Fall Mountain Regional School Board Minutes – 4/14/14

FALL MOUNTAIN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Fall Mountain Regional High School Library

Monday, April 14, 2014

6:30 PM

 

Board Chairperson, Mary Henry called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM in the Fall Mountain Regional High School Library. In attendance were John Streeter, Andy Collins, Linda Christie, Lil DeCoste and Gabe St. Pierre. Lori Landry and Jamie Teague were also in attendance.

BOARD HONORS

The Fall Mountain Regional School District School Board honored the Fall Mountain 2013-2014 NHIAA Scholar Athletes.

Athletic Director, Matt Schmidt presented certificates to Robbie Franklin, Christopher Henry and Bailey Roberts. Also honored but were unable to attend were, Sonya Hansson, Spencer Bogar, Thomas Jelliffe, Clay Gendron, Kari Fletcher, Dylan Peck and Mitchell Klema.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve the minutes from Monday, March 24, 2014 Public Session. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve the minutes from Monday, March 24, 2014 Non-Public Session. Passed unanimously.

David Hogan joined the meeting at 6:45 PM.

REPORT OF ADMINISTRATORS

Superintendent Landry introduced Dori Ferreira, Linda Ferland, Melissa Lynde, Katie Parsons, Frank Mazzola, Tammy Vittum, Lisa Mulhern and Rick Elliot who are currently in the process of becoming National Board Certified. The members discussed the certification process, each speaking to how the process has changed their teaching practices.

Lori Landry presented a PowerPoint presentation to the board highlighting the certification process.

Andy Collins stated that this is a great moment for our district, hoping that this will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Ms. Landry introduced Paula Southard-Stevens and Chris Young who provided the board with an update on the SWIFT initiative. Ms. Stevens handed out a packet of frequently asked questions concerning SWIFT. A recent survey showed buy-in at 92% in Charlestown. They explained further that Fall Mountain was the first of 64 schools to take on SWIFT and that they have requested to use Fall Mountain’s plan as a model for other schools.

A brief discussion ensued regarding RVTC and the upcoming school year. Fall Mountain has been advised by the state that funding would no longer be available for new students interested in attending RVTC. Deb Connell, Assistant Superintendent stated that she is working on a resolve and will keep the board informed on the progress. Fall Mountain does currently have a contract with the Cheshire Career Center good through 2023.

Andy Collins suggested that the board convene and draft a letter to the Department of Education.

Lori Landry reviewed the upcoming school board schedule. She notified the board that the next board meeting would be held at Walpole Elementary School.

OLD BUSINESS

Gabe St. Pierre reported that the Facilities Committee met. Mr. St. Pierre presented the board with a facilities plan that will begin over April vacation.

John Streeter reported that the Policy Committee met this evening and has added a couple of policies to this evening’s agenda.

Lil DeCoste reported that the PD Committee met last week. Ms. DeCoste commented that here are currently 6 people participating in the advanced degree program.

Gabe St. Pierre also mentioned that Judy Pullinen from RVTC has resigned as of the end of the school year. Scott Farr will be Acting Director in her absence.

NEW BUSINESS

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

Richard Zelenetz, ESL Teacher effective June 30, 2014.

Kari Brodeur-Stevens as Lead Teacher at the Sarah Porter School

Shawn Kennedy, Paraprofessional, FMRHS effective June 30, 2014

Eryn Sellerole, Paraprofessional, CPS effective May 23, 2014

Karla Chaffee, Nurse, CAA effective June 30, 2014

Motion: (Christie/Hogan) to table until after non-public session.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to accept the retirement of Diane Foster, Van Driver effective June 30, 2014.

Motion: (DeCoste/Streeter) to approve the transfer of Kim Ditullio, PK Teacher, ELC to Walpole Primary School PK/4yo Program effective 2014-2015 school year.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve an unbudgeted request for a 1:1 Paraprofessional at NCCS.

The motion to approve an unbudgeted request for a 1:1 Paraprofessional at CPS was withdrawn at the request of Chris Young, Principal.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Collins) to approve an overnight request for Vilas 5th grade to attend Nature’s Classroom May 5-6, 2014.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to approve an overnight request for CTE Trip to Cobleskill, NY May 15-16, 2014.

Motion: (Streeter/Collins) to approve GBA-Equal Employment opportunity for second reading and adoption.

Motion: (Streeter/Decoste) to approve corrected policy AF- (ADA)-Americans with Disabilities Act for first reading.

Motion: (Streeter/DeCoste) to approve amended policy GBEA-Staff Ethics for first reading. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/Christie) to accept new policy GBEAA-Employee Conflict of Interest for first reading.

A conversation ensued. The board would like more to time to review policy.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to table new policy GBEAA-Employee Conflict of Interest for first reading. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (St. Pierre/Streeter) to approve a co-curricular contract for Meghan Hansson-MS Cross Country Running Coach.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Motion:
(St. Pierre/Streeter) to approve the Treasurer’s Report for period ending April 14, 2014. Passed unanimously.

Account Payable: $533,936.61

Payroll: $699,987.98

OTHER

Motion: (Gabe St.Pierre/Collins) to enter into an Energy Performance Lease Contract with Municipal Leasing Consultants for an amount not to exceed $1,663,790 at an interest rate of 3.39%. Passed (DeCoste abstained)

A conversation ensued regarding AP Calculus and AP biology for the 2014-2015 school year. There are currently 5 students enrolled in AP Calculus with a plan to combine honors Calculus (12 students) with 5 students remaining for the 2nd semester to complete AP portion.

The administration is recommending that AP Biology not be offered for the upcoming year due to low enrollment numbers and schedule conflicts.

Motion: (Christie/Hogan) to accept the administrations recommendation to offer AP Calculus for the 2014-2015 school year. Passed unanimously.

Motion: (DeCote/St. Pierre) to accept the administrations recommendation to not offer AP Biology for the 2014-2015 school year. Passed 4:3 (Christie/Streeter/Hogan)

A conversation ensued regarding the possibility of talking to surrounding schools about sharing some of the classes offered.

Tom Ronning reported that the Robotics Club visited Boston University for a competition this past weekend. The club received two awards, the Rookie Award and the Inspiration Award. Overall, it was a positive experience for everyone.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to enter into non-public session.Passed unanimously.

After an affirmative roll call vote, the board entered non-public session at 9:13 PM under RSA 91-A:3 (c) to discuss two personnel issues.

The board resumed public session at 10:02 PM.

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

Richard Zelenetz, ESL Teacher effective June 30, 2014.

Kari Brodeur-Stevens as Lead Teacher at the Sarah Porter School

Shawn Kennedy, Paraprofessional, FMRHS effective June 30, 2014

Eryn Sellerole, Paraprofessional, CPS effective May 23, 2014

Karla Chaffee, Nurse, CAA effective June 30, 2014

Passed unanimously.

Motion: (Streeter/St. Pierre) to adjourn. Passed unanimously

Hearing nothing further, the meeting adjourned at 10:08 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Misty D. Bushee

School Board Clerk

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