EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD

EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL

EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2007

MINUTES OF MEETINGS

PRESENT

Board Members: Barbara Doughty (Chair), Gordon Ellis, Deane Kellison

Superintendent of Schools: Tom Haley

Principal: Patrick Connors

Assistant Principal: Brian Beaverstock

Board Secretary:

Citizens/Staff: Jan Santuosso, Claire Flannery, Margaret Merrow, Layne Thomas, Stephen Berube, Suzanne Berube

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:08 P.M. by Barbara Doughty.

Pledge of Allegiance

Gordon Ellis led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Mr. Yeaton and Mr. Goulet had notified the board Chair they were not able to attend. Their absence was excused.

The October 3^rd, 2007, minutes were discussed. There was a mistake in the minutes in section 4D. The first section should read, “Barbara Doughty asked EYAA if she could use the gym for basketball practice if there were no EYAA basketball program.”

A motion was made by Gordon Ellis, seconded by Deane Kellison, to approve the October 3, 2007 minutes as revised.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS Abstain

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 2-0

Immediate Business

A. Agenda Review

Chair Barbara Doughty reviewed the agenda. A parent request (6A) was moved up in the agenda.

B. Citizens’/Staff Comments- There were no comments at the time.

C. Parent Request – Mr. and Mrs. Berube explained the situation they have with their daughter and her desire to attend Coe-Brown Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Berube explained where they live on Sunset Dr. The house sits in Epsom, their backyard is in Pittsfield, and their driveway, mail, phone, and 911 are Northwood. Their daughter is currently in private school and they are requesting to have their daughter attend Coe-Brown next year as a freshman. Coe-Brown’s tuition is more than Pembroke Academy. The Berube family agreed to pay the difference of the tuition if Epsom agreed to pay the same amount as Pembroke Academy’s.

A motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Gordon Ellis, to allow Katelyn Berube to attend Coe-Brown with the equivalent of the Pembroke Academy tuition to be paid by the Epsom School Board, pending her acceptance by Coe-Brown and the Pembroke School Board’s agreement.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

D. Fields Update- Mr. Ellis updated the Board with the progress of the fields. The Department of Environmental Services has declared our fields as wetlands. Mr. Ellis reported that we would need to have the Governor and Legislative Representatives to come to hear our side of the issue so that we can maintain the area as playing fields. Mr. Haley agreed that any avenues we can pursue to reach the Governor would be advantageous. Layne Thomas spoke about the possibility of utilizing his engineering firm on a pro-bono basis.

Mr. Ellis also stated that we still have a balance around $15,000 in FEMA money that we need to spend in fixing and protecting the fields. Mr. Ellis agreed to meet with Tom Rouillard tomorrow to discuss what other work could be completed. It was suggested to meet again prior to the end of the month to approve on the expenditure of funds.

E. Principal’s Report- The seventh grade had a fun time at Ferry Beach, ME on their overnight environmental trip. Veterans Day Assembly is set for this Friday at 9 AM. The Homework Survey results are included in the report. The Eighth grade trip deadline for signing up is November 20. Anyone signing up afterward will not be able to share in the group portion of the funds already raised. Mr. Connors recognized that there are a great number of parents that have been extremely active in helping organize and raise funds for the trip. The following funds were received into the Principal’s account: $1,189 from Hockmeyer Studio, $461.31 from Target, and $402 from the Deerfield Fair. NWEA testing will take place for grades 2-8 in January 2008.

F. Bus Routes Review- Tom Haley reported that he checked into the possibility of individual parents paying into the Epsom activity fund as a means of payment to allow ridership on the Chichester high school bus. The amount of room on the Chichester bus is unknown. Tom suggested that a letter from our Board to the Chichester Board be sent requesting permission for students to ride their bus if there was a group of parents requesting such an option. Deane Kellison felt that we should be providing a bus for Epsom High School students without hardship on families. Gordon Ellis noted that no other local towns provide this service. Barbara Doughty stated her frustration with the fact that it is difficult to impossible to receive parking passes from Pembroke Academy. Tom Haley noted that there is very limited space to be utilized for parking.

