March 20, 2014
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 Nicole Plourde, Lynn Moore, Louise Valliere, Donald Labrecque, Denise Valerino, Corinne Cascadden, Bryan Lamirande, Amy Huter, Georgia Caron, Tim Forestall, Gary Bisson, Roland Pinette, David Griffin, Nancy Couture, Dr. Paul Schoenbeck, parents, students, and a member of the press.
MINUTES On a motion by Louise Valliere, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2014 meeting, public and nonpublic sessions. The motion passed unanimously.
WARRANTS On a motion by Lynn Moore, seconded by Louise Valliere, the Board voted to approve the warrants dated, March 3, 2014 and March 24, 2014 for the amounts of $16,611.72 and $259,655.67. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative.
FINANCIAL REPORT The Board reviewed and approved the financial report.
COMMENTS None
DESTINATION Three of the five Destination Imagination teams consisting of students from Hillside, Berlin Middle School, and Berlin High School performed the skits they presented at the regional competition in Littleton, NH on March 8, 2014.
BOYS HOCKEY The Superintendent reviewed a request from SAU 20 to allow their students to join the Berlin boys’ hockey team. She gave the Board the history of the implementation of the girls’ hockey team. Principal Gary Bisson reviewed the funding mechanisms for hockey vs other sports. He felt that SAU 20 should commit to funding the hockey program; not the individual parents.
Nicole Plourde would support the schools getting together to form a cooperative team. She feels that SAU 20 should fund it so that students of all differing economic levels would be able to try out and play. This would ensure equality of opportunity.
Donald Labrecque felt that a funding formula should be developed and submitted to NHIAA for consideration. He feels the Gorham School District should help support the program, but also conceded that they can’t be told what to do.
A motion was made by Louise Valliere, seconded by Donald Labrecque to support the SAU 20 request by taking it to the next level with NHIAA. All members voted in the affirmative.
Gary Bisson agreed to send a letter of request to the NHIAA.
BOARD GOALS On a motion by Louise Valliere, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to approve the Board Goals as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
FY 15 BUDGET The Superintendent informed the Board that the administration was looking into reducing the FY15 budget by $423,000.
SUPER’S REPORT None
COMMENTS Dr. Paul Schoenbeck informed the Board that he intends to go back to the Gorham School District informing them of his support of SAU 20 funding its portion of the boys’ hockey program. He feels that a letter from the Berlin Board of Education with their concerns would carry a lot of weight. He also feels that the way it is set up now it becomes an elitist program and that is not fair.
MEMBER BUSINESS Nicole Plourde discussed her fears regarding what Berlin could lose with the withdrawal of Milan from the AREA Agreement. She feels that the Berlin School District should offer financial services to Milan and Dummer.
The Superintendent reported on a study conducted to pursue an increase for collaboration in the area schools a few years ago. She was not sure if the law allows us to provide these services and would need to have it reviewed by our attorney.
Nicole Plourde feels that stability for the Berlin School District is very important. The next Milan School Board meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2014.
The Board directed the administration to explore the feasibility of offering administrative services to Milan and to have a conversation with Milan on this issue.
Due to a conflict in schedules, the next Berlin Board of Education meeting will be on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 instead of Thursday, April 3, 2014.
Louise Valliere stated that she was very proud of all the students’ extra-curricular activities, such as Destination Imagination and sports.
NON PUBLIC On a motion by Donald Labrecque, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to go into nonpublic session at 7:36 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 Lynn Moore, seconded by Louise Valliere, the Board voted to come out of nonpublic session at 9:04 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. No additional votes were taken in nonpublic session
STAFFING On a motion by Louise Valliere, seconded by Lynn Moore, the Board voted to approve the following staffing changes:
Resignations:
Richelle Greer – School Nurse – Hillside/Berlin Middle School
The motion passed unanimously
All nominations are contingent on the applicant passing a background check.
ADJOURN On a motion by Denise Valerino, seconded by Donald Labrecque, the Board voted to adjourn it’s meeting at 9:06 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary, Berlin Board of Educati
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