MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
March 8, 2012
1. Call to Order: The Mar. 8th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Andrew Kearns, Keith Bradley, Genn Anzaldi, Fred Nemeth, Lauren Synnott, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski.
2. Approve Minutes – (2-8-12) – Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, that the Minutes of the Feb. 8th meeting be approved as circulated. Carried by unanimous vote.
3. Citizen Comments: None.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
- SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson noted that the SAU
Executive Board meeting is scheduled for March 22nd at 6:30 p.m., if it is deemed necessary to have one.
5. Old Business: Bus report was reviewed, with Mr. Kearns noting cents per mile for maintenance goes up to $.73 per mile compared to $.18; the purchase schedule would push it out to 12 years. Mr. Bradley said he would like to look at leasing for next year and see what the options are.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider Second Reading and Adoption of Revised Policy DJC (Purchasing) – Mr. Kearns read aloud the final draft which includes “All contracts for purchasing equipment and contractual services in an amount above $20,000 shall be based, when feasible, on at least three competitive prices. Whenever possible, a recommendation will be brought to the full Board for their consideration. Any purchase in an amount above $10,000 that is not put out to competitive bid requires approval of the Board.” Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Ms. Synnott, to adopt Policy DJC (Purchasing) as read. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions: None.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI -2011-12 Budget Status Report – Comment was made that we are “still on track.”
9. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent – Dr. Nelson provided copies of monthly student report.
- Principal – Ms. Dembowski reported on the results of the NWEA testing,
noting they had moved the timing to mid year to allow time to help those students who might need extra help. For the grades 4-6 grouping, 98% tested above the national norms in every subject; grades 2-3 were tested with shorter forms – language, reading and math - and 60% were above average. In checking data for the last three years they noticed, in general, grades 2-3 are at or above norms. She said it tells us what we are doing with our students is making a difference – what we are doing seems to be working, students tested higher than those in most schools around. It was noted that this is the first experience that age group has had with that kind of testing. Ms. Dembowski explained moving it forward in the year gives another 4 or 5 months to target any issues
and determine where extra help is needed.
As regards NECAP testing, 91% tested proficient or above in reading and math. She noted this was a pilot year for the writing – they have to have above nine students for testing or it is not statistically significant – Jackson only has 5 or 6 children to test in that category.
Excellence Committee: The committee met last on Jan. 25th , is making progress on objectives on their action plan, checking off action steps. There are three subcommittees working on three specific areas:
Enrichment Committee – researched, calling and visiting other schools. Teachers are excited about “STEAM blast” – an example is having students count number of tiles in classrooms, cafeteria, hallways (helping with math). There is also a website whereby they can access the Principal who gives the “problem of the day.” On April 3rd the teachers will visit Milan Village School to look into this further. They have discussed after school programs versus in-school programs; will have recommendation before the main committee before final decision, and then on to the School Board.
School Climate Committee deals with teaching a sense of place (i.e. looking at the paint, the front of the school and how welcoming it is). They are surveying staff for ideas.
Ms. Dembowski stated they have just started School/Culture Climate Committee looking at programs for building relationships, helping kids with behavior, etc. They will be bringing recommendation to the Excellence Committee in the fall. She noted the Excellence Committee has made a difference as regards having everyone feeling like they are involved.
Ms. Anzaldi suggested there be a short summary sent out to parents to provide feedback and let them know that there are these things going on, noting we are making good progress and sometimes people don’t always know about.
PTO: Ms. Dembowski reported they are holding meetings later (evening) and include some kind of topic for parents, for instance, Margo and Dexter came in and talked about the after-school math program. The next one will feature Stop/ Talk/Walk – trying to get kids to deal with their own conflicts, and decide what our own protocol is for dealing with kids and how they handle when someone says something inappropriate to them. Also they are allowing folks to order pizza and providing homework time. She noted PTO numbers have declined a bit and the hope is to encourage more folks to get involved. The meetings last about one to one and a half hours.
Summer Program: Ms. Dembowski said they have been thinking about the summer program and Carrie is excited about coming back and running it again this summer. They have also discussed a 5-day program – it is felt they can still do it within the same budget with a slight fee adjustment. The cost had been $40 per week, the change would be to $50, which they feel would cover it. The program has generally run Monday thru Thursday and is mostly an enrichment program. They have been averaging 24 to 30 students. Ms. Dembowski said some people have used the Bartlett Rec Program because they have the five day option and some work five days a week.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – April 11th at 6:00 p.m.
Ms. Synnott questioned how the AP program works at the high school. Dr. Nelson explained most of the AP classes are for the junior and senior years because they have taken the advanced classes to get to the AP. Ms. Synnott questioned whether they take exams. Dr. Nelson said if they score three or better they are eligible for college, a few have taken classes at Granite State College.
Ms. Synnott questioned the VLACS program. Dr. Nelson stated they do use it, have used in the at-risk program.
Whitney Center – Ms. Synnott said it seems that some people in the community feel they are not getting as much use out of the Whitney Center as they would like. Dr. Nelson said there is about $3600 included in the budget to have someone administer that part of the program and hope also to encourage use and advertising. Ms. Dembowski said she feels some of those people are the same people who want to be in the building when we have music and art – Monday thru Thursday; also when PE class is held outside they cannot always plan it because of rain, so use the Whitney Center then – it is used almost daily for school activities. The door is kept locked when the kids are in there.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: None.
14. Adjourn: Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Nemeth and carried by unanimous vote, that the Board adjourn the regular meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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