Milan School Board

Minutes 12/01/03

 

The Milan School Board met in regular session on Monday, December 01, 2003, at the Milan Village School, Milan, NH.  In attendance:  Andrew Mullins, Patricia Shute, and Jacqueline Quintal.  Also:  Pauline Plourde, Sarah Sarette, Rebecca Hebert-Sweeny, Todd Butler, Steven Welford (arrived at 6:45 p.m.) and Susan Enman (recording secretary). 

 

I.          Call to Order:  Andrew Mullins called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m.

 

II.            Approval of November  03, 2003 minutes:

 

            It was pointed out that Ms. Quintal was addressed as Mrs. Quintal in a couple of

            sentences.   Two errors on page three, paragraph  five were mentioned.  One was         

            an incomplete sentence.  The correction should be; “Mr. Kent is planning on

            coming to Milan on Thursday, November 06, 2003, at approximately 1:00 p.m.        

            to walk through the building with the school board members”.   The word             “taken”  in the second to last sentence of this paragraph should be replaced with             “noted during a rain storm”.

 

            Ms. Quintal stated that Mr. Welford’s name is at the beginning where people in

            attendance are listed, which, looks as though he had been there for the whole             meeting.  Ms. Quintal pointed out that Mr. Welford had arrived at the scheduled             1:00 meeting at 4:15 p.m.  It was suggested to indicate the time if  people             arrive            late for meetings.

 

                        Motion by Jacqueline Quintal – Seconded by Patricia Shute

                        MOTION:  to approve the minutes of the November 03, 2003

                        meeting as amended.

                        Vote on motion:  All in favor

 

III.            Communications

            *Attorney William Bagley

            Mr. Welford gave an update on where the litigation stands at this time.

            The Superintendent stated that the attorney has all the requested information.

            Mr. Welford informed the School Board that he had been asked to attend the

            mediation session scheduled on December 08, 2003.

 

                        Motion by Patricia Shute – Seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

                        MOTION:  to go into Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A Section E

                        at 8:12 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor

 

            Litigation costs and issues discussed.

 

                                                                                                Milan School Board

                                                                                                Minutes 12/01/03

                                                                                                Page Two

 

                        Motion by Patricia Shute – Seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

                        MOTION:  to come out of Non-Public Session under RSA 91-A

                        Section E at 8:36 p.m.

                        Vote on motion:  Roll call taken; all in favor

 

IV.            Principal’s Report:

            Sarah Sarette and Todd Butler gave a powerpoint presentation on the plans they

            had made thus far to start a preschool program.  Mr. Butler reported that he had             looked into law requirements and had also contacted personnel working in              preschools in the surrounding area.  Mrs. Sarette informed             the school board that      she had been working very closely with Dottie Fair from the state department.

            Mrs. Sarette stated that she was very confident that the preschool program would be completely funded through a Title I federal grant.  

            It was pointed out that $7,500.00 had been added in the budget in case this

            program would not be fully funded through a grant.

                                                                                               

            Mrs. Sarette stated that she and Mr. Butler are ready to start the preschool

            program in 2004/2005 if approved at the March town meeting. 

            Mr. Butler and Mrs. Sarette pointed out that having a preschool program in

            place would allow an extra year to identify children in need of special services.

            Patricia Shute questioned how many children were identified as needing special

            services through the “Childfind Screenings”.  Mrs. Hebert- Sweeny explained             that children in need of services are not only found through this screening but are

            also referred by physicians.  Mrs. Sarette and Mrs. Hebert-Sweeny both felt that             having aA preschool program would attract more parents to bring their child to             the Childfind Screening.

            Ms. Quintal asked if Dummer students would be allowed to attend the preschool

            program.  Mrs. Sarette stated that she felt very positive about Dummer children

            attending this program especially if it were funded through Title I.

            A discussion was held on the fairness of allowing children outside of the Milan

            School district to attend the preschool.  Concern was expressed as to whether this

            would cause problems by leaving some Milan children out of the program in case

            of  full capacity while children outside the district were enrolled.

            Mr. Butler stated that he and Mrs. Sarette do not have complete plans and are             still in the process of working out issues that would arise such as this one.

            The School Board Members agreed that this sounded like a good idea and would

            like to see Mrs. Sarette and Mr. Butler continue  their plans to start  a preschool

            program.  It was suggested to have an update of these plans presented at the

            January school board meeting. 

