ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD

Regular School Board Meeting

October 11, 2007

City Council Chambers

DRAFT

Members Present:

Mrs. Nancy Warren, Chair

Ms. Diane Moody
Mr. William Brennan
Mrs. Audrey Stevens
Mrs. Pamela Hubbard
Mrs. Peggy Parker
Dr. Anthony Pastelis

Mrs. Anne Grassie

Mr. Frank Callaghan

Mr. Robert Watson (arr. 7:06 pm)

Mr. Charles DeVito (arr. 7:08 pm)

 

 

Members Absent:

Mrs. Jae Duntley

Mr. John Connelly

 

 

 

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. Brennan, to accept the minutes of the Regular meeting of the September 13, 2007. 

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

 

Employee Recognition        Mr. Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent with assistance of Mrs. Sharon Pray and Mr. Art LeClair introduced the recipients of the September Rochester School Department Employee of the Month award, highlighting their attributes:  Deb Hoyt, Spaulding High School Business Teacher; Gretchen Roussin, Medicaid Coordinator (District);    Lori White, Rochester Middle School Secretary; and Susan “Candy” Bailey, East Rochester School Teacher.

 

                                                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.

 

Board Meetings                   Mr. Hopkins reported that the AREA School Board meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library at Spaulding High School.   A special Building Committee meeting has also been scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Library at Spaulding High School.  Mr. Frank Marinace will discuss the land study that was conducted on the Franklin Street property.

 

Community Project              Mrs. Stevens reported that the building of the school in Afghanistan is 75% completed.  She encouraged everyone to visit the website www.wemissdave.com for updated photos of the progress.  The push for collection of supplies, backpacks and cash donations will be intense over the next two weeks.  It is time to begin preparing the supplies for shipping.   Dr. Pastelis coordinated a collection drive with UNH Teacher Education students which brought in a large amount of supplies.  Mrs. Parker mentioned that they are looking for letters, pictures or drawings from Rochester students to be included in each back pack for the Afghanistan students.

 

 

Student Senate Report

                                                Sara Hussey, President of the Student Senate reported that Spirit Week at Spaulding went extremely well, they have a lot of great ideas for next year.  The Senate is looking at renewing the Honors Breakfast, which was held in past years to acknowledge the accomplishment of those students receiving Honors or High Honors.  The next Senate meeting will have a full agenda to include fundraising activities for scholarships; a winter spirit week; and the Honors breakfast. 

 

                                                The Junior class has been doing NECAP testing since Tuesday.  Snacks were provided in the morning to help students focus and not feel hungry.  The Senior class is finalizing plans for the Semi-Formal; the Junior class has begun planning for the Prom; Sophomores are planning their Semi-formal; and the Freshman Class has formed a Class Council and will begin meetings.

 

                                                Due to recent issues and problems at school every student must have a handwritten pass to be in the hallways or they will receive a four hour Saturday detention.  Although it is inconvenient to be stopped several times in the hall, students understand that it is a safety precaution.

 

                                                In sports news, the Girls Volleyball team has been enjoying a superb season this year; the Varsity Golf team finished their season in ninth place overall for the state; Boy’s Soccer Senior Night was Tuesday, it looks like the team will make it to the playoffs this year.

 

                                                Members of the undefeated 1957 SHS Varsity Football team will be recognized at the October 19, 2007 football game at half-time.  If you were on that unbeaten team or know of anyone who was on the team please contact the Athletic Director at 332-0757 x243.

 

Public Comment                 

                                                None

 

Committee Reports

 

Building Committee:        

                                                No action required.

                                                 

Instruction Committee:

                                                No action required

                                                 

Personnel Committee:

 

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

Patricia Breslin.............................................. Special Education Personal Assistant
Sandra Comeau...................................................... Special Education Personal Aide
Mary Spader.......................................................................................... Cook Manager
Alexander Myrich......................................... Special Education Personal Assistant
 

                                                The motion carried unanimously. 

