ROCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD

School Board Meeting Minutes
June 9, 2011
City Council Chambers

                                                                                                           

Members Present:

Mr. Robert Watson, Chair

Dr. Anthony Pastelis

Mrs. Evelyn Logan

Mr. William Brennan

Mrs. Peggy Parker

Ms. Julie Brown

Mrs. Pamela Hubbard

Mr. James Gray

Ms. Caroline McCarley

Mrs. Audrey Stevens

Mrs. Doris Gates

Mrs. Anne Grassie

 

Members Absent:

Mr. Travis Allen

Also Present:

Mr. Michael Hopkins, Superintendent

Mr. Kent Hemingway, Asst. Superintendent

Ms. Linda Casey, Business Administrator

Atty. Jerome Grossman

 

Guests & Press

Mr. Watson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on a roll call with a quorum present.  Members participated in the pledge of allegiance. 

Last Minutes                  Mr. Gray moved, second by Ms. Brown, to accept the minutes of the Special School Board meeting of May 26, 2011, Regular Board meeting of May 12, 2011 and the AREA Board meetings of May 9, 2011.  The motion carried unanimously.

Superintendent’s Report

Student Recognition       Mr. Hemingway introduced Mrs. Walker, McClelland School Principal and the McClelland Student Leadership team.   Team members shared with the Board the team’s development, purpose, goals and community service activities that they participate in.  Members in attendance were:  Nicholas Stone, Scott Infinger, Dominic Lynch, Connor McLain, Rileigh Casey, and Chloe Molinaro

                                    Other Leadership Team members unable to attend the meeting include:  Riley Brooks, Zachery Smith, Jeffrey Gudim, Jaxson Libby, Autumn Miller, Isabella Traeger, Emily Mallet, Jonathan Speltz, Korrie Thayer, and Hannah Winship

                                    Students from the RW Technology Center were recognized for their outstanding achievements: 

Ø  Ryan McQuade, Ethan Masse, and Michael Mooney won gold medals in Skills USA Automated Manufacturing State competition.  They will be representing the State of NH in the National Competition in Kansas City, MO in June.

Ø  Cody Garland will represent NH at the FCCLA National Conference in Anaheim, CA

Ø  Jacob Allen will be representing the District and State of NH at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL.

                                    Congratulations and well wishes were extended to these students for continued success in their future endeavors.

Employee Recognition    Mr. Hemingway, Assistant Superintendent introduced the May employee of the month recipients:  Lynda Baita, Spaulding High School Math Teacher; Sandra Roy, Rochester Middle School Special Education Teacher; and Bobbi Rivard, Head Cook at Nancy Loud School.

                                    Recipients received a $20 gift certificate for Granite Steak & Grill in Rochester, a certificate of appreciation and a spring plant.

                                    Mr. Hopkins acknowledged Mr. Kent Hemingway as the District employee of the month.  He spoke of how valuable Mr. Hemingway has been to the District and himself over the past six years.  Kent’s personal and professional energy along with his ability to effectively handle varying situations without showing stress is admirable ~ he will be missed a great deal.

                                    Mr. Hemingway extended thanks to Mr. Hopkins and the School Board – for putting trust in him six years ago and for enriching his life through the varying experiences he has had in Rochester. 

Retiree Recognition        Mr. Watson and Mrs. Hubbard, on behalf of the School Board presented retirement plaques recognizing each individual for their achievements, dedication, and commitment to students, families and the school district.  The following individuals were acknowledged:   Thomas Bickford, Special Education Teacher – 6 years; Sandra Roy, Special Education Teacher – 10 years; Veronica Grant, Para-Educator – 10 years; Karen Stoudt, Science Teacher – 14 years; Alan Stone, Social Studies Teacher – 17 years; Janis Dorr, Special Education Teacher – 18 years; Clyde Tibbetts, Building & Grounds Security – 18 years; Kathleen Gitschier, Science Teacher – 19 years; Paul Lefevre, Reading Specialist/Elementary Teacher – 22 years; Therese Letourneau, CTE Business Teacher – 23 years; Nancy-Jo Higgins, Elementary Teacher – 25 years; Sharon Williams, Elementary Teacher – 25 years; George Haseltine, Elementary Teacher – 27 years; Barry Smith, Mathematics Teacher – 31 years; and Patrice Nickerson, English Teacher – 32 years.

Nancy Loud School        Mr. Hopkins informed the Board that a formal motion by the Board is required by the NH Department of Education regarding the decision to add a fourth grade class at the Nancy Loud School.  This option has been reviewed and discussed by the Board during previous meetings.

Mavericks Baseball         Due to inclement weather, recognition of the Board for the support given to the FCLB Mavericks team in Rochester was rescheduled to Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m.

ZBA Appeal                  Mr. Hopkins reported that the Zoning Board of Adjustment granted the District’s appeal regarding access to the exhaust fan.  We will not have to move forward with installing a catwalk; a lift will be utilized when necessary.

