MILAN/DUMMER SCHOOL BOARD

JOINT MEETING

OCTOBER 06, 2003

The Milan and Dummer School Districts met in a joint meeting on October 06, 2003, at the Milan Village School, Milan, NH. In attendance: Andrew Mullins, Patricia Shute,

Jacqueline Quintal, Joane Belleau, Diane Labbe and Mariann Letarte. Also:

Pauline Plourde, Sarah Sarette, Steven Welford, and Susan Enman (recording secretary).

An agenda was not available for this meeting.

Called to Order: Andrew Mullins called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

Due to an agenda not being available for this meeting, it was decided to discuss topics such as the Principal’s report and to give an update on the construction project.

Principal’s report:

Mrs. Sarette reviewed test scores and attached recommendations. The principal explained how she and the teachers analyzed the test scores.

Mrs. Sarette expressed her excitement on how well the Great Books training by Mary Tracy was going, and on the improvements she has already seen in the students. The Linda Mood program was also discussed and how this improved the students’ spelling

abilities.

Mrs. Sarette reported that Bill Wheeler will be demonstrating the curriculum software to the teachers. Mrs. Sarette described the features this new software provides.

Total enrollment at this time is at 139, which, is down by three as of this week. The bubble at this time is in grade five. Patricia Shute asked what the plans are for next

year’s kindergarten class due to the enrollment going down to 12 students. Mrs. Sarette

noted that she will be discussing this issue with Mr. Welford and Mrs. Plourde. The approximate amount of students attending kindergarten next year will be known after

the screening is done in May.

Mrs. Sarette informed the school board that she had received the report from the Dept.

of Labor. The principal noted that the nurse is going to remove her two beds and the

chair.

Mrs. Sarette informed the school board that one of the freezers in the kitchen is dead and

the other one is dying. The principal reviewed the two quotes she had received on the purchase and installation of a new freezer. Mrs. Quintal pointed out that the stove is very old and probably will have to be replaced in the near future.

Other issues of concern were discussed. Mrs. Sarette expressed her concern over the water pouring down off the roof in the entry way. Mrs. Plourde stated that this had

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not been included on the punch list. Mrs. Belleau stated that this might cause problems

in the winter.

The school board members pointed out the problems with water not draining properly

when it rains. It was noted that water has also been coming into the school in some areas.

Mrs. Sarette informed the school boards that Mr. Roberge’s sixth grade class is studying

astronomy at this time. Mr. Roberge would like permission to have a sleepover in the

school on Friday, October 17, 2003. This request was discussed with some reservation from the school board. It was mentioned that the boys should sleep in one area and the

girls should sleep in another area. It was stressed that a teacher should be present all

night. Mrs. Sarette informed the school board that she would be available to spend the

night. The principal stated that she would check on all the details and get back to the

school board.

Mrs. Sarette reported that her technology is very poor. She only has nine computers that

work good and another nine that work poorly. Mrs. Sarette stated that NHSALT is helping her to work on getting money from a technology grant. Mrs. Sarette is looking into buying eight new computers. The principal stated that her goal is to get all teachers

a new computer.

Mrs. Sarette informed the school board that she would like to include money in next year’s budget for a preschool program.

Mrs. Quintal asked Mr. Welford if this joint meeting should have been posted. Mr. Welford informed the school board members that he had spoken to Ted Comstock

pertaining to this issue. Mr. Comstock informed Mr. Welford that as long as each

board meeting was posted with the same time and place there was no need to post the joint

meeting.

Mrs. Shute suggested that materials be in the school board members hands five days prior to the meetings.

Construction Update:

Mr. Welford reported that $77,000.00 will be retained from Wrenn Associates until

the work is completed.

Mr. Welford reported that the old well is still being used due to the many problems with the new well. A discussion was held on the possibilities of what could be done in order to

rectify this problem at a minimal cost. Andrew Mullins suggested writing a grant asking

for funds to help with the well issue. Mrs. Plourde agreed that this might be a possibility.

Mrs. Plourde stated that she and Mr. Welford had spoken to Scott Clang. Mr. Clang

had suggested that maybe the people in the area would be interested in having their

water tested for free. If the results were good it would show what people could be asked

to share their well rights with the school district.

Jacqueline Quintal mentioned that Mark Gagne has an 80 gallon well across the street.

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Mr. Welford suggested to ask Mr. Gagne if he would like his water tested for free. Andrew Mullins agreed to talk to Mr. Gagne about the possibility of sharing his well

rights if he agreed to have his water tested and the results proved to be positive.

Mrs. Plourde pointed out that the leak would still need to be repaired.

Motion by Joane Belleau – Seconded by Patricia Shute

MOTION: to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.

Vote on motion: All in favor