MILAN

Minutes of School Board Meeting

Thursday, May  12, 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/milanvs2                                

 

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:

Patrick Low, Superintendent, SAU20; Pauline Plourde, Business Administrator SAU20; Malcolm Shute, Minute Taker.

Guests Present:

Carol Miller, NCIA; Lisa Morse , Julie Renaud Evans, Julie Hallee, Laura Ouellette, Julie Glover, Gail Thomas, Cindy Mortenson,, Melinda J.Mortenson, Lynn Dube, Dennis Rossignol, Mike Giroux, Karen Patry, Claudia B. Daniels,

Denise Doucette.

 

Agenda Number/Subject (taken from Agenda)

I.     Call to Order               

The School Board Chair called the meeting to order at 6:40 pm.

 

II.   Approval of March 29, 2005 & April 21,  2005 Minutes

      Motion by Jacqueline Quintal, seconded by Patricia Shute.

     Motion:  To approve minutes of March 29, 2005 with changes as noted.

     Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

 

      Motion by Jacqueline Quintal, seconded by Patricia Shute.

     Motion:  To approve minutes of April 21, 2005 with changes as noted and including the attachment provided

     by Julie Renaud Evans (see Public Comments, below).

     Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

 

III.   Public Comments

      Julie Renaud Evans felt that the minutes for the April 21, 2005 Special School Board Meeting did not adequately address some of the very good discussions that transpired. A copy of her comments will be attached to these minutes. Some of her comments are listed below.  She felt that parents expressed concern about the following:

l          The culture and environment at Milan Village School.

l          The number of resignations of good teachers and staff.

l          The apparent lack of support and continuing rising workload for teachers and staff.

l          The continued reduction of staff size-for example, nursing and guidance counseling.

l          The fact that the staff feels more planning should be done for staffing grade 5 as well as the focus on

      planning for grade 5 was given secondary consideration.

l           Refer to the attachment for her complete comments.

 

      Two teachers gave their support to the Principal and they quoted the retiring 5th grade teacher as stating that he did not resign because of the Principal.

 

      Mike Giroux received a telephone call in which the caller asked him why he was leaving.  Mr. Giroux stated that he is not leaving and questioned where this kind of information came from.

 

      A question was raised about why “the School Board unanimously, albeit reluctantly, agreed with her

(Principal) decision” as stated in the April 21, 2005 minutes for Special School Board meeting. The Principal's decision was for Option 2 (Principal to teach fifth grade with the assistance of a paraprofessional).

 

      The School Board felt that the Principal might be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of two full-time positions. This is the reason the School Board accepted her choice “reluctantly”.

 

      A parent asked the School Board if her child could remain at Milan Village School for the remainder of this school year even though her family has moved to Berlin.  A motion was made to authorize this (see below).

 

 

A letter will be sent to the parent and to John Moulis, the SAU-3 School Superintendent in Berlin, on behalf of the Milan School Board confirming this decision by the Superintendent of Schools of SAU 20. The letter will contain the family's name and the student's name.

 

      Motion by Jacqueline Quintal, seconded by Patricia Shute.

     Motion:  To allow the student to remain in the Milan Village School until the end of the school year, with transportation provided

     by the family.

     Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

 

      Carol Miller, co-owner of NCIA, discussed how her company plans to provide on-site computer services for Milan Village School at a rate of $40/hour for 20 hours per semester or $40/hour for 40 hours per semester.

 

      The number of hours NCIA has spent at Milan Village School this year will be provided to the Principal. Specification 802.11B will be followed by NCIA.

 

      Motion by Patricia Shute, seconded by Jacqueline Quintal.

     Motion:  To empower NCIA to write a service contract indicating care for the Milan Village School computer network and all the

     needs at a flat rate of $40/hour with no minimum number or maximum number of hours.

     Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

 

      Upgrading Milan Village School's Internet data lines to high-speed T1 was also discussed.  The School Board indicated that they would prefer to have nothing mounted on the roof of the building that would interfere with performing maintenance on the roof, specifically the board does not want to have an antenna mounted on the roof.  Carol Miller felt that this could be accomplished.

 

      Carol Miller also assured the School Board that the NCIA equipment would not interfere with communications at the Berlin airport, ½ mile from the school.

 

IV.   Communications/Written

      The Superintendent submitted two letters from teachers to the Board Chair; one with regard to a resignation and the other with regard to  reassigning a teacher to her original class.

 

      Jacqueline Quintal acknowledged the receipt of a letter of resignation, dated April 21, 2005, from Kimberly Pike, from the position of paraprofessional. She also acknowledged the receipt of a letter dated April 21, 2005 from Sarah Sarette, Principal, to Brenda Lamarque, preschool teacher, inviting her to take that position and offered her a deadline of April 25, 2005 for that decision.  A follow-up letter from Brenda Lamarque, dated May 2, 2005, was received in which she declined that position.

