Tuesday,
PRESENT: Tom Haley, Clint Hanson, Tom Serafin, Rick Mitchell, Tammy Boucher, Ry Weisiger, Peter Warburton, Mike Reardon, Deb Bulkley, Sandy Valine (recording secretary), Ryan Quinn, Jon Marston, Suzanne Klink, Tom Petit, Will Markow, Kathy Hering, Krystal Kebler
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Clint Hanson called the meeting to order at
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Jan. 22 and Jan. 29
A motion to approve the minutes of the meetings dated
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
3. IMMEDIATE BUSINESS
A. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Reardon introduced a PA senior who requested permission
from the board to hang a poster(s) in the schools. The poster was related to a
A motion to approve the request was made by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
Mr. Serafin asked for a refresher regarding the policy. Mr. Hanson stated that the policy included the distribution of posters that are initiated by the school district or directly related to the school district. The board has approved exceptions in the past- for example most recently the Salvation Army.
There was discussion regarding if there’s a statement regarding the policy and any exceptions that could be made, and if approving this could harm the district in the future. Mr. Haley stated that the only “harm” could be if someone was denied, then the individual could ask for reasons why the decision was made and how other exceptions were made.
Blood Donor drives have been here and they are not necessarily initiated by the district. The bone marrow drive’s and Will’s request is to help people in need.
There was a question regarding a personal connection? Will
stated that that he heard about it through his Vocational class in
Mr. Hanson applauded his effort on behalf of the board to make a difference.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
B. PROGRAM REPORT: Co-Curricular Programs
Mr. Reardon introduced Suzanne Klink, the new Athletic Director. This position has evolved during the last few years. Organization of the program has been key and obviously this position is vital to the school. Everyone is impressed. She has the ability to deal with details. Leads people in a phenomenal manner. We are very lucky to have her.
Ms. Klink distributed handouts including the outline of offerings at PA-sports and clubs, Cost analysis per sport was provided as well as a listing of stipends. This is her first time presenting to the school board. She believes that co-curricular programs at PA are healthy and growing. 17 sports and 30 clubs are active. This year has been an eye opening experience, especially since it includes both sports and clubs. Meetings held regarding status of clubs and fundraising. One of her goals is to streamline fund raising throughout the year. She has implemented a system of advisors and coaches in order to keep a paper trail of what is occurring. PA has a huge athletic component. PA will stay in Class I and teams are competitive. Successful fall and winter seasons so far. Sports and clubs provide a positive experience for kids and we representing our schools in the best manner we can. In light of the present crisis, she understands the reasons why those specific sports are targeted and knows that the board does not want to have these programs affected. She has some ideas about how to cut costs rather than cut programs which would affect kids in a negative manner. She has been involved in researching of user fees. She’s used to being told to cut X amount of money and then she goes back to see how that can happen.
Mr. Serafin clarified the sentiment of budget committee. These are rough times and a rough year. If one parent from every family or sports team showed up to speak at a public hearing and/or the school district meeting there might be a very different result. The board and budget committee are not seeing the carry over of support from families and town to support the program after the first couple of years.
Mr. Hanson applauds the efforts of the Athletic Director to make recommendations.
Mr. Marston spoke regarding co-curricular programs at TRS. 350 students are involved at TRS. That number has been pretty steady over the years. They still struggle with the golf program and having a practice/match site during the last couple of years. Participation levels are steady. Fifth and sixth graders are not eligible to participate in some of the sports/activities. Uniforms are not funded through the school district and that is something that they struggle with as a school sponsored program. Uniforms look “tired”. Keeping kids on the teams has been more of a struggle during the last few years- ie. discipline and conduct. Overall program is up and running. Physical education program is remarkable. Kids getting Phys. Ed every other day for a full year! Staff is incredible! It seems as though kids are getting more of what they need and it is having a positive impact and hopefully it will also have a positive impact on the co-curricular program. They are trying to be creative with the transportation costs by doing “double-headers”. They are looking at some league issues and other potentials. The Co-curricular program is pretty strong at TRS.
Mr. Serafin asked about the opportunities for competitive levels outside of school sponsored programs. Many AAU programs are really more “recreational” than they were in the past. Mr. Marston stated that it doesn’t seem to affect the program for athletes. The programs have become more of a “pay to play” program but it does have an impact on the School-based Programs. NHIAA has specific rules. There are some conflicts of interest. The 3 sport athlete is fewer in number. It is often hard to make adjustments between the different types of programs. Increasing the number of participants is good on one hand and it has significant draw backs. At TRS we try to limit the number of cuts so that more kids can participate, however there are high standards both in terms of behavior and academics. In the last couple of years, kids making and maintaining appropriate choices has been more complicated. Cuts are the worse part of athletics!
Mr. Hanson clarified that the action that could be taken
would be following the School District Meeting in March.
Mr. Serafin stated that they hope that people who participate will attend the meeting.
C. CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda included three items:
o Acceptance of Gifts for Village, Hill and TRS- Alert Now System
o Field Trip Requests- Key Club and Anime Club
A motion to approve the consent agenda as presented was made by Ms. Boucher and seconded by Mr. Serafin.
Alert Now is an automated call service. Live calls and messages can be placed/left and then the schools can then call those families who had not been notified rather than calling all families as is the case at the elementary schools. The system can set up strands to call for example, certain groups: teachers, Yellow bus, only TRS
5 numbers per students can be called simultaneously. This is not budgeted for this year. Currently Pembroke is the only school in SAU without the program. Elementary schools pilot will be paid through PALS for K-8 for this year only and then PALS would anticipate that the budget would continue to fund the program
This system is working well in other districts. All other districts implemented it this year with very good results. It is wonderful service.
ALL IN FAVOR
THE MOTION CARRIED
Alert Now would not be in place for PA at this point. There currently is not a functional PTO or Parent Group for PA. The program would cost approximately $3/child. Mr. Haley would like a sense of the board to expend $3,000 to implement this program at PA. The board was in agreement that PA should be included in the Alert Now system.
Key Club’s field trip is a recurring request. Anime Club is not an incorporated club at this point.
o Prom Committee Request
Mr. Reardon reported on the request.
A motion to approve the request was made by Mr. Serafin and seconded by Mr. Mitchell.
In essence this theme would be promoting gambling. There are some risks and there was significant concern related to the theme and impact on both students and parents.
NONE IN FAVOR
ALL IN OPPOSITION
THE MOTION FAILED
4. OLD / UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. DISTRICT MEETING PLANNING
Tom Petit was present to review the plans for the
The warrant articles were reviewed. The deficit appropriation article does have an impact on the overall budget. Control over discretionary items is extremely tight. The budget is very lean and the budget committee was appreciative of the work that the schools and board have done.
There were questions about special education at the public
hearing. It is expected that there will
be questions and comments at the
B. BUDGET
UPDATE
There was discussion about the budget and information presented and heard at
the Public Hearing. The school board’s
focus should there be action from the floor to restore cuts, the instructional
staff would be first and then co-curricular programs.
The board needs to take action on the MS-27 tonight.
The warrant articles can be prepared with the recommendations of the budget committee.
5. OTHER BUSINESS None at this time
6. CITIZENS’
COMMENTS None at this time
7. ADJOURNMENT
The next school board meeting is Tuesday,
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A motion to adjourn the meeting at