MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
August 21, 2012
1. Call to Order: The Aug. 21st meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Genn Anzaldi, Keith Bradley, Fred Nemeth, Lauren Synnott, William White, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. Also present were representatives of the Robert Frost Charter School.
2. Approve Minutes (5-29-12 and 6-28-12) – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Ms. Synnott, to approve the Minutes of the May 29th and June 28th meetings as circulated. Motion carried with two votes in the affirmative (Anzaldi and Synnott) and two abstentions (Bradley and White as they had not been present). Mr. Nemeth joined the meeting directly after that vote.
3. Citizen Comments: Jennifer Karnopp, Ellen Ohlenbusch and Angela Zakon, representing the Robert Frost Charter School, joined the meeting to establish communication between the two Boards. Ms. Karnopp stated they were approved in October through the Dept. of Education for first through fourth grades for the upcoming school year; however, within five years they will be approved for K thru 8. They serve students in the entire state of New Hampshire and will be opening with 44 students. They are located at 1675 White Mt. Highway (a location chosen because it is centrally located) and will be occupying two classrooms for 1st grade through 4th plus two rooms for art/music, etc.
Dr. Nelson noted there has been discussion regarding authorization from parents so they can transfer records to the Charter School, which will also identify kids that are enrolled there. Ms. Karnopp said they have, but should have put it out to parents. She stated there are no Jackson students enrolled.
Ms. Synnott questioned how it affects the budget. Ms. Karnopp said they would not receive adequacy funds for a year; traditionally adequacy funds still go directly to the school district.
Ms. Busch stated they have a Head of School and four teachers – two per classroom with a 1 to 11 ratio. They will be hiring teacher assistants in the second year. For the first year they will follow the SAU 9 calendar.
Ms. Synnott questioned the case of a child with Special Education needs. Ms. Karnopp said there will be collaboration between the child’s residential district and their school. She noted also it is a public school so they can accept enrollees anytime. Ms. Karnopp stated this year they will not be providing transportation. Ms. Ohlenbusch noted that Special Ed transportation needs to be determined on a case by case basis through planning with SAU 9.
Ms. Anzaldi questioned regarding communications between schools, which meeting the Charter School representatives would attend on a regular basis. Nelson suggested the best meeting for them to attend would be the Joint Boards meeting because both SAU 9 and SAU 13 School Boards would be present. It was noted that that meeting is scheduled for Sept. 27th at 6:30 p.m. in the Professional Development Office at the SAU 9 building. Ms. Anzaldi invited them to join that meeting.
Upon question by Mr. Bradley, Ms. Karnopp said ESSC will be made available to those students that reside within the area that ESSC provides; they are in the process of communicating with ESSC, they are open to any student in the state of NH. ESSC will not service students who are not within Mt. Washington Valley.
Dr. White questioned how the funding happens, how it is paid for. Ms. Zakon said they receive per pupil adequacy funds from the State and are getting a federal start up grant for the first three years. The Town would not be paying anything.
The Chair thanked them for coming in, stating she appreciated the communication and wished them the best with the hope that they have a smooth year. They then left the meeting.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
- SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson provided copies of the
SAU newsletter noting it is to be printed three times a year
Dr. Nelson stated the SAU 9 Board meeting is scheduled for September 13th at 6:30 p.m. at the Conway Professional Development Office, the Joint Boards meeting will be held on Sept. 27th.
5. Old Business:
A. Friends of Whitney – Note was made that Sandy Lewis, who will be the events coordinator for the Whitney Center, had a meeting with Ms. Dembowski on Thursday so that she can take on more of the event organizing. Friends of Whitney Center will pay her on an as needed basis. Mr. Bradley questioned whether this works for Ms. Dembowski and she replied in the affirmative.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider First Reading of Policy DRI (Meal Charge Policy) – Dr. Nelson reported that the Policy Committee had met just prior to tonight’s meeting and recommended approval of the policy. Motion was made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Ms. Synnott, that the Board approve Policy DFI (Meal Charge Policy) as recommended. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Election of Susan Ross-Parent as World Language Tutor – Mr. Bradley questioned whether this is for other than French. Ms. Dembowski stated it is primarily French. She said for the enrichment program they will send out links to parents to see whether there is interest in other languages or other suggestions; however, the goal was essentially exposure to the language. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI -2012-13 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson noted they have just started and are doing alright. He announced they will have $251,000 to offset taxes next year, left over at the end of June.
