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March 16, 2006 Minutes of
Regular Meeting / Marlow School Board / John D. Perkins School, 8:13 p.m.
Present:
Joseph Scharf, Chair
Arthur Andreasen, Board Member
Denise Bennett, Board Member
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Michele Munson, Superintendent of Schools
Bill Gurney, Assistant Superintendent
Timothy Ruehr, Business Manager for Towns
Richard Brewer, Principal
Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary
Also in Attendance:
Marcia Levesque
Susan Finholt
Paula Ceranowicz
Jacquie Fay
Mary Andreasen
Shelli Silk Huntley
Richard Rock
Donna Chase
Alice Scharf
1. Call to Order:
Mr. Scharf called the meeting to order at 8:13 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes:
A correction should be made to page 3 of the
February 8, 2006 regular meeting minutes. In paragraph three, it
should read Mr. Scharf suggested restructuring the principal's position and
for Mrs. Scharf to assume some of those responsibilities. A motion by
Mr. Scharf to accept the amended minutes of February 8, 2006 regular board
meeting and the public hearing minutes. Ms. Bennett seconded the motion.
A unanimous vote in favor was taken.
3. Hearing of Individuals and/or Groups:
Ms. Chase asked where the minutes could be reviewed.
Ms. Scharf states that the meeting minutes are posted on the bulletin board at
Marlow school in addition to the post office. Ms. Munson is working on
having the agendas and minutes available on the internet.
Mr. Rock recommends to the school board that the school be closed on election
days. He has the following concerns: bathroom facilities are not
accessible to the voters while school is in session, parking is very limited
and there could be a potential problem with students loading the bus.
Mr. Andreasen feels that the library is more appropriate to hold voting and
that the school should not be closed for that purpose. Ms. Chase adds
that with the latest library renovations, there is not enough ample room to
hold voting there. Mr. Ruehr states that due to lock down, the public
should not be allowed around the students. Mr. Andreasen suggests that
voters use only one door to enter and exit the building and the rest of the
school would remain off limits. That way, people are limited to a
designated area and the school would remain secure. Mr. Scharf states
that the Board will take this under consideration.
Ms. Levesque asked if there was going to be a
restructuring committee formed to talk about the future of Marlow School.
She feels that town's people need to be involved to talk prior to the hiring
of teachers. Ms. Levesque asked if teachers could be reassigned without
the teacher's approval. Mr. Scharf stated that yes, teachers can be
reassigned but that only the school board is authorized to make those changes;
Mr. Brewer is not. Ms. Levesque feels that there are space issues and
crowding in the school. She would like this problem revisited and
consider restructuring. She also feels that if 6th graders were to
attend Keene Middle School, they would benefit by giving them a healthier way
to get involved a year earlier. This would also allow for classroom
restructuring to take place by combining classrooms and eliminating one
classroom and teacher. Ms. Levesque states that by sending our student
to Keene Middle School as 6th graders, it would allow our
kindergarten program to become full time, therefore making it more affordable.
She would also encourage the school board to consider acting on the principal
ship sooner rather than later. Ms.
Ceranowicz suggests that if we do not hire a certified principal in the next
two years, that we find someone to do the evaluations.
4. Bills and Manifest:
A motion was made by Mr. Andreasen to approve the bills
and manifest (cks#
5000572-5000610) in the amount of $42,748.92. Mr. Dassau seconded the
motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.
5. Financial Report:
Mr. Ruehr presented the financial report showing a net
available balance of $71,603 as of March 16, 2006. He reported that
tuition amounts have not been updated to due problems that Keene High School is
having with their student management system but feels that nothing has changed
drastically.
6. Reports:
a. Attendance:
Mr. Gurney reported that no students were absent from KMS
for more than 5 days. One student has withdrawn from KHS and 2 students
were absent for 5 days due to illness.
b. Principal:
Mr. Brewer updated the Board on the school boiler
issues and that the estimate given for repairs were very close to a full
replacement, so he has opted for the latter. He also informed the Board
that a long- term substitute has been hired for the 3/4 classroom position.
c. Superintendent/Asst. Superintendent/Special Ed:
Ms. Munson and Mr. Gurney submitted their reports.
Ms. Munson informed the Board that the search is underway for the Special
Education Director position. Mr. Andreasen asked Ms. Munson when AREA
would be meeting again. She stated that it should be sometime in April.
Mr. Gurney discussed Goal 6 and the revised curriculum for heath and wellness.
He also stated that NWEA has finished its first testing window.
d. Special Education:
Monthly Special Education Reports were submitted to the
Board.
e. School Board Members:
None
f. SAU 29 Committees:
The resignation of the SAU #29 attorney was discussed
along with the relocation of 34 West Street.
7. Old Business:
a. Approve 2006-2007 School Year Calendar:
A motion by Mr. Scharf to accept the Proposed 2006-2007
School Year Calendar. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A
unanimous vote in favor was taken.
b. Mr. Scharf asked that if we adopt the request by
Mr. Rock:
Which would close school on Election Day, could we go
back and change this or is it SAU wide. Mr. Brewer explained that if the
school is closed for Election Day, that the Keene schools would still be in
session and it would create additional bussing costs. Mr. Scharf would
like to discuss this at a later time.
c. Other:
None
8. New Business:
a. Action to be taken after district meeting:
Done
b. Authorization of Superintendent to Expend the
Budget:
A motion by Mr. Scharf was made to authorize the
Superintendent to expend the budget. Ms. Bennett seconded the motion.
A unanimous vote in favor was taken.
c. Discussion of Principal Services for 2006-2007:
Mr. Scharf does not want to discuss this matter until Ms.
Tickner is present. He would like to come back to this next month and to
have administration present a model as to what they feel the school needs are
and what should be addressed.
d. Other:
None
9. Future Agenda/s:
April - Nomination/Election of Staff
April - Employee Benefits Policy #5016
April - Reaffirmation of School District Policies
April - Reorganization of School Board
April - Review Employee Benefits Policy #5016
10. Non Public Session - R.S.A. 91-A:3:
Motion by Mr. Scharf that the Board move into non-public
session at 8:54 p.m. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A
unanimous vote in favor was taken.
The Board returned to open session at 9:00 p.m.
11. Adjournment:
The Marlow School Board adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Jill
Wdowiak
Recording Secretary
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