February 1, 2011
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
February 1, 2011
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Board Members: Larry Donahue, Louis Josephson, William Jones
Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark
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 thank you note to the board from Pat Heinz.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
None
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Mr. Josephson asked Mr. Chamberlin about making up snow days and the “Blizzard Bag” program.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the Blizzard Bag program was discussed last week at Leadership Team and the state has submitted a technical advisory on the process. Based on recent occurrences, they are in the process of preparing a plan to pilot the Blizzard Bag program.
Mr. Donahue recognized Mr. Sousa for his student-centric approach with midterms. He adjusted the schedule so the students received a review day.
Mr. Luneau commented that in Mr. Chamberlin’s board notes he mentioned that March had five Tuesdays. He stated that this might be a good time to schedule another work session/retreat.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- a. Administrator Reports
- i. Principal Reports
- ii. Director of Student Services Report
- iii. Superintendent Report
Mr. Chamberlin stated because of the inclement weather, the principals are not present tonight. The theme for the administrator reports is service. The reports were included in the school board packets.
Hopkinton High School Proposed Senior Class Trip (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin reviewed the overnight trip proposal form with the board members. He stated the class is supporting the trip very well financially. The student will miss a day and a half of school (May 27 is an early release day).
Mr. Donahue asked what we do for substitutes while teachers are away. Mr. Chamberlin stated they use in-house coverage.
Mr. Luneau asked if there was any liability, particularly with the Alpine Adventure zip line tour?
Mr. Luneau also asked if parents have to sign off.
Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Chamberlin to ensure there is no gap in coverage.
Mr. Luneau stated this is an action item and as long as the questions are asked and taken care of, this request will not need to come back to the board.
b. 2011 – 2012 Program of Studies (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin reviewed the changes in the 2011-2012 Program of Studies articulated in Mr. Sousa’s cover memorandum.
Mr. Donahue stated that he has brought this up before, regarding entrance requirements for honors classes. He stated that there is a gap in making no distinction between a number grade in a regular class vs. an honors class that is a prerequisite.
Mr. Donahue stated that it could read: enrollment in previous honors sections and teacher recommendations will be taken into account.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that this is a logical and reasonable request; he will address this with Mr. Sousa.
Mr. Luneau asked that on page 32, the mathematics chart description be changed from grade specific to course specific.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the POS is an action item tonight. The board agreed to act on the Program of Studies tonight based on making the changes.
Mr. Chamberlin will email the changes to the board
- b. International Travel
- i. Honduras (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin informed the board that he has/will continue to monitor Honduras travel advisories/warnings.
The board asked Mr. Chamberlin to verify the districts liability.
Ms. Durant recommended that insurance requirements and medical requirements be added to the Proposed Overnight Trip Form.
Mr. Jones asked Mr. Chamberlin to verify that a parent of each student traveling has a passport.
- ii. Spain
Mr. Chamberlin informed the board that he is monitoring Spain travel advisories/warning. Currently, there are 17 students traveling. He stated that a couple of students from Bow were joining the trip.
ITEMS FOR SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. Hopkinton Budget Committee
- iii. January 26, 2011, Meeting
- iv. February 2, 2011, Public Hearing
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the Budget Committee voted 6 – 3 in support of $116,000 in reductions to the Hopkinton School Board budget. The reductions are approximately:
$39,000 Deferred maintenance
$ 6,500 Non union support increases
$24,000 Middle school sports
$41,000 Technology
$ 3,000 Enrichment
Mr. Chamberlin stated that it is difficult to find this level of reductions. They have been deferring maintenance; reducing everywhere they could to lessen the impact on kids.
Mr. Luneau stated that they must identify the issues on why these numbers are what they are: aging infrastructure, emphasis on teaching faculty vs. buildings and grounds, technology is part of long-term sustainability.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that this level of funding is assuming too high a risk that he and Ms. Clark are not comfortable with.
Town of Hopkinton Generator Warrant (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the only cost to the district would be approximately $750 per year for electricity.
