MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
April 25, 2012
- Call to Order: The April 25th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order by Dr. Carl Nelson at 6:00 p.m. Also present were Andrew Kearns, Keith Bradley, Genn Anzaldi, Fred Nemeth, Lauren Synnott, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski.
Reorganization of Board:
Election of Chairman – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, to elect Genn Anzaldi Chairman for the ensuing year. Motion carried with 4 votes in the affirmative and Ms. Anzaldi abstaining.
Election of Vice-chairman – Motion by Mr. Nemeth, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to elect Keith Bradley Vice-Chair for the ensuing year. Motion carried with 4 votes in the affirmative and Mr. Bradley abstaining.
Set Meeting Dates and Time – It was agreed meetings would continue to be held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Adoption of Rules of Order/Agenda Format – It was determined that the Chair will cast votes and that minority votes will be recorded by name. Manifests will be signed by the Chair and Vice-Chair.
Committee Assignments – It was agreed Mr. Bradley will serve on the Joint Boards along with Ms. Anzaldi and Mr. Nemeth. For the remainder of committee assignments, members will contact the Chair with their preferences, and assignments will be made at the next meeting.
2. Approve Minutes – (3-8-12) – Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Kearns, that the Minutes of the Mar. 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 April 26th at 6:00 p.m. followed by a meeting of the full SAU Board at 6:30 p.m. New Board member orientation will be held May 7th at 10:00 a.m.
B. FYI – 2012-13 School Calendar – Notation was made that the Teacher Workshop originally scheduled for Nov. 13th will be held on Nov. 6th and there will be a full day of school on Nov. 13th.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Instructional Issues: None.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Election of Carrie McLane as Summer Program Director – Motion by Ms. Synnott, second by Mr. Bradley, to elect Carrie McLane as Summer Program Director. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
It was noted that information on the summer program has been sent home to all families. Mr. Nemeth reported that Bartlett’s summer program is full so there may be overflow interest. Mr. Bradley suggested if people are going to be turned away it would be a good idea to notify the community of Jackson’s program for anyone who wants to sign up.
B. Approve Request by Sonya Porter for Leave of Absence – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, that the Board approve request made by Sonya Porter for leave of absence. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Upon question of filling the vacancy, Ms. Dembowski noted that Ms. Porter will still be in the area and can be contacted for assistance.
C. Accept Resignation of Anne Kantack – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Nemeth, to accept with regret the resignation of Anne Kantack as part-time school nurse. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Ms. Dembowski noted the position is generally for 2 to 3 hours per week, and on occasion 2 or 3 days. She stated she has had some local people expressing an interest in filling that position. Ms. Synnott questioned, based on the Wellness Committee meeting, whether a new nurse would have more hours. Ms. Dembowski said it is hoped that since the replacement would be hired at a lower rate of pay, it might allow for more hours.
D. The Board received notice of non-renewal.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI -2011-12 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson reported the budget is in good shape. Ms. Anzaldi questioned whether School Board expenses are on target and it was reported they are in good shape as well. Ms. Anzaldi questioned Repairs to the Building. Ms. Dembowski stated over vacation George Bordash had a new furnace installed, and is in the process of obtaining prices for the windows - after that quote comes in if there is money left they may do some paving.
There was some discussion regarding who gets called when the alarm goes off (as it has done often in the past week since the new furnace was installed), and Mr. Bradley stated he gets called since his name is second on the call list and he felt it would make sense if the school were to be called first. Mr. Kearns noted if Mr. Bordash had a cell phone the alarm company would be able to reach him when they cannot get him here.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
- Superintendent – Dr. Nelson noted there will be a Bartlett/Jackson Joint
Boards meeting at Bartlett on May 1st at 5:30 p.m. The Transportation Coordinator has been invited to attend that meeting.
Ms. Synnott questioned since we represent kids all the way through high school, as Board members and as parents, what is the best way to get information if you have questions or concerns (people have been asking questions of the Board members). Dr. Nelson advised they can go on the website; also when they have a child there they will get hooked into Ed Lines. They can always call the Principal, Mr. Moylan, with any specific questions; if it is a Guidance question they will be routed to Jen Murphy; also there is a complete list of contact people. Ms. Synnott questioned if a parent whose child is not there yet but will be going in another year, what the best way is to get involved with the school. Dr. Nelson suggested calling the Guidance Office and taking a tour of the school.
They also have a PTA, but usually people do not participate in that until they have a child attending there.
Dr. Nelson provided copies of the SAU 9 Report card.
- Principal – Ms. Dembowski reported she has gotten final school approval
from the State of New Hampshire, noting that originally the health curriculum did not measure up to their standards and has been rewritten. She made reference to healthteacher.com which gives seven topics which are required to be taught under the Dept. of Education curriculum guidelines, and how to assess whether they are being taught these things. She will work with the staff over the summer to figure out how that fits. Mr. Bradley questioned food service. Ms. Dembowski said she has asked that it be taught. Ms. Anzaldi questioned whether this is included in the handbook. Ms. Dembowski stated it will go into the curriculum maps.
Ms. Dembowski noted Stop, Walk and Talk helps kids to learn to stand up for themselves. Ms. Anzaldi made reference to the meeting which covered this and whether it was well attended since the night it was held there was a community conflict. She requested if it was not well attended that it be held again and that it be put on the agenda for early next year.
Ms. Dembowski noted transition meetings are scheduled for the next early release day. At the teacher workshop they will be talking about student needs.
Ms. Dembowski noted the summer brochure is out and advised the Board to watch for a school-wide unit that the art, PE, and music folks will be participating in.
Mr. Bradley questioned class configuration for next year and was told it is planned that it will stay as is.
Excellence Committee – Ms. Dembowski stated they have decided to survey the staff as well as the teachers. The Enrichment Committee is pretty much done; they will be piloting STEAM Blast, trying to run a few after school programs. She stated they would like Board support for some stipend money for teachers or community members for next year. Another group is working on physical appearance of the school and welcoming new families.
Ms. Anzaldi said she is very impressed with the extra time exhibited and how much was accomplished within three weeks. It is her hope that parents will be advised of the good work that is going on based on the surveys that went out, and that they are being utilized.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – May 29, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Kearns noted that in going through old minutes on line he found that the 2011 Minutes were not there. He has notified the person in charge of posting them that they are missing.
The Board acknowledged receipt of notice from the Jackson Board of Adjustment of a hearing to be held on May 2nd since Jackson Grammar School is an abutter to the property in question.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: At 6:50 p.m. Motion was made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, that the Board adjourn to non public session under RSA 91-A:3, II. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
Nonpublic Session Minutes
Dr. Nelson answered questions about nonrenewal.
The Principal’s contract was discussed by a Board member. The discussion was centered around the length of the contract, not performance. The Board agreed to move forward with the same type of contract.
14. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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