B. FYI – 2011-12 Summary of Expenses and Receipts - Mr. Bradley questioned whether any of our teachers get the option of being paid over a 12-month period. Dr. Nelson said there is both a 22 and 26 option, 26 being the equivalent of five paychecks over the summer, or if they opt for the 22 plan they would be getting a larger amount each pay period.
C. Signing of MS 25/DOE-25 Financial Reports – All documents were duly signed.
D. Consider Approval of Food Service Agreement with Bartlett – Note was made that the new price for lunch for the 2012-13 school year has increased by $.40 to $3.15 per meal (does not include transportation). It was noted also that last year there was a slight charge over and above the actual cost. Dr. Nelson said there is a line item in the budget saying we will have to pay it back in order to have the fund break even. Mr. Bradley said we would be absorbing the entire $.40, and questioned whether that is enough since last year we were "upcharging.” Ms. Anzaldi suggested absorbing it this year and then next year if there is no increase in the rate we could add the $.25 additional that was included last year. It was Mr. Bradley’s opinion
that there is justification this year because Bartlett is charging us $.40 more. Motion was made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Ms. Synnott, that the Board approve the Food Service Agreement with Bartlett. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
E. Consider Increase in Lunch Prices – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Ms. Synnott, that the cost of lunch for the ensuing year be set at $3.25. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
F. Consider Formal Vote on Expenditure of School Bus Capital Reserve Fund Monies – Motion was made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Ms. Synnott, that the Board approve withdrawal of $50,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund (School Bus). Mr. Bradley pointed out that some money was saved on the bus and questioned whether we need to take the full $50,000 out of that fund. After further explanation of the accounting process vote was taken. The Motion carried by unanimous vote.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
- Superintendent – Dr. Nelson announced the Joint Boards meeting will be
held on Sept. 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Conway Professional Development
Office.
- Principal – Ms. Dembowski reported the summer program went well. She
said they will be discussing changes based on Carrie’s changes based on attendance and number of hours, etc. and will do some surveys in terms of what folks want.
Ms. Dembowski reported on the MINDUP Curriculum Plan which is the School cultural program we decided to adopt geared to brain function and how teachers can better teach kids how to deal with that. They will be implementing the 15 lessons over the school year. Ms. Anzaldi wished to know what the communication plan will be between the school and the parents and was told it will be included in the curriculum nights and open houses, and hopefully they will get a PTO up and running this year. She said staff has to decide how to agree that it is going to happen, how it fits into our day, etc. Ms. Anzaldi said there will be questions like what are your expectations for doing it, what prompted you to adopt it?; with answers such as better test results, better academics, etc.- those are
some of the things she would put out there. Ms. Dembowski said they will get some good detailed data.
Dr. White questioned where they came up with the curriculum. Ms. Dembowski said Scholastic is the publisher, but it came out of the Hawn Foundation. It addresses what the kids’ needs are, did we need behavior management?, etc. She said all agreed this seems to fit with what our needs are, recognizing when your brain needs to be calmed, to grab hold of strengths and weaknesses, and how to apply them. Ms. Anazldi said it came from the year long study that we had and the surveys that came back from the staff.
Ms. Synnott questioned stuff talked about on the Enrichment Committee. Ms. Dembowski said it will be implemented this year. She said staff was excited about it and did not want to wait another year; they are already talking about after school club, moving forward on the whole plan. She noted Gaie Mitchell shared information with the Guidance Counselors from the different districts.
Ms. Synnott questioned Special Ed. position. Dr. Nelson will be interviewing and will be ready soon, the person will be put in place on Aug. 28th. All five candidates were interviewed.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – September 17, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Nemeth requested getting agendas by email. Dr. Nelson stated that can be done, but they will still be mailed and will be available at the meeting.
Mr. Bradley stated he is still not clear as to the issue of the Capital Reserve Fund (Buses). Mr. Nemeth stated it is pursuant to what the town voted on. Dr. Nelson stated he will find out which account it goes into and get back to Mr. Bradley.
Ms. Anzaldi questioned when the teacher workshop will be. Ms. Dembowski stated they will begin Tues. morning at SAU 9, and teachers will come back here for the afternoon for goal setting. Wed. they will have technology workshops for teachers to attend based on their individual needs. Thurs. they will have the welcome back pizza party which will be advertised in the town column.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: None.
14. Adjourn: Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Nemeth, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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