MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
April 6, 2011
1. Call to Order: The April 6th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Dr. Carl Nelson. Present were Andrew Kearns, Lauren Synnott, Joe Kopitsky, Genn Anzaldi, Keith Bradley, Dr. Carl Nelson and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. There were nine members of staff and general public present.
Reorganization of Board: Motion made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Kopitsky that everything remain the same as the previous year. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Kearns then took over the Chair.
2. Approve Minutes – (3-16-11 and 3-21-11) – Mr. Kearns made note of change on Pg. 3, Item 11, in that he had been notified that the monies from the NH Charitable Foundation having to do with the Whitney Center are not split into thirds - it has to remain in priority order: (1) Capital building projects and maintenance, (2) programs, (3) operations. Motion by Mr. Kopitsky, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve the Minutes of the March 16th meeting as amended, and the Minutes of the March 21st meeting as submitted. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Citizen Comments: Ms. Dembowski, having asked Mr. Bordash to attend the meeting to address building issues, requested that he be allowed to speak next. Mr. Bordash reported with regard to the roof leak above Ms. Dembowski’s office, he has an appointment with Dwight Kimball who is a principal of the company who put the new roof on. He stated he is not sure the leak was a result of their work, but will meet with them on Wed. to do a walk-through and come up with a plan to address it, including any responsibilities of the guarantee of their work. He noted the roof is not leaking now and was a result of an ice dam. He said he had put heat tapes on to alleviate that. He noted also there was one day
of a leak on the metal roof which went away that day. Ms. Synnott asked if we determine the roof problem is not something they did wrong will we still go with Dwight? Mr. Bordash could not answer that, but suggested possibly reconfiguring the heat tapes to direct it differently next year.
Mr. Bordash noted the second problem is the septic system for the old section of the school; it is separate except for the shared leach field under the parking lot. He noted at the beginning of March they had a freeze up, thought it was a pump problem, but found it was not. He stated they have not had a freeze up since the expansion of the building. They have had the tank pumped twice at a cost of $600. He stated he called in a gentleman who has an ice thawing system, but was told he could not do anything with it because of the way it is plumbed. Mr. Bordash said because it has not frozen before, there is the possibility that there is something else going on, noting that when L.A. Drew did work there they had
to put two couplings on it so we do not know if that is a source of the problem. He said he has contacted FX Lyons to look at the manifold. They should not have to pump it again, but will have to put some more money into changing the plumbing.
Mr. Bordash reported that the Whitney Center septic is flowing fine, there had been a problem in the kitchen, but it is thawed now. He noted the tank does not have the bacteria necessary to keep it flowing.
Mr. Bradley questioned the status of the siding at the Whitney Center. Mr. Bordash said he has everything ready to do the repair, but is just waiting for warm enough weather to do that.
Preschool Situation – Amanda Murphy reported the Lilliputian Montessori School is moving to North Conway. She would like to see preschool being offered in Jackson and asked that it be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. She noted this coming fall there will be about eight families in town who would like to stay here. A group of citizens has been looking at spaces in town and would like cooperation with SAU 9 to cover that need. She cited as pluses student interaction of younger with older kids, collaborative fundraising efforts, community events, the convenience of having the children here in one school, and said it makes Jackson attractive to families who are moving here. She said she is
looking for SAU 9 involvement in bringing it under their wing. Ms. Murphy said space is the biggest issue, then teachers, and covering costs. Mr. Bradley agreed it is something to consider, noting nothing would be able to happen this season because budget season has come and gone.
It was noted the preschool needs to be separate, that the Bartlett preschool is a separate operation from their school; however, it is housed in the school building. Karen Burton, who does the bookkeeping for the Bartlett preschool, stated all payroll is done separately in the Bartlett preschool, they follow the calendar of SAU 9 but have separate insurance, pay rent to the Bartlett school, pay their own electric, cable, etc. The rent provides revenue for the Bartlett School.
