November 30, 2010
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
November 30, 2010
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Board Members: William Jones, Louis Josephson, Student Representative: Cameron Givens
Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark, Principals: Michael Bessette, William Carozza, Christopher Sousa, Director of Student Services: Dr. Valerie Aubry, Director of Technology: Matthew Stone
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 5:30pm; Community Member Merle Dustin led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
(Additions are underlined)
Mr. Chamberlin added, under Items for Board Discussion, 8, e – Ski Jumping Team update and action item number 16 – the nomination of Tom Warner, Hopkinton High School Ski Jumping Coach.
CORRESPONDENCE
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of regular school board meeting held on November 16, 2010 was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, minutes carry.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
Community Member Merle Dustin commented on how great the Harold Martin School playground looked.
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Ms. Durant stated that her Rotary exchange student from Spain moved into her home on Saturday. She commented on the tremendous uniqueness of the program and hopes it will continue and expand.
Cameron Givens stated that Mr. Chamberlin’s message about bullying was very well received at the Hawk Talk.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Hopkinton School District 2011-2012 Operating Budget, Initial Presentation
Mr. Chamberlin presented the Hopkinton School District 2011-2012 HSD budget.
He stated that during the last 18 months he has focused on the following goals:
. Ensuring student learning, competencies, and power standards.
. Ensuring best/21st Century practice: time, tools, and training and policies, practices, and procedures
. Ensuring high school + for all students
Mr. Chamberlin highlighted some early budget issues: health/dental insurance, NH Retirement costs, the state of the economy, and how will the state of NH meet its adequacy obligations.
Mr. Chamberlin explained the budget development process as follows:
1. Building/department development
2. Meetings with Central Office
3. Define core “What is core to our program in each area”
He stated that there are four tiers:
1. Educationally sound, conservative
2. Reductions that affect program
3. Reductions that significantly impact program
4. Reductions that alter the brand – what we know as a Hopkinton School District education
He outlined what was core and what the budget supported for each school as follows:
Harold Martin School
Core: class size, reading support, ensuring student safety
Budget supports:
Four sections of all grades (K-3)
Reading services level funded
Funds for an additional early learning assessment
Books (reading sets, reading texts, library)
Technology (four mounted projectors, teacher laptop implementation)
Maple Street School
Core: current programmatic offerings, health services, psychological services
Budget supports:
.8 music program (.2 allocated to middle school)
Three Sections of grades 4-6
Guidance level funded
Books (reading specialist program, library)
Technology (two cart laptops, three mounted projectors, teacher laptop implementation)
Hopkinton Middle and High Schools
Core: Diversity of program, increased graduation requirements, support services
Budget supports:
Level funded number of sections
Expansion of middle school sports
Books (support 7th grade curriculum, library, HS English, HS math, HS biology, HS economics)
Technology (desktops for publishing lab, document cameras, teacher laptop implementation)
Special Education
Core: support services, capacity to support student, teacher, and family success in an inclusive environment in their home school.
Budget supports:
Program for 171 students
Approved increases during the year
Additional 3.5 hrs/day support staff for pre-school
Additional .5 support staff middle school
Additional .5 support staff high school
Level funded personnel (teachers, specialists)
Business Operations
Core: personnel supported in the budget, capacity to support the HR/payroll needs of the entire staff, equipment, if connected to a decrease in staffing
Budget supports:
Custodial FTEs 11.25 (a reduction of .25)
Food Service FTEs 7.97 (a reduction of .35)
Laptop, facilities director
Replacement computer, human resources
Technology
Core: Infrastructure that ensures reliability, staff that supports the system
Budget supports:
One interactive white board
Teacher laptop implementation (HMHS)
Support new Digital Portfolio initiative
Computers for nursing staff
Computer for elementary music
Replace MSS server
Replace network switch
Central Office
Core: Supporting quality and substantive communication with the Hopkinton staff, school board, and community. Meeting state and federal guidelines
Budget supports:
1.1% increase for non-union staff (no increase for superintendent)
Computer for Exec. Asst. to Superintendent
Color printer for in-house production of newsletters, flyers, and other communication vehicles
Budget Drivers
. Salaries: (Decrease of $18,360)
. (Note: cost of the additional 3rd grade teacher will be supported by the Federal Education Jobs fund.)
