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School Board Minutes -- 05/19/2014
MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
May 19, 2014

1.      Call to Order:  The May 19th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 4:15 p.m. Present were Chair, Genn Anzaldi, Keith Bradley, Fred Nemeth, Jerry Dougherty, Andrew Kearns, Dr. Carl Nelson and Principal, Gayle Dembowski.  There were two members of public/staff present.  

        Appointment of Andrew Kearns as School Board Member: Motion by Mr. Nemeth, second by Mr. Dougherty, to appoint Andrew Kearns as a School Board member effective May 19, 2014 through March of 2015.  Motion carried with 4 votes in the affirmative and 1 abstention (Kearns).
                        
2.      Approve Minutes (4-15-14) – Question was raised by Ms. Dembowski regarding Item 2, Pg. 1, Approval of Minutes with reference to Mr. Bradley’s comment that he would like to try the Blizzard Bag program even if it did not save us snow days, as to whether that was a directive for her to start the program with staff.  Dr. Nelson stated the whole of SAU #9 would be looking at it.  Motion was made by Mr. Dougherty to approve the Minutes of the April 15th meeting as circulated.  Motion carried with 4 votes in the affirmative and 1 abstention (Kearns).
        
3.      Citizen Comments:  None.

4.      Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:  

  • SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson stated the SAU Board will
meet on June 11th at 6:00 p.m.; the SAU Executive Board meets on June 4th, and there will be a Joint Area Boards meeting on May 21st at the Conway Professional Development Center at 6:00 p.m.

B.  FYI – 2014-15 Health Insurance Rates - Dr. Nelson reported that the SAU had originally been given a guaranteed maximum increase of 8.99% for health insurance; however, it actually came in as a decrease of 0.14%.

5.      Old Business:  None.

6.      Instructional Issues:  

        A.  Consider Approval of Technology Plan – Dr. Nelson explained this is being provided for first reading tonight; questions/comments can be directed to Ann Bennett and the plan will be on the agenda at the June meeting for approval if no changes.

7.      Consider Personnel Actions:

A.  Election of Hope D. Hayes as Lead Counselor for Summer Program (2014-15) – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, that the Board approve election of Hope Hayes as Lead Counselor for the Summer Program.  Ms. Dembowski stated she is a good candidate and a fine young woman.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  

B.  Election of Hope D. Hayes (2013-14) – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to elect Hope Hayes as Summer Coordinator for the remainder of the 2013-14 school year.  Ms. Dembowski reported there are funds left from last year’s summer program to cover May and June.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  

C.  Extension of Gayle Dembowski’s Contract as Teaching Principal – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, to approve extension of Gayle Dembowski’s contract as Teaching Principal through June 30, 2016.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

D.  Election of Personnel for 2014-15 – Motion made by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Nemeth, to approve election of personnel for 2014-15 as recommended.  In light of the impending resignation of George Bordash which will create a vacancy, Mr. Bradley suggested the Board might want to consider a restructuring of the personnel list as regards the custodian position.  Dr. Nelson recommended striking Mr. Bordash’s name since he has tendered his resignation.  Mr. Kearns questioned when looking to fill that position if we should consider a time limit, possibly one year to start.  Dr. Nelson stated if the Board wants to do a restructuring for next year they may want to table that position.  Ms. Dembowski said we would want to look at the full job description of both positions, contact Jim Hill, and then have a dialogue about how we would go about changing things.    

Motion made by Mr. Dougherty, second by Mr. Bradley, that the names of Mark Davidson and George Bordash be stricken from the listing of support staff.  Motion carried.  Voting proceeded on Mr. Kearns’ original motion as modified.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.  

E.  Accept Retirement of George Bordash – Dr. Nelson made note that Policy requires that Mr. Bordash notify the Board by December 1st.  Motion by Mr. Dougherty, second by Mr. Kearns, to accept with regret the retirement of George Bordash and to waive the December 1st notification date listed in Article 13.1 of the Personnel Policies for Noncontracted Employees.  Motion carried by unanimous vote.

It was noted Mr. Bordash has been with JGS for 35 years.  Ms. Anzaldi suggested something be done to recognize service for such a significant number of years.  Dr. Nelson said there is a stipend for various years of service of $2500, as well as some sick time buy back.  Ms. Dembowski noted a recognition/celebration has been scheduled for June 9th at 5:30 p.m. which might be a good time to honor him.  

8.      Business Affairs:  

  • FYI – 2013-14 Budget Status Report – Dr. Nelson provided copy of updated
Budget, noting the school is in good shape.  There were no questions or comments.  

9.      Administrator’s Reports:
A.  Superintendent –

        Transportation Committee Meeting Minutes – A copy of the Minutes for the Transportation Committee meeting held on May 6th at which all the Jackson and Bartlett bus drivers were in attendance was provided.  Mr. Kearns said it became evident how much we carry the Bartlett kids and Bartlett, next year, will start transporting any Jackson Middle School or high school kids that live on Dundee Road, to the end of Dundee Road and Town Hall Road, with the approval of their Board.  The bus drivers stated it would be no hardship.

