ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
June 7, 2010
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, Richard Kane, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, Sharon Reynolds, David Lesser, Bruce Downer, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Edie Cole, FACT-TV
MINUTES
The Chair, Mike Empey, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Tim Doherty led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BFMS Follow-Up on NECAP’s Presentation – Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas: Cheryl introduced BFMS teachers: Dana Aquadro, writing; Crystal Farnsworth, math; and Larry Clark, Guidance Counselor. They made their presentation and discussed motivation, the transition to BFMS from elementary schools and the students’ summer assignments, and Dana explained the Kansas writing program. Mike asked that this presentation be attached to tonight’s minutes. Tim said this is a new Board, and it would like to see more teachers come before it.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Johanna has an additional resignation and issuance of contract in Item No. 14.
Review and Approve Minutes of May 3, 2010: Jim moved to accept the Minutes as printed; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Visitors: Mary Lou Smith suggested that parents use sports to help their kids’ with their math skills.
Communications – Chair: None.
Committee and Other Projects.
Bellows Falls Middle School Renovation Committee: Tim reported that they met with Black River Design and reviewed their plans. The next meeting is this Thursday at 4 PM at BFMS and the public is invited.
Policy Committee: Jim reported that it met earlier this evening to discuss the proposed Conflict of Interest Policy and will circulate the current policy that applies to Board members. There will be a meeting scheduled for next month, at which time the Principals will bring their recommendations.
Executive Committee: This committee consists of representatives from each of the four towns, the High School board and the SU Board. They decided to meet more frequently this year.
WNESU Meeting: Mike briefly reviewed the previous Minutes for Board members who did not receive them. The next meeting is June 23rd, and everyone is available.
Reports:
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna handed out a memo from the State, the key piece of which is discussion of $23 million in cuts for 2011. Johanna introduced Edie Cole, the new Business Manager.
Assistant Superintendent: Chris said that he and Edie will be coming to the next meeting with a look at the cash flow situation, and they will provide information about it in advance of the meeting.
Director of Student Support Services – Special Education Updates (Enclosed): Sharon discussed her report which was sent in the packet, specifically Attachment 1 and the compliance data.
Principals: David reported that SRES received the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Grant for next year. They are doing the action plan on the 17th, and parents and Board are invited. The last data team meeting is tomorrow.
Bruce said CES’ fourth grade is visiting and touring BFMS on Wednesday. Next week they are celebrating their volunteers, and doing the action plan review on Thursday or Friday.
Cheryl reported that the last professional development day will be held next week. The year-end awards assembly for Grades 5-7 is on the 15th, and Grade 8 Moving Up ceremony is on the 15th at 5:30 PM. She is writing a School Improvement Grant/Plan/Narrative which is due at noon on the 15th. Action planning was completed last week. Rick asked about the timing of the DC trip, which was just before the NECAP’s. Cheryl replied that that was taken into consideration, and she discussed the curriculum which was offered to the students who stayed behind.
Board Members for Interviews: There was discussion of the pros and cons of having Board Members involved in interviewing staff, and the consensus was to let the Principals make those hiring decisions.
New Business for Discussion/Action:
Approve Food Service Contract to go out to Bid: Jim moved to approve the food service contract being put out to bid. Tim seconded and the motion carried with Joe recusing himself.
Heating System Assessment – C. Kibbe: Chris received a bid today from Stantec for $12,700 plus reimbursables. The Board instructed him to try to get a second bid, and a timeframe from both bidders. A special meeting can be called, if necessary, to review and approve the bids.
Review/Discuss/Action – Local Education Agency Plan (Enclosed): Jim moved to authorize the WNESU rep to vote for LEAP at the June 23rd SU meeting. Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Rocking Chair Purchases for Retirees: The retirees must have 25 years of service to this District and there are two retiring from BFMS this year. Jim is not in favor of having the taxpayers foot the bill and suggested the building employees do some fundraising, which was not supported. Joe moved to not purchase rocking chairs for retirees; Jim seconded the motion. The motion failed on a vote of two yes (Brissette, McAuliffe) and two no (Kane, Doherty).
Out-of-District Students: If a Board Member learns that a student not living in Rockingham is attending school here, he should notify the Administration, and Admin will take action.
Athens 2009 Tuition Billback: Chris explained this is a tuition undercharge for last year owed to Rockingham by Athens. Legally, Athens must have been notified by December 15th, but DOE only notified Rockingham on December 15th – a quick e-mail would have sufficed. However, Rockingham expects to be reimbursed by Athens. Jim said this is a WNESU issue that should be taken up with that Board. Jim moved that the Superintendent go back to Athens and tell them Rockingham intends to be paid; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Warrant Discussion: The Board continues to prefer to receive the warrant list electronically rather than circulating a big pile of warrants at the meeting.
Action List Review: Joe added a discussion of number of handouts received at meetings and an overview of the summer school program, at the next meeting.
14. Appointments and/or Resignations:
Appointments:
Appoint Stan Rumrill as Band Instructor (retroactive to start of school year): Jim moved to appoint Stan Rumrill as Band Instructor; Rick seconded and the motion carried.
William Scarlett – Guidance Counselor at CES and SRES: Tim moved to appoint William Scarlett as Guidance Counselor; Jim seconded and the motion carried.
Arthur Sullivan – Custodian at BFMS (Approve placement at 36 months) and Ralph Straub – Custodian at BFMS (Approve placement at 12 months): Jim moved to appoint Arthur Sullivan and Ralph Straub as Custodians at BFMS; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Resignations: Johanna said that Carla Byington has resigned as Librarian at CES and SRES at the end of her contract: Tim moved to accept the resignation of Carla Byington; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Issuance/Renewal of Contract: Johanna asked for renewal of the contract of Emily Graves, BFMS Librarian: Jim moved to renew the contract of Emily Graves as BFMS Librarian, contingent upon her receipt of Vermont certification; Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Directors’ Comments: Joe urged parents of 4th graders to work with their children on multiplication tables over the summer in preparation for Middle School.
Rick attended the presentation Drugs, Sex and the Internet, which was excellent. Parenting classes are being offered. Rick reported that paras who serve as referees at school functions are determined to be employees for IRS purposes.
Tim met with the Saxtons River PTO and looks forward to working with them on the action plan next week.
Jim reminded the Board of the retreat this Saturday at 9 AM at the SU. He has three items to discuss: existing goals to be revised; Board meeting schedule and staff attendance; and summer school – voluntary vs. mandatory. He attended the action planning meeting at BFMS, and the school is addressing NECAP scores. Jim also wants to discuss a uniform policy.
Mike attended the High School awards ceremony and the National Honor Society induction ceremony, and noted that many of the recipients at both had been through our school system.
Date and Location of Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is June 21, 2010 at 7 PM at BFMS.
17. Executive Session: Jim moved to go into executive session at 10:10 PM for legal matters, a student matter and contract matters. Rick seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of Executive Session at 10:40 PM. Joe Brissette moved to support the administrative recommendation to settle a legal case in the amount of $4,000 with a general release against future hiring in Rockingham. Jim McAuliffe seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Adjournment: The Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:43 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Brissette, Clerk
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