. Health/Dental Insurance: $258,978
. NH Retirement: $93,700
. Unemployment: $10,000
. Transportation: First Student Busing: $24,500, Special Education Transportation: $22,000, Gasoline: $11,000
. Heat $8,800
Total Increases: $410,618
Building capacity: proactive vs. reactive
. Ensuring learning centers
. Social work, psychological services
Summary
. 2011-2012 preliminary budget: $16,602,510
. 2010-2011 approved budget: $16,167,060
. Increase: $435,450
. Increase: 2.7%
. Estimated tax impact: .63/1000
Next Steps…
December 7, 2010
Bring back information as needed
Bring back refinements/reductions as needed
Address early retirements (5)
Review revenue
Review trust funds
Presentation of Middle School Sports
December 14, 2010
Review budget in its entirety
Present proposed budget as an action item (if possible)
HESS Contract (Evergreen costs are included in this budget, if applicable; costs beyond evergreen will be on a separate warrant.)
(The complete HSD Preliminary 2011-2012 Budget presented at the November 30, 2010 school board meeting can be viewed on the school district website @ www.hopkintonschools.org)
Mr. Chamberlin will bring the following tiered reductions to the December 7, 2010 school board meeting.
Tier I – reductions that affect program
Tier II – reductions that significantly impact program
Tier III – reductions that alter the brand (what we know as a Hopkinton School District education)
Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Chamberlin how our class sizes compare (particularly Harold Martin School and Maple Street School) with New Hampshire averages/best practices.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that our elementary class sizes are in the typical range and our middle and high school class sizes are in the stronger range.
Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6: 20 – 21
Middle and high school: 17 – 18
Ms. Durant asked if our current bus contract services prices were competitive.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the district was committed to the current contract for five years. He stated that the ridership is stronger in the afternoon. They want to tackle a route revision in the future, adding that the current bus routes are conservative.
Mr. Luneau asked what sort of flexibility we have in the contract.
Ms. Clark stated that they could decrease the number of buses.
Mr. Josephson stated that Mr. Chamberlin gave a good presentation, highlighting the values of the school district. He asked Mr. Chamberlin to bring back reductions outlined in tiers, as this would be more concrete for him.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that he would bring the following three tiers of reductions to the December 7 school board meeting: affect program, significantly impact program, and alter the brand.
b. Hopkinton School District 2011-2012 Calendar, Initial Presentation
Mr. Chamberlin thanked Mr. Sousa and the calendar committee for all of their work.
Mr. Chamberlin stated the one big change in the calendar is Thursday, September 1, 2011 (the first day of the Hopkinton State Fair) is an early release day vs. a no school day.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that trends in calendars are reducing student days. The proposed calendar includes 177 student days and 186 teacher days (two summer teacher days are not listed on the calendar). The state allows for a calendar less than 180 days. A 177 day student day calendar sill provides the requisite amount of teacher contact time.
Mr. Sousa publicly thanked the calendar committee members, Lisa Metzger/parent committee member, and the Professional Development Committee for their input.
Mr. Luneau stated that the calendar design was thoughtful and innovative – his compliments to the team putting this together.
Mr. Chamberlin will add the new staff orientation day to the calendar.
ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
a. Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Policy (JICK) Third Reading
(Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin outlined the revisions requested by board members – adding the word significant to the definition of bullying. Mr. Chamberlin apologized for omitting this important term. He addressed the reference to pupil vs. student, stating that currently it is common for both terms to be used interchangeably. Mr. Chamberlin stated that this policy is an action item tonight.
Mr. Josephson stated that he understands inserting the word significant, but wants to make sure it does not run counter to the intent. His concern is what if something is brought up to leadership and they say that does not reach the level of significance.
