May 6, 2009
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, Nathan Morin, Nicole Plourde, Brian Leclerc, Marion Y. Huntley, Corinne Cascadden, Beverly Dupont, Dan Record, Gary Bisson, Georgia Caron, Tim Forestall, Roland Pinette, Ken Proulx, Jane Provencher, Nancy Forestall, Tom McCue, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Sutton, Angela Duquette, Amy Huter, Kayleen Manfredi, Diana Nelson, Cheryl Pinette, Lucille Lambert, Brittany Rex, and members of the press.
MINUTES On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2009 meeting, public and non public sessions. The motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Martha Laflamme, the Board voted to approve the warrants dated April 27, May 4, and May 11, 2009 for the amounts of $3,899.00, $17,962.68 and $437,332.40 respectively. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative with Mitch Couture abstaining.
FINANCIAL REPORT The Board reviewed the Financial Report and thanked the staff for their efforts.
COMMENTS Diana Nelson from the NHDES requested the use of the BJHS auditorium at no cost on June 3, 2009 for an event NHDES is sponsoring relative to upcoming jobs related to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Board agreed unless there was a conflict with scheduling. Ms. Nelson will contact Mrs. Dupont to make the arrangements.
READING BOOKS Jane Provencher reported on the Title I program which gives books to students. The program is being expanded to students in grades 4, 5, & 6 using Title I Parent Involvement Funds. This year all students in grades K-6 will receive a book.
BUSING Discussion ensued regarding the transporting of students to school including Safe Routes to School grants. The Board decided to maintain the current one mile limit to begin the school year and to revisit the issue perhaps in November to determine if changes are necessary.
POLICY GDBD On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Martha Laflamme, the Board voted to approve the first reading of Policy GDBD – Family Medical Leave as presented in the packet. The motion passed unanimously. On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to approve the second reading of the Policy GDBD as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
MEDIA PLAN Corinne Cascadden explained the need for an approved written plan for library media services for grades K-12. On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to approve the media services plan presented in the packet. The motion passed unanimously.
BUS GARAGE Discussion ensued regarding the PSNH charges at the bus garage building. The Board agreed that the landlord should put in an additional meter to monitor the use of electricity and that the district should continue to pay for our usage.
SUPER REPORT Gary Bisson and Alan Woodward explained why changes were made to the National Honor Society and that the changes were student driven. Brittany Rex, current President of the Society, headed the changes and was available to answer questions from the Board.
On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Martha Laflamme the Board voted to reinstate the bus repair contract with the Gorham School Department for the 2009-2010 school year at the rate stated in the contract. Further discussion ensued including the contract terms beyond 2009-2010. The contract will be revisited in 2009-2010 to determine future terms. Mitch Couture, Nicole Plourde, Martha Laflamme, and Nathan Morin voted in the affirmative; Brian Leclerc voted in the negative. The motion passed by a 4 to 1 margin.
Discussion ensued regarding the Drug and Alcohol Testing policy for CDL Drivers. The Board requested the word “random” be inserted in the policy. The policy will be brought to the Board with any other administrative changes at the next Board meeting.
COMMENTS Gary Bisson informed the Board that the BHS Prom will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the White Mountain Chalet. Pictures will be taken first at BHS at 4:30 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to transfer money from the fuel account to the Board Scholarship account to bring the scholarship amount to $1,000 for this year and for next year as well. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
Congratulations were extended to the After School Program on its number one rating in the state and for being funded next year.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 7:00 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A3II (a). On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
On a motion by Brian Leclerc, seconded by Nicole Plourde, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 8:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Two additional votes were taken in nonpublic session to seal the minutes of the nonpublic session until deemed appropriate by the Board.
STAFFING On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Nicole Martha Laflamme, the Board voted to approve the following staffing changes:
RESIGNATIONS:
Madeleine Jeffrey – Individual Nurse – BJHS
Brenda Lamarque – Kdg. Teacher – Marston School
NOMINATIONS:
Corinne Cascadden – Superintendent of Schools
The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN On a motion by Nicole Plourde, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to adjourn it’s meeting at 8:50 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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