MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Whitney Community Center
June 18, 2014
1. Call to Order: The June 18th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 1:04 p.m. Present were Chair, Genn Anzaldi, Keith Bradley, Jerry Dougherty, Andrew Kearns, Dr. Carl Nelson, and Principal, Gayle Dembowski. Also present were Administrative Assistant, Ann Bennett, and Custodian, Mark Davidson.
The Chair presented a plaque to Ms. Bennett in recognition of her 15 years of service to Jackson Grammar School, stating “she is wonderful and very much appreciated” by the entire Board. Mr. Bradley added that the Board is glad that Ms. Bennett is still going to be here on a part time basis. Mr. Dougherty wished to recognize the commitment of both Ms. Bennett and George Bordash (35 years of service) and the success and service they have contributed to the school.
2. Approve Minutes (5-19-14) – Motion by Mr. Dougherty, second by Mr. Kearns, that the Minutes of the May 19th meeting be approved as circulated.
Ms. Bennett wished to speak regarding the Board’s references to the Friends of the Whitney Center (Pgs. 4, 5 & 6) stating there are numerous non factual statements, some statements which are not accurate. She said Mr. Kearns’ statement is most germane and when we get to the budgeting process next year we need to discuss it, and include it under old business on the Agenda. She pointed specifically also to Mr. Bradley’s statement regarding “1/3-1/3-1/3,” discussion which she said is incorrect and poses difficulties, that when looking back to the language in the original agreement it specifies it in a different way than is stated here, stating also it is further clarified by the letter that Mr. Kearns received from Linda Gray and that letter, along with the ongoing discussion, will clarify it long term.
Ms. Bennett made reference to Pg. 5, 4th full para., next to last sentence “He questioned why we are increasing the revenue if we never hit it to begin with.” It was Ms. Bennett’s opinion that they do reach it if receiving $8500. Mr. Kearns explained the revenue is separate from what we bring in from the use of the Whitney Center. Mr. Dougherty said the amount that is appropriated for programs is really the only amount the taxpayers should be concerned about being covered by the funds; otherwise the money coming from the Whitney fund does not remotely cover the cost of what the operation and maintenance of the building come to.
Mr. Bradley asked “didn’t we come to an agreement that we would do $3,000 so we would not have to talk about it every year?” Mr. Dougherty said whatever the three areas are that the Whitney Fund is supposed to fund: Programming, capital improvements, long term maintenance. Mr. Kearns suggested the subject be included under old business for the August meeting, noting we all have a copy of the contract and maybe should review it before that meeting. It was agreed all would review the contract prior to, as well as copies of Minutes involving discussion of the Whitney Center and the letter referred to from Linda Gray. Mr. Bradley said he feels we can pick a number everyone is happy with. It was agreed this would be a subject for discussion at the August meeting after everyone has had a chance to review the paperwork dealing
with the Whitney Center.
Motion carried by unanimous vote.
3. Citizen Comments: Ms. Bennett questioned whether there would be additional issues under Item 6, Instructional Issues, and was informed there would not be.
4. Presentation of School Programs/FYI Items:
A. SAU – Other School Board Reports - Dr. Nelson noted the SAU Board will meet on August 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the Conway Professional Development Center.
Kennett High School Graduation is to be held on June 21st at 10:00 a.m., promotion ceremony for Jackson students will be held on June 18th, Bartlett promotion ceremony is to be held on June 19th.
5. Old Business: None.
6. Instructional Issues:
A. Consider Approval of Technology Plan (2014-17) – Motion made by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve the Updated Technology Plan. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. Consider First Reading of Policy DJJ (Credit Card Policy) – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve Policy DJJ (Credit Card Policy) at first reading. Mr. Bradley inquired as to whether the policy is SAU #9-wide, noting he would like to see the dollar amount included. Dr. Nelson advised the amount is $5,000. Mr. Bradley noted we have to sign manifests now, and wished to know whether this can be part of that. Dr. Nelson stated the credit card company will bill us - Ms. Dembowski will hold the card, then if something is charged to that card a bill will be sent. Ms. Dembowski explained it is mostly for things like ordering from Amazon that you cannot use a purchase order for. Mr. Dougherty said he assumes there will be a copy of the credit card statement attached to the
manifests. Mr. Kearns noted we are approving this at the first reading and will not be meeting in July, and questioned whether they should be approving it at second reading at this meeting. Mr. Bradley said he would approve second reading if the dollar amount was listed. No action was taken on Mr. Kearns’ motion for approval at first reading.
