HOPKINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

School Administrative Unit #66

204 Maple Street

Contoocook, NH 03229

 

Hopkinton School Board

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

 

 

 

I.              Chair David Luneau called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Emily Sinclair.  Present: Chair David Luneau, Vice-Chair Kim Fuller, School Board members Larry Donahue, Liz Durant, and Peter Yunich, Superintendent Dr. Brian Blake, Business Administrator Michelle Clark, Technology Director Matt Stone, Administrative Assistant Tara Graham, Principals Steve Chamberlin, Michael Bessette, and Bill Carozza, and Student Representatives Quinn Blue and Emily Sinclair.

 

II.           Additions/Deletions to the agenda:

 

A.  Dr. Blake noted that Jennifer Books will be added to the personnel action items.

B.   Dr. Blake also added a discussion on online back-ups to the items for board discussion in response to an e-mail he received.

 

III.         Correspondence

 

A.  MS25 and DOE25 (provided in Board packets).

 

IV.         Approval of Minutes

 

A.  The Board tabled the 8/12 and 8/19 minutes until they can be revised and have any errors corrected. Motion to approve 7/15 public hearing minutes made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor, motion passes, 7/15 public hearing minutes approved.

 

V.           Public Comments

 

A.  Janet Krzyzaniak:  Suggested that the Board set a limit on the temperature in the classrooms due to conserving energy.

 

B.   Kathy Eckelberger:  Feeling there is no resolution to lice issue and that mandatory checks are the only way.

 

VI.         Staff Reports/Presentations

 

A.  Harold Martin School, Mr. Carozza: 

á      Wonderful start to the year. 

á      Enrollment was 254 students, 8 withdrawals and 12 new entries - there were as many Kindergarteners as 3rd graders this year! 

á      The 50th anniversary celebration will be on September 15th.

 

B.   Maple Street School, Mr. Bessette: 

á      Also a great start. 

á      A great job by the new school nurse Jeanne Gearing who jumped right in to her first opening day with lice checks, peanut checks, medications, etc.

á      PLC format and writing workshops are going very well. 

á      Pleased with the new tile, no sound issues. 

á      MAP Assessments – Ms. Durant asked if there was a way of disseminating MAP Assessment information to parents? – Mr. Bessette replied that reports will go out in the Spring and parents can also call and set up a meeting if they would like to come in and discuss their childÕs results and learn about the system.

 

C.   Hopkinton Middle/High School, Mr. Carozza: 

á      Another great start.

á      Trying to inspire participation in the Contoocook Carry with the boat out front of the Middle/High School filled with wood.  The Contoocook Carry helps elderly and in need residents with heating oil for the winter.

á      There were some master scheduling problems that will be fixed by the drop deadline. – Mr. Donahue asked if this was a problem with the useability of the interface? – Mr. Chamberlin responded that it was a combination of their unique scheduling needs and the learning curve of X2.  This will be one of the main focuses  for the Tech Committee this year.

á      There are three exchange students this year from Thailand, Italy and Morocco. 

 

D.  SuperintendentÕs Report:

á      Dr. Blake was very pleased and impressed with how smoothly the opening of the school year went.

á      There were a few minor bus issues that were worked out quickly.

á      Staffing – we are still in need of a Network Administrator, a part-time Tech Integrator and a School Psychologist.

á      Follow-up on the lice issue: 

1.    A packet was sent home with every student with information on what we are doing, what parents can do and facts vs. myths.  The letter contained in the packet from School Nurse Sheila Connelly, RN was a sample letter.  This was stated on the cover page, but there was still some confusion and misinterpretation.

2.    No cases were reported on the first day other than one we knew to check in advance and that child was sent home.

3.    To date, 1 student at Harold Martin has been sent home with lice, 1 at Maple Street was found with nits, none have been found at the Middle/High School.  The classes of the 2 found at the other two schools were all checked.

4.    All school nurses have been doing random head and classroom checks.  It is to be noted that checks are not a guarantee, the lice could not be present in a check today and then show up tomorrow.  There will however, continue to be random checks on a continuing basis.

5.    We are following what we believe to be best practice and most ethical.  The policy Committee will be reviewing our current policy and the student handbooks to make sure everything is accurate.

