September 12, 2011

Hopkinton School District School Board

School Administrative Unit #66

Meeting Minutes

September 12, 2011

IN ATTENDANCE

School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Board Members: Larry Donahue (left at 6:00pm), Louis Josephson, William Jones

Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark, Director of Student Services: Dr. Valerie Aubry (arrived at 5:25pm), Principal: Christopher Kelley, Hopkinton Middle High School, Assistant Principal: Rebecca Gagnon, Hopkinton Middle High School

CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 5:20pm; Rebecca Gagnon, Assistant Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA

Revised agenda

CORRESPONDENCE

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve the minutes of the public hearing held on August 2, 2011 was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Josephson, (Mr. Donahue abstained) all in favor, minutes carry.

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on August 2, 2011, was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Josephson (Mr. Donahue abstained) all in favor, minutes carry.

Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on August 15, 2011, was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Mr. Jones, (Mr. Josephson abstained) all in favor, minutes carry.

Mr. Luneau stated that receiving the board packet via email worked well for him. Mr. Donahue requested a hard copy of the board packet.

PUBLIC COMMENT (1)

None

COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD

Mr. Donahue welcomed Elizabeth Wallingford, Hopkinton High School Senior, 2011-2012 School Board Student Representative.

Ms. Wallingford stated that it was nice to be here. She stated that she had a great summer at the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program.

Mr. Josephson stated that it has been a good start to the school year. He expressed his appreciation to the teachers and administration for their thought and sensitivity regarding celebrating/commemorating the anniversary of September 11.

Mr. Jones stated he was at the boy’s middle school soccer game today and it was nice to see them play.

Mr. Luneau commended the Technology Committee on the Technology Plan. He stated that it was easy to get through and to understand.

STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Chamberlin stated that the theme for this month’s administrator reports was communication. (How do we introduce new families and new staff to Hopkinton? How do they get to know the district?)

a) Administrator Reports

i. Principal Reports (3)

William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School

Mr. Chamberlin stated that Mr. Carozza could not be here, as he is teaching tonight at New England College.

Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School

Mr. Chamberlin stated that Mr. Bessette would be in and out of tonight’s meeting, as he is hosting the Maple Street School fourth grade open house.

Christopher Kelley, Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School

Mr. Kelley stated that he is pleased to report a smooth start to the school year.

Mr. Luneau said that he particularly enjoyed reading the paragraph in Mr. Kelley’s report on September 11.

Mr. Kelley stated that he has had only positive feedback from the staff on the September 11 ceremony. He stated that having Mr. Dusseault come back and address the students and staff was a wonderful experience.

ii. Superintendent Report

Mr. Chamberlin stated he appreciated the board’s feedback on the electronic board packets; he will continue to send Mr. Donahue a hard packet.

Mr. Chamberlin stated that there was some positive feedback on the delayed opening program caused by Tropical Storm Irene (three days after the students returned).

b) Policies

i. Use of Restraint Policy (JKAA) (Third Reading) (Action Item)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that this is the third and final reading of the policy. Dr. Aubry has reviewed the policy. How the Use of Restraint Policy influences practice and its implementation was discussed at the Leadership Team Retreat in July. Mr. Chamberlin will work with the administrators to put policy into practice.

ii. Fund Balance Policy (DIA) (Second Reading)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that he spoke to Greg Colby, district auditor with Plodzik and Sanderson. This policy is required under the GASB 54. Failure to implement this policy would incur a notice in the audit.

Mr. Luneau stated that if the board members agreed, this policy would be added as an action item tonight.

c) School District Report: August 30 Enrollment (Opening Day)

Harold Martin School 291

Maple Street School 184

Hopkinton Middle School 155

Hopkinton High School 324

Mr. Chamberlin reviewed the enrollment memorandum. He stated that the district is down approximately 20 students.

Mr. Josephson asked for a report on taking children out of the district be added to the enrollment data.

d) Hopkinton High School Reports

i. Class of 2011 Post High School Plans

Mr. Chamberlin discussed the following information regarding his report: Post High School Report of the Class of 2011. The report listed the colleges and universities members of the Class of 2011 are attending.

71% are entering a four year college or university
15% are entering a two year college or university
12% are joining the work force
46 students will be attending a college or university in New England
26 students will be attending a college or university in New Hampshire
4 students will be attending a college or university west of the Mississippi River.
4 students are first generation attendees of post high school education.
96% of our students, based on the definition above, have reached the goal of high school plus.

ii. Spring 2011 Achievement in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program

Mr. Chamberlin gave an overview of his memorandum dated September 9, 2011. In his report, he articulated student results on the Advanced Placement test.

The College Board defines success on an AP exam to be a 3 or better.
Eighty-one percent of students taking the exam achieved a 3 or better.

Mr. Chamberlin stated that many students did not take the test. Mr. Kelley is working with guidance and the Administrative Council to understand why students in the courses do not take the exam(s).

Mr. Chamberlin stated that scholarship money for the fee is available.

Ms. Wallingford stated that her impression, even more than the financial piece, is that it is a lot of work and stressful.

Ms. Durant stated that we must get the word out about financial assistance being available.

ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION

a. School Building Repair and Maintenance Expendable Trust Withdrawal: Harold Martin School Carpet (Action Item)

This was discussed at the public hearing.

b. School Board Schedule
1. i. Retreat – October 24

Mr. Josephson has a conflict with this date. Mr. Chamberlin will look for another date and present it at the September 26 joint school board meeting.

ii. Joint Meeting with Board of Selectmen: September 26

Mr. Chamberlin met with Town Administrator Neal Cass regarding the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Community Room at the Town Library, the start time will be 5:30pm. The following are some of the agenda items.

Report on joint maintenance agreements

Integrated facility use

HMHS/emergency shelter (generator installation: Oct. 7)

Fuel purchase

Joint wellness

Emergeny preparedness

PUBLIC COMMENT (2)

None

IMPORTANT DATES

September 16 – No School/Collaboration Day

September 26 – Joint Meeting/Board of Selectmen

Sept. 30/Oct. 1 – Homecoming

September 12 – Grade 4, Maple Street School Open House, 6:00pm

September 14 – Harold Martin School Open House, 6:30pm

September 15 – Hopkinton Middle and High Schools Open House:

middle school 6:00 – 7:55pm, high school 7:00 – 8:30pm

September 19 – Grade 6, Maple Street School Open House, 6:00 – 7:00pm

September 19 – Grade 5, Maple Street School Open House, 7:00 – 8:00pm

ITEMS INCLUDED

Public Hearing Posting

Draft Public Hearing Minutes: August 2, 2011

Draft School Board Minutes: August 2, 2011

Draft School Board Minutes: August 15, 2011

Administrator Reports (4)

All District Staff Meeting Program

New Staff Orientation Schedule

Class of 2011: Post High School Plans

Advanced Placement Memorandum

Opening Day Enrollment Memorandum

Unfair Labor Practice Document

Use of Restraint Policy (JKAA) (Third Reading)

Fund Balance Policy (DIA) (Second Reading)

Technology Plan

ACTION ITEMS

12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to withdraw $5517.00 from the School Building Repair and Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund for carpet at Harold Martin School.