ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD

Regular School Board Meeting

May 8, 2008

City Council Chambers

DRAFT

 

Members Present:

Mr. Robert Watson, Chair

Mr. William Brennan

Mr. Travis Allen

Mrs. Pamela Hubbard

Mrs. Anne Grassie

Mrs. Audrey Stevens

Dr. Anthony Pastelis

Mr. John Connelly

Mrs. Peggy Parker

Mr. Frank Callaghan

Mr. Timothy Bruneau

 

Members Absent:

Ms. Caroline McCarley

Mr. Mark Torr

 

 

 

 

 

Also Present:

Mr. Michael Hopkins, Superintendent

Mr. Kent Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Linda Casey, Business Administrator

Atty. Jerome Grossman

 

Guests/Press

 

Mr. Watson 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. 

 

Last Minutes                        Mr. Callaghan moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting of April 10, 2008.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

Employee Recognition        Mr. Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent acknowledged the recipients of the April  Rochester School Department Employee of the Month award, Amanda Ouellette, Facilities Secretary (District);   Marilyn Hartford, SHS Program Assistant,  Gwen Laurent, RMS Program Assistant; and  Donna Gilbert, Resource Room Teacher at McClelland School highlighting their attributes.  Pat LeClair, March Employee of the Month was in attendance and recognized for her contributions to the District.

 

                                                Recipients received a $25 gift certificate from The 103 Restaurant in Rochester, a certificate of appreciation and a hanging flower basket from the RW Creteau Technology Center.

                                                 

AYP Report                           Mr. Hopkins presented information regarding the District’s AYP designation.  Several of the schools that missed AYP last year, made it this year.  The District made AYP in Reading and missed by one sub-group  to make it in Math.                   

 

Student Senate Report

                                                 Sarah Hussey, Student Senate President reported that it is a high stress time for some students at Spaulding with Advanced Placement Testing being conducted this week and next.  College credits can be earned if a student achieves a high enough score on the AP Test.  Juniors will be taking the Science portion of NECAP later this month; Reading, Writing, and Math were taken last Fall.   Three Juniors have qualified for the National Merit Scholarship based on October PSAT scores.

 

                                                SAT testing will be done on June 7th at Spaulding.  It is recommended that the SAT be offered at Spaulding in May next year and that more advertising be done letting students know that they can take the SAT here.  Many students were not aware testing was available in Rochester and have registered to take SAT in other districts.

 

                                                Mu Alpha Beta math club is hosting the Annual Mathalon at the High School on May 15th for high achieving fourth and fifth graders.  Students will compete as teams and individually with various math concepts.  The Spanish Honor Society held their induction ceremony this evening at 5:00 p.m.; in April students taking French class and staff spent a week in Paris, students enjoyed using practical French in everyday conversation.  The Student Senate is deciding on scholarship awards and planning for elections in the next couple of weeks.  National Honor Society representatives will be attending the NHS State Conference in Durham later this moth. Congratulations to the Girls Softball Team, they are enjoying a fabulous season!

 

                                                Upcoming events at Spaulding are:  May 10, Sophomore Semi-Formal; May 22 Senior Banquet; May 23, Home Room  scheduled for SHS Community Service; May 24, Junior Prom; June 2, Scholarship Awards Night; June 4, All-School Awards Night; June 11, last day for Seniors; June 13, Graduation; and June 20 last day of school for everyone else.  This time of year is a very exciting, and busy time for everyone.

 

Public Comment                 

                                                Ms. Peg Hurd, RFT President and RMS Teacher stated that Paraprofessional negotiations had been completed.  Thanks were extended to Board members who served on the negotiation team:  Anne Grassie, Pam Hubbard, and Peggy Parker.  The entire process was handled in a pleasant, professional manner and is greatly appreciated.

 

                                                Mrs. Doris Gates, Rochester taxpayer reviewed details contained in the packet of information that had been distributed to the Board.  Mrs. Gates indicated that she had obtained the facts and figures from several sources and put them together on a spreadsheet for comparative analysis.  Facts such as a decrease in the student population over the past eight years by 37 students, decreased test scores, increased dropout rate and budget increases of $23 million over the past eight years – she would like these issues explained to her.  She asked the Board to look at where we are failing our students, with the quality teacher in the District this should not be happening.

 

                                                Mrs. Gates stressed that the more important issue is the budget; she is concerned with the Tax Rate which is why budgets are being looked at.  Before money is spent on a 3.5 million dollar Music Suite and capping class sizes creating a need for new teachers and additional classrooms - the focus should be on meeting mandatory increases which should be met without extra cost to taxpayers.  A few items were found within the proposed CIP Budget that did not meet the 20 year life expectancy which is the guideline for items in CIP.  She would like to know that this has been reviewed and what the rationale is.  She recommends that before a new school is considered a presentation be made showing the need and various options looked at to avoid costly construction.  Mrs. Gates asked that the information packet be reviewed and answers to her various questions and concerns be addressed.