Mr. Luneau commented on reliable information (page 2, line 32), regarding staff members, contractors bringing information to the principal – only if they have witnessed or have reliable information. Whose call is it to say if it is reliable?
Mr. Chamberlin stated significant is in the same vein as reliable and when decisions need to be made they will expand the circle to get another person’s professional opinion. He stated that they do not want to be an island making these decisions. The approach will be not make these decisions alone it will be to reach out to critical friends.
b. Background Investigations and Criminal Records Check Policy (GBCD)
Third Reading (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin outlined the revisions requested by the board.
He stated the termination clause was revised to include the description of a conditional offer.
Termination of an existing employee is governed by statute: 189:13. A superintendent has the authority, for cause, to remove a teacher from the classroom, but the employee must remain on paid status until the board votes to dismiss.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that this policy is an action item tonight.
c. Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Room Bid (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that they are presenting an action item to award the bid to Excel Construction. The action item includes a 15% contingency, as recommended by project architect Christopher Carley. The bid came in significantly under budget. This project is funded through the ARRA IDEA Grant. The funds must be utilized by September 2011.
Mr. Luneau stated that he wanted to make sure that the board and Mr. Sousa were comfortable with this action item.
Mr. Sousa stated that, while this becomes more real, there is some anxiety as to where the staff will have lunch, a quiet space, or make a phone call, etc. He stated the staff is overwhelmingly supportive.
d. Budget Adjustment 2011-08 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that this budget adjustment is to reclassify $173.90 for the Team of Tomorrow trip to New England College for training.
e. Ski Jumping
Mr. Chamberlin stated that there are 7 or 8 students on the ski jumping team. He confirmed that ski jumping is in the budget. He has much faith and confidence in this unique program and believes Tom Warner has the ability to support kids.
Public Comment (2)
Merle Dustin, community member, stated that she was glad to hear about ski jumping.
10. Materials Included
Hopkinton Educational Support Staff Member Letter
2011-2012 Hopkinton School District Proposed Budget Summary
Draft Hopkinton School Board Minutes, November 16, 2010
Background Investigations and Criminal Records Check Policy (GBCD)
Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Policy (JICK)
The Hawk Eye, November 24, 2010
Budget Adjustment Form 2011-08
Hopkinton School District 2011-2012 Calendar packet
11. Important Dates
11/30/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS Cafeteria
12/07/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS Cafeteria
12/14/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS Cafeteria
12/21/10 – School Board Meeting, MSS Cafeteria (If Needed)
12/22/10 – Half Day of School
12/23/10 – 12/31/10 – Holiday Recess
01/05/11 – School District Budget Presentation: Budget Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Town Hall
01/12/11– School District Budget Presentation: Budget Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Town Hall
02/02/11 – Public Hearing, 6:30pm, Hopkinton Middle High School Auditorium
03/12/11 – Annual School District Meeting
ACTION ITEMS
12. Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended Budget Adjustment 2011-08 in the amount of $173.90.
A motion was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
13. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to award the Hopkinton Middle High School Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
bid to Excel Construction at a cost not to exceed $61,374.
A motion was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
14. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention Policy (JICK), as presented.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Josephson, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
15. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Background Investigations and Criminal Records Check Policy (GBCD), as presented.
A motion was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
16. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Tom Warner, Hopkinton Middle High School ski jumping coach for the 2010-2011 season.
A motion was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
At 7:15pm Mr. Jones made a motion, seconded by Mr. Josephson that the Board enter into nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (a) for discussion of personnel, negotiations, and a student issue. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes).
NON PUBLIC SESSION
17. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a)(b)(c)
Negotiations
Personnel
Student Issue
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
17. Adjournment
At 7:45pm a motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Josephson to return to public session, motion passed, all in favor, not opposed.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Eaton
Maple Street School, Hopkinton, NH
Nonpublic Minutes
November 30, 2010
17. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a)(b)(c)
Negotiations
Personnel
Student Issue
During the nonpublic session the Board discussed negotiations, personnel, and a student issue.
Mr. Jones motioned to come out of nonpublic session, seconded by Mr. Josephson, 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 7:45pm.
