DRESDEN SCHOOL BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2006
8:15 P.M., HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carpenter, Carter (left 10:30), Chamberlin, Cheney, Fleischer, Gray, Pilchman, Williams (left 10:40); Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Gillespie, Finer, Brush, Jackson; and three members of the public.
1. Call to order
Chair Cheney called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes
Nancy Carter moved and Larry Pilchman seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 23, and the nonpublic session of May 23, as submitted. The motion passed with two abstentions (Gray, Bruce).
3. Receiving of public input
No public comments were offered
4. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
1. Calendar - Chair Cheney announced that the next regular Board meeting will be Tuesday, August 29, 7:00 p.m., at the Hanover High School Library. She said there will be no Board meeting in July.
2. Retreat - The Chair spoke with the Board about the need for a retreat and asked Board members to check their availability for a September 12 date and get back to her. Items suggested for the retreat agenda were broad issues emerging from the Roundtable discussions and Board goals. Ms. Cheney asked Board members to email her other topics for the agenda.
3. Thank you letters - Chair Cheney reported that she had sent thank you letters to individuals who had made large contributions to the athletic fields project as well as to corporations and institutions.
Ms. Cheney commented briefly on the graduation ceremony saying that it had been held in the new gym because of the thunderstorms and the gym worked beautifully.
b) Report of Council Representative: Council Representative Zoe Proom was not present at the meeting, but Chair Cheney reported that the Council will hold its retreat in the summer to look at its goals.
c) Reports of Administrators
Superintendent’s Report - The Superintendent distributed the results of the parent survey conducted by the Quality of Education Committee members. He thanked the members of the Committee saying the survey could not have taken place without the support and input of an ad hoc work team comprised of Margaret Caldwell, HHS; John Kitzmiller, RMS: Eric von Ammon, Ray School; Ruth Hall, and Marion Abowitz, Marion Cross; and the four building Principals. Dr. Gersen reported that the response rates indicated that parents were eager for an opportunity to provide feedback. He noted that teachers on the Committee were very open to seeking feedback and encouraged parents to complete the survey. He said that there had been a computer glitch with the survey results that resulted in an unintended access to the comments, but that the problem was quickly corrected. Dr. Gersen said that the Board needs time to read and synthesize the material and that he plans to write a report on the feedback by the start of school in the fall. Chair Cheney said there will be further discussion by Board members at another meeting.
Superintendent Gersen spoke about the recent legislative update he received from NH School Boards Association regarding the failure of the legislature to pass the legislation dealing with electronic communication. He said over the course of the coming weeks the District will need to develop its own protocol for email discussions. He indicated that the Communications Committee is working on this and will have recommendations for the Board at its August meeting. Chair Cheney suggested this should be an agenda item for the retreat.
Dr. Gersen updated the Board on a Title II grant he secured that will provide Joe Bonfiglio with a chance to use his skills to explore “state of the art” practices in high school instruction. He said this is a one-year, .2 FTE position, but because there is so much to accomplish, it may run into a second year.
Assistant Superintendent for Business - Assistant Superintendent for Business John Aubin had no report for the Board.
Director of Facilities Report - Jonathan Brush reported that work on the fields continues. He said that thanks to people donating time, equipment, and materials, the District has saved about $300,000 for fill, approximately 4,100 truck loads of materials. These anticipated donations were not in the budget, but did reduce the overall project costs. The tree work is about 90% complete and the line of sight for the press building is done. Mr. Brush said the project is six to seven weeks behind schedule for several reasons, which will result in the fields not being ready for the fall season. Athletic Director Mike Jackson said he is working with the recreation department and other area school districts to try to find fields we can share for practice and games. He said that this delay is having the biggest impact on field hockey.
Buildings - Mr. Brush updated the Board on the renovations at the High School saying that as soon as school ends, 85% of the classes will move into configurations for September 2006. The building will be shut down until August 14. The administrative offices will continue to be open until August 14. He said 90% of the outside of the building is under construction, so no one will be allowed around the building except for driver’s ed, and that will be on a day-to-day basis. By September, the high school will be a “one-roof” building with no need to go outside to get from one location in the building to another. Middle School - Mr. Brush reported that Eckman Construction has requested a extension in the deadline for completion of the punch list until after school is out. He said they expect to close the books on the Middle School building project by August, certainly September.
