March 22, 2011
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
March 22, 2011
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: Chairman: David Luneau, Vice Chairman: Elizabeth Durant Board Members: Louis Josephson, William Jones
Administration: Superintendent: Steven Chamberlin, Business Administrator: Michelle Clark
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Chamberlin called the meeting to order at 5:30pm; Ms. Clark led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
School Board Chairman
Mr. Jones nominated Mr. Luneau, seconded by Mr. Josephson, all in favor, motion carries.
School Board Vice Chairman
Mr. Josephson nominated Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, motion carries.
Signors of the Manifest
Mr. Josephson nominated School Board Chairman David Luneau and School Board Vice Chairman Elizabeth Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, motion carries.
Alternate Signor of the Manifest
Mr. Jones nominated Louis Josephson, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor, motion carries.
SUPERINTENDENT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
e. Policy: Absenteeism, Attendance, Truancy: JH (Second Reading) tabled to the April 5, 2011, school board meeting.
Addition: Action Item 18, nomination of Thomas Wando, Hopkinton High School Assistant Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Chamberlin presented the following correspondence:
- Invitation – Slusser Senior Center’s Third Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at 11:30am
- Official ballot copy – Town of Hopkinton elections, March 8, 2011
- Wellness Fair flyer
- Copies of the Messenger (the Special Olympics made the cover) and an article on page 10: Hopkinton Voters Add $100,000 to Budget
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular school board meeting held on February 25, 2011, was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Ms. Durant, minutes carry.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
Merle Dustin, community member, asked if there was a time frame for the generator grant. Mr. Chamberlin stated that he believed they have one year to purchase, infrastructure, and install.
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Ms. Durant stated how enjoyable the Celebration of the Arts event was for parents and students – a truly great tradition in the district.
Ms. Durant thanked the community, board, administration, and staff for all of their support and work that went into preparing for the school district meeting.
Mr. Josephson seconded Ms. Durant’s comments. He received many comments from families about the implications of more funding cuts – wanting support for the school district. Mr. Josephson thanked Mr. Luneau for his leadership.
Mr. Jones seconded Ms. Durant’s comments.
Mr. Luneau thanked everyone for all of their help. He stated it shows how well the board works together as a team. Mr. Luneau added that he was sorry Mr. Donahue could not be at the meeting tonight, as he is traveling. He stated that they have a good board and leadership team in place.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- a. Hopkinton School District Maintenance Van
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the district E350 van would not pass inspection. He said it is ten years old and there is severe corrosion in many areas. Two different garages inspected the van: Tom’s Welding and Patsy’s.
Ms. Clark stated they took part in a state vehicle bid. Hillsboro Ford has the state contract for the E250 and E350 van. Ms. Clark recommends the purchase of an E250 with a tow package. The cost of the E250 with the tow package is $16,965.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that they would need to hold a public hearing to remove the funds from the trust to purchase a new van.
- b. Hopkinton School District Staff Nomination Timeline
Mr. Chamberlin handed out a nomination timeline memorandum. He reviewed the dates of classifications and meeting nomination dates.
- c. Cooperative Varsity Hockey Team with John Stark Regional High School (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the cooperative teams are the wave of the future: maximizing and leveraging our resources. He stated a school our size could not support a hockey team, but with the cooperative team fee based approach, it is of no cost to the district. The fee would be approximately $500. Currently, there are five students that have shown interest.
Ms. Durant asked if a student on the varsity hockey team could be on another varsity team per season.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that it is a district policy that a student can only be on one varsity team.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that it is a NHIAA rule that both schools must be in the team name. The name of the team will be John Stark/Hopkinton Hockey Team.
Ms. Durant asked if there was a limit to the number of students from each of the schools. Also, how does this get determined if there is a rooster size?
Mr. Dennis Molnar, community member, stated that the agreement is revisited every two years.
Ms. Colleen Sawitsky, community member, stated that if the program grew they would consider a junior varsity team.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that both athletic directors from each school are in support of the cooperative program.
Mr. Josephson asked if the transportation costs were factored into the $500 fee.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the transportation costs were included in the $500 fee.
- d. Policy: Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Driver Licensed (CDL) Staff: EEAEA (Third Reading)
This will be an action item at the April 5, 2011, school board meeting. Mr. Jones and Mr. Luneau will forward changes to Mr. Chamberlin.
e. Policy: Absenteeism, Attendance, Truancy: JH (Second Reading)
Tabled until the April 5, 2011, school board meeting.
ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. Annual School District Meeting – Debrief
Mr. Chamberlin discussed what worked and what did not work. He talked about the district’s approach to handling the uncertainty in state funding. He stated that dissemination of contracts would be discussed at the April 5 school board meeting, adding that they are required to issue teacher contracts by April 15. Mr. Chamberlin stated that approximately $395,000 in state funding could downshift to the town. He stated if we offer the full slate of current teachers we might not have enough funds with the added expense of $395,000 in retirement costs.
Mr. Luneau stated we must be responsible in covering what we reasonably could anticipate as our worse case shortfall. He stated that factoring in our health insurance premium, which came in $70,000 less than our budgeted guaranteed maximum rate, and potential kindergarten revenue – we are looking at between $300,000 or $325,000 as being the line.
Mr. Luneau stated that as a board and leadership team they need to apply pressure to the legislature; it is unacceptable not to pay the bills at the state level and pushing it on to the local tax base.
Mr. Josephson commented that he cannot read how the community would handle such big cuts – maybe the community would meet us in the middle.
Mr. Chamberlin reminded the board that the April 5 school board meeting is a work session. The board members agreed to have a regular board meeting on April 5 and reschedule the work session/retreat.
- b. School Board Priorities – Next Three Months
Mr. Chamberlin highlighted the following priorities:
- Evaluation timeline
- Mission, vision, values
- Joint meeting with the Town of Hopkinton
- Reschedule retreat/work session
- State budget
- Three policies: air quality, child restraint, volunteer policy
- Communication at all buildings
- District committees
- HEA negotiations
- Health Insurance Task Force
Mr. Josephson asked if the committees were separate or were they reflecting Hopkinton 2.0.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that Hopkinton 2.0 encompasses all district work, from kid grid to parent portal, the development of the Hopkinton Schools is micro/macro and it is a comprehensive effort with continual improvement.
c. Overnight Trips
- i. HSD Special Olympics, March 6-8, 2011 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that this is a retroactive approval.
- ii. HHS Baseball Team, March 25-27, 2011 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that this is an annual trip; the team will miss one block of instructional time.
- iii. HHS Robotics Team, April 7-9, 2011 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that the FIRST Team will miss two days of instruction (repeat event).
d. Financials
- i. Monthly Financials – February 2011
Ms. Clark stated that the food service deficit is higher; there will be one less day of school and the hot water heater in the kitchen area at Harold Martin had to be replaced – both affect the food service budget.
- ii. MS 22
Ms. Clark stated that the MS-22 represents what the voters approved on March 12 and it is ready for signature tonight.
- iii. Budget Adjustment 2011-11 (Action Item)
To be discussed in nonpublic before acting on.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT (2)
Merle Dustin, community member, asked if the hot water heater replaced at Harold Martin School was electric.
Ms. Clark replied yes.
MATERIALS INCLUDED
Absenteeism, Attendance, Truancy: JH (Second Reading)
Drug and Alcohol Testing of Commercial Driver Licensed (CDL) Staff: EEAEA (Third Reading)
Overnight Trip Forms (3)
Monthly Financials, February 2011
Draft School Board Meeting Minutes, February 25, 2011
Budget Adjustment Form, 2011-11
MS 22
- 12. Important Dates
- 04/05/11 – School Board Work Session
- 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
13. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the overnight trip to the Special Olympics State Winter Games, March 6-8, 2011 (retroactive).
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
14. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Hopkinton High School Baseball Team overnight trip to Oakdale, CT, March 25-27, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
15. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Hopkinton High School First Robotics Team trip to Boston, MA, April 7-9, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
16. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended Budget Adjustment 2011-11 in the amount of $5,920.85.
A motion was made Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Josephson, to table action item 16 until after tonight’s nonpublic session, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
17. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the formation of a Cooperative Hockey Team with John Stark Regional High School for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years.
A motion was made by Mr. Josephson, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
18. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Thomas Wando, Hopkinton High School Assistant Varsity Girls Lacrosse coach.
A motion was made by Ms. Durant, seconded by Mr. Jones, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
At 7:15pm Mr. Jones 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), all in favor, not opposed.
NONPUBLIC SESSION
19. Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (c), and (e)
Negotiations
Personnel
Action Item 16
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
- The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended Budget Adjustment 2011-11 in the amount of $5,920.85.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
20. Adjournment
At 8:05pm a motion was made by Mr. Josephson, 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
March 22, 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 negotiations, personnel, and Action Item 16.
Action Item 16 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 8:05pm.
RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION
