January 25, 2011
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2011
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Board Members: Louis Josephson. William Jones (arrived at 5:35pm), Student Representative: Samuel Helrich
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; Hopkinton High School seniors Jake Lessels and Cody White led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
None
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Chamberlin presented a thank you note from Dr. Valerie Aubry and a holiday card from the Hopkinton PTA.
Mr. Luneau brought attention to an article in LGC Magazine: Town and
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on December 21, 2010, was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Josephson, minutes carry.
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on January 4, 2011, was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Josephson, minutes carry.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
None
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Ms. Durant stated her concern regarding House Bill 39, as it proposes to eliminate arts education, world language, health education, and technology education from the list of subjects included in the definition of an adequate education in New Hampshire. She stated that HB 39 could dramatically change state funding, graduation requirements, and providing an adequate education.
Mr. Jones stated that he has reached out to Representatives Christine Hamm and Gary Richardson and they are against it.
Mr. Luneau stated that the board would discuss taking a position on HB 39 at the February 1, 2011 school board meeting.
Mr. Luneau stated that he enjoyed presenting to Mrs. Sintros’s civics class last week. He thanked Ms. Clark for presenting on the SAU perspective and business operations in the district.
ITEMS FOR SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. Hopkinton Budget Committee:
- i. January 5, 2011 – Presentation Update
- ii. January 19, 2011 – Question and Answer
- iii. Scenerio: $200,000 of Reductions
Mr. Chamberlin gave a compilation of the January 5 and January 19 Budget Committee meetings. He stated that he appreciated Ms. Clark and Mr. Luneau’s work on the initial budget presentation. Last week at the question and answer session there were many questions regarding the maintenance area. Ms. Clark did some research and the maintenance portion of our budget is 8 percent, the state average is 8.4 percent.
Mr. Chamberlin spoke about the memorandum regarding what approximately $200,000 in reductions would represent. He stated that these reductions would weaken their ability to accomplish district goals and mission: ensuring student learning, high school plus, and best practice.
Mr. Luneau clarified that if the Budget Committee were to propose a different budget, they would have to include rationale and be specific as to where the differences would be.
Mr. Luneau stated that the budget committee process prepares us for the district meeting.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the revised revenue sheet includes an increase of $17,000 in building aid. He stated that this is an adjustment based on a miscalculation several years ago.
Mr. Josephson stated that he could see a small business owner looking at our budget and saying that we could cut $200,000 easily, because it is very small percent of 15 million. He believes that we should inform residents that our budget is already very lean.
Mr. Luneau stated that there have already been a few iterations that have gone on to get us to this point and we need to make it known that we are at bare bones.
Ms. Durant stated that we must give a cost and benefit analysis to the community and present what is critical to our mission.
b. Hopkinton High School additional course: Adventure Education (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the course meets the threshold of enrollment (14 students).
Sam Helrich asked Mr. Chamberlin if Adventure Education counts toward a gym credit. Mr. Chamberlin stated not currently. He informed Sam that the February 1 school board meeting would cover the 2011-2012 Program of Studies and they could talk about it.
c. Preparation for the March 12, 2011 Annual School District Meeting
Mr. Chamberlin state he was working on the posting calendar. He will have the calendar reviewed by Attorney Barry.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that they are working on the following:
Annual Newsletter
- Elevator cards
- Screen (from the Town)
- Mr. Luneau stated that we should have copies of the financial spreadsheet page (in larger print) in the Town Report available at the annual meeting.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that he has booked speaking engagements at Rotary and senior lunch and has asked to speak at PTA.
Mr. Josephson asked if the board wanted to say anything about the issue of sustainability, referencing the work we are doing in the district.
Let the public know:
we hear them,
we know the economy is not where we want it to go,
are asking for their support this year,
are aware we cannot go on like this forever,
are looking at other ideas,
are taking this seriously and looking at it on different levels.
Mr. Luneau stated that “sustainability” is a good theme for this year.
Ms. Durant stated that we are hearing people and acknowledgement helps your credibility. An important theme and tread is that we are taking action, a proactive approach, looking five years ahead.
Mr. Luneau stated that it is important to tell people why this is not more of the same and there have been significant changes through efficiencies and operations.
d. Hopkinton School District Finances
i. Budget Adjustment Form 2011-09 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that Budget Adjustment Form 2011-09 was tabled from the January 4, 2011 school board meeting. He sent board members a confidential memorandum addressing the transfer request. Mr. Jones has questions to be discussed during nonpublic.
ii. Monthly Financial Report – December 2010
Ms. Clark stated that the increase in the general fund balance is due to the $25,000 Mr. Chamberlin included in his budget presentation. The food service the deficit projected is up approximately $900, as funds did not come in as anticipated. Ms. Clark stated that revenues are coming in on time and there are no unexpected expenses.
- iii. Quarterly Financial Report (10/01 – 12/31/10)
Ms. Clark will email this report to board members
- 8. Public Comment (2)
None
9. Materials Included
Reduction Memorandum (dated: January 21, 2011)
Revised Revenue Form
Revised 2011-2012 Proposed Budget Summary (dated: January 21, 2011)
(Materials previously included in the January 18, 2011 Board Packet)
2011- 2012 District, Secondary, and Elementary calendars (3)
Draft Minutes December 21, 2010
Draft Minutes January 4, 2011
Budget Adjustment Form 2011-09
Faculty and Staff email (dated: January 12, 2011)
The Talon
The Hawk Eye
Note from Dott Blanchard
Flyer: Neurodevelopment Approach to Differentiated Instruction
Monthly Financials – December 2010
Confidential Envelope
10. Important Dates
- 01/26/11– Budget Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Town Hall
- 01/28/11 – No School, Hopkinton High School (grades 9-12 only), Collaboration Day
- 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
- 03/10/11 – Celebration of the Arts
- 03/12/11 – Annual School District Meeting
ACTION ITEMS
11. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Scott Semmens, Science Teacher, Hopkinton High School, an additional 0.1, for the 2010-2011 school year.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Sasha Shaffer, Early Morning Monitor, Harold Martin School, effective January 26, 2011, for the 2010-2011 school year.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries as amended, all in favor, not opposed. (Amended: effective January 26, 2011)
13. To be voted on after nonpublic session.
14. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s nomination of Colleen Sawitsky, part time clerical assistant, Maple Street School, for the 2010-2011 school year.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
At 6:25pm Mr. Josephson 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 legal matters, negotiations, and personnel. Motion passed on a roll call vote: Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes).
NONPUBLIC SESSION
15. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Legal Matters
Negotiations
Personnel
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
The Hopkinton School Board approve the superintendent’s recommended Budget Adjustment 2011-09 in the amount of $3,350.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries as amended, all in favor, not opposed.
16. Adjournment
At 6:55pm a motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Josephson to adjourn the meeting, motion passed, all in favor, not opposed.
Maple Street School, Hopkinton, NH
Nonpublic Minutes
January 25, 2011
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Legal Matters
Negotiations
Personnel
During the nonpublic session the Board discussed Action Item 13, Legal Matters, Negotiations, and Personnel.
Action Item 13 was 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) all in favor, not opposed.
The board came out of nonpublic session at 6:55pm.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
