SAU #70 - Hanover School Board

Present: Board members Asmus, Bruce, Carpenter, Carter, Chamberlin (7:14), Fleischer, Pilchman (7:15); Administrators Gersen, Aubin, Roberts, Williams, Brush; and five members of the public.

1. Public Hearing in accordance with RSA 198:20-b, for the purpose of accepting a restricted gift in the amount of $10,000

Chair Fleischer called the Public Hearing to order at 7:10 p.m. He introduced Anne Macintosh and Janice O’Donnell, Ray School physical education teachers who serve on the Universal Play Space Committee. They outlined the Committee’s proposal for upgrading the existing Play Space to make it barrier free for all students. Mrs. O’Donnell explained that an organization called, Partners in Health, donated $10,000 last spring to fund equipment improvements and provide pathways for wheelchair access to parts of Play Space. Mrs. Macintosh said the Universal Play Space Committee was now asking the Board to accept a $10,000 donation from the Brieanna Weinstein Fund toward the next phase of the proposed project, estimated to cost $55,000, which would add an additional structure (tree house) to wrap around the existing Play Space, ramps to the structure, excavation, and paving. She said the Committee will be seeking grants and donations from the private sector and possibly the Bridgman Trust Fund to cover the cost of the project. In response to a Board question, Jonathan Brush, Director of Buildings and Grounds, said there would be limited maintenance on the structure for a number of years. Mrs. Macintosh said that the Committee envisions other improvements to Play Space in time to come.

2. Close Public Hearing

Chair Fleischer closed the Public Hearing at 7:43 p.m.

3. Call to order

Chair Fleischer called the regular meeting to order at 7:43 p.m.

4. Business requiring action

a) Accept restricted gift of $10,000

Nancy Carter moved and John Chamberlin seconded a motion to accept the restricted gift of $10,000 from the Brieanna Weinstein Fundfor the purpose of partial underwriting of playground upgrades. The acceptance is contingent on Board approval of the final playground design. The motion passed unanimously.

5. Report of Chair:

1. Board Calendar – Mr. Fleischer announced that the next regular Board meeting will be Wednesday, January 17, 7:00 p.m., at the Hanover High School Library. This will also be the public hearing on the budget and budget adoption.

Chair Fleischer also announced that the January 16 Dresden School Board meeting will be held at the Marion Cross School Library in Norwich, VT, 7:00 p.m.

2. District Meeting – Chair Fleischer announced that the Annual School District meeting will be held on Saturday, March 3, 1:00 p.m., at the Richmond School Gymnasium. This will be the discussion phase of the meeting. 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 Gymnasium.

3. District Filings – Mr. Fleischer announced that two (2) School Board seats are open in March (Kari Asmus, Bob Bruce). Both are for three (3) year terms. Filings take place any time from Wednesday, January 17 until 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2007. Other positions open are, District Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer, all one year terms. Filings for School Board and School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Anne Chamberlin, or at the SAU Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, Hanover. There is a $1.00 filing fee.

Mr. Fleischer also announced that the Dresden School District has filing dates from Tuesday, January 16 through 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 5. Filing for School District Officers can be done with either the School District Clerk, Deborah Carter, or at the SAU Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, Hanover. Positions open are Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer for one year each, and Auditor for three years.

4. Petitioned articles for the Warrant – Chair Fleischer announced that petitions for inclusion in the Hanover School District Warrant must be received by 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, February 1. Petitions may be presented to any member of the Hanover School Board, or delivered to SAU #70 Office, 45 Lyme Road, Room 207, Hanover, NH, which is considered the Board Office.

6. Public comments

There were no public comments offered.

7. Business requiring discussion

a) Bridgman Trust money – Principal Bruce Williams distributed a list of five possible options for the Bridgman funds, and briefly reviewed each one with the Board. Board members then discussed whether funding the lift for the multi would fall within the parameters for using the trust. After a lengthy discussion, an informal poll of the Board was taken with the majority of the members indicating support for including the cost of the lift in the budget. Joanne Roberts introduced the possibility of using IDEA-B funds for the lift and offered to explore that option with the State Department of Education. Also mentioned was the possibility of using $3,400 in the Keller donation for the lift.

b) 2007-08 proposed budget – John Aubin began the discussion by distributing updated budget information and reviewed it with the Board. He then introduced Jonathan Brush to discuss the need to provide safe access to the Colonial House for students with disabilities. Mr. Brush outlined the proposed changes which include creating a travel way, ramp to the building, and a new, larger doorway into the structure. Discussion centered around what the ADA requirements are if the Colonial House is part of the curriculum for students. There was also a discussion on the need to improve access to the surrounding area. Board members seemed to lean toward including the costs in the 2008 budget.

Another topic for discussion was upgrading the 42 interior door knobs in the school to meet ADA and security requirements. The cost to do this project is $16,800. After debating whether to do part of the project this year and finish it in 2009, the Board decided to include the entire upgrade in the 2008 budget. The security upgrade also included the costs to convert five exterior doors to accommodate swipe cards, which will be provided to all staff members for access the building.

The Board then discussed whether to fund the sprinkler system for the new soccer field in the operating budget or to use Bridgman Trust Funds for that purpose, deciding to use Bridgman Funds for that purpose after an informal poll.

Joanne Roberts’, Interim Assistant to the Superintendent, presentation included three graphs showing the number of students per disability category, the total number of students receiving special education services in each of the past five years, and the number of students in the current year receiving special education services in each grade. There are currently 70 students, who receive special education services at the Ray School.”

The budget deliberations concluded with Principal Williams answering staffing questions posed at the last Board meeting.

c) Draft School District Warrant –The Superintendent distributed an updated draft Warrant for the Board’s review. He asked for Board members to email him with comments and edits before next week’s Board meeting.

9. Nonpublic session

John Chamberlin moved and Robin Carpenter seconded a motion to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (I. ) for discussion of a personnel matter and RSA 91-A:2 (I.b) for discussion of negotiations at 11:01 p.m. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

10. Adjournment

Larry Pilchman moved and Nancy Carter seconded a motion to adjourn at 11:04 p.m.The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 11:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary B. Davis

Recording Secretary