November 17, 2011
A joint meeting between the Berlin Board of Education and the Milan and Dummer Schools Boards was held in the Berlin High School library beginning at 6:00 p.m. Present for the meeting were, Nicole Plourde, Karin Dorval, Nathan Morin, Linda Pivin, Martha Laflamme, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Beverly Dupont, Dan Record, Tim Forestall, Gary Bisson, Georgia Caron, Bailey Rigg, Roland Pinette, Cheryl Pinette, Patricia Shute, Kevin Evans, Paul Bousquet, Susan Solar, Sandy Pouliot, Diane Holt, Ken Proulx, Randall Trull, Katelyn Edwards, Paul Grenier, Craig Melanson, Donny Labrecque, Mark Dorval, Michael Poulin, Joseph Accardi, and Patty Hood
and members of the press.
TUITION Discussion ensued regarding the Dummer Tuition Agreement which will end in 2012. It was proposed that the date on the agreement should be changed along with the addition of an automatic renewal clause.
AREA AGREEMENT Superintendent Bousquet requested an additional meeting be held on this issue. Martha Laflamme proposed that a specific date be incorporated in the agreement at which time a list of students attending Berlin would be final and no changes could be made.
MEETING A meeting will be held on December 1, 2011 at 5:30 pm to review the AREA Agreement.
ADJOURN On a motion by Patricia Shute, seconded by Sandy Pouliot, the Board voted to adjourn its meeting at 6:15 p.m.
BOARD MTG The Berlin Board of Education meeting came to order immediately following the Joint Meeting.
MINUTES On a motion by Nathan Morin, seconded by Linda Pivin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the
November 3, 2011 meeting, public and nonpublic sessions.
WARRANTS On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Karin Dorval, the Board voted to approve the warrants dated, November 14, November 21, and November 22, 2011 for the amounts of $13,273.15, $2,433.38 and $118,939.88 respectively. Discussion ensued regarding course reimbursement. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
FINANCIAL REPORT The Board reviewed and approved the financial report.
COMMENTS Paul Grenier expressed his concerns on how the decision to change the BHS Boys’ Hockey team from Division I to Division III was handled. He stated that hockey is a very emotional issue in Berlin and we need to keep the community involved in any decisions. He feels the Board of Education should petition for reconsideration.
Randall Trull spoke of finding out about moving to Level III hockey by a rumor, his son does not want to play at that level and will look elsewhere.
Mark Dorval informed the Board that the numbers at all levels of Berlin Youth Hockey is higher than it has been for the last five years. He feels we should stay at Level I.
Joe Accardi, President of Berlin Youth Hockey stated that the numbers of young players is strong. Berlin Youth Hockey plays at a high level and feels players should be raised to play at the highest level. He fears he may lose players if this change happens. He asked if there is a way to have this revisited and stated he would do anything he could to help.
Parents feel students are well prepared to play Division I due to their Youth Hockey experience, and question why Division II was not an option.
Katelyn Edwards asked the Board to consider a Girls’ Soccer Team at BHS, or allowing girls to join the Girls’ Soccer Team in Gorham. She presented the Board with a petition showing 24 girls at the high school and 8 at the junior high school would like to play Soccer.
POLICY BCB Policy BCB, Board Member Conflict of Interest was revisited. Discussion ensued. The Superintendent will
present a revised version at the next Board meeting.
1st RDG G POLICIES On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to approve the first reading
of policies – GDB – Employment of Non-Certified Personnel, GDF – Hiring Non-certified Personnel, GDM – Non-Certified Staff Development Opportunities, GDQ- Termination of Non-Certified Personnel as amended.
The motion passed unanimously.
2nd RDG G POLICIES On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Linda Pivin, the Board voted to approved the second reading of policies – GBGA – Staff Health, GBGAA – HIV/AIDS, GBJA – HIPAA, GCAA – Highly Qualified Teachers, GCK – Professional Staff Assignments, GCR – Non School Employment by Professional Staff as amended and to table policies GCA and GCO. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNITY FORUM On a motion by Martha Laflamme, seconded by Nathan Morin, the Board voted to appoint Karin Dorval as the Board representative for the Community Forums Committee. The motion passed unanimously.
TECHNOLOGY On a motion by Linda Pivin, seconded by Karin Dorval, the Board voted to approve Ken Proulx, School Board Elect, as the Board representative to the District Technology Committee. The motion passed unanimously.
SUPER’S REPORT The Superintendent informed the Board of the following issues:
- Hillside/BJHS Administrative Structure was discussed. The issue will be placed on the next School Board Meeting Agenda.
- Christmas Semi Formal at BHS Information
NEW BUSINESS Craig Melanson, BHS Athletic Director explained that he is working with a girls and boys hockey program. The girls program almost folded this year due to low numbers. He informed the Board that we are the third smallest school playing hockey in the state. At this time we have 20 students playing ice hockey, we need to rebuild for the next two years. He commented that he explained this to the High School Principal and he took the information to the NHIAA. Based on this data, it was determined by NHIAA guidelines that BHS move to Division III.
Nicole Plourde asked if we could change division in two years. Mr. Melanson answered yes. She then asked if we could co-op with Gorham. Mr. Melanson answered yes, but noted that Gorham does not have enough boys to add to the team.
COMMENTS Donny Labrecque expressed his support for playing BHS Boys’ Hockey at Level II. He informed the Board that strong younger teams are up and coming. He was wondering if it would be possible to approach NHIAA to reconsider our decision and move the team to Level II.
Patty Hood, former Athletic Director at BHS, commented that from a history perspective this was the same procedure used as when we moved from Class I to Class M.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Linda Pivin, seconded by Nathan Morin, 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 Linda Pivin, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. No additional votes were taken in nonpublic session.
STAFFING On a motion by Linda Pivin, seconded by Karin Dorval, the Board voted to approve the following staffing changes:
RESIGNATIONS:
Bailey Rigg – Technology Coordinator
NOMINATIONS:
David Morrissette – Grade 7 Girls’ Basketball Coach
Jamason Levesque – Grade 7 Boys’ Basketball Coach
Steve Enman – Grade 8 Boys’ Basketball Coach
David Griffin – Girls’ Intramural Basketball Coach
Liza Aldrich –Hillside Boys’ Intramural Basketball Coach
Joanne Murphy – Hillside Girls’ Intramural Basketball Coach
RE-NOMINATIONS:
David Griffin – Destination Imagination Advisor
The nominations are contingent on the applicant passing a criminal record check.
. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN On a motion by Linda Pivin, seconded by Karin Dorval, 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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