October 17, 2013
A joint meeting of the Berlin Board of Education and the Milan and Dummer School Boards was held in the Berlin High School library beginning at 6:00 p.m. as required in the AREA and Tuition Agreements. All members introduced themselves. Present for the meeting were Nicole Plourde, Lynn Moore, Donald Labrecque, Kenneth Proulx, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Georgia Caron, Amy Huter, Julie King, Gary Bisson, Dan Record, Tim Forestall, Ann Nolin, Paul Bousquet, Pauline Plourde, Karen Wheeler, Jennifer Miller, David Morrissette, Don Picard, Jake Moore, Kevin Carpenter, Anne Dignard, Hannah Dean, Tammy Fauteux, Carrie Poirier, Debbie Beaudoin, Sue Griffin, Stephanie Hogan, Brenda
Gagne, Sandy Pouliot, Becca and Paige Pouliot, Amy Bugeau, Celine Leborgne, Stephanie Price, Dave Backler, Patricia Shute, and member of the press.
The Berlin Superintendent distributed copies of the Student/Parent Manuals for Berlin Middle School and Berlin High School, the district’s 2012-2013 annual report and the district brochures. Berlin reported that enrollment has been consistent for the past three years, what was lost with closing businesses, was gained with federal prison employees.
Discussion ensued about the benefits of joint school calendars.
Berlin Chair Nicole Plourde expressed that Berlin would like to educate all students in order to be able to offer more programs and that some inquiries are beginning made about a governance structure that would provide a Milan and Dummer resident the opportunity to have a voting seat. Milan chair Patricia. Shute expressed that they always felt they had an opportunity to express their opinions and participate in any processes, but that exploration of a grade change at Milan Village and consolidating with the GRS cooperative school district were purely fiscally driven studies. Milan residents have seen large tax increases, therefore wanted to study if a different option to educate their students would be more cost effective. It was also expressed that Milan residents may not be aware that they can have an active role in
Berlin schools.
SAU 20 Superintendent shared that the districts have had numerous school studies to assist with strategic planning. Community forums were held in all towns and Berlin, to elicit discussion among the area citizens and the outcome was a road block with governance of towns vs. cities.
Milan and Dummer Board members reiterated that they all trust and promote that Berlin is a good school district and that any changes to the current agreements would be based on financial benefits for the residents.
A Milan Board member questioned the expansion of CTE programs with Law Enforcement. Plans are in place for a 9-week exploratory course at Berlin High School and to pursue expansion based on high student interest and career opportunities.
Discussion continued about governance. Concord School District is an example of an independent school district in a city. SAU 20 administration voiced that they are not in the position to approach Berlin’s City Council for any changes on governance of schools.
SAU3 Board discussed the concern for duplicating services. Not consolidating schools means fewer resources for all our students. Equally, SAU 20 has difficulties budgeting when new students move into their districts that are unplanned for and the cost of tuition has to be realized, where Berlin just absorbs new students without much effect on the current budget.
Berlin Superintendent discussed the commitment and support of the Mayor and City Council in moving the district forward with technology. An additional budget appropriation was granted to assist the school board in realizing goals towards one-to-one computing for all students, increased and updated infrastructure, and providing necessary training for teachers to maximize educating our students.
Berlin School board member expressed the need to maintain an AREA agreement with Milan rather than a Tuition agreement for our financial planning and for programmatic commitments. Year to year student enrollment by parent choice, as a Tuition Agreement allows, would be difficult to plan. Whereby an AREA agreement provides a more predictable number of students who attend Berlin exclusively, unless they meet certain requirements as identified in the NH RSAs for Manifest Hardship or Best Interest of the Child.
Milan Board Chair shared that their enrollments have decreased by approximately 100 students in the last decade. She also offered assistance to Berlin schools in any way needed.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
BOARD MTG The Berlin Board of Education meeting came to order immediately following the Joint Meeting.
MINUTES On a motion by Lynn Moore, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2013 meeting, public session. The motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS On a motion by Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to approve the warrants dated, October 14, 2013, October 20, 2013, and October 21, 2013 for the amounts of $12,832.42, $9,607.00, and $143,231.91 respectively. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
FINANCIAL REPORT The Board reviewed and approved the financial report.
FY 15 BUDGET The Superintendent informed the Board that this was the time of year to begin the budget process for FY15. She has not yet received a directive from the City Council on the budget appropriation. The Superintendent is looking for any directives from the School Board. Nicole Plourde commented that she would like to the administration to make sure the Technology Plan continues to be realized.
COMMENTS Amy Huter inquired if the Board had any interest in implementing an all-day Kindergarten? Discussion ensued. The Administration will review the issue and report back to the Board.
BESS The Superintendent informed the Board of the upcoming negotiations with the Berlin Education Support Staff.
MANUALS On a motion by Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to approve the Student/Parent and Staff Manuals for each school. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMON CORE Teachers from each school discussed the work they did on Common Core Standards, which includes:
• Prioritization of Standards
• K-12 Unit Design Template
• Curriculum Mapping
• Common Assessment
On a motion by Kenneth Proulx, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to approve and adopt the Common Core Standards. The motion passed unanimously.
SUPER’S REPORT The Superintendent informed the Board on the following issues:
• Science NECAP Results
• Family Resource Center – Annual Meeting
COMMENTS None
NEW BUSINESS None
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 8:11p.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 Donald Labrecque, seconded by Kenneth Proulx, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:23 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:
NOMINATIONS:
Chanda Bunnell – Title I Assistant – Hillside
Travis L’Heureux – 1st Asst – Boys Varsity Ice Hockey
Jessica DeYoung – Varsity Spirit Coach
TEACHER NOMINATIONS:
RE-NOMINATIONS:
BHS Coaches
Peter Peare – Girls Varsity Basketball Coach
Karen Turgeon – Girls JV Basketball Coach
Donald Picard – Boys Varsity Basketball Coach
Anthony Mullins – Boys JV Basketball Coach
Michael Poulin – Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Coach
Tanya Rosenberg – Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Coach
Paul Arguin – Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Asst Coach
Denise Roy – Hillside Interscholastic Athletic Director
Mandy Woods – Girls Basketball Coach – BMS
Mike Smith – Boys Basketball Coach - BMS
Hillside Girls Basketball Coaches:
David Griffin
Joanne Murphy
Karen Turgeon
Liza Aldrich
Lynda Arsenault
Reggie Coulombe
Hillside Boys Basketball Coaches:
Nicole Arguin
Dana DeBlois
Paula Landers
Kevin Meehan
Gary Roy
The motion passed unanimously.
All nominations are contingent on the applicant passing a background check.
HEALTH INSURANCE On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to adopt an HRA with NH Interlocal Trust and Berlin Public Schools with the school department contributing up to 50% of the cost provided the total cost to the district does not exceed $10,000 to pay for a deductible on Out Patient Day Surgery. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to approve the implementation of a Flexible Spending Account. On a roll call vote all members voted in the affirmative.
On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to approve the “Save On” Plan at a cost not to exceed $2,000 to the district. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
ADJOURN On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to adjourn it’s meeting at 9:25 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Education
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