ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD

Regular School Board Meeting

June 14, 2007

City Council Chambers

DRAFT

 

Members Present:

Mrs. Nancy Warren, Chair

Mr. Frank Callaghan

Mrs. Anne Grassie

Mr. Charles DeVito

Mr. John Connelly

Mr. William Brennan

Mrs. Peggy Parker
Dr. Anthony Pastelis

Mr. Robert Watson

Mrs. Audrey Stevens

Mrs. Jae Duntley (arr 7:05 p.m.)

Members Absent:

 Mrs. Pamela Hubbard

Ms. Diane Moody

 

 

 

Also Present:

Mr. Michael Hopkins, Superintendent

Mr. Kent Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent

Ms. Linda Casey, Business Administrator

Atty. Jerome Grossman

 

Guests/Press

 

 

Mr. Warren 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                        Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly, to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting of May 10, 2007 and the AREA Board meeting of May 9, 2007.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

Employee Recognition        Mr. Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent with the assistance of the SHS Guidance Department and Mr. Steve LeClair introduced the recipients of the May Rochester School Department Employee of the Month award, highlighting their attributes:  Marty Brennan, Title I Director (District); Cheryl Hanscom, Grade 6 Language Arts Teacher at Rochester Middle School; Claudia Watson, Guidance Counselor and Guidance Department Head at Spaulding High School; and Maryann Tanguay, Secretary at Chamberlain Street School

 

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

 

Retirement Plaques              Mrs. Warren presented retirement plaques, acknowledging with thanks and gratitude for the dedication to the students and families they served to:  Corrine Dodge, Nelson Gibbs, terry Long, Bill Nelson, Frank Weeks, John Clauson, Claudette Bayko, Barbara Brown, Susan Murphy, Patricia Bumgardner, Sara-Jane Snyder, and Brenda Walker.  Retirees not in attendance:  Robert Broadbent, Elaine Schubert, Peter Savoie, Ellen Sullivan, Paul Normandin, Pamela Coville, Sandra Scruton.

 

Honeywell Projects              Mr. Hopkins reported on the highlights of the Honeywell Project throughout the District via Power Point presentation.  The initial focus of the project was to provide better quality heat and fresh air in the schools as well as cut down on energy consumption.  The cost and energy savings is much more than expected as seen in comparison with base year usage and costs two years ago.  The project is nearly complete, significant work will take place at Maple Street School, School Street School and McClelland School this summer.  There will continue to be work completed at all schools during the summer to finalize the project.

 

NWEA Data                          Mr. Hopkins gave a detailed review of data collected and compiled from NWEA testing.   One of the goals that have been focused on is to eliminate the summer drop in scores; many interventions have been put in place to assist students with continued learning during summer break.   There are a number of professional development opportunities being offered this summer for teachers to learn how to facilitate new curriculum and interventions for students.

 

                                                Mr. DeVito requested a report on the number of days in the school year that are required to complete the assessments done in district.

 

Student Senate Report

                                                Reports will begin in September.

                                               

Public Comment                 

 

Curfew Request                    Mr. David Walker, Ward 4 City Councilor addressed the Board on behalf of a constituent who has voiced concerns with teenagers playing after dark on the Maple Street School playground.   They are requesting that the Board look at establishing a curfew at Maple Street School to eliminate the problems associated with after dark loitering.

                                               

Committee Reports

 

Building Committee:        

                                                No Action Required

 

Instruction Committee:

                                                No Action Required

 

Personnel Committee:

 

Retirement                             Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board accept the retirement resignation of Amber Hall, Cook Manger and Gerard Poisson, Custodian.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Resignations                         Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the following resignations:


Kristin Brown...................................................................................... Grade 5 Teacher
Maureen Catlin...................................................... Special Education Personal Aide
Stephanie Coussoule......................................................................... Grade 4 Teacher
William Douglass.......................................................................... Assistant Principal
Edith Patricia Ellis.....................................................................................
ESL Teacher
Kathleen Morrissette...................................................... Special Education Teacher
Karen McNulty.......................................................................................... Art Teacher

Jennifer Ruel.................................................................................. Assistant Principal
Richard Towne......................................................
CTE Director/Assistant Principal
Katie Knowlton..................................................................... Kindergarten Assistant
Cherie Mann............................................................................. Elementary Sub Caller
Brianne Philipps.................................................................... Occupational Therapist
Carole Soule......................................................................... Future Educator Teacher
June Warren....................................................................................... 2nd Cook/Cashier

The motion carried unanimously. 

 

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


Alicia Hervey................................................................................. Assistant Principal
Ann Casey Leahy................................................................. Occupational Therapist
Peggy Leary...................................................................... Special Education Teacher
Lorne Lucas..................................................................................... Wellness Teacher
Sara Nice.................................................................................... Mathematics Teacher
Alison O’Malley........................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Stacy Perkins........................................................................... Social Studies Teacher
Jannie Pratt.................................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Sean Sullivan................................................................................... Wellness Teacher
Bonnie Young......................................................... International Language Teacher
Katherine Zachairas...................................................................... Assistant Principal
Nanette Fiorini.................................................................. Special Education Teacher
Kari Geisler.................................................... Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
Paul Harriman..................................................................................... Science Teacher
Jennifer Hedman................................................................................. Grade 4 Teacher
Michele Leahey................................................................ Special Education Teacher
Tricia Normand................................................................. Adult Education Secretary
Julie Seward...................................................................... Special Education Teacher
Sarah Sparks....................................................................................... Grade 5 Teacher


                                                The motion carried unanimously.



