DRESDEN SCHOOL BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING (RSA 198:20-b) AND REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
7:00 P.M., HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carpenter, Carter, Chamberlin, Fleischer, Gray, Rose, Sachsse, Vitt, Williams; Council rep Jovine; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Nourse; Gillespie; and 16 members of the public. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order
Chair Bruce called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. Public Hearing in accordance with RSA 198:20-b, for the purpose of accepting a gift.
Chair Bruce opened the public hearing. The Superintendent reviewed the way the $20,000 gift from the Byrne Foundation to Hanover High School would be used to support the March Intensive program. The Board expressed concern about future funding of the program if a grant or gift of this magnitude was not available and decided that it would deal with that issue during the budget review process. The Board expressed its appreciation of the gift.
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Linda Gray to accept with gratitude a $20,000 gift for the March Intensive program from the Byrne Foundation. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Robin Carpenter and seconded by Kari Asmus to close the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. The public hearing closed at 7:12 p.m.
3. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by John Chamberlin to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 28, as submitted with changes. The motion passed with the exception of one abstention (Asmus). The changes in item 5, the second paragraph was to be deleted and replaced with “the Board statement is attached to the minutes.” In item 5, the motion to delete line 15 in the statement was opposed by all except one yes vote by Robin Carpenter. On the following motion to amend line 6, all Board members opposed the motion, except the two in favor, who were Marjorie Rose and Robin Carpenter.
4. Agenda Reorder
Board members decided to change the order of the meeting agenda for the public to deal with specific issues up front. Additionally, the board planned to go into recess to deal with issues related to the Disciplinary Appeal Committee and then it would reconvene to finish board business.
5. Business Requiring Discussion
Richmond School Principal Search
Superintendent Gersen cited the schedule for the Richmond School principal search process. He recommended that an outside search firm be used to conduct the search given the scheduled activities in the weeks ahead and the fact that the Interim Principal may be a candidate for the position. After a brief discussion, the Board agreed to form a subcommittee (Carpenter and Vitt) help select the search firm in the coming month. The board anticipated that interviews would occur in February. It was estimated that contracting to conduct the process would cost approximately $10-15,000. The Board acknowledged that the teachers would be involved in the search process.
6. Business Requiring Action
2009 Budget Guidelines
The Board discussed the proposed budget guidelines for the principals in the next budget cycle. The discussion focused on the timing of the process and that some of the pertinent information regarding the labor contract and retirements would not be known. The Board emphasized the importance of keeping the quality of education in the forefront during the process. A list of potential program changes or cuts in an effort to meet the 2.75 percent increase to the total budget compared to the previous budget would be provided to the Board at the November Board meeting.
The Dresden Finance Committee is developing a long term analysis of the change rates in the large budget items such as special education, benefits, and other costs and it is expected to be forwarded to the Board within two weeks.
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by John Chamberlin to adopt the 2008-09 Budget Guidelines as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
7. Communications and Reports
a. Council Representative Report
Olivia Jovine reported on the Council’s recommendation regarding the vending machine food and beverages, which requested the Board to defer a decision about suggested nutritional guidelines that were proposed by the Wellness Committee. The Council will research this issue and adopt a recommendation on nutritional guidelines and student choice to bring to the Board in November.
The Council also discussed an honor code and developed a letter to the administration regarding the cheating incident. The Council will be communicating to students in various ways to gather input to help develop its new policy recommendation. The Board suggested that the Council consider reviewing the code for all athletics and expand it to cover all extra-curricular activity participants. Board members also suggested that such a policy include a penalty for dishonesty.
b. Principal Reports
Principal Gillespie reported that high school is focused on addressing concerns raised in response to the cheating incident now that she has embarked on the process of dealing with the students involved. She noted that a forum featuring Aine Donovan, Dartmouth ethicist, was held earlier in the evening with 150 attendees. She also announced that study circles will be organized to consider how to develop an alternative outlook about cheating. There is a desire to involve younger students in these conversations and to encourage all of the school community to participate in the process.
The Principal also reported on Open Houses held for ninth, tenth, and twelfth grades to address issues unique to each grade level. Finally, Ms. Gillespie reported that the Grand Opening of the new Merriman-Branch Memorial Athletic Field had almost a thousand people in attendance.
Richmond School Principal Nourse reported that there were 14 teachers that trained for the Responsive Design Program that involves half hour meetings of students and teachers each Wednesday mornings in an effort to build school community. He noted that one of his math teachers has been replaced by a long-term substitute and thanked several staff members for filling in for the absent teacher while the new teacher was recruited. He reported that he was still seeking a special education aide and a substitute for Spanish are still being sought. The Board requested that Principal Nourse add their names to his weekly email list.
8. Business Requiring Discussion
2006-07 Dresden School Accomplishments
Each Principal presented his/her school’s accomplishments in 2006. Jim Nourse reported that the Richmond School was selected as a Blue Ribbon School for volunteer programs for the 26th year in a row. Other 2006-07 community outreach programs included a partnership with Kendal residents and Dartmouth special education mentors. Service projects included the Middle School’s participation in the Children Helping Children program which gathered funds for students in Guatemala, Bolivia, and Kenya. Other highlights included the introduction of the Responsive Design program, which is being used in homerooms to build respectful and empowered students. The Middle School also featured the Renaissance Festival, Young Writers project, and a series of science seminars.
The Hanover High School accomplishments included awards recognizing the Siemens Advanced Placement, Teacher of the Year, the Vermont Governor’s Award for environmental work, the Quiz Bowl championship, participation of HHS thespians at the Fringe Festival in Scotland, meritorious designation in the International Contest in Math Modeling, 11 state athletic championships, several athletic sportsmanship awards, and many honors for High School musicians.
9. Public Comment
Steve Woods asked the Board about the SAU Web site posting of the Frequently Asked Questions related to the cheating incident. He asked why the issues were not discussed in public session and about the students’ involvement in relation to participation on sport teams. The Superintendent reported that he developed the FAQ section on behalf of the Board to address many of the media questions that have been asked of Board members and discussed in the community. With regard to participation on athletic teams, he stated that the athletic honor code is focused primarily on substance abuse and does not currently penalize academic dishonesty. He indicated the guidelines could not be changed now and applied to any student retroactively.
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Mary Sachsse to move to recess at 9:30 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The Board move to recess and expected to reconvene the meeting afterward.
The Board reconvened the School Board meeting at 11:20 PM.
10. Business Requiring Action
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Mary Sachsse to accept a restricted gift of $1,500 to pay for padding on the retaining wall of the turf field as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Chip Fleischer to approve Debra L. Williamson as long term substitute for Math, at a salary of track 1, step 1, for a least one semester. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by Robert Bruce to approve a leave of absence for Catherine Caldwell as outlined and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by John Chamberlin to approve the list of coaches as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Assistant Superintendent, John Aubin briefed the Board about the Café Services contract. The Board suggested that a full discussion about outsourcing the food service take place at the next Board meeting.
The Board recognized a letter it received from the Hanover Education Association of its intent to bargain. The School Board’s negotiating team will include Chip Fleischer, Kari Asmus, and Linda Gray. John Chamberlin will serve on the support staff negotiations. Cary Callaghan will also be asked to serve on the support staff negotiations team.
John Chamberlin volunteered to serve as a liaison to the Hanover Parks and Recreation Board.
11. Adjournment
A motion was made by Mary Sachsse and seconded by Robert Bruce to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 PM. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
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