November 8, 2008 Minutes of Regular Meeting / Marlow School Board / John D. Perkins School, 7:30 p.m.

Present:
Joseph Scharf, Chair
Stephanie Tickner, Board Member
Art Andreasen, Board Member
Nancy Tomasko, Board Member
William Gurney, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Timothy Ruehr, Business Manager of Towns (left @ 9:00)
Michael Duhaime, Director of Technology (left @ 9:14)
Phyllis Peterson, Principal
Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary

Also Present:
Greg Colby (left 8:09)
Michael Campo (left 8:09)
Jaqui Fay

Call to Order

Mr. Scharf called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

A motion by Mr. Scharf to approve the regular board minutes of October 11, 2006. Ms. Tickner asked that in the first paragraph on page 3 under Superintendent/ Assistant Superintendent, that the topic of field trip CPR requirements be taken from the minutes, as it was not discussed. Ms. Tickner made a motion to accept the amended minutes of October 11, 2006. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Hearings of Individuals and/or Groups

Ms. Jacqui Fay spoke to the School Board on behalf of the town and the emergency preparedness planning committee. She explained that the state is divided into 24 regions and has grouped towns into pods in regards to dispensing. Marlow, Alstead and Gilsum are one pod. Marlow has been the chosen location where things would be dispersed. Ms. Fay explained that a generator would be required and she would like to know how the Board felt about this. She explained that federal grants would pay for the cost of the generator. Mr. Ruehr suggested that the Marlow Board get in contact with Ms. Ruth VanHouten, as she handled the same situation at Chesterfield School and would be a great resource. Ms. Fay explained that they would look into adapting the building and Mr. Scharf suggested that we look into the water supply and the capacity of the well, in case of an emergency. Mr. Scharf shared that the lighting is also a concern. Ms. Fay asked the Board for a contact person from the town. Mr. Scharf suggested that Ms. Peterson be the contact person during school hours and that any board member would be a contact for after hours.

Ms. Fay asked the School Board for a copy of the school blueprint. Ms. Peterson will find the blueprint and forward a copy to Ms. Fay. Ms. Fay asked the Board if they would allow someone from the town to set up an information table in order to inform parents on this subject. She explained that they are looking for an after hours event where there is a good audience. Mr. Scharf asked for literature for the Board to look over. Ms. Fay also shared that the town is now printing the Town Report, which will save money and will give additional room to include this information.

Ms. Tomasko spoke on behalf of Marcia Levesque, who could not attend the meeting, and shared that she would like funds put into the budget to reflect the additional hours that Ms. Peterson has been working.

Bills and Manifests

Motion by Mr. Scharf to approve the bills and manifest as presented (cks# 5000812-5000838) in the amount of $41,401.90. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr presented the Marlow Financial Report with a net available balance of $62,118 as of October 11, 2006. He explained that there was a surplus in regular instruction due to three fewer students attending Keene schools than was budgeted. Mr. Ruehr also shared that there were savings in guidance, as well as, transportation, due to an elimination of a bus stop. Mr. Ruehr updated the Board on the status of the quotes received for a phone system. He explained that the bids were not comparable and was unsure whether the phone systems were comparable as well. He will try to get additional information and report back to the Board.

a. Auditors - Mr. Ruehr introduced the auditors, Greg Colby and Michael Campo, of Plodzik and Sanderson. He explained that the auditors were asked to talk to all the school boards this year. They presented Marlow School's financial report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. Mr. Ruehr told the Board that there will be a mandatory training session for principals and secretaries on December 8, 2006 provided by Plodzik and Sanderson to discuss Student Activity Accounts.

Establish Town Tuition Rate for 2006-2007 - Mr. Ruehr presented the Town Tuition Budget Report for Marlow School, using the states per pupil cost, showing a tuition rate of $13,291.00 for the 2006-2007 school year. A motion by Mr. Scharf to adopt the new tuition rate. Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. 

