July 21, 2009
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2009
IN ATTENDANCE:
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Larry Donahue; Kim Fuller, Louis Josephson.
Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin; Business Administrator: Michelle Clark; Director of Student Services: Dr. Valerie Aubry.
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
School Board Chairman, David Luneau, called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Elizabeth Durant, Vice Chairman, led the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Luneau welcomed Steven Chamberlin as our new superintendent of schools, effective July 1, 2009. He is looking forward to what is to come in the future.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA:
New school accountability law: Last Tuesday, Governor Lynch signed the school accountability bill.
Important Dates (revised date): August 11, 2009, school board meeting, 6:30 pm, Maple Street School cafeteria.
Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Anne Gater for Office Manager at Hopkinton Middle High School, effective August 6, 2009.
Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the resignation of Lindsay Morin, Special Education Teacher, at Hopkinton Middle and High School, effective July 21, 2009.
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A:3, II (a) and (c):
negotiations, personnel.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mr. Chamberlin handed each board member two letters; one sealed from a staff member and another from the State of NH Attorney General’s Office cc: to Dr. Blake.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the June 23, 2009 meeting minutes made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion passes.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Merle Dustin, community member, stated that she was glad to see the high school billboard was not lit at night: saving tax dollars.
COMMENTS FROM HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD:
Mr. Donahue wanted to piggyback on Mr. Luneau’s opening comments on how happy he is about where we’re going as a district; all board members echoed this outlook.
Mr. Luneau was pleased with the addition of “material included” on the agenda. This will let members of the public know what was included in the board packets. Some of the material may be at school board meetings – all “material included” can be picked up at the SAU office.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
Report on cost/fee analysis of middle and high school athletics.
Mr. Chamberlin talked about the fees in years past and how they have changed. He stated that during the budget process the leadership team looks closely at the athletic programs and how much revenue has been raised; noting that this was the first year a middle school program was eliminated during the budget process. He said that with everyone that he has spoken to, they cannot remember any student connected to a team not finishing high school. There is a lot of value we get from this program, and there is revenue associated with it, which lowers the cost to the district. Our program is extremely successful.
Mr. Donahue asked where the revenue from basketball admissions (gate) fall in the report. Mr. Chamberlin will speak to Mr. Meserve and have this information available at the next board meeting.
Mr. Josephson asked about the cost of transportation for middle school sports. This information will be included at the next board meeting.
Mr. Donahue asked if we have looked into self-funding the middle school b field hockey team. Mr. Chamberlin stated that we usually only self-fund start-up teams. Approximately 15 students have been affected by not having a field hockey b team.
Ms. Durant asked if we considered fees for: Math Team, Forensics, Robotics Team, Drama, etc. (all activities). Mr. Chamberlin stated that Bow High School has a $35 student fee vs. an athletic participation fee. Mr. Josephson stated that we should look at all fees within the district. Mr. Chamberlin suggested that all fees be reviewed in the next budget cycle.
Mr. Luneau asked what the boards timing is on reviewing the fees. It was agreed that fees this year will stay where they are, but they must take the time to get feedback from the community. At the end of this academic year a proposal needs to come forward.
Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Chamberlin to come up with a timeline on this issue, and to see if we can tie it into H20.
America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds
Mr. Chamberlin talked about the guiding principles for the ARRA funds. He stated that they tried to get the allocated funds out quickly; working to create jobs sooner. Another guiding principal is transparency: trying to make sure everyone knows what we are doing. Also, regarding the funding cliff, we do not want to commit the district funds beyond the length of the ARRA funds. One of the themes that we are trying to do is increase time, tools, and training for students and staff. Mr. Chamberlin will provide updates periodically.
Dr. Aubry stated that we did apply for the IDEA ARRA Grant. She discussed the procedure on how the money will be spent. It is broken down by priority areas in special education. In the first half of the grant the money will be spent on time, tools, and training. The IDEA money is $106,753. and the first half of the preschool grant is $4,409. Most of the money is in training staff in order to build our capacity to deal with the needs of students. Some of the other area is the administrative piece: case management, data collection, communication with parents, funding laptop computer for special educators. The application will be a public document when it is in its final form. It will be available to the public online.
Ms. Clark spoke about the funds coming from a federal project – not district funds. Mr. Luneau asked if it was a reimbursement program. Ms. Clark is waiting on clarification.
Hiring Status Update for 2009-2010
District: AA to the Director of Student Services; high school: special education teacher, math teacher, food service, and IA position(s). Maple Street School: computer integrator position (part time); Harold Martin School: three hour per day inclusion assistant.
Mr. Luneau asked when hiring the new math teacher, if regular education teachers are involved in the hiring process. Mr. Chamberlin stated yes.
Donations
The Brenda Fund, $4,497.14 for the Artist in Residence Program. The money is put in Fund 8 ($500 is used each year). A public hearing is necessary if the donation is over $5,000 (Michelle Clark will confirm this). The board is grateful for this donation; a thank you note will go out to the Yianakopolos family.
