April 5, 2011
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
April 5, 2011
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Board Members: Larry Donahue, Louis Josephson, William Jones, Student Representative: Samuel Helrich
Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark, Director of Student Services: Dr. Valerie Aubry, Director of Technology: Matthew Stone, Principals: William Carozza, Harold Martin School, Michael Bessette, Maple Street School, Christopher Sousa, Hopkinton Middle High School, Assistant Principal: Christopher Kelley
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 5:30pm; Ms. Durant led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
None
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Chamberlin presented a letter from Madelon Kaplan accepting early retirement, effective June 30, 2011.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on March 8, 2011, was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor, minutes carry.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
None
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Mr. Donahue stated the musical Footloose was wonderful. He commended Ms. Dornik and Ms. Gelineau for doing a great job.
Mr. Jones agreed the show was terrific.
Mr. Luneau stated the show was phenomenal.
Mr. Luneau shared that he spoke to one of our seniors who was working at Market Basket in Warner recently. He said this senior recognized him as Abby’s dad who spoke to their civics class. The senior stated that she really liked it when he asked for their opinion.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Administrator Reports
- i. Principal Reports
William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School
Mr. Carozza stated that a lot of work happens in committee work. One of the teacher standards for professional responsibilities is an expectation that teachers serve on committees. The leadership team and superintendent have a large roll on committees and enjoy the work.
Mr. Donahue asked about staff participation.
Mr. Carozza stated that almost everyone in his building participates in committee work.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that for many teachers, their committee work connects to their professional development goal. He stated that the work is mentioned in teacher evaluations.
Mr. Donahue stated that when they came up with the concept of Hopkinton Schools 2.0, indicators were discussed. He stated that much of the work has been focused on student assessment, but not in the terms of reporting to the board. We need to look at how we are tracking to what is important and what are the indicators, anecdotal and data driven, which show our health.
Mr. Luneau stated that this is a piece of a larger conversation he and Mr. Chamberlin are having, as to what reports the school board wants to see on a monthly/quarterly basis.
Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School
Mr. Bessette stated the goals of the professional development committee are to expand on the capacity of the district and move people forward individually as well as look at district goals and move people in the direction the district wants to go in.
Mr. Josephson asked how the Science Committee fit into Hopkinton Schools 2.0 and the curriculum. He asked for a work chart that listed all the connectivity of the committees.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that he would be happy to provide this chart. He added that the curriculum council overseas the regular cycle of content areas and science is the next area of focus.
Christopher Sousa, Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School
Mr. Sousa asked Mr. Kelley to speak about the Music Task Force.
Mr. Kelley stated that it has been enjoyable working with the music departments.
Mr. Kelley stated that when Mr. Silverman retired, they looked for someone with a choral and instrumental background – Ms. Dornik has both. He has heard some great compliments on her work at the middle high school. She is working with Ms. Gelineau to build the drama program. He stated that there is an increased quality in our music programs.
.
Mr. Kelley stated that he would like to explore an instrumental program at the middle high school level. There have been discussions on instituting a string program at the high school.
Mr. Kelley added that they were looking into adding a music theory class at the high school. He stated that having a class set aside for music theory would benefit greatly.
Mr. Kelley stated that they would continue to build a music program to meet the needs of all the students.
Mr. Sousa’s report focused on the Calendar Committee. He stated that they would be focusing on the 2011-2012 calendar. They are thinking outside the box i.e. what is it that the school could do to really ensure learning. Teachers and community members represent the committee. How it can benefit families has been the focus at the last two meetings.
This year the committee expanded to include a parent; there is no student on the committee.
Matthew Stone, Director of Technology Report
Mr. Stone stated the long-term goal is to increase communication with students and families. They have opened the parent portal – feedback from parents/guardians and teachers has been positive. He stated that teachers are using the portal as a real communication tool.
Michelle Clark, Business Administrator Report (Operations and Efficiencies Committee)
Ms. Clark stated that her committee’s work has been successful: online timesheet program and the purchasing card (P-Card). Their next project, food service, is in progress and will be in a future memo.
Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Chamberlin added that on April 14, at 6:30pm, Thomas Linehan, from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension would speak at Hopkinton Middle High School on child/adolescent safety (bullying) at 6:30pm.
Policy: Absenteeism, Attendance, Truancy: JH (Second Reading)
The third and final reading will be at the April 19 meeting.
Mr. Chamberlin reviewed the policy changes with the board.
ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District Budget
- i. Staffing
- ii. Nomination Slate
This item will be discussed in tonight’s nonpublic session.
- b. 2010-2011 Hopkinton School District Calendar
Mr. Chamberlin addressed the additional snow day. He will send out a survey to the school community regarding whether or not to continue the extended day program.
(audio stopped here/battery died)
- c. Hopkinton School Board Calendar: April – June, 2011
Mr. Chamberlin presented and reviewed a draft of the school board calendar from April – June 2011.
PUBLIC COMMENT (2)
Merle Dustin, community member, asked if the generator would be installed and up and running by the beginning of the next school year.
Mr. Chamberlin suggested that Ms. Dustin contact Town Administrator Neal Cass.
MATERIALS INCLUDED
2011-2012 Hopkinton School District Nomination Slate (presented at the meeting)
Draft School Board Meeting Minutes, March 8, 2011
Administrator Reports (seven)
All District Staff Meeting Program
IMPORTANT DATES
- 04/08/11 – Student day (Professional Development Day rescheduled)
- 04/14/11 –Pupil Safety Forum (Peer-to-Peer), 6:30pm, Hopkinton Middle High School
- 04/25 to 4/29 – Spring Recess
- 05/27/11 – Early Release Day for Professional Development
- 05/30/11 – No School/Memorial Day
- 06/10/11 – Graduation
ACTION ITEMS
12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of the 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District teachers as presented.
(To be discussed in nonpublic)
13. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Special Olympics Team overnight trip to the Special Olympic Summer Games, at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, June 3 – 5, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
14. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to withdraw $16,965 from the Replacing School District Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund to purchase a Ford E250 van with a tow package.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
At 7:12pm Mr. Donahue made a motion, seconded by Ms. Durant that the board enter into nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (a) and (c) for the discussion of personnel, a student issue, and action item 12. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), all in favor, not opposed.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Personnel
Student Issue
Action Item 12
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of the 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District teachers as presented.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
15. Adjournment
At 8:07pm a motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant to adjourn the meeting, motion passed, all in favor, not opposed.
Respectfully submitted, Jean Eaton
Maple Street School, Hopkinton, NH
Nonpublic Minutes
April 5, 2011
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Personnel
Student Issue
Action Item 12
During the nonpublic session the Board discussed personnel, a student issue, and Action Item 12.
Ms. Durant motioned to come out of nonpublic session, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion passed on a roll call vote: Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), Mr. Donahue, all in favor, not opposed.
The board came out of nonpublic session at 8:05pm.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSIO
