HOPKINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

School Administrative Unit #66

204 Maple Street

Contoocook, NH 03229

Hopkinton School Board

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

I. Chair David Luneau called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Present: Chair David Luneau, Vice-Chair Kim Fuller, School Board members Larry Donahue (arrived at 6:50 p.m.), Liz Durant (arrived at 6:38 p.m.) and Peter Yunich, Superintendent Dr. Brian Blake, Business Administrator Michelle Clark, Director of Student Services Dr. Val Aubry, Technology Director Matt Stone, Administrative Assistant Tara Graham, Principals Steve Chamberlin, Michael Bessette and Bill Carozza and Assistant Principal Chris Kelley.

II. Additions/Deletions to the agenda:

A. Dr. Blake added budget adjustment number 2009-10 in the amount of $12,500.00 as discussion item #5 and action item #2.

III. Correspondence

A. Dr. Blake expressed appreciation in regards to the two donation checks received in support of the Honduras trip, one in the amount of $100.00 and one in the amount of $250.00.

B. Dr. Blake noted a letter he received from a Mr. and Mrs. Wyle of Deering, expressing interest in a having their two children (kindergarten and first grade), tuitioned into the Hopkinton School District.

C. Dr. Blake mentioned that a SB2 petition was received today and will be on the ballot.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A. Motion to approve the 1/20/09 and 1/27/09 minutes made by Ms. Fuller, seconded by Mr. Yunich, motion passes, all in favor, minutes approved as amended.

V. Public Comments

A. Merle Dustin: Mentioned she has heard and many in town have heard, about drugs at the high school, and she was astonished. She hopes this is being examined closely.

VI. Staff Reports/Presentations

A. Ms. Clark introduced representatives from PSNH (Paul Houseman) and Light Tec (Jim Grady):

· Mr. Luneau thanked both for coming and asked if they could speak on the “big picture” of this program.

· Mr. Yunich asked if Light Tec was an independent contractor and how they were compensated? Mr. Grady answered that yes, they were an independent contractor in an agreement with PSNH and they are compensated by a margin made on the materials they put in the buildings.

· Mr. Yunich noted that there was to be a 4-year warranty and a 5-year payment on the program.

· Ms. Luneau asked how PSNH views the accuracy of the savings quoted? Mr. Houseman responded that he has not heard any complaints and that the graphs (on the electric bill) do show a decrease in energy usage.

· Mr. Yunich asked if they were wrong, who would be liable? Mr. Grady responded that if there were no other factors influencing the energy usage increasing or staying the same, then they would go back on their time and money and make necessary adjustments.

· Mr. Luneau asked how long the process of upgrading would take. Mr. Grady responded that it would take about a month at Maple Street and about 7 to 8 weeks at the Middle/High School. All work is done after hours and on weekends.

· Mr. Yunich asked if Light Tec’s work with other districts had been reviewed. Ms. Clark answered no, but could be if requested. They are PSNH’s contractor, we deal directly with PSNH.

B. Weighted Grades, Mr. Chamberlin:

· Mr. Chamberlin passed out handouts and noted that after running a “mock” weighted grade system, as well as comparing notes with other high schools (most of which do not use this system of weighted grading) and colleges, he was concerned that weighting would have a negative effect on Hopkinton’s programs and students.

· Mr. Chamberlin made the recommendation to stay “status quo” for now, concerned that it would damage the unique environment we have and the students’ many opportunities for choices. Mr. Chamberlin noted that we may revisit this system in the future if desired, but discussions and standards for it need much more time to develop and time is also needed to develop solid assessments.

· Ms. Durant asked if there was a way to “level” – a way to show and assess students in the same grade at different levels – almost weighting without actually calling it that?

· Mr. Luneau asked at what point should we get parent and community feedback on this? Mr. Chamberlin answered that he had put a link regarding this in his newsletter and in Hawk Talk. He also noted that he is open to any type of public forum.