Motion was made by Mr. Dougherty, seconded by Mr. Kearns, that the Board approve Policy DJJ (Credit Card Policy) for $5,000 at second reading. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
C. Consider Adoption of Revised Appendix A of Noncontracted Personnel Policies – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve Appendix A of Noncontracted Personnel Policies as recommended. Ms. Anzaldi commented this would bring things into alignment with the terminology we are using. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions:
A. Election of Summer Program Personnel: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve election of ESY and Summer Program Personnel as recommended. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. Approval of Increase in Substitute Pay Rate: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Bradley, to approve Substitute Pay Increase for 2014-15 to $85 per day for teachers, and $10 per hour for Aides. Mr. Bradley questioned whether we have a problem getting substitutes. Ms. Dembowski said sometimes, but usually only when they are last minute calls. It was noted it has been 6 or 7 years since there has been an increase for substitutes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
C. Approval of Agreement with Bartlett School District for Library Media Specialist Services. Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve an agreement between Bartlett School District and Jackson Grammar School for Library Media Specialist Services. Ms. Dembowski stated it is the same as last year, and worked out well. Mr. Bradley questioned whether there is any way Jackson Library might be interested in doing this instead. Mr. Dougherty stated we have done that before, but it has been challenged. He stated money-wise, it is a wash; however, it is worth asking the question. It was agreed it would be good to have that discussion. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
D. Consider Approval of Agreement with the Bartlett School District for Family Support Liaison Services: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve agreement with Bartlett School District for Family Support Liaison Services. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
E. Consider Approval of Agreement with Bartlett School District for OT Services: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve agreement with Bartlett School District for OT Services. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
F. Consider Election of Susan Ross-Parent as Secretary (2014-15): Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve election of Susan Ross-Parent as Secretary for Jackson School District. Mr. Bradley questioned what the policy is when people apply for these positions, whether they get a form letter back, noting he knew of one candidate who never got a call back or a form letter. Ms. Dembowski stated someone called her about that, but until she receives a confirmation from the Superintendent she does not send a letter. Mr. Bradley said he wonders if in the future when having a position we are advertising and are not going to hire someone who applies, whether we could send a letter right away. Ms. Dembowski stated she had done this previously and it did not work out
well and was awkward as they had had to go through the process a second time. Dr. Nelson stated we do not have the manpower at the SAU, i.e. we had 19 positions to deal with. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Ms. Dembowski noted that in transferring Ms. Ross-Parent from one position to the other, since we do not have any ESL student right now she would like some guidance as to whether we are to offer to keep her as the French teacher, noting it would increase her benefits to that of a full time employee.
Mr. Bradley said what we are doing here is being done again as soon as they get to Bartlett. They can’t skip those classes when they get to Bartlett and have already had the material. Mr. Kearns said if they do well enough and pass the test, they get a high school French I grade. Mr. Bradley said he is not saying do away with it, maybe continue to do a language, but back off a little or do something more advanced in Bartlett. Ms. Anzaldi said she feels it helps the kids learn more and read better [having already covered the material]. She said she feels it would be good to have this conversation with Mr. Voci, but it would be good to continue with Susan if she can, now that we have a teacher for French language. It was agreed it would be a good joint board discussion in October.
Mr. Bradley suggested if they can’t do better in Bartlett, maybe we should offer Spanish here and have them take French in Bartlett. Mr. Dougherty said he would like to see how it affects the budget – what it looks like in the end, and look at how the staff says it will fit into the program. Ms. Dembowski said we budgeted six hours for French, it would be 32 hours for secretarial. Dr. Nelson noted Ms. Ross-Parent is at full benefits now. Ms. Anzaldi commented that Ms. Dembowski needs to be supported when she needs someone there on the secretarial end. Dr. Nelson said there would be a scheduling issue. Ms. Dembowski said she will draft something to see what it looks like.
G. Reorganization of Maintenance/Custodial Positions (2014-15): Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve reorganization of Maintenance and Custodial Positions. Job descriptions for Maintenance/ Custodian and for Part time Events Custodian were provided. Mr. Bradley wanted assurance that the part time person would work under the supervision of the full time person. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
H. Consider Election of Mark Davidson to a Summer Custodian Position: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve election of Mark Davidson as Summer Custodian. Mr. Davidson questioned whether there were any thoughts from the Board as regards covering the schedule. Ms. Dembowski stated Mr. Davison has met with Mr. Bordash frequently to review the list of contractors who will be working here over the summer and has stepped up and taken hold. She thanked Mr. Davison for that. Ms. Anzaldi questioned who will have the key. Mr. Kearns said this position goes through August 31st and will be addressed prior to that at the August meeting. Mr. Davidson was thanked for his service and left the meeting. The motion carried by unanimous vote.
I. Consider Appointment of Kristen Groves as Mentor: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, that Kristen Groves be paid a stipend of $500 for mentoring Hilary Hummiston during the 2013-14 school year. Ms. Dembowski pointed out we never had a formal contract in place and Ms. Groves has done a great job. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
J. Consider Approval of Summer Program and/or Curriculum Work: Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Ms. Anzaldi, to approve the proposed summer program and/or curriculum work. Mr. Bradley questioned whether it is above what we did last year and if we budgeted for that. Ms. Dembowski stated we did. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI – 2013-14 Budget Status Report – Mr. Bradley questioned what the
excess might be at the end of the year. Dr. Nelson felt it could be in the range of $136,000, noting “we are in pretty good shape” with only 12 days to go.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent – Dr. Nelson stated Kennett High School graduation will be on Saturday, June 21st at 10:00 a.m.; Bartlett graduation is Thursday, June 19th.
B. Principal – Ms. Dembowski said she needs a representative to be on the Maintenance and Custodian Hiring Committee, as well as a representative from the Whitney Center. It was noted Jim Hill will also serve on that committee. She stated the position is advertised right now; on June 30th they will review the applications and set up interviews from July 7th to the 11th. Mr. Bradley volunteered to serve on the Committee as long as the meeting is held before 5:00 p.m.
Ms. Dembowski stated she will be out of town for the next two weeks and has asked Mr. Voci to be available for those two weeks for administrative issues if anything crops up. She will leave a list of contact people and passwords. Dr. Nelson suggested she also check the alarm system to make sure it is working properly.
1. 2014-15 Teaching Assignments – A listing of teaching assignments
was provided as follows: Grades K/1 – Kristen Groves; Grades 2/3 – Margot Robert; Grade 4 – Dexter Harding; Grades 5/6 – Heather Woodward. Ms. Dembowski noted that Dexter Harding is coming back and was interested in that, and she has had some interest from parents - Dexter will be with the kids he was with two years ago. She said the teachers are excited about the change, parents have been informed.
10. Citizen Comments: None.
11. Board Member Issues:
A. Set Date for Next Meeting – August 18, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
B. Committee Assignments – It was agreed Mr. Kearns will be added to the Whitney Committee. Mr. Dougherty said he would be happy to step in where Lauren Synnott was listed except for the Whitney Committee. All other members agreed to stay as listed.
There was discussion regarding the calendar. Mr. Dougherty noted he had sat through some calendar meetings – it is a good process and interesting, and they are very open to comments, thoughts and ideas. Mr. Bradley said he would like a joint meeting with Bartlett prior to the calendar meeting.
Ms. Dembowski stated the administrators all would be happier with starting prior to Labor Day. Mr. Dougherty said that is a contract situation between the Conway School Board and the Conway Labor Union. Mr. Bradley stated because of the rules and contract that is in place, we are handcuffed on our calendar.
C. Update on Superintendent Search - Dr. Nelson reported the Superintendent Search Committee has done a rewrite on the job description and advertisement and they are going back to a more heavily advertised area. They will offer at the August 21st meeting a time line. He suggested directing everything to the Search Committee, then it goes to the Chairman and she will take charge of it. It is planned the hiring will be a year from July.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: None.
14. Adjourn: Motion was made by Mr. Kearns, seconded by Mr. Bradley, that the meeting be adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Carried by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
August Agenda Items:
Whitney Center
Library Media Services/Jackson Library
October Joint Jackson/Bartlett Mtg.
French being taught in Bartlett & Jackson
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