Principals’ Reports
Hanover High School - Principal Gillespie reported that students are finishing exams and staff is packing. Graduation was indoors for the first time since 1989 due to thunderstorms. She said the new gym worked out very well for the ceremony and that it was a fun graduation. Ms. Gillespie remarked that students are putting out more college applications as a result of being able to submit them on line, and getting good results. This new practice is impacting the Guidance Department, however, as it means an increased workload and more pressure. This may be a topic for discussion in the future.
Richmond School - Principal Finer reported that 8th grade night went very well, everyone had a wonderful time. She said the class trips were fabulous as always, and that it has been a great first year in the new school building.
d) Report of committee representatives:
Communications Committee - Robin Carpenter reported that the Hanover and Dresden Communication Committees held a joint meeting to discuss Content Management Systems (CMS) for electronic communications. He said that Bill Mlacak is continuing to review and follow up on questions. Mr. Carpenter said the Committee will have a recommendation for the SAU Board in the fall. He also said that Committee guidelines for media contacts were brought forward for discussion in the joint meeting, but required more time than was available. Therefore, discussion will continue at another meeting.
Dresden Budget Committee - Kari Asmus reported that the Committee met and set its fall calendar. At the August 7 meeting, the Committee will formulate draft budget guidelines to propose to the Board in August, so that guidelines can be adopted in September.
5. Business requiring discussion
a.NHSBA Resolution on bullying - The Board reviewed the NH School Boards Association Resolution drafted by Robin Carpenter regarding bullying. Board members offered edits to the document and discussed the impact the resolution would have on District policy should the legislature approve the document. Consensus of the Board was to submit the amended draft resolution to the NHSBA by the July 7 deadline.
b.Cafeteria Manager compensation plan - John Aubin began the discussion saying that Ken Thompson, Food Service Manager at Richmond School, had requested a bonus incentive to be included in his 2006-07 contract if he is able to end the school year with the food service program in the black. Board members discussed the goals of the food service program, reviewed possible scenarios for compensating a profitable year, and expressed concerns that might arise. Administrators were asked to study this request further and make a recommendation at the August Board meeting.
6. Business requiring action
a. Adopt Policy GBI, Evaluation of Certified Staff
Superintendent Gersen reviewed the edits made to the Policy since the last meeting. A lengthy Board discussion followed during which Board members expressed concerns about teacher performance, compensation, and Board expectations with regard to feedback.
Larry Pilchman moved and Linda Gray seconded a motion to adopt Policy GBI, Evaluation of Certified Staff, as amended and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed 6 yes, 2 no (Bruce, Carpenter). Nancy Carter had left the meeting by this time.
b. Adopt Regulation GBI-R, School Evaluation and Support System
John Chamberlin moved and Larry Pilchman seconded a motion to adopt Regulation GBI-R, School Evaluation and Support System, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed 7 yes, 1 no (Carpenter).
c. Adopt Policy EEB, Wellness
John Chamberlin moved and Larry Pilchman seconded a motion to adopt Policy EEB, Wellness, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
d. Rescind Policy EEA, Food Services and Nutrition
Larry Pilchman moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to rescind Policy EEA, Wellness, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
e. Adopt revised Policy JGDB, Pupil Harassment/Bullying
Larry Pilchman moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to adopt revised Policy JGDB, Pupil Harassment/Bullying, as proposed and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed 7 yes, 1 no (Carpenter).
f. Review Hanover High School and Richmond School handbooks
Larry Pilchman moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to approve changes to the 2006-07 Hanover High School and Richmond School Student Handbooks as proposed. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Consent agenda
a. Nominations
Thomas Hermanson
Larry Pilchman moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to elect Thomas Hermanson as a .8 Science teacher at Hanover High School at track 1, step 6, salary $35,176 (80% of $43,970), for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
Elise Foxall
Larry Pilchman moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to elect Elise Foxall as a .25 English teacher and a .2 Spanish teacher at Richmond Middle School at track 5, step 14, salary $30,337 (45% of $67,482), for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
Tonya Cluff
John Chamberlin moved and Larry Pilchman seconded a motion to elect Tonya Cluff as a .5 English teacher at Hanover High School for the 2006-07 school year. The motion passed unanimously.
b. Appointment of Coaches
Larry Pilchman moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to accept the coaches as submitted and attached to the original minutes of the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
8. Nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 for discussion of personnel matters.
John Chamberlin moved and Robin Carpenter seconded a motion to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 for discussion of personnel matters at 10:50 p.m. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
9. Adjournment
Robin Carpenter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to adjourn at 11:08 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 11:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary B. Davis
Recording Secretary
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