ROCKINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Board Meeting
August 2, 2010
Present: Joseph Brissette, Timothy Doherty, James McAuliffe
Also Present: Johanna Harpster, David Lesser, Cheryl McDaniel-Thomas, Edie Cole, Rick Schuhmann, FACT-TV
MINUTES
The Vice Chair, Jim McAuliffe, called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM, with a quorum present.
Pledge of Allegiance: Tim Doherty led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adjustments to the Agenda: Johanna added a legal matter to executive session. David added a staffing matter, a SRES paraprofessional, which will be No. 13a4. Edie stated that the tax anticipation note needs to be signed by all Board members, No. 11c. Jim added an update on the open Rockingham School Board seat, No. 11d.
Review and Approve Minutes of July 19, 2010 (Enclosed): Tim moved to accept the Minutes as printed; Joe seconded the motion. Jim stated that in Item 11b, the informational meeting about the real estate purchase will be held at the Middle School, not the High School. Tim amended his motion to reflect that change, and the motion carried.
Visitors: Mary Lou Smith.
Communications – Chair: Jim asked the voters to support the School Board’s recommendation to purchase the property at 22 George Street, adjacent to Central Elementary. This will allow for future expansion and can be used immediately for parking. It is available at a very low price, and the District has a surplus which can be used to purchase the property.
First Reading of Wellness Policy - Code F29 (Enclosed): This was referred to the Policy Committee, which is meeting directly following this meeting.
Committee and Other Projects:
Bellows Falls Middle School Renovation Committee (7/29/10): Tim said the next meeting is August 26, 2010 at 6 PM in the Middle School Library, at which time public meetings will be scheduled. Tim referred to the article in today’s Brattleboro Reformer, and the estimated cost, and reiterated that the Committee wants to do the work only one time and do it right, so please support the decisions of the Committee.
9. Reports:
Principals:
Instructional Leadership Team Information (Enclosed): Cheryl talked about the Turning Points model and the Leadership Team in the Middle School.
Draft of Athletic Director’s Job Description (BFMS – Enclosed): Cheryl discussed her draft of the Athletic Director’s job description, but wondered whether there is money to compensate for all of the duties contained in it. The conflict of interest issue has been addressed. This was tabled until the August 16th meeting when Mike Empey returns.
Cheryl said the Middle School has hired two new custodians, they are all doing a wonderful job and the school looks really good. She is busy hiring teachers.
David said the new floors are done at SRES. He has also been hiring staff this summer and thanked the hiring committee. David asked the Board’s permission to exceed his Supplies budget by a couple thousand dollars to support a new teacher coming in with extra materials, and the Board approved.
Superintendent of Schools: Johanna handed out a first draft of the budget timeline for all of the Boards. Please let her know if you have any changes, the sooner the better.
Unfinished Business:
Review Local Action Plan Policy – Code G8 (Enclosed): Johanna has asked the Principals to identify specific targets for improvement in Math and Reading, and she will meet individually with each of them.
Approve Bid for Heating System Repairs at CES and SRES – Kohler & Lewis Report (Enclosed): Rick said, concerning the CES building, that the report basically recommends adding more fin tube to the existing heating system. Joe moved to authorize the Administration to go out to bid for installation of additional fin tube in the multi-purpose room and throughout Central Elementary School as recommended by Kohler & Lewis. Tim seconded and the motion carried.
At SRES, there is an installation issue which Rick is working on with the original contractor. This will be discussed further at the August 16, 2010 meeting.
Jim said there is a streetlight at the corner of Pine and George Streets, and when Bruce Downer returns he will be asked how to reposition it so it can benefit CES. This will then be reported to the street light committee.
New Business for Discussion/Action:
Approve Arrangement with Athens/Grafton Joint Contract S.D. for Busing (Enclosed): Tabled until August 16, 2010 meeting.
Approve 2010-2011 Bus Routes (Enclosed): Tabled until August 16, 2010 meeting.
Cheryl asked the Board about a give-away or sale of surplus equipment at the Middle School; Joe will coordinate a recycling effort.
Tax Anticipation Note: Edie sent this around for the Board’s signatures, explaining that the signature of only the Chair would not suffice.
Jim said applications are being accepted for the opening on the School Board, from which the Board will select an applicant to serve until the election next March. So anyone interested is encouraged to send a letter to the Central Office.
Action List Review: This will be reviewed in greater detail when Mike returns. The new item added tonight is to put the bid out for CES’s heating upgrade.
13. Appointments and/or Resignations:
Appointments (CFG – contingent upon funding):
Laurel Perron - .3 CFG Literacy Teacher at SRES
CFG Teacher at BFMS – on hold per Cheryl
Marie Wright – Grade 2 at SRES
Ellen Ankuda – Paraprofessional at SRES
Tim moved to appoint three positions as listed above; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Reappoint Christine Cohun - .6 Art Teacher at CES: Johanna explained that this was previously approved last meeting at .4 but, in fact, is a .6 position and needs to be re-approved. This was referred to executive session as a personnel matter.
Darlene Petke – Special Educator at CES – Resignation (Enclosed): Tim moved to accept this resignation; Joe seconded and the motion carried.
Directors’ Comments: Tim wants to continue the offer of computer upgrades to all teachers and paraprofessionals with a minimum of five years in district. This will be on the agenda for discussion at the August 16, 2010 meeting.
Joe said the free breakfast and lunch program at the Middle School is very successful, and he encouraged everyone to come down. Joe is on the BFMS Renovation Committee and supports its recommendations. The Committee is focused on doing things right from start to finish the first time. So keep an open mind and show up for the public forums.
Date and Location of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be August 16, 2010 at 7 PM at the SU.
Executive Session: Joe moved to go into executive session at 6 PM for a legal matter and a personnel matter. Tim seconded and the motion carried.
The Board came out of Executive Session at 6:10 PM. Joe Brissette made a motion to accept the administrative recommendation to settle with Marcia Weil. Tim Doherty seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
Joe Brissette made a motion to table the hiring of Christine Cahun. The vote was unanimous.
17. Adjournment: The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Brissette, Clerk
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