· Mr. Donahue noted that Mr. Chamberlin has always been hesitant on weighted grading and asked who has challenged him on it so far. Mr. Chamberlin answered that he anticipates skeptics from here on out and welcomes the challenge.

VII. Comments From the Hopkinton School Board

A. Mr. Yunich asked when the Board may receive a status update on H2O? Dr. Blake said that there would be an update at the February 17^th Board meeting. Mr. Donahue also noted that it is not at the level yet where constant updates would be useful. Ms. Durant commented that just a one page summary each month from the task force leaders would be helpful to watch the progress of the individual groups.

B. Ms. Fuller confirmed that she will not be on the School Board ballot this year.

C. Mr. Luneau noted that the three people that will be on the ballot are Larry Donahue, Jim Paxton and Louis Josephson.

D. Mr. Donahue commended Mr. Luneau on his presentation to the budget committee and read the preliminary line adjustments recommended by the budget committee, including:

· Not recommending article 10, preferring it to be $25,000.00 instead of $75,000.00.

· Not recommending article 2, the HEA agreement.

· Not recommending article 8, preferring $25,000.00.

· Recommending eliminating all non-union salary increases.

VIII. Items For Board Discussion

A. PSNH/Light Tec

· Discussed earlier.

B. Class Rank/Weighted Grading

· Discussed earlier.

C. Superintendent Search

· Mr. Luneau asked everyone to think about what they feel are the qualities the search committee should be looking for.

· Dr. Blake noted that the Board packets contained a collection of materials used in the last Superintendent search.

· Mr. Donahue expressed that he thought the qualities from the last search needed to be better articulated and narrowed down. He also felt strongly that the focus should be on learning, as opposed to the classroom as it was in the prior search documents.

· Mr. Yunich commented that the goals should involve life preparation and collegiate success – that the key function is to develop and deliver that vision, in accordance with the H2O principles.

· Mr. Luneau noted that closing the loop on the outcome of graduates is also important.

· Mr. Donahue presented some of his ideas and notes by overhead, with a simpler framework, demonstrated in three areas – visionary (where are we going?), leadership (how do we get there?) and execution (keeping everyone involved on track).

· Ms. Durant thought this would be best organized into three sentences or so, not so fragmented.

· Mr. Luneau asked how the Board would like to move forward, noting that it may be helpful to go back and listen to the audio from the meeting with Ted Comstock from the NH School Boards Association that was held on January 27^th.

· Mr. Luneau and Mr. Donahue will work together on these details.

· Mr. Yunich asked if we will first be posting internally? Mr. Luneau recommended that the position be posted for one week in all school buildings and on the website. If there are candidates, they would first meet with the School Board to determine any finalists and then to a committee of district and community representatives. Posting through EdJobs and other avenues will wait until after it is decided whether or not there are qualified internal candidates.

D. Warrant Articles

· Dr. Blake asked if the Board thought there was a need for additional discussion on article 10? Mr. Luneau offered the suggestion that they wait to see what they hear at the public hearing on Thursday, February 5^th.

E. Budget Adjustment 2009-10

· Ms. Clark presented the budget adjustment in the amount of $12,500.00 due to services needed out of district for a special education student.

IX. Public Comments

A. Merle Dustin noted that on the description for the Superintendent position, the term “position” should be used in all places instead of the term “job”.

X. Action Items

A. Recommend the Hopkinton School Board approve the contract with PSNH to participate in the Smart Start Program. Ms. Fuller motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, four in favor, one opposed (Mr. Yunich), motion carries 4-1.

B. Recommend the Hopkinton School Board approve budget adjustment 2009-10 in the amount of $12,500.00. Mr. Yunich motioned, Mr. Donahue seconded, all in favor, motion carries.

