Rochester School Board
Special Board Meeting
School Department Board Room
January 24, 2008
7:00 PM

Members Present: Mr. Robert Watson, Chair Mrs. Peggy Parker Mr. John Connelly Dr. Anthony Pastelis Mr. Frank Callaghan Mr. Mark Torr Mr. William Brenna Mrs. Audrey Stevens Mrs. Anne Grassie Ms. Caroline McCarley Mr. Timothy Bruneau

Members Absent: Mrs. Pamela Hubbard Mr. Travis Allen

Also Present: Mr. Michael Hopkins Mr. Kent Hemingway Ms. Linda Casey Mr. John Shea Mrs. Valerie McKenney Mr. Art Leclair Mr. Chris Foley Mrs. Christiane Allison

Mr. Watson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present. Members participated in the pledge of allegiance.

Linda Casey, Business Administrator presented the overall FY ’09 budget. The proposed operating budget is going up 5.4%. Additional personnel requests supported by the management team are going up .9% for an overall increase of 6.3 % if all items in the budget and the new personnel were approved. Ms. Casey reviewed the Summary section, the New Personnel, the new equipment requests and the CIP section. These will all be reviewed by the separate sub-committees.

John Shea, SHS Principal discussed with the Board his key priority areas. He would like to focus on increasing at least one aide position to a full-time position; change the Guidance Department Head position to a Guidance Director, year round administrative position; and increase the teaching staff to enable a reduction in class sizes. There are 40 classes the first semester with greater than 25 students per class, and 55 in the second semester. The additional full-time position in English and half-time position in Math, will reduce some of those class sizes.

Valerie McKenney, RMS Principal and the RMS administrative team reviewed the Middle School improvement this year and their need for an Instructional Dean. The continued instruction improvements will require additional time for an administrator to work with new teachers, and to monitor the instructional program. The Middle School administration is also requesting team leader stipends. This would focus on teacher leadership development and ensure consistency within the teams and across grade levels.

Sharon Pray, Director of Pupil Services reviewed all new personnel request in the Special Education area. These request will be discussed further with the Personnel Committee.

Mr. Callaghan moved, second by Mr. Connelly, to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Mr. Robert Watson