Public Hearing

SAU #20 School Board

Thursday, December 4, 2003 – Gorham Middle High School, Gorham, NH

Attendees

Kathleen Kelley – Randolph, SAU Chairperson Robert Corrigan - Shelburne

Leona Guay – Gorham, SAU Vice-Chairperson Jo Anne Carpenter - Shelburne

Jean Lary – Gorham Patricia Shute - Milan

Jay Guilmette – Gorham Jacqueline Quintal - Milan

Jennifer Lapointe – Gorham David Dernbach - Randolph

Marianne Letarte – Dummer Diane Labbe - Dummer

Joane Belleau – Dummer

Others

Steve Welford – Interim Superintendent, SAU #20

Pauline Plourde – Business Administrator, SAU #20

Rebecca Hebert-Sweeny – Director of Special Services, SAU #20

Paul Bousquet – Principal, Edward Fenn Elementary School

Keith Parent – Principal, Gorham Middle High School

Sarah Sarette – Principal, Milan Village School

Jacqueline Tetreault – Professional Development Assistant, SAU #20/

Recording Secretary

Dr. Paul Ezen – Deputy Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Education

Danielle Robichaud – Sophomore, Gorham Middle/High School

Alexsa Briggs – Freshman, Gorham Middle High School

Monique Lavertu – Instrument/Band Director, Gorham Middle High School

Members of the public

Members of the press

ITEM I – CALL TO ORDER

Kathleen Kelley, chairperson of the SAU #20 School Board, called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm.

ITEM II – PUBLIC HEARING

Some questions were raised during this public hearing on the following budget items:

- Increase in rent to Family Resource Center

- Raises for support staff

- Raises for administrators

David Dernbach arrived at 6:39 pm.

Joane Belleau arrived at 6:41 pm.

Mr. Welford shared that a number of budget cuts had been implemented in a variety of departments, including special education and others.

Motion by David Dernbach, second by Jean Lary

Motion: to close the public hearing of the SAU #20 budget.

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

Public hearing closed at 6:47 pm.

ITEM III – APPROVE/MODIFY BUDGET

Motion by David Dernbach, second by Patricia Shute

Motion: to approve the 2004-2005 SAU budget as printed.

Discussion: Mr. Dernbach commented for the record that he is opposed to the removal of the curriculum coordinator position in the SAU budget. He stated that this may be setting the school district back another year, and may seem ‘penny wise, pound foolish’. Ms. Guay responded that the Gorham School District has hired Bill Wheeler of Wheeler Consultants, LLC. to consult on the Gorham School District’s curriculum. Both Gorham principals stated that materials had been given to Mr. Wheeler, and he was surprised at how much work had been accomplished. It was also stated that it is not accurate to state that it is not known how much work has actually been done, and that the work necessary for proper curriculum coordination may be in place.

Ms. Lapointe requested an explanation in detail of the current hours of the SAU staff, particularly the additional 20 hours requested to increase a part-time secretarial position to full time. Mr. Welford stated that many tasks in the SAU office have increased over the years, such as special education case load, payroll, and accounts payable. The current plan is to assign work by the person with the most appropriate skills, such as Sue Enman continuing to work on payroll and benefits. Mr. Welford stated that he, Ms. Plourde, and Ms. Hebert-Sweeny would work on the proper organization of these skills within the SAU Office.

Ms. Belleau inquired as to the current status of the support staff job descriptions, and if these are currently being redone. The Board stated that these job descriptions should be presented to the SAU Board, as well as a listing of what each staff member is working with. The question was moved at this point.

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Leona Guay, second by Jennifer Lapointe

Motion: to approve the November 6, 2003 SAU minutes as printed.

Discussion: the following correction was noted on page 5:

Motion by Leona Guay, second by Jennifer Lapointe

MOTION: to approve a 3.5% salary pool for support staff to be distributed based on merit.

Vote on motion: 9-yes, 3-no; motion carried.

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

It was also requested that the appropriate letters for entering a non-public session be entered at the bottom of the SAU agenda.

VOTING & MEMBERSHIP LEGAL OPINION

Ms. Guay informed the SAU Board that according to the most recent legal opinion received, the RSA in question came into effect in 1996 which was after SAU #20 was formed; therefore, the SAU is not obligated to change its voting and membership.

REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS

A calendar with scheduled multiple meetings with the SAU #20 school district was distributed to members of the school board in attendance.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN REVISION

Ms. Carpenter presented two requests made by the Professional Development Committee. The following requests were:

- That the maximum food reimbursement be combined to $35 and not be broken down to a specific amount per meal.

- The Extra Money Requests received at the end of the year will not be limited to $200.

Some discussion was shared regarding making sure that the Superintendent is involved in the process of the Extra Money Requests.

Motion by Robert Corrigan, second by Leona Guay

Motion: to accept amendments to #4 on page 21 of the Professional Development Master Plan as follows:

Food, lodging, and mileage are reimbursable expenses under the SAU 20 plan (maximum food reimbursements will be $ 35.00 per day, excluding alcohol and gratuities). Detailed receipts must be provided.

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

It was recommended that the Professional Development Assistant track food reimbursements according with this policy change.

Motion by Robert Corrigan, second by Leona Guay

Motion: to accept the following amendment to #8 on page 21 of the Professional Development Plan as follows:

Removal of An individual may request a maximum of $200.

Motion by David Dernbach, second by Jacqueline Quintal

Motion: to amend #8 on page 21 of the Professional Development Master Plan to include superintendent having final approval.

Discussion: Ms. Carpenter stated that the Professional Development Committee is continuously being made aware of individuals who are requesting extra monies, and that the Superintendent is already an integral part of the Professional Development Committee.

David Dernbach withdrew his motion, Jacqueline Quintal seconded.

Vote on original motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

PRESENTATION BY DR. PAUL EZEN – NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND AND ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS

Ms. Kelley introduced Dr. Paul Ezen, Deputy Commissioner of Education for the State of New Hampshire, who gave an update on No Child Left Behind and Adequate Yearly Progress.

OTHER BUSINESS

Before the presentation by Dr. Paul Ezen, Ms. Kelley introduced Danielle Robichaud and Alexsa Briggs, who are both enrolled with the band at Gorham Middle High School. Each student played a short instrumental piece for members of the Board.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Jennifer Lapointe, second by Leona Guay

Motion: to adjourn the December 4, 2003 meeting of the SAU #20 Board.

Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:11 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Jacqueline Tetreault

Professional Development Assistant/Recording Secretary

SAU #20