January 11, 2006 Minutes of Regular Meeting, Marlow School Board, John D. Perkins School, 7:30 p.m.

Present:
Joseph Scharf, Chair
Arthur Andreasen, Board Member
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Denise Bennett, Board Member
Stephanie Tickner. Board Member
William Gurney, Assistant Superintendent
Wayne Woolridge, Assistant Superintendent
Richard Brewer, Principal

Also in attendance: Marcia Levesque, Donna Chase

Call to Order:

Mr. Scharf called the to meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Minutes:
Mr. Andreasen made a motion seconded by Ms. Bennett to accept the minutes of December 14, 2005. The motion was carried by the Board.

Hearings of Individuals and/or groups:
There was no public input.

Bills and Manifests:
Mr. Andreasen made a motion to approve checks (#5000508-5000533) in the amount of $364,362.43. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dassau and approved by the Board.

Financial Report:
Mr. Gurney presented the financial report.

Reports:
Mr. Gurney report one student missed six days at Keene High School.

Principal:
Mr. Brewer is still trying to fill a .5 grant funded position. Furnace work has been completed although heat was lost to several rooms on Tuesday. Curriculum work is planned for the January workshop day. Door repairs have been delayed due to the contractor's vacation.

Assistant Superintendent:
Mr. Woolridge spoke about changes in Highly Qualified Teacher regulations. There should be no impact on the Marlow staff at this time. Mr. Gurney reported that NWEA training continues for teachers and plans are underway for the next testing window in late January. Keene has held its first
budget meeting and the second will be held next Saturday with the Public Hearing scheduled for next Tuesday night. All current initiatives and programs that Marlow participates in are still in the budget.

Special Education:
There were no changes with special education students except the addition of a third preschool student.

Old Business:

1. Student Transportation:

A first reading of the Marlow Transportation of Students Policy #2085 took place. Mr. Brewer suggested the policy be changed to include changes in the discipline structure as follows:

First Offense: Written warning to family
Second Offense: Three day bus riding suspension
Third Offense: Five day riding suspension
Fourth Offense: Ten day riding suspension
Fifth offense: Indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges

A motion to amend the policy was made by Mr. Scharf and seconded by Ms. Bennett. The motion was approved by the Board.

2. Staff Leave

Tabled until the February meeting.

New Business:

1. Budget

Mr. Brewer offered the following revisions to the 2006-2007 budget proposals:

A discussion was held regarding the combined position of Kindergarten and Reading Specialist. Mr. Brewer will request the position be one FTE with an 80% /20% split in funding between the regular budget and Title II-A funds.

One less special education tuition at Keene Middle School and one additional regular education tuition at Keene Middle School.

Drop .5 special education tuition at Keene High School and add $500 for community education.

The SAU share for Marlow has been reduced to $54,713.

The Principal's stipend is to be dropped and an additional stipend will be added for Mr. Brewer's administrative stipend.

The computer service line is to be reduced by $2,000.

This brings the total budget to $1,570,122. which is a reduction of 3.5%.

Non-Public Session - R.S.A. 91-A:3:
Motion by Mr. Andreasen that the Board move into non-public session at 7:56 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss student personnel, the motion was seconded by Ms. Tickner. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Accompanying the Board were Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gurney and Mr. Woolridge.

Mr. Scharf moved that the Board return to open session at 8:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bennett. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Motion by Ms. Tickner that the Board move into non-public session at 8:01 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss staff personnel, the motion was seconded by Mr. Andreasen. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Accompanying the Board were Mr. Brewer, Mr. Gurney and Mr. Woolridge.

Mr. Dassau moved that the Board return to open session at 9:26 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andreasen. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

William Gurney
Assistant Superintendent

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