January 4, 2011
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2011
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant, Board Members: Larry Donahue, Louis Josephson (arrived at 5:41pm), Larry Donahue (arrived at 6:09pm)
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 5:40pm; Mr. Kelley and Mr. Sousa led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Budget Adjustment Form 2011-09 (Action Item #15)
Nomination: Part Time Instructional Assistant, Harold Martin School
(Action Item #16)
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Chamberlin brought attention to a letter in the school board packet from Michael Wheeler, Hopkinton High School Class of 2006. The letter addressed the positive impact of a unique class he took at the high school: Geographic Information System (GIS).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on December 7, 2010, was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, minutes carry.
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on December 14, 2010, was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Josephson, (Ms. Durant abstained) minutes carry
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
Rachel Grady, a senior at Hopkinton Middle and High School, stated that she thinks it is unnecessary for her to be taking a required gym class when she has practice everyday afterschool. Rachel plays a sport every season. She would rather have taken another science class or something else she is interested in.
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Mr. Luneau stated it was great to see the letter from Michael Wheeler.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- a. Administrator Reports
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the Town reports are being used as the administrator reports this month. He asked the principals to highlight themes and give a general overview of their reports.
- i. Principal Reports
William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School
Mr. Carozza stated that this year’s theme district wide is “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” Aristotle. With the adoption of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), there has been a bit of a philosophical change at Harold Martin School. The teachers are not talking about what they are teaching, rather what kids are learning. To do this you can’t be teachers in classrooms behind closed doors – it has to be collective energy, a synergy. Teachers meet weekly to look at assessment and how kids are doing, particularly in math – next year it will be literacy.
Mr. Carozza stated they now incorporate WIN (What I Need) time, one hour four days a week. During this hour, each grade level has no interruptions to increase instructional time.
Lastly, Mr. Carozza stated that the playground has been very safe and the kids love it. He said that the playground goes along with this year’s theme with so many volunteers (The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”)
Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School
Mr. Bessette commented on the similarities/commonality to what is going on at Maple Street School and the other schools: climate, WIN block.
Mr. Bessette stated that they are working on standardizing report cards. He stated that this is a powerful step. He is very proud of what is in the report.
Christopher Sousa, Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School
Mr. Sousa stated that he reflected upon the mission and how it’s addressed. What stands out for him is the diversity we offer our students and the tremendous amount of opportunity to which the students can avail themselves. Mr. Sousa looks at the opportunity not just in the classes offered, but the varied personnel.
- ii. Superintendent
Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Chamber stated that he enjoyed the opportunity to reflect upon the year. He appreciates the connections, from the committees, task forces, and councils – they are all interwoven to ensure student learning, best practice, high school plus for all kids. He takes a lot of pride around “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Mr. Chamberlin stated that the system approach is very fulfilling.
- b. Treasurer Report
- i Hopkinton School District Financial Accounts Status Report
Treasurer David MacKenzie stated he has been working with Mr. Chamberlin and Ms. Clark since July and they have been extremely helpful.
He reported that the money is in the same accounts as a year ago. The majority of the money is in TD Bank, which is collateralized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Pittsburgh.
Mr. MacKenzie stated that there is just under $250,000 in Merrimack County Savings Bank, which is collateralized by the FDIC. He stated that we are well collateralized.
Mr. Luneau asked how we were set up from insulating ourselves from fraudulent transaction.
Mr. MacKenzie stated that there are systems in place and the bank has not opened us up to any risk.
- ii. Review of Hopkinton School District Investment Policy – DFA
Mr. MacKenzie stated that the investment policy prioritizes what he needs to do with the funds: security is the highest priority, liquidity is the second highest, and return on investment is third.
Mr. MacKenzie stated that he agrees with the investment policy and is comfortable where the funds are collateralized.
- c. Hopkinton School District Annual Financial Report/Audit (as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that through Ms. Clark’s leadership the audit is prepared and verified – not all business administrators have the ability to do this. He stated that from the central office staff to the building level there were no material findings – this is a lot to be proud of. Mr. Chamberlin also stated that, for the first time, the District is now GASB 45 compliant.
ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. Hopkinton School District 2011-2012 Budget Packet – Second Draft
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the budget packet (second draft) was delivered to the Town Hall for the Budget Committee during break. A revenue page was added and descriptors on the revenue and expense pages. Mr. Chamberlin also included a sheet of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Mr. Luneau asked if there were any bonds retiring this year.
Mr. Chamberlin stated the only bond is the 1997 building bond, which retires August 1, 2017.
Mr. Luneau asked, regarding the status of the trust funds, if we are not showing transfers in from the June 30, 2010 unreserved fund balance. He stated that from a completeness standpoint, the transfers should be reflected as of December 31, 2010.
Mr. Luneau stated that the Town has a capital reserve funds spreadsheet running out 20 years. He stated that it is a useful worksheet for planning purposes and Budget Committee review, because it shows the fund, history, and rollout.
- b. Hopkinton School District 2011-2012 Budget Presentation to the Budget
Committee
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the meeting is tomorrow night 6:30pm at the Town Hall.
Mr. Luneau stated the meeting would begin with a five-minute presentation on the warrant then Mr. Chamberlin and Ms. Clark will guide us through. He appreciates having the support of the Leadership Team there.
- c. Hopkinton School Board retreat/work session
Mr. Chamberlin asked the board if they wanted to look at a different date for the January 18, 2011 quarterly work session?
Mr. Luneau stated that in two weeks they would have a work session or a regular school board meeting.
d. Budget Adjustment Form 2011-09 (Action Item)
Item 4 d. will be discussed in nonpublic.
9. Public Comment (2)
Mr. Mackenzie congratulated Ms. Chamberlin and Ms. Clark for having a clean financial statement. He stated that as a taxpayer he is impressed at the quality of work.
10. Materials Included
HSD 2011-2012 Budget Packet – Second Draft
Memorandum to the Hopkinton Budget Committee
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Administrator Reports 4 (Distributed at the meeting)
Hopkinton School District Investment Policy – DFA
Letter from a member of the Class of 2006
11. Important Dates
- 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
- 01/17/11 – No School, Martin Luther King Day
- 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
- 03/12/11 – Annual School District Meeting
ACTION ITEMS
12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept Harold Martin School Instructional Assistant Donald Wood’s resignation, effective December 22, 2010.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
13. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept Maple Street School Office Assistant, Stacey Price’s, resignation effective upon installation of replacement.
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 accept Hopkinton Middle School Instructional Assistant, Jose Chapa’s resignation effective December 22, 2010.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
15. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommended Budget Adjustment 2011-09 in the amount of $3,350.
Tabled
16. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Sasha Schaffer, part time Instructional Assistant, Harold Martin School, effective January 5, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Donahue, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
At 6:40pm 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 negotiations and a student issue. Motion passed on a roll call vote:
Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), Mr. Donahue (yes).
NONPUBLIC SESSION
17. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a) and (c)
Negotiations
Student Issue
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
18. Adjournment
At 8:05pm 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
January 4, 2011
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a) and (c)
Negotiations
Student Issue
During the nonpublic session the Board discussed Item 4 d., negotiations, and a student issue.
Action Item 15 was tabled until the January 18, 2011, school board meeting.
Mr. Donahue motioned to come out of nonpublic session, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion passed on a roll call vote: Ms. Durant (yes), Mr. Luneau (yes), Mr. Jones (yes), Mr. Josephson (yes), Mr. Donahue (yes) all in favor, not opposed.
The board came out of nonpublic session at 8:05pm.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
