MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
September 17, 2012
1. Call to Order: The Sept. 17th 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.
2. Approve Minutes (8-21-12) – Motion by Dr. White, second by Mr. Bradley, to approve the Minutes of the Aug. 21st meeting as circulated. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Citizen Comments: None.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
Vicki Garland, Family Support Liaison for Bartlett and Jackson, joined the meeting. She stated she has been at Bartlett School for the past twelve years, at Kennett for 3 or 4, and wished to know what the Board’s expectations of her are in her role as Family Support Liaison for Jackson. She explained she advocates for the kids, but does not duplicate anything Kennett provides. She follows discipline reports, attendance reports, and report cards. At least once a week she “cruises” lunch and has conversations with the kids. She tries to take away “who is at fault” – it is not about who is right, the parent or the school. However, she never allows a student to “worm” their way out of responsibility.
Ms. Anzaldi questioned contacting her as far as parents are concerned. Ms. Garland said letters went home with the 8th grade students which included her home number and Email address, and another letter will be going to all parents of 9th graders as well. She said as regards 10th, 11th and 12th graders, Jackson parents might not be as well informed and she would like to include that information in a letter to all Jackson parents. She prefers to be contacted as soon as possible, not after something has happened. Mr. Bradley suggested putting something in Enews to let people know Ms. Garland is available.
Ms. Garland stated she tries hard to never pull a student out of class unless it is an emergency. She lets parents know when there is a team meeting at Kennett so they can get everyone involved with a student at the meeting – it is important to protect the relationship the teacher has with the student.
Ms. Anzaldi wished to know if Ms. Garland has a counterpart for other towns. Ms. Garland said Tamworth has attempted to do some of what she is doing, but she feels time may be an issue for them. She stated a lot of the work she does saves a lot of tax money. She said Kennett does have a person available at Eagle Academy with whom she has a very good rapport and they discuss every Bartlett, and now, Jackson student. Ms. Synnott stated she is very glad Ms. Garland is on board.
Ms. Garland asked whether the Board would like her to be in contact with Ms. Dembowski to get information to the Board. It was agreed she should send information to Ms. Dembowski and she in turn will pass it along to the Board. Ms. Garland stated she never includes names in writing. Ms. Anzaldi expressed her appreciation for Ms. Garland’s participation.
A. SAU – Other School Board Reports – Dr. Nelson stated there will be a Joint Boards meeting on Sept. 27th at 6:30 p.m. at the Conway Professional Development Center at which time they will be reviewing the Common Core State Standards. Ms. Anzaldi and Messrs. Bradley and Nemeth will attend.
5. Old Business: Mr. Bradley asked for information regarding Capital Reserve Fund (Buses) which Dr. Nelson was to report. Dr. Nelson said money not used goes back into the general fund. Mr. Bradley said he would like to see the Board reword the warrant articles so it would say to “take up to $50,000.” Dr. Nelson said it is worded not to exceed an amount. He stated warrant articles have to designate a purpose, so if you do not spend the money it cannot go some place else. He agreed they could ask to take up to a certain amount, but would have to turn what they do not use back in.
Ms. Anzaldi said the way it is done now is a cleaner way. Mr. Nemeth questioned whether Mr. Bradley’s concern is that we would be ultimately asking for less money because the fund is built up. Mr. Bradley indicated his concern is if they ask for an amount to be put in the fund, do not have to use it all but ask again the following year, people will be asking what they did with the money they did not need to use. Dr. Nelson suggested discussing this further during budget discussions.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider Reading and Adoption of Policy DFI (Meal Charge Policy) – Motion was made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Mr. Bradley, that the Board approve and adopt Policy DFI (Meal Charge Policy) at second reading. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Election of Joan Heysler as Half-time Special Education Teacher – Motion by Mr. Nemeth, second by Ms. Synnott, that the Board hire Joan Heysler as half-time Special Education Teacher. Mr. Bradley felt she is a great candidate. Ms. Dembowski said she has come on board and “jumped right in.” Motion carried by unanimous vote.
