DRESDEN SCHOOL BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2006
7:45 P.M., HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carpenter, Carter, Chamberlin, Cheney, Fleischer, Gray, Pilchman, Sachsse, Vitt, Williams; Council Representative, Proom; Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Brush, Finer; Gillespie; Jackson. 17 members of the public attended. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to order
Chair Cheney called the meeting to order at 8:25 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Mary Sachsse to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 29, the Retreat of September 13, and the nonpublic sessions of August 29 and September 13, as submitted and amended. The motion passed with all in favor except abstentions by Asmus on the public session of the August 29 meeting and by Carter and Fleischer on the meetings of September 13. Changes included: the August 29 meeting location was Richmond School; Robin Carpenter seconded the motion on item #6, and Linda Gray asked that a topic for the retreat agenda be noted in the minutes.
3. Communications and Reports
a) Chair Report
The Chair, Margaret Cheney announced that the next Dresden School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, 7:00 p.m. at the Hanover High School library. Chair Cheney also noted the Board’s collective desire for meetings to run more efficiently. She also reiterated the Board’s agreement to abide by the media contact guidelines. She also recognized Susan Finer’s resignation announcement and expressed the Board’s appreciation of Susan’s years of effective leadership and the extraordinary honors that Richmond School has received. On behalf of the Board, Geoffrey Vitt also commented eloquently about Susan Finer’s accomplishments and service to the community as principal of the Richmond School.
b) Council Representative Report
Student Council Representative Zoe Proom reported that the council discussed coordinating a canned food drive and allocating funds for the yearbook and student newsletter.
c) Superintendent Report
Superintendent Gersen highlighted a memo regarding the recent court decision on funding education in New Hampshire and the possible re-emergence of the donor town format of funding. John Chamberlin reported that the legislature would not be considering the idea of seeking a constitutional amendment to address the recent court decision.
d) Interim Assistant to the Superintendent Report
Interim Assistant to the Superintendent Joanne Roberts briefed the Board on the SAU/Dresden special education program compliance review by the New Hampshire Department of Education. She reported that the Special Ed program received a five year approval and commendations in many areas. The summary report commended the space, staff, communication, teamwork, and technology qualities of the special education in the Dresden and Hanover schools. There were also suggestions for improvement including using measurable goals in the Individual Education Plans, ensuring that certified staff are available for IEP meetings involving emotionally disturbed students, and aiding the transition upon arriving at the high school.
e) Assistant Superintendent Report
Assistant Superintendent John Aubin reviewed financial documents included in the agenda packets. He highlighted the estimated fund balance of $375,899, the higher than anticipated interest income, and the status of the construction, renovation, and field projects. He indicated that the Vermont construction aid for the athletic fields is more than $70,000 less than anticipated due to the state’s position that the synthetic field is not essential. While the state perceives the synthetic field as a luxury, the district intends to appeal this finding given the fact that it will serve multiple sports, thus saving the cost of additional field development. Mr. Aubin reported that the Middle School is virtually completed, the high school renovation is seventy percent complete and the fields are roughly 30 percent complete. The Board discussed the $375,000 fund balance for Dresden and the respective causes of it. Mr. Aubin indicated that the aggregate savings resulted from a host of factors including medical insurance savings, lower expense accounts, and higher revenues.
f) Facilities Director Report
Facilities Director, Jonathan Brush reported the work on the high school science wing, which is now anticipated to be ready by early November while the floor below it will be done in late November. He reported that the lights will soon to be installed on the athletic fields at the high school and the district is awaiting a Vermont winter conditions permit so that it can continue working on the Norwich fields after October 15. Seeding on that site will be put off until the spring time. It is expected that the students will no longer need to go outside to navigate through the high school starting on Monday, October 2. The High School wood chip plant should be operating by the end of October.
g) Principals Reports
Principal Gillespie reported that the high school had a smooth opening and that the new space is much appreciated. There was a successful open house for parents and about 100 people attended the open house for the community scheduled an hour before the parent open house. The new school Web site is www.hanoverhigh.us.
Principal Finer commented that the Richmond School eighth grade science program is incorporating a lecture series for all students in the school, which will be held in the auditorium. She invited the Board and/or public to attend these lectures on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. 18 speakers are scheduled to give lectures. The students have already heard presenters from TeleAtlas and the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. A schedule of the lecture speakers will be emailed to the Board when it is developed. Additionally, more than 40 local artists have been asked for artwork donations or loans for the Richmond School corridor dedicated to Greg Hemberger.
h) Committee Reports
Committee on Instruction – Mary Sachsse reported that this Committee discussed a proposed attendance policy, which is complicated because of the number of missed classes due to field trips and athletics. Also, teacher Joe Bonfiglio is reviewing the parent surveys for follow-up actions with potential impacts on the budget.
4. Business Requiring Discussion
In response to a resident letter, the Board discussed the athletic practices that are held on holidays. Athletic Director Jackson explained situations when practice is necessary on holidays such as when preparation is necessary for a game The Board decided to not pursue the issue any further at this time.
Mr. Jackson also reported that a meeting of regional principals and athletic directors would be held on October 10 to consider reinstating the Connecticut Valley League. He indicated that he would keep the Board informed about the issue.
The Board tabled a discussion about email protocols as it is a subject that may be addressed by the state legislature within the coming years and most in attendance believed the purposes for using email were clearly understood.
5. Business Requiring Action
The Board discussed the 2008 Budget Guidelines and members of the Dresden Finance Committee explained their recommendation to use the Northeast Regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) as an index for the budget guidelines. The Finance Committee members claimed that the CPI was less restrictive than other suggested indices and it was also more recognizable by the residents. They emphasized that they believe the usefulness of this index should be reviewed after this year. They also noted that if there’s a good reason for the budget to exceed the index, the School Board should proceed, with clear explanations for the public.
A motion was made by Linda Gray and seconded by Robert Bruce to accept the 2008 Budget Guidelines, as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed with 9 in favor and 2 opposed (Sachsse, Chamberlin).
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by Larry Pilchman to approve the Board Goals and action plans, as proposed, amended, and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Nancy Carter and seconded by Larry Pilchman to accept the retirement/resignation from Susan Finer effective June 30, 2007. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Kari Asmus to approve the head swimming coach as submitted and attached to the original meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Nonpublic Session
The Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 10:20 p.m.
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Larry Pilchman to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 for discussion of personnel matters and RSA 91-A:2(1.b) for discussion of negotiations. The motion passed unanimously. The roll call of the Board was conducted. The public session was reopened at 10:40 p.m.
7. Adjournment
A motion was made by John Chamberlin and seconded by Nancy Carter to adjourn the meeting at 10:41 P.M.
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