on by delegates, not the board of directors.

 

SAU Executive Committee is scheduled for 10/22.

SAU Board is scheduled for 10/24 in Epsom.