ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
May 3, 2010
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Richard Kane, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, David Lesser, Bruce Downer, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Dianne Ellis, Becky Spaulding, Mac Jones, FACT-TV
MINUTES
Jim McAuliffe called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Tim Doherty led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Executive Session:
Personnel Matter (BFMS Assistant Principal’s Evaluation): Joe moved to go into executive session for a personnel matter; Rick seconded and the motion carried. Johanna Harpster, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas and Dianne Ellis were asked to attend. The meeting returned to open session at 7:27 PM.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Johanna added a legal matter to Executive Session, No. 18b, and stated that Cheryl will have an adjustment to the Minutes of April 5 in No. 5.
Review and Approve Minutes of April 19, 2010 (Enclosed): Joe moved to accept the Minutes of April 19, 2010 as printed; Tim seconded and the motion carried. At the April 5, 2010 meeting, the Board approved two Middle School coaching positions – for baseball and track & field, but the names of those coaches did not make it into the Minutes. They are Chelsea Obuchowski for track & field and David Groenewold for baseball, and Cheryl brought the contracts for Board signature.
Visitors:
Becky Spaulding – Student Assistance Professional: Cheryl introduced Becky Spaulding, Student Assistance Professional working in the Middle School in conjunction with Youth Services. Becky gave a brief presentation of a day’s activities and talked about the kind of issues she faces at BFMS. She took questions, and the Board thanked her for coming in.
Mac Jones: Mac was asked to give an update on bus warranties and collection on those warranties. He stated that all of the buses are out of warranty now. He reported on his meeting with the O’Connor salesman concerning their statement, and nothing will be paid until the salesman straightens it out with his office. The Board thanked Mac for coming tonight.
Communications – Chair: None.
8. Committee and Other Projects:
Bellows Falls Middle School Renovation Committee: Tim said they will meet next week (date and time to be determined) to prepare for their meeting with Black River Design on May 20th. Tim individually thanked Jane Purdy, Chris Kibbe, Sue Stack, Mike Harty and John Edwards for their contributions to the project, and the whole committee for their dedication to this project.
Policy Committee (April 5, 2010 Minutes Enclosed): Jim stated that the Minutes are enclosed for informational purposes and no action is required. Rick questioned the wording in the second bullet under No. 4, and the word “essential” was changed to “sufficient”. The next meeting is May 17, 2010 at 6 PM.
9. Policies:
Adopt Prevention of Harassment of Students Policy (Code F20 – Enclosed): Joe moved to accept the Policy as enclosed in the packet; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Reports:
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna handed out and reviewed the latest Legislative Education Report, and well as an update she received from the Commissioner last week. Jim stated that we need to look at where we stand on these criteria, i.e., adult to student ratio. Joe asked Johanna to start a dialog with the Commissioner in a letter.
Assistant Superintendent
NECAP Follow-up (Enclosed): Chris reviewed the enclosed graph which addresses the questions the Board presented him at the last meeting.
Director of Student Support Services – Financial Questions: Sharon reported that she has applied to the State for additional Special Ed revenue, which will be $25,254 and which should arrive by the end of the school year. Sharon and David answered Jim’s questions about Saxtons River line items.
Principals: Cheryl reviewed dates of BFMS activities in the next two weeks, the major one being the 8th Grade field trip to Washington, DC leaving in the morning.
David reported on a Literacy evening at SRES next week. He asked the Board for a letter supporting his application for the Safe Routes to School grant – his deadline is May 14th.
Bruce reported on Kindergarten screening in both elementary schools.
Unfinished Business:
School Board Retreat: This will be on Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the WNESU Central Office with a potluck. There is no set agenda, but one topic will be goals.
District Directory: The Principals have talked together and worked on the questions. They also had questions for the Board such as whether it is a Rockingham or an SU document and how it will be compiled. Jim responded that it will be a Rockingham publication, low-cost, available at the schools to be given to parents. The Principals will collect the data and give it to the Superintendent’s office.
New Business, if any: None.
Warrant Discussion: The Board needs to see the warrants electronically.
Action List Review: Jim reviewed the list. On the CES heating system, Chris suggested asking another engineering firm to look at the plans, which will involve spending additional money. Chris will get an estimate and timeline from another engineer by the next meeting.
Chris gave an update on the SRES and CES reimbursement. He said there will be $30-40,000 more in state aid and that’s it.
Appointments and/or Resignations:
Appointments:
Carla Boyington – Librarian (.7 at Central/.3 at Saxtons River)
Laurel Perron - .5 Reading Teacher at Saxtons River
Tim moved to appoint the above; Joe seconded and the motion carried with Rick abstaining.
Directors’ Comments: Joe reported that he has accepted a job working for Café Services at the High School; there is no conflict of interest.
Set Date and Location of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be May 17, 2010 at 7 PM at Central Elementary with Policy Committee at 6 PM.
Executive Session:
Contract Matters
Legal Matter
Joe moved to go into Executive Session at 8:45 PM; Tim seconded and the motion carried. Johanna and Chris were invited to attend, as well as the Principals and Sharon one at a time. The meeting returned to open session at 9:40 PM.
Tim Doherty moved to recommend the rehiring of the Assistant Principal, Dianne Ellis, for the 2010-2011 School Year and authorize the Principal and Superintendent to negotiate a contract within the financial constraints of the Middle School budget. Rick Kane seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Tim Doherty moved to pay the health stipend to Christine Cohun in exchange for the Association agreeing to substitute Christine's name for Jack's in Appendix I and with the stipulation that no further names will be brought forward regarding Appendix I. Joe Brissette seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Joe Brissette moved to extend a contract to Bruce Downer as Principal of Central Elementary School for two years with a 2% increase and at least a minimum salary increase of 2% for the second year. His benefits will be as presented by the Superintendent and a bonus would be available based on NECAP scores that meet or exceed the state average or show significant improvement as defined by the Board. Tim Doherty seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Joe Brissette moved to extend a contract to Cheri McDaniel-Thomas as Principal of Bellows Falls Middle School for one year with a 2% increase in salary. Her benefits will be as presented by the Superintendent and a bonus would be available based on NECAP scores that meet or exceed the state average or show significant improvement as defined by the Board. Tim Doherty seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Joe Brissette moved to extend a contract to David Lesser as Principal of Saxtons River Elementary School for two years with a 2% increase in salary and at least a minimum salary increase of 2% for the second year. His benefits will be as presented by the Superintendent and a bonus would be available based on NECAP scores that meet or exceed the state average or show significant improvement as defined by the Board. Tim Doherty seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
19. Adjournment: Tim moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM. Joe seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Brissette, Clerk
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