Committee Reports

 

Building Committee:        

 

Community Garden              Mr. Connelly moved, second by Mr. Callaghan, that the Board approve The Rochester Community Garden Club using the land off Franklin Street for another year.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Job Training Grant               Mr. Connelly moved, second by Mr. Callaghan, that the Board approve a grant funded job training opportunity at the RW Creteau Technology Center in conjunction with Great Bay College and Thompson Center Arms.   The motion carried unanimously.

 

Instruction Committee:

                                               

Math Credits                         Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the policy that students enrolled in the standards based mathematics pathway must complete four courses culminating with Math Connections 2a, achieving a total of four math credits.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Admin Procedure                 Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board endorse the administrative procedure allowing students to repeat a failed class in the next semester, only if seats are available and with permission of the administration.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Latin Program                       Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve phasing out the Latin program; offer Latin 2, 3, and 4 contingent on the ability to hire a qualified Latin Teacher on a part-time basis next year.  Latin 1 would not be offered in the 2008-09 school year.

 

                                                Discussion ensued regarding participation in Latin classes, the request for a Spanish class and the process followed for eliminating a program.

 

                                                 The roll call vote was as follows:

 

                                                YES:          Mrs. Grassie, Mrs. Hubbard, Dr. Pastelis|

                                                NO:           Mr. Allen, Mr. Watson, Mr. Callaghan, Mrs. Parker,

                                                                  Mr. Bruneau, Mr. Brennan, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Connelly

 

                                          The motion failed by majority vote.

 

Foreign Exch. Students       Mr. Connelly moved, second by Mr. Brennan, that the Board authorize the High School Principal to determine the number of foreign exchange students enrolled at Spaulding High School.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Personnel Committee:

 

Resignations                         Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Allen, that the Board accept the following resignations:

                                               

Jody Chamberlain................................................................... Social Studies Teacher
Jill Wert........................................................................................... Program Assistant
Shane Cooper................................................................. Physical Education Teacher
Brenda Bastianelli.................................................. Special Education Program Aide
Jessica Pentecost............................................................ Foreign Language Teacher

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Nominations                         Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, that the Board approve the following nominations: 

 

William Cruea.............................................................................. Skilled Maintenance
Brandon Gagnon............................................................................................. Grounds
Leslie Tanguay.................................................................................. 2nd Cook/Cashier

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Retirement Rescission         Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, that the Board accept the rescission of the request for retirement from Elizabeth Gaudette, Elementary Teacher.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Job Descriptions                  Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Connelly, for second reading and adoption of the following job descriptions:

-Second Cook and/or Cashier

-Cook Manager

-Free and Reduced Lunch Clerk

-Bud Carlson Academy Program Director

-Bud Carlson Academy Secondary School Teacher

-Bud Carlson Academy Special Education Teacher

-Bud Carlson Academy Computer Education Teacher

-Bud Carlson Academy Guidance Counselor

-Bud Carlson Academy Nurse

-Bud Carlson Academy RENEW/PBIS Facilitator

-Bud Carlson Academy Learning Lab Assistant

-Bud Carlson Academy Secretary

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Termination                           Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Allen, that the Board approve the termination of employment for ER, Special Education Personal Aide.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Co/Extra-Curricular              Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, that the Board approve the following Extra-Curricular nominations:

 

Katie Taylor.................... ($1.00 Contract) Middle School Assistant Track Coach
Nate Leville................................................................ Varsity Assistant Track Coach
Shane Hoyt.................. ($1.00 Contract) Varsity Assistant Boys Lacrosse Coach
Tyler Nutter.................................................... Middle School Boys Lacrosse Coach
Warren Buzzell.............. ($1.00 Contract) Varsity Assistant Boys Baseball Coach
Craig Walfield............... ($1.00 Contract) Varsity Assistant Boys Baseball Coach
Randy Cook......... ($1.00 Contract) Junior Varsity Assistant Girls Softball Coach
Butch Brown........ ($1.00 Contract) Junior Varsity Assistant Girls Softball Coach

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Teacher Nomination            Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Parker, that the Board approve the following 2008-2009 Teacher nominations:

 

Major Daniel Heeter.......................................................................... ROTC Instructor
Katherine Akridge.................................................................. Social Studies Teacher

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Special Services Committee

 

Bus Rules                              Mr. Brennan moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the proposed Bus Procedures and Rules.  The motion carried unanimously.