XI. Ms. Fuller moved at 9:14 p.m. and Ms. Durant seconded that the Board enter non-public session as provided in (RSA 91-A:3, II (a)(c)) to discuss negotiations and personnel. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

XII. Following a motion by Ms. Fuller, seconded by Mr. Donahue, roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor, the board came out of non-public session at 9:45 p.m.

XIII. Following a motion by Ms. Durant, seconded by Ms. Fuller, the board voted to seal the minutes of the non-public session for one year. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

XIII. Motion to adjourn by Ms. Fuller, seconded by Ms. Durant. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

Adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Tara D. Graham

Hopkinton School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Maple Street School, Hopkinton NH

Non-public minutes

XIX. Non-Public Session (RSA 91-A:3, II (a)(c)).

During the non-public session, the Board discussed negotiations and a personnel issue.

Ms. Fuller motioned to come out of Non-Public Session, seconded by Mr. Donahue. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor, the board came out of non-public session at 9:45 p.m.

HOPKINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

School Administrative Unit #66

204 Maple Street

Contoocook, NH 03229

Hopkinton School Board

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I. Chair David Luneau called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Present: Chair David Luneau, School Board members Larry Donahue (arrived at 6:43 p.m.), Liz Durant and Peter Yunich, Superintendent Dr. Brian Blake, Business Administrator Michelle Clark, and Administrative Assistant Tara Graham.

II. Additions/Deletions to the agenda:

A. None.

III. Correspondence

a. Dr. Blake expressed appreciation in regards to the two donation checks received in support of the Honduras trip, one in the amount of $25.00 and one in the amount of $500.00.

b. Dr. Blake noted a letter he received from the NHSBA regarding the scholarship program for children of School Board members.

c. Dr. Blake received a formal letter from a staff member expressing interest in tuitioning their child (second grade) into the District. Dr. Blake expressed that this will need to be a discussion point in the near future for the Board.

d. Dr. Blake read a letter of thanks for Hopkinton Schools’ participation in Operation Christmas.

IV. Approval of Minutes

a. Motion to approve the 2/3/09 minutes made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion passes, all in favor, minutes approved as amended.

V. Public Comments

a. Allan Bloomquist: Noted that he had reviewed the Schedule B costs and thought they seemed high for the tasks being done.

VI. Staff Reports/Presentations

a. Treasurer Report on Collateral:

· Allan Bloomquist, Treasurer, expressed that looking to examine collateral was an excellent idea, particularly with the economy as it is and the banking crash.

· Mr. Bloomquist noted that the first priority of the Treasurer is to protect the safety of the principle.

· The District is currently getting a 1.3% interest rate with their new account at Merrimack County Savings Bank – a very good rate with the approximately .6% at most places across the country at the moment.

· Mr. Bloomquist reviewed the topics he had briefed the Board on in December.

· Mr. Bloomquist explained that this time he first looked at the credit rating of the banks we currently use (TD Bank North and Merrimack County), he then examined the collateral behind it using the Texas Ratio approach – looking at the amount of non-performing loans an institution has. 100+ non-performing loans is considered bad, 80+ is bordering on bad. Our banks have rather good scores compared to others in the country at 9 for Merrimack County and 2 for TD Bank North.

· After some negotiation, TD Bank North has agreed to move our collateral to the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, which is much more reliable than the one in Pittsburgh that it is currently at.

· Mr. Bloomquist recommended that legal review this and then he will set the wheels in motion – a legal representative that specializes in finance and investment should be used.

VII. Comments From the Hopkinton School Board

a. Ms. Durant helped with the Poetry Out Loud program last week and expressed her appreciation with how well it went.

b. Mr. Yunich commented that he had received multiple calls regarding a recurrence of lice in the schools.

· Dr. Blake noted that there had been only two cases in the fourth grade in the same class.

· Mr. Yunich asked if intermingling could be a cause of the problem.

· Dr. Blake answered, not necessarily, it comes down to following procedure and then is up to the parents to make sure the problem is treated.