Mr. Bradley questioned whether they have considered going to the Selectmen seeking to use the old library, noting also there is the space that the present Lilliputian school is vacating. Mr. Kearns noted also the space vacated at the church or old Red Fox building. Ms. Synnott questioned whether there is a minimum number of days and hours. Ms. Murphy said they have 4 to 8 kids, they would follow the format as in the past, those kids would be coming here to next year’s Kindergarten class.
Mr. Bradley said he would support it as a citizen. Mr. Kearns said he sees the advantage of wanting to keep the kids in town and would support that, but we do not have available space in this building at this point. Ms. Murphy said she will be meeting with Pam Stimpson on Thurs. and Mr. Kearns advised he would like to hear the results of that meeting. He said there is nothing that could take place for 2011-12 as regards use of this building, we would be open to it, but he does not envision the space being available here, and with the fluctuation in population that we have, there is no guarantee the space would be available on a yearly basis.
Ms. Anzaldi said we would have to modify this building which might be more costly than having it somewhere else. Mr. Kearns reported that Jackson will have a joint meeting with Bartlett in May and will bring it up at that time to see what the limits are. Ms. Burton said she would like to see the preschoolers be able to be bused to Bartlett. It was noted that transportation for preschool is generally up to the parents.
Mr. Bradley recommended they form a committee, come up with some ideas, adding if the school was to be involved at all, we would need to know before the following year.
High School – Karen Burton requested that the Board please consider looking at high school issues, noting she has been faced with problems by a teacher regarding Special Education there - there are some missing gaps, some problems there that she would like them to look at. She noted on one occasion she has had to hire her own advocate for her child at the high school. Ms. Burton commended Ms. Dembowski for her help and attention to the situation. Dr. Nelson stated he would be happy to look into it. Ms. Synnott questioned whether the Liaison is for Bartlett kids only. Dr. Nelson stated she is assigned to Bartlett, but she does not turn down any kids. It was reported the issue of the liaison will be
discussed at the joint meeting in May as well.
Budget Cuts – Dr. Badger wished to know if the cuts were to go through at the high school, how much money that would save Jackson. Dr. Nelson stated that would take some figuring. Dr. Badger said he would encourage the School Board to look at where we feel there are deficiencies; if we feel there are gaps in the education, if there are ways to offer opportunities to our kids, we should look into that. Mr. Kearns said after we get the calculation of what the savings would be we could look at that.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items: Dr. Nelson reported there will be an SAU Board meeting on April 28th at 6:30 p.m. at the Conway Professional Development Center. It will be a reorganizational meeting.
5. Old Business: Wetlands Project – It was reported that as soon as the snow melts this will be revisited. It was explained it is hoped to get some of the ground work done before our permit expires, doing some grading, filling in wet spots and taking care of the culvert. It was agreed this would remain on the agenda for the following meeting. Jennie Haggarty questioned who owns the old playground equipment. She was told it will be set up at the library.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider First Reading of Revised Personnel Policies for Contracted Personnel
B. Consider First Reading of Revised Personnel Policies for Noncontracted Personnel
Mr. Kopitsky reported he and Ms. Synnott have held meetings with the JGS staff to discuss revising and adding some policies to the Personnel Policy. Areas that are not in there and have been discussed are: early retirement, retirement, sick day buy back, and health insurance after retirement for contracted personnel; for noncontracted personnel: retirement, compensation for days on which they substitute teach. A proposed draft was provided.
Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Kopitsky, that the Board approve revised Personnel Policies for Contracted Personnel at first reading. Dr. Nelson made note that at the top of Pg. 2, Retirement Health Insurance, there was question of changing the required number of years taught in the Jackson School District from 15 to 25. It was noted that presently that would not constitute any cost to the Jackson taxpayer. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Motion made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve first reading for revised personnel policies for non contracted personnel. Ms. Synnott stated it actually saves money; it will not affect this year’s budget. Dr. Nelson noted Sec. 13.2, “or 100 days sick leave accumulates to 100 days” to be deleted. Carried by unanimous vote. It was agreed Mr. Kopitsky and Ms. Synnott would revise the Policies and submit to Dr. Nelson in preparation for second reading.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Consider Extension of Contract for the Teaching Principal – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Ms. Anzaldi, that the Board vote to extend the teaching Principal’s contract through June 2013. Motion carried with four votes in the affirmative and abstention by Mr. Bradley. [Mr. Bradley explained his abstention is not due to anything negative regarding Ms. Dembowski, but that he is not prepared to make this decision due to lack of information.]
