ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
November 16, 2009
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charles Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Andrea Allbee, David Lesser, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, 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 available for Board review during the meeting.
Adjustments to the Agenda: David added under No. 15 Appointments and Resignations a request to extend two teachers from 80 to 90% each, to be paid by ARRA funds: Dawn Bazin, Math CFG and Laurel Perron, Reading CFG. Johanna stated that No. 18 Executive Session would not be a student matter, but would be a legal matter. Cheryl said No.15a will be a position split between Michele Coursen and Gary Graham. Michael added under No. 12 New Business a request that someone be elected to attend the SU meeting this Wednesday in his place.
Review and Approve Minutes of November 2, 2009: Jim moved to approve the Minutes as printed; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: Anita Carlson-Allen, School Nurse at Central.
H1N1 Update: Anita reported that her school hasn’t been hit too hard yet, around 15%. placePlaceNameSaxtons PlaceTypeRiver was hit hard last week and the staff is now becoming ill, although no one knows if it is due to H1N1. Some of the school nurses are sick, and Johanna handed out a memo from SRES School Nurse Hodsden. Flu clinics were held last week in CityWestminster and Grafton; placePlaceNameSaxtons PlaceTypeRiver had to reschedule. Tomorrow a flu clinic will be held for Central, the Middle School and pre-school. Johanna thanked all of the School Nurses for their efforts during this challenging time.
Communications – Chair: None.
Committees and Other Projects:
Budget Committee: Tabled until Minutes are made available.
Article 6 Study Committee: Tim said the next meeting is December 8th at 7 PM at BFMS, Room 200. They will be bringing in some local professionals to help accomplish renovations to this building and the public is welcome to attend the meetings.
Instruction and Educational Effectiveness Committee: The Committee met last week with Wes Vaughan and Christina Smith, the Technology staff. They reported that the Middle School computer lab is up to date but CES and SRES need equipment, and the Committee will be meeting with the Principals. Joe hopes to see more teacher participation. Joe will furnish Minutes from previous meetings. There is no scheduled next meeting.
Policies:
First Reading of Revised Animals on School District Property (Code G12): Mike moved to place this on the next agenda for adoption in December. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Review/Discuss Weapons Policy (Code F21): Johanna said the High School has taken this one under advisement and plans to change the first sentence under Sanctions to read: “Any student who brings a weapon to school may be brought by the Principal to the School Board for an expulsion hearing.”, allowing discretion by the Principals. After discussion, the Board decided to leave this one alone.
Reports:
Financial: In addition to the Financials received by the Board, Andrea handed a letter to the Board concerning a construction loan check which was inadvertently not mailed, resulting in $2,279.19 in interest. Jim reiterated that the Board must know when they are going to receive the Financials, which should be well ahead of the meeting. Jim proposed billing tuition quarterly; after discussion it was decided to leave the tuition billing at twice per year in November and April. Andrea will research Jim’s question about unemployment compensation, and take out the addressStreetParks Place encumbrance. Jim asked the Principals to monitor their Regular Ed spending.
Mike read the letter to the Board concerning the construction loan check into the record and there was discussion of how it was discovered. The taxpayers will pick up the tab for the interest payment.
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna and Wes attended a technology grant meeting, and there is going to be opportunity for the schools to receive a matching grant which will provide significant money for distance learning. It is called the RUS grant.
Johanna spoke about a letter from the Commissioner and will provide a copy to all Board Members. It will be on the agenda for review next meeting and the Board can decide if it wishes to respond.
Principals (Enclosed): Cheryl said the second 21st Century sessions opened at BFMS last Monday with 25% student participation. She talked about the 21st Century program for the viewers at home. David announced SRES is getting healthier!
Mike applauded the Principals for their reports and inquired about free/reduced lunch at BFMS. Cheryl responded and will add this to her future reports.
WNESU (Unapproved 10/28/09 Minutes Enclosed): Jim said Johanna has hired a consultant to help with the Business Office and he will be interested in an update. Mike said the Social Studies Curriculum presentation sounded great.
Unfinished Business:
Update on School Bus Fleet: Charlie read aloud the Invitation to Bid for the two used buses. There are currently nine buses: two will be sold and there is a spare.
RFP: Jim moved to advertise the sale of the 1995 and 1996 International/Thomas buses; the motion carried. The Board instructed Andrea to air the bid for free on FACT-TV, to ask for permission to park the buses at the old St. Johnsbury terminal with a For Sale sign on them, and to advertise in print by the most inexpensive/no charge means.
New Business: Joe will try to make it to the WNESU meeting this Wednesday as Mike’s alternate, but he may arrive late.
Warrant Discussion: Jim asked about the invoice for the new floor at SRES; it will be offset by insurance. Jim asked about bus maintenance invoices; Andrea said Mac takes care of notifying the vendors about warranty billing, and signs off on all bus work invoices. Andrea will check the invoice for bus #6 to see if the parts replacement is covered by warranty.
Action List Review: Mike reviewed what was due tonight and what will be due at the first meeting in December. Jim wants unaudited 6/30/09 financials in budget format provided to the Board by the December 7th meeting. Andrea explained how this would create variances in the final numbers from the auditors and why it is important to remain consistent until the audit is complete. But the Board needs to receive the deficit number for 2008-09 by December 7th, and Johanna said they will have it.
Appointments and/or Resignations:
Michele Coursen/Gary Graham – 50/50 Grade 8 Girls’ Basketball
Josh Ferenc – Grade 8 Boys’ Basketball
Peter Fry – Grade 7 Girls’ Basketball
placecountry-regionChad Illingworth – Grade 7 Boys’ Basketball
Joe moved to appoint the above positions; Jim seconded and the motion carried.
Mike moved to support the increase in time from 80 to 90% for two employees at SRES: Dawn Bazin, Math CFG, and Laurel Perron, Reading CFG, assuming the ARRA funds are available. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Directors’ Comments: Tim inquired about winter sports in all the schools.
Mike congratulated BFUHS on their play last weekend; it was excellent. Mike would love to see more kids involved in the River Theater, which is presenting “Peter Pan” at the Bellows Falls Opera House this weekend and his son is participating. Mike announced he is seriously considering stepping down from the School Board and asked for discussion of candidates at the next meeting.
Joe told Mike it will be a loss to the Board but he supports his decision. Joe is proud of his son and all the BFUHS students involved in the play. Joe commented on the Middle School Awareness Night and wished Cherie good success.
Jim asked about Cherie’s success in Athens/Grafton and placeCityWestminster. He thanked placePlaceNameCentral PlaceTypeSchool students and staff for their generosity to Our Place Drop-In Center. The demand for Our Place’s services is increasing.
The next meeting will be December 7, 2009 at placePlaceNameBellows PlaceTypeFalls PlaceTypeMiddle School at 7 PM, with a budget meeting at 5 PM.
18. Executive Session:
Legal Matter: Jim moved to go into executive session at 8:50 PM for a legal matter; Joe seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:10 PM and no action was taken.
19. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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