MILAN

Minutes of Special School Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 21, 2005 at 6:30 pm.

Milan Village School, 11 Bridge Street, Milan, NH 03588-9702

 Phone 603 449-3306      Fax 603.466.3870     Web http://schools.ncia.net/milanvs

 

Milan Members Present:  Sarah Sarette, Principal Milan Village School;  Andrew Mullins, School Board Chairman;  Jacqueline Quintal, School Board Member; Patricia Shute, School Board Member;  Others Present:  Malcolm Shute Minute Taker

Guests Present:  Melissa Boissonneau, Karen Cloutier, Amy Cornish, Dennis Cornish, Kevin Evans,

Julie Renaud Evans, Julie Halle, Lisa Morse, Laura Oullette, Gail Thomas, Lucie Valley, Karen Wheeler,  Jim Wheeler

             

Call to Order

Andrew Mullins called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.

 

Purpose of Meeting

To discuss concerns from the citizens of Milan regarding staffing issues at the Milan Village School.

 

Staffing  Issues

The following table illustrates the current 2005 teaching assignments and the proposed 2005/2006 teaching assignments. This table was not presented at the meeting; however, the affected teachers were discussed.  The table is included herein to show the proposed changes clearly. 

 

As shown in the remarks column, the overall effect in attempting to make these new teaching assignments resulted in the loss of one teacher who resigned rather than accept the new assignment; however, she has been offered her old job back and would return to her original teaching capacity as the Kindergarten and Pre-school teacher if she accepts the offer.  Three other teachers, who did not teach core subjects, also resigned for various personal reasons.  The School Board considers this to be a common occurrence because the positions are for just one day per week.  A fifth teacher decided to retired.

 

Grade

Current Assignment '04-'05

Proposed Assignment '05-'06

Remarks

K/Pre

Brenda Lamarque

Kelly Pike

Kelly resigned this morning but School Board was not aware it.

1 – 2 Team

Claudia Daniels, Kari Goulet & Kelly Pike

Claudia Daniels, Kari Goulet & Lisa Morse

 

3

Lisa Morse

Karen Parker

 

4

Karen Parker & Mike Giroux

Mike Giroux

 

*5

Malcolm Longenecker*

*Malcolm Longenecker     Brenda Lamarque

Malcolm retired.
Brenda resigned.

6

Norman Roberge

Norman Roberge

 

Guidance/Health

Karen Cloutier

New hire

Karen resigned

Librarian

Barbara Morternson

New hire

Barbara resigned

Gym

Nancy Bisson

New hire

Nancy resigned

Bold name indicates re-assignment. * 5th grade would have two teachers and one paraprofessional.  Kim Pike and Karen Patry are the two paraprofessionals in the school now.

 

 

 

April 21, 2005

Milan school Board

Meeting Minutes

 

Julie Renaud Evans told the School Board that she was concerned about Milan Village School losing five teachers at the same time and that she had voluntarily telephoned several Milan parents to convey her concern and asked them to attend tonight's meeting to demonstrate that they were also concerned. 

 

Discussion

All thirteen guests, the three members of the School Board and the Principal held a lengthy discussion about the perceived staffing problems with the following concerns.

 

·       Several parents praised the work of Brenda Lamarque in teaching their pre-school and kindergarten children and said they would be very disappointed if she left.

·       Julie Renaud Evans said she received a polite reply last month from the Superintendent to her letter of concern; however she did not feel the reply addressed her concerns adequately and called for this meeting.

·       The Chairman indicated that the guests knew more about what was going on than the School Board and cited the resignation of Kelly Pike which apparently happened earlier today and was not known to the School Board but appeared to be known by the guests.

·       Jim Wheeler made a motion, which was seconded by Dennis Cornish, to allow Karen Cloutier to speak.  This action was necessary because Karen is not a resident of Milan.

·       Using two existing teachers to co-teach the same class is not an easy thing to do according to Gail Thomas.

·       Kevin Evans was concerned that students would be confused if teachers changed the classes they normally teach.

·       The Principal pointed out that the Superintendent was aware of the proposed changes and they were considered to be necessary administrative decisions.

·       Lisa Morse suggested that Brenda Lamarque should reconsider her resignation and be re-hired.

·       There was concern from Laura Oullette that some families might move away from Milan.

·       Patricia Shute felt that having one 4th grade class and one 5th grade class is working.  There are 16 students in 5th grade.

·       Karen Cloutier felt that the hours for the Guidance Counselor should be increased.

Julie Renaud Evans made a motion, which was seconded by Kevin Evans, to allow Gail Thomas to speak.  This action was necessary because she resides in Dummer.

·       Hiring practices were explained, indicating how prospective teachers are interviewed. When a prospect is selected, a background check is conducted.

·       Lisa Morse suggested that the Superintendent should interview teachers who are leaving as well as graduating students.

·       In the past Berlin Junior High School teachers used to meet with Milan Village School teachers  to discuss incoming students' personalities and behavior to help to provide an amicable classroom setting.

 

Departure

The guests left at 8:50 pm after two hours of discussion.

 

Teaching Principal

·       The Principal presented the following three options for teaching the fifth grade:

Option 1.  Hire two new teachers.

Option 2.  Principal to teach fifth grade with the assistance of a paraprofessional.

Option 3.  Principal to teach fifth grade with the assistance of a paraprofessional and another teacher

   (new hire).

 

April 21, 2005

Milan school Board

Meeting Minutes

 

 

·       The Principal preferred Option 2 which would allow her to teach the 5th grade full time.  She would relinquish her “duties” except for the fifth grade and would delegate some of her previous principal-type work to her secretary.  This would also require more duties from the teaching staff.  She would phase out of teaching after the second year.

 

·       The school board felt that option 3 was better because the students would have two teachers and one paraprofessional. Sarah would then retain the title of Principal.  The Principal wants just one paraprofessional and herself.

 

·       After much discussion, the School Board unanimously, albeit reluctantly, agreed with her decision to be a teaching principal.

 

·       The Principal also recommended that Barbara Young-Hoffman, the school psychologist, be available for one full day.  She felt the funds could come from IDEA.  This matter needs to go before the SAU-20 board.

 

·       The revised staffing table is shown below.

 

Next Meeting

The next meeting is at 6:30 pm on May 9th at the Milan Village School.

 

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 11:25 pm.

 

Revised Staffing 

Grade

Current Assignment 04-05

Proposed Assignment 05-06

Remarks

K/Pre

Brenda  Lamarque

Brenda  Lamarque

        (if she returns)

1 –2 Team

Kari Goulet & Kelly Pike

Claudia D., Kari G.,  & Lisa M.

        Kelly resigned

3

Lisa Morse

Karen Parker

 

4

Karen Parker & Mike Giroux

Mike Giroux

 

*5

Malcolm Longenecker

*Sarah Sarette,  one paraprofessional

 

6

Norman Roberge

Norman Roberge

 

Guidance/Health

Karen Cloutier

New hire

 

Librarian

Barbara Morterson

New hire

 

Gym

Nancy Bisson

New hire

 

Bold name indicates re-assignment.  *5th grade will have one teacher and one paraprofessional.  Kim Pike and Karen Patry are the two paraprofessionals in the school now.