Errol School Board

Minutes

December 20, 2004

 

These people were present: Principal Kathleen Urso, Teachers - Sharon Lane and Mary Cote, Teacher’s Aide Carol Tremblay, School Board members - Gloria Coffin and Norman Eames, Superintendent Patrick Low, Business Administrator Pauline Plourde, Errol School Association members Nancy Bourassa, Michelle Coderre and Rhonda Edwards, and Recording Secretary Clara Grover.

 

1.      The meeting was called to order by Chairman Norman Eames at 6:35 p.m.

 

2.      Gloria Coffin made the motion to approve the minutes of November 22, 2004 and                                                     

Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

3.      Communications:  Mrs. Urso said that she had received a letter from Mike Wallace, a

firefighter from Salem, who will be giving a workshop for EMT’s at the Gorham Middle School about safety on January 17th, 2005.

 

Patrick Low said that he was still working with Plymouth State College to recruit new teachers to consider the North Country as a place to look for jobs.  An incentive for new teachers would be to give $5,000.00 for repayment of education loans.

 

4.      Public Comments/Visitors: Rhonda Edwards said that she saw an item on the agenda

that she wanted to address - the Athletic field.  She said that Mike Hall and David Blanchette had given her estimates about fixing the field.  The two men suggested that the surface of the field be raised 6 ft with fill at an expense of $22,000 to $25,000.  There is a problem with the drainage in the field. 

 

Different ideas on how to solve the problems were discussed.   Norman Eames suggested asking Lewis Sweatt to plow, harrow, roll and reseed the field.  Mr. Eames also stated that the wires from the generator to the school are buried only two feet down in the ground.

 

Michelle Coderre said that she would ask Paula Sweatt about the plowing and get an estimate for the work. 

 

Nancy Bourassa said that it was understood that the School Board would get the field leveled and the Errol School Association would pay for the equipment (bases, backboard, etc.) 

 

It was suggested asking the Wildlife Festival and the Chamber of Commerce (because they use the field for events) for a donation to fix the field after estimates are available.

 

Rhonda Edwards stressed that the drainage problem needs to be fixed.

Pauline Plourde said that a public hearing should be held after the prices for the work are available.

 

The Errol School Association members Nancy Bourassa, Rhonda Edwards and Michelle Coderre left at 7 p.m.

 

5.      Approval of Vouchers was done and signed.

 

6.      Principal’s Report: Mrs. Urso handed out her report to the people present.  Mrs. Urso

explained that progress reports will be given out on January 7th.  A letter was sent to parents explaining about the pilot program for the trimester system.  A questionnaire was prepared and sent home to the parents for their input, the response has been positive.

 

A new computer technician, DeAnn Murphy, will be called when there are problems with the computers and printers.  Mrs. Urso suggested that the computer she uses be replaced because it is 6 years old, or add an external drive.

 

There weren’t any building or maintenance problems to report.

 

 Students in grades 5-8 have been participating in the Manchester Union Leader Stock Market Game.  The object of the game is to see which team made the most money.  The winners will receive prizes after the Christmas break.  The students are preparing for the Union Leader’s Spelling Bee.  For the second month, all the students have reached their reading goals. 

 

The staff and students are working on the Christmas program to be performed on Tuesday, December 21, 2004, at the town hall.  The traditions, food, and ideas of other countries for the Christmas season have been researched and will be presented by the students on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at the school.

 

The custodian, Barbara Lemieux, will be doing extra cleaning during the holiday vacation.

 

7.      Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Low stated that Mrs. Plourde would explain the budget

 

Mrs. Plourde said that Colebrook had set their tuition rate at $10,328 a student.  This is a drop from last year.  After all bills have been paid, and all revenue received, there should be a surplus of $43,000. 

 

Some students from Errol have not been in school at Berlin High on a regular basis.

 

Norman Eames asked if it was possible to get the attendance records of the absent students.

 

Mr. Low said that he would get in touch with the Principal at Berlin High about the attendance records.  Sharon Lane wanted to know if Errol would be reimbursed tuition if students haven’t been in school.  Mr. Low stated that he would investigate.

 

Mr. Low has permission of the Board to sign the contract with NCIA about the high speed internet service.  This service is free to the school.

 

Mr. Low will talk to the Upton School Board about having the 7 students coming to Errol for their education.  Mrs. Nelson, (a former teacher in Errol) is on the Upton Board. 

 

Mary Cote stated that the bus driver lives in Upton but drives a Telstar School District bus and picks up students in Newry and Andover on the way to the School.

 

Sharon Lane suggested an AREA agreement with someone from Upton on the Board.

This way Upton will have input to decisions governing the school.

 

School Roster was discussed.

 

NWEA Training will be on 1-17-2005 instead of 1-17-04 as stated in the agenda.

 

The checks for the Trust funds were discussed and will be made out before the end of the year. 

 

Mrs. Urso will be on vacation starting Thursday, December 23, 2004. 

 

Carol Tremblay asked about when the money would be given out from the $8,000 to be divided among the staff.  She was told that a payment would be given out soon.

 

Mr. Low complimented the staff on a very good job in all areas in the past term.  The staff is a very enthusiastic and certainly loves their jobs and the students.

 

Mrs. Urso said that the 4th grade will be taking the NEA Test.

 

Sharon Lane stated that the First Responder Course attendees (that had used the school rooms for training) were very impressed with the school.

 

8.      Budget process, Mrs. Plourde stated that the projected tax impact will drop from last

year. 

 

In 2005, Errol will be a donor town again.

 

Gloria Coffin asked for a comparison sheet for school options and busing.

 

9.      Other: Carol Tremblay wanted to know about insurance?

 

Mary Cote wanted to know when the $8,000 would be dispersed to the staff. (Physical education and music)

      

Pauline Plourde stated that the first payment would be in January, 2005, and the second payment would be in June.

         

         10.   No Non-Public session was required.

 

         11.   Next meeting will be on January 17, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

 

12.    Adjourned meeting at 8:30 p.m.  Gloria Coffin made the motion to adjourn and

  Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.