Minutes

Gorham – Randolph – Shelburne Cooperative School District Planning Board Meeting

Thursday, November 4^th, 2004 – Gorham Town Hall

Attendees

Donna Goodrich – Gorham, chairperson

Michael Waddell – Gorham, vice-chairperson

Carol Gagnon – Randolph

Tuesday Willow – Shelburne

Leona Guay – Gorham

Robert Leclerc – Randolph

Charles Brown – Randolph

David Carlisle – Shelburne

Wendy Niskanen – Shelburne

Others

Pauline Plourde – Business Administrator, SAU #20

Jacqueline Tetreault – Recording Secretary

CALL TO ORDER

Donna Goodrich, chairperson of the Board, called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

The Articles of Agreement were reviewed for a final time before the public hearing. The following changes were made as indicated:

Article 1 – now read Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. This is just to ensure any future possibility of a pre-kindergarten in the cooperative district as the articles of agreement would not have to be amended to include such.

Article 4 – defines which districts At-Large members would come from and quotes the proper RSA.

Article 13 – refers to transportation.

Article 22 – Item #5 –

Motion by Charles Brown, second by Michael Waddell

Motion: to reword Item #5 as follows:

A majority of the voters of each of the…..

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

M. Waddell left the meeting at 6 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 10/14 & 10/19

Motion by Leona Guay, second by Carol Gagnon

Motion: to approve the minutes of October 14^th as presented.

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

Motion by Charles Brown, second by Robert Leclerc

Motion: to approve the minutes of October 19^th as presented.

REVIEW OF COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

Ms. Goodrich shared that this meeting was a required public hearing for the Articles of Agreement, and that ‘nothing is a done deal’.

Respectfully submitted

Jacqueline Tetreault

Recording Secretary

Public Hearing

Gorham – Randolph – Shelburne Cooperative School District Planning Board

Thursday, November 4^th, 2004 – Gorham Town Hall

Attendees

Donna Goodrich – Gorham, chairperson

Michael Waddell – Gorham, vice-chairperson

Carol Gagnon – Randolph

Tuesday Willow – Shelburne

Leona Guay – Gorham

Robert Leclerc – Randolph

Charles Brown – Randolph

David Carlisle – Shelburne

Wendy Niskanen – Shelburne

Others

Pauline Plourde – Business Administrator, SAU #20

Jacqueline Tetreault – Recording Secretary

Members of the public

Members of the press

CALL TO ORDER

Donna Goodrich, chairperson of the Gorham-Randolph-Shelburne Cooperative District Planning Board, called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

Ms. Goodrich welcomed everyone to the public hearing, and reviewed the purpose of this meeting, which was to inform the public of the final outcome of the meetings of the Cooperative School District Planning Board which had been formed previously. Ms. Goodrich and Ms. Plourde explained each of the Articles of Agreement in turn.

D. Carlisle left the public hearing at 6:38 pm.

In regards to the School Board composition (Article 4), Mrs. Jean Lary questioned how the voting would take place. Ms. Plourde responded that voting would take place during the first organizational meeting of the Cooperative District Board.

M. Waddell arrived at the public hearing at 7:05 pm.

In regards to the Transfer of Real Property and Creation of School Facilities Capital Reserve Fund (Article %), Mrs. Sue Demers asked for clarification, and also questioned what would happen if the special legislation were to fail at the state level. Ms. Goodrich explained the legislation to go before the State has been written with the assistance of both the NH Department of Education and the Department of Revenue Administration. It is felt that there will hopefully be no difficulties getting this special legislation passed. The Articles of Agreement are expected to be on the legislative agenda for December, and need to be mailed out soon.

The rest of the Articles of Agreement were reviewed with very little discussion.

An Information Page was provided regarding the financial information that was adopted by the Cooperative School District Planning Board. Ms. Kathleen Kelley questioned whether the numbers included any bonding costs. Ms. Plourde replied that all financial information had been reviewed with and without bonding costs, and the numbers presented to the public at this time did not include a capital bond or buy-in costs.

Sue Demers questioned what would happen to the tax rate should the student ration change dramatically. Ms. Plourde replied that since the rate is calculated over a three-year average, everyone’s percentage would change.

Robert Demers inquired if special education costs were included in the figures, to which the answer was yes. It was also shared that special education placements out of the district would be taken care of by the cooperative district just as they are now.

Some inquiry was made to the division of bond monies, and it was shared that at the present time, no bond will be brought to the March town meeting.

Sue Demers questioned Article #19 – Grandfather Clause, and whether it would be just the two students currently attending that district. The reply was yes, this was only applicable to these two students.

William Jackson commended the Cooperative School District Planning Board for an excellent job, and that everything was well thought out.

Kathleen Kelley shared that the community of Randolph has experienced a dramatic drop of students in the last 10 years, and that in a cooperative there would be more stability.

Sue Demers commended the Cooperative School District Planning Board for working very hard.

The public hearing was adjourned at 7:52 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Jacqueline Tetreault

Recording Secretary