 

                                                                                               

 

                                                                                                Milan School Board

                                                                                                Minutes 12/01/03

                                                                                                Page Three

 

            Mrs. Sarette reviewed the Principal’s report.  The Principal expressed her             concern over the lack of computer technology shown in the school.  A graph

            was handed out showing  that the Milan Village School was at a Level 0.

            Mrs. Sarette informed the School Board that she was working on three grants

            at this time, which, would help to increase the school’s computer technology.

            The Principal stated that her goal was to get the school from a Level 0 to a

            Level 3 by the end of the school year. 

 

            Behavior issues and lack of respect in grades five and six were discussed.  Mrs.

            Sarette reviewed what steps were being taken to try to resolve these problems. 

            The Principal explained what Karen Cloutier’s role was and how she handled

            these situations when they arose.  Mrs. Sarette was commended for taking the

            intiative to work on resolving the behavioral problems in the school.

 

            Mrs. Sarette stated that the new freezer was in and asked what to do with the old

            ones.  It was decided to take the door off the old freezer that is not working  and             get a permit to dispose of it.  Mrs. Sarette informed the School Board that Dennis             Binette had approached her about taking the other old freezer.  Mr. Binette said             that he would give the school district a credit on the new freezer if this would be             agreeable.  The School Board agreed that this would be a good idea. 

 

                        Motion by Patricia Shute – Seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

                        MOTION:  to accept Dennis Binette’s offer of giving the school district

                        a credit on the new freezer if allowed to be given the old  freezer that is

                        still working and the school district will take the responsibility for the                                     disposal of the old freezer that is not working.

                        Vote on motion:  All in favor     

 

V.            Superintendent’s Report

            *Review SAU Budget

            The SAU budget was reviewed.  It was pointed out that this budget was down from

            last year due to the elimination of the Curriculum Coordinator’s position.

            *Initial Budget Review

            Mr. Welford stated that the total budget had an increase of approximately

            $70,983.00, which, was mostly due to the increase of special education tuition costs. 

            Mrs. Sarette informed the School Board that there had been a reduction of one

            teacher in next year’s budget due to the decrease in the number of students.

            A discussion was held on how it would be decided as to what teacher would be

            released.  Mr. Welford stated that this issue would be discussed between himself,                        Mrs. Sarette and Ted Comstock.

            The Principal mentioned that she would like to increase the physical education

                                                                                                            Milan School Board

                                                                                                            Minutes 12/01/03

                                                                                                            Page Four

 

            teacher’s time from two to three days per week in order to give time to start

            working  on the health curriculum.

            Mrs. Plourde pointed out that the budget reflects a 3% increase in salaries.  Mr.

            Welford explained that teachers who are not at the top of the scale will receive an             additional step plus 3%. 

            Mrs. Plourde stated that health insurance costs have been budgeted for a 30%

            Increase, however, the actual increase is 23%.   A discussion was held on what

            the employees are paying for their health insurance at this time and what their

            projected costs will be in the future.

            Individual line items of the budget were discussed and changes were made.  The

            School Board decided to remove $200.00 budgeted for bean bags.  It was also

            decided to decrease the costs of white boards to $250.00.  After a lengthy

            discussion on how many desks and chairs were actually needed, it was decided

            to table this issue for a later date. 

 

            Mrs. Hebert-Sweeny reviewed Section 504 and special education portion of the

            budget.  She noted that there were 29 special education students budgeted for

            at this time.

 

VI.       Public Comments:

            None at this time.

 

VII.     Other

            *AREA agreement with Berlin

            Mr. Welford stated that he would provide a copy of the AREA agreement from

            John Moulis at the next meeting.

            *Rental Agreement Policy (First Reading)

            This issue was tabled for another date.

 

VIII.    Non-Public Session – RSA 91-A Section E

            Discussed under agenda item III.

 

IX.       Next Meeting:

            The next Milan School Board meetings will be held on Tuesday, December 16,

            2003, at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, December 18, 2003, at the Milan Village

            School, Milan, NH.  These meetings will be strictly for the discussion of the

            budget.

 

X.            Adjournment:

                        Motion by Jacqueline Quintal – Seconded by Patricia Shute

                        Motion:  to adjourn the school board meeting at 11:45 p.m.   

                        Vote on motion:  All in favor