ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
December 21, 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, Diane Ellis, FACT-TV, Brattleboro Reformer, Mary Lou Smith, Jan Mitchell-Love, Joel Love, Laura Lober, Wade Masure, Gloria Vancor, David Groenewold
MINUTES
Charlie Jarras, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim Doherty.
Executive Session:
a. Student Matter: Jim moved to go into executive session for a student matter; Joe seconded the motion and asked that a personnel matter be added. The motion carried. The Board came out of executive session at 7:40 PM. Jim moved to accept the recommendation of the Administration on a student matter. Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Review Warrants: The warrants are available for Board review during the meeting and Charlie has marked certain ones for the Board to note.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Mike asked the Chair to remove No.13a as he won’t be resigning. Mike added discussion of a non-school sports team affiliation with a wrestling group, which will be under Visitors. Also under Visitors, David placed discussion of lack of heat in the SRES gym. Tim added No. 9c Transportation Committee. Diane Ellis will make a reparative justice presentation.
Review and Approve Minutes of December 7, 2009: Jim moved to accept the Minutes as printed; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: Mary Lou Smith came tonight to make the Board aware that the heat in the Saxtons River School gym is not functioning. You can feel the temperature change as you walk down that hall, and nothing anybody has done seems to help. Tim suggested a letter from the lawyer to Trumbull-Nelson. Meanwhile, the Board authorized David to get an estimate and have it repaired if it is a reasonable amount.
Mike received a call concerning the Rockingham Area Wrestling Team (RAW), which is representing itself as being affiliated with Bellows Falls Middle School. There is concern here about liability of transporting kids in private cars. Laura Lober, President of the Board of RAW, which is part of USA Wrestling, said her Board had asked Cheryl if they could be affiliated with BFMS. They, and their coach, have their own liability insurance and would be happy to provide documentation. They are providing another safe activity for area youth and would like the support of the Board. Cheryl explained why working with this group is beneficial to kids, and she feels the school is operating within stated policy. The Board asked for more information and assurance that Rockingham has zero liability. Johanna feels this is
an appropriate activity for Rockingham and said this will be on a future agenda.
Diane talked about restorative practices, the model being implemented at BFMS, which puts more responsibility on the individual student to repair the situation. It is a more positive approach to discipline and engages the student in the disciplinary process. BFMS continues to use the traditional models of detention and expulsion. The Board wants to be sure it is within policy, and Johanna addressed that concern. Information was handed out which may answer some of the Board’s questions before this appears on a future agenda.
Communications – Chair: None.
9. Committees and Other Projects:
Budget Committee (12/7/09 Minutes enclosed): They met earlier this evening and reviewed the expense part of the budget and issues in the three buildings. At the next meeting on January 4th they will receive more information on the revenue side and vote on the budget. Jim remarked that the Principals have done a very good job.
Article 6 Study Committee (12/8/09 Minutes enclosed): Tim said they will meet tomorrow night at the SU to prepare an RFQ and discuss the recent walk-through.
Transportation Committee: Tim said the Committee, consisting of Wade Masure, Gloria Vancor and himself, met on December 18th and voted to keep transportation as is. Wade Masure stressed that the Committee recommends not cutting a bus route. He asked the Board, if it does choose to cut a bus route, to please use Mac Jones’ scenario prepared last year; also to give plenty of notice to the taxpayers and parents. Gloria Vancor, speaking as a parent, asked the Board to drive the routes planned to be cut and see for yourself where you would be asking young children to walk. Tim thanked the Transportation Committee for its work.
Adopt Animals on School District Property (Code G12 enclosed): The Principals were heard from: Cheryl has no objection; David supports it but can live without it; Bruce is for it and stated CES’ practice is to not have animals in school. Laura Lober, School Nurse, said the nurses are concerned about students with allergies or fear of animals, particularly dogs. The Board wants to look at the shorter version adopted by BFUHS and Grafton before making a decision.
11. Reports:
Financial Report (mailed under separate cover): Andrea spoke about an expense related to bond interest and payment, and ARRA stimulus money. Jim reviewed some items on the balance sheet and asked the Business Manager to present a cash flow management program to each Board. Jim had questions on tuition students and special ed, and Johanna will ask Sharon Reynolds to talk about Special Ed at the next meeting. Jim is concerned that taxpayers will be looking at a deficit. Jim moved to institute a freeze on spending on regular ed for the remainder of the year; Mike seconded for discussion and said a freeze needs guidance. After discussion of the issues, Jim withdrew his motion. The Board asked the Superintendent to come up with a plan for encumbrances.
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna sent around a handout on property tax increase from Paul Cillo. There is a breakfast meeting on January 11th and the public is welcome.
Principals (enclosed): Bruce’s report was passed out. Cheryl talked about a letter mailed to 8th graders’ parents concerning an increase in vulgar language and how to curb it. Cheryl handed out the 21st Century newsletter and a package from the BFMS Awareness Night. The BFMS holiday concert is Tuesday night. David Groenewold, parent of a 6th grader, thanked Cheryl for her work and complimented the programs in the Middle School.
Bruce talked about CES’ recent activities and handed out the newsletter.
WNESU (Unapproved 11/30/09 Minutes enclosed).
Unfinished Business:
Response to Commissioner Vilaseca’s Letter: Johanna handed out a draft response. The Board will review it and contact Johanna with their comments.
New Business: Above.
Warrant Discussion: Mike reiterated that an electronic copy of the warrants printout is the best way to review them.
15. Action List Review: Priscilla Lambert’s fundraising efforts: Ms. Lambert will be invited to the January 4th meeting.
Warranty repair to Bus No. 6 is a Mac Jones item and he will be invited to the next meeting.
Charlie contacted the William Price, Jr. law firm of Greenport, NY and asked them to thank the appropriate party for the Janet G. Smith donation.
Letter to the union re: their 1% give-back will be on the January 4, 2010 agenda.
The Board asked the Principals and Admin to study encumbering as much as possible.
Directors’ Comments: None.
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 4, 2010, at 7 PM at Saxtons River Elementary School.
Executive Session: Personnel Matters: Joe moved to go into executive session at 10:04 PM; Jim seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of Executive Session at 10:12 PM. Jim moved to accept the Early Retirement proposals of Mary Ann McDonald and Catharine Siano. Joe seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 10:13 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy Doherty, Clerk
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