A motion was made by Gordon Ellis, seconded by Barbara Doughty, to not include a bus to Pembroke Academy for Epsom high school students in the 2008-2009 school budget.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

A motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Deane Kellison, to include the cost of providing a bus as a Warrant Article.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS NAY

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 2-1

G. Board Secretary- There was a suggestion to include an advertisement in the next Eagles Nest newsletter and list on EdJobs for a Board Secretary.

Old/Unfinished Business

A. Negotiations Update – Barbara Doughty reported on a few changes made to the existing contract that were negotiated. Some of the changes to the current contract were some language changes, a 3% increase in salary, changes in determining longevity years, and to have a team leader to participate in the school team leader meeting. The bottom line increase to the budget would be approximately 3% per year.

A motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Deane Kellison, to ratify the contract negotiated with the Epsom School Support Staff Association.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

B. Policy Development –

A motion was made by Gordon Ellis, seconded by Barbara Doughty, to approve the Summer Learning Activities Policy.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

C. Budget Update and Development – Tom Haley presented an updated current year budget. We currently contract out for speech services and this is what has brought our current budget shortfall. There is a general shortage for Speech/Language pathologist that has caused this.

The 2008-2009 budget was distributed by Mr. Haley and was discussed. Mr. Connors distributed a list of initiatives to be considered for the budget.

A motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Deane Kellison, to place the Asbestos Removal and Floor Replacement Initiative as a Warrant Article for $78,069.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS Abstain

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 2-0

Mr. Connors requested that the Reading Series initiative be included in the 2008-2009 budget for teaching consistency purposes in the primary to intermediate grades. The math program will be an initiative to be addressed for the 2009-2010 budget. The Board agreed to include this under line number 63.

Mr. Connors described his desire to purchase science kits and a new math program in future years. Deanne Kellison inquired about the costs for these programs as well as our current special education services. Tom Haley informed the Board as to the amounts received from Federal monies and foundation aid for special education services.

Other Business

A. Agenda Preparation – How to save money for future Washington trips, the 2008-2009 budget, fields update.

B. Citizens’/Staff Comments – Mr. Thomas inquired into the connection between EYAA and the Board. He was informed that there was no connection other than it was important for EYAA to communicate with the Board of their operations. Gordon Ellis wanted to compliment the Kitchen staff on their excellent report on their recent Health Inspection. Barbara Doughty also wished to provide her thanks and acknowledgment to the kitchen staff, custodial staff, administration, and secretaries for their work on the SAU Board meeting held in October. It was a tremendous effort. Mr. Connors informed the Board of an automated system that is being considered for purchase by the school.

C. The Board took a 5 minute recess.

D. At 8:29 PM, there was motion by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Deane Kellison, to move into Non-Pubic session under RSA 91-A:3IIc to discuss a student related matter. On a roll call vote, the Board voted:

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS ABSTAIN

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 2-0

Present: Barbara Doughty, Deane Kellison, Gordon Ellis, Pat Connors, Brian Beaverstock, Tom Haley.

At 8:53 PM, a motion was made by Barbara Doughty, seconded by Deane Kellison, to end the non-public session. On a roll call, the Board voted:

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

Chair Barbara Doughty noted that action had been taken in non-pubic session.

A motion was made by Deane Kellison, seconded by Gordon Ellis, to seal the minutes of the non-public session indefinitely. The Board voted:

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS AYE

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 3-0

Adjournment

The next scheduled meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5^th, at 6:00 PM.

A motion was made by Deane Kellison, seconded by Barbara Doughty, to adjourn the meeting.

BARBARA DOUGHTY AYE

DEANE KELLISON AYE

GORDON ELLIS Abstain

THE MOTION CARRIED ON A VOTE OF 2-0

The Chair, Ms. Barbara Doughty adjourned the meeting at 8:57 PM.