MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
November 20, 2013
1. Call to Order: The Nov. 20th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Genn Anzaldi, Lauren Synnott, Fred Nemeth, Keith Bradley, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. There were seven members of staff/public present.
2. Approve Minutes (10-21-13) – Note was made by Ms. Synnott that on Pg. 4, 3rd para., last sentence should read: Ms. Synnott stated they did mention that in the Policy Committee meeting. Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, that the Minutes of the Oct. 21st meeting be approved as corrected. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
It was agreed to take Item 9, B, 1 – Student Presentation on Stress Reduction Videos out of order.
Special Ed/Enrichment Teacher, Joan Heysler, made note that in conjunction with the Steamblast theme, at the beginning of the year they continued on with Mind Up – getting minds and bodies ready to work, finding ways to make themselves calm and relaxed so they are ready to work. The 4, 5 & 6 Grade students, working with their “little buddies” developed 1 to 3 minute videos showing ways to become relaxed, focusing on calming and relaxing ways to reduce stress. There were four videos showing things that the children saw as creating calm and relaxation such as music, flowing water, engaging in sports, etc.
3. Citizen Comments: None.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
- SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson announced there will be an
SAU Board meeting on December 12, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. for approval of the budget.
5. Old Business:
A. Tuition – [Re: the issue of tuition for non resident teacher’s children] - Ms. Dembowski said the original time line was to have a decision made by January - they are waiting on setting the tuition rate. Mr. Bradley felt the Board should wait until Mr. Kearns could be present. It was decided to set a date for a tuition meeting to discuss this further. Mr. Nemeth requested copies of the previous material pertaining to this for review.
B. Electioneering – This was postponed, awaiting further information.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider Second Reading and Adoption of Revised Personnel Policies for Contracted Employees –
B. Consider Second Reading and Approval of Revised Jackson School District Professional Evaluation System -
Ms. Synnott reported on the Personnel Policy Committee meeting which she and Mr. Kearns attended, noting the main topic was developing a reduction in force plan for contracted employees: they agreed they should try to be creative with scheduling and using people’s strengths; they also agreed no one is ever happy with combining more than two grades, and that would happen with reduced number of teachers – they prefer more full time people than a lot of part time. Ms. Synnott noted of enrichment, world language, library media specialist, only library media specialist has to have certification. Dr. Nelson stated they are supposed to be certified, but the Board can do a one-year basis employee, or alternative certification. Ms. Synnott said it had been discussed that if
they have classroom teachers fill in with other roles, they have to be concerned with what would happen to their regular classes; also they would like the option, if they had to let someone go, to give them the first option at rehiring. She read from an email from Mr. Kearns expressing that when making that decision the Board shall first consider retaining full time employees.
Ms. Synnott said it was mentioned at the meeting also how attrition would come into play, evaluation was touched on; they discussed salary again and it was pointed out that because it is a small school, the teachers do a lot more than in other larger schools - they have less planning time, longer school hours.
Ms. Synnott said there is nothing in place presently for COLA this year; however, Dr. Nelson stated COLA at 1.5% is provided for those scoring proficient or distinguished.
Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi, that the Board table Items 6 A & B until the December meeting. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. FYI – Revised Maternity Leave Dates (Sarah Rowe).
8. Business Affairs:
- FYI – 2013-14 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson provided copy of updated
budget, noting they are still “in pretty good shape.”
There was discussion regarding the stipend for the Soccer Coach and Dr. Nelson stated it could be taken out of the summer program salaries, noting there is $2,000 remaining in that account. Ms. Anzaldi questioned whether they wanted to confine it to just soccer or include other programs. Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, that the Board approve a $500 stipend each to the soccer, cross country, and ESSC administrators for the current year.
Ms. Dembowski said there have not been any other programs since DI, no one is running any period of time. She stated many of the staff members are volunteering to help Ms. Heysler. Ms. Anzaldi requested that if there is another program that comes up in the spring that it be brought to the Board for discussion. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. FYI – Matured General Obligation Bond – Dr. Nelson noted this is the bond for renovating the building which is matured and done.
Ms. Synnott noted she is on the Whitney Center Board and they are requesting to know why the amount they received this year is different from last year. Mr. Bradley explained it is different every year based on the market.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
Superintendent – Dr. Nelson expressed the need to schedule a budget meeting with Messrs. Bradley and Kearns. A date will be determined after Mr. Kearns returns.
Principal – Ms. Dembowski called attention to the Champion Volunteer Award which was recently awarded to the Jackson Grammar School at a great ceremony in Concord, held at the Capital Center for the Arts. She noted also that New Hampshire is 4th in the nation for volunteerism per capita. Ms. Dembowski noted this is not just for people who volunteer for us, but for our own community service/student volunteerism offered for such things as the Wounded Warrior Program, visits to the Merriman House, Kids Care Craft Fair to raise money for the Bartlett/Jackson Food Pantries, and they also did a food drive.
Ms. Dembowski provided copies of the Home School Communication Protocol which was formulated after meeting with staff. It will be sent out to the families.
Ms. Dembowski reported that one of the Freedom School Board members visited JGS, as they are considering multi-age classes, and was very impressed. She noted that Vicki Garland, Family Support Liaison at KHS, reported that all of the Jackson high school students are doing extremely well, as evidenced by their report cards.
10. Citizen Comments: Penny Miller questioned whether there has been any feedback from Mr. Voci at JBES regarding kids attending after school programs. Dr. Nelson said there has been no word yet. Ms. Anzaldi offered to follow up. Ms. Anzaldi requested also that the summer camp program be added to the Agenda.
11. Board Member Issues:
- Set Date for Next Meeting – December 16, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
- Set Date/Time for School District Meeting – March 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
- Set Date/Time for Budget Hearing – Mr. Bradley requested this be scheduled for February 6, 2014 rather than the 5th. Dr. Nelson will check to see if this is feasible.
- January Meeting Date – January 21, 2014
Mr. Bradley wished to discuss the issue of agreement with Bartlett regarding the bus provided by Jackson. He noted Bartlett wanted to reduce the $2500 which they pay us. He provided a detailed accounting of mileage/costs provided by Jackson, noting the Jackson late bus also transports Bartlett kids as well, and on occasion, there are no Jackson kids on it. He said they currently pay us $2500. He said with the three JBES things we help them with at $1.00 a stop, that is about $2500 a year; as regards high school, we are pretty much helping each other out. He said he wants to work with them and make it easier for everybody; however, Jackson does way more for them than they do for us. He said he does not want to “rock the boat” and would love to keep doing
something: however, if they feel strongly about not paying that money, he would then ask “what else can you do for us?” Dr. Nelson stated Bartlett said we should continue to work together and no money should change hands.
Dr. Nelson suggested the need to have another conversation between Bartlett and Jackson, noting also we could go back to each District doing their own busing. Ms. Anzaldi said if we can socialize the kids any way at all, it is best. Mr. Nemeth said he would not like to see us running two independent buses. Mr. Bradley estimated it would cost us $3,000 to $4,000 a year. Ms. Anzaldi suggested holding another Bus Committee meeting and bringing this to light. Mr. Bradley reiterated he would want to work with them, but we have to look at what’s fair. It was agreed Messrs. Bradley and Kearns will meet with Bartlett again. Dr. Nelson will set it up.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: None.
14. Adjourn: Motion made by Mr. Nemeth, second by Ms. Synnott, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
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