ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
July 19, 2010
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, Michael Empey, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, Chris Kibbe, David Lesser, Bruce Downer, Edie Cole, FACT-TV, Sandra Donaldson
MINUTES
The Vice Chair, Jim McAuliffe, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance: Tim Doherty led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Chris added another appointment, no. 13a4., Julia Haskins, Special Educator at CES.
Review and Approve Minutes of June 21 and July 1, 2010 (Enclosed): Joe moved to accept the Minutes as printed; Tim seconded. Jim amended No. 15 of the June 21, 2010 Minutes to read “…to authorize a reserve fund of $60,000.00 for the possible purchase…”. Joe amended his motion to include that change and the motion carried.
Visitors: Sandra Donaldson, School Board member from Grafton, came to talk to Rockingham about transportation. She said the Rockingham bus used to meet the Grafton bus in Cambridgeport in the morning to pick up students, but Rockingham voted it down and Sandy asked them to bring it back. The bus turns around there anyway so it’s not an extra trip and Rockingham would receive $3,000 for it. Jim asked that this be put on the next meeting agenda for consideration. Sandy talked about a union middle school, and Jim told her Rockingham would be interested in having that discussion with Grafton.
Communications – Chair: None.
Committee and Other Projects:
Bellows Falls Middle School Renovation Committee (7/1/10 Meeting): Tim said the next meeting will be on July 29th at 5 PM in the Middle School Library to receive test results from the architects. Everyone is invited.
30 Plus 5 Program Presentation – Nancy Schaefer: Nancy explained that 30 Plus 5 means 30 minutes of physical activity and five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. It is an obesity prevention program working in Springfield schools and Central Elementary. She will be working with Café Services to make healthy changes and with the students in the classrooms. A student survey will be conducted in the fall and Nancy will share the results with the Board.
9. Reports:
Financial Report (Enclosed): Edie said there are a lot of State reports due August 1st so she plans to submit no financial reports for July and August but will have one for the Board in October for July, August and September. She will prepare an unaudited report for June 30, 2010, when she has all of the payables and receivables.
Edie said four bids were received for fuel oil: HB Fuel at $2.579/gallon for small trucks; Fleming Oil at $2.469/gallon for tankers. Irving’s bid came in Friday but they needed an answer by Monday, and Cota & Cota couldn’t hold their bid price. So the bid was split between HB for SRES, and Fleming for BFMS and CES.
Principals: SRES was awarded the Safe Routes to School Grant, and David handed out the letter from the State. He thanked everyone who helped write the grant. He also handed out his school-wide action plan for review and response from the Board in August. The Board can e-mail or call David with comments. He is in the middle of hiring and will be seeking approval at an August meeting.
Bruce said he is also busy filling positions at CES.
Instructional Leadership Team Information – Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas (Enclosed): Mike said he has received complaints from BFMS parents about “peanuts” and ILT, but this item was tabled for discussion when Cheryl is here.
Draft of Athletic Director’s Job Description – BFMS (Enclosed): Also tabled until Cheryl is here.
Superintendent of Schools/Assistant Superintendent: None.
WNESU Unapproved 6/23/10 Minutes (Enclosed): Jim said there will be a relatively short meeting in July, and all of the representatives will be there.
10. Unfinished Business:
Affirm Executive Session Decision of 6/21/10 to Set Aside FY 10 Surplus Funds in the Amount of $60,000 for Possible Real Estate Purchase: Above.
Approve Bid for Tax Anticipation Note: Edie received bids from TD Bank, Chittenden and Merchants. Chittenden’s interest rate is 2.5% and the $600,000 can be taken as needed. TD Bank’s interest rate is 1.65% but the money must be taken all at once but can be paid back early, so Edie recommends TD Bank. Jim moved to accept the recommendation of the Business Manager for TD Bank for a tax anticipation note for FY 2010-11. Tim seconded and the motion carried. Jim moved to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board. Tim seconded and the motion carried.