6.    There was also a ÒParentÕs Action ListÓ in the packet sent home (also available online).  Ms. Durant noted that we need to consistently communicate with parents on where we are with this so we donÕt make  them feel as though weÕve forgotten about it – all agreed.

 

E.   Business AdministratorÕs Report:

á         Ms. Clark handed out a DRAFT copy the 2008 EOY Financial Report.

á         There was $619,272 in surplus - $50,000 from the two trust funds, some from benefits, bond refinancing and the fact that we didnÕt use the contingency we set aside.

á         The actual audit will be during the week of September 15th and will take 2 to 4 days.  The final documents will be finalized by the October 31st deadline.

 

F.   Technology DirectorÕs Report:

á         Mr. Yunich suggested that Mr. Stone should give a technology update each month, all agreed.

á         Mr. Stone agreed it was a good opening, all things considered with the shortages in the Technology Department at the moment.  Some of the projects planned for the summer had to be scaled back because of the staffing issues.

á         There is a new lab ready to go for Project Lead the Way.

á         We lost one server over the summer that was unfortunetly just past itsÕ warranty.

á         X2 Aspen is up and running.  It is being used to take attendance at all three schools now and being utilized for grading at two.

 

VII.      Comments From The Hopkinton School Board

 

A.  Ms. Fuller asked about the reaction to the 4-day work week over the summer.  Dr. Blake responded that it worked well for the administrative staff and the custodians.  The savings were not as much as we thought they were going to be but there were some.

 

B.   Mr. Luneau thanked everyone for a great opening day, he felt there was great energy when he visited.

 

C.   Mr. Yunich asked if Fred Fuller has topped off the oil tanks yet?  Dr. Blake responded that in May we ordered about 10,000 gallons, he has delivered more than half of that, but not all of it.  Mr. Yunich suggested that we try to get the remaining amount at a lower rate since the rates have dropped.  Ms. Clark will look into this.

 

VIII.    Items For Board Discussion

 

A.  Dr. Blake expressed the need for a time that he and all of the Board members could meet with legal counsel to discuss roles and policy development.  7:00 a.m., September 10th was decided upon, in the Maple Street Conference Room.

 

B.   Dr. Blake received an e-mail regarding an online back-up service for school board documents, agenda, minutes, packets, etc.  It was decided that Mr. Stone will review this information and it will then be made an action item for future discussion at a future meeting.

 

IX.         Public Comments

 

A.  Kathy Eckelberger:  Expressed that she strongly hopes the Board will look closer at the list-serv idea regarding the head lice issue so parents can be notified if it has been in their childrenÕs class, grade, school, etc.  Ms. Eckelberger also made the suggestion that teacher professional development days be held over the summer and not throughout the school year as this is an inconvenience to some parents that work and do not have day care.

 

B.   Janet Krzyzaniak:  Suggested that each day of the school year be lengthened for a short period of time so that the children can get out earlier in June.

 

X.           Action Items

 

A.  Personnel

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the resignation of Mark Dingman, Instructional Assistant at Hopkinton Middle/High School, effective September 2008. Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes with regret.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of the Schedule B positions listed in the Board packets for Hopkinton Middle/High School for the 08-09 school year.  Positions are in the budget. Ms. Fuller motioned, Mr. Donahue seconded, one opposed (Mr. Yunich), motion passes 4-1.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Jim Brizard for .2 additional class for digital electronics for the 08-09 school year. Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Jennifer Books, Middle School Instructional Assistant, replacing Mark Dingman, for the 08-09 school year. Ms. Fuller motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.  This creates an opening for an IA at the High School.

 

XI.         Mr. Donahue moved at 8:35 p.m. and Ms. Fuller seconded that the Board enter non-public session as provided in (RSA 91-A:3, II (a)(c)) to discuss negotiations and Superintendent goals.  Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr.Yunich, Ms. Durant, Mr. Donahue, Mr. Luneau, and Ms. Fuller (all) in favor.

 

XIII.    Following a motion by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Fuller, roll call vote- all in favor, the board came out of non-public session at 11:00 p.m.

 

XIV.             Motion to adjourn by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor.

 

 

Adjourned at 11:01 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,  Tara D. Graham

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopkinton School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Maple Street School, Hopkinton NH

Non-public minutes

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

During the non-public session, the Board discussed negotiations and Superintendent goals.

