For a verbatim account of the meeting, see tape.
October 17, 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, Nicole Plourde, Nathan Morin, Brian Leclerc, Martha Laflamme, John Moulis, Marion Y. Huntley, Steve Michaud, Gary Bisson, Tim Forestall, John Donaldson, Dan Record, Beverly Dupont, Ken Proulx, Roland Pinette, Corinne Cascadden, Jane Provencher, Cheryl Pinette, Katie Kelley, Paul Bousquet, Pauline Plourde, Joanne Carpenter, Donna Goodrich, Anne Hill, Robert Belon, and members of the press.
GRS MEETING Paul Bousquet asked if it was feasible to reorganize to join Berlin and Gorham; a few comments were made but no real answer was given. He then asked when Berlin thought there will be a definitive answer regarding their recent study to restructure the Berlin schools. John Moulis responded approximately three months as an estimate.
Mr. Bousquet feels it would be a good idea to have the principals at BHS and GHS get together regularly to review options of sharing classes i.e. band (maybe once a month). He feels the only way we will get more is to talk more.
He also stated that Milan is appreciative of being able to be involved with the reorganization committee once additional members are invited to participate in the process.
Mr. Bousquet also asked “What about StateplaceBerlin joining the GRS district”? They currently have a five year agreement. The question is how can we benefit the students in our communities? This focus is mainly on the high school students.
Pauline Plourde asked if the Board has ever had a meeting with the City Council to pose such questions i.e. consolidation. The Board responded that it has only been talked about informally but not as a Board or with Council.
Pauline Plourde stated we need to determine the feel of the City Council to see if there is support and if this is the appropriate time. More discussion ensued.
Katie Kelley would like to see more curriculum talk between Milan and Hillside i.e PBIS and math curriculum. She is promoting time to work together.
Jo Carpenter stated she is looking for answers to give their constituents who are still interested in investigating options for joining Berlin.
Donna Goodrich wondered what the process is to get Berlin’s constituents input on combining the school districts or related issues in order for them to give their input to the City Council. Options of a non binding referendum were discussed. It was mentioned that issue was at least a year away.
Katie Kelley asked for clarification that it is too late for a referendum this year, but next time Berlin could have a referendum giving input to the City Council. The referendum process isn’t required; the Board could go to the City Council and then have a city vote on it in 2008.
Brian Leclerc suggested discussing this with the City Council and see what happens.
Mitch Couture recommended talking as a Board.
Jo Carpenter ended the session by stating we should all continue to work together and to continue working with options for sharing opportunities for our students. The next meeting will be held in Gorham.
MINUTES On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2007 meeting, public and nonpublic sessions. The motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS A motion was made by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Martha Laflamme, to approve the warrants dated October 15, and October 22, 2007 for the amounts of $12,555.92, and $159,917.46 respectively. Discussion ensued regarding the purchase of propane, physical therapy provided by AVH, vandalism to a fence, and questions on the costs incurred by the fire at the high school. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
COMMENTS None
NC CHARTER A presentation was made to the Board by Lisa Lavoie, Principal of the North Country Charter School Academy. The school is in its fourth year and things are going well. They appreciate the support of local school districts. The school provides alternative education options to students who were at risk of dropping out of school. Eighty three students have graduated over the past three years; twenty seven of them were dropouts dating back to 2001. Currently there are four students (all seniors) from Berlin attending this program.
NHSBA No action was taken on the NHSBA resolutions contained in the Board packet.
APPROPRIATION Discussion ensued regarding the recommendation presented to the Board on the distribution of the 07-08 additional appropriation. A motion was made by Brian Leclerc , seconded by Nicole Plourde, to proceed in this direction and if there is a surplus to bring this issue back to the Board. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative. The funds will be distributed as follows: $65,000 books (reading program); $75,000 fuel; $45,209 educational assistants for special education.
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SUPER REPORT Board policy information on conflict of interest was given to the Board.
The Board was reminded of the Lights On After School presentation on October 18, 2007.
The Governor and Executive Council met at the BJHS Auditorium on October 17, 2007.
The October 1, 2007 enrollment figures were given to the Board.
The Capital Improvement Plan was also distributed to the Board.
READING FIRST On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Martha Laflamme, the Board voted to approve the attendance of two staff members to the Northeast ASCD Conference on November 30 and December 1, 2007 as part of the Reading First Grant. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMENTS None
NEW BUSINESS Nicole Plourde informed the Board that the high school was sending a representative to the WAIT Program on November 1 and 2, 2007; the junior high is still in discussion with the Superintendent on this issue.
Brian Leclerc commented on a job well done by Mrs. Dupont with the Governor and Executive Council meeting.
Nicole Plourde congratulated the After School Program for its proclamation from the Governor and their national recognition.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to go in to nonpublic session at 7:45 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II(a),(b), (c). On a roll call vote, Mitch Couture, Nathan Morin and Martha Laflamme voted in the affirmative; Brian Leclerc and Nicole Plourde voted in the negative. The motion passed by a three to two margin.
On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 8:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. There were no additional votes taken in nonpublic session.
STAFFING On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to accept the following staffing changes:
RESIGNATIONS:
Kelly Roberge – Individual Aide – Brown School
NOMINATIONS:
Mary Guay – Bus Driver – District
Liza Perry – Educational Assistant – Mini Mounties Program
Lynda Arsenault – Intramural Athletic Director – Hillside
Kevin Meehan – Intramural Assistant - BJHS
RE-NOMINATIONS:
Steve Enman – Intramural Athletic Director – BJHS
Steve Enman – Intramural Basketball Coach – Hillside
Tim Villeneuve – Intramural Basketball Coach – Hillside
PersonNameLiza Aldrich – Intramural Basketball Coach – Hillside
Joanne Murphy – Intramural Basketball Coach – Hillside
Lynda Arsenault – Intramural Basketball Coach – Hillside
Gary Roy – Intramural Basketball Ball Coach – Hillside
Richard Aldrich – Intramural Basketball Coach – Hillside
David Arsenault – Band – BHS
Jean Bouchard – Drama – BHS
Shawn Conant- Yearbook Advisor – BHS
Elaine Connary – FCCLA Advisor – BHS
Sonya Dube – ECE Advisor – BHS
Julie King – Senior Class Advisor – BHS
Linda Lafleur – FCCLA Advisor – BHS
Marc Lauze – AM Supervision – BHS
Marc Lauze – PM Supervision – BHS
Ted McCormick – JCWA Advisor – BHS
Ted McCormick – Student Council Advisor – BHS
Ben Murphy – Drama Ass’t – BHS
Beth Pahigian – Language Club Advisor – BHS
Wendy Reardon – Senior Class Advisor – BHS
Roland Simard – AM Supervision – BHS
Alan Woodward – AM Supervision – BHS
Gloria Caouette – Key Club Advisor - BHS
All nominations are contingent on the person passing a criminal record check. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to adjourn it’s meeting at 8:11 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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