Dec2005
School Board Minutes of Regular Meeting December 2005

December 14, 2005 Minutes of Regular Meeting Marlow School Board / John D. Perkins School / 7:30 p.m.

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

Absent: 
Denise Bennett, Board Member, Ken Dassau, Board Member

Also in Attendance:
Marcia Levesque, Parent Nancy Tomasko, Parent

  1. Call to order

Mr. Scharf called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

  1. Approval of Minutes

A motion by Mr. Andreasen was made to approve the board minutes of November 9, 2005. The motion was seconded by Ms. Tickner. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

  1. Hearings of Individuals and/or Groups

Ms. Levesque asked the Board to consider looking into the possibility of hiring a reading teacher when remedial help is needed. Such assistance might benefit students not identified for special education services. The Board will take this recommendation under advisement.

Ms. Tomasko asked the Board about the status of the restructuring committee and in particular, the principal's position. She inquired about a search committee being formed and if so, she would like to be considered for that committee.

  1. Bills and Manifest

A motion was made by Mr. Andreasen to approve the bills and manifest (cks# 5000477-5000507) for a total of $49,110.70. The motion was seconded by Ms. Tickner. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

  1. Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr presented the financial report showing a net available balance of $20,135 as of December 14, 2005. Mr. Ruehr informed the board that 1 additional high school student has been added.

Marlow School District Proposed 2006-2007 Budget/Warrant - Mr. Ruehr and Mr. Brewer presented the 2006- 07 Budget Proposal to the Board. The proposed budget showed a decrease of -0.39% from the 2005-06 budget.

Mr. Brewer informed the Board that Sandy Cunningham, .5 time kindergarten teacher, will be retiring in June 2006. Mr. Brewer is advising the Board to go forward with advertising the position. The Board decided to combine the .6 FTE kindergarten teacher with a new .4 FTE reading specialist.

Mr. Brewer addressed the Board regarding his concern for the evaluation process. He would like the principal's position and certification requirements to be defined by the state. Ms. Munson will follow up with Mr. Brewer regarding the minimum standards required for a certified principal when the information becomes available in February. She will also send Mr. Brewer a list of minimum standard changes. Ms. Munson also informed Mr. Brewer and the Board that the new state standards do not go into effect until the fall of 2008.

Mr. Brewer informed the Board that some doors to the school are not working properly. Ms. Munson suggests that due to a safety issue, the doors should be fixed as soon as possible and that the funds be taken from capital reserve, if needed.

Mr. Brewer asks the approval of the Board to overspend the maintenance budget in order to purchase new floor mats. Mr. Scharf made a motion to approve the purchase of floor mats. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A
unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Employee Benefits Policy #5016, Review -A school employee has requested additional compensation time. The Board will look into the cost and how such a change will affect all employees. Mr. Ruehr and Mr. Gurney will
provide this information at the next Board meeting.

  1. Reports

  1. Attendance - 

Mr. Gurney informed the Board that a student was absent from KMS for eight days due to illness and no students were absent from KHS for more than five days.

  1. Principal - 

Mr. Brewer reviewed his Principal's Report to the Board. Mr. Brewer informed the Board that the PTA donated the new school sign.

  1. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent - 

Mr. Gurney presented his Activities Report. He informed the Board that the principal search at Keene High School has begun.

Ms. Munson reported to the Board that she's been working on and has actively been involved in the budget process and the 2006-07 school calendar. She informed the Board that they are considering using election
days as workshop days.

  1. Special Education - 

None

  1. School Board Members - 

None

  1. SAU 29 Committees - 

Mr. Andreasen updated the Board on the AREA agreements slow progress.

  1. Old Business

  1. Transportation - 

Mr. Brewer would like the following changes incorporated into the Transportation of Students Policy #2085 - Discipline. After the first offense, a standard letter would be sent; a 3-day bus suspension would result after the 2nd offense and a 5-day bus suspension after the 3rd offense. Mr. Ruehr will suggest a revision next month to be in line with Laidlaw Transportation.

  1. New Business

  1. Minimum Standards for Principal's Services - 

Previously discussed

  1. ADA Accessibility - 

An inspection of the school was conducted to see if it is feasible as a polling location. The school was deficient in following three areas:

1. The school sign needs to be brought up to 6 feet in height

2. The threshold needs to be changed

3. Changes need to be made to the handicap parking space

Mr. Brewer informed the Board that funding is available through grant money. Mr. Scharf made a motion to accept the ADA recommendations in order to be compliant. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

  1. Other - 

None

  1. Future Agenda/s

January Approve School Year Calendar, 2006-07

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

Motion by Mr. Scharf that the Board move into non-public session at 9:50 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss student personnel. Accompanying the Board were Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gurney, Ms. Munson and Ms. Wdowiak.

Ms. Tickner moved that the Board return to open session at 9:55 p.m., motion seconded by Mr. Andreasen.

Motion by Ms. Tickner that the Board move into non-public session at 9:55 p.m. under the provision of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss staff personnel. Accompanying the Board were Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gurney, Ms. Munson and Ms. Wdowiak.

Ms Tickner moved that the Board return to open session at 10:08 p.m. Mr. Andreason seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

  1. Adjournment

The Marlow School Board adjourned at 10:08 p.m.

Jill Wdowiak
Recording Secretary

[Top of Page]