ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
August 17, 2009
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charlie Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Andrea Allbee, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, David Lesser, Bruce Downer, FACT-TV
MINUTES
Charlie Jarras, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim Doherty.
Review Warrants: The warrants are made available for Board review during the meeting, and Charlie said to peruse them closely this time.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Add 14b. Appoint Elaine Kraiger; add 14c. Appoint fall coaches at Bellows Falls Middle School.
Review and Approve Minutes of August 3, 2009: Jim moved to accept the Minutes of August 3, 2009 as presented; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: Charlie welcomed three teachers who were in the audience.
Communications – Chair: Charlie observed that the Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers for foliage season and suggested it as community service for BFMS students. Cheryl will contact the Chamber Director.
Committee and Other Projects:
Article 6 Study Committee: A meeting is scheduled for October 1 at 5:30 PM at BFMS.
First Reading of Administrative Professional Development Requests (Code C7): Johanna added the wording “beyond the contract” after “resources” as requested by the Board. Jim moved to adopt the Administrative Professional Development Requests with the requested change at the next meeting; Mike seconded and the motion carried.
10. Reports:
Financial:
Review August 3rd Financial Report: Andrea stated that Rockingham is receiving all of the State aid for the construction at Saxtons River Elementary of $212,084 and will receive $189,334 for Central, leaving $129,000 due, and can pay off the balance of the loan and the interest. Johanna is working with Mike Obuchowski on the balance. Rockingham is also receiving oil spill money. The financials received on August 5th for the period ending 6/30/09 showed a loss of $113,000 versus a surplus of $20,000 reported on July 1st. This was caused by a drop in revenue of $100,000 and an increase in expense of $35,000. The timing of the information is not acceptable, and Jim reiterated that the quality of the interim financial statements has got to
improve.
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna distributed a budget timeline for discussion and changes. The date for the “First Look” was changed to Thursday, September 24 at 7 PM and the other October dates to Thursdays. (Thursday meetings will not be held on October 8th or 15th.) The budget for 2011 should have a zero increase in expense as the taxpayers in Rockingham need a break after the double-digit increase this year.
Johanna spoke about a workshop attended by the Administrative team in Killington a couple of weeks ago; the Board will receive a report on Special Ed monitoring.
Principals:
Summary of Evaluation Process: Cherie reviewed the material in the packet and addressed questions from the Board. Test scores were discussed. The Board thanked Cherie for her report.
WNESU: There was discussion of the ad in the Weekend Reformer for a part-time business manager which Rockingham members voted against at the last SU meeting. The position will be paid for by grants and there was discussion of its duties.
Unfinished Business:
Request to Purchase Computers on Behalf of Faculty and Staff: This was changed to specify “non-professional employees” and state that they must have completed three years in the District. Tim moved to adopt the Procedure for District Support for Non-Professional Staff Purchases of Technology with those changes. Mike seconded and the motion carried.
New Business:
Request for Additional BFMS Office Staff: This is Cherie’s request from last meeting to restore the Attendance Secretary position at the Middle School from .2 to .6. Jim asked for an exhibit by school of all of the grant-funded positions in existence in this fiscal year. He would approve restoring the position to .4 which eliminates insurance benefits. Cherie explained the scope and confidential nature of the position. Joe moved to approve restoration of the Attendance Secretary Position at BFMS to .6; Tim seconded and the motion carried 3-1 with Jim voting no.
Review/Discuss Parks Place Agreement: Johanna has met with Barbara Ternes, Director of Parks Place, and these are requested terms of the agreement: the paper products piece is off the table; cost of snow removal will be split 50/50; they would like to continue to lease the parking lot for $1.00 per year; the District’s lawn mower must be removed from their garage. Jim recused himself. This was tabled so that Central School parking can be discussed by Johanna, Bruce Downer and Barbara Ternes.
Action List Review: Reviewed by Mike.
Appointments and/or Resignations:
Lorraine Bramble - .3 CFG Teacher at SRES and Elaine Kraiger - .25 Data Facilitator at Saxtons River: Mike moved to appoint these two positions; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Pete Frye, Tanya Chamberlain, Carla West – Fall coaches at BFMS: Mike moved to appoint these three positions; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Directors’ Comments: Tim received calls from two people saying they were impressed with David’s building trends at Saxtons River Elementary. They were very happy with it and so is Tim. Tim thanked Cherie for her report.
Mike missed everyone while he was on vacation. Mike talked about a new program at the High School having to do with testing for concussion. This may cause fear in the parents but it is state-of-the-art and non-invasive so, parents, please sign the permission letter.
Joe thanked Jim for meeting with Admin outside of the Board’s time to bring them accurate financial information. Joe observed that the garden at the Middle School is thriving!
Date and Location of Next Meeting: The next regular meeting will be September 21, 2009 at 7 PM at Bellows Falls Middle School.
Executive Session on a personnel matter: Jim moved to go into executive session at 9:15 PM; Tim seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of executive session at 9:35 PM.
Jim moved to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent with regard to Lorraine Bramble for both the 2009 and 2010 school years. Tim seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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