8. Business Affairs:
A. Consider Approval of Agreement with the Bartlett School District for Family Support Liaison Services – Motion made by Ms. Synnott, seconded by Mr. Nemeth and carried by unanimous vote, that the Board approve the agreement with Bartlett School District for Family Support Liaison Services.
B. FYI – 2012-13 Budget Status Report – Notation was made that it is still early in the season. Mr. Bradley questioned salaries being already at 46% over. Dr. Nelson said this is because the money has not been moved over to that account yet. Ms. Dembowski noted also Melissa Grady was transferred into another position with more hours and a different rate of pay.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
- Superintendent – Dr. Nelson asked for direction from the Board for the
2014-15 budget year. He noted in Conway they want to see a zero increase budget. He pointed out there are increases in health insurance, increases in retirement (3% contribution by employer, 2% by employee) for support staff - health insurance went down last year; however, he cannot believe it will go down again this year. He noted in Bartlett they have also asked for zero budget, but have allowed excluding Special Ed. He questioned what the target should be for Jackson. Mr. Bradley felt it should be the same as last year. Dr. Nelson said Ms. Dembowski will put together a regular budget based on what they currently have and for any new programs, she will put figures together separately with cost increases and the rationale for same.
Mr. Bradley suggested when doing the budget and deciding on warrant articles he would like to see it at the next meeting so they can see it before the Budget Committee has to meet on Nov. 7th. Ms. Anzaldi questioned whether there has been any talk about downsizing teacher head count/staff. Dr. Nelson said in Bartlett one person, for Conway there may be a reduction of one.
- Principal – Ms. Dembowski reported the opening of school this year was the
smoothest she has had; new staff is getting involved, relationships are good, the building looks good.
Ms. Dembowski provided a listing of 2012-13 Initiatives and Goals, noting there are four SAU goals, but they have also added action goals dealing with relationships/communication and welcome committee. Making reference to the four SAU goals, she noted Common Core Standards is a mandate. The SAU will be holding quarterly meetings with all the staff looking at how to “tweak” the curriculum. It was noted that about 43 states have adopted the Common Core Standards. Ms. Dembowski said NH has signed on to the Smarter Balanced Assessment. She said sample questions we have seen have been pretty complex, much more critical thinking at younger and younger ages, more so than with our NECAPS. Dr. Nelson said they are hoping to refine the many pages of the Common Core
Standards in an effort to consolidate it. Ms. Dembowski said our teachers are meeting in a collaborative group for sharing.
Ms. Dembowski noted SAU goal #2 - Extended Student Achievement fits right in with their enrichment goals and STEAM blast: Science-Technology-English-Arts-Math. She will be making referrals for high performing students to be shared with the parents.
One of their primary goals is health and wellness committee – they are up and running and will have their first meeting soon. Their intent is to discuss some of this with the PTO and Enrichment people to do some of the enrichment groups for the kids. She suggested if Board members know of someone with a particular skill who would be great with kids, to encourage community support. Ms. Anzaldi offered to help with putting it into the Enews. Ms. Synnott questioned whether it was ever mentioned to the teachers to get ideas from the kids and Ms. Dembowski stated it was.
Ms. Dembowski reported a bear had come into the driveway of the school during a noon time while the children were outside. She filed a report with the Wildlife Service – they recommended since we have a wooden dumpster which can absorb grease, etc., attracting the bears, that we get a bear-proof metal dumpster and use the enclosure. Ms. Synnott stated North Conway Incinerator will provide such a dumpster for free if we use their service. Ms. Dembowski said because the bear destroyed the school’s dumpster last summer, the bakery next door let them use their dumpster during the summer program and might still be interested in helping. Dr. White stated the bears are still going to come here because there is always food left around – they will keep doing it. Mr.
Bradley suggested provided air horns to staff to scare the bear off or at least alert others that one is around.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – October 15, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Joint
Bartlett/Jackson meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 15th in Jackson.
There was review of committee assignments. It was agreed Ms. Anzaldi would sit in for Mr. Bradley on the Budget Committee when he is not available, that Dr. White will serve on the Special Ed Review Committee, and that Messrs. Bradley and Nemeth will serve on the Facilities Committee. All other assignments will remain as is.
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 6:55 p.m. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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