Review Local Action Plan Policy – Code G8 (Enclosed): Johanna said this will be discussed on Wednesday with all of the Principals in the District. Chris pointed out that the wording is for a district with one school, not three. Jim asked about a three-year plan; this states “establish annually”. Johanna asked Board members to attend on Wednesday if possible or send her their comments.
New Business for Discussion/Action:
Award Food Service Bid (Enclosed): There are a timeline and an evaluation grid in the packet, and Jim said Café Services won by a small margin. Chris said Athens/Grafton approved it, and BFUHS approved it on the condition that it go out to bid again next year. Jim moved to approve the contract with Café Services for the 2010-11 school year with the understanding that it will go out to bid next year. Tim seconded and Joe recused himself; the motion carried.
Approve Special Rockingham Town School District Meeting Warning to Purchase Real Estate: Chris distributed the warning of the vote to purchase property at 22 George Street for a sum not to exceed $45,000.00. Joe moved to approve the Warning; Tim seconded and the motion carried. Jim will make the presentation on August 23rd but would like other Board members to show up. Mike pointed out that this real estate purchase is possible because the District has a surplus. The information meeting is August 23rd at BFUHS at 7 PM, with voting on August 24th at the Masonic Temple.
Discuss Scheduling a Joint Rockingham School Board Meeting with the BFUHS Board re: Transition Issues Between BFMS and BFUHS: Johanna explained the High School Board requested this to get 8th graders motivated for that school year. Mike has met with David Clark and asked him for hard data. Jim would like to have a discussion with Cheryl first and then a joint meeting in September or October, Joe asked that it not be held before a WNESU meeting because of the time limit. Tim stated that preparing for high school starts in elementary school, and asked the two Principals to comment. Mike will work with Johanna and David Clark to set an agenda and time when the BFMS and BFUHS Principals can both be there.
Discuss Replacement of Board Member Vacancy: Johanna will advertise for letters of interest, and the Board will decide (hopefully by September) who to appoint to fill the vacancy until the election next March.
Action List Review: Mike reviewed and revised his list and will distribute a new one tomorrow.
13. Appointments and/or Resignations:
Appointments:
Gina Bogan – ESY Teacher at CES (not to exceed 15 hours)
Patricia Lemieux – ESY Teacher at CES (not to exceed 30 hours)
Cheryl Sherwin – ESY Teacher at CES (not to exceed 1.5 hours)
Julia Haskins – Special Educator at CES (fulltime)
Jim moved to approve the appointments as listed and amended; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Reappoint Christine Cohun - .4 Art Teacher at CES for 2010-11 School Year: Jim moved to approve the reappointment as written; Joe seconded for discussion. Johanna stated that she is entitled to it. Jim voted yes; Joe and Tim voted no. Mike voted yes; the motion did not carry.
Directors’ Comments: Tim said his earlier comments about preparation for high school starting at the elementary level are no reflection on our two elementary Principals. He’s very supportive of the elementary schools and didn’t mean to mislead anyone.
Jim recognized David and all the others involved in getting the Safe Routes to School Grant; it’s terrific.
Mike thanked Edie for her work on the tax anticipation loan. The Business Office is doing a great job.
Set Date and Location of Next Meeting: There will be a short Board meeting on August 2, 2010 at 4:30 PM to deal with hiring, with a Policy Committee meeting directly following at 5 PM. Mike will not be there. The next Board meeting will be on Monday, August 16, 2010; Johanna will not be there.
Executive Session: Jim moved to enter executive session at 8:50 PM for a student matter and a personnel matter. Tim seconded and the motion carried. The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:05 PM.
Jim moved to authorize the Chair to work with Bruce Downer to solve a safety issue (up to $2,500) and report back to the Board. Joe seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Jim moved to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to reappoint Christine Cahun as .4 art teacher at Central Elementary School for the 2010-2011 school year. Tim seconded the motion. The vote was Yes, 2 (McAuliffe and Empey), No, 1 (Doherty) and Abstention, 1 (Bressette). The motion carried.
17. Adjournment: Jim moved to adjourn and Tim seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Brissette, Clerk
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