Minutes

SAU #20 School Board

Tuesday, January 20, 2004 – Milan Village School

 

Attendees

Kathleen Kelley – Randolph, SAU Chairperson                Jacqueline Quintal - Milan

Leona Guay – Gorham, SAU Vice-Chairperson               Andrew Mullins - Milan

Jean Lary – Gorham                                                 Patricia Shute - Milan

Jennifer Lapointe – Gorham                                                Gloria Coffin - Errol

Jay Holmes – Gorham                                                          Theresa Choquette - Errol

Joane Belleau – Dummer

Wendy Niskanen – Shelburne

 

 

Others

Pauline Plourde – Business Administrator, SAU #20

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

Jacqueline Tetreault – Professional Development Assistant, SAU #20/

                                                Recording Secretary

 

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 6:35 pm.

 

ITEM II – APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2003

The following corrections were suggested to the meeting minutes of

December 4, 2003:

 

-pg. 2 – under ITEM III – APPROVE/MODIFY BUDGET – within 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 will be setting the school district back another year, and (delete may) seem ‘penny wise, pound foolish’.

 

-pg. 2 – bottom of the page – Ms. Belleau inquired as to the current status of the support staff job descriptions.  The members present requested that these job descriptions……

 

-pg. 4 – David Dernbach withdrew his motion, Jacqueline Quintal also withdrew.

 

 

 

 

Motion by Jean Lary, second by Patricia Shute

Motion:  to approve the December 4, 2003 minutes as amended.

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

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM III – SUPERINTENDENT REPORT – REVISED JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF

The Superintendent was not present at this meeting.,  Cand central office job descriptions will be presented at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

ITEM IV – ACCEPT SEARCH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CANDIDATES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SUPERINTENDENT

Ms. Lary and others shared that she they  found this to be one of the most pleasant committees that she they have has had the opportunity to work with.

 

            Motion by Leona Guay, second by Jean Lary at 6:49 pm.

            Motion:  to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:311II-C

            Roll call vote:              W. Niskanen – yes                            J. Qunital – yes

                                                A. Mullins – yes                                 P. Shute – yes

                                                J. Lary – yes                                      J. Belleau – yes

                                                J. Lapointe – yes                               J. Holmes – yes

                                                L. Guay – yes                         K. Kelley – yes

                                                G. Coffin – yes                                   T. Choquette – yes

 

Members of the Superintendent Search Committee in attendance were invited to stay for this non-public session.         

 

            Non public session entered at 6:49 pm.

 

            Motion by Jean Lary, second by Andrew Mullins at 7:40 pm.

            Motion:  to exit non-public session.

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

           

            Non-public session exited at 7:40 pm.

 

 

            Motion by Wendy Niskanen, second by Joane Belleau

Motion:  to accept the recommendations of the Superintendent Search Committee for the finalists.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairperson Kathleen Kelley announced the following finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools for SAU #20:

 

                        Peter Bowers – Galway, NY

                        Patrick Low – Jonesville, MI

                        Richard Toner – Elizabethtown, NY

 

ITEM VI – FINALISTS INTERVIEW LOGISTICS 

 

 

The members of the Board in attendance reviewed the two schedules that had been proposed by the Chair to interview the candidates for Superintendent.  Some members did not want to commit a Saturday to the process.   After much discussion and review, the following recommendation was made:

 

 

                        Motion by Jay Holmes, second by Jennifer Lapointe

                        Motion:  to accept the Thursday, February 5th /Friday, February 6th  schedule as presented (see attached)..

Discussion:  Ms. Niskanen mentioned that the Board may want to consider also composing a schedule of events for the spouses/significant others of the candidaties for ‘convincing them to move to this area’.  Ms. Kelley further informed Board members in attendance that the Search Committee will pick up the tab for dinners on Thursday night.  Volunteers were asked to fill in for a variety of positions, such as having dinner with the candidates, collecting public comments, transporting candidates and negotiating with the final candidate. Ms. Kelley mentioned that hosts for each candidate would be needed for dinners on Thursday evening, February 5th.

 

 

                        Motion by Jay Holmes, second by Jay Holmes

Amendment to above motion:  to reschedule conducting interviews with the Superintendent candidates for 4 pm on Friday afternoon, February 6th .

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

 

Ms. Kelley mentioned that at least two volunteers were needed to conduct onsite visits of the schools and districts which where the candidates are from.  One set of interviews would be conducted through a teleconference via North Country Education Services.  These visits and teleconferences are scheduled for January 27th and 28th, and February 2nd and 3rd.  Jo Anne Carpenter and Jacqueline Quintal volunteered to assist in this process.  On site interview questions as proposed by NHSBA were distributed. 

 

Candidate Interview questions as proposed by NHSBA were reviewed.  , and aAny suggestions for further questions should be directed to Ms. Kelley.

 

Ms. Kelley mentioned that host for each candidate would be needed for dinners on Thursday evening, February 5th.

