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Organizational School
Board Meeting City Council Chambers DRAFT
Mr. Hopkins called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on a roll call with a quorum present. Members
participated in the pledge of allegiance.
Election/Chairman Mr. Hopkins entertained motions
for a new Chair. Mr. Connelly
nominated Mr. Watson, second by Mrs. Stevens
Mrs. Grassie moved to close nominations, second by Mr. Allen. The
motion to close nominations carried unanimously. Mrs.
Grassie moved that the clerk cast one ballot for Mr. Watson, second by Mr.
Allen. The motion carried
unanimously. Superintendent Hopkins
turned the meeting over to Mr. Watson. Election/Vice-Chairman Mr. Watson entertained motions for a new
Vice-Chairman. Dr. Pastelis nominated Mrs. Hubbard, second by Mr. Connelly.
Mrs. Grassie moved that nominations be closed, second by Dr. Pastelis. The motion to close nominations carried
unanimously. Mrs.
Grassie moved that the clerk cast one ballot for Mrs. Hubbard, second by Dr.
Pastelis. The motion carried
unanimously. Last
Minutes Mr.
Connelly moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to accept the minutes of the Regular
meeting of the Superintendent’s
Report Employee
Recognition Mr. Hemingway, Assistant
Superintendent, with the assistance of Mr. Rob Hanson and Travers Desjardins
acknowledged the recipients of the December
Rochester School Department Employee of the Month award, highlighting
their attributes: Gayle Baillargeon,
Human Resources Secretary (District);
Joan Parent, Reading Specialist/Reading Coach at William Allen School;
Linda Stevens, grade 6 Teacher at
Rochester Middle School; and Joanne Houston, Music Teacher, Band Director at
Spaulding High School. Ms. Houston was
also recognized by the School Band Organizers Magazine as one of fifty
teachers who make a difference for students. Recipients
received a $25 gift certificate from The 103 Restaurant in Rochester, a
certificate of appreciation and a bouquet of flowers. Corrective Action The Superintendent reviewed
the process of developing the District’s Corrective Action Plan. A required component of this process was to
meet with representatives from Brown University and the Department of
Education to discuss, design and develop a plan. The focal point of the plan is the “Focus
on Student Learning”, the following
three areas have been chosen as the district’s primary focus to achieve designated goals: 1) Student Engagement; 2) Non-Fiction
Writing Across the Curriculum; 3) Mr.
Hopkins stated that the Management Team is committed to monitoring student
progress following the guidelines set forth in the Corrective Action
Plan. A follow-up meeting with the NH
Department of Education to receive final approval of the plan will be
scheduled in the near future. Student
Senate Report Sara
Hussey, Student Senate President, reported that the Rachel’s Challenge
Assembly held in December taught everyone a little more about what judgmental
thoughts and actions can do; it was a very emotional assembly. Winter break is over and the student body
is anticipating finals and the changing of semesters. The
Senate continues to explore fundraising ideas with ROTC; proceeds would be
used for scholarships handed out at the end of the year. The Senate is also busy planning a winter
pep rally. The
drama club has begun work on its spring musical “The Wizard of Oz”, the whole
show is double cast to offer six shows taking place March 12-16 in the
Spaulding Auditorium. Inductions are
planned for the newly formed French Honor Society; the Human Rights Club is
holding an event in honor of MLK on January 18th with a lecture
entitled “Erase Racism” by Rev. Hillman; the Principals Advisory Council has
continued to meet, those that attend believe it is a great way to voice
opinions; the Key Club has begun planning February fundraising to coincide
with Valentine’s Day; the Junior Class has begun finalizing plans for the
Prom, the theme this year will be Paris. The
winter sports program is very active with hockey, gymnastics, boys and girls
basketball, indoor track, and the swim team.
Show your school spirit by attending one of the many games or
competitions. Public
Comment Ms.
Peg Hurd, RFT President/RMS Teacher, welcomed new School Board members;
looking forward to working with current Board in the future. Congratulations on his nomination were
extended to Mr. Watson. Committee
Reports Instruction Committee: Early
Graduation Mrs. Grassie
moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, that the Board approve an early graduation
request for a Gr.
6 Report Card Mrs.
Grassie moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board endorse the Standards
Based Supplemental Report Card for Grade 6.
The motion carried unanimously. 21st
Century Grant Mrs.
Grassie moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board authorize up to $6,000
to Dr. Paul Ezen for preparation of the 21st Century Learning
Grant. The motion carried unanimously. Discipline Committee: Mrs.
Hubbard moved, second by Mr. Connelly, the Board support the Committees
recommendations as presented for case #2060.
The motion carried unanimously. Old
Business 08-09 SY Calendar Mr. Connelly moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, second
reading and adoption of the 2008-2009 School Calendar. The motion carried unanimously. New
Business Retirement Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr.
Connelly, that the Board accept the retirement resignation of Steven Eliscu,
Rochester Middle School Teacher effective the end of SY 2007-2008. The motion carried unanimously. Resignation Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs.
Stevens, that the Board accept the resignations for Kenneth Guild, Custodian
and Joseph Marquette, World Language Teacher.
The motion carried unanimously. Termination Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr.
Callaghan, that the Board approve the employment termination of CW. The motion carried unanimously. Nominations Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Grassie,
that the Board approve the following nominations: Elizabeth Callahan, Occupational Therapist;
and Lillian Ralph, 2nd Cook/Cashier. The motion carried unanimously. Appointments Mr.
Watson distributed the following list of Committee appointments for the new
term:
Adjournment Mr.
Callaghan moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, to adjourn. On a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at
Michael
Hopkins Board
Secretary |