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For a verbatim account of the meeting, see tape.
June 6, 2007
A meeting of the Berlin Board of Education was held in the Berlin High School library beginning at 6:00 p.m. Present for the meeting were Mitch Couture, Martha Laflamme, Nicole Plourde, Nathan Morin, Brian Leclerc, John Moulis, Marion Y. Huntley, Steve Michaud, Corinne Cascadden, Gary Bisson, Tim Forestall, Beverly Dupont, Dan Record, Jane Provencher, Ken Proulx, Roland Pinette, Cheryl Pinette, Craig Melanson, Angela Duquette, Amy Huter, Alan Woodward, Randy Drapeau, Tracey King, Keith Duquette, Sue Lanctot, Deborah Beaudoin, Muriel Blais, Stepheni Baumann, Ann Elise Record, Tammy Fauteux, Erika Langlais, Jean Bouchard, Floyd Burlock,
Erika Bourassa, Dan Brigham, Keri Malone, Nancy Forestall, Celeste Croteau, Jen & Olivia Boucher, Patricia Faucher, Brenda Lamarque, Kathleen Arsenault, Roland Simard, Dave Morrissette, Cheryl McCormick, and members of the press.
MINUTES On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2007 meeting, public and nonpublic sessions. The motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS A motion was made by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Nathan Morin, to approve the warrants dated May 29, June 4, and June 11, 2007 for the amounts of $1,492.34 $5,891.75 and $301,105.80 respectively. Brian Leclerc joined the meeting at this time. Discussion ensued and questions were answered. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
COMMENTS Amy Huter gave the Board a list of signatures she obtained in support of Kindergarten. She realizes that no decision has been made, but would like to show support for the program. Helen Schotamus from the NHDOE was also present to show support for maintaining the Kindergarten program. Amy spoke of educational benefits and savings by having Kindergarten to avoid future costs trying to catch up for that lost year of education. She would like to see the Board’s support for Kindergarten now and in the future. Alan Woodward read a written statement in support of Kindergarten and sports at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. The following parents spoke in support of
Kindergarten, Keri Malone, Erika Langlais, Jen Boucher, Patricia Faucher, Kathy Arsenault, and Tracy Kane. The Board thanked the people for their input and support. The Board hopes to be able to maintain current programs for the coming year.
TITLE I Jane Provencher informed the Board of an increase in allocation for the Title I Program for the 2007-2008 school year. She would like to hire additional staff members and also send two additional staff to the Title I National Conference. There will be no cost to the district for these requests. The Administrative responsibilities will be covered by other personnel in the district during their absence to attend the conference. A motion was then made by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Martha Laflamme to allow two additional staff members to attend the Title I National Conference. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
POLICIES On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to approve the first readings of Policies, GBAA, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence and JBAA, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. The motion passed unanimously.
SUPER REPORT The Superintendent informed the Board of the request from Dummer for a Tuition Agreement and that a tentative meeting is scheduled on June 20, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss this issue. The Milan and Dummer AREA Meeting is scheduled at the same time.
The Superintendent discussed two policies BIF and BGE that he would like to present for a first reading at the next scheduled Board meeting. These are model policies from NHSBA.
Jean Bouchard’s grade 6 social studies class did a project on Patriotism. He chose to show case the following three student projects on what it means to be an American.
They were Janelle Lefebvre; Cody Fauteux and Jesse Martin; and Kathryn Record and Moriah Lanteigne.
Stepheni Baumann reported to the Board the chorus group and the high school band came in second with the chorus receiving a superior rating at their competition on June 1, 2007.
COMMENTS None.
NEW BUSINESS Discussion ensued on the scheduling of the next Board meetings. The regular meeting scheduled on June 20, 2007 will remain. A noon meeting will be held on June 22, 2007 to pay bills only. The June 27, 2007 noon meeting was cancelled.
Martha Laflamme offered congratulations to Craig Melanson and Susanne Lanctot on the senior athletic awards night. Brian Leclerc stated it was good to see the support for the sports programs and requested people call the Governor requesting more aid from the state. Nicole Plourde stated our commitment to keep what we have and that the Board will do the best they can, given available funding. She stated the Board’s passion and commitment to the students of the Berlin School District.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to go in to nonpublic session at 7:00 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II(a),(b), (c). On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Brian Leclerc, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:25 p.m. On a roll call vote, the motion passed unanimously. One additional vote was taken in nonpublic session.
STAFFING On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to accept the following staffing changes:
RESIGNATIONS:
Megan Merchant – Grade 1 Teacher, Brown School
Stepheni Baumann – Music Teacher, District
Josee Brannen, Title I Reading Tutor, Bartlett School
NOMINATIONS:
RE-NOMINATIONS:
Kristine Roberge – Teacher
All nominations are contingent on the person passing a criminal record check.
RULES On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nicole Plourde the Board voted to suspend the rules of order to allow a student to voice his concern. The motion passed unanimously. Jonathan Henson presented the Board with a list of 235 signatures requesting the renomination of the high school business teacher. He spoke in support of keeping this teacher. Nathan Morin then made a motion, seconded by Brian Leclerc to reinstate the rules of order.
ADJOURN On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to adjourn it’s meeting at 9:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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