MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
July 31, 2013
1. Call to Order: A special meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order on July 31st at 4:30 p.m. Present were Genn Anzaldi, Keith Bradley, Fred Nemeth, Lauren Synnott, and Dr. Carl Nelson. Andrew Kearns joined the meting at 4:45 p.m. There was one member of the media present.
2. Consider Election of Marissa Edgerly as Substitute Camp Counselor: Motion made by Mr. Bradley, second by Ms. Synnott, that the Board approve hiring Marissa Edgerly as Substitute Camp Counselor for the Jackson Summer Recreation Program. Motion carried by unanimous vote. The Chair noted that she does a great job.
3. Consider First Reading of Revised Policy KG (Electioneering): Ms. Anzaldi reported she had attended a meeting where various community members spent a lot of time considering this. They reviewed the logistics of where they wanted the roped-off section/stakes to be placed so people would not be interfering with drop off and pick up. It was the consensus that electioneers should be about 75’ from the school – this will allow people to still be in a populated area, but not interfering with drop off and pick up. A portable fence would be placed; it would keep them away from the school parking lot and away from the students. It was noted that the School Principal is “good with it.”
It was Mr. Bradley’s opinion that electioneering should not be held during school hours, that it is too unsafe, opens up too many problems, and he is not comfortable with it. He noted the town is trying to stay away from electioneering near the building. Mr. Nemeth suggested if the town had an opinion about it he would like them to bring it to the School Board. Mr. Bradley said he does not believe the town and Selectmen want the electioneers anywhere near the building. He said we should keep them away from the school, he does not want people standing out here with picket signs. Comment was made that we do not have to allow it. Ms. Anzaldi stated the court can still vote it down. She noted at the meeting it had been suggested to allow electioneering 75’ to
100’ away from the Whitney Center – the same for the school, so it would not be interfering with the parking lot or the flow of traffic. She noted Selectman Thompson was at the meeting and was “alright with it.” Mr. Bradley stated he wants no electioneering during school hours. Mr. Nemeth felt it seems to be a reasonable compromise and teaches the kids about Civics and about freedom of speech.
Motion made by Mr. Nemeth, second by Mr. Kearns, that the Board approve the language for Revised Policy KG (Electioneering) at first reading. Motion carried with 4 votes in the affirmative and Mr. Bradley voting in the negative.
4. Consider donation to Friends of the Whitney Center: Dr. Nelson reported there are some additional unanticipated revenues in the amount of $1404.24 earned from investments. Mr. Bradley said his feeling is not to donate it, but to discuss more about getting it into the Maintenance Trust Fund, or something similar, and he would like to make it policy from here forward. Mr. Kearns noted they had also discussed doing about 1/3, and suggested donating 1/3. Dr. Nelson stated we have to close the books and do something with unanticipated revenues.
Mr. Kearns questioned as regards donating 1/3, what our options are for the remaining 2/3. Dr. Nelson advised it goes to offset taxes. Mr. Bradley said he would like more in depth discussion for next year, and questioned what we can do going forward, whether there is a process if this happens again? Dr. Nelson offered to research that.
Motion was made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Ms. Synnott, that the Board approve donating the entire amount of unanticipated revenue received ($1,404.24) back to the Friends of Whitney Center. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
5. Discussion Regarding Tuition: Ms. Anzaldi said she would like to focus on the staff tuition for their children, not for the general public, noting we have some people who are definitely interested in bringing their children in for this year. Motion made by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Kearns, to discuss tuition as it pertains to faculty. Motion carried.
Ms. Anzaldi said she has discussed this with various community members and teachers, and requested that other Board members do a similar investigation. Mr. Kearns said in his experience with Fryeburg Academy, teachers’ children go for free; however, he is not sure “free” is the way to go, and suggested up to 1/3 or 50% to ask the teachers to pay.
Mr. Bradley made reference to experiences within a grammar school setting where a teacher has their own child in their class and if that is a problem at grammar school level, then he would not be inclined to give a favorable rate for a teacher - he does not want to be encouraging it if it is a problem. Mr. Nemeth noted in most schools where there are two or more teachers per grade level, a child would go into the classroom that is not the parent’s.
Mr. Bradley said he is leaning toward saying the first child would be free, second child a percentage of whatever rate is set. Ms. Anzaldi felt a teacher who is a parent of a student in the school would be more invested in staying after school for activities, etc. because they would be here professionally and as a parent. Dr. Nelson pointed out this is the first time for Jackson to attempt this, it is a draft, we could try it this year, see how it works – if fine, O.K., if it needs tweaking you can do that. Mr. Synnott suggested it might, in the future, be a way of attracting teachers.
Dr. Nelson said the per pupil rate presently is about $22,000 per year. Ms. Anzaldi said it does not seem to correlate with the cost per student. Mr. Bradley pointed out everything is case by case, we can vote no, for instance, if it meant we would have to hire an additional teacher. He said no matter what we agree on for rates, it is still an interview/application process; the School Board would select the students according to lottery. Ms. Anzaldi stated it is a lottery, not a selection process.
Mr. Nemeth said he is inclined to agree with Mr. Bradley, noting he does not know what the exact number is, but does not have a problem with free tuition for a full time staff member. He felt it is a great incentive to bring good teachers to Jackson and there are other benefits in having the staff having that as part of their benefit package – it is a separate question from the general public tuition.
Ms. Anzaldi said she is O.K. with free tuition for the first child and perhaps $2,000 or $3,000 for the second child after that. Mr. Kearns suggested it should be tuition for the first child, second child free, and we should make it known that it is a year to year thing and we are working it out. Mr. Bradley said he wants the first child free because it is a huge benefit. Ms. Anzaldi agreed to charging for the first child and the next one free. Ms. Anzaldi suggested $2,500 for the first child.
Motion was made by Mr. Kearns to set tuition at $2,500 for the first child, children after that with the same parent would be free for full time faculty starting Sept. 2013. There was no second and no action was taken. Mr. Nemeth felt it is more of a benefit if we have the first child free and charge after that.
Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Kearns, that for the 2013-14 school year any full time staff member gets tuition for the first child free and every child after that would be charged $2,500 each. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Lloyd Jones wished to know the numbers for this coming school year and was told it is 49 – 3 new families have moved into town, also there are 4 or 5 new preschoolers in town as well.
6. Nonpublic Session: At 5:15 p.m. Motion was made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board adjourn to nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II, student matter. Board members present in nonpublic session were Genn Anzaldi, Keith Bradley, Fred Nemeth and Andrew Kearns. Lauren Synnott excused herself and was not present.
Nonpublic Session Minutes
The Board discussed a parent’s request. Keith Bradley moved to approve the request. The motion was seconded by Andy Kearns and was defeated by a 2-2-0 vote.
Keith Bradley moved to return to public session and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Andy Kearns and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
| 
