August 16, 2012
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 Louise Valliere, Kenneth Proulx, Nicole Plourde, Donald Labrecque, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Amy Huter, Dan Record, Elizabeth Deen, Tim Forestall, Gary Bisson, Roland and Cheryl Pinette, Melissa Rich, William Jones, and members of the press.
MINUTES On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Kenneth Proulx, the Board voted to table the approval of the minutes of the July 19, 2012 meeting, public session. The motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Kenneth Proulx, the Board voted to approve the warrants dated, July 30, August 13, August 19, and August 20, 2012 for the amounts of $4,610.92, $5,981.25, $84,509.55 and $299,115.04 respectively. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
FINANCIAL REPORT The Board reviewed and approved the financial report.
COMMENTS None
COMMUNITY SURVEY The Superintendent presented the Board with the results of the Androscoggin Valley Citizen Input Survey. This survey dealt the different options available for the combination of SAU #3 and SAU #20.
GRADUATION Discussion ensued regarding revisiting and updating the current policies on high school graduation requirements for participation in commencement.
ADM SEVERANCE The Board directed the Superintendent to work with the administrators to develop an Administrative Benefits document for consideration and vote.
BOARD EVALUATION The Board reviewed the results of the Board evaluation done by the administrators and two Board members.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES Discussion ensued regarding the use of Student Activities Accounts. A motion was made by Donald Labrecque to table this issue until the next Board meeting; due to there being no second the motion failed. Further discussion continued. A motion was then made by Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Louise Valliere to return the administration of the Principal’s student activity account to the same procedure before it was restricted by the Board at a previous meeting. Kenneth Proulx and Louise Valliere voted in the affirmative; Nicole Plourde and Donald Labrecque voted in the negative. The motion failed by a two to two count. The administration was instructed to develop a sample policy based on their discussion.
PROPERTY On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Kenneth Proulx, the Board voted to send a letter to the owner of the property at 228 Willard Street stating that they were not interested in buying his property for school use. The motion passed unanimously. On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Louise Valliere, the Board voted to request the City purchase property on Jasper Street. The motion passed unanimously.
SUPER’S REPORT The Superintendent informed the Board of the following issues:
- NEAS&C Report
- Annual Report
- Building Space Plan (Further action will be taken on the Class Space issue to add an all day Kindergarten Program)
- Staff Breakfast
COMMENTS Roland Pinette discussed heating with Biomass at the Junior High School and to consider a long term master plan of purchasing all of the property around the Junior High/Hillside Complex.
Melissa Rich of Hillside felt that the six grade students should not be moved in the high school.
NEW BUSINESS None
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Louise Valliere, the Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 8:34 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 Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Louise Valliere, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:08 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. No additional votes were taken in nonpublic session.
STAFFING On a motion by Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to approve the following staffing changes:
RESIGNATIONS:
Trista Bruns – Educational Assistant – Hillside School
NOMINATIONS:
Dana DeBlois – Hillside School – Athletic Director
Alex Baker – District Computer Technician
TEACHER NOMINATIONS:
Patricia Packard– Multi Grade – Brown School
Nicole Ottavinia - Physical Education – Brown & Hillside School
Anne Dignard– English – Berlin Middle School
Katharine Moore – Grade 3 – Hillside School
RE-NOMINATIONS:
Berlin High School
Craig Melanson – Athletic Director
David Arsenault – Band
Amy Blanchette – HOSA
Jean Bouchard – Drama
Carole Chabot – SADD
Elaine Connary – FCCLA
Sonya Dube – ECE
Kelly Judson – Key Club
Kelly Judson – AM Supervision
Kelly Judson – PM Supervision
Linda Lafleur – FCLA
Ted McCormick – Student Council
Ted McCormick – JCWA
Ben Murphy – Drama Assistant
Beth Pahigian – World Language Club
Heather Piche – Yearbook
Roland Simard – AM Supervision
Alan Woodward – AM Supervision
Alan Woodward – National Honor Society
The motion passed unanimously.
All nominations are contingent on the applicant passing a background check.
LOCAL 1444 On a motion by Louise Valliere, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to approve the Local 1444 contract as presented. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
ADJOURN On a motion by Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to adjourn it’s meeting at 9:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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