ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
June 1, 2009
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charlie Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Christopher Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, Andrea Allbee, Bruce Downer, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, FACT-TV, Eagle Times
MINUTES
Charlie Jarras, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim Doherty.
3. Adjustments to Agenda: Johanna added 10c under Unfinished Business – update on a paraprofessional. Cheryl added an executive session for a personnel matter.
Charlie asked Andrea to bring the warrants – current and previous – to the next meeting for Board review.
4. Review and Approve Minutes of May 4, 2009: Jim moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Mike seconded and the motion carried.
Special Education Report – Sharon Reynolds: Sharon reviewed the work plan (green sheets) and other materials which the Board received in their packets. The Board also received copies of the forms which are filled out by the SPED case managers. Sharon talked about scoring the 28 SPED staff on their work, and their response which was to bring their scores up. Both Bruce and Cheryl found this system valuable. Sharon said Bellows Falls needs to do a better job on its programs to address behavioral problems, autism and life skills, and this will be addressed over the summer. She called attention to the statistical pages she handed out tonight, and the Rockingham Board Goal #2 Measurements. Sharon complimented the Special Ed staff and said they work very hard. Charlie said today
is Sharon’s one-year anniversary here, and she’s made great progress and did a wonderful job on her presentation tonight.
Visitors: Misty Haskell, PTO President at Central Elementary School, came to express her dissatisfaction that the “Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program” at the school ran out of grant funds because a particular form was not sent in to pay for the food. Johanna responded that it was her mistake and apologized. Jim asked Johanna for a financial report at the next meeting. Mike wondered about asking our lawmakers to help get the money returned. The Board thanked Misty and other parents for keeping the program going for the rest of the year with fundraising and money from their own pockets. Hopefully it won’t hurt the chances of getting the grant next year. Board Members expressed their displeasure over the situation.
Communications – Chair: None.
Committees and Other Projects:
Article 6 Study Committee: Tim reported that it went well in Westminster; BFUHS had concerns about grade configuration; and Grafton is not interested right now. Chris is sending Westminster an invitation to be on a joint committee. The next meeting is June 15th. You are welcome to send your thoughts to msideas@wnesu.net. Chris has a draft report from the energy consultant available for the Board’s perusal.
Executive Committee: This is comprised of the Chairs of the five boards and met last week to evaluate the Superintendent. Charlie will talk about it more in executive session.
WNESU Medicaid Committee: They met in April and Chris would like to schedule a presentation for the next meeting.
Reports:
Financial: Andrea handed out the 2008 audit and a corrective plan, manage-ment letter and her response. She received a list of questions for the Auditor from Jim, and will ask the Auditor to come on Tuesday, June 16th from 5 to 7 PM at the SU. The financial statement was in the packet and was discussed. Jim asked for a report explaining Rockingham’s cash position and borrowings at the next meeting. Andrea answered several questions from the Board and discussed the deficit. She identified some of the expenses which have increased, and was asked to prepare a list and bring it to the next and future meetings.
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna said when she reduced in force the seven paraprofessionals there was not 30 days for the appropriate notice. She will come up with a plan to pay for a certain number of days out of non-taxpayer money by the next meeting.
Principals: Bruce announced Central Elementary is having a book fair this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Cheryl announced Tour Night at the Middle School for families to come and tour the building. Mike gave recognition to the bands at BFMS and BFUHS for their outstanding participation in the Memorial Day Observance. Cheryl talked about the 21st Century Program.
Unfinished Business:
NECAP Sub-Group Information: Chris will answer questions on the information he handed out tonight.
NECAP – Bruce Downer: Moved to the next meeting due to time.
Johanna asked for authorization to move a paraprofessional to Step 3. Mike moved to authorize the Superintendent to move Patricia Walters to Step 3 for the remainder of the school year; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
New Business:
Approve the Sale of Two School Buses: Jim moved to approve the sale of two Rockingham school buses; Mike seconded and the motion carried. Charlie offered free advertising on FACT-TV as a public service.
Award Audit Bid: Andrea recommends hiring Fothergill, Segale & Valley again, but the Board chose to wait until after the meeting with the Auditor later this month.
Review/Discuss/Action – LEAP: Sharon said this is done every year. Mike moved to authorize our WNESU representatives to vote for the LEAP at the June 24th WNESU meeting. Jim seconded and the motion carried.
Approve Additional Fuel Oil Purchase: This will be discussed in executive session.
Action Items: Mike reviewed his list and recommended that any oil spill discussion be held in executive session. Mike reviewed and assigned dates to several action items.
Directors’ Comments: The Board received an e-mail letter from Jan Mitchell-Love praising Principal Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas on her excellent performance and positive things she is doing. Tim asked that it be made part of the record of tonight’s meeting.
Joe expressed thanks to Misty Haskell and the PTO at Central School for keeping the fresh food program going for the rest of the school year.
Jim talked about the impact on taxpayers of the refusal by employees to contribute one percent of their salary to help defray costs, and recalled Priscilla Lambert’s offer to volunteer her fundraising efforts instead. Jim moved to accept Priscilla Lambert’s offer; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
The next meeting is June 15, 2009 at 7 PM at BFMS with an Article 6 Study Committee meeting at 5:30.
Executive Session: Mike moved to go into executive session at 9:15 PM; Tim seconded and the motion carried. There was no action taken.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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