June 14, 2006 Minutes of Regular Meeting - Marlow School Board - John D. Perkins School, 7:30 PM

Present: Joseph Scharf, Chair
Arthur Andreasen, Board Member
Stephanie Tickner, Board Member
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Richard Brewer, Principal
Bill Gurney, Assistant Superintendent
Timothy Ruehr, Business Manager-Towns
Susan DeLuca, Recording Secretary

1. Call to Order

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

2. Approval of Minutes

Mr. Andreasen made a motion to approve the minutes of May 10, 2006 Regular meeting and Non-Public Session - Student Personnel, and Non-Public Staff Personnel as presented.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion passed.

3. Hearings of Individuals and/or Groups Space

Needs in the classrooms - can we build cabinets, and put up shelves with surplus money when we get a new teacher?  Mr. Ruehr commented that the money from surplus would not be used for that.  The money should come out of the general fund budget and would have to be voted on in March.

Can we dedicate the garden to Mrs. Cunningham? Mr. Dassau made a motion to dedicate the garden to Mrs. Cunningham.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was 4-0 in favor and the motion passed.

4. Bills and Manifests

Mr. Andreasen made a motion to accept the manifest, checks#5000683-5000704, void check #5000705, checks#5000706-5000712 in the amount of $312,953.71.  Mr. Dassau seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor, 4-0 and the motion passed.

5. Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr presented the Financial Report for the district as of June 14, 2006.  The revenue was up from last month by $3,000.  The expenditures were down in Regular Tuition Middle School and High School, and Special Instruction at the Middle School and High School.  The Food Service deficit was at ($4,365).  The Net available was up $21,000 from last month and at the time of reporting, was at $125,855. 

Mr. Scharf made a motion to appropriate up to $5,000 from surplus to cover the deficit in Food Service.  Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion passed.

Employee Benefits Policy #5016, Final Reading Mr. Andreasen made a motion to approve the Employee Benefits Policy #5016 as presented.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 3-0 with Mr. Scharf abstaining.  The motion passed.

Appoint District Auditor/Audit Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr presented the Audit Proposal Financial Comparison report, the comparison of costs between Plodzik & Sanderson and Clukay.  Discussion ensued.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to appoint Plodzik for a 3-year term.
Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion passed.

Property Insurance Report

Mr. Ruehr reported that the district has switched from Primex to Local Government Center for Property Insurance Claims.

6. Reports

1. Attendance

Mr. Gurney reported that at Keene Middle School there were no students out five or more days.  At Keene High School there was one student out for six days.

2. Principal

Mr. Brewer reported that the Search Committee is done and there were five nominations for staff.  The district was informed that they had made Adequate Yearly Progress, now they aren't sure.  The NWEA testing is done.

We tested grades 2-6 in the fall.  The testing facility reduced the number of computers available, so we had to reschedule  the 2nd graders.  As a result, the second graders could not be tested with the rest of the school, nor could they be rescheduled for the full three days of testing.  Only two days were available.  We used those two days to test reading and math.  The language usage portion was dropped.  We will take an opportunity to look at the test scores during our end-of-year workshop days.

3. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent/Special Education

Mr. Gurney reported that the Search for a Cheshire Center Director is underway.  Also, summer curriculum work will be happening July 5-14 and the Math Study for K-8 will start on July 17th.  A procedure needs to be put together for the Pandemic Flu Epidemic.

4. Special Education

None

5. School Board Members

None

6. S.A.U. 29 Committees

Mr. Scharf attended the SAU Board meeting and reported that Mr. Bramante spoke.

7. Old Business

1. Other

None

8. New Business

1. Appoint the School District's Attorney, Physician and Attendance Officer.

Mr. Ruehr reported that Mr. Hatfield was retiring; he is not, he is just cutting back.  Other options are Mr. Hoppock and Mr. Teague who is also with the Upton and Hatfield firm.  Discussion ensued.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to appoint the law firm of Upton & Hatfield as the School District's Attorney.  Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion.  The vote was 4-0
in favor and the motion passed. 

Mr. Scharf made a motion to appoint Mr. Avery as the Attendance Officer for 2006-2007.  Mr. Dassau seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion passed.

2. Assign Board Member/s to Sign July and August Manifests Decision

Was made that Mr. Dassau and Ms. Tickner would sign the summer manifests.

3. Wellness Policy, Review

Mr. Scharf made a motion to accept the Wellness Policy as presented.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion passed.

4. Physical Activity Policy, Review

Mr. Scharf made a motion to waive a second reading.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion passed.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to accept the Physical Activity Policy as presented.  Ms.
Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was in favor 4-0 and the motion
passed.

5. Other

Discussion ensued around costs for hookup to the SAU network.  Mr. Ruehr indicated that the amount Marlow is paying now is about $200 a month.  The cost to network would be between $3,000 and $5,000 to upgrade the
infrastructure and buy computers. Mr. Andreasen made a motion to investigate a wireless lab and an infrastructure upgrade to T1 and purchase computers for a cost of $30,000. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  The vote was 4-0 and the motion passed.

Mr. Scharf made a suggestion to reduce the hours for the maintenance position beginning in September.  Mr. Gurney will draft a new job description.

9. Future Agenda/s Items

None

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

Mr. Scharf made a motion that the Board move into Non-Public Session at 8:40 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss Staff Personnel.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Tickner.  A unanimous roll call
vote was taken.  All in favor.  Accompanying the Board were Mr. Gurney and Ms. DeLuca.

Mr. Scharf made a motion to return to open session at 8:52 p.m.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  A unanimous roll call vote was taken.  All in favor, 4-0 and the motion passed.

11. Adjournment

Mr. Scharf made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.  A unanimous vote was taken.  All were in favor, 4-0 and the motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted,
Susan L. DeLuca
Recording Secretary

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