 

Mr. Donahue motioned to come out of Non-Public Session.  Second offered by Ms. Fuller.  Roll call, all in favor.  Board returned to Public Session at 11:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOPKINTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

School Administrative Unit #66

204 Maple Street

Contoocook, NH 03229

 

Hopkinton School Board

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

 

 

 

XII.      Chair David Luneau called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m., the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Luneau.  Present: Chair David Luneau, School Board members Larry Donahue, Liz Durant, and Peter Yunich, Superintendent Dr. Brian Blake, Director of Student Services Dr. Val Aubry, Business Administrator Michelle Clark, Principals Steve Chamberlin, Michael Bessette, and Bill Carozza, and Student Representatives Quinn Blue and Emily Sinclair.

 

XIII.    Additions/Deletions to the agenda:

 

A.  Dr. Blake added the 7th grade environmental camping trip to X. – Action Items (C-2) as well as adding the topic to VIII. – Items For Board Discussion (#3).

B.   Dr. Blake also added to X. – Action Items, under personnel, #5:  Alvin Caldwell (Psychologist) and #6:  Becky Perkins (Artist In Residence Committee Member).

 

XIV.    Correspondence

 

A.  Dr. Blake had no correspondence at this time.

B.   Mr. Luneau shared a nice note from retired HMS PE Teacher, Beth Henderson who had many fond thoughts to share from her tenure.

 

XV.      Approval of Minutes

 

A.  Motion to approve the 8/12, 8/19, and 9/2 minutes made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor, motion passes, with one correction to be made on the 8/12 minutes (spelling on ÒFrieburgÓ), all minutes approved.

 

XVI.    Public Comments

 

A.  None at this time.

 

XVII. Staff Reports/Presentations

 

A.  Staff Presentation – Honduras Interact Trip: 

á      Regarding the Honduras trip, Dr. Blake had Mary Harb (Interact Club Advisor) and 2 students present information regarding the trip.  They presented on a previous trip they had taken there with visuals of the work theyÕve done.  The only change from previous years will be that students will now book their own flights to save money.  Ms. Harb has a current, experienced substitute lined up.  Everyone pays their own way, so far this year there have been 25 applicants.

The Board chose to vote on this item now instead of waiting until later during Action Items.  Mr. Luneau recommended that the Board approve the Honduras trip, as presented.  Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passed, Honduras trip approved as presented.

 

B.   Business AdministratorÕs Report: 

á      $250,000 is the anticipated fund balance, which will become clearer soon as we are reaching full staff.

á      Heating is still a concern, predicted to be a cold winter.

á      Ms. Clark and Mr. Yunich have been in touch regarding contract oil pricing vs. what the current market price is, as well as price insurance buy-backs – more information on this to come.

 

XVIII.        Comments From The Hopkinton School Board

 

A.  Mr. Luneau commented on the HMS 50th Anniversary event – great turnout and very touching.

 

B.   Mr. Luneau also extended thanks to Larry Kennison and Natalie Duval for being instrumental in getting the DOT grant approved.

 

C.   Mr. Yunich was pleased with the public forum turnout and participation – it was a great dialog.

 

D.  Mr. Donahue seconded Mr. LuneauÕs comments on the HMS 50th event and extended ÒkudosÓ to Vice Chair Kim Fuller, not in attendance, as she was celebrating her anniversary.  Mr. Donahue also extended thanks to Mr. Chamberlin for the great job he is doing spearheading the graduation requirement and class rank policy changes, trying to find a Òmiddle groundÓ.

 

XIX.    Items For Board Discussion

 

A.  Graduation Requirements and Class Rank Policies:

á      Mr. Yunich was concerned about Òusing the systemÓ vs. Òjust based on gradesÓ – are there subjective measurements?  Real curriculum that can be assessed.  Is there sufficient lead-time to maximize other attributes to make a student more ÒsellableÓ?

á      Mr. Chamberlin responded that the process starts in Middle School, one of the graduation requirements being the career portfolio.

á      Mr. Donahue  - this discussion belongs at Board level, not sure if it needs to be a policy.  A realistic weighted average may be worth looking at in terms of class rank.

