MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
April 10, 2013
1. Call to Order: The April 10th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Supt., Dr. Carl Nelson. Also present were Genn Anzaldi, Fred Nemeth, Keith Bradley, Lauren Synnott, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. It was noted that Andrew Kearns had been elected to the Board at the recent annual School Board meeting, but could not be present tonight.
Reorganization of Board:
Dr. Nelson called for nominations for Chairman for the ensuing year. Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, to elect Genn Anzaldi Chairman. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Ms. Anzaldi resumed the Chair.
Ms. Anzaldi called for nominations for Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year. Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, to elect Keith Bradley Vice-Chairman. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Committee Assignments: Ms. Anzaldi had sent out to all members a list of current committees asking for their preference as to the committees on which they would like to serve. Designations were made as follows: Budget – Andrew Kearns and Keith Bradley; Policy – Lauren Synnott and Fred Nemeth; Bus – Keith Bradley and Andrew Kearns; Curriculum – Andrew Kearns, Fred Nemeth and Lauren Synnott; Sp. Ed. Review – Andrew Kearns; Joint Loss Management (Safety) – Andrew Kearns; Personnel – Andrew Kearns and Lauren Synnott. All other committee designations would remain as is.
Meeting Dates and Time: Third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Next meeting to take place on May 28th.
Adopt Rules of Order/Agenda Format: The Chair will cast a vote; votes will be recorded with names of those voting in the negative and abstaining.
Manifests: Manifests will be signed by Ms. Anzaldi and Mr. Bradley.
2. Approve Minutes (3-7-13) – Motion by Mr. Bradley, second by Mr. Nemeth, to approve the Minutes of the March 7th meeting as circulated. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Citizen Comments: None
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items: Dr. Nelson announced the SAU Board will meet on April 25th at 6:30 p.m. at the Conway Professional Development Center.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Instructional Issues: None.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Accept Resignation of Meredith Piotrow as Library Media Specialist – Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi, that the Board accept with regret the resignation of Meredith Piotrow as Library Media Specialist and Enrichment Teacher. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Ms. Dembowski made note that it was “a sad day for Jackson Grammar School” which was echoed by the Board. She said she is anticipating placing an ad in the paper. It is a 20% position requiring a certified valid certificate for Library Media Specialist – Ms. Dembowski pointed out the Library Media Specialist can do Enrichment with that certification, but not vice versa.
B. Election of Hillary Humiston as Elementary Teacher (2013-14) –
Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Synnott, to approve the hiring of Hillary Humiston for one year [due to the one year leave of absence of Dexter Harding]. It was noted this is a contract position with all the benefits it entails, with the intent that it is a one year position. Ms. Synnott was involved in the interview process as well as Heather Woodward, Kim Dougherty and Dr. Robert Gadomski. Ms. Dembowski reported there were 15 applicants, 9 candidates were interviewed. She said Ms. Humiston’s references were very good, she has had a lot of related experience, has been coaching, and was well liked in her previous position. Motion carried by unanimous vote. It was noted
also that Ms. Humiston has agreed to participate in the summer program and may be in charge of that program.
C. Nonrenewal of Teaching Staff (Nonpublic Session) – No action taken.
8. Business Affairs:
- FYI – 2012-13 Budget Status Report – Ms. Bradley questioned why there is
still 100% remaining in retirement account and was advised it is not paid out till the end of the year. Dr. Nelson said regarding Enrichment, it is there because they are not doing it anymore – it is in the budget because at the time we did have it; for other categories it is because they have not been used.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
- SAU #9 Assistant Superintendent – Dr. Nelson stated at the SAU Executive Board meeting they discussed hiring an Assistant Superintendent; one person was opposed to it who did not want to do it at this particular time. The agreement the Executive Board came to was that Dr. Nelson would go to each Board and ask if they want to fill it as it stands now. Dr. Nelson has been to six Boards, five voted in favor of it, Albany voted against it. Mr. Bradley stated he is strongly in favor of getting someone ASAP. Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Synnott, that the SAU move forward with hiring an Assistant Superintendent as soon as possible. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
- Board Member for Assistant Superintendent Search Committee –
Mr. Nemeth agreed to serve.
Dr. Nelson noted there will be a Jackson/Bartlett Joint Boards meeting in Bartlett at 5:30 p.m. on May 7, 2013.
Dr. Nelson called attention to correspondence from the Robert Frost Charter School, noting there are no new students in any of the grades from Jackson. The Charter School has expanded to include Kindergarten and Grade 5.
- Fun Run Fundraiser – Wounded Warrior Steam Blast Coming –
Ms. Dembowski reported Heather Woodward is organizing a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project at the Whitney Center on June 1st – the 5/6 Grades have adopted this as a class project.
Ms. Dembowski reported last night’s 4-5-6 Medieval Festival was a huge success; Ms. Woodward and Ms. Robert did a wonderful job. Ms. Anzaldi noted all the kids did a great job also.
2. Member of Enrollment Task Force/Master Planning Rep. -
Ms. Dembowski said she is looking for another representative on the Enrollment Task Force to replace Dr. White. Mr. Bradley agreed to serve. Ms. Dembowski said she attended the Selectmen’s meeting last week, inviting someone from that Board to join, and Bob Thompson is seriously considering it.
Ms. Dembowski said there have been some discussions regarding the tuition idea and she will be making a presentation at the next meeting. She has checked on what other people are paying for private school and some charter schools. She said on May 14th she will be attending a Realtors’ breakfast to provide information on JGS; also the masterplan is coming up for discussion in Jackson and she suggested it would be good for a Board member to be a part of that committee. Mr. Bradley acknowledged he frequently gets calls from people who would like to move here and are looking for rental properties.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – May 28, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
- Signing of Form MS-22 – All documents were duly signed.
Ms. Synnott stated she has an issue which requires discussion in non public session.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: At 6:28 p.m. Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Bradley and carried by unanimous roll call vote, to adjourn to non public session under RSA 91-A:3, II.
Nonpublic Session Minutes
The Board asked about an employee’s performance.
Fred Nemeth moved to return to Public Session and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Lauren Synnott and passed unanimously at 6:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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