June 4, 2012

Hopkinton School District School Board

School Administrative Unit #66

Meeting Minutes

June 4, 2012

IN ATTENDANCE

School Board: David Luneau, Chairman; Elizabeth Durant (left meeting at 6:30pm), Vice Chairman; William Jones, William Chapin, R. Matthew Cairns, Board Members

2011-2012 Student School Board Representative: Elizabeth Wallingford

2012-2013 School Board Representative: Bennett Mosseau

Administration: Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools; Michelle Clark, Business Administrator; William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School; Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School; Christopher Kelley, Principal, Hopkinton Middle and High Schools; Rebecca Gagnon, Assistant Principal, Hopkinton Middle and High Schools

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Luneau called the meeting to order at 5:30pm; Hopkinton High School Student School Board Representative Elizabeth Wallingford and newly elected 2012-2013 Student School Board Representative Bennett Mosseau led the Pledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS: 2012-2013 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES TO THE SCHOOL BOARD

Mr. Chamberlin and the Board thanked Betty Wallingford and Susanna Keilig for their contribution to the board this year. He welcomed Bennett Mosseau and Cameron DeBrusk next year’s student representatives.

ADDITIONS/DELETIONS FROM AGENDA BY SUPERINTENDENT

Action Item #13 deleted

CORRESPONDENCE

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve the minutes of the school board meeting held on May 7, 2012 was made by Mr. Cairns, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, minutes carry.

PUBLIC COMMENT (1)

None

COMMENTS FROM THE HOPKINTON SCHOOL BOARD

Mr. Cairns is looking forward to graduation – his daughter is graduating.

Mr. Jones regrets he missed the baseball game.

Mr. Luneau stated that it has been a great season for all Hopkinton sports. There were 200-300 people watching the quarterfinal game and none of the snack shacks were open. This would have been a great fundraising opportunity as well as providing a valuable service.

The yearbook came home this week and it looks great – the students and Mrs. Sintros did a wonderful job.

STAFF REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

a. In Focus: School to Career and Entrepreneurship

Mr. Chamberlin stated that school to career and entrepreneurship connect with district goals: Ensuring Student Learning, Best Practice, Ensuring High School Plus, and Raise the Bar and Close the Gap. High School Plus is not simply a diploma, it’s making sure that every graduate from Hopkinton is prepared for post high school education or achieves certification in a specialized area. School to Career and entrepreneurship connects with the experiential education requirement.

Mr. Chamberlin welcomed Nancy Carrigg, School to Career Counselor, to talk about School to Career.

Mr. Kelley stated that he appreciates the work Ms. Carrigg has been achieving with our students.

Highlights of Ms. Carrigg’s presentation:

Career Exploration Graduation Requirement (began with the class of 2013)

Career Assessments

Job Shadows

Internships

Short Term Internships

Extended Learning Opportunities

Career Fairs

The following are this year’s job shadows:

Hopkinton Town Library

Hopkinton Historical Society

Harvard Business School
Timberland Stratham

Pleasant Lake Accounting

Centrix Bank, Bedford

Surgical Team, Nashville, TN

Concord Hospital

Converse Women’s Wear, NYC

Credit Suisse Securities, Miami

GT Advanced Technology, Merrimack, NH

Hartford TV Studio, Hartford, CT

Mobile Sonics (mobile vet clinic/local entrepreneur)

Advanced Vet Care, Manchester (local entrepreneur)

Granite Investment Advisors (Hopkinton professional)

Organizing for America – political campaign office

Cilley Animal Hospital

New England Equine

Ms. Carrigg stated that the students are having positive experiences. The program has evolved as our society and economy has changed. It prepares students to make informed career decisions. It defines career development expectations providing students with real life experiences.

School to Career:

Provides resources and support to students, teachers, counselors, parents/guardians

Directs one-on-one career counseling and assessment

Meets with sophomores, juniors, and seniors regarding career graduation requirements

Assistance in completing job applications, writing resumes, preparing for interviews

Promotes beneficial school and community relationships and partnerships

Ms. Carrigg stated school to career activities provide students the opportunity to utilize the following 21^st Century learning skills:

Learning and Innovation Skills: Critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills, and creativity and innovation

Information Media and Technology Skills: Information, media and ICT (information, communications and technology) literacy

Life and Career Skills: Self-direction, social skills, productivity, accountability, leadership and responsibility

Mr. Luneau asked how well do you think our students understand entrepreneurship and what entrepreneurial career opportunities could lay ahead?

Ms. Carrigg stated that the kids are creative and think this is perfect timing to introduce and encourage entrepreneurship. The flexibility of short-term internships for students is very important.

Mr. Luneau stated there are many local people involved in entrepreneurial endeavors. They are all different but have common business side aspects. He suggests a speaker series – three different types of entrepreneurs.