á      Dr. Blake stated that the next steps would be to bring all of the feedback back to Mr. Chamberlin, Administration and Guidance to make any needed changes and then to bring again before the Board and Policy Committee.

 

B.   7th Grade Environmental Camping Trip to Cardigan Mountain:

á      This is a curriculum-based trip, no student is turned down because of funding.  Dr. Blake recommended that the trip be approved as presented.  Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion carries, trip aproved as presented.

 

XX.      Public Comments

 

A.  Janet Krzyzaniak:  Commended Administration and the Board for how hard they are working on the class ranking and graduation requirement policies.  Stated she was disappointed with the poor turnout in regards to parents.

 

B.   Jody Russell:  Thanked all involved for letting parents have a say and be involved, also disappointed with the parent turnout.

 

XXI.    Action Items

 

A.  Personnel

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the resignation of Sue Garlow, PM Crossing Guard at Maple Street School, effective September 2008. Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.  Ms. Garlow will still perform AM Crossing Guard duties.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the early retirement of Paul Silverman, effective June 2009. Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes after a brief discussion on the policy of early retirement and how long after a sabbatical you may retire or leave (2 years).

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Bonnie Wilson, Sub Coordinator for the 08-09 school year at $27/day.  Position is in the budget. Motioned tabled until after non-public session.  Dr. Blake asked to examine this position for the future to be more effective, help in recruiting, etc.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the maternity leave request of April Lakevicius, January 12 – April 3. Motion tabled until Dr. Blake has April revise her notice to read Òafter giving birth, for 12 weeksÓ, instead of specific dates.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the maternity leave request of Jaclyn King, November 24 – February 16. Motion tabled until Dr. Blake has Jaclyn revise her notice to read Òafter giving birth, for 12 weeksÓ, instead of specific dates.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Alvin Caldwell as School Psychologist. Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes after a brief discussion on transferable tenure – was decided that it should be a question on the job applications.

á      Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Becky Perkins as an Artist In Residence Committee member, a cost of $613.00. Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.

 

B.   Budget Adjustments

á      Ms. Clark presented budget adjustment 2009-01, in the amount of $45,771.36 to move non-union salary to the appropriate budget line.

á      Ms. Clark presented budget adjustment 2009-02, in the amount of $7,281.23 for the additional Kindergarten class.

á      Ms. Clark presented budget adjustment 2009-03, in the amount of $29,334.47 for unexpected staff hires and transfers (moving them to the appropriate budget lines).

á      Ms. Clark presented budget adjustment 2009-04, in the amount of $915.38 for the head lice clinic – nurse time and supplies.

á      Ms. Clark presented budget adjustment 2009-05, in the amount of $110,358.79 for transferring the IA salaries where they belong, now that they are all placed in the schools they are needed in (to the appropriate budget line).

 

XXII. Mr. Donahue moved at 9:00 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 issues.  Motion passed on a roll call vote- Mr. Yunich, Ms. Durant, Mr. Donahue, and Mr. Luneau, (all) in favor.

 

XV.      Following a motion by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, roll call vote- all in favor, the board came out of non-public session at 9:50 p.m.

 

XVI.    Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board reconsider the nomination of Bonnie Wilson, Sub Coordinator for the 2008-2009 school year.  Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.

 

XVII. Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board approve the budget adjustments as presented:  2009-01 in the amount of $45,771.36; 2009-02, in the amount of $7,281.23; 2009-03, in the amount of $29,334.47; 2009-04, in the amount of $915.38; and 2009-05, in the amount of $110,358.79 – a grand total of $193,661.23.  Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.

 

XVIII.        Dr. Blake offered a motion that the Hopkinton School Board approve an additional amount of $465.00 to replace the air compressor at the High School.  The funds will come from the Repair and Maintenance Trust and are required because the time frame on the original quote expired while details were being researched (size, placement, etc.).  Mr. Donahue motioned, Ms. Durant seconded, all in favor, motion passes.

 

XIX.    Motion to adjourn by Mr. Yunich, seconded by Mr. Donahue, all in favor.

 

 

Adjourned at 9:57 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,  Tara D. Graham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopkinton School Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Maple Street School, Hopkinton NH

Non-public minutes

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Mr. Donahue motioned to come out of Non-Public Session.  Second offered by Ms. Durant.  Roll call, all in favor.  Board returned to Public Session at 9:50 p.m.