MINUTES OF MEETING
JACKSON SCHOOL BOARD
Jackson Grammar School
December 15, 2014
1. Call to Order: The Dec. 15th meeting of the Jackson School Board was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Chair, Genn Anzaldi, Jerry Dougherty, Fred Nemeth, Keith Bradley, Andrew Kearns, Dr. Carl Nelson, Principal, Gayle Dembowski, and Special Ed Director, Pam Stimpson. There were eight members of staff/public present.
2. Approve Minutes (11-17-14) – Motion by Mr. Kearns, second by Mr. Bradley, that the Minutes of the Nov. 17th meeting be approved 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 reported the SAU Executive Board will meet on January 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.; the next regular SAU Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the Conway Professional Development Center.
5. Old Business:
A. Whitney Center – Mr. Kearns presented a draft Letter of Understanding between the Jackson School Board and the Whitney Foundation Trustees. He called attention to the last paragraph which sets forth the terms of the annual endowment payment/distribution of funds: “50% to be placed in the capital maintenance fund, 35% to be used for programming, and 15% to be used for operations.” He requested that the letter, in its entirety, become a part of the Minutes of this meeting.
Mr. Kearns noted one change was that JSB would start billing the Friends of Whitney for custodial services, but would still have an annual review of the numbers – an internal audit. Mr. Kearns pointed out the Friends of Whitney are the ones who can spend the money.
As regards the increase in the warrant article for capital maintenance this year,
Mr. Bradley stated we have to keep in mind it has to be a complete guess – we will not know the actual number for the warrant article. Mr. Kearns said 50% of that number will go to offset what they put in the warrant article. Mr. Dougherty stated we have to put a number in the warrant article that is “that number” - the only thing that we could accept as anticipated revenue. Mr. Bradley pointed out the capital maintenance fund is only two years old. Dr. Nelson stated presently there is $10,000 in the draft warrant article, but you have to have a number - it can be an “up to” amount.
Mr. Bradley said if we are anticipating $10,000, then the warrant article will have $5,000. Mr. Dougherty said we cannot take unanticipated revenue and put it into a warrant article. He said, philosophically, it is O.K. with him, but he does not want language in there that prohibits what we can do by law – we could not fairly tell voters in March that that fund is going to be offset because, technically, it cannot.
Mr. Kearns stressed that this is a draft; he stated every year we have said that money is going to come back to the taxpayers. Dr. Nelson stated if you do not do the warrant article correctly, the DRA will not allow it. Mr. Dougherty said it frees up that money to be outside of the appropriations. Mr. Kearns said the Friends of Whitney are going to push to get someone they can pay to work the programming. Mr. Dougherty noted we put the programming into our general operating budget. Mr. Bradley noted the draft states the Friends of Whitney will receive the funds. Mr. Kearns stated, no, it will still come to the Board. Mr. Dougherty stated he would not like to see this language in there.
Ms. Dembowski said she thought the intent was that we would get the check and turn it all over to them – 35% and 15% would be turned over to them, then we would bill them for the custodial services. Mr. Dougherty wished to have an opportunity to talk to the contact person for Friends of Whitney. Mr. Dougherty said the reason the Friends of Whitney was formed was to not have to worry about the budget process. The discussion of how the money should be distributed should be in June or July. He said there is a way to do it, and it would be a “year after” effect.
Mr. Bradley stated this is giving them more than we normally do. Mr. Kearns said they are actually getting less for programming than what Betty Whitney intended. Ms. Anzaldi said we will keep this on the Agenda for the next meeting and in the meantime Mr. Dougherty will discuss it with the Friends of Whitney.
6. Instructional Issues:
- Consider First Reading of Policy on Remote Instruction School Days –
Motion made by Ms. Anzaldi to amend the policy to allow for a limit of two days instead of five. Mr. Dougherty said if it passes district-wide, it is going to pass with a two day limit. Dr. Nelson said you will have some kids going to school and some kids not. He stated from his perspective, he would only allow two days. Mr. Dougherty said in order to have it be adopted as a policy, it should be adopted by all. Mr. Kearns pointed out the policy says “the Superintendent may declare up to five days.” Dr. Nelson stated five days is the State number.
Mr. Bradley wished to know if there is any way we can separate ourselves from other towns. Mr. Nemeth said whatever we feel here as a Board is the best policy for our kids is what we should be looking to implement - we can be leaders as much as followers. He stated if we feel there are valid policy reasons for us to have a different leadership role, there is no reason why we cannot do that. Dr. Nelson noted Middle School and High School kids will have to do what the district does, elementary kids can do as the JSB decides.
It was Mr. Dougherty’s opinion that it does not matter whether it says two or five. Mr. Bradley said he would like it to be separate from the rest of SAU #9 - he prefers to do it on our own, his biggest issue is not being tied in to all the other kids in the valley. Mr. Dougherty felt we should consider more than whether we get out early in June, we have to consider what is in the best educational interest of the kids, not what Conway is doing or what day we get out in June. There being no second to Ms. Anzaldi’s motion, no action was taken.
Motion was then made by Mr. Dougherty, seconded by Mr. Nemeth, that the Board approve the Remote Instruction School Day Policy at first reading. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
B. Consider First Reading of Revised Personnel Policies for Contracted Employees – Motion made by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Dougherty, to approve at first reading the revised personnel policies for contracted employees. Mr. Dougherty said we will be going back to the drawing board to discuss the pay increase.
C. Consider First Reading of Revised Personnel Policies for Noncontracted Employees – Motion by Ms. Anzaldi, second by Mr. Dougherty, that the Board approve revised personnel policies for noncontracted employees at first reading.