 

Volunteers were requested forwill be needed to negotiate with the finalist after an offer decision  is made to extend an offer.  This will reduce the amount of time every board member must  commit on Friday night.  Patricia Shute, Jennifer Lapointe, and Kathleen Kelley offered to be on this committee.  All members present were in agreement.

 

ITEM VII – SCHEDULE PREPARATION WORKSHOP FOR INCOMING SUPERINTENDENT

The Chair shared that NHSBA has suggested a work session for the board members to help them prepare for a new superintendent.  This could be provided as part of the recruitment contract and  would facilitate the successful transition to a new superintendent.  The following dates were proposed for a workshop work session for the preparing for a new incoming superintendent:

 

-Friday, February 13th from 6-9 pm and Saturday, February 14th from 9 am – 4 pm

-Friday, February 27th from 6-9 pm and Saturday, February 28th from 9 am – 4 pm

-Friday, March 12th from 6-9 pm and Saturday, March 13th from 9 am – 4 pm

 

The consensus of the members in attendance was Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th.  Ms. Kelley will provide further information on this item at a later date.

 

ITEM VIII – ACCEPT DRAFT OF SAU CHAIN OF COMMAND AND UPDATE JOB DESCRIPTIONS OF SUPERINTENDENT, UPDATE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A variety of handouts were passed out regarding the flow through of ‘chain of command’ in therole and organization of the SAU.  Some discussion was held regarding these handouts.

 

 

 

 

                        Motion by Jennifer Lapointe, second by Jean Lary

                        Motion:  to eliminate the curriculum coordinator position within the

SAU Flow Organizational  Chart.

Katie Kelley requested a weighted vote, this was not seconded.

Jay Holmes called the for a weighted questionsvote.

Discussion:  Ms. Niskanen requested that this item deserved a separate agenda item and discussion at that timea another meeting.  Gorham countered that they had hired a curriculum consultant and were working on alignmentto assist them with their curriculum needs.  Ms. Niskanen asked Ms. Lapointe to withdraw her motion. 

 

Motion by Jennifer Lapointe, second by Jay Holmes

Motion:  to request a weighted vote to remove the Curriculum Coordinator position to be removed from the organizational chart at the SAU level.

Weighted vote:         

 

Dummer – three votes NO – cast by Joane Belleau

Errol – four votes YES – cast by Gloria Coffin and Theresa Choquette

Randolph – four votes NO – cast by Kathleen Kelley

Shelburne – five votes NO – cast by Wendy Niskanen

Milan – 10 votes cast NO – cast by Andrew Mullins, Jacqueline Quintal

and Patricia Shute

 

 

Gorham – 32 votes cast YES – cast by Leona Guay, Jennifer Lapointe,

Jay  

Holmes and Jean Lary

 

                        Vote on motion:  36 YES; 22 NO – motion passes.

 

 

 

 

 

A color diagram showing how each school district board interacts with the other and fits into the SAU board was also discussed.   A lengthy discussion was held regarding how the SAU as a whole hires and supervises the superintendent, and that how the superintendent will need to supports the school districts within the SAU.  It was also shared that the superintendent should provide information to the boards., not single employees. It was noted that only through the superintendent does the board have access to building administrators.   It was shared that policies should be examined in this regard.

 

Ms. Kelley shared that it had been requested of the superintendent to keep track of his time and submit an invoice.  After a few verbal and written requests, the interim superintendent has been composingsubmitting an invoices showing how of his time is spent and the delineations of that time.  These will beare available for  examined examination by the Board at a later date. Discussion was focused on the time allocated to various jobs as reported on the invoice.  At a later date, the board will discuss their priorities with thise interim superintendent.   

 

A draft job description was submitted by the Chair which updated the superintendent description with the Ed. Rule 302 requirements.  The job description for the Superintendent will also be discussed at the February meetingthe next meeting.

 

ITEM IX – RESCINDING OF MOTION TO ALLOW THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SET SALARIES OF CENTRAL STAFF FOR 2004-2005

Concern was shared regarding the superintendent’s ability to set salaries for the central office staff.  It was clarified that the Superintendent will make recommendations to the SAU board, and the SAU board will have the final decision on salary increases.

 

ITEM X – PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment was shared.

 

Ms. Plourde distributed up to date copies of the SAU #20 budget.

 

ITEM XI – ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting of the SAU Board is scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2004, which will be for finalist interviews for the superintendancy.  This will be a non-public meeting.

 

            Motion by Jean Lary, second by Gloria Coffin

            Motion:  to adjourn the January 20, 2004 meeting of the SAU Board.

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

 

            Meeting adjourned at 9:04 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

JJacqueline J. Tetreault

Professional Development Assistant/Recording Secretary

SAU #20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes – Non Public Session

Tuesday, January 20, 2004

 

This non-public session was held to discuss the superintendent search committee process and the final candidates that had been recommended to the SAU Board.