ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD

Regular School Board Meeting

September 13, 2007

City Council Chambers

DRAFT  

 

Members Present:

Mrs. Nancy Warren, Chair

Mrs. Audrey Stevens

Mrs. Anne Grassie

Mrs. Peggy Parker

Mr. John Connelly

Mr. Charles DeVito

Ms. Diane Moody

Dr. Anthony Pastelis

Mr. William Brennan

Mrs. Jae Duntley

Mr. Frank Callaghan

Mrs. Pamela Hubbard

 

Members Absent:

 

 

 

 

Also Present:

Mr. Michael Hopkins, Superintendent

Mr. Kent Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent

Atty. Jerome Grossman

 

Guests/Press

 

Mrs. 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                        Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mr. Connelly, to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting of August 9, 2007 and the Special meeting of August 16, 2007

 

                                                Mrs. Warren request  the attendance of the August 16, 2007 Special meeting be corrected to reflect her absence at that meeting.  The motion with correction noted passed unanimously.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

USASkills Competition       The Superintendent welcomed Mr. David Foote, CTE Drafting teacher who proudly introduced the Automated Manufacturing Team of Justin Hill, Kyle Gentle and Matthew Chick which represented the state of New Hampshire in the National USA Skills Competition in Kansas City this summer.  During the eight hour competition they designed, drew, and cut a remote control device as prescribed by the judges.  They were the only team to successfully manufacture the remote, which earned them the Gold Medal in their division.  Amongst applause and congratulations the team displayed their gold medals.

 

Service Credit Union           Service Credit Union’s CFO, Mr. Scott Wensley accompanied by Marcus Kitkin; Candace Manseau; Karen Benedetti; and Aimee Sundstrom presented 150 backpacks, mittens, hats, and school supplies through the coordinated efforts of the Title I Volunteer Coordinator, Kathy Boston.

Mr. Wensely expressed that Service Credit Union and its employees share a true sense of community and caring for children and families.  It was an appreciated opportunity for them to give to the community through this donation.

 

Employee Recognition        Mr. Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent with assistance of Mr. Adam Black and Mr. Richard Kalisz introduced the recipients of the August Rochester School Department Employee of the Month award, highlighting their attributes:  Deb Seavey, Secretary at Spaulding High School; Bruce Tibbetts, Custodian at East Rochester Annex; Sara Keller Toussaint, Rochester Middle School Teacher; and Andy Callaghan, Buildings & Grounds (District). 

 

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

 

 

District AYP Status             Mr. Hopkins gave a detailed overview of the District’s AYP status.  The District in Need of Improvement (DINI) designation is given when a misses AYP in the same content area at all applicable levels for two consecutive years.  It is important to understand that the District as a whole met the State Target Index for AYP; sub-groups did not.  It was noted that the State Target Index is increased yearly in order to reach the NCLB goal of 100% of students tested will be at the Proficient level by 2014.

 

                                                The District and schools not making AYP will be submitting the intent to appeal by next Friday.  Notification of appeal status will be forwarded after September 21, 2007    Data is currently be verified to ensure accurate reflection of the students in the District.  Mr. Hopkins reviewed the various interventions that have been put in place as the strategies being looked at in regard to the testing environment for students.

 

 

Community Project              Mrs. Parker extended thanks to Service Credit Union for their donations this evening; it will be instrumental in reaching the goal of 1,400 backpacks for students in Afghanistan.  She also acknowledged and thanked the many businesses in Rochester that have made significant donations; and Foster’s for being readily available to run articles and information about the project.   To date over $5,000 has been received along with a garage full of supplies that are being prepared for packing the backpacks.   Dave Stevens is planning to visit schools with a presentation for students showing them how the students in Afghanistan have benefited from donations sent from Rochester.

 

 

Student Senate Report

                                                Sara Hussey, President of the Student Senate reported that the first meeting of the Senate was held Monday.   New officers for the 07-08 school year are Emi Erpenbeck, Vice-President; Gina Payeur, Treasurer; and Katy Mitropoulos, Secretary.  The goal is to get the Student Senate more involved with activities; they have planned Spirit Week which begins October 1, 2007.  In order to give students an opportunity to be more involved a Club Fair will be held on the first day of Spirit Week, creating an opportunity for clubs to solicit membership by talking directly with students about activities throughout the school year.

 

                                                Ms. Hussey discussed many ideas and plans that will be put in place to foster pride in the students as Spaulding.  One of the ideas being considered is having Spaulding Service Days, at which time community service will be done for the SHS Community - creating an environment for more school pride.  The Senate will be meeting again next week to finalize plans for Spirit Week.