 

      Motion by Patricia Shute, seconded by Jacqueline Quintal.

     Motion:  To accept the resignation of  Kimberly Pike.

     Vote:       All in favor, motion passed.

 

V.    Communications-Visiting Staff or Special Presenters

Denise Doucette, Milan Village School music teacher, was introduced by the Principal.  Denise submitted a proposal and gave a presentation about the value of including the grade a student receives in music in the calculation of the student's GPA.  Her proposal contained relative data from100 schools that she researched. She also felt that grades from art and physical education should also be included in the GPA determination. This item was tabled until after the School Board has read her proposal. 

 

VI.   Principal’s Report

                                Brown University staff, who is involved with the Comprehensive School Reform grant, visited the Milan Village School mid-year.  The Principal just received their evaluation for Milan Village School as compared with other NH schools who participate. Milan Village School did very well.

                                The PTO funded Sergio Espanoza, an Incan flutist who uses hand flutes, to come to the school for one day during the Arts & Literature Week beginning next week.  The schedule for these three days was distributed.

                                On May 23, 2005, all students in grades 2-6 will be re-tested (NWEA).

 

                                New policies to be considered for adding to the Parent/Student Manual were discussed. Currently, Milan has no policy for student bullying.  State Statues requires policy regarding harassment.   The Principal distributed draft language for consideration - defining physical, sexual, and emotional bullying will help the staff and PBIS.  The board  will further discuss at the next meeting.

  

                                It was decided to cross reference all other sources in SAU-20 and the State School Board Association for applicable information regarding bullying.

 

 

          Inputs from students in all grades were solicited regarding PBIS.  A universal team comprised of staff, parents, administration and the school board, reviewed the data.  A sixth grade student was on the team for the first time. In the future, if a student has a problem, it will be brought to the universal team.

 

          An end of the year field trip for the sixth-grade students is planned at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH which has a new theme park with educational opportunities in addition to the rides.  The students chose Canobie Lake Park. The estimated cost is $500.00 with $250.00 available from the class and $250.00 to come from Milan Village School.

 

       Motion by Jacqueline Quintal, seconded by. Patricia Shute.

      Motion:  To accept the proposal for the sixth grade trip to Canobie Lake Park and for participating in the educational component.

      Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

 

          The Principal distributed copies of a map from Karen Cloutier showing where she would like to plant trees and flowers outside of the school.  The School Board felt more information is needed, particularly regarding on-going maintenance of the trees and flowers and being able to continue providing visibility for traffic in the parking lot.  The School Board is taking this under consideration for the time being.

 

          Unexpended funds will be used to purchase a new lawnmower.  Funds are in the new budget.  This item was tabled until Andrew Mullins can speak with Dennis.

 

      Some SPED items will be purchased by transferring money from available funds, according to the Principal and the SAU20 Business Administrator. A sum of $150.00 was requested to be transferred to purchase a new circular rug for use by the Speech Pathologist with students.  Follow up was requested by the Board.

 

      Seven PC's, six Apple computers, six monitors and a printer will be donated to the NH prison in Berlin as in the past. They are no longer working and are not needed by the school.

 

      Motion by Patricia Shute, seconded by. Jacqueline Quintal.

      Motion:  To approve the disposal of computer equipment, as described above.

Vote:       All in favor, motion passed.

 

      Fourteen students had a good time on the trip to Attitash.

 

      In reply to a question from a guest, the Superintendent said that the public is welcome at the meetings of PBIS and also at all other meetings, according to the right-to-know laws. Target team meetings, however, may be confidential.

 

      VII. Superintendent’s Report

A.  Financial, Month Ending

The SAU20 Business Administrator recommended consolidating available funds to purchase the SPED items.

      Motion by Jacqueline Quintal, seconded by. Patricia Shute.

     Motion:  To approve the transfer of $265.00 from account 1200-8100, the preschool tuition line, to account 1200-6100, the SPED

     supply line, to purchase the SPED items.

    Vote:       All in favor, motion passed.

 

      The Superintendent mentioned that a $160,000 fund is available to help with the repairs of Milan Village School.  It was agreed that these funds probably should not be used before the end of June when the school is closed.  He suggested that an inquiry be made to see if the money could be used before that date or if we can carry it over to the next year with special D.O.E. approval.

B.  SAU-20 Goals

      The Principals in SAU-20 have been asked to submit their list of goals for 2005-2006 based on the goals for 2004-2005.   Working with their teams, they are to decide which of the goals should be retained which ones should be modified or marked as complete or transition.  This information will be used to keep the public aware by showcasing the information in local media, monthly newsletters, open houses and posters.