90% Reading Goal         Mr. Hopkins presented a detailed review of NWEA Reading and Math scores reflecting on the continual movement forward of our students from Spring 2003 through Spring 2011.  Students have been showing positive growth in both Math and Reading; the District has been above the National norm for the past four years.  The work that is being done to meet the varying needs of our students is remarkable.

                                    The Superintendent indicated that although we are not doing exactly as well as we as we want to, it is important to acknowledge that students are making marked progress.  Schools are ensuring that students are meeting or exceeding their targeted yearly growth.

Student Senate Report

                                    Mr. Watson welcomed Spaulding High School Student Senate President Ian Martin and Vice-President Alexander Clarke to the meeting.  The representatives reported on various senior activities underway, including the awarding of over $200,000 in scholarships to more than 100 students.

                                   


                                    Community involvement at Spaulding has included the redesign of the shrubbery around the high school.  Studley’s is partnering with the Horticulture class next fall to finalize the redesign.  The Horticulture Department is also working with the Main Street Coalition and Studley’s to beautify the Main Street of Rochester. 

                                    A brief summary of Spring Sports statistics was provided; noting that the Softball team made it to the quarterfinals loosing by one run to Concord.  Summer will be busy with Summer School; ROTC Leadership training; band, soccer and football camps in August; and multiple Freshman Orientation days scheduled throughout the summer.

Public Comment          

                                    Rob Seaward, SHS Principal reminded Board members that Graduation is scheduled next Friday, June 17th at 6:30 p.m. on the Hugo Bolin Football field.

Committee Reports

Building Committee:     

                                    No action required.

Instruction Committee:

                                    No action required.

Personnel Committee:

Retirement                     Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Ms. Brown, the Board accept the resignation for retirement purposes of Donald Collins, Custodian and Ronald Levesque, Custodian.  The motion carried unanimously.

Resignations                  Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Brennan, the Board accept the following resignations:

Bonnie Bonneau................................................................ Para-Educator
Jennifer Brugger..................................... Sign Language Interpreter/Tutor
Karen Conlin............................................................ Elementary Teacher
Kristin Daley.................................................................... Para-Educator
Michael Hatfield........................................ Special Education Coordinator
Jacqueline Jorgensen................................................. Elementary Teacher
Sarah MacGregor.............................................................. Para-Educator
Christine Malady................................................... Social Studies Teacher
Craig West..................................................................... English Teacher
Kristen Forget.................................................................. Para-Educator

The motion carried unanimously.

Nominations                  Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve the nomination of Albert Small, Security Guard.  The motion carried unanimously.

Summer School             Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Ms. McCarley, the Board approve the following Special Education Summer School nominations:

Christie LeClair.............................................. Occupational Therapist

Karen Carignan..................................................... Speech Pathologist

Lisa Harrison......................................................... Speech Pathologist

Laura Smith................................. REACH Special Education Teacher

Laura Harwood...................................................................... Teacher

Margaret Tardiff........................................................... Para-Educator

Christine Moss....................................................... Physical Therapist

Lee Murphy........................................................... Physical Therapist

Shara Hughes........................................................ Speech Pathologist

Ellen Bartley............................................................. REACH Teacher

Karen Hodgson............................................... REACH Para-Educator

Donna Lessard................................................ REACH Para-Educator

Alyssa Curto................................................... REACH Para-Educator

Laurie Thibault............................................... REACH Para-Educator

MaryAnn Leahy............................................. Middle School Teacher

Courtney Clairwood....................................... Middle School Teacher

Gail Terra........................................................... High School Teacher

Terry Desjardins................................................ High School Teacher

Brandon Albert.................................................. High School Teacher

Steven Prescott................................................... High School Teacher

Donna Turner...................................................... Elementary Teacher

Donna Egan......................................................... Elementary Teacher

Daniel Saucier..................................................... Elementary Teacher

Jessica Burrows................................................... Elementary Teacher

Christa Mann............................................. Elementary Para-Educator

Jacob Beals................................................ Elementary Para-Educator

Catherine Booth......................................... Elementary Para-Educator

Donna McLaren......................................... Elementary Para-Educator

Maggie Savage........................................... Elementary Para-Educator

Anastasia York.......................................... Elementary Para-Educator

Terry Doucette........................................... Elementary Para-Educator

Staci Benjamin........................................... Elementary Para-Educator

Bernadette Chambers................................. Elementary Para-Educator

Douglas Farquar..................................................................... Teacher

Susan Crichton......................................... High School Para-Educator

Marilyn Hartford...................................... High School Para-Educator

Judy Turgeon........................................... High School Para-Educator

Susan Folsom........................................... High School Para-Educator

Laura Hodgkins.................................... Middle School Para-Educator

Jeffrey Turgeon.................................... Middle School Para-Educator

Diana Dean........................................... Middle School Para-Educator

Lori West................................. Elementary Behavioral Interventionist

Danielle Baker............................................................... School Nurse

Kathy Stone.................................................................. Para-Educator

Andrew Vaughn........................................................... Para-Educator

Jody-Anne Bousquin.................................................... Para-Educator
Mary Hoyt.................................................................... Para-Educator
           

................................... The motion carried unanimously.

