MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
September 19, 2011
1. Call to Order: The Sept. 19th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Andrew Kearns, Keith Bradley, Genn Anzaldi, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. Lauren Synnott joined the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
2. Approve Minutes – (8-23-11) – Motion by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Bradley, to approve the Minutes of the Aug. 23rd meeting as circulated. Motion carried with 2 affirmative votes and Ms. Anzaldi abstaining.
3. Citizen Comments: There were no members of the public present; however, Mr. Kearns reported Dr. Nelson had received an Email from a citizen who wished to get on the agenda discussion of student advocate. Dr. Nelson pointed out the funds are not there for this year, but could be included in the upcoming budget.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
A. SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson reported there will be a Joint SAU Board meeting on September 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the CPDC, and a regular SAU Board meeting on Oct. 13th at 6:30 p.m. at the CPDC.
5. Old Business:
A. Wetlands – Mr. Kearns reported the plans have been located. Mr. Bradley said they received the specifications and there was no one local who has heard of the recommended grass seed (which is designed to promote good growth). He was able to find a place on the internet; however, it was felt it would be too late to plant this year. Mr. Bradley pointed out there is already good natural growth there; they will remove the silt fences. It was noted Ms. Bennett has the paperwork, which was held up for the seeding. It was agreed the subject of the Wetland would be left on the agenda until the next meeting, and in the meantime Mr. Bradley will follow up to verify that all requirements have been met.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider Second Reading and Adoption of Policy DIA (Fund Balances) -
Motion by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Bradley, that the Board adopt Policy DIA at second reading. Mr. Bradley questioned the need for such a policy. Dr. Nelson noted it is required of all School Districts and is the recommended New Hampshire policy. Upon question of the date to be included, he stated it is the fiscal year end. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Election of Mentors – Motion by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Bradley, to consider election of mentors for 2011-12 as follows: Dexter Harding to mentor Lauren Houlihan, Heather Woodward to mentor Ashley Borthwick-Mosson. Mr. Bradley questioned whether each actually gets $250 worth of service. Ms. Dembowski said they do; she requests they each go over staff development hours that they need, then they have an opportunity to discuss it with their peers. Every couple of weeks they will meet to discuss how to get into the server, how many files they need, etc. She noted this is something the staff requested last year. Mr. Bradley said he sees a problem because in this case they each have
two mentors; however, it was noted that this is because we have fewer people here. Ms. Dembowski said they meet outside of regular work hours; they also give up some of their planning time. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI -2011-12 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson stated they are in good shape so far.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent –
1. SAU Target Goals for 2009-2014 – Dr. Nelson called attention to the SAU 9 Target Goals provided.
Dr. Nelson stated throughout SAU 9 they had a great opening day, including JGS, and things went very smoothly.
Dr. Nelson noted there will be a joint meeting with Bartlett on Oct. 17th, in Jackson, and he requested that if anyone has any items they would like included on the agenda to let him know. Ms. Anzaldi said she would like a perspective of the incoming school’s geography knowledge in that she has heard from some parents that the geography at the Jackson school is not up to speed. Mr. Bradley said he has heard from a parent that everything they covered in their class in Bartlett had already been covered in their class in Jackson. Ms. Dembowski stated they go by the State standards.
Mr. Bradley suggested they should start a discussion about curriculums, and questioned whether there is a way to have discussion to assure that our curriculum is in line with whatever they are doing. Dr. Nelson said he will ask Mr. Voci to be prepared to address the geography portion.
B. Principal –
Ms. Dembowski provided attendance information for the 2011 Summer Reading and Enrichment Program, noting they followed a daily schedule with a morning meeting, went into block rotation, had a snack, lunch, spent some time reading, and in the afternoon had theme-based activities with five different themes for each week.
She noted they had six fewer students than last year - they served 35 in total – 30 Jackson students, 5 from out of town. Ms. Anzaldi questioned whether she did any advertising. Ms. Dembowski stated no, but did send fliers to Bartlett. Ms. Anzaldi noted Bartlett’s summer program was overflowing. Dr. Nelson suggested next year, once Bartlett reaches their overflow number, they might request they send the remainder to Jackson. Ms. Anzaldi suggested also maybe they could start earlier next year. Ms. Dembowski reported they made $3,373, budgeted $8,000. Mr. Bradley noted then the program cost us $5,000. He questioned the reason for doing a summer program. Ms. Anzaldi stated some of it is for those kids who need extra help.
Mr. Bradley questioned the possibility of busing to Bartlett. Ms. Dembowski stated Bartlett is a recreation program, Jackson’s program is more education based. It was noted the lesser numbers could account for the fact that we also had fewer regular students during the school year. Mr. Bradley stated as a parent he was very pleased with Jackson’s program.
Ms. Dembowski reviewed JGS Plan for Excellence 2011-12. 1) reviewed school committees that are in place and the staff members on each. 2) action plan – Goals: steps to be taken to provide students with more challenging learning experiences. Staff reviewed it and thought it over, feedback sheets were provided. Staff had an opportunity to share their thoughts about what was missing and what they might want to add.
Ms. Dembowski said when the survey was taken last year professional development was something the staff asked for in more detail. They will hold staff meetings each month, varying the days so all staff can be there. Each month a designated staff member will share a lesson or unit they have completed or are doing with the group relating to any content area. The focus of the presentation will be related to “Brain Based Theory” and our year long study of learning theory in some way (i.e. differentiation for higher level learners, motivation, memory, habits of mind, executive skills development, student self assessment, performance based assessment, etc.). She will be following up on the goals with the staff.
FYI – a covered wooden jar was exhibited which Ms. Dembowski explained was made from the Bartlett Pear Tree which was formerly in the school yard.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues: NHSBA resolutions were distributed.
A. Set Date for Next Meeting – October 17, 2011 at 6:00 p.m., joint Jackson/Bartlett meeting at 5:00 p.m., Board/Staff meeting October 7th 12:30 to 3:00 p.m.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: At 6:35 p.m. Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Bradley and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board adjourn to non public session under RSA 91-A:3, II.
Nonpublic Session Minutes
The Superintendent Nelson discussed a personnel issue with the Board.
Ms. Anzaldi moved to return to Public Session and adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bradley and passed unanimously at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
Agenda items for Oct.:
Wetlands Project finalization
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