ERROL  SCHOOL  BOARD  MINUTES

 

The Errol School Board met at the Errol School on May 17, 2004, at 7 p.m.

The meeting didn’t start until 7:45 p.m. because Steven Welford was late getting     back from a conference in Concord.

 

Present were: School Board Members: Theresa Choquette, Norman Eames, and Gloria Coffin; Principal Kathleen Urso, Interim Superintendent Steven Welford, Teachers Aide Carol Trembly, and Recording Secretary Clara Grover.   

 

1.   The meeting was called to order by Chairman Norman Eames at 7:45 p.m.

 

2.      Gloria Coffin made the motion to approve the minutes of April 19, 2004 as    

presented and Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

3.      Communications:  Kathleen Urso passed out copies of a letter from

      Becky  Hebert-Sweeney about the Federal IDEA and Preschool Entitlement

     Consolidation Agreement.  Mrs. Sweeney wanted the Board to make a motion to                          

      approve the school participating in the IDEA Agreement. 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to participate in the program and Theresa Choquette seconded it.  All in favor.                       

 

4.      Superintendent’s Report:  Steven Welford explained that there is a surplus of   

$94,459.00, he stated that unless an emergency arises, this money will be available at the end of the school year for tax relief, playground fund and a wish list.  Less tuition students than anticipated, more revenue than estimated, and teacher salaries were less than anticipated are the main reason for the surplus.

 

Scholarships:  Two applications were received for the scholarships available for any Errol High Senior, who is going on to college.  Holly Hall and Julie Ruel submitted applications.  Holly’s application was for the Hydro and the Bicentennial Scholarships and Julie’s was for the Hydro and the Robert Bean Scholarships.  The Robert Bean Scholarship will be awarded to Julie Ruel and the Bicentennial Scholarship will be awarded to Holly Hall.  Further research

is needed before awarding the Hydro Scholarship.  No one applied for the Chris Sullivan Scholarship.

 

Steven Welford was late for the meeting because he was at a conference in Concord, put on by the Board of Education.  This conference was by invitation and open to only 200 people.  The different topics were about the future plans and ideas for the education of students of all ages.  Steve said the sessions he attended were educational and helpful to him but also raised a lot of questions. 

 

The Northwest Evaluation Assessment Tests have a $3350 start-up cost which can be shared by the three schools in the SAU District, thus making them affordable for Errol.  There are 18 students in grades 2-8, in Errol, and 142 in Milan and 450 in Gorham, in grades 2-10 that are the appropriate age to take the test.  Errol’s share of the cost for the program will be taken from the unexpended funds.  The test results are available in 48 hours. Some of the cost includes: $108.00 for testing, $9.00 for an online manual, an entire day for teacher training and tech support if needed.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to participate in the NWEA Assessment Tests and Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

Principal’s Wish List:

$5000.00 to the Errol School Association for the renovations for the ballfield.

$1000.00 for repair/replace window screens. 

5 new Dell computers about $1300.00 each, because several of the computers on hand are outdated and for the NorthWest Evaluation Assessment Tests to be done.

 

The money for the ballfield will be put on hold until information from the selectmen about the trenches needed to install the hook-ups is ascertained.

 

The repairing or replacing the window screens will be done by Hick’s        Hardware in Colebrook. The price of the screens was increased from $1000.00 to $1500.00 because no firm price was available.  This money will be taken from the unexpended funds. 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to have the window screens repaired or replaced, Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

The computers were discussed: Wireless laptop computers are easier because the computers can be taken to the students instead of the students going to tables holding the desk top computers. Gloria Coffin and Theresa Choquette were concerned about the safety of the computers.  Steven Welford explained that individual cases for each computer can be purchased if the storage cabinet is not purchased.  Kathleen Urso was concerned about the storage of the computers.  Steven Welford explained that the computers would be plugged in at night to be recharged; they could be placed on a table for the recharging.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to purchase 5 new Dell wireless computers,    cases, 4 axis points, and a wireless printer for a total of $10,350.  Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  After a lengthy discussion it was decided to table the matter until the June meeting.   All in favor of tabling the motion.

   

5.      The Principal’s Report:  Kathleen Urso told about the science fair that was                                    held on April 22, 2004.  She said that the students did a tremendous job making complicated contraption. 

The spring program will be May 26, 2004, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the town   hall.

A trip to Washington, D.C. is next week for Sharon Lane, Mary Teri Cote, Cameron Broad and Ashley Decosta.  They will be joining other students and chaperones from the North Country for a three day trip.  The school received a scholarship from the Vietman Veteran’s Traveling Wall Committee and funds from an Innovative Programs Grant, and also a donation of $50.00 from the North Country Fireman’s Association for the trip.

Upcoming conferences and workshops for the students include the Youth Pregnancy Prevention Conference for eighth grade students at the Balsams on May 27th and the YNOT (anti-smoking) workshop on May 20th.  Karen Cloutier the Guidance Counselor for Errol and Milan will be taking Sam Pelchat and Jessica Bourassa.

The school received a $250.00 grant from Wal-Mat for an anti-smoking program. The grant was written by Karen Cloutier.

The school wants to enlarge their sunflower garden and plant pumpkins.  The increase would make the garden 12’ by 20’, the Board members looked the area over before the meeting started and agreed that the increase could be done.

Graduation will be Monday evening, June 14th. Notices will be sent to parents.

 

     6.    Public Comments:  Clara Grover as the Supervisor of the Trust Funds suggested that the money for the screens be taken from the School Building Trust Fund, she felt that the screen was an improvement to the building so would qualify to come from the fund.  The Board members agreed with the suggestion.

 

     7.    Other: no issues

    

     8.     Next meeting will be June 21, 2004

 

     9.    Non Public Session-RSA 91-A 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to go into non-public session at 9:40 p.m., Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

    

            Gloria Coffin                   Yes

            Theresa Choquette           Yes

            Norman Eames               Yes

 

   10.                Theresa Choquette made the motion to go to public at 10:29 p.m., Gloria Coffin seconded the motion.

                           Gloria Coffin            Yes

                           Theresa Choquette    Yes

                            Norman Eames        Yes   

 

    11.   The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.