Errol School Board

Minutes

Monday, January 17, 2005

Present were: Principal Kathleen Urso, School Board Members Gloria Coffin and Norman Eames, Superintendent Patrick Low, Business Administrator Pauline Plourde, Teachers Sharon Lane and Mary Cote, Teacher’s Aide Carol Tremblay, Errol School Association member Rhonda Edwards and Recording Secretary Clara Grover.

1. Norman Eames called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.

2. Gloria Coffin made a motion to accept the minutes of December 20, 2004 as

presented. Norman Eames seconded the motion. All in favor.

3. Communication: Mr. Low had a communication about a student, which would

be discussed in the non-public meeting.

4. Public Comments/Visitors: Sharon Lane shared reflections about the workshop held in Gorham earlier in the day. The teachers were told about different ideas for math and language usage classes. Mrs. Lane and Mrs. Mary Cote were very enthusiastic about the computer testing, that is available in a computer program, for easier testing for the students.

Mr. Low explained that the results were available in 24 hours, giving the teachers a better chance of correcting each student’s weakness and enhancing

student strengths before the year ends. Mrs. Urso said the tests are taken twice a year, and shows whether the students have improved or stayed the same or lagged behind in their education.

Mrs. Coffin wanted to know if the information would be shared with the parents? Mrs. Lane said the parents would be informed about their particular student. Mrs. Lane stated that the test was a student friendly computer test,

programmed to challenge students to do their best.

5. Approval of Vouchers: This was done before the meeting started.

6. Principal’s Report was given orally by Mrs. Urso. She stated that the Holiday

Program held on December 21, 2004 was well received and praised by some

of the people that attended the evening.

The school has started a Tsunami Relief Fund for the students.

The students progress reports were given out.

Some of the students are taking the NECAP pilot testing program and

some are taking the NAEP(a national testing program).

Mrs. Angela Calder is the correspondent for the News & Sentinel paper from

Colebrook, so the school news will get in the paper on a regular basis.

The skiing program at the Balsams-Wilderness Ski Area is underway each

week on Monday.

The school received a donation of $250.00 from Mrs. Heather Powers.

(daughter of Mrs. Lane)

Rhonda Edwards arrived at 6:50 p.m. with an estimate from Mike Hall about

fixing the playground field. She stated that Lewis Sweatt wasn’t interested in

plowing the field because of the liability involved.

Patrick Low is to research about what is required for handicapped students

to use the field.

Gloria Coffin made the statement that the field needs to be fixed so anyone

can use it without getting hurt.

Pauline Plourde suggested taking $10,000.00 from the surplus at the end of

the school year and use $5,000.00 from tax dollars.

Rhonda Edwards explained about the difference in the two bids that had

been received from Mike Hall and David Blanchette. She stressed that an

article about the playground be put on the warrant for the school meeting.

After more discussion it was decided to remove the article about the

playground from the warrant because the money will be raised without using

tax dollars It was suggested asking the other organizations that use the field

for financial help.

Rhonda Edwards left at 7:11 p.m.

It was agreed that the drainage problems need to be solved to have a good

safe field. Gloria Coffin stated that specifications need to be put on paper so the job can go out for bid. The estimates that were presented by the School Association gave the School Board some idea of what it will cost to fix the field. Patrick Low and Pauline Plourde will do research on what specifications will be needed.

7. Superintendent’s Report: Patrick Low said that the paperwork for the

High-Speed Internet service has been submitted.

Mr. Low reported that he had visited the geographic area of the Upton School district. Patrick requested that Mrs. Urso contact an Upton Board Member and aquaint her with the school

Mr. Low put a suggestion on the floor about studying the feasibility of reinstating grades 9-10 and adding grades 11-12 to the school. This would require some thought and expansion to achieve.

The In-Service Training took place in Gorham in the morning of

January 17, 2005

8. Pauline Plourde went over the budget process for the people present and

received suggestions.

Pauline Plourde stated that a moderator is needed for the school meeting to be held on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 9 a.m. at the town hall. The town meeting will follow on the same day.

The Budget Hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 at

6:30 p.m. with a School Board meeting held after, at the school.

The election of officials will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, the same

time as the town election’s.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to accept the meeting dates as

presented and Norman Eames seconded the motion. All in favor.

One change in the budget was to raise the Ballot Clerks and the

Supervisors of the Checklist pay to $25.00 each.

Gloria Coffin made to motion to raise the pay to $25.00 for the Ballot

Clerks and Supervisors of the Checklist and Norman Eames seconded

the motion. All in favor.

10. Superintendent Evaluations forms will be mailed to Kathleen Urso.

11. Transportation Evaluation forms are available.

12. There is a School Board seat up for election at the school meeting, Norman Eames was encouraged to sign up so his name will be on the ballot.

13. The School Board Self-Evaluation process suggestions were solicited.

14. Other: It was suggested that Article 8 on the warrant be rewritten to change the name of the Special Education Trust Fund to be Student Tuition Trust Fund.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to rewrite Article 8 to ask for the

name change and purpose. Norman Eames seconded the motion.

All in favor.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to take article 9 out of the warrant,

this concerns the financing of the athletic field. Norman Eames

seconded the motion. All in favor.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to have a Board meeting after the budget hearing on February 1, 2005. Norman Eames seconded the motion. All in favor.

The amounts of the scholarships awarded to Holly Hall and Julie Ruel were discussed. Pauline Plourde is to research how much was given out other years and let the Trustees of the Trust Funds know so the checks can be sent to the girls.

After the budget hearing on February 1, 2005, the Board will be meeting to approve the budget, this will be considered the regular meeting.

At the present time it appears Errol will be a donor town in 2005.

Gloria Coffin made the motion to enter non-public session at 8:20 pm.

Norman Eames seconded the motion. All in favor.

Gloria Coffin Yes; Norman Eames Yes

Gloria Coffin made the motion to go out of Non-public session at 8:40 pm.

Norman Eames seconded the motion; all in favor.

15. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.