Department Head                 Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the following Department Head and Curriculum Advisor nominations:
                                                                                                                                           

Thomas Alberghini............................................................ Adult Education Director
Karen Carignan.......................... Speech-Language Pathologist Department Head
Jessica Carloni.............................................................. Reading Curriculum Advisor
Nancy Graham.................................................................... Nurses Department Head
Cheryl Hanscom................................ English/Language Arts Curriculum Advisor
Lea Marshall....................................... English/Language Arts Curriculum Advisor
Lori Gilbert.............................................. Occupational Therapist Department Head
Marlene Michaud............................................. HOPE Program Curriculum Advisor
Tyler Nutter.......................................................... Mathematics Curriculum Advisor
Vicki O’Donnell.................................. English/Language Arts Curriculum Advisor
Scott Prieto........................................................... Mathematics Curriculum Advisor
Sara Keller Toussaint.......................................... Mathematics Curriculum Advisor
Katherine Grace.................................................. Social Studies Curriculum Advisor
Kelly Gray........................................................... Social Studies Curriculum Advisor
Caitlin McCarthy................................................ Social Studies Curriculum Advisor

                                               

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

Contract Renewal                 Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, that the Board approve the following Teacher contract renewal nominations:

 

Scott Prieto.................................................................................... Third Year Teacher
Christine Schadler................................................................... Second Year Teachers
Jennifer Brock................................................................................. First Year Teacher
Michael Gott.................................................................................... First Year Teacher
Lee Sheedy.................................................................................... Third Year Teacher

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

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

 

Thomas Alberghini........................................................................... Program Teacher
Jason Bushway................................................................................. Program Teacher
Maureen Callaghan......................................................... Speech/Language Teacher
Shannon Cantara......................................................... Speech/Language  Assistant
Tiffanie Capone................................................................................. Program Teacher
Karen Carignan................................................................ Speech/Language Teacher
Dawn Connelly.................................................................................. Program Teacher
Susan Crichton.............................................................................. Personal Assistant
Bob Desjardins.............................................................................. Tutoring Academy
Judy Dubois................................................................................... Personal Assistant
Anne Marie Duffy.................................................................. ESOL Paraprofessional
Lisa Fendone................................................................................... REACH Assistant
Paula Garland.................................................................................. REACH Assistant
Lori Gilbert.............................................................................. Occupational Therapist
Alicia Goff..................................................................................... Pre-School Teacher
Nancy Hay.................................................................................... Pre-School Teacher
Fran Hoyt......................................................................................... Program Secretary

Peg Hurd............................................................................................ Program Teacher

Anna Ingram................................................................................... Program Secretary
Curtis Keller....................................................................................... Program Teacher
Robin LaRoche........................................................................................ Court Liaison
Mary Anne Leahy............................................................................ Program Teacher
Lea Marshall...................................................................................... Program Teacher
Lee Murphy.................................................................................... Physical Therapist
Kathryn Olson....................................................................... Occupational Therapist
Brianne Philipps.................................................................... Occupational Therapist

Richard Poole.................................................................................... Program Teacher

Thomas Power................................................................................... Program Teacher

Scott Prieto........................................................................................ Program Teacher

Lorraine Ramsay............................................................................... Program Teacher
Marilyn Reiger............................................................................... Personal Assistant

Mark Sampson.................................................................................. Program Teacher

Barry Smith........................................................................................ Program Teacher
Laura Smith................................................................................... Pre-School Teacher
Janet Stone...................................................................................... REACH Assistant
Gail Terra.................................................. Middle/High School Recreation Program
Laurie Thibault................................................................................ REACH Assistant
Doug Totten.................................................................................. Personal Assistant
Jeff Turgeon................................................................................... Personal Assistant
Nancy Wachowiak.......................................................... Speech/Language Teacher
Alison Whitty.................................................................. Speech/Language Teacher

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

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

 

Joanne Houston............................................................. Auditorium Stage Manager
Stephanie Philps........................................................ Elementary Yearbook Advisor
Carrie Feyler............................................................... Elementary Yearbook Advisor

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

Grant Proposal                      Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the submission of a grant proposal for a Pre-School Nurse position to the Barker Foundation.   The motion carried unanimously.

 

Job Description                    The Committee submits to the Board for first reading the following job descriptions:  Speech Specialist and Speech/Language Department Head.

 

 

Special Services Committee:           

                                                No action required.

