November 2, 2010
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2010
IN ATTENDANCE:
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, William Jones, Louis Josephson
Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 6:32pm; Ms. Durant led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA:
None
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of October 19, 2010 was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, as amended (page 2245: rational to rationale), all in favor, minutes carry.
Motion to approve the Minutes of October 22, 2010 was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, minutes carry.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1):
Merle Dustin, community member, commented on how gracious Dan Meserve’s comment was in the newspaper regarding the soccer game.
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Liz Durant complimented everyone in the district involved in the game situation last week on how professionally it was handled. Also, she encouraged Mr. Chamberlin and staff, as we continue to move into the calendar process, to provide continued education to our parents and community about the benefits of some of the more innovative tools incorporated in the calendar and their benefits, including C-time. In addition, she heard nothing but positive comments on the two conference days for middle school.
Mr. Jones stated that the Listening Post went very well; they received a lot of information.
Mr. Luneau stated that the sportsmanship displayed by the coaches, players, and parents has been extraordinary, after the astonishing poor decision by the NHIAA.
He congratulated all of our fall sports teams for their great accomplishments this year.
Mr. Luneau suggested the movie Waiting for Superman; it is about the state of public education in the United States. The movie is playing at Red River Theatres.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Mr. Chamberlin reported that Mr. Stone and Dr. Aubry are out sick tonight.
- a. Administrator Reports
- i. Principals
- ii. Technology Director
- iii. Superintendent Report
William Carozza, Principal Harold Martin School
Mr. Carozza gave an update on the Harold Martin School playground project. He stated the generosity from people with time, equipment, and donations are incredible. New Yard Landscaping has done an incredible job. He stated the playground should be open the week of Thanksgiving.
Mr. Luneau commented on the statement in Mr. Carozza’s report regarding staff position reconfiguration, new hires, etc. and the need for instructional assistants, which is determined by our special education need. Mr. Luneau stated it should be determined by special education need and our resource pool.
Michael Bessette, Principal Maple Street School
Mr. Bessette presented an update on his goals and budget preparation. He stated that they continue to work on school climate. Mr. Bessette said the number one piece of research on how to make effective change to bullying and harassment in your school is climate work.
Ms. Durant commented on the Community Club concept implemented at Maple Street School. She stated that it has become part of their lives and the kids really look forward to it in their week.
Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Chamberlin stated the Safety and Security Committee met this week and they are looking at possibly collaborating with the town on emergency response training.
Mr. Chamberlin met with Town Administrator Neal Cass today. They reviewed documents and discussed collaboration. He stated that more information about the tax rate setting would be available for the November 16 school board meeting.
Ms. Durant stated that Mr. Chamberlin mentioned in his report about some of the challenges in the budget process: different stakeholders, different philosophies. She asked him if he had any concrete thoughts on improvements in the next budget process.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that more information needs to get out earlier, during the development stage. He believes this would create a mutual understanding not adversarial.
Mr. Jones asked Mr. Chamberlin about modest growth on Mr. Sousa’s report.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that to maintain quality program there must be modest growth in that area.
- b. Background Investigations and Criminal Records Check Policy (GBCD)
(First Reading)
Mr. Chamberlin gave an overview of the Background Investigations and Criminal Records Check policy.
He stated that the District will not formally extend a final offer for employment until the background check comes back (state and FBI).
He stated that designated volunteers is new to this policy and will be added to our Volunteer Policy.
Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Chamberlin if the volunteer policy was one of the 18 required or recommended by counsel. Mr. Chamberlin will confirm this.
Ms. Durant stated that the volunteer piece is very important and how we manage it; where is the threshold of designated volunteers vs. not designated volunteers?
Ms. Durant asked if designated volunteer was required by statute.
- c. Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Policy (JICK)
(First Reading)
- i. Feedback from the Listening Post
- ii. Future forum
Mr. Chamberlin gave an overview on the Listening Post held on October 27; he thanked Bill Jones for attending.
Listening Post points:
- From a community/parent standpoint the reporting, follow-up, and education were very important pieces.
- Parents want to be reassured that things are better.
- How are we going to educate our students, so they really understand what bullying means?
- People are concerned that kindness has left us and how can we encourage the default of kindness.
- Bus drivers will be informed about the policy changes, as soon as it is approved.
- Provide our Administrators with an Administrator Handbook with guidelines, examples.
- Engage former bullies in the process.
Policy discussion points:
- Significant changes:
- single incident
- cyberbullying
- mandatory reporting (victim, bully, parents/guardians)
- remediation (creative, non disciplinary intervention)
- Perpetrator labeling (it is a student who bullies); this is statute driven
- Page 4 regarding false accusations/retaliation. Define “good faith,” to encourage reporting with only reasonable suspicion – you don’t have to have evidence.
- Non students on school property
- student on student policy
- homeschool students are registered students
- Page 2, III Reporting Procedure: Recording of an oral report/verifying that it was communicated and/or taken accurately – do we need to have the student sign, so we don’t have situations where our principals/designee are put at risk for misunderstanding.
- two thirds of all bullying is not reported
- anonymous telephone lines (e.g., 746-2020 line in Corinne Lajoie’s office)
- anonymous email for unidentified reporting
- Page 2, III: Soft action requirement: should immediately report vs. must report – what are we trying to go after in this policy?
- create an environment/climate of trust for reporting
- educate kids to develop a sense of community
Mr. Luneau stated that the second reading for this policy is on November 16. We need to focus the public forum on specific areas of the policy.
ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. Hopkinton School District Tuition Rate
There has been some interest to look at the rate to foster interest.
- consider family discount
- adjusted rates for faculty
- district rates
Mr. Chamberlin will bring suggestions to the November 16 school board meeting.
- b. Hopkinton Middle and High School Winter Coaching Nominations
(Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin reviewed the coaching nominations with the board.
9. Public Comment (2)
Merle Dustin is happy to see that the situation about bullying is becoming more aware.
10. Materials Included
Principal Reports (3)
Technology Director Report
Superintendent Report
All District Staff Meeting Program
Draft Hopkinton School Board Minutes, October 19, 2010
Draft Hopkinton School Board Minutes, October 22, 2010
Winter Sports Nomination Slate
Background Investigations and Criminal Records Check Policy (GBCD)
Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Policy (JICK)
IMPORTANT DATES
11/01/10 – Additional Parent Teacher Conference Day (grades 7 & 
11/02/10 – Parent Teacher Conference Day (all schools)
11/02/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS cafeteria
11/11/10 – Veterans Day, no school
11/16/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS cafeteria
11/24 – 11/26 – Thanksgiving Recess
11/30/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS Cafeteria (budget preparation)
ACTION ITEMS
12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the 2010-2011 Hopkinton Middle and High School winter coaching nomination slate as presented.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
13. The Hopkinton School Board approve Phase II of the Harold Martin School Playground Project, not to exceed $14,980.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
Motion for the school board to go into nonpublic session:
At 8:12pm Ms. Durant made a motion, seconded by Mr. Jones that the Board enter into nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (a) for discussion of negotiations. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes).
NONPUBLIC SESSION
14. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a)
Negotiations
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
15. Adjournment
At 8:30pm a motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones to return to public session, motion passed, all in favor, not opposed.
Maple Street School, Hopkinton, NH
Nonpublic Minutes
November 2, 2010
14. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a)
Negotiations
During the nonpublic session the Board discussed negotiations.
Mr. Jones motioned to come out of nonpublic session, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion passed on a roll call vote: Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Mr. Josephson all in favor, not opposed. The board came out of nonpublic session at 8:30pm.