Mr. Kearns said the end result was Gredel Shaw sent a letter saying it was discussed with the bus drivers and there is no better solution – it is rural living.  He noted that one thing that was not in the letter was the fact that there have already been adjustments made to those two routes.  

Ms. Dembowski questioned if Bartlett is going to drop the Middle schoolers at Town Hall will that eliminate the need for that transfer midway?  She was told no.  Ms. Dembowski felt it might save a little time.  Mr. Kearns said the end result is, it has been looked at, and there is not much that can be done.

Mr. Bradley said we could contact PTO to provide after school care.  Ms. Dembowski said it might be 6 to 8 kids so it becomes difficult.  Ms. Anzaldi pointed out it then becomes an after school support program.  Mr. Bradley said he has asked the Bartlett school twice not to send the Jackson kids on the bus for baseball this year; however, it did not work.  He has requested if they find out there are Bartlett kids on the bus that they call him.  Ms. Bennett said they had set up protocol where they would be bused and the coach would be there; that day the coach was outside the school waiting for the bus.  Mr. Dougherty said we just need to know.  Mr. Nemeth said as a parent, with kids in Bartlett, it is incredibly helpful for the kids to be able to take that bus.  Mr. Dougherty stated we should just assume it is going to happen and it is no problem for him to be there.



Principal –

EDies Award - Ms. Dembowski announced the EDies Formal Award dinner will be held on June 7th in Manchester at 3:00 p.m. and she would like to have some School Board members attend.  She noted Jackson has been asked to produce 25 center pieces and Joan Heysler and staff are working on having the kids craft something that represents JGS.   

10.     Citizen Comments:  Ann Bennett commented on the Technology Plan which was submitted to the Board for first reading, pointing out several areas that represent significant change from the current plan, including revised Student Benchmarks which are now modeled on Common Core and ISTE-NETs standards.  She explained that over the past 3 years the goal of 1:1 student to computer ratio has been met and exceeded largely through the addition of iPads, iPods and other digital tools.  She said it is a testament to the generosity of the community and the aptitude of our educational staff, noting the hours these folks commit to setting up these tools is tremendous.  She asked that Board members review the plan and to let her know their comments and suggestions, with the intent that the document will be approved at the Board’s June meeting.  
        
Trish Hanlon congratulated everyone on winning the EDies award.  She stated, hopefully, it will put Jackson on the map for parents wanting to move into the valley, and suggested it be marketed a lot.  She said she also is seeing a trend of families coming here and making choices of where they are going to live and it could come down to an extended day, noting we do not really offer that but she would highly recommend looking at that; for instance, an Art Program or homework club.  Mr. Kearns said if out of district tuition does take off we would be looking at distances people will be traveling.    

11.     Board Member Issues:  Ms. Anzaldi said she will send the listing of Committee assignments around again for members to review for action at the June meeting.    

  • Set Date for Next Meeting – June 16th at 6:00 p.m.
  • Consider Donation to Friends of The Whitney Community Center –
Motion made by Mr. Dougherty, second by Mr. Nemeth, to donate the unanticipated revenue in the amount of $1,773.40 to the Friends of the Whitney Center.  

Ms. Hanlon stated we do not have a Board member on the committee.  She stated a little over a year ago the Board asked her to be here, and she asked instead of coming every year to ask for money, could we just assume we are going to do this?  She stated the money that the Board gets from NH Charitable Trust has been divided 1/3, 1/3, 1/3; however, each year the money keeps declining and she does not know why it keeps going down.  Mr. Bradley stated we base it on the anticipated revenue.  Ms. Hanlon stated last year it was the most anticipated, but we got the same amount of money.  Mr. Bradley stated the building is 5 or 6 years old, we have started a maintenance fund, anticipating having to put some money into it.  He said he is not sure he feels that any extra money should keep going back to the Friends of the Whitney when we have school expenses as well.  

Ms. Hanlon commented that it is money that has come from the NH Charitable Trust to maintain the building.  Mr. Bradley stated the school spends $100,000 a year on it.  (He noted last year it was actually $70,000).  Ms. Dembowski stated it is based on percentage of square footage – 37% of our operating budget went toward the Whitney Center.  

Ms. Bennett said it is the School Board’s responsibility to make sure that the document signed by the School Board and the Whitney Foundation is respected.  She noted it is separated into three parts:  operation and maintenance, capital projects and programming - it is a contractual agreement that the Board has with the Whitney Center.  Mr. Dougherty said by the fact that the money does not come close to covering the maintenance or the long term capital improvements for the building, it would be unfair to say the school does not honor that.  He stated it is significantly more than $10,000 to $15,000 a year, and to infer that the contract is not being honored is a little off – it is not fair to say the school is not living up to its contract – it is still a significant sum.  Mr. Bradley pointed out, for instance, it was not in the budget to repave all that parking lot at a cost of $14,000.  

