Dummer School Board

Meeting Minutes

July 12, 2004

Dummer Town Hall

 

 

Members present: Joane Belleau, Mariann Letarte

 

Others present: Patrick Low – SAU Superintendent, Pauline Plourde – SAU Business Administrator, and Julie Renaud Evans – recording secretary

           

Call to Order

J. Belleau called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

 

Approval of minutes

The Board reviewed the minutes of May 4.

           

            Motion by M. Letarte, second by J. Belleau.

            Motion: To accept the minutes of May 4, 2004 as presented.

            Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

 

Communications

 

1. J. Belleau reported that she had attended School Board training in Whitefield and had found it very interesting and helpful.

2. J. Belleau reported that she had written and spoken to Ted Comstock of the NHSBA regarding the AREA agreement with Berlin and Milan.  He had confirmed that the Agreement would first have to go to the Dept of Education in Concord and then to the voters at the District meeting given the expected changes in bond participation. J. Belleau indicated that the Board had made a mistake by not bringing the participation in Milan’s 15 year bond for renovations to the voters.  Also she noted she will be working with J. Quintal from Milan on this same issue.

3. P. Plourde reported an inquiry from N. Bisson for Board membership, and J. Belleau reported trying to reach L. Croteau and R. Danderson for same.

 

Vouchers

1. Vouchers number 1 and 17 for June 2004 were presented.

 

            Motion by M. Letarte, second by J. Belleau.

            Motion: To approve payment of vouchers as presented.

            Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed.

 

2. M. Letarte reported that Mary Guay (Board treasurer) is very uncomfortable signing checks before the Board has reviewed and signed the manifest.  P. Plourde confirmed that the best practice is for the manifest to be reviewed and vouchers approved before the checks are signed and she indicated that the SAU will follow this procedure at the Board’s request.

 

Superintendents Report

 

The Board welcomed new superintendent Patrick Low.  P. Low then gave the Board a few highlights of business during his first week on the job.  He indicated that he was trying to meet all the boards, principals, and other superintendents in the region, getting to know the SAU staff and the issues facing each school or Board, and hoping to meet the Selectmen in each town as well.  He noted that he enjoys an open door policy and welcomes visits or calls at any time, including home.  He indicated that the Milan school facility issues were being addressed with a new team of consultants and attorneys to evaluate the construction project and move forward.  He encouraged the Board to consider a brief “Parents Roundtable” at the beginning of each school board meeting as a way to encourage parental involvement and comfort with the board and superintendent. 

 

Financial Report

P. Plourde presented the Financial Report including the year end (almost) picture, noting that there may still be some revenues coming in.  She indicated that $ 17,000 will go into the Tuition Trust Fund (being added to the $ 28,000).    Given the passage of NH House Bill 608, she noted that Dummer should be okay with this new funding formula.  P. Plourde also indicated she will be submitting the Transfer schedule to the Selectmen requesting cash transfers.

 

Public Comments

 

There were no public comments.

 

Other

 

1. P. Low reported that he had asked S. Sarette to publish a summer newsletter for MVS as a courtesy in keeping people informed.

2. J. Belleau reported that at J. Quintal’s request she had written a letter of support, on behalf of the Board, for a grant application by the MVS.

3. M. Letarte asked about the proper procedure for a grievance with a teacher.  P. Low answered that the chain would be Teacher, then Principal, then Superintendent, then Dummer School Board, then Milan School Board.

4. The Board briefly discussed having meetings every other month, and having more joint meetings with Milan.

 

Next Meeting

The Board stated the next meeting would be on August 16, 2004 at the Dummer Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. 

 

Adjournment

 

            Motion by M. Letarte, second by J. Belleau.

            Motion:  To adjourn the meeting.

            Vote on motion:  All in favor.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

Julie Renaud Evans

Recording Secretary

Dummer School Board