· Ms. Durant expressed that the procedure is to protect all students all the time and it needs to be reviewed – which is a management decision and perhaps they should look at what other Districts have for procedures.

· Mr. Donahue said that this might be a place for policy, but also may not since we should be downsizing our policies, unless they are required by law.

c. Mr. Luneau passed out handouts detailing the process that will be used in the search for a new Superintendent. This included:

· Leadership qualities.

· A decision making process and selection process/timeline with any internal candidates as well as external ones.

· Designations for the internal vetting teams that will be involved in the interviewing process.

VIII. Items For Board Discussion

a. Stipends

· Mr. Luneau had asked for a review of the stipends that elected officials (non-Schedule B) receive.

· Dr. Blake gathered the info for both the School District and Town stipends. Dr. Blake also noted that the Treasurer stipend has been recommended to be reduced from $4000 to $2000 in the coming year.

· Mr. Donahue expressed his feelings that the stipends for School Board Members and the Treasurer should be more on par, $1000 for each – this can be looked at before the next budget cycle.

b. State and Federal Updates

· The Governor’s proposed budget (likely to have changes) was released. Some of the educational highlights included adequacy aid funded for at least two years, building and catastrophic aid to be funded fully, retirement coverage being lowered from 35% to 30% - shifting more cost to the organization directly, and closure of the Tobey School which provides education and care to emotionally disturbed children (Hopkinton does not currently have any students there).

· At the Federal level, the stimulus package has been signed. There are still many loop holes, questions and speculations on what we may see with this package. Estimates have claimed $214,000 for IDEA Part B. Now that the bill has been signed into law they will start working on all of the details.

· Mr. Luneau asked about grant opportunities and other projects? Dr. Blake responded that at this point there are no grant opportunities, but we will watch for them. Any projects would be most promising if they were energy efficiency projects – perhaps boiler replacement or asbestos abatement. More information on this to come.

c. SB2

· This is the third year the District has been presented with a Senate Bill 2 petition. This mean it will be on the ballot.

· In 2007 the votes were 807 in favor and 803 not in favor. In 2008 the votes were 438 in favor, 636 not in favor. A 60% majority is required for the bill to pass.

· A public hearing will be held in the Maple Street School cafeteria Thursday, February 19, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

· Dr, Blake passed out two handouts. The first was a copy of SB2 40:13 and the other an informational summary to be available at the public hearing.

· Previous School Boards have not supported SB2.

· Mr. Luneau noted that the Board will consider public opinion from the public hearing and discuss at the March 3^rd Board meeting.

· If SB2 were to be passed it would go into effect for the 2010-2011 budget season.

d. Monthly Financial

· Ms. Clark discussed the January financials that were in the Board packet.

· The anticipated fund balance is $321,000. Everything is coming in as anticipated.

· At a future meeting there will have to be a transfer to the heating fuel lines.

· Ms. Clark has arranged a savings of $5000 until July 2009 by changing energy suppliers.

· Ms. Durant asked for an update on food service. Ms. Clark responded that they had visited Bow to learn about their outsourcing of food service. She will also be putting a RFP in the paper to examine options for outsourcing.

· Dr. Blake mentioned a freeze on the remaining budget lines for the rest of the school year which could save the District an additional $70-90,000. This will be on items such as supplies and books that should have already been purchased this late in the year. If anything is needed it will require approval from Dr. Blake.

· Mr. Yunich expressed his concern that nothing be bought at the end of the year out of the unexpected funds. Ms. Durant commented that if anything is, she felt it should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

· Dr. Blake passed out the final version of the budget packet.

IX. Public Comments

a. Jim Paxton: Commented that he agreed with Mr. Yunich that it is wrong to purchase unbudgeted items with the budget surplus. The computer cart from last year, for example. Any surplus should go back to the town.

