SAU #70 - Dresden School Board

Present: Board members Asmus, Callaghan, Carpenter, Carter, Chamberlin, Fleischer, Gray, Rose, Sachsse (7:45), and Williams; Administrators: Gersen, Aubin, Gillespie, Nourse, Brush; Recorded by R. Lohr

1. Call to Order – Vice Chair Williams called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

2. Public Hearing in Accordance with RSA 198:20-b for acceptance of a large restricted gift

Vice Chair Williams opened the public hearing at 7:03 PM
Nancy Carter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to accept $10,000 from the Byrne Foundation for the SEAD Program winter reunion. The motion passed unanimously.

Deb Gillespie explained the SEAD program (Summer Enrichment at Dartmouth), where students from low-income schools come to Hanover to experience the high school and Dartmouth College. Ms. Gillespie announced that families are needed to house visiting students. The public hearing was closed at 7:07 PM.

3. Minutes Approval

John Chamberlin moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of December 18, and the nonpublic minutes of December 17, December 18, and January 8, as submitted with changes. The motion passed unanimously.
The spelling of George Fraser was changed.

4. Public Hearing on Proposed 2008-09 Budget (RSA 32:5)

Vice Chair Williams opened the Public Hearing at 7:08 PM on the budget of the Hanover School District in accordance with NH RSA 32:5.

John Chamberlin moved and Nancy Carter seconded a motion to table the hearing so that the presentation about the Academic Integrity Policy could be conducted earlier in the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

The hearing was closed at 7:09 PM.

5. Business Requiring Discussion

Academic Integrity Policy

Ryan Collins of the School Council presented the Academic Integrity Policy as proposed by the Council. The Council is comprised of students, teachers, parents, and community members. Ryan Collins distributed a document outlining the old definitions and policy statements, the proposed definitions and new policy for the Honor Code, “A Responsibility to Report Violations,” and an “Honor Agreement.” The Board felt that the policy needed to be tightened up and clarified, and felt that the review process could be a learning opportunity for the school and the community. The Board decided to create a subcommittee to edit and synthesize the policy. Additionally, the Board would try to orchestrate the process that mandates faculty action in all cheating incidents so as to remove any discretion from the faculty on the issue. Board members Asmus, Fleischer, and Carpenter volunteered to serve on this subcommittee.

6. Board Resolution
Nancy Carter moved and Mary Sachsse seconded a motion to adopt the following resolution. The motion passed unanimously. We, the members of the Dresden School Board, express our sorrow at the passing of David I. Plaut. As a devoted math teacher at the Richmond Middle School, David educated a generation of students, was a valued
member of the staff and delighted all with his puns and sense of humor. We are grateful for his many years of service and his innumerable contributions. As a reflection of our community’s loss, the flags of the Dresden School District flew at half-mast on this day. Our condolences go to David’s family, his colleagues, his students and to those who knew him as a father of a classmate. We wish you peace and strength in the days ahead.

7. Public Hearing on Proposed 2008-09 Budget (RSA 32:5)

Vice Chair Williams opened the Public Hearing at 8:03 PM on the budget of the Hanover School District in accordance with NH RSA 32:5. Williams stated that the public packets had a line item budget, which contains all purposes and amounts of appropriations to be included for proposed 2008-09 expenditures. A notice for this Public Hearing was published in the Valley News on January 8.

John Aubin, Assistant Superintendent for Business reviewed the changes to the original proposed budget and reviewed the school district assessments and tax rates for Hanover and Norwich.

Jonathan Brush, Director of Facilities addressed Board questions regarding his budget items including the irrigation of the soccer field at Hanover High School and fencing for the turf field and the Norwich fields. The irrigation was expected to improve the field’s stability. The fencing on the turf field was intended to prevent balls from going into a deep ravine and on the Norwich fields the fencing was intended to allow multiple use for different sports.

John Aubin reported that the Board’s counsel reviewed the issue of using the $300,000 bond refund. It had been proposed to apply these funds to the fields project deficit and the $20,500 cost of irrigation and fencing. Counsel advised that the district needed to actually receive the funds before any action could be taken and that while there were constraints on how to use the funds a public hearing should be held before allocating the funds.

