DRESDEN SCHOOL BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING (RSA 198:20-b) AND REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007
7:00 P.M., HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carpenter, Chamberlin, Gray, Sachsse, Vitt, Williams; Council Representative Proom; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Finer; Gillespie; and two members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order
Vice-Chair Bruce called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
2.Public Hearing in accordance with RSA 198:20-b, for the purpose of accepting gifts.
Vice-Chair Bruce opened the public hearing. The Board reviewed the particulars associated with various gifts to Dresden School District. The Board expressed its appreciation of the gifts.
A motion was made by Mary Sachsse and seconded by Kari Asmus to accept a $15,000 gift for a Steinway piano, $10,000 for the SEAD Program, $10,000 for the Guatemala project from the Byrne Foundation, and a $7,000 gift for the bronze bell project. The motion passed unanimously.
The public hearing closed at 7:22 p.m.
3. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Robin Carpenter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 23, the special meeting of February 15, and the nonpublic sessions of January 23 and February 15, as submitted. The motion passed unanimously for all minutes with the exception of one abstention on the January 23 meetings (Asmus).
4. Communications and Reports
a. Chair’s Report
Vice-Chair announced that the next regular Board meeting will be Tuesday, March 27, 7:00 p.m. in the Hanover High School Library. The Board reviewed the multitude of March meetings set for the Board to perform Search Committee work. It was also announced that the Annual School District meeting will be held on Thursday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. at the Richmond School Gym. 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 6, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Richmond School Gym for Hanover voters. The Norwich voters will vote at Tracy Hall on the same day and time. The Board announced how to obtain absentee ballot applications and that such ballots much be received by March 6. Voters interested in absentee ballots were invited to visit the town halls or the SAU office or they can download the application for the ballot on the SAU70.org Web site. For more information, voters can contact the SAU office at 603-643-6050.
The Board reiterated that the voting on March 6 in Hanover is to be at the Richmond School rather than the high school as was printed in the mailer.
The Board requested that administrators look into video taping the community forum interviews of the candidates for the Principal of Richmond School.
b. Council Representative Report
Zoe Proom reported on the council’s discussion and rejection of an idea to recreate a senior lounge on campus. The Council has continued its discussion of the high school’s Common Ground and how it might be enhanced. The council requested that the Student Life Committee incorporate more displays in the school common areas. Because Council attendance has been an issue, students on the council recommitted to their service on the council.
c. Superintendent Report
Dr. Gersen reported that following a meeting he held with John Trautlein, Deb Gillespie, and Dr. Michael Lyons, the healthy food issue at the high school has been delegated to the school’s Wellness Committee for its review. This committee will confer with all pertinent parties and make a recommendation to the Board in May. John Trautlein confirmed his intent to provide only healthy snacks in the vending machines and the Wellness Committee will discuss the issue of beverages in the vending machines. The issue of limiting “unhealthy food” on campus through bake sales and café offerings will not be a part of the Committee’s deliberations. A Board member suggested that the Wellness Committee open its deliberations to the public via the SAU70 Web site.
The Superintendent also spoke about the search process for the Richmond School principal and reviewed the schedule of public interviews.
d. Assistant Superintendent Report
Assistant Superintendent, John Aubin reviewed highlights of the Dresden School District Auditor’s Financial Report ending June 30, 2006. He indicated that for the first time ever the District meets GASB 34 reporting requirements and includes information different from the regular school budget such as a balance sheet, fixed assets, government funds, depreciation within the statement of activities, and student activity funds. The auditors commented on the cash flow system used by the high school food service. Mr. Aubin stated that this deficiency will be addressed as the new system software is used and incorporated into the operation. The National School Lunch program was also raised as an issue by the auditors, but Mr. Aubin noted that this is not as relevant for the Dresden School District as there are few eligible free and reduced students, excessive paperwork requirements, and noted that the High School already provides a “free and reduced” lunch program for the small number of students who meet the criteria.
e. Principal Reports
Deb Gillespie reported that high school Girl’s Soccer Coach Hank Tenney has been named the 2006 Northeast Girl’s Soccer Coach of the Year and he is a candidate for National Coach of the Year.
Principal Finer reported that the Renaissance Festival was abbreviated due to the snow days and they hope to continue associated activities in May.
f. Committee Reports
Budget Committee – Kari Asmus reported that the Finance Committee met and it favors that an Audit Subcommittee be formed. The Finance Committee passed a motion supporting the Teacher Contract but reservations were expressed about the lack of progress in the alternative compensation and evaluation committees. The next Finance Committee meeting is on March 19.
Communications Committee – This committee reviewed the mailer about the school budget that was sent to voters. New Annual Reports include color-coded pages. It was reiterated that the mailer included a mistake about the location for voting on March 6, which is at the Richmond School rather than the high school as printed in the mailer.
Negotiations – The Alternative Compensation group held its initial meeting and an launched a fact finding effort. Deliberative committee sessions will be scheduled after the group learns about existing plans that vary from the traditional track and step model.
5. Business Requiring Discussion
The Board made final preparations for the District Meeting. Article 3 will be presented by Mary Sachsse; Article 4 by John Chamberlin; and Article 6 by Robin Carpenter and Stan Williams.
John Aubin gave an overview of the guidelines for the Investment Policy. The Board wants to develop a balanced process and policy so that the Treasurer and Assistant Superintendent can work together successfully and invest the district’s funds beneficially. Key areas requiring more Board discussion include clarifications and semantics on some of the policy points including conflict of interest and internal controls. The Board discussed whether the issue should come under the jurisdiction of an Ad Hoc Committee or within an existing committee. On March 12 the Board will reorganize and assign may a committee to the project.
6. Business Requiring Action
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Linda Gray to approve the list of coaches as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Mary Sachsse and seconded by John Chamberlin to an amended resignation date for Susan Finer from June 30, 2007 to July 31, 2007. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Nonpublic Session
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Kari Asmus to enter
nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 for discussion of personnel matters. The motion passed unanimously. Roll call was conducted and the Board entered nonpublic session at 9:58 p.m.
8. Adjournment
A motion was made by Mary Sachsse and seconded by Kari Asmus to adjourn the meeting at 10:? p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:? p.m.
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