2007_04

April 11, 2007 Minutes of Regular Meeting / Marlow School District / John D. Perkins School, 7:30 p.m.

Present:
Joseph Scharf, Chair
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Art Andreasen, Board Member
Stephanie Tickner, Board Member
Nancy Tomasko, Board Member
Phyllis Peterson, Principal
Wayne Woolridge, Superintendent of Schools
Timothy Ruehr, Business Administrator for Towns
Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary

Call to Order

Mr. Scharf called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

Motion made by Mr. Scharf to approve the regular board minutes of March 15, 2007. Mr. Dassau seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Hearings of Individuals and/or Groups

Ms. Tomasko spoke on behalf of the PTA and updated the Board on the upcoming retirement brunch for Mrs. Wyman. She also shared that at the last PTA meeting, Ms. Peterson asked for help cleaning up the school grounds. Ms. Tomasko asked the Board if they would match the PTA's contribution so that bark mulch could be purchased. A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve matching the funds of the PTA in order to purchase bark mulch with the cost not to exceed $125.00. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Ms. Tomasko thanked the Board on behalf of the PTA.

Bills and Manifests

A motion made by Mr. Andreasen to approve the bills and manifests (cks #5000954-5000979) in the amount of $56,598.39 and (cks # 5000980-5000984) in the amount of $673.00. Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken

Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr presented the financial report with a net available balance of $129,782.00 as of April 11, 2007. He explained that the biggest change was the increase of two students at Keene High School and one student at Keene Middle School. Mr. Ruehr also shared that there was a change in school board services due to an increase in legal fees and transportation due to the addition of a bus route on Sand Pond Road, that was not being utilized until now. He also explained that there was $3,000 set aside for evaluation services, which are no longer needed and the funds will go back into the unreserved fund balance.

Employee Benefits Policy #5016 - Mr. Ruehr asked the Boards input in regards to the request by Ms. Scharf to increase the number of paid holidays. The Board asked Mr. Ruehr how many additional days they would be looking at in order to put us in line with other schools in the district. Mr. Ruehr replied between 4-8 additional days. A motion was made by Mr. Dassau to increase paid holidays offered in the policy to those requested by Ms. Scharf. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. Mr. Scharf abstained from the vote. The vote was 4-0 in favor, with Mr.
Scharf abstaining.

Reports

Principal -

Ms. Peterson presented her report and shared with the Board that they have been working with other schools in the district on electronic portfolios and are trying to use their resources.

Assistant Superintendent -

Mr. Woolridge told the Board that he is glad to be back in Marlow and thanked them for having him back. He shared with the Board that two students at Keene High School missed five or more days, with one 12th grader being suspended. He also updated the Board on Marlborough and their new school plan that did not pass and the renovation project that did pass. Mr. Woolridge shared with the Board that Keene's budget did not pass and they will need to cut 1.6 million dollars from the budget. He explained that Marlow's tuition bill to Keene would be less in two years as a result of this action. Mr. Woolridge also shared that Keene teacher's are working to rule and are currently in negotiations. Mr. Woolridge updated the Board on the resignation of Jodi Lamoureux and how much she will be missed. He shared that Ceil Scranton has begun training and will be filling in for Jodi until the end of the school year. He also shared that the next SAU Board Meeting will be on May 21st, with a new orientation and tour being held at the Center of Keene.

c. Special Education -

None

School Board Members -

None

S.A.U. 29 Committees -

None

Technology Committee Update -

Ms. Peterson updated the Board on the phone system and the server that have been installed, as well as the configurations for the computer lab. Ms. Peterson explained that the computer lab will be ready for NWEA testing in the spring and that the students will not have to be bused to Keene.

Old Business

Other -

None

New Business

Nomination/Election of Staff -

Will discuss during non-public session

Authorization of Acting Superintendent to Expend the Budget -

A motion was made by Mr. Scharf that we authorize the acting superintendent to expend the budget. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Reaffirmation of School District Policies -

A motion was made by Mr. Andreasen that we reaffirm the school district policies. Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Employee Benefits Policy #5016 -

Previously discussed

Action to be Taken as a Result of the District Meeting -

None

Mr. Scharf presented a letter of resignation from Arthur Andreasen. The Board accepted his resignation with great regret and would like to thank him for all of the years that he served on the School Board. Mr. Woolridge thanked Mr. Andreasen on behalf of SAU 29 for all that he's done.

Reorganization of School Board -

A motion was made by Mr. Dassau to nominate Ms. Tickner as new vice chair. Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to reorganize the School Board as discussed. Mr. Dassau seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Mr. Woolridge will make the changes and provide an updated list next month.

Other -

Mr. Dassau asked Mr. Woolridge about a proclamation for years of service for Mr. Andreasen. Mr. Woolridge replied that he would take care of that.

Future Agenda/s

May - Approve School Board Meeting Schedule, 2007-2008
May - Federal Grants/Special Education Grant Consolidated Agreement FY 2008
May - Authorize the Acting Superintendent of Schools to Hire and Accept Resignations
May - Employee Benefits Policy #5016, Second Reading
May - Reorganization of School Board, Second Reading

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

A motion made by Mr. Scharf that the Board move into non-public session at 8:13 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A: 3 to discuss staff/student personnel. Mr. Andreasen seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Accompanying the Board is Mr. Woolridge, Ms. Peterson and Ms. Wdowiak.

A motion made by Mr. Scharf that the Board return to open session at 8:34 p.m. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

The Board would once again like to thank Mr. Andreasen for serving on the Marlow School Board and to let him know that he will be missed.

Adjournment

Ms. Scharf adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

Respectfully Submitted,
JillWdowiak
Recording Secretary

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