Chip Fleischer moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to remove $20,500 from the current 2008-09 budget. The motion passed unanimously.

Jonathan Brush was asked to postpone issuing any contracts on the projects at this time. The administration was asked to remind the future Board about appropriating funds to complete these projects.

Add Backs
Because the principals were not able to confer with their staffs regarding the priorities for the add backs, Superintendent Gersen urged the Board to allocate funds to each school as opposed to adding specific items back.

This would give the principals discretion in applying the funds next school year in response to the needs at that time. Most members of the Dresden Finance Committee opposed any add backs to the budgets. The discussion focused on the impact on the Dresden budget (.2 percent on every $50,000 of budget) and Hanover and Norwich taxes in light of the future sustainability of school budgets.

Linda Gray moved and Carey Callaghan seconded a motion to add $35,000 to the proposed budgets at Richmond Middle School and Hanover High School, respectively. The motion passed with 7 in favor (Callaghan, Carter, Chamberlin, Fleischer, Gray, Rose, Sachsse) and 2 opposed (Asmus, Carpenter).

Nancy Carter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to add $50,000 to the Dresden School proposed budget including $35,000 to Hanover High School and $15,000 to Richmond Middle School. The motion failed with 3 in favor (Carter, Sachsse, Chamberlin) and 6 opposed (Asmus, Callaghan, Carpenter, Fleischer, Gray, Rose).

John Chamberlin moved and Carey Callaghan seconded a motion to add $10,000 to the budgets at Richmond Middle School and Hanover High School, respectively. The motion failed with 4 in favor (Carter, Sachsse, Chamberlin, Callaghan) and 5 opposed (Asmus, Carpenter, Fleischer, Gray, Rose).

The public hearing was closed at 9:18 PM.

Carey Callaghan moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to adopt the 2008-09 budget in the amount of $21,471,608 to be placed on the Warrant and voted upon by Australian Ballot on March 4, 2008. The motion passed with 8 in favor and one opposed (Carpenter).

8. Approval of the School District Warrant

Superintendent Gersen reviewed the warrant articles as drafted. Article 4 (Savings Fund) was removed. It was understood that Articles 5 and 6 regarding the contracts included overstated projected increase amounts in future years. Robert Bruce’s name will be removed from the list of Board members.

Superintendent Gersen reported that on one had declared for the two-year Hanover School Board term but that there are four people that have declared for the 3 three-year terms. The opportunity to file for positions closes at 5:00 PM on Friday.

Nancy Carter moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to approve the February 28/March 4 School District Warrant as proposed by the Administration as attached and amended to the original meeting minutes, and to authorize the Administration to make whatever technical changes that might be necessary in order to ensure that the Warrant is legal and accurately addresses the intent of the School Board. The motion passed unanimously.

9. Communications and Reports

a) Report of Chair
Vice Chair Stan Williams announced that the next Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, 7:00 PM. at the Hanover High School Library.

The Annual Hanover School District Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 1, 1:00 PM at the Hanover High School Gymnasium. This will be the discussion phase of the meeting, and no voting will take place at the meeting. The voting phase of the meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 4, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Hanover High School Gymnasium.

There are five Hanover (5) School Board seats that are open in March. Three (3) are three year terms (Carpenter, Carter, and Fleischer), one (1) is a two (2) year term to finish Robert Bruce’s term, and one is a one (1) year position (Rose), which will complete the three year term of Larry Pilchman, and will return that position to a three year term in 2009. Filings take place any time from today, Wednesday, January 16 until 5:00 PM Friday, January 25. Other positions open are District Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer, all one (1) year terms. Filings for School Board and School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Anne Chamberlin, or at the SAU office, 41 Lebanon Street, Suite 2, in Hanover. There is a $1.00 filing fee.

The Dresden School District has filing dates from Tuesday, January 15 through 5:00 PM, Monday, February 4. Filing for School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Deborah Carter, or at the SAU office, 41 Lebanon Street, Suite 2, in Hanover. Positions open are: Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer for one (1) year terms; two Auditor positions, one for a two (2) year term, and one for a three (3) year term.