 

 

Public Comment                  None

 

                                               

Committee Reports

 

Building Committee:        

                                                Mr. Richard Kalisz, Facilities Director reported that all passage ways, stairs, and ramps associated with modulars have been repaired and are up to code.  He is working with an engineer and Schiavi to ensure that all other requirements of the Code Enforcement office will be met and approved at their meeting tomorrow.  Mr. Kalisz anticipates that all work will be completed by September 25, 2007.

 

                                                Mr. Kalisz thanked principals and staff for their patience throughout the summer with some of the smaller projects that were not completed but will be complete by Columbus Day; he further commented on the work that his staff has undertaken throughout the summer and appreciation for their efforts.

 

                                                Board members acknowledged the work that has been completed and thanked Dick and his staff for their time and their efforts to make the schools safe and clean for the students.

 

Instruction Committee:

                                                Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Mr. Watson, that the Board approve the revised Math Curriculum as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

                                                Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board endorse Valerie McKenney’s participation in the Gates Foundation Leadership Institute.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Personnel Committee:

 

Retirement                             Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, that the Board accept the retirement resignation of Paul Sarlan, Custodian.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Resignations                         Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mr. Brennan, that the Board approve the following resignations:


Joyce Gauthier............................................. Special Education Personal Assistant
Becky Goldstein............................................................................... 2nd Cook/Cashier
Nicole Insanally............................................................... World Language Teacher
Darcy Lemieux................................................................................... Title I Assistant
Melissa Libby................................................................................... Science Teacher
Margo Martin................................................................................... Science Teacher
Lisha Rowe...................................................................... Special Education Teacher
Lea Sutherland.......................................................... Student Services Coordinator

                                                The motion carried unanimously. 

 

Termination                           Mrs. Parker moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the termination of employment for RS, Secretary.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Nominations Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mr. Brennan. that the Board approve the following nominations: 

Theresa Ahadi............................................................... Elementary Substitute Caller
Katherine Akridge............................................................................. Science Teacher
Amy Beranger............................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Jessica Burrows............................................ Special Education Personal Assistant
Kathleen Buslovich................................................................................ Program Aide
Daniel Curran.................................................................... Special Education Teacher
Sandra Comeau...................................................... Special Education Personal Aide
Wendy Dunham................................................................................... Cook Manager
Sue Gill............................................................................................................. Secretary
Anne Marie Hamel................................................................................. Building Aide
Kimberly Hamilton................................................................................. Building Aide
Jennifer Harty................................................ Special Education Personal Assistant
Melinda Holdaway................................................................................ Title I Teacher
Donna Hughes.................................................................................. 2nd Cook/Cashier
Tracy Jasneski................................................................................... 2nd Cook/Cashier
Erin Kelly............................................................................................. English Teacher
Jill St. Laurent.............................................................. Student Services Coordinator
Danielle Marique.......................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Michelle Munson...................................................................................... Art Teacher
Alexander Myrick......................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Angela O’Keefe..................................................... Special Education Personal Aide
Jennifer Parker......................................................................... Social Studies Teacher
Kimberly Patton.............................................................................................. Secretary
Terri Raab...................................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Luanne Rhodes............................................. Special Education Personal Assistant
Brandy Sanger........................................................................................ Building Aide
Paige Sargent......................................................... Special Education Personal Aide
Carol Schrier................................................................................... Program Assistant
Jody Smith..................................................................................................... Job Coach
Marguerite Smith.................................................................................... Program Aide
Gretchen Solomon.................................................................... Mathematics Teacher
Kathy Sweeney..................................................................................... Cook Manager
Michelle Warren........................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
Donna Chaloux....................................................................................... Personal Aide
Kate Kelley........................................................................... Resource Room Teacher
Thomas Pearce..................
CTE/Comprehensive Technology Education Teacher
Amanda Spellman................................................................................... Program Aide
Susan Tanguay....................................................................................... Reading Aide
Shirley Tullis................................................................................... Program Assistant
Martha Whitehouse................................................... Technical Education Teacher
Michaele Williamson............................................................................. Building Aide

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Apprenticeship Program     Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mr. Connelly, that the Board approve the nomination of Joseph Kerrigan as Program Director and Danette Benjamin as Assistant Registrar for the Apprenticeship Program.  The motion carried unanimously

 

 Department Head                Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mrs. Duntley, that the Board approve the nomination of David Foote as Technology Department Head.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Co/Extra Curricular               Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mr. Connelly.  that the Board approve the following Co-Curricular/Extra Curricular nominations:
                                                                                                                                           

Scott Baita................................................ ($1.00) Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Kate Douglas........................................ ($1.00) Varsity Volleyball Assistant Coach
Tim Cronin................................................................. Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
John Simmers............................................................. Varsity Girls Basketball Coach
Amy Applegate.................................................................. JV Girls Basketball Coach
Rusty Whitehouse............................................... Freshman Girls Basketball Coach
Dennis Emerson.................................. Middle School “A” Boys Basketball Coach
Julie Sears...................................................................... Varsity Spirit (Winter Coach
Rae Chrane........................................................................ Varsity Gymnastics Coach
Paul George.............................................................................. Varsity Hockey Coach
Keith McKenzie............................................................................... JV Hockey Coach
Mical Ruel................................................. ($1.00) Varsity Hockey Coach Assistant
Thomas Auger.......................................... ($1.00) Varsity Hockey Coach Assistant
Mike Ferrara........................................................................ Lacrosse Boys Co-Coach
Adam Ferrara...................................................................... Lacrosse Boys Co-Coach
Sheila Colson........................................................................... Varsity Softball Coach
Paul Nelson...................................................................................... JV Softball Coach
Rusty Whitehouse.......................................................... Varsity Girls Tennis Coach
Susan Chicetto.................................. ($1.00) Varsity Girls Tennis Assistant Coach
Robert Fortier.................................................................. Varsity Boys Tennis Coach
John Vasalle......................................................................... Varsity Wrestling Coach
Norm Sanborn................. ($1.00) Middle School Cross Country Assistant Coach
Linda Crosby......................................................................................... FBLA Advisor
Martha Whitehouse............................................................................... FFA Adivsor
Sean Kenney.......................................................... Granite State Challenge Advisor
Greg Riley................................................................ Granite State Challenge Advisor
Kathleen Reardon.................................................................... Interact Club Advisor
Sarah Marino............................................................................ Interact Club Advisor

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

Job Description                    Mrs. Parker moved, second by Mr. Connelly, second reading and adoption of the amended Speech/Language Pathologist job description.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Special Services Committee:           

                                                No action required.

Finance Committee:

 

New Position                        Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly,  that the Board approve a 27.5 hour per week Aide position at William Allen School, funded by the Pittsfield School Department.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Stipends                                Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis,  that the Board approve the following Title IIA Grant stipend request for coordinating the New Teacher Orientation:

Lynda Baita.......................................................................................................... $1,545.00
Mary Glidden....................................................................................................... $1,545.00
Debra Hoyt.......................................................................................................... $1,545.00
Caitlyn McCarthy............................................................................................... $1,545.00
Maegan Roussin................................................................................................. $1,545.00
Jason Talon......................................................................................................... $1,545.00

                                               

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

LANDesk Bid                       Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the bid from BizCarta Inc. of Dublin, OH for LANDesk Service Agreement in the amount of $18,212.34.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Discipline Committee:

                                                Mrs. Duntley moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the Committee’s recommendation pertaining to case #2006-07: 4584.  The motion carried unanimously.

Policy Committee:

 

Second Reading                   Mr. Duntely moved, second by Mr. Brennan, that the Board approve second reading and adoption of the following policies:

 

                                                        Policy GBEA-1, Anti-Fraternization Policy:  Staff

                                                        Policy ACA, Sexual Harassment

 

                                                Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mr. Connelly, to table the motion.  The motion to table carried unanimously.

                                               

Old Business

                                                None

Freshman Advisory            

                                                Mr. Hopkins reported that an Advisory Committee meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spaulding High School Library.  The high school administrators will discuss establishing freshman parent and student meetings as well as a parent committee encompassing the entire school.

NHSBA Update

                                                Mrs. Warren obtained a great deal of new ideas and information at the NSBA meeting she attended in Alaska.  She plans to bring some of the new polices and information forward to the Policy Committee for consideration.                                                                         

New Business

                                                Mrs. Duntley was informed by two kindergarten students that she knows that their Teacher was the nicest person they had ever met in the whole world, Ms. Maegan Roussin.

 

                                                Mr. Brennan suggested looking into the rental of space at a Church or other location to alleviate the problem of not having enough full-day Kindergarten openings to accommodate all requests.  Board members agreed that this could be looked at as a possible solution

 

                                                Mr. DeVito commented on the number of parents attending the SHS Open House this week.  There was a lot of positive feedback and appreciation that the school reached out to parents about the open house through a variety ways: signage at school, notices home with students, and Instant-Alert.  Both administration and staff did a very nice job making parents feel part of the school community.

 

Non-Public Session

                                                Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Duntley, that the Board enter non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:2, Paragraph II (c), to discuss matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the body or agency itself.  Time:  8:37 p.m.  The roll call vote was as follows:

                                                YES:  Mrs. Hubbard, Mrs. Duntley, Mr. Connelly, Mr. Callaghan,

                                                Mrs. Grassie, Mr. DeVito, Dr. Pastelis, Mr. Brennan, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Watson, Mrs. Warren, Ms. Moody

 

                                                NO:     None

                                               

                                                 The motion carried unanimously.

Public Session

                                                Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to re-enter public session.  On a unanimous vote, the Board entered public session at 8:59 p.m.

 

     

Adjournment

                                                Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to adjourn.  On a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Michael Hopkins 

                                                                                                                                                Board Secretary