 

Finance Committee:

 

Coaching Stipend                Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the use of the Basketball Coaching stipend to purchase supplies and equipment at the Athletic Director’s discretion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Smart Boards                        Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board approve the bid from Headlight Audio Visual of Portland, ME for 20 Smart Boards at $3,939 each for a total of $79,456.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Cafeteria Tables                   Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Watson, that the Board approve the bid from Virco of Conway, AR for cafeteria tables at Spaulding High School and Rochester Middle School in the amount of $15,407.95.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Carpet Replacement             Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the bid from Institutional Interiors of Londonderry, NH for carpet replacement at the Central Office in the amount of $52,500.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Desks & Chairs                    Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board approve the bid from Equipment Environments of Hudson, NH for 100 desks and chairs in the amount of $8,005. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Trim Painting                        Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Watson, that the Board approve the bid for painting trim at three schools from Ray Gherlone Painting Excellence of Center Strafford in the amount of $9,800.  Funding from CIP line 743000-07101
The motion carried unanimously.

 

Food Service Equipment     Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the bid from Tri-Mark United East of Attleboro, MA for food service equipment in the amount of $4,794.  Funding from CIP line 773700-06401.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Locker Replacement            Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the bid for locker replacements at Spaulding High School from Architectural School Equipment of Rollinsford, NH in the amount of $20,500.  Funding from CIP line 745000-05107 and 2008 CIP Budget upon approval.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Replacement Door               Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the bid for a replacement door at Rochester Middle School from Granite State Glass of Rochester, NH  in the amount of $3,585.  Funding from CIP line 743000-06201.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Non-Union Salaries             Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that  the Board approve the 2007-2008 Non-Union Wage and Salary Scale.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Stipends                                Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the following Reading First Grant funded stipend requests:

                                               

Gwen Guess.......................................................................................................... $1,030
Robert Hanson..................................................................................................... $3,570
Barbara McDowell............................................................................................... $2,000
Susan Richman..................................................................................................... $1,000

The motion carried unanimously.

 

Food Service Mgt.               Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the bid proposal from Chartwells for a five year contract, with the stipulation that the contract can be canceled at the end of each year.   The motion carried unanimously.

 

Discipline Committee:

                                                Mrs. Duntley moved, second by Mr. Watson that the Board approve the Discipline Committee recommendations from the May 29, 2007 meeting for discipline case #2006-07: 4088.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Policy Committee:

 

First Reading                        The Committee submits the following policies for first reading:

 

                                                Policy ECA, Buildings and Grounds Security

                                                Policy KA-A, Emergency Information

 

                                                Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, to suspend the rules for first reading of Policy ECA.  After brief discussion, Mrs. Warren withdrew the motion to suspend the rules.

 

NCLB Resolution                 Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Watson,  that the Board support and endorse the NCLB Resolution as written.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Old Business

                                                None

Freshman Advisory            

                                                The next Freshman Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Spaulding High School Library.   The representatives from SERESC plan to attend this meeting to present the evaluation results.

 

NHSBA Update

                                                Mrs. Warren reported that an update will be provided at the next Board meeting; the Annual NHSBA meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2007.  Mrs. Warren announced that she had been invited to attend the NSBA President’s meeting in August which will take place in Anchorage, Alaska.

                                                 

New Business

                                                Mr. Connelly questioned why no one was present at City Budget Hearings from the School Department.  Mr. Hopkins and other Board members will assure representation at future hearings.

Non-Public Session

                                                Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board enter non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II (1, 3), dismissal, promotion, compensation or disciplining of any public employee; and discussion of matters that are likely to adversely affect the reputation of a person other than a member of the school board;  Time:  8:43 p.m.  The roll call vote was as follows:

 

                                                                YES:        Mrs. Grassie, Dr. Pastelis, Mrs. Duntley, Mrs. Stevens,

                                                                                Mr. DeVito, Mr. Connelly, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Callaghan,

                                                                                Mr. Watson, Mrs. Warren, Mr. Brennan

 

                                                                NO:         None                     

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Public Session

                                                Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, to re-enter public session.  On a unanimous vote, the Board entered public session at 9:47 p.m.

 

Suspension                           Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Duntley, that the Board support the Superintendent’s recommendation to suspend a teacher for three days without pay.  Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Warren to amend the motion, to reduce the suspension from three days to two days without pay.  The motion to amend, failed by majority vote.

 

                                                Mr. Brennan requested a roll call vote on the motion.  The roll call vote was as follows:

 

                                                                YES:        Mrs. Grassie, Mr. DeVito, Mr. Connelly, Mr. Watson,

                                                                                Dr. Pastelis, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Callaghan, Mrs. Duntley

 

                                                                NO:         Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Warren, Mr. Brennan

 

                                                The motion passed with an 8 to 3 vote.

 

Resignation                           Mr. DeVito moved, second by Mr. Watson, that the Board accept the retirement resignation of Gregory Ingalls.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

AFSCME Contract               Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Watson, that the Board approve the AFSCME Council 93/Local 863 Contract for school years 2007-08 through 2009-2010 for submission to City Council for approval.  The roll call vote was as follows:

 

 

 

Adjournment

............................................... Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr. DeVito, to adjourn.  On a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 9:51 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Michael Hopkins 

                                                                                                                                                Board Secretary