B. Nonrenewal of Teaching Staff (to be addressed in non public session)
C. Accept Resignation of Sally McMurdo – Motion made by Mr. Kopitsky, second by Ms. Anzaldi, that the Board accept with regret the resignation of Sally McMurdo as half-time Special Education Teacher. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI – 2010-11 Budget Status Report – Report provided. Dr. Nelson stated they are still in “pretty good shape.”
B. Signing of MS-22 (Report of Appropriations Actually Voted) – All documents were duly signed.
C. Vote to Withdraw $42,860 from the Maintenance Trust Fund – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Ms. Anzaldi, that the Board withdraw $42,860 from the Maintenance Trust Fund for the purpose of replacing the portion of the roof over the middle section of the school. Carried by unanimous vote.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent – None.
B. Principal –
Ms. Dembowski wished to publicly thank the Board and the community for their support at this difficult time. She expressed gratitude that this community supports the school so well.
Ms. Dembowski noted that Heather, Dexter and Kristin have gotten new students in their classrooms this year and have done a great job of helping them get acclimated to our school. Also she said she would like to thank those who helped with Destination Imagination and the Nordic skiing program, stating we have extraordinary support from the community.
Ms. Dembowski reported they have started to move forward on the summer program; have had some interest from local people who are looking for positions here. She said she is assuming they will keep the fees the same as last year which will bring us well below the money that we have in our budget. It will be open to Jackson residents first and then broadcast to others. Ms. Anzaldi suggested letting new families know we have a summer program, possibly by way of the school newsletter. It was noted the hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday thru Thursday, however, some participants have stayed until 4:00 p.m. and some arrive early. Mr. Bradley questioned whether it would be worth looking at extending it to
include Friday as well since we will be saving some money. Ms. Dembowski said she would have to look at the numbers and the staffing.
10. Citizen Comments: Making reference to a survey based on school philosophy, curriculum and instruction, school facilities and financial support, administration, faculty and services, educational community, communication, Will White wished to know when survey results will be in. Mr. Kearns stated that will be discussed in non public session. It was noted the intention of the survey was to do a needs assessment. The questions were obtained from the SAU, tailored to make it specific to Jackson.
Dr. Badger commended the Board for following up on the survey, noting the more specific and targeted the better and more useful the information. He said he was surprised that it came from the School Board instead of the Principal. Ms. Anzaldi stated it was in conjunction with the Principal, they worked together on it. Mr. Kearns said it was aimed at putting together an excellence council, having a voice from all the different aspects of our school community. This came from Ms. Dembowski. Ms. Haggarty questioned whether all the teachers read the actual surveys, noting that with such a small school confidentiality would be a concern. Mr. Kearns said the Board looked at the surveys and had help from the SAU to compile them. The information was retyped so that no
handwritten responses were distributed and confidentiality could be preserved. It then went on to the staff.
Mr. White encouraged the Board to take their individual surveys out, his feeling being that it is going to be very difficult to keep their biases out, also they have internal information as a Board and their responses as a parents could skew the data since we are a small school. He stated researchers do not add their own data to research.
11. Board Member Issues: Next regular meeting scheduled for May 16, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Bartlett/Jackson Joint Boards meeting is to be held in Bartlett on May 3rd at 5:00 p.m.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: At 7:10 p.m. Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Bradley and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board adjourn to nonpublic session under RSA 910A:3, II.
Nonpublic Session Minutes
The Board reviewed a personnel matter.
Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Bradley, to return to Public Session and adjourn. The motion passed unanimously at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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