Petitions for inclusion in the Hanover School District Warrant must be received by 4:30 PM on Thursday, January 31. Petitions may be presented to any member of the Hanover School Board, or delivered to SAU office, 41 Lebanon Street, Suite 2, in Hanover. Petitions submitted after January 28 may not be published in the Annual Report due to publishing deadlines.

Warrant Article volunteers:
Article 2 (Contingency Fund) - Nancy Carter
Article 3 (District salaries) – John Chamberlin
Article 4 (HEA Contract) – Chip Fleischer
Article 5 (Support Staff Contract) – Carey Callaghan
Article 6 (Budget) – Stan Williams

b) Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen announced that the Search Committee for the Richmond School principal will meet on January 23. He gave an update on the Faculty Survey. The plan is to first present school-specific findings to teachers in the respective schools (Marion Cross School on January 23; Ray School on January 30; and Richmond School on February 6; Hanover High not yet finalized). The teachers invited the Board and the administrators to the school presentations. There will be a public presentation of the Faculty Survey for the Dresden School Board on February 26. Since the Board members have been invited to these meetings, there is no expected quorum issue.

The Superintendent also announced that the budget documents, negotiations, quality of education information, and academic integrity documents will be posted within segmented sections of the SAU Web site for the public to view prior to the budget vote.

c) Assistant Superintendent’s Report
John Aubin, Assistant Superintendent for Business offered to help Board members who are giving budget presentations at the school district meeting. He also requested help with the newsletter mailer for the budget. Members who are on both the Communications and Budget Committees could help with the mailer.

d) Principals’ Reports
Principal Gillespie reported that enrollment at the high school is up to 751 students including three new enrollees from Thetford. Early-acceptance letters are beginning to arrive from colleges. The principal has been meeting in small groups with ninth and twelfth graders to discuss incoming and exit perspectives. Preparations for March Intensive are ongoing.

Principal Nourse distributed a document regarding happenings at the Richmond School and he reported that the school has come together in support of each other related to the passing of David Plaut.

e) Kari Asmus announced that Robin Carpenter has volunteered to fill Robert Bruce’s position on the Dresden Finance Committee for the remaining time of Bruce’s term related to service on the committee.

10. Business Requiring Discussion

Study Circles
Principal Gillespie reported on the Study Circles’ work to address the academic integrity issue. She reported that 40 people attended the last session where they voted on the list of recommendations. The top ideas included: getting signed pledges from students and parents; educating the staff and parents about a healthy balance and integrity issues; and involving the whole school in a discussion about academic integrity. The Study Circle Steering Committee will take the list of ideas to the COI and ASAP Committees for further consideration. Hands-on sessions regarding plagiarism are already being held in the media center.

Parent Survey
Superintendent Gersen reported about the meeting of the administrators and the survey consultant regarding the Parent Survey. It was recommended that to maintain confidentiality and ensure trust the consultant should filter the information for the School Board and the public. The statistically significant information will be brought forth. The principals will use the surveys as a management tool. It was also suggested that some survey questions confirm that previous data collected was acted upon. These would close the loop with regard to showing the value of school surveys. The choices on the survey have been narrowed but there may be a fifth middle choice (not agree or disagree) incorporated into the questions. The survey will be conducted after the February break so that the Boards can use the information at retreats held at the end of the school year. Feedback about special education is already being compiled and does not need to be addressed on the survey.

Board Goals
The Board was asked if there were any questions related to the document that showed the status and progress on this year’s Board goals.

11. Business Requiring Action

Chip Fleischer moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to create an Ad Hoc Building Committee to review the construction projects. The motion passed unanimously.
There will be 4-6 members appointed to an Ad Hoc Committee to provide a final report with recommendations by May regarding the construction.

12. Non public session

Robin Carpenter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to enter nonpublic
session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (l) at 10:36 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

13. Adjournment

John Chamberlin moved and Nancy Carter seconded a motion to adjourn at 10:50 PM. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM.