ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
December 7, 2009
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Charles Jarras, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Andrea Allbee, Sharon Reynolds, David Lesser, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Bruce Downer, Wes Vaughan, Christina Smith, 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: Cheryl added under New Business a vote to support an Energy Efficiency grant. Under Executive Session Jim added a personnel matter.
Technology Presentation – Wes Vaughan and Christina Smith: Wes spoke about the R.U.S. Grant which will allow the purchase of distance learning equipment at no direct cost to the district. Jim moved to authorize the Rockingham School District’s participation in the R.U.S. Grant for Technology at no cost to the School District. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Christina Smith, Technology Integration Coordinator for the District, gave a presentation on the use of technology in the schools and took questions from the Board. There was discussion of the current equipment and the use of smart boards.
Science Presentation (enclosed): David Lesser, Chair, introduced the members of the Science Committee: Fred Marin, BFUHS; Lisa Holderness and Mary Lou Martin, BFMS; Wendy Harty, CES; Wendy Jordan SRES. Each spoke about the science program in his/her school and the NECAP scores. They feel that science may be the most loved subject.
Review and Approve Minutes of October 28 and November 16, 2009 (enclosed): Mike moved to accept the Minutes as printed; Jim seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: All those mentioned above, and Mike Spaulding.
Communications – Chair: None.
Committees and Other Projects:
Budget Committee (November 5 and November 16, 2009 Minutes enclosed): Jim reported that the Committee is moving ahead and getting closer to a finished product. Understanding the revenue side is still an issue.
Transportation Committee (November 19, 2009 Minutes enclosed): Tim said the Committee will meet in early January and invite more people to come aboard.
Reports:
Superintendent of Schools
“Opinions” from Secretary of State (enclosed): Johanna asked if the Board wished to reply, which they do. Mike will provide her with questions via e-mail pertaining to who is allowed into executive session and who decides, and about special meetings.
2008-2009 Deficit: Andrea distributed a memo concerning the auditor’s findings about the deficit. Jim explained that it is not helpful because the Board needs to see the Business Office’s work from which the auditor is working. The Board needs a financial statement now and instructed Andrea to “push the button” to produce it. Jim asked Johanna to report at the next meeting on the role of the Business Manager versus the Auditor. Johanna will prepare this and also stated that the audit will be available sometime in January.
Jim asked the three Principals to provide guidance on the “Animals” policy at the next meeting, at which time this Board will vote on it. The Animals in School Policy originated in placeCityWestminster and is being acted upon by all of the Boards.
Jim asked about the invoice for repairs to Bus No. 6; Mac Jones has not responded yet.
Principals: David’s report is enclosed, and he added that the gutter and drain contractors did an excellent job. Going forward, all Principals will submit written reports once a month and verbally as needed.
WNESU (Unapproved November 18, 2009 Minutes enclosed): Mike talked about the SU budget which was approved despite Rockingham’s vote. He handed out a graph he prepared on the structure of the SU Boards showing that 46.8% of the budget is paid by Rockingham’s citizens and taxpayers, yet Rockingham has only 20% of the vote, and he will send it to the Superintendent electronically so it can be posted with these Minutes. Mike expressed this frustration as a reason he will be resigning from the Board effective as of the next election.
Unfinished Business:
Teacher Retirement Update: Johanna reported that three people have stepped up, with December 14th being the final deadline.
Award Sale of School Bus Bids: Jim moved to award the sale of the school buses to Steve Oakes for $300.00 each. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
New Business:
Technology Grant: See No. 5 above.
Commissioner’s Letter re: Fiscal Year 2011 School Budget Recommendations (enclosed): With Board input, Johanna will draft a response to the item concerning the Teacher Retirement Fund for review at the next meeting. There was discussion of changing the voting structure in the District, which would require legislation.
Discuss the Need for Prospective School Board Members (enclosed): Mike intends to resign and will submit a letter to the Board at the next meeting, and advise the Town Clerk prior to the December 30th deadline.
Receipt of Monetary Gift: Mike moved to accept a gift in the amount of $1,000 from the Janet G. Smith estate to be used for library purposes. Joe seconded and the motion carried. The Board recommended that the three Principals decide among themselves how to split the money. Charlie will research the identity of Janet Smith’s family so a thank-you note can be sent.
Increase of Five Hours per Week for the following CFG Contracts: a. Marjorie Adams; b. Jeanne Moore: David explained that he has the funding on hand in ARRA money. Jim moved to approve the increase of five hours per week for the two CFG contracts with ARRA funds. Mike seconded and the motion carried.
Energy Efficiency Grant: Cheryl explained this is for a retrofit to the lighting at BFMS which will potentially save $7,000.00 per year in electricity. Jim moved to approve the application for the Energy Efficiency Grant; Mike seconded and the motion carried.
Warrant Discussion: Mike said it is easier to get an electronic report from the Business Office than to sift through the pile of warrants during the meeting. Charlie questioned invoices for BFMS repairs and other items, which were satisfactorily explained.
Action List Review: Mike reviewed his list. Saxtons River construction defects on hold until Chris Kibbe returns. Still pending is Priscilla Lambert’s activity on fundraising. Added tonight were the financial statement request, warranty repair of Bus No. 6, Johanna’s draft letter to the Commissioner of Education, Charlie’s research of Janet G. Smith’s family and thank-you letter for their donation. Jim added that a letter should be sent to the union asking them to contribute 1% of their salary increase for the FY 2011 budget. These items will be reviewed at the next meeting on December 21st.
Directors’ Comments: Tim asked Cheryl for BFMS students to come before the Board, and she will reactive this.
Joe referred to Mike’s chart and talked about the percentage of Rockingham students who go on the BFUHS compared to the other schools in the District.
Joe thanked the Science Committee for a great presentation.
Jim echoed Joe’s comments about the Science Committee. He is grateful for Christina Smith’s technology presentation but would have liked more feedback from her. In the future, questions should be posed to her before she gets here.
Mike encouraged David to challenge community members to take the NECAP science test.
The next meeting will be December 21, 2009 at the Bellows Falls Middle School at 7 PM.
18. Executive Session:
Legal Matters
Personnel Matter
Mike moved to go into executive session at 9:30 PM for legal matters and a personnel matter; Joe seconded and the motion carried, with Cheryl being asked to stay. The Board came out of executive session at 9:55 PM. Mike moved to support a counter offer with regard to a specific employee. Jim seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:57 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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