November 14, 2011
Hopkinton School District School Board
School Administrative Unit #66
Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2011
IN ATTENDANCE
School Board: David Luneau, Chairman; Elizabeth Durant, Vice Chairman; William Jones, Board Member
Administration: Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools; Michelle Clark, Business Administrator; Dr. Valerie Aubry, Director of Student Services; Matthew Stone, Director of Technology; William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School; Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School; Christopher Kelley, Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School; Rebecca Gagnon, Assistant Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 5:30pm; Elizabeth Durant led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS FROM AGENDA BY SUPERINTENDENT
None
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Chamberlin presented thank you notes from Kate Backman and Robin O’Dougherty.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on October 11, 2011, was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, minutes carry as amended.
Mr. Donahue submitted his amendments via email to include the questions regarding Maple Street School climate, MainSreet Academix, the IMPACT Group, and Project SOAR.
Motion to approve the minutes of the joint board meeting held on October 24, 2011, was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor, minutes carry.
Motion to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on October 24, 2011, was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, all in favor, minutes carry.
PUBLIC COMMENT (1)
None
COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD
Mr. Luneau stated he appreciated everyone’s cooperation pulling the joint meeting together with the Dunbarton School Board. Dunbarton has decided to proceed with Bow and their existing agreement town, Goffstown. He received a call from the Dunbarton board chair, Rene Ouellet, extending gratitude for all the information about Hopkinton schools.
Mr. Luneau extended thanks to Mike Sintros for hosting the School Board Retreat at the St. Methodios Retreat Center.
Mr. Luneau stated he heard that Subway sandwiches were going well at the middle high school.
Ms. Durant commented that we should offer a vegetarian option.
STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
- a. Administrator Reports
i. Principal Reports (3)
William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School
Mr. Carozza extended appreciation to Peter Reynolds of FableVision and Samantha Oliver for donating a Promethean Board to Harold Martin School. He also extended thanks to Mr. Stone and his team for installing it in Ms. Surrette’s classroom. Samantha Oliver is Mrs. Wilder’s daughter.
Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School
Mr. Bessette stated that a Maple Street School student is working with Mr. Stokes to reduce trash and recyclables. The student is working with his mother and Mr. Stokes on this project.
Mr. Chamberlin spoke about the NEASC ten-year accreditation cycle and the Special Progress Report due December 1, 2011. The report is to provide the NEASC Commission information on reported recommendations and the overall educational environment as they relate to the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation.
NEASC 10 year cycle of accreditation:
- Accreditation Visit
- 2 Year Progress Report
- Directed Visit
- 5 Year Progress Report
- Special Progress Report (due December 1, 2011)
Christopher Kelley, Principal, Hopkinton Middle High School
Mr. Kelley talked about the Special Progress Report included in the school board packet. The report addresses nine recommendations listed on the five-year report submitted March 1, 2011. The following is the list of recommendations currently in progress:
Develop and implement a formal process to review and revise the school’s
mission statement.
Describe the school’s plan to use both competencies and learning expectations to
assess student learning.
Submit a plan that explicitly documents how student progress on academic, civic
and social learning expectations will be reported to individual students and their
families.
Cite specific examples of changes to the curriculum and instruction based on the
use of formative and summative assessments.
Submit agendas and minutes from Hopkinton 2.0 committees identifying specific
decisions that have been made
Submit examples of curriculum guides that ensure that students in all levels have
sufficient opportunities to practice and achieve academic expectations.
Submit examples from each department that demonstrate how the academic
expectations and their respective rubrics are being used to improve instruction.
Report on the improvements to spaces provided for the delivery of special
education services.
Mr. Luneau stated that he liked Mr. Kelley’s approach to reviewing the mission statement. He asked what is relevant from surrounding schools versus schools that are doing well in certain areas.
Mr. Kelley stated that these are some comparisons that have been done in the past.
Mr. Luneau suggested looking more broadly at other schools that we feel we would like to emulate.
Ms. Durant questioned if we are doing the best for our kids in the long-term, regarding our grading policy and the way in which we provide that information. She stated that the way colleges are viewing grading policy at the high school level is changing. She suggested that we always have this within our view.
Mr. Luneau asked how often do grading policies get reviewed?
Mr. Chamberlin stated some teacher have gone through tremendous revisions in the last couple of years. He stated that this will be part of the conversation at the January 10, 2012 Professional Development Day.
ii. Superintendent Report
Mr. Chamberlin passed around feathers to school board members indicating items needed for the Thanksgiving food drive. The donated food items will be delivered to the Hopkinton Food Pantry on Tuesday, November 22.
Mr. Chamberlin asked the board about canceling the November 28 school board meeting. The board members agreed; the next meeting will be held on December 5. He will relay this information to Mr. Josephson and Mr. Donahue.
He asked the board members to consider room 21 at Maple Street School for future school board meetings. Mr. Chamberlin stated that this is an empty classroom with an overhead project.
Mr. Chamberlin extended his appreciation to the board for the rich discussion at the November 7 Retreat.
- b. Admission of Homeless Students Policy (JFABD) (First Reading)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that he met with Dr. Aubry, reviewed data from the New Hampshire School Boards Association, and technical advisories from the State of New Hampshire and there are no substantive changes in the policy.
Dr. Aubry stated that if a student becomes homeless while attending school in Hopkinton and resides temporarily in another district due to economic reasons, the student has the right to remain in the school of origin. The transportation costs are shared 50/50 between the district of origin and the district of current residence.
Mr. Jones stated there is a grammar issue in the second full paragraph on page two: the immunization records to their immunization records.
c. Overnight Trip Proposal ? Varsity Boys Basketball Team, Harwich, Cape Cod, MA, December 2 – 4, 2011 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated Mr. Chase is taking the team for preseason action. The team fundraising pays for the cost of the trip. They plan is to leave Friday after practice; there is no loss of instructional time.
ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION
- a. Hopkinton School District Tuition Rates (Action Items)
Mr. Chamberlin gave an overview of the 2011-2012 tuition rates, explaining what amounts were used to determine this year’s rates. He stated that a new formula was used this year. Last year’s tuition rates are billed until this year’s rates are set, then bills are adjusted.
The tuition value is based on the approved budget, less contingency, adequacy, transportation, food service transfers, grants, trust fund transfers, and federal projects.
- b. Budget Adjustment Form 2012-08 (Action Item)
Mr. Chamberlin stated that adjustment is transportation costs for a homeless student. The total cost is $12,000; the District will share the cost 50/50.
- c. Financial
i. Donations (Action Items)
- Maple Street School Basketball Backboards ($2400/HYSA)
- Robotics Program ($1500/OSRAM Sylvania)
- Elementary Artist in Residence ($1000/Hopkinton PTA)
- Harold Martin School Promethean Board ($1000/FableVision)
Mr. Chamberlin reviewed the donations with the board members, the board members and Mr. Chamberlin extended their appreciation.
ii. SAU Office Boiler
Mr. Chamberlin stated the boiler was recommended for replacement and budgeted in 2011-2012. He stated that the central office boiler is over twenty years old.
Ms. Clark stated that they did an analysis of cost, efficiency, and warranty. The bid was awarded to LeBlanc Heating. It is a high efficiency burner, which comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- d. Schedule b Nominations: HHS Winter Slate (Action Items)
Mr. Chamberlin gave an overview on the following nominations:
Ski Jumping Tom Warner
Alpine Ski Coach Dee Gilroy
Asst. Nordic Ski Coach Harrison Harb
Winter Game Manager Alicia Cross
- e. 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District Calendar
Mr. Chamberlin stated that Secretary of State Gardner has set the New Hampshire Primary date as January 10, he recommended changing the January 3 Professional Development Day to January 10.
Ms. Durant stated that we want the most secure environment for our students. We know parents have already made vacation plans, but this would be in the best interest of our students.
Mr. Chamberlin stated that he has communicated with the Hopkinton Education Association.
PUBLIC COMMENT (2)
Ms. Dustin stated that she has missed being at the meetings.
Two Hopkinton High School Civics students were present at tonight’s meeting: Matthew McCormick and Destiny Seabury.
MATERIALS INCLUDED
Superintendent Report
Principal Reports (3)
Tuition Rate Calculation Sheet
Overnight Trip Proposal
Nomination Packet (1)
School Board Minutes October 11, 2011
School Board Minutes (Joint Mtg.) October 24, 2011
School Board Minutes October 24, 2011
Hopkinton High School Schedule b Winter Slate
Admission of Homeless Students Policy (JFABD)
IMPORTANT DATES
November 23, 24, 25 – No School, Thanksgiving Recess
November 28 – School Board Meeting (MEETING CANCELLED)
December 5 – School Board Meeting
December 12 – School Board Meeting
December 19 – School Board Meeting
ACTION ITEMS
12. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District, kindergarten tuition rate of $6266.75.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
13. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District, elementary school tuition rate of $12,533.49.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
14. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District, middle school tuition rate of $15,169.22.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
- The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommended 2011-2012 Hopkinton School District, high school tuition rate of $13,799.24.
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 2012-08 in the amount of $6000.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
17. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the Varsity Baseball Team overnight trip to Harwich, Cape Cod, MA, December 2 – 4, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
18. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to approve the 2011-2012 schedule b winter coaching nominations as presented.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
19. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept a donation of $2400 from the HYSA for basketball backboards at Maple Street School.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed, with many thanks.
The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept a donation of $1000 from the Hopkinton PTA for the elementary Artist in Residence.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed, with many thanks.
20. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept a donation of $1500 from OSRAM Sylvania for Hopkinton High School Robotics.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed, with many thanks.
21. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept a donation of a Promethean Board (value $1000) from FableVision for Harold Martin School.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed, with many thanks.
22. The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to award the Hopkinton School District SAU boiler contract to LeBlanc Heating, in the amount not to exceed $8976.56.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Ms. Durant, motion carries, all in favor, not opposed.
Nonpublic Session for the Discussion of Matters as Per RSA 91-A: 3, II (a), (b), (c), and (e)
Negotiations
Personnel
No nonpublic session
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:37pm a motion was made by Mr. Jones seconded by Ms. Durant to adjourn the meeting, motion passed, all in favor, not opposed.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Eaton