In the interest of making sure pay for contracted and noncontracted personnel is competitive with Bartlett, it was agreed that the Personnel Committee will meet with staff and come back to the Board with a new plan; therefore, no vote was taken on Motions for Item 6 B & C.
Motion was then made by Ms. Anzaldi, seconded by Mr. Dougherty, to approve wording on Pgs. 8&9 of the Policy for Noncontracted Personnel as follows, in part: Up to ten days per immediate family member per school year of sick leave may be used to attend to an ill family member.” Carried by unanimous vote.
7. Consider Personnel Actions: None.
8. Business Affairs:
A. FYI – 2014-15 Budget Status Report – There were no questions or comments.
B. Review Draft of 2015-16 Proposed Budget – Dr. Nelson explained there is a decrease in the entire budget of $120,000. due to a decrease in salaries because of new hires and a 50% cut of the custodial position. He said health insurance came in at 5.6%, or a decrease in the budget of $25,000. Middle School tuition is going down by $91,000; High School tuition last year was for 21 students at $21,000, this year there will be 16 at $22,500. Whitney Center projects are included at $2500.
Dr. Nelson called attention to the estimated tax rate, noting the budget is down by $.17; if all warrant articles are approved it would be up by $.06 per thousand, or 1.13% on the tax rate.
Motion by Ms. Azanldi, second by Mr. Nemeth, to vote to move the budget forward to the budget hearing. Motion carried by unanimous vote.
Warrant Articles:
Article 1. Budget
Article 2. Capital Reserve Fund (School Buses) – $15,000 - Mr. Bradley noted the price of the buses is going up - Article 5 is for $97,000 for a new bus. He said we have been putting $15,000 in every year then taking out another $57,000 for the bus. He questioned whether we would be better off putting $25,000 into the Capital Reserve Fund for buses considering the budget is going to be lower than average this year. It was agreed to increase the amount in article 2 to $25,000.
Article 3. Whitney Center Maintenance Trust - $10,000. Mr. Kearns noted we will have $31,000 in the account after June. Mr. Bradley suggested dropping the amount for article 3 to $5,000 and put $5,000 in the regular maintenance trust fund. It was agreed to change the amount for article 3 to $5,000.
Article 4. Expendable Trust Fund (Tuition Trust Fund) - $10,000 - Mr. Kearns stated what we have in there now would cover two unknown high school students or three Middle School students. It was agreed to remove Article 4.
Article 5. Purchase of a School Bus - $97,000, and authorize the withdrawal of $40,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund (School Buses), the balance of $57,000 to come from general taxation – It was agreed this would remain as is.
Dr. Nelson said he will revise the warrant as agreed and bring it back to the January meeting for approval.
9. Administrator’s Reports:
A. Superintendent – Dr. Nelson reminded the Board there is a Joint Boards meeting scheduled for January 22, 2015 to discuss program of studies, to be held at the Conway Professional Development Center at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Anzaldi advised those attending that this is a very informative meeting and a good one to attend.
B. Principal
Ms. Dembowski said she just received report cards from our high school students: We have 26, 19 are taking advanced and AP courses, 65% are on the honor roll or receiving high honors. Out of the 26 students, 22 attended JGS for two or more years, of those, 19 are taking AP classes. She stated she is very proud of those students and happy to have been a part of that process.
Pam Stimpson, Special Ed Director, stated she was so proud of those people on honor roll.
She reported on the flag raising ceremony on Friday, noting it all went perfectly, the kids were incredible, some kids thanked them for inviting us. She said it was an incredible gift to have had that public interaction with 5th and 6th graders – they were just wonderful.
10. Citizen Comments: Melissa Grady wished to know who is currently on the Personnel Committee and the Policies Committee and was told it is Andrew Kearns and Jerry Dougherty on Personnel, Policy Committee members are Fred Nemeth and Jerry Dougherty. Mr. Kearns assured those present that the Committees are all always covered by two Board members.
Leann Brown Muzerall expressed (with reference to the conversation regarding the Whitney Center) that if they were asking for $10,000 and only needing $5,000 the voters would only vote for $5,000.
11. Board Member Issues:
A. Set Date for Next Meeting – Tuesday, January 20,2015.
Regarding Blizzard Bags, Ms. Muzerall questioned Dr. Nelson as to why he feels strongly about only having two remote education days? Dr. Nelson said in year one he would want to see what the success of this is; the policy is what counts as attendance. He felt the real test would be to inquire with the teaching staff to find out whether it is successful or not.
Ms. Anzaldi said it was brought to her attention there is an Amerigas program whereby if you turn in your bill a portion goes back to the school. She will research this further.
Ms. Anzaldi also said she has received information there is some money available for outdoor classrooms and will look into this as well.
Mr. Kearns announced there will be possibly two seats open on the School Board in the upcoming year and urged people to get the word out and encouraged people to run.
12. Signing of Manifest: Manifests were duly signed.
13. Nonpublic Session: At 7:00 p.m. Motion was made by Mr. Dougherty, seconded by Ms. Anzaldi and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the Board adjourn to nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3, II.
Nonpublic Session Minutes – The Director of Special Services and Superintendent requested direction from the Board on a personnel matter. The Board provided direction.
Jerry Dougherty moved to return to Public Session and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Keith Bradley and passed unanimously at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail T. Currier, Recording Secretary
January Agenda Items:
Whitney Center
Revised Warrant Articles
Revised Policies for Contracted Personnel
Revised Policies for Noncontracted Personnel
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