X. Action Items

C. None.

XI. Mr. Donahue moved at 8:30 p.m. and Ms. Durant seconded that the Board enter non-public session as provided in (RSA 91-A:3, II (a)(c)) to discuss negotiations and personnel. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

XII. Following a motion by Mr. Yunich, seconded by Mr. Donahue, roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor, the board came out of non-public session at 9:35 p.m.

XIII. Following a motion by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Donahue, the board voted to seal the minutes of the non-public session for one year. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

1. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

Adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Tara D. Graham

Hopkinton School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Maple Street School, Hopkinton NH

Non-public minutes

XIX. Non-Public Session (RSA 91-A:3, II (a)(c)).

During the non-public session, the Board discussed negotiations, personnel, and budget in regards to personnel.

Mr. Yunich motioned to come out of Non-Public Session, seconded by Mr. Donahue. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Donahue, Ms. Durant, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor, the board came out of non-public session at 9:34 p.m.

HOPKINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

School Administrative Unit #66

204 Maple Street

Contoocook, NH 03229

Hopkinton School Board

PUBLIC HEARING

Thursday, February 19, 2009

I. Chair David Luneau called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Present: Chair David Luneau, Vice-Chair Kim Fuller, School Board members Liz Durant and Peter Yunich, and Business Administrator Michelle Clark.

II. Topic For Discussion:

a. Petition Warrant Article SB2 (RSA 40:12)

· This is the third year the District has been presented with this petition for an article to be placed on the ballot to adopt Senate Bill 2 (SB2) for the School District.

· Ms. Clark reviewed the basic information of this bill and the process, including that the public hearing was required to be posted at least 7 days in advance and in at least 2 places. This meeting was posted in the following locations:

§ On 2/12/09 in the Concord Monitor.

§ On 2/11/09 at all three schools, the Cracker Barrel, the Post Office, Contoocook Village Supermarket, and the Library.

· All attendees of the meeting received handouts including the law itself and a summary document.

· Should SB2 be passed the differences from our current procedure would include:

§ The School Board presenting to the Budget Committee about a month earlier than they currently do.

§ The Budget Committee would decide on a budget as well as a default budget in the case that the proposed budget is not passed.

§ There would be a deliberative session, similar to the current School District Meeting where the public can share their input and changes are made to the articles, resulting in what goes on the ballot.

§ Items with a current 2/3 majority required would shift to needing a 3/5 majority with SB2. Items requiring simple majority would not change.

III. Public/Board Comments

a. Diane LaChance: There must be 30 days after the final warrant articles are put together before voting day.

b. Beth Bloomquist: Will the school be sending anything out in their regular communications to parents in support or against SB2?

· Mr. Luneau noted that no political views will be communicated in any of the current school e-mails to parents. However, school officials may choose to express their opinions through other avenues, should they decide to do so. Mr. Luneau also noted that he would appreciate similar respect in regards to the delivery of messages in regards to US mail, as only legal US mail (mail that goes through the Post Office and is paid for), should be put it residents’ mail boxes.

c. Beth Bloomquist: Can the District call for a “special meeting” for reconsideration if the budget is not approved without it being a separate warrant article?

· Ms. Clark noted that there would be a separate warrant article to specify if a special meeting to be allowed in the case of the budget getting voted down.

· Mr. Yunich clarified that the voters could defeat the budget, but vote for a meeting to reconsider the budget.

· Ms. Bloomquist asked for more clarification on this stating that the way it is written could be misinterpreted. She noted that she did not want to see it reconsidered after the majority of people leave – a way around getting the budget being defeated, should that be the case.

· Ms. Luneau and Ms. Clark will look into the specifics of the law more closely and get back to Ms. Bloomquist with an answer.

d. After a call for any more questions or comments from the public, a motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Fuller, seconded by Mr. Yunich. Motion passed on a roll call vote- Ms. Durant, Ms. Fuller, Mr. Luneau, and Mr. Yunich, (all) in favor.

Adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, Tara D. Graham