ERROL SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES

 

 

The Errol School Board met on June 21, 2004, in the Errol School at 7 p.m.

 

Those present were:

School Board Members - Gloria Coffin, Norman Eames and Theresa Choquette

Others - Principal Kathleen Urso, Director of Special Services Rebecca Hebert-Sweeny, Business Administrator Pauline Plourde, Steven Welford, Interim Superintendent (arrived at 7:26 pm) and Recording Secretary Clara Grover

Members of the public - Sharon Lane and Carol Tremblay

 

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

 

  1. Approval of the minutes of May 17, 2004 meeting.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to approve the minutes as presented and Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

  1. Communications 

Gloria Coffin informed the Board that she had to leave at 8:30 p.m.

                

Kathleen Urso informed the Board that Steve Welford had called at 6:30 p.m., saying that he was just leaving Gorham and would get in Errol about 7:30 p.m.  He wanted the Board to start the meeting without him.

 

Robert Senter had been in to repair several electrical problems in the school.  He suggested that the all the lights be replaced before the new school year begins to keep the ballasts from burning out.  He quoted a price of $1,260.00.

 

Norman Eames asked if the lights were under the PSNH Energy Saving Program.  Pauline Plourde is to research the Program and bring the information back to the Board before a decision is made about replacing the light bulbs.

 

Robert Senter told Gloria Coffin that he was going to ask the Selectmen about hooking up the generator to the school and library.  This means that the trench for the wires would be going through the ball field that the school wants to level the field out, making it safe for the children.

 

Norman Eames asked Pauline Plourde if she could do the Superintendent’s Report.  She replied she could.

      

  1. Superintendent’s Report

          

Pauline Plourde reported that she has projected a surplus of $97,000 for the year.

 

Pauline Plourde reported on the Scholarships and showed the certificates that had been made up by one of the ladies in the SAU’s office. Pauline will mail the certificates to the recipients.  The Board had to make a decision about who would receive the $1000.00 from the Great Lakes Hydro Scholarship.  The records and an essay from each applicant were mailed to each Board member to help them in their decision.

 

Gloria Coffin asked if the money could be divided between the two girls.

 

Pauline said that she could ask if the Great Lakes Hydro America LLC would be willing to split the $1000.00 between the two applicants.  Pauline also stated that the company would be alternating the scholarship between Errol and Dummer; if a Dummer student wasn’t available the scholarship would go to a Milan student.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion that if the money couldn’t be split, Holly Hall should receive the $1000.00 because her cumulative grades were the highest.  Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  Norman Eames abstained because he is related to both applicants. Gloria and Theresa were in favor.

 

Superintendent Steven Welford arrived at 7:26 p.m.

 

Gloria Coffin mentioned the Bicentennial Scholarship; she wanted to know if there is enough money in the account for the scholarship.  The Selectmen will be asked about the account.

             

Steven Welford explained to the Board, that the total cost for the Northwest Evaluation Assessment Tests will be $231.48 for Errol.  He also said that the laptop wireless computers would give the teachers more flexibility, moving the computers to the students instead of moving the students.  The price for the 5 computers should be increased to $6000.00, to allow for a price increase.

   

A decision for purchasing the computers was tabled at the May meeting because the Board member wanted more information about the different computers - laptops or desk top.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to remove the motion about purchasing the computers from the table. Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

                                  

Gloria Coffin said that she had asked some people about the best way to go.  It was suggested that the desk top computers were the ones to purchase. She agreed with them. 

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to purchase 5 new Dell desk top computers and Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

Steven Welford asked if any printers were needed.  Kathleen Urso said that the five printers in the school were less than a year old and should work with the new computers.  Three of the present computers would be replaced with the new computers, thus increasing the total of computers by two.

 

Putting loam on the ball field was discussed, but until the town decides when they are going to dig the trenches for the wiring to hook the school and library to the generator, the school can’t level out the field.  Steven Welford asked Norman Eames how long it would take to get a load of loam, and just pile it on the field.  There is $5000.00 set aside for the project and it will be lost if the project isn’t started before June 30; putting a load of loam on the property would be a start.  The loam can be put over by the tennis court.  Norman Eames is to get the loam and send the bill to Pauline Plourde.

  

Gloria Coffin made the motion not to exceed $5,000.00 for fixing the ball field and needs to be started before June 30th this year.  Theresa Choquette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

Steven Welford thanked the Board for their cooperation and help as this would be his last meeting with the Board because the new Superintendent would be starting on July 1st.

 

  1. Principal’s Report.

 

Kathleen Urso reported about the four students, Jessica Bourassa, Jocelyn Farwell, Rodney Harris and Caleb Sweatt who graduated on June 14th.  Assortments of awards were given out to the students.  Mrs. Nelson is retiring this year; she was given an autographed (by the students) tote bag plus a special award for her many years helping the students.

 

Lego Camp will be held on June 28th to 30th at the school. There are 18 children signed up for the camp so far.

 

The summer school program will have 6 to 8 students per week in attendance.

 

Staff members will be attending a series of conferences and workshops over the summer months.

 

The attic received a major cleaning, about 30 old computers were found, some chemicals from past science classes were also discovered.  The computers are too heavy for the staff to move safely.  Any suggestions are welcomed as to how to remove them from the attic.  Lynch J K Disposal will haul them away for $150.00 if they are put in the dumpster.  Steven Welford suggested putting the computers out the vent, (if possible) and dropping them in the bucket of a pay loader.  More research is needed for this project.

 

6.   Public Comment.         

Sharon Lane and Carol Tremblay were asked if they had anything to comment about.  Sharon said no, Carol asked about insurance.  Steven Welford said the insurance would be discussed in the non public session that was next.

 

7.      Next Meeting will be July 19, 2004 at 7 p.m. in the school.

 

Gloria Coffin left at 8:25 p.m.

 

8.      Theresa Choquette made a motion to go to non public session under RSA 91-A:311 a and c, Norman Eames seconded the motion.  Members polled individually; Theresa Choquette – yes, Norman Eames - yes

 

Employee benefits and special education issues were discussed.

 

Theresa Choquette made a motion to exit the non public session at 8:45 p.m. with a second by Norman Eames.; all in favor.

 

Motion made by Theresa Choquette and a second by Norman Eames to allow full time support staff members enrollment into the School District’s Health Insurance Program with 100 % of the costs to be the employee’s responsibility.  All in favor.

 

9.      Adjournment – Theresa Choquette made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 p.m.; Norman Eames seconded.  All in favor.