HANOVER SCHOOL BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2007
7:00 PM, RAY SCHOOL MULTI ROOM
Minutes
Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carpenter, Chamberlin, Rose; Administrators: Gersen, Aubin, Williams; 23 public; Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to Order – Chair Asmus called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
2. Minutes Approval
John Chamberlin moved and Robert Bruce seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 19 and the nonpublic meeting minutes of September 19, as submitted with changes. The motion passed unanimously. The changes on the regular meeting minutes were: item 5 on the Curriculum section, where an addition was made to note the suggestion that the information would be available on the school Web site. On the Budget Guidelines section it was made clear that the budget would be within the 2.75% spending target.
3. Communications and Reports
a) Report of Chair
Chair Kari Asmus announced that the next Board meeting is scheduled for November 14, 7:00 PM. at the Ray School Multiroom. The students on assignment from Hanover High School Civitas class were welcomed to the meeting.
b) Committee & Liaison Reports
Principal Williams gave an overview of the entire school budget process for the benefit of the Civitas students at the meeting.
c) Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Gersen gave an update about the Faculty Survey for Ray School, indicating that a draft survey will be sent electronically to the Board and discussed at the Dresden School Board meeting. The survey results are expected by the December Board meeting so that the survey findings can be incorporated into work on budget deliberations, evaluations, and alternative compensation.
The Superintendent also presented a Certificate for the Ray School’s Blue Ribbon Achievement Award for extraordinary volunteer efforts. This is the 26th consecutive year that the Ray School volunteers have received this award. The Board expressed its appreciation to all the volunteers and Deb Cromwell, who is the coordinator of school volunteers.
A document certifying that all teacher evaluations for 2006-07 were complete and on file was distributed to the Board.
The November Board meeting agenda will include an initial look at the school budget. The budget document will be distributed at the meeting and the Board members can express their reactions to the preliminary analysis that will be incorporated into the final round of administrative meetings for budget development. The budget is expected to be given to the Board to be reviewed during the December holiday period prior to meetings and deliberations in January.
d) Assistant Superintendent’s Report
John Aubin, Assistant Superintendent for Business reviewed the Financial Report of September 30. It was suggested that a schedule showing the special education reserve fund would be incorporated in future reports. Mr. Aubin indicated that the special education expense is projected to include a number of out-of-district placements that resulted in higher than expected expenditures. The financial report did not include federal grants, which have not been approved, and did not include much food service expense activity.
e) Principal’s Report
Principal Williams reported on three major projects including completion of ADA access work at the Colonial House, the new storage shed, and the grand opening ceremony of the Universal Play Space. He announced that Judy Harvey will receive the New Hampshire Social Studies Teachers award on October 30.
f) District Treasurer Report
John Aubin announced that School District funds that are above the necessary operating budget are invested in the New Hampshire Deposit Investment Pool, which is a high-yielding bank account that is secure and allows fund transfers back and forth to provide additional interest income. Bob Bruce suggested that this issue be shared with the Budget Committee.
4. Public Comments
The students attending the meeting explained that they were fulfilling a Civitas class requirement to see elected representative organizations in action. Additionally, Board members were invited to visit the school more often to experience the daily routine of the school and it was suggested that they contact the Principal’s office to arrange visit dates and times.
5. Business Requiring Discussion
Enrollment Projections
Superintendent Gersen reviewed the enrollment projection charts. He noted an anticipated decline in enrollment next year due to the advancing of the large fifth grade class to the middle school. The Board discussed various housing issues in Hanover that might influence student enrollment. Mr. Williams indicated that the Ray School can accommodate 500 students easily and agreed with next year’s enrollment range, which is projected at between 470-480 students.
6. Nonpublic Session
John Chamberlin moved and Robert Bruce seconded a motion to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (ll.a) for discussion of a personnel matter. The motion passed unanimously. Following the motion, the Roll Call was conducted and the Board went into nonpublic session at 8:05 PM.
7. Adjournment
John Chamberlin moved and Robert Bruce seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
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