September 17, 2008
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, Melissa Wedge, Nathan Morin, John Moulis, Marion Huntley, Georgia Caron, Beverly Dupont, Dan Record, Corinne Cascadden, Jane Provencher, Ken Proulx, Roland Pinette, Cheryl Pinette, Tom McCue, Julie King, Kamalesh Doshi, Donna Couture, Joanne Malloy, Gail Scott, and members of the press.
MINUTES On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Martha Laflamme, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2008 meeting, public and non public sessions. The motion passed unanimously.
FINANCIAL REPORT Marion Huntley reviewed the latest financials and answered various questions asked by the Board.
WARRANTS A motion was made by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, to approve the warrants dated September 15, and September 22, 2008 for the amounts of $4,162.74 and $129,703.29 respectively. Discussion ensued. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
COMMENTS None
BIOMASS Kamalesh Doshi from BERC gave the Board a presentation on BIOMASS which is used mainly for community benefit. BERC promotes smaller usage such as in schools and hospitals. There is a grant from Tillotson and NH Charitable Foundation which is providing services for 12 areas in Coos County .. We would be one of the twelve. He explained how biomass works. He informed the Board that 35 schools in VT are using wood chips and some have been doing so for more than 20 years. An analysis would be funded by the grant at no cost to the district. The Board consensus was to move forward and look into receiving the analysis. It should take approximately two to three months to finish.
PBIS Julie King and Joanne Malloy gave the Board a presentation on the PBIS program. Julie King summarized the positive results that were experienced over the past school year using data from the SWIS software system that is used at BHS. They also explained the focus areas for the 2008-2009 school year. Joanne Malloy talked about the APEX grant and how PBIS can work to make students successful. Sustainability was also mentioned.
GAGGLE John Moulis explained this program and informed the Board that the cost would be $4.25 per student email account at the high school only or $3.00 per student district wide. Gary Bisson gave examples of how it could be used. Discussion ensued. The Board recommended that we try it for free in a few classes to see how well it works and then report back to the Board with a recommendation.
SUPER REPORT The Superintendent reported on NEAS&C; Healthy Snack Program; NEA Mini Grant; purchase/lease vehicles and the Dummer Tuition Agreement drafts Mr. Moulis is waiting for a response from Paul Bousquet on the Dummer tuition drafts.
Martha Laflamme asked what the next step was regarding the four day school week. Mr. Moulis stated that a committee needs to be developed. Mitch Couture asked when the committee would be formed. Mr. Moulis responded that he would put out invitations and have a committee set up by the October 15th Board meeting.
Martha asked if there was a priority on vehicles the school department needs. Mr. Moulis responded he would request one bus, one maintenance truck with a plow and sander, then an additional bus. On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Melissa Wedge, the Board voted to submit a capital improvement request of two buses at $134,683 and a ¾ ton maintenance truck with plow and sander estimated at $35,000. On a roll call vote, Nathan Morin, Melissa Wedge, and Mitch Couture voted in the affirmative; Martha Laflamme voted in the negative. The motion passed by a 3 to 1 margin.
COMMENTS Tom McCue commended the Biomass and PBIS presentations. He spoke of the Biomass use and appreciates this issue being looked into.
NEW BUSINESS Martha Laflamme thanked Bev Dupont for the Hillside School Calendar magnet. She also mentioned the Educators savings promotion being held at Borders.
Nathan Morin requested an update of the success of grant efforts to date. An update was given.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Martha Laflamme, the Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 8:00 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 Nathan Morin, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:15 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. No additional votes were taken in nonpublic session.
STAFFING On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to accept the following staffing changes:
RESIGNATIONS:
NOMINATIONS:
Deana Valliere - Reading First Tutor - Brown School
Gerald Perreault - Grade 7 Field Hockey Coach
Steve Vogel - Grade 8 Soccer Coach
Matt Buteau - Grade 7 Soccer Coach
Laura Ouellette - Soccer Coach - Hillside
Lori Henry - Soccer Coach - Hillside
Paula Landers - Soccer Coach - Hillside
RE-NOMINATIONS:
Craig Melanson - Athletic Director - BHS
Pam Carrier - Hillside Science Team
Pam Carrier - Hillside Yearbook Advisor
Joanne Murphy - Hillside Yearbook Advisor
Elizabeth Kelly - Hillside Writer's Club Advisor
David Griffin - Hillside Student Council Advisor
Barbara Demers - Hillside School Store Advisor
Steve Enman - Cross Country Coach - BJHS
David Griffin - Grade 8 Field Hockey Coach
Paul Arguin - Field Hockey Coach - Hillside
Lynda Arsenault - Field Hockey Coach - Hillside
Joele Losier - Field Hockey Coach - Hillside
Wendy Reardon - Field Hockey Coach - Hillside
Joanne Murphy - Soccer Coach - Hillside
Gary Roy - Soccer Coach- Hillside
Steve Enman - Intramural Director - BJHS
Meg Valliere - Intramural Assistant - BJHS
Kevin Meehan - Intramural Assistant - BJHS
Meg Valliere - Soccer Coach - Hillside
Celine Leborgne - Student Council - Bartlett
All nominations are contingent on the applicant 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 9:17 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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