Reports

Principal - Ms. Peterson submitted her report to the Board. She explained that she has been working on the budget with Mr. Ruehr and is looking at the upcoming school projects and would like input from the Board. Mr. Scharf suggested that fiberglass reinforced panels be installed on the bathroom walls and the bathroom stall partitions be painted and to look into plumbing improvements. Ms. Peterson also shared with the Board the anticipated Spanish position hire. Mrs. Peterson would like to thank Ms. Marcia Levesque and Ms. Jen Brown for their hard work in helping to sort and catalog existing library books. She would also like to thank Ms. Sheri Parker, Associate Director at CIRTT, for purchasing and donating 20 plus new reference books to the school library.

Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent - Mr. Gurney informed the Board that SAU #29 Administration has been speaking with the Keene Police Department about a School Resource Officer at Keene High School. The officer would be employed by the school district for 75% and the Keene Police Department for 25%. He explained that the officer would go through School Resource Officer training provided by the federal government. Mr. Gurney explained that it has been modeled across the country and felt that it can be worked into the budget. The School Resource Officer (SRO) would spend time talking with students and getting to know them as well as dealing with prevention and safety issues. Ms.  Munson and Mr. Gurney would like any input that the Board may have.

Mr. Gurney also shared that students and staff traveled to Hudson, MA for Virtual High School. Keene High School will be training a site coordinator and teacher for this program. Mr. Gurney explained that if grant money were to run out, that there is an option to share resources with Hinsdale and Monadnock High School and would cut costs by working cooperatively. Mr. Gurney informed the Board about the K-8 Math Study Group and the $75,000 grant with Keene State College. He also shared with the Board the status of the SAU #29 Office Facilities Committee and their search for a new location with the assistance of the Monadnock Economical Development Commission as well as local real estate agents. Mr. Gurney also explained that the Alumni Field at Keene High School is not owned by the school district but owned by the Alumni group. They have been raising money to put in a turf field, a local corporation will be donating the lighting system.

Mr. Gurney informed the Board about the new requirement from the Department of Education stating that someone attending field trips must be CPR and First Aid certified. He explained that courses will be offered through CIRTT and that insurance will reimburse anyone taking the course. This policy includes field trips, school sponsored events and/or after school activities as well. Mr. Gurney also shared that Laidlaw bus drivers are all CPR and First Aid certified. He informed the Board that two students at Keene High School missed five or more days.

Special Education - Mr. Gurney distributed the Special Education Report to the Board.

School Board Members - None

S.A.U. 29 Committee - AREA - Mr. Andreasen and Ms. Tickner updated the Board on the status of the AREA. They explained that in order for the agreement to pass, all districts must approve it or it reverts back to the original agreement. 

Technology Committee Update - Mr. Duhaime distributed a list of software licenses to the Board as well as a list of Open Source Solutions software.  He explained that there is a possibility of piloting a program at Marlow using terminal services with all software running on the server. He explained that it would reduce software-licensing costs. He asked the Board to look at the information and that it would be discussed at the next technology meeting. Solutions for student management were also discussed.

Old Business

Other - Phone Proposals - The Board suggested that Ms. Peterson get additional information regarding the phone system and report at the next Board Meeting. It was suggested that Ms. Peterson and Ms. Scharf decide what is needed in a phone system and ask the companies to provide an estimate for the phone requirements. Mr. Andreasen suggested that phone company references be checked.

New Business Information Communication Technology Policy, Review - Mr. Gurney explained to the Board that the State is requiring that every student in SAU #29 have a digital portfolio and are looking at ways to store this data. Mr. Gurney presented this new policy to the Board and asked them to review it.  Mr. Scharf made a motion to adopt the Information Communication Technology Policy as presented and bring it back next month for a second reading. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Other - None

Future Agenda Items

Information Communication Technology Policy, Second Reading 

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

A motion by Mr. Scharf that the Board move into non-public session at 9:18 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss staff personnel. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Accompanying the Board was Ms. Peterson, Mr. Gurney and Ms. Wdowiak.

A motion by Mr. Scharf that the Board return to open session at 9:23 p.m. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Adjournment

A motion by Mr. Scharf to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 p.m. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Wdowiak
Recording Secretary

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