Mr. Dougherty said the money we get from the revenue does not even put a dent in the capital costs.  He said he would not mind considering taking all the money from the Whitney Foundation and give it to the Friends.  Mr. Bradley said the hard part is that it is in the School District’s budget.  Mr. Dougherty noted that is supposed to be a community center, people complain that it is just a school building and no one else can use it.  He suggested possibly if the Friends had more money to utilize, they might be able to have other programs.

Mr. Kearns said the contract is between the School Board and the Whitney Foundation, then you have the added third party - Friends of the Whitney - which is not in the contract.  He said the School District received less each year from the NH Charitable Trust, so that number that has gone to the Whitney has also gone down.  He questioned why we are increasing the revenue if we never hit it to begin with.  Mr. Bradley stated it was always more than $8,000.  

Ms. Hanlon said the Whitney Center did not cost the school anything; Betty Whitney left money so that it would not be just for the school, it was supposed to be for the community.  She said she feels the Board owes it to the Oversight Committee.  She said we are sitting on some money and would like to hear about any programs you suggest.  She noted we have to look at it from an historic idea – you are getting this money, but it is not the school’s money.  

Mr. Bradley stated as School Board members we are responsible for the budget for the School District and the majority of the people of this town do not realize how much this is costing us each year.  He stated this figure is pretty accurate (the $100,000). Mr. Nemeth said you can legitimately question the assumptions upon which that number is based, but it is laid out in the budget – it is based on square footage of facilities in the budget for the maintenance of the school.  Mr. Bradley said he felt 1/3 of the school custodian and maintenance time is spent at the Whitney Center.

Mr. Dougherty said we need to look at the intent of the funding, we do not know exactly what the number is going to be every year.  He suggested that maybe the Foundation could consider not giving it to the School District; the School District is doing a lot in order to keep that building maintained - we are not really doing a lot to alleviate the cost to the taxpayer.  He said we need to honor that agreement and make that building as accessible to the community as it should be.  

Ms. Bennett said she does not understand how the Board develops what it is by anticipated revenue and why it is not simply 1/3 of the expected revenue.  Mr. Kearns said when doing the budgeting process next year we need to look at that, noting last year we put almost the entire amount received into the maintenance trust fund.  Ms. Hanlon said it was the understanding of the Oversight Committee that it would be 1/3.  Mr. Bradley said he thought we agreed on $3,000.  

Mr. Dougherty withdrew his motion, Mr. Nemeth withdrew his second.

Motion was made by Mr. Bradley, seconded by Mr. Dougherty, to donate $3,000 to the Friends of the Whitney Center for the current fiscal year 2013-14.  

Mr. Bradley said he believes we had set that number two years in a row; also he would like to see us readdress the fees we charge for use of the Center, noting if the Friends of the Whitney Center want to offer scholarships, great.  Ms. Dembowski said she is charging private people a rental fee, but the fitness programs have been given a break because they have been here for so many years.  Ms. Hanlon stated you are talking about a community service.  Mr. Bradley said that needs to be addressed.  Mr. Bradley’s motion carried by unanimous vote.  


Mr. Kearns offered as an FYI item that Fryeburg Academy is lowering their tuition to out of district students to $15,000 and including transportation to and from Jackson.  He said there were some people who were upset about the low tuition Jackson was offering.  He said because we have such small numbers going to the high school, it is in our contract that we have to send 90% of our students - it could affect our contract which we are tied into for another 12 years.  Mr. Bradley said at $15,000, from a fiscal standpoint, we could still save money by sending them to Fryeburg and pay the contract.  Dr. Nelson said they would have to figure what the tuition costs, as a District, would be to send them over there.  Ms. Dembowski questioned whether that would include all special services.  Mr. Bradley questioned whether there is any chance we could renegotiate the contract with Conway.  Mr. Nemeth questioned why Conway would be motivated to renegotiate that contract.  Mr. Bradley stated just for the bond.  Ms. Anzaldi pointed out Kennett is ranked higher than Fryeburg Academy.  

Mr. Dougherty wished to know who is on the Personnel Committee, noting if we are going to revisit the building maintenance position we should task that Committee with revisiting that.  It was noted that Messrs. Dougherty and Bradley are on the Personnel Committee. Mr. Bradley said he would want to see one of the positions being responsible for the other.  

Mr. Dougherty said regarding the SAU 9 meeting coming in June, Nancy Kelemen had asked that the money issue for the new Superintendent’s salary be discussed and the individual Boards should look at that.  Mr. Dougherty said he feels there are some other important aspects of the Superintendent’s position in general which need to be discussed, perhaps looking at things like the contract time, for instance, going to a three year contract.  He suggested discussion regarding the Superintendent search be on the next agenda.

12.     Signing of Manifest:  Manifests were duly signed.

13.     Nonpublic Session:  None.

14.     Adjourn:   Motion was made by Mr. Nemeth, seconded by Mr. Bradley, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:35 p.m.  Carried by unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary


June Agenda Items:

Technology Plan – second reading
Search for a new Superintendent