 

Termination                           Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Grassie, that the Board approve the termination of employment for WM.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

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


Darcy Demerchant.................................................................... Second Cook/Cashier
Walter Gadbois............................................................................................. Custodian
Heather Gagnon............................................................................. Program Assistant
Patrick McKinstry........................................................................................ Custodian
Christina O’Brien........................................................................... Program Assistant
Roxanne Weeden................................................................................... Program Aide
Rita Wilson................................................................................ Second Cook/Cashier
Heather Gagnon...................................................................................... OT Assistant
Darlene Nadeau........................................................................ Second Cook/Cashier

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

 

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

Patricia Crowe........................................................................ Yearbook Co-Advisory
Laura Harwood................................................................... Student Council Advisor
Linda Karacas........................................................................... Yearbook Co-Advisor
Sean Sullivan........................................................................... Intramural Co-Advisor
Jason Talon...................................................................................... Varsity Ski Coach
Ron Leighton................................................................. Varsity Ski Coach Assistant
Jaime Leighton............................................................... Varsity Ski Coach Assistant
Jason Bushway.................................................... Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Bill Young........................................... Freshman Boys Basketball Coach Assistant
William Currier...................................................... Varsity Football Assistant Coach

 

                                                The motion carried unanimously.

 

Special Services Committee:           

 

Bus Stops                              Mrs. Parker moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve the establishment of additional bus stops at the discretion of the Assistant Superintendent.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Board Workshop                 The committee requested that a Sexual Harassment Awareness workshop be scheduled for School Board members, in order to receive the same information and training that staff within the District have been participating in.   The workshop has been scheduled for Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the School Department Board Room.
                               

Finance Committee:

 

McKinney-Vento Grant      Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, the Board approve the McKinney-Vento grant funding in the amount of $43,999.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Student Activity Acct.        Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board approve the new Student Activity Account Guidelines and Petty Cash Guidelines.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Modular Classrooms           Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board approve the expenditure for modular classroom underpinnings in the amount of $88,900 to Empire Sheet Metal, Inc.  to be funded through the operating portion of the budget.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Vocational Doors                 Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, the Board approve the bid from Granite State Glass of Rochester, NH for replacement doors at the Vocational Center in the amount of $3,825.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

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

 

                                                Mrs. Warren moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, that the Board approve a 15 hour per week Aide position at Maple Street School, District funded.   The motion carried unanimously.

 

Increased Hours                   Mrs. Warren moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, that the Board approve increasing the Behavioral Consultant position from 10 to 11 hours per week, to be funded through IDEA.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Discipline Committee:

                                                No action required.

Policy Committee:

                                                No action required.

                                               

Old Business

                                                None

Freshman Advisory            

                                                Mr. DeVito reported that the Freshman Advisory Council will become a sub-committee of the Spaulding High School Parent Council.  Mr. Shea has invited parents to participate with an informal Parent Council at the High School, opening an opportunity to get parent participation and input at all levels.  The first meeting will be scheduled for late October to early November.

 

NHSBA Update

                                                Mrs. Warren is seeking a Board representative to attend the Annual Delegates Assembly scheduled for November 10, 2007.  If anyone is interested in attending this half-day session please contact her.

 

                                                Mrs. Warren will be attending the Northeast Regional National School Board Conference in Philadelphia, this week. 

                                                 

New Business

                                                On behalf of the Rochester Youth Soccer Associaion, Mr. DeVito extended thanks for the use of the Rochester Middle School fields for the Columbus Day Soccer Tournament.  The reciprocal use of fields between the school district and RYSA allows many opportunities for our students.  Mr. DeVito acknowledged the twenty-four boys from the JV and Varsity soccer teams that volunteered to help run the tournament.

 

Non-Public Session

                                                Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, 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: 7:47 p.m.  The roll call vote was as follows:

 

                                    YES:    Mr. Brennan, Dr. Pastelis, Mr. Connelly, Mrs. Grassie,

                                                Mr. DeVito, Mr. Callaghan, Ms. Moody, Mrs. Parker,

                                                Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Hubbard, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Watson

                                               

 

                                                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 8:08 p.m.

 

     

Adjournment

                                                Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr. Callaghan, to adjourn.  On a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Michael Hopkins 

                                                                                                                                                Board Secretary