Rochester School Board
Instruction Committee
School Board Conference Room
December 20, 2007

        7:00 PM

 

Members Present:

Members Absent:

Others Present:

Mrs. Anne Grassie, Chair

Mr. Robert Watson

Mrs. Pamela Hubbard

 

Mr. Charles DeVito

Mr. William Brennan

 

Mr. Kent Hemingway

Mrs. Sally Riley

Mrs. Sharon Pray

Ms. Sara Keller

Mr. Tyler Nutter

Student

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

1. SHS Early Graduation Request

 

Non-Public Session:

Mrs. Grassie moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to enter non-public session to discuss matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of an individual under RSA 91-A:2 Paragraph II (c).  Time 7:05 p.m.   The roll call vote was as follows:

            YES:    Mrs. Grassie, Mrs. Hubbard, Mr. Watson

            NO:      -- None

 

Open Session:

Mrs. Duntley moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to reconvene and enter public session at 7:15 p.m.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

A seventeen year old SHS junior is requesting early graduation (June 2008) with the consent of her guidance counselor. The student presented a plan to complete her high school courses with a combination of Spaulding classes and two online courses through the NH Virtual Charter School.  The recommendation of the Administration is to support the request.

 

Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to grant the early graduation request. The motion passed unanimously.

 

2.  Grade 6 Standards Based Report Card. – Ms. Keller and Mr. Nutter requested that the Committee endorse a Standards Based Report Card supplement for Grade 6. (See attached.) The standard report card will continue to reflect a numeric grade. The supplement provides information on student’s achievement of essential math skills.

 

Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to endorse the Standards Based supplemental report for Grade 6. The motion passed unanimously.

 

3. NCLB Corrective Action Plan – Mr. Hemingway and Mrs. Riley presented the Corrective Action Plan developed in conjunction with the Brown University consulting team and NH Dept of Education representative Deb Wiswell. See attached. They described the major goal, strategies and activities addressing the school department’s corrective action status. This plan will be in effect for the next two years.  We are awaiting approval from the NH Dept. of Education.

 

Mrs Hubbard moved, second by Mr.Watson, to endorse the school department corrective action plan. The motion passed unanimously.

 

4.  21st Century Learning Grant – Mr. Hemingway described the purpose and process of the school department’s application for a 21st Century Community Learning grant. The Rochester Recreation Department is a major partner in this effort. Other community agencies will also be part of the application to provide academic enrichment, tutoring, and motivational activities for middle and high school students. Mr. Hemingway requested that the committee authorize up to $6000 in grant writing and consulting fees to Dr. Paul Ezen, former Deputy Commissioner of Education for the NH Dept. of Education. Dr. Ezen is working with Mr. Hemingway and Ms Brennan to submit the grant proposal due in February 2008.

 

Mrs. Hubbard moved, second by Mr. Watson, to authorize up to $6000 to Dr. Ezen for preparation of the 21st Century Learning Grant.

 

5.  Informational Items

 

            -           PSU Onsite Graduate Course – Mr. Hemingway and Dr. Richard Ayers will lead 2 PSU administrative core courses next semester;   Staff Development/Evaluation and Leadership in Curriculum Development and Assessment. The courses will be held at Rochester Middle School and are open to qualified staff through the region.  There are enough current staff members interested in the courses to meet enrollment requirements.

            -           NHCF Award – Adolescent Literacy Collaboratory – Mr. Hemingway referred to the attached letter informing the district of a $7500 award in support of the Rochester Middle School’s participation in a Brown University professional development activity.

            -           Field Trips – were reviewed as presented.

 

At 7:30 pm, Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Hubbard, to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mrs. Anne Grassie, Chair