MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
August 23, 2011
1. Call to Order: The Aug. 23rd meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present were Andrew Kearns, Joe Kopitsky, Keith Bradley, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. There were two staff members present.
2. Approve Minutes – (6-14-11 & 7-14-11) – Motion by Mr. Kopitsky, second by Mr. Bradley, to approve the Minutes of the June 14th regular meeting and the July 14th special meeting as circulated. Motion carried with 2 affirmative votes and Mr. Kearns abstaining.
3. Citizen Comments: None. .
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
A. SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson reported there will be an SAU Executive Board meeting on September 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the SAU Office.
5. Old Business:
A. Student Advocate for Jackson Students – Dr. Nelson noted the cost would be about the equivalent of one-half day pay per week for Vicki Varrichione, or about $8,000 for the year, including benefits.
B. Wetlands Project – Mr. Bradley stated they have to call for an inspection; to his knowledge the only thing not done is the aquatic plants. He requested this be placed on the agenda for the Sept. meeting. Mr. Kearns will check to see exactly what is required for plants, or if what is there naturally is O.K.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider Second Reading and Adoption of Revised Policies –
1. EGA (Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy)
2. IIAC (Policy for Selection and Procedures for Handling Challenged Materials in School Media Center)
Motion by Mr. Kopitsky, second by Mr. Bradley, to approve Policies EGA and IIAC at second reading. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. Consider First Reading of Policy DIA (Fund Balances) – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Kopitsky, to accept Policy DIA at first reading. Dr. Nelson explained this is needed so that any remaining fund balances can be returned to the town. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Accept Resignation of Shannon Waggoner – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Kopitsky, to accept, with regret, the resignation of Shannon Waggoner as 40% music teacher. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. Election of Katie Saunders as 1:1 Aide for the Summer Program – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Kopitsky, to approve election of Katie Saunders as 1:1 Aide for the Summer Program. Comment was made by Mr. Bradley that he is very pleased that Ms. Saunders stepped up with only six hours’ notice and stayed for the whole summer. Motion Carried by unanimous vote.
C. Election of Ashley Borthwick-Mosson as Half-time Special Ed. Teacher – Motion by Mr. Kopitsky, second by Mr. Bradley, to elect Ashley Borthwick-Mosson as half-time Special Ed. Teacher. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
D. Election of Sarah Parsons as Part-time Instructional Aide – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Kopitsky, to elect Sarah Parsons as Part-time Instructional Aide. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
F. Consider Election of Lauren Houlihan as 40% Music Teacher – Motion by Mr. Kopitsky, second by Mr. Bradley, to elect Lauren Houlihan as 40% Music Teacher for the ensuing year. Mr. Kearns said it was great that we were able to get somebody. Ms. Dembowski said she will be shared with Bartlett. She noted with the original posting there were no applicants, but we were able to make an offer to share with Bartlett who will pick up 60% of the salary and all of the benefits. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
E. Approval of Request by Dexter Harding for Leave of Absence – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Kopitsky, to approve leave of absence for Dexter Harding for six days without pay. Motion carried by unanimous vote. It was left that Mr. Harding could either take all six days without pay, or has the option to use three personal days if he so chooses.
8. Business Affairs:
A. Consider Approval of Food Service Agreement with Bartlett – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Kopitsky, to approve the proposed food service agreement with Bartlett. Mr. Bradley questioned whether we increased our rates this year. Ms. Dembowski reported it is in the handbook to charge $3.00 per lunch, Bartlett is charging $2.75. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. FYI – School lunch Program Deficit – Mr. Bradley questioned the deficit, noting $11,000 was budgeted. Dr. Nelson explained $11,000 is what we will use to pay for the deficit in the program, noting we planned that there would be a deficit and budgeted money for it - it is coming in as a $6,000 deficit, we had revenues of $12,000 in terms of sales. He suggested that this year they will probably take an average of the three years the program has been in existence and see what that looks like. Mr. Kearns questioned, since it is a set price that we pay, and we have a food service employee, where does the fluctuation come from? Dr. Nelson said usually by the participation in the program. Ms. Bennett noted also the number of free and reduced lunches was
significant this year.
C. FYI – 2010-11 Summary of Expenses and Receipts – Mr. Bradley questioned the amount going back to offset taxes. Dr. Nelson said it is $154,130.
D. Signing of MS-25/DOE-25 Reports – All documents were duly signed.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent – Dr. Nelson advised that August 29 & 30 will be teacher workshop days, the kids return to school on Aug. 31st. He reported teacher orientation was held today, we have a good group of people, of 16 new people 13 attended this morning’s orientation. Ms. Dembowski stated she has included a schedule of teacher workshop days for the Board members so they will be informed. Dr. Nelson noted with only two workshop days having been scheduled, both he and Dr. Gadomski will visit during those times.
B. Principal –
Ms. Dembowski reported the Excellence Committee has come up with a draft plan, including goals. Mr. Kopitsky stated it was a great summer, meeting and working together; the whole committee did a great job of putting together all the information gathered at the end of the year and coming up with suggestions of what we can do to improve. Mr. Kearns wished to establish a date for the Board and Staff to get together sometime this fall, and asked that it be put on the agenda for the Sept. meeting, to look at a date after the year has gotten underway. Ms. Dembowski said they will have a plan available to be sent out to the parents and will include action steps for people to be involved. Mr. Bradley suggested using the Listening Post again.
Ms. Dembowski called attention to a series of binders made available regarding the summer program, noting all did a fabulous job. She stated all activities were well done, they studied economics of Mt. Washington Valley, and took a trip to Cranmore to see what they have done for tourism. Mr. Kearns questioned the numbers. Ms. Dembowski stated it depended on the week - a report will be provided.
10. Citizen Comments: Ms. Bennett congratulated Carrie McLane on a well organized and executed summer program, noting she did a nice job of keeping track and ran a great summer program.
11. Board Member Issues: None.
A. Set Date for Next Meeting – September 19, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. .
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: At 6:25 p.m. Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Kopitsky and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board adjourn to non public session under RSA 91-A:3, II.
Nonpublic Session Minutes
A personnel matter was discussed.
Mr. Kopitsky moved to return to Public Session and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kopitsky and passed unanimously at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
Agenda items for Sept.:
Report on aquatic plantings for Wetlands Project
Set date for Board/Staff fall meeting
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