Errol School Board

Minutes

 

The Errol School Board meeting was held at the Errol School on May 16, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Those attending were Principal Kathleen Urso, School Board members Gloria Coffin         

and Norman Eames, Business Administrator Pauline Plourde, Teachers Sharon Lane and

Mary Cote, Paraprofessional Carol Tremblay, and  Recording  Secretary Clara Grover.

 

Superintendent Patrick Low had gone to Michigan to visit a college with his daughter.

 

Theresa Choquette was absent.

           

1.   The meeting was called to order by Chairman Norman Eames at 7:00 p.m.

 

2.      Gloria Coffin made the motion to approve the minutes of April 18, 2005 as presented.

Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

3.      Communications/Written:

Norman Eames received a letter from the Umbagog Heritage Committee asking if the group could use the land in front of the school for a fund raiser on the Fourth of July.

      They also want to leave the tent up for a week.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to allow the Umbagog Heritage Committee to use the front of the school for a fund raiser and Norman Eames seconded the motion.

All in favor.

 

Kathleen Urso read a letter from the eighth grade about a change in the dates of the car    wash (change from  May 7th to May 21st 2005) and the field trip (change from May 27-29th to June 10th 2005).

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to allow the eighth grade the change dates and Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

Kathleen Urso read a letter of resignation from Michele Johnson who is leaving at the end of the school year.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to accept the resignation (with regret) and

Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.   

 

Clara Grover asked Mrs Urso to inventory the chemicals in the attic because     Household Hazard Waste Day will be on Saturday, June 4, 2005 and the school can bring the chemicals that day.  A list will be faxed to the AVRRDDistrict office.

 

4.      Public Comments/Visitors – None

 

5.      Approval and signing of the vouchers was done before the meeting started.

 

 

 

6.      Principal’s Report:

Kathleen Urso handed out her report to the people present.  She stated that two members of  the Shady Ladies quilting group will come to the school on June 1st. to talk to the students about quilting.  A tea party will be held in their honor at snack time.

 

A field trip to Storyland is planned for June 3rd, rain date on June 10th.

Graduation and awards will be on Monday, June 13th at the town hall.

 

Chad Miller installed the high speed server during the Spring vacation.  The students all took the NWEA/MAPS Mathematic and reading tests.  The teachers were very pleased on how well the students participated.  All but one student, finished the test in 2 ½ days.  The older computers will be sent to the Gorham middle school for learning opportunities. 

 

Two new computers are necessary for the library and the administrative use.

The central vacuum system needs to be up-graded, with parts and labor about $500.00.

 

Salaries for summer curriculum work will be $5000.00 for 5 staff members.

 

 Mrs. Urso told the Board about a $5000.00 donation from someone who doesn’t want their identity known.  The money was put in the Principal’s checking account for student activities.  Pauline Plourde is to check with the auditor about this matter

and stated that the Board needed to make a motion to approve accepting the money.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to accept the $5000.00 donation and Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

Mary Cote stated that ther are times when money is needed right away and having to wait two weeks for a check from the SAU office could mean disappointment for the students or a missed opportunity.

           

                     Mrs. Urso handed out copies of the May activities paper she sends to the parents.

What a busy month!

 

7.      Superintendent’s Report:

Patrick Low was excused by SAU20 Chair to be out of town on family business, so Pauline Plourde gave the Superintendent’s report. 

She handed out copies of the financial report and the transfer of funds report from one account to another.

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to approve the fund transfers as explained by Mrs. Plourde and Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

The 2005-2006 calendar was discussed and changes made.  An up-dated calendar will be available for the June meeting.

 

NWEA/MAPS test were discussed earlier.  The teachers gave the test raving reviews about how the students reacted and the ease with which the students did the tests.

 

There are still ongoing talks with Upton, about having their students come to the Errol School.

 

The Principal’s initial evaluation was done since the last Board meeting and the final process for 2004-2005 will be completed b June 30, 2005.

 

The high-speed internet is installed and was used to do the NWEA/MAPS tests.  The teachers haven’t seen any difference.

 

The curriculum for 2005-2006 was discussed.  The District goals for 2006 were discussed.  The Safety Committee did a walk through the school.

Every thing was approved.

 

The vacant staff positions have been posted in several newspapers in the area and all major collegiate sites in the North East..

 

Under other,  Carol Tremblay asked about the number of her sick days. 

Mrs. Plourde will check on the matter at the SAU Office.

 

8.      Athletic Field:

The two bids that were received were opened by the Board.  A bid of  $22,800 was received from JML Excavation from Errol and a bid of $28,667.50 received from Sheldron Grey Construction  from Colebrook  They were the only companies that responded from the several that were notified.  All of the time limits and expectations were in the bid packets. After a discussion:

 

Gloria Coffin made the motion to award the job to JML Excavation and Norman Eames seconded the motion.  All in favor.

 

Kathleen Urso is to send a letter to the Umbagog Chamber of Commerce and the                      Lake Umbagog National Wlidlife Refuge asking for a donation because  they also use the field for fund raisers.  The Errol School Association will help with play equipment.

 

9.      The Graduation will be held on June 13, 2005 at the town hall.

 

10.  A decision concerning Nolan and Austin Bouchard, sons of Kim and Brent    

Bouchard, going to the Gorham schools will be announced at the June meeting.

 

The Lego Camp is set for June 27-29, 2005, at the school.  Mary Cote is to be an apprentice.

 

11.  A Non-Public session wasn’t required.

 

12.  Next regular meeting is June 20, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the school.

 

13.  Gloria Coffin made the motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. and Norman Eames          

seconded the motion.  All in favor.