Nov2005
School Board Minutes of Regular Meeting November 2005

November 9, 2005 Minutes of Regular Meeting / Marlow School Board / John D. Perkins School, 7:30 p.m.

Present: 
Joseph Scharf, Chair
Arthur Andreasen, Board Member
Denise Bennett, Board Member
Stephanie Tickner, Board Member
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Richard Brewer, Principal
William Gurney, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Timothy Ruehr, Business Manager for Towns
Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary

Also in Attendance:
Bill Harris, Assistant Principal, KHS (left 8:20)
 Natalie Frazier, KHS Teacher (left 8:20)

1.  Call to order:

Mr. Scharf called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

Status of Students at Keene High School - Mr. Harris and Ms. Frazier spoke to the Board and distributed a Student Attendance and Performance Report. The report shows that Marlow students scored lower than the Keene High School and the State of New Hampshire GPA averages for the 2004-2005 school year but did improve from the 2003-2004 school year.

2.  Approval of Minutes:

A motion by Mr. Andreasen was made to approve the Board minutes of October 12, 2005.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Tickner.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

3. Hearings of Individuals and/or Groups:

None

4. Bills and Manifest:

A motion was made by Mr. Andreasen to approve the bills and manifest (cks# 5000454-5000476) for a total of $27,569.89.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Bennett.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

5. Financial Report:

Mr. Ruehr presented the financial report showing net funds available of  $17, 676 as of November 5, 2005. 

Establish Town Tuition Rate for 2005-2006 - Mr. Ruehr presented the Town Tuition Rate of $10,496 based on the 2005-2006 budget.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to approve the tuition rate.  Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Overview of SAU 29 Budget

Mr. Ruehr presented to the Marlow Board the new transportation contract. The cost was decreased due to the performance bond no longer existing. Mr. Ruehr needs a vote from the Board that would authorize him to sign the contract as presented.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to approve the current transportation contract and Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

6. Reports:

  1. Attendance: Mr. Gurney informed the Board that three students were absent from KHS due to flooding/illness and one student was absent from KMS for five days due to illness. 

  2. Principal

Mr. Brewer submitted his Principal's Report to the Board.  Marlow students were bussed to CIRTT to take the NWEA testing.  Mr. Brewer also informed the Board that the new boiler was installed and is running.  He outlined plans to make the system run more efficiently so that the temperature can be regulated in each classroom.  Mr. Brewer presented two quotes from DMJ Holding LLC in the amounts of $5,400.00 and $7,500.00 for repairs to the heating system.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to proceed with repairs to the heating system.  Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Mr. Brewer would like the Board to review Marlow School District Policy #2085 - Bus Discipline - in order to be more consistent with other schools in the SAU.  A Board member suggested that the same guidelines for suspension in school should apply on the bus.  Mr. Brewer will report back to the Board regarding the bus suspension issue and the possible changing of the policy. 

  1. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent - Mr. Gurney has been in touch with the department of State/Federal Emergency Management regarding emergency response.  SAU Emergency Response Plans will be reviewed and recommendations will be made as to how the central office can better help schools during an emergency.

Mr. Gurney informed the Board that all teachers are required to take the Praxis II test to prove they are highly qualified to teach.  Review content workshops will be offered to teachers in order to prepare them for the test.  There may be another option for HQT being prepared by the Department of Education.

  1. Special Education No Report

  2. School Board Members

No Reports

  1. SAU 29 Committees - Mr. Andreasen updated the Board on the recent AREA meeting.  Special education tutors are currently paid as a separate line item, therefore, eliminating extra bills.  The Board will accept as presented.  A discussion ensued regarding the possibility of including all costs in the Special Education tuition line.

7. Old Business:

None

8. New Business:

  1. Employee Benefits Policy #5016, Review - Mr. Scharf removed himself from this discussion due to a possible conflict of interest.  The Board acknowledged the receipt of a letter written by the Marlow School Secretary, Alice Scharf.  The Board would like to look into how the other staff members would be affected by changes in benefits.  The Board would like to place this on next month's agenda and discuss it as part of the budget presentation.

  2. Minimum Standards for Principal Services - Mr. Gurney has no further clarification of the minimum standards for principals.  Currently, the new standards call for the services of a certified principal.  A clarification has been requested from the state and has not been received to date. 

  3. Other - None

9. Future Agenda/s:

  1. Employee Benefits Policy #5016

  2. Minimum Standards for Principals

10. Non-Public Session - R.S.A 91-A:3

Motion by Mr. Scharf that the Board move into non-public session at 9:20 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss staff personnel.  Accompanying the Board were Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gurney, and Ms. Wdowiak. 

Mr. Scharf moved that the Board return to open session at 9:25 p.m.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

11. Adjournment

The Marlow School Board adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Jill Wdowiak
Recording Secretary

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