The board discussed the language of action item 19.
- b. House Bill 39 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin included a copy of HB 39 in the board packets. The bill amends state minimum standards and prevents the adoption of Common Core Standards. It would eliminate Arts Education, Tech Ed, World Languages, and Health Education criteria for an adequate education.
- c. Hopkinton School Board March Meeting Schedule
Mr. Chamberlin stated that March is a five Tuesday month. In following the first and third Tuesday of the month meeting schedule, the first meeting falls during Winter Recess: March 1.
The following is the revised March 2011 Meeting Schedule:
Tuesday, March 8, 5:30pm, Maple Street School
Tuesday, March 22, School Board Work Session/Retreat, 4:30-7:30pm.
- d. Budget Adjustment Form 2011-10 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the budget adjustment is to cover additional costs from the Concord Regional Technology Center program.
Ms. Clark stated that Concord billed us based on anticipated state aid, then the aid shifted.
Public Comment (2)
None
Material Included
Budget Adjustment Form 2011-10
Principal Reports (3)
Director of Student Services Report
Superintendent Report
Nomination Packet
House Bill 39
Draft Hopkinton High School Program of Studies
Senior Class Overnight Trip Proposal Form
Thank You Note from Tracy Martin
Important Dates
- 02/02/11 – Public Hearing, 6:30pm, Hopkinton Middle High School auditorium
- 02/23/11 – Hopkinton School District Leadership Team/School Board provides lunch at the Slusser Senior Center
- 02/28/11 to 03/04/11 – Winter Recess
- 03/10/11 – Celebration of the Arts
- 03/12/11 – Annual School District Meeting
ACTION ITEMS
- The Hopkinton School Board approve the superintendent’s recommended Budget Adjustment 2011-10 in the amount of $5,387.59
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
- The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Hopkinton High School Senior Class overnight trip to St. Methodios Retreat Center and Alpine Adventure, May 26 – 27, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed. (Pending insurance confirmation)
- The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation for final approval of the Hopkinton High School Interact International Service overnight trip to Trujillo, Honduras, February 23 – March 3, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed. (Pending insurance confirmation)
14. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s Recommendation to approve the 2011-2012 Hopkinton High School Program of Studies.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed. (Pending satisfactory resolution of discussion items)
15. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Kaari Ward-Bayly, Instructional Assistant, Harold Martin School, for the 2010 – 2011 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
16. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to reassign Lisa Lulka, Hopkinton High School Math Teacher, from 1.0 to 0.9, for the 2010-2011 school year.
(Tabled – to be discussed in nonpublic)
17. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Scott Zipke, Hopkinton High School Math Teacher, an additional 0.1, for the 2010-2011 school year.
(Tabled – to be discussed in nonpublic)
- The Hopkinton School Board vote to take a position against House Bill 39.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed. (Mr. Donahue abstained)
19. The Hopkinton School Board take a position in support of the Town of Hopkinton to place the purchase of a generator on the Warrant for the March 19, 2011 Town Meeting.
(Action Item not addressed by Board after discussion)
At 7:15pm Mr. Donahue made a motion, seconded by Mr. Josephson that the Board enter into nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 (a) and (c) for the discussion of negotiations and personnel. Motion passed on a roll call vote:
Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), Mr. Donahue (yes).
NONPUBLIC SESSION
20. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Negotiations
Personnel
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
16. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to reassign Lisa Lulka, Hopkinton High School Math Teacher, from 1.0 to 0.9, for the 2010-2011 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
17. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Scott Zipke, Hopkinton High School Math Teacher, an additional 0.1, for the 2010-2011 school year.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
Adjournment
At 8:00pm 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
February 1, 2011
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Negotiations
Personnel
During the nonpublic session the Board discussed Action Item 16 and 17 negotiations, and personnel.
Action Item 16 and 17 were voted on immediately after the nonpublic session.
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 8:00pm.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