 

      Curriculum mapping training is being developed via staff training for 2005-06.

 

      In May or June, all SAU-20 staff and support staff will be surveyed by administration.  Feedback from these sessions may be provided anonymously and will contribute to continuous school improvement and professional development.

 

      The Milan School Board has indicated an interest in surveying the Milan Village School staff.   In addition to meeting with the School Board, the Superintendent volunteered to meet with the staff if so desired and the Principal, or to have an outside facilitator meet with them.

 

 

      He also suggested that the Principal's monthly newsletters be posted on the SAU-20 website.  In addition to publishing the minutes of School Board meetings, the agendas could also be published to help keep the public informed.

·          Training for board members is available and is encouraged  on May 26 th  in Littleton NH

C.  Milan District Goals.

 Not discussed separately.

D.  PBIS Data

The Principal has a current list of student behavior including the date, the types of behaviors, who was referred, the strategy used and  the outcome. This is a pilot program.

E . Transitioning Goals for 2005/2006 Referenced earlier.

F.  Calendar

      The SAU-20 calendar has been sent to all districts. It includes conference dates and in-service dates. Milan will insert their own starting dates and in-service dates.

 

      Some afternoon and evening meetings are being scheduled in Gorham.

 

      Moving school marking periods from quarters to trimesters was discussed again. Errol and Ed Fenn schools are going to trimesters next school year.

 

G.  Staffing/Job Posting-2005/2006

      A checklist for hiring, which was prepared earlier by the Gorham School Board, was suggested to be used instead of the one supplied by the Superintendent. It will be reviewed by the Superintendent.

      The Principal's move to teaching grade 5 is not official yet.

      A bidding process may be used to fill the teacher/principal position.

 

VIII.  Board Self-Review (Not discussed.)

 

IX.     Building

A.  Kitchen AC/Heater

      These are still working.

      The AC in the library is not working. It will be fixed.

B.  Cooler Shelving

It was determined that there was not enough room to do this inside the cooler.  This issue is closed.

C.  Roof

Structure will be monitored this spring for continued wetting and leakage.

D.  Performance Update

This continues to be pursued and will be discussed in a separate meeting.

E.   Summer Maintenance Work Planned

      The addition of a doorway between classrooms is no longer needed.

      Drainage and slope by the back doors of the school needs to be fixed.

      The stairs on the Main Street entrance will be repaired.

      Bug lights need to be installed in existing fixtures in the front of the building.

       The SAU-20  Business Administrator will determine if a contract is necessary to continue using water from

 the property across Main Street as in the past.  (The house where the well is located is for sale.)

       The discharge line from the school for the septic drain-off system is working.

      The broken water line for a dormant second well will be repaired this summer (presently split).

 

X.       MAPs Testing

Since the data for this have been submitted, the pilot program is considered to be finished.

 

XI.     Non-Public Session

      Motion   By Patricia Shute, seconded by Jacqueline Quintal.

Motion:  To extend this meeting until at least 10:30 pm.

Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

      Motion   By Patricia Shute, seconded by Jacqueline Quintal.

Motion:  To go into non-public under RSA 91-A:3-II.

Vote:      Roll Call Vote:  Andrew Mullins-Yea, Patricia Shute – Yea, Jacqueline Quintal.  Motion passed.

Non-public session began at 10:10 pm.  The public session resumed at 10:30 pm.

 

Patrick nominated Sarah for the 5th grade teaching post for the 2005/2006 school year.

 

Motion by Patricia Shute, seconded by Jacqueline Quintal

Motion:  Move to accept nomination of Sarah Sarette to transition from principal to teacher to 5th grade starting 05/06 school year pending receipt of letter of interest in position and letter formally requesting permission to teach her own child.

Vote:  All in favor, motion passed.

 

XII.    Other   

      The policy manual will be put on the Superintendent's to-do list for updating, section-by-section, by the Milan School Board for 2005-2006.

 

 

      Curriculum development is being updated in all districts, including Milan.

 

      The Guidance Plan document was finished by the Principal and is available to interested parties. It was shipped to DOE at the end of spring break.

 

      A list needs to be prepared for using projected available year-end-funds.

 

      Mike Giroux asked for the status of the new rug for the Green Room.  The School Board has made no decision.

 

      Motion   By Jacqueline Quintal , seconded by. Patricia Shute.

     Motion:  To eliminate the support staff 2005-2006 salary schedule and use the support staff 2004-2005

     salary schedule and call it 2005-2006.

Vote:      All in favor, motion passed.

 

XIII.  Next Meeting

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 6:30 pm at Milan Village School.

 

XIV.   Adjournment            

Meeting adjourned at 10:40 pm.

 

 

Respectively submitted,

 

Mal Shute, recording secretary