In case you don’t have enough to read from The Walpolean, I found these minutes hidden in my Inbox. Misty Bushee sent them in a much more timely fashion than I have posted them. – Lil

School Board Meeting 

Fall Mountain Regional High School

Monday, August 26, 2013

 

Chair Mary Henry called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. In attendance were Mary Henry, Andy Collins, Lil DeCoste, Jim Elsesser, Linda Christie, Gabe St. Pierre and John Streeter. Also in attendance were Jamie Teague and Lori Landry.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve the minutes from the Monday, August 12, 2013 public session. Passed unanimously

Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) approve the minutes from the Monday, August 12, 2013 non-public session. Passed unanimously

RECOGNIZITION OF VISITORS

Chair Henry recognized Brandon Hill, Teacher Representative form the 13-14 school year. Mr. Hill reported that the school year is off to a good start. He provided the board with a brief update on the happenings throughout the district.

Gail Rowe introduced Bill Harris, Assistant Principal of the Alstead Primary School. Mr. Harris spoke briefly stating that things were off to a good start.

REPORT OF ADMINISTRATORS

Superintendent Landry stated that last week started with a successful New Teacher Day. Ms. Landry commended the principals for a terrific job. Dr. Jane Bluestein, a guest presenter, came to speak to the staff during teacher in-service day and also the public the same evening. Nearly 50 guests attended for the presentation that evening.

Lil DeCoste commented that she was amazed how many daycare providers attended the presentation and that it was great that we provided the opportunity for them.

Superintendent Landry introduced Paula Southard-Stevens and Chris Young, who gave a brief presentation on the SWIFT Initiative. A study was conducted through the University of Kansas, 5 states were selected to participate. Mississippi, Maryland, Oregon, Vermont and New Hampshire were those selected, 4 districts in the State of New Hampshire. The district has been provided with a SWIFT advisor who will make recommendations on how to improve on initiatives that are already in place. The initiative is based on “best practice”. It provides a district with a specialist in the area of need.

Ms. Landry gave an update on staffing, stating that all major content area vacancies have been filled.

Tom Ronning provided the board with an update on the 1:1 computer rollout. Approximately 400 computers were handed out on Saturday. They are currently working out the details of getting the remaining computers to the students who were unable to attend.  Mr. Ronning also reported that approximately 25% of student body worked off the 40.00 insurance fee over the summer.

Gabe St. Pierre asked about the possibility of community service as a requirement in the future.

Mr. Ronning explained that there are no plans for required community service but that there would be opportunities given to those who choose to offer it.

Jamie Teague announced that the computer lotteries were successful.

Jamie Teague provided an update on the Orchard School transportation request. Jane Stansbery has been in contact with Eleanor Elbers of the Orchard school. Ms. Teague has scheduled a tour of the route to assess.

Gail Rowe commended the district’s administration for their collaboration efforts with the Orchard School.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Lil DeCoste (PD Committee) reported that the PK teachers in Charlestown are looking to get parents more involved in the classroom. They will be hosting a couple of Early Childhood nights in October and November focusing on behavior, speech, gross motor as well as Reading, Writing and Math.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve an unbudgeted request for a Paraprofessional, North Walpole School effective August 27, 2013. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to accept the following resignations:

Heidi Plummer, Paraprofessional-Alstead Primary School

Donna Burns, Food Service-Vilas

Amy Rumrill, Inclusionary Paraprofessional-FMRHS

Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve the following co-curricular contracts:

Jay Fisher, Cat Shock-FMRHS

Kevin Hicks, Lead Teacher-Vilas

Julie Parrott, Ski Club & Table Tennis-FMRHS

Meghan Hanson, MS Cross Country Running

Melinda Harrison, Concert Choir/Madrigals-FMRHS

Kristy Zurmuhlen, Boys JV Soccer-FMRHS

Beth Gosekamp, CTE Technology Dept Chair-FMRHS

Alexandra Robinson, JV Volleyball-FMRHS

Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve the following conditional contracts:

Heidi Plummer, Inclusionary Paraprofessional-Vilas (S10/C3)

Melinda Harrison, Choir Teacher-FMRHS (S1/L1)

Amy Rumrill, Inclusionary Paraprofessional-FMRHS (S3/C4)

Pilar Fowle, Food Service-CPS (S5/C1)

Delia Blanchard, Bus Driver-Transportation (S9/C7)

Kathleen Kathan, Secretary-Alstead Primary School (S4/C3)

Mike Sanborn, Physics Teacher-FMRHS (S7/MA+30)

Debra Hood, Food Service-Vilas (S5/C1)

Alexei Fleming, Alt Ed Paraprofessional-CMS (S2/C3)

Chris Fecteau, Distance Learning/1:1 Media Generalist-FMRHS

Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to accept the request for a 3-day leave of absence for Patti Neal, Secretary, FMRHS. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve amended policy GBCD-BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND CRIMINAL CHECK for first reading. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/Elsesser) to approve amended policy GBCBC-CHILDREN IN THE WORKPLACE for first reading. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve amended policy ECAE-SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS for first reading. Passed unanimously

Motion: (DeCoste/Collins) to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Meeting Waters YMCA Y-Aspire Program for the 2013-2014 school year. Passed unanimously

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to approve the Treasurer’s Report for period ending August 26, 2013 as presented. Passed unanimously

Payroll:                                    $459,480.74

Accounts Payable:             $719,790.97

OTHER

Tom Ronning reported that the new soccer field is ready to use. A special thank you to Bruce Ferland who put in the extra effort to get it there. Mr. Ronning also reported that the Bellows Falls field has been closed temporarily due to a possible hazard with the light install. He has offered use of the high school fields until further notice.

Mr. St. PIerre asked about the use of other district fields, however it was explained that youth soccer takes up the use of those fields.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to enter into non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 (c). Passed unanimously

The board entered into non-public session at 7:42 PM.

The board exited non-public session at 8:41 PM and immediately adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Misty D. Bushee

School Board Clerk