       

Finance Committee:

 

Health Insurance                  Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, that the Board approve the change in insurance plans from Harvard Pilgrim to Healthtrust for the District’s AFSCME Bargaining Unit and non-union personnel.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Primex                                     Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board approve the multi-year insurance program from Primex.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Donation                               Mr. Watson moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board accept a $500 donation from Northern Strafford County Health and Safety Council to provide CPR training for students and parents in the District.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Toilet Partitions                    Mr. Watson moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, the Board approve the bid for toilet partitions from J. Sallese & Sons, Inc. of Wakefield, MA for $34,650.  This is contingent on the approval of the CIP budget by the City Council.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Bleachers                               Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, the Board approve the angle frame bleacher bid for the baseball field from CB Seating of Somersworth, NH for $15,395.  This is contingent on the approval of the CIP budget by the City Council.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Smartboards                          Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, the Board approve the bid for 22 Smartboards from CCS Presentation Systems of Chelmsford, MA for $50,954.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Enrollment Projection          Mr. Watson moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, the Board approve the bid for enrollment projections from Planning Decisions, Inc. of South Portland, ME for $4,500.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

LCD Projectors                     Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, the Board approve the bid for 15 LCD projectors from SDF Professional Computers, Inc. of Greenville, NC for $8,985.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Grant Funded Stipends       Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, the Board approve the following grant funded stipends:

     

                                                Nicole Bandera - $3,000............................ Safe and Drug Free Community Liaison
Danielle Inkel - $1,709.85...................................................... SINI Tutor Coordinator
Susan Richman - $1,500........................................ Reading First Grant Co-Manager
Barbara McDowell - $2,000.................................. Reading First Grant Co-Manager
Robert Hanson - $4,600.............................................. Reading First Grant Manager
Maggie Skafidas - $1,500................................................. RMS Mentor Coordinator
Debra Hoyt - $1,500............................................................
SHS Mentor Coordinator

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Technology Merger            Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr. Callaghan, the Board approve a one year trial of a City and School Technology Department merger.  David Yasenchock, the current School District Network Administrator will oversee both departments.  The City will pay for an additional technician that will work in both the schools and city programs.  The merger will be evaluated during the year to see if we want to continue with the program beyond one year.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Discipline Committee:

                                                Mr. Connelly moved, second by Mr. Brennan, the Board accept the Committees recommendations as presented for case #5110; #4309; #4730; #4857; #5067; #5223; # 4897; and #5225

Policy Committee:             

 

Policy Adoption                   Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mr. Brennan, that the Board approve the second reading and adoption of the following policies:

 

                                                - JHCA, Physical Examinations of Students
- IGDJA, Athletic Rules and Regulations
- BCB, Board Committees and Structures
-
ABA, Community Involvement in Decision Making

 - ABB, Staff Involvement in Decision Making

 - AC, Non-Discrimination

 - AC-R, Non-Discrimination:  Title VII, Title IX Grievances

 - AC-R1, Non-Discrimination - Title VII Grievances - delete

 - ACA, Sexual Harassment

 - ACB, Racial and Other Harassment

    - ACB-R1, Flow Chart of Response Plan
- ACB-R2, Incident Report Plan & Response Plan

    - ACB-R3, Student/Parent/Community Member Reporting Form

 - AE, School District Mission, Goals and Objectives

 - AF, Commitment to Accomplishment

 - AFA, Evaluation of School Board Operational Procedures

 - AFA-E, Evaluation of School Board Operational Procedures

 - AFB, Evaluation of the Superintendent

 - AFB-E, Superintendent’s Evaluation

 - AFD, Evaluation of Support Staff

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

First Reading                        The Committee recommends to the Board for first reading the following policies:

 

                                                - BA, Board Operational Goals

 - BA-E, Board Operational Goals - Responsibilities of Local School Boards (Delete)

 - BBA, School Board Powers and Duties (Delete)

 - BBAA, Board Member Authority

 - BBC, Board Member Resignation

 - BBF-E, School Board Member Ethics

 - BBFA, Board Member Conflict of Interest

 - BCA, Board Organization and Meetings

 - BCD, Board-Superintendent Relationship

 - BCD-R, Board-Superintendent Relationship (Delete)

 - BCF, Advisory Committees to the Board

 - BCG, School Attorney

 - BDA, Regular Board Meetings

 - BDC, Non-Public Sessions

 - BDDC, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination

-KGF, Policy and Procedure for Naming Properties and Facilities

 

Old Business                       None.

     

New Business

                                               

RTV                                        Dr. Pastelis requested the Board consider taping Committee meetings to air over the Rochester School Television channel.  The request was referred to the Special Services Committee.

 

Graduation                            Mr. Watson requested on behalf of the High School, that Board members let him know if they want to sit on the stage and pass out diplomas at Graduation.  Graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 13, 2008.

       

Adjournment

                                                Mr. Callaghan moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, to adjourn.  On a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at   8:04 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                                                Michael Hopkins 

                                                                                                                                                Board Secretary