Ms. Durant stated that she recently attend the Stonyfield Yogurt Entrepreneurship Institute. The two-day program is a boot camp for community minded entrepreneurs. It covered everything from finance, raising capital, work life balance, branding, social media, and marketing.

Shannan Tawney, community member, suggested attending the Entrepreneurship of the Year ceremony held in New Hampshire, students could see thousands of start up businesses. She also asked if maybe it could be tied to NH Scholars – their board takes internships.

Jeff Donohoe, community member/entrepreneur, suggested the exercise of writing a business plan: financing, suppliers, accounting, and marketing would help kids think through every piece, not just what they have a passion for. This is the part Chris Nardi (owner of Everyday Café) was talking about – every kid wants to come in and make sandwiches, but they don’t want to do the dishes.

Full Day Kindergarten Program

Mr. Chamberlin stated that tonight we are proposing a Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) Program initiative that was first advanced to the Hopkinton School Board in 2005. This is a pilot that would include about one-third of students who attend kindergarten at Harold Martin School.

He has spoken in the past about the learning equation, realizing that time needs to be a variable to ensure learning is a constant. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree – he stated that if we can straighten the tree early, we think this will lead to higher achievement in the future. The program provides early intervention.

Mr. Carozza stated that the goal is to provide an opportunity for academic intervention for students in greatest need. If successful, this pilot will provide guidance for future implementation and/or growth of FDK.

The plan is to have three sessions of kindergarten; two half day sessions as we have had traditionally, and one full-day session. Much like our preschool program, half of the students will be tuitioned in at half day price and the other half will be students who need targeted intervention and will attend free of charge. Assuming we have more requests for FDK than slots, we will do a lottery by gender utilizing the same policy as the Preschool Program. This will allow the FDK to be largely budget-neutral.

The existence of FDK at HMS is predicated on low enough student enrollment to maintain three sessions: two half day and one full day. If we reach enrollment well into the 50s, then we will have to back off the FDK program and retreat to 4 half-day sessions.

Sara Duval, current half time kindergarten teacher will be the FDK Educator while Dott Blanchard will teach the morning and afternoon half-day sessions.

As in most areas in education, the research is not conclusive, but leans heavily toward Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) being a positive program for students.

Mr. Carozza stated that with the approval of the school board, he will mail a letter in the next two days to each kindergarten parent that has registered with us for 2012-2013 or any family in Hopkinton with a next-year kindergarten aged student that we are aware of. This letter will explain the structure of the overall kindergarten program at HMS, including the FDK Pilot and announcing a kindergarten information session for the evening of June 12.

The Board members were in agreement to proceed with FDK.

b. Administrator Reports

i. Principal (3)

William Carozza, Principal, Harold Martin School

Mr. Carozza asked if anyone had questions regarding the Full Day Kindergarten Pilot Proposal.

Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Carozza about the SINI status.

Mr. Carozza stated that we are organizing a committee; we are hiring a facilitator (paid for with money received from the state) and hiring a numeracy specialist.

Michael Bessette, Principal, Maple Street School

Mr. Luneau stated that after coming out of Mr. Carozza’s report, how do you see continuing on with the responsive classroom?

Mr. Bessette stated that the new guidance counselor recently hired has a strong responsive classroom background. Teachers are already having morning meetings; there is a lot of responsive classroom training in motion.

Mr. Luneau asked about the NECAP scores in math assessment.

Mr. Bessette stated that if you look at the trend data, the overall percentages are moving up. We are creating differentiated and engaging instruction to promote and ensure that all students learn.

Christopher Kelley, Principal, Hopkinton Middle and High Schools

Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Kelley about the NEASC concern regarding scheduling.

Mr. Kelley stated with a smaller enrollment coming up, the middle school would be in the middle of that bubble – building usage would be able to increase.

Dr. Valerie Aubry, Director of Student Services

Mr. Luneau congratulated Dr. Aubry on Indicator 13 - 100% compliance with no findings.

Dr. Aubry stated that the reviewers were so impressed; they asked Martha Kruse to do a presentation.

Matthew Stone, Director of Technology

Mr. Luneau stated that this feedback comes from his son taking ninth grade foundations – why are we still learning Scratch? Also, when we approved the course of study for this year, we eliminated the Java course. There are a lot of kids doing Java on their smart phones – maybe that could tie in with foundations or school to career.

Mr. Stone stated that certainly when we look at the high school curriculum, the digital media course we added a couple of years ago touched on one area where we really could use some improvement.

Mr. Luneau asked Mr. Stone about the stability of the email system backup and restoration.

Mr. Stone stated the vendor who provides the software hosts our school data, it is backed up multiple times per day – the restore method is tested and he is confident that it works. Our in-house data is backed up – our back up system is not strongly robust, but it has worked when needed to. It could use improvement in the area of disaster and recovery – if we had an incident that took out an entire building we would struggle to recover from it.