Mr. Josephson asked if we will be having an artist in residence program this year. Mr. Chamberlin stated yes.
ITEMS FOR SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSION:
Schedule of school board meetings in August
The school board will meet on Tuesday, August 11. A second date in August was discussed, but not confirmed at this time. Mr. Donahue asked that this be revisited during nonpublic.
Yearbook Teacher Nomination (Action Item)
It is not a new position, .1 position
Cross Country Overnight Trip (Action Item)
To the Greenway Trail, dates of travel: August 19-22, 2009
Authorization to Sign OBM (Action Item)
Approval for Michelle Clark, Business Administrator and Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent, to sign documents related to federal grants (this was approved by the school board last year).
Schedule B Nomination (Action Item)
Graduation and Awards Coordinator, Patty Connolly to be nominated; this is a schedule b position (this is its third year as schedule b).
Monthly Financials – June 2009
Mr. Luneau asked Ms. Clark when the books will be closed; Ms. Clark stated that she hoped the first week in August. (Ms. Clark is waiting on information from the schools before she can close the books.) The auditors are expected to be here at the end of August (date to be confirmed).
Mr. Josephson asked Ms. Clark what the interest rates were on two bonds. Ms. Clark will get this information for Mr. Josephson.
Future Location of School Board Meetings
Mr. Chamberlin stated that in response to public comment at the last school board meeting, he set-up the Maple Street School cafeteria as a possible venue. Mr. Chamberlin asked everyone to stop by and take a look at the set-up. Mr. Luneau suggested that the August 11 meeting be a “dry run.”
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tom Manseau, community member, does concur that the current set-up is somewhat intimidating. He thinks that we are not being transparent; we are secluded in this conference room.
IMPORTANT DATES:
August 11: Next school board meeting, Maple Street School, cafeteria
August 31: First day of school for teachers, welcome breakfast at the middle high school
September 1: First day of school for students
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Michelle Cotnoir as Yearbook teacher (.1) for the 2009-2010 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Ms. Durant, the motion carries, not opposed.
2) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Geraldine Kitrick as .8 Health/Physical Education teacher at Maple Street School, for the 2009-2010 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, Ms. Fuller asked that this item be tabled and discussed in nonpublic, not opposed.
3) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Erin McMyne as an Instructional Assistant at Harold Martin School, for the 2009-2010 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Ms. Fuller, the motion carries, not opposed.
4) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Patricia Connolly, Awards and Graduation Coordinator, for the 2009-2010 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Ms. Fuller, the motion carries, not opposed.
5) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Richard Fortier for Director of Facilities, for the 2009-2010 school year (effective August 3, 2009).
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Ms. Fuller, the motion carries, not opposed.
6) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the nomination of Denise Putnam for Secretary to the Assistant Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School, for the 2009-2010 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Ms. Fuller, the motion carries, not opposed.
7) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the resignation of Peggy Hill, food service, at Hopkinton Middle and High Schools, effective July 6, 2009.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Mr. Josephson, the motion carries, (with regret).
8) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the resignation of Richard Senatore, mathematics teacher, Hopkinton Middle High Schools, effective July 15, 2009.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue, the motion carries, not opposed.
9) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board authorize Steven M. Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools, and Michelle Clark, Business Administrator, to approve and sign the OBM Form 1, Form 3, and Form 4 originating in School Administrative Unit 66.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Mr. Josephson, all in favor, the motion carries, not opposed.
10) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board approve the Cross Country Team’s overnight trip to Greenway Trail, August 19-22, 2009.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Ms. Fuller, the motion carries, not opposed.
11) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Anne Gater, as Office Manager, Hopkinton Middle High Schools, effective August 6, for the 2009-2010 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Ms. Fuller, the motion carries, not opposed.
12) Recommend the Hopkinton School Board accept the resignation of Lindsay Morin, special education teacher, Hopkinton Middle High Schools, effective July 21, 2009.
A motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Donahue and Mr. Josephson, the motion carries, not opposed.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION
At 8:05 pm, Mr. Luneau made a motion, seconded by Ms. Fuller and Ms. Durant, that the Board enter into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-3:II(a) and (c) for discussion on negotiations and personnel. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr Donahue (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Ms. Fuller (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), Mr. Luneau (yes), all in favor.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
At 9:10 pm, a motion was made by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Ms. Fuller, to return to public session. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Donahue (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Ms. Fuller (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), Mr. Luneau (yes), all in favor.
Following a motion by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Ms. Durant, the board voted to seal the minutes of the non-public session for one year. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Donahue (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Ms. Fuller (yes), Dr. Josephson (yes), and Mr. Luneau (yes), all in favor.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:15 pm, a motion to adjourn by Mr. Luneau, seconded by Ms. Durant. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Donahue (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Ms. Fuller (yes), Dr. Josephson (yes), and Mr. Luneau (yes), all in favor.
Respectfully submitted, Jean Eaton