   Co/Extra Curr.......... Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve the following Co/Extra Curricular nominations:  Davita Fortier, Elementary Student Council Advisor; and Craig Walfield, ($1.00 contract) Baseball Coach Assistant.  The motion carried unanimously.

Job Description........... Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Ms. Brown, for second reading and adoption of the Business Administrator job description as amended.  The motion carried unanimously.

Nominations............... Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve the 2011-12 Teacher Contract nominations for Nancy Clark, English Teacher and Jonathan Rourke, English Teacher.  The motion carried unanimously.

   Summer School....... Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Ms. Brown, the Board approve the following Summer School nominations for the Middle School and High School:

Jamie Thomas........................................ Middle School Mathematics Teacher
Kathy Akridge..................................... Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Lea Marhsall......................................... Middle School ELA/Reading Teacher
Mark Sampson.............................................. Middle School Science Teacher
Robert Reynolds....................................... High School Mathematics Teacher
Monique Shutt................................................... High School English Teacher
Peg Hurd........................................................... High School Science Teacher
Peg Leary.......................................... High School Special Education Teacher
Erich Dietel............................................. High School Social Studies Teacher
Gretchen Solomon............................................ High School PLATO Teacher

................................... The motion carried unanimously.

Leave of Absence....... Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve the leave of absence request from Samantha Dowe, Guidance Counselor for the 2011-12 school year; and David Yasenchock, Chief Technology Officer from August 2011 through November 2012.  The motion carried unanimously.

Special Services Committee:

                                    No action required.

Finance Committee:

Big Step Forward           Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve the Big Step Forward Project being placed on hold at this time.  The motion carried unanimously.

Non-Union                    Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve the non-union employee pay and benefits as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

Stipends                        Mr. Watson moved, second by Ms. Brown, the Board approve the following Title IIA Grant funded stipends for the Mentor Program:  Caitlin McCarthy, $600; Nicole Bandera, $600; and Katherine Zacharias, $600.   The motion carried by majority vote.

Hillsdale Fields              Mr. Watson moved, second by Mr. Brennan, the Board approve October 2012 as the completion date for the Hillsdale fields and installation of the irrigation system using the well on site.  The motion carried unanimously.

                                    There is a second well on the Hillsdale property that should be identified for future use.  (amendment 7/14/11)

Playground Funds          Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board approve $10,000 be supplied to the Gonic School Activity Fund for use in playground construction.  The motion carried unanimously.

Authorization                 Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board authorize the following individuals to sign OBM Form 1, Form 2, Form 4, and contracts approved by the Rochester School Board:  Michael L. Hopkins, Superintendent of Schools; Mary A. Moriarty, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; and Linda Casey, Business Administrator.  The motion carried unanimously.


Discipline Committee:

                                    Mrs. Hubbard moved, second by Mrs. Logan, the Board uphold the Committee’s recommendation for discipline case #25407; #25590; #25774; #25765; #25773;  and #25978.  The motion carried unanimously.

Policy Committee:

Second Reading             Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mr. Gray, for second reading and adoption by the Board of policy BHB, Board Member Development Opportunities.  The motion carried unanimously.

First Reading                 The Committee recommends the following polices to the Board for first reading:

-    BDC, Non-Public Session

-    JECB, Admission of Non-Resident Students (And Tuition)

Old Business

                                    None

New Business

Nancy Loud School        Mr. Watson moved, second by Ms. Brown, the Board approve adding a grade four class at the Nancy Loud School; the grade structure will be Kindergarten through grade four.  The motion carried unanimously.

Non-Public Session

                                    Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Parker, the Board enter non-public session at 8:10 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, I & II ( 1) to discuss matters that would adversely affect the reputation of any person, other than a member of the board. The roll call vote follows:

 

                                                YES:    Mrs. Hubbard, Dr. Pastelis, Mrs. Grassie, Mrs. Stevens,

                                                            Mrs. Gates, Ms. Brown, Ms. McCarley, Mrs. Logan,

                                                            Mr. Brennan, Mrs. Parker, Mr. Watson, Mr. Gray

 

                                                NO:      None

                                    After a short recess, the Board entered non-public session at 8:15 p.m.

Public Session

                                    Mrs. Hubbard moved, second by Mr. Gray, to enter public session.  By unanimous vote, the Board entered public session at 8:40 p.m.

Adjournment

                                    Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Ms. McCarley, to adjourn. On a unanimous vote, the Board adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Michael Hopkins

Board Secretary