Mr. Luneau stated that last year at this time we replaced a server that was struck by lightning – are we able to recover from that type of complete collapse?

“Yes,” replied Mr. Stone.

Steven Chamberlin, Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Luneau talked about Mr. Chamberlin’s mention of staff engagement and how important it was. He received some feedback that there was not enough staff support during the middle school concert. When he was at the Forensics Tournament a couple of weeks ago there was a lot of staff support.

To Mr. Chamberlin’s point, he thinks it is important for the faculty to be aware of all games and events. He stated that the staff does an amazing job attending events and he appreciates it.

ITEMS FOR BOARD DISCUSSION

a. HSD Policies
1. i. Teacher Performance (GCO) (First Reading)

Mr. Chamberlin stated the policy sub committee has reviewed the policy. Changes made to the policy were made to reflect the TEP. The teacher evaluation is in the CBA, the policy references the TEP. The next step is to send this to the HEA for their review.

Mr. Cairns suggested changing CBA in the second paragraph to Collective Bargaining Agreement and in the third paragraph changing Collective Bargaining Agreement to CBA.

ii. Confidentiality Policy (JRA) (Third/Final Reading) (Action Item)

iii. Determining a Specific Learning Disability (IHBAA-SLD) (Third/Final Reading) (Action Item)

iv. Determining the Criteria for Special Education Evaluation (IHBAA-EC) (Third/Final Reading) (Action Item)

v. Assessment (ILBA) (Third/Final Reading) (Action Item)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that minor capitalization changes were made to the Confidentiality, Determining a Specific Learning Disability, Determining the Criteria for Special Education Evaluation policies.

Mr. Chamberlin stated that the Assessment Policy was not in the board packet. After receiving information from the Assessment Committee, using assessment to revise curriculum was added to the policy.

Mr. Cairns stated there was a period missing on the Confidentiality Policy on page one under Student Records – add a period after C (U.S.C.) and on the Assessment Policy change 193.C to 193-C.

b. Personnel

i. 2011-2012 Additional Days: HMHS Guidance (Action Item)

Mr. Kelley advocated for five additional days for Ms. Lajoie and three additional days for Ms. Carrigg. These additional hours provide time for guidance operations and student needs to be met.

ii. 2012-2013 Nominations (Action Items)

Custodial Staff: The custodial staff position is 20 hours reduced from last year – the hours are necessary for next year.

World Language: Ms. Morea-Duana is not returning next year – 0.4 to Dr. Creamer and 0.2 added to Sra. Hassett (makes up for 0.6 for Ms. Morea-Duana).

iii. Resignation (Action Item)

Mr. Chamberlin received high school first year math teacher Susan Foss’ letter of resignation. Ms. Foss is moving down South.

iv. Extended Leave Request (Action Item)

First grade teacher Sarah Surrette has requested extended leave.

v. Reduced Tuition Program for Children of Non Resident Hopkinton School District Teachers Request (Action Item)

Mr. Chamberlin stated that this has been a successful program. Two students were added in 2011-2012.

vi. Superintendent Evaluation: Process

Mr. Chamberlin will have a self-evaluation for the June 18 meeting. There is not a requirement for a nomination because last year he had a three-year nomination.

Mr. Luneau stated that he and Ms. Durant would be meeting with Leadership Team members. Mr. Chamberlin suggested meeting with union leadership.

PUBLIC COMMENT (2)

None

MATERIAL INCLUDED

Meeting Minutes, May 7, 2012

Principal Reports (3)

Director of Student Services Report

Director of Technology Report
Superintendent Report

Teacher Performance Policy (GCO)

Confidentiality Policy (JRA)

Determining a Specific Learning Disability (IHBAA-SLD)

Determining the Criteria for Special Education Evaluation (IHBAA-EC)

Assessment Policy (ILBA)

Custodial Nomination Slate

IMPORTANT DATES

06/07/12 – School Board/Senior Class Cookout, 5:00pm

06/08/12 – Graduation, 6:00pm

06/12/12 – Spring Sports Awards

06/19/12 – Last Day of School/Elementary (Half Day)

06/20/12 – Last Day of School/Secondary (Half Day)

ACTION ITEMS

The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of Schedule b assignments for the 2012-2013 school year as presented.

The Hopkinton School Board approve the Superintendent’s nomination of custodial staff, for the 2012-2013 school year as presented.

A motion was made by Mr. Cairns, seconded by Mr. Jones, all in favor, motion carries.

The Hopkinton School Board approve the superintendent’s recommendation to accept Hopkinton High School Mathematics Teacher Susan Foss’ notice of resignation effective June 30, 2012.

A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Cairns, all in favor, motion carries.

16. The Hopkinton School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendation to accept Harold Martin School First Grade Teacher Sarah Surrette’s request for a leave of absence, approximately September 14, 2012 to November 26, 2012.