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School Board Minutes -- 05/29/2012
MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
May 29, 2012

  • Call to Order:  The May 29th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Genn Anzaldi, Andrew Kearns,  Fred Nemeth, Lauren Synnott, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski.  There were two members of the general public present.
        
2.      Approve Minutes – (4-25-12) – Motion was made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, that the Minutes of the April 25th 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 next SAU 9
Board meeting is scheduled for June 19th at 6:30 p.m.  Ms. Synnott and Mr. Nemeth volunteered to attend.   

5.      Old Business:  None.  

6.      Instructional Issues:  

        A.  Consider First Reading of Policies (KE – Public Complaints) [involving instruction, discipline, or learning materials] – Dr. Nelson noted this is a policy the District is required to have.  Ms. Synnott questioned what if something happens after the fact?  Dr. Nelson said you have a curriculum and parents have an opportunity to review it, noting that in most cases it is a particular unit.  He said the basic change is that if an individual objects to certain materials they have to provide the material with which to substitute.  Ms. Anzaldi expressed a concern that not all the curriculum is necessarily provided up front, for instance, guidelines; she said she does not see it going out clearly as the rest of the curriculum does and parents may not feel they have enough advance warning to make an informed decision.  Dr. Nelson said this policy is in compliance with the regulations.  Ms. Dembowski said now it applies to complaints about curriculum materials – creationism is one of the big ones – parents must provide an alternative at their own expense.  

        Motion was made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi and carried by unanimous vote, that the Board approve Policy KE – Public Complaints at first reading.

7.      Consider Personnel Actions:  

        A.  Accept Resignation of Gaie Mitchell as 50% Reading Teacher – Motion by Mr. Nemeth, second by Mr. Kearns, that the Board accept with regret the resignation of Gaie Mitchell as 50% Reading Teacher.  Ms. Dembowski explained Ms. Mitchell would like to maintain just her Guidance hours and resign her reading position.  She has asked her to be here at least two days a week.  Guidance is a 1/5 position.  Ms. Dembowski is proposing to take on the reading specialist position and have Ms. Piotrow for an additional one day a week, and increase Ms. Grady’s time to cover some early reading support within the classroom.  It was reported this results in a savings of approximately $50,000 to the District.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.
        
        B.  Consider Extension of Contract for the Teaching Principal – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, that the Board approve extension of the Teaching Principal’s contract through June 30, 2014.  Motion carried by unanimous vote, with comment that “we are all happy to have her here.”  

        C.  Consider Election of Personnel for 2012-13 – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, to approve election of personnel for the 2012-13 school year as recommended.  Mr. Kearns questioned whether this now shows the new breakdown just discussed regarding the 50% reading position, vacant nurse’s position, open physical education position.  Ms. Dembowski said Melissa’s position of one to one Special Education Aide is gone because the student left, and they are increasing the instructional aide position to thirty hours a week for more flexibility and covering reading classes.  Ms. Hanlon questioned whether the $50,000 savings reflects that we do not have the 1-1 Aide?  Ms. Dembowski said it reflects a salary differential, Meredith Piotrow will be working two full teaching days.  Ms. Dembowski reported she has two applicants for the Physical Education position.

        D.  Election of Sarah Parsons as ESY Teacher – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, that Sarah Parsons be hired as ESY (Extended School Year) teacher.  It was explained she would provide services for Special Education and intervention studies throughout the summer.  She would work in conjunction with the recreation program, but not as a part of it.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

8.      Business Affairs:  

A.  FYI -2011-12 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson provided updated budget.  There were no questions or comments.  

B.  Consider Declaring Equipment Surplus and Authorize Disposal of Same – Motion made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Ms. Synnott, to declare equipment surplus as listed.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

C.  Consider Awarding School Bus Bid – Motion by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Nemeth, to award bid for the proposed new bus to O’Connor Motor Co.  at $84,649.  Mr. Kearns questioned whether the bus drivers are in favor of it. Dr. Nelson said we have had good experience with the O’Connor Company.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

D.  Consider Approving Fund Balance Projects – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, to approve fund balance projects as previously reviewed and agreed upon.  [Pavement crack sealing and striping $1,550, Vinyl floor tile for hallway and two classrooms $10,571.68, Slop sink $2,210.]  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  

9.      Administrator’s Reports:

  • Superintendent – Dr. Nelson announced that Kennett High School
graduation will take place on June 16th at 10:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on Valley Vision.  

  • Principal – Ms. Dembowski reported that Vicki Garland could not be present
at the meeting, but will attend the June meeting to discuss plans for high school services she will be providing.  

Enrollment Projections – Ms. Dembowski encouraged the Board to look at declining enrollment which will create some challenges for the next two to three years.  Ms. Synnott offered to serve on the task force addressing this.  

Ms. Dembowski reported she will be interviewing on Friday for the nurse and physical education positions; advertisement seeking World Language Tutor has just been posted.  

10.     Citizen Comments:  None.  

11.     Board Member Issues:  

  • Set Date for Next Meeting – June 18, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.  
  • Accept Resignation of Board Member Andrew C. Kearns – Motion by
Ms. Anzaldi, second by Ms. Synnott, that the Board accept with regret the resignation of Andrew Kearns.  Motion carried with 3 votes in the affirmative and 1 abstention (Mr. Kearns).  It was noted that the position will be advertised for appointment prior to the next Board meeting.

  • Consider Donation to Friends of Whitney Center – Motion by Ms.
Anzaldi, second by Mr. Kearns, to approve donation to Friends of Whitney Center – It was noted that last year Trish Hanlon had requested that any money left over in that account be transferred to the Friends of Whitney Center.  Dr. Nelson said there is $1,824.48 left in unanticipated revenue – funds from the NH Charitable Foundation to the school and then back to the Friends of Whitney Center.  Ms. Hanlon explained it was set up to be $3,000 in operating funds, $3,000 in capital improvements, $3,000 in programming, and the programming money is what was not spent.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  

Motion made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, to withdraw the remaining balance from line 71-10-1400-5320- 0120 Whitney Center Projects and donate that amount to the Friends of the Whitney Center if it remains unused till the end of the year.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  

Ms. Dembowski reported the school has adopted the new Everyday Math Program which is correlated to the new Core Standards in math.  They are sending all old Everyday Math materials, through the church, to another country.

Ms. Synnott stated that at the joint meeting with Bartlett, the topic of a bus aide came up so that the bus driver is not responsible for the behavior of the kids. It was noted there was an IEP student on the bus who will not be there another year.  Dr. Nelson said under normal conditions it is not something that is necessarily needed.  Ms. Dembowski pointed out behavior escalates and subsides.  

Ms. Anzaldi questioned how the bus drivers feel about it.  Ms. Synnott said she thinks it is too much for a person to drive a bus and be responsible for behavior.  Ms. Hanlon questioned whether they have them in other schools in the SAU.  Dr. Nelson stated they do not unless IEP driven, adding that it is a budget item that has not been budgeted for.  Ms. Anzaldi said she would like to ask the bus drivers.  Ms. Dembowski will do so.  Ms. Synnott suggested more kids might ride the bus if there was supervision.  Ms. Anzaldi noted also there is a projected decline coming up.  Ms. Dembowski stated they do have inconsistent rates of ridership.  Mr. Kearns stated the safety standpoint needs to be part of the discussion.  

12.     Signing of Manifest:  Manifests were duly signed.

13.     Nonpublic Session:  None.    

14.     Adjourn:  Motion made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m.  Carried by unanimous vote.                            


Respectfully submitted,

                                                Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary