Minutes
School Administrative Unit #20
Members Present SAU
Kathleen Kelley
Angela Brown
Andrew Mullins
Jacqueline Quintal
Norman Eames Errol
Jay Holmes Gorham
Joane Belleau Dummer
Marianne Letarte Dummer
Jo Anne Carpenter Shelburne
Jennifer Lapointe Gorham
Wendy Niskanen Shelburne
Jean Tremblay Gorham
Patricia Shute
Robert Corrigan Shelburne
CALL TO ORDER
Kathleen Kelley, chairperson of the SAU #20 School Board,
called the meeting to order at
ITEM I – APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
Minutes of
Removal of the following:
Motion:
to offer the superintendent position to Patrick Low
Motion carried with 11 for, 3
opposed and two abstentions
Motion by Wendy Niskanen, second by Jacqueline Quintal
Motion:
to accept the minutes of
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Minutes of
Corrections were noted
as follows:
Pg. 2, Item 1 – A superintendent
will be in the Central office available for four hours daily….
Motion by Andrew Mullins, second by Joane Belleau
Motion: to accept the minutes of
the
Vote on motion: all approve; motion carried.
Minutes of
Corrections were noted
as follows:
Pg. 4 – replace the following:
Motion: to eliminate the curriculum coordinator position within the SAU Level. (remove Organizational Chart)
R. Corrigan arrived at
Pg. 4 – remove the following:
Discussion: Ms. Niskanen requested that this item deserved a separate agenda item and discussion at another meeting. Gorham countered that they had hired a curriculum constant and were to assist them….
Pg. 3 – replace the following
Motion by Jay Holmes, second by Jean Lary (remove Jay Holmes
as a second)
Motion by Jennifer Lapointe, second by Jacqueline Quintal
Motion: to approve the
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Non-public minutes
of January 20, 2004
Motion by Andrew Mullins, second by Jennifer Lapointe
Motion:
to approve the
presented.
Vote on motion: with one abstention (Jay Holmes), all other members
voted in favor; motion carried.
ITEM II –
INTRODUCTIONS OF NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND NEW BOARD MEMBER TRAINING ON
Members at this SAU meeting introduced themselves and the
districts which they represented. Ms.
Kelley stated that new board member training was to take place at
ITEM III –
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Financial Report
Ms. Plourde presented
an SAU 20 budget analysis ending
Discuss and
Confirm Board Priorities and Work Schedule
It was shared that the SAU employs Mr. Welford, and should be directing his work so that the may direct the schools properly. The issues in each town need to be made clear. All the major priorities need to be understood, and that certain things may not transpire in the next three months. It was also shared that Gorham may have more demands than the other districts.
The following items were mentioned as priorities by Mr. Welford:
Patricia Shute arrived
at
Mr. Welford commented that these items, as well as others,
will be addressed from now through
It was also shared that Mr. Welford will need to spend time orientating new school board members.
Some questions were raised regarding #8 on page 2 of the letter from the SAU #20 chairperson to Mr. Welford. It was shared that Mr. Welford is the director of the Central Office staff, and that if problems exist with a particular employee, documentation will be gathered to that effect, and that information will be presented to the SAU Board with Mr. Welford’s recommendations.
It was asked as to whether the ‘spending freeze’ would be district-wide or in particular areas. Mr. Welford shared that the ‘spending freeze’ will be for spending money on ‘non-essential’ items in the four schools. Mr. Welford also shared with the SAU Board the possibility of purchasing some additional technology equipment at a cost of approximately $20,000. Mr. Corrigan shared that at a recent meeting of the Gorham/Randolph/Shelburne Education Foundation, it had been mentioned using some of the organization’s monies to fund technology.
Mr. Welford shared that he had attended the Blue Ribbon
Awards for Volunteerism in
Mr. Welford informed the Board members in attendance that he had recently received a fax from the US Department of Education regarding federal changes in No Child Left Behind.
Mr. Welford had received the following school approvals from the NH Department of Education:
Ed Fenn Elementary School with distinction
Distinction was defined as meeting or exceeding the minimum standards.
Mr. Welford mentioned an evaluation system for students that he and Mr. Parent were planning to attend on March 30th. This is an independent system based on the NH frameworks.
Motion by Jay Holmes, second by Andrew Mullins
Motion: to allow the principals
in each of the SAU #20 schools to attend a workshop on an evaluation system for
students on March 30th or March 31st.
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Mr. Welford has been requested to serve on an accreditation
team for
Motion by Wendy Niskanen, second by Robert Corrigan
Motion: to allow Mr. Welford to
serve on the accreditation team for
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Meeting Schedule
March 16 – June 30
A meeting schedule is being worked through for regular
meetings throughout the districts in SAU #20.
A copy will be distributed to all shortly. J. Holmes encouraged ascending towns to the
It was also mentioned that principals’ reports should be sent to ascending towns as well as the primary district.
Mr. Welford shared that all town
meetings had gone well, but that the teacher’s contract did not get approved by
Gorham voters. He stated that
negotiations will begin again ASAP, and that the district has permission for
one more special school district meeting.
All budgets and most warrant articles were passed in all communities
within the SAU #20 school district. It was mentioned that in the town of
Review Process for
Evaluation and Determination of Salary Increases
Mr. Welford shared that he will be holding a meeting with central office staff on
Discussion was held regarding having an appropriate tool for board self-evaluation.
It was also shared that there is an administrative concern regarding the length of administrative contracts with the changes that having been taking place in leadership in the SAU office.
Mr. Welford stated that at the May SAU meeting, he will bring recommendations for salary increases for building administrators and central office staff for the 2004-2005 school year to the SAU Board for their consideration.
Ms. Belleau questioned the progress of updated job descriptions for the SAU Central Office staff. Mr. Welford stated that he had requested that the office staff review their job descriptions and revamp these as appropriate. Ms. Belleau stated these were requested at the December meeting, and this is an important tool to use for the evaluation process and subsequent wage adjustments. The Board agreed that they would like presented as soon as possible.
Other
Ms. Hebert-Sweeny presented a recently updated Section 504 Policy and Procedures Manual for the Board’s review. It has been updated in a variety of areas, including forms, plans and accommodations. Ms. Lapointe questioned whether a similar manual would be presented for parents, and Ms. Hebert-Sweeny stated that a clearer reference would be distributed for parents of Section 504 students, and that this would be in a clearer language, bound differently, and would possibly contain a glossary of terms.
Public Comments
No public comments were shared at this time.
S. Welford was dismissed by the chairperson
at
ITEM IV –
SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH REPORT
Search Process
Debriefing
Ms. Kelley stated that since the search for a new superintendent for SAU #20 had been completed, and that a file with all the complete work would be placed in the SAU Office for future reference. Ms. Shute stated that for future reference, during the negotiation of the contract for the superintendent, a draft contract should be presented to the finalists for their review. During the final negotiations with Mr. Low, it was felt that too much time was spent negotiating benefits which should have been made clear in the beginning. It was also stated that under no circumstances should a press release be sent out until the contract is ‘signed on the dotted line’, and board members are notified. Members of the negotiating committee also requested to be made ‘perfectly clear’ on what the offerings are to the superintendent candidate. Some members were not clear on the difference in Mr. Low’s insurance split.
It was suggested that copies of the materials of the superintendent search be in the central office, each school board chairperson, and a copy for the SAU chairperson. The copy for the central office will be placed in a fire proof cabinet.
Formal Contract
Acceptance
Patrick Low, recently chosen as the new superintendent for
SAU #20, has a current anticipated start date of
Significant discussion was held regarding the negotiated insurance split with Mr. Low. Mr. Low’s negotiated insurance split is 85/15, with the rest of the employees’ split being 80/20. Ms. Carpenter asked what the current benefits are in the Central Office, to which Ms. Plourde replied that for the 2004-2005 school year, the insurance split will be 80/20 of whichever plan is chosen by the employee.
Ms. Niskanen shared that the cost of Mr. Low’s insurance will not rest ‘solely on the shoulders of Gorham’, and that Mr. Low’s contract is negotiable each year. It was also shared that Mr. Low has a ‘fiscally tight background’. Ms. Niskanen further stated that the SAU Board had voted to allow three members ‘negotiating power’ with the superintendent, and that the SAU Board should stay within those recommendations. Ms. Plourde stated that Mr. Low wanted what many superintendents receive for an insurance split (usually 100%), and that in a year he may understand where the district ‘is coming from’, and be willing renegotiate the insurance split. It was further recommended that during the negotiation process, members should get together and discuss elements before the actual negotiation.
Motion by Wendy Niskanen, second by Joane Belleau
Motion:
to ratify the contract for Patrick Low as presented.
Vote on
motion: all were in favor; motion
carried.
Transition Planning
Ms. Kelley shared that in her conversations with Patrick
Low, he has some tools to prepare for the transition to SAU #20. He has requested a computer and PDA. Ms. Lapointe stated that these should be
bought, and Mr. Mullins further commented that these should be kept on site
until Mr. Low’s arrival. Ms. Kelley
shared that Mr. Low will be in the area on
Mr. Low has also requested a subscription to the Manchester Union Leader to become familiar with the politics and educational issues of the state, and has requested that educational articles from the Berlin Daily Sun and Berlin Reporter be sent to him.
Ms. Kelley shared a training has been scheduled for new superintendents through the New Hampshire School Administrators Association during the week for June 27th. It has been recommended for Mr. Low to attend this week long conference.
Motion by Jennifer Lapointe, second by Joane Belleau
Motion: to purchase equipment
requested by Patrick Low for his transition to Superintendent for SAU #20, and
that the funds be taken from Mr. Low’s Professional Development fund for the
2004-2005 school year.
Vote on motion: all were in favor; motion carried.
Have Patrick’s start date for June 27th for NHSAA training –
Patrick to be here during April 5th – spend time with Steve during that week – school is in session –
No later than June 27th – RC, JB – all approve
Motion to allow Patrick register for June 27th for NHSAA – under superintendent’s conference –
Patrick to put forward plan for May 11th meeting
Steve – in the office through week of June 27th – wait and see what Patrick suggests for transition – may need a few more days from Steve – authorize per diem with Steve per Patrick’s request – meet Mark Joyce – meet other superintendents – begin to develop network – Steve to inform Patrick where we are at – Steve as transition guide –
Permission from Katie to contact Pauline and building administrators for Patrick to contact – School Boards blessing to do so –
Offer on house in
Board Development/Evalutation/Restructuring Retreat –
Accept content for proposal for training – NHSBA for board member development WN, PS –
Discussion –
Robert Corrigan – split to two days of training – possibly July when Patrick is here
Spend the time to do it – get together in a work session for issues as a group to fix things – have legal questions answered by Ted Comstock or someone else with legal background
Wendy – process vs. content workshop – make board more functional – fix process as discussing – fill out form for what is needed – five in Betsy’s hands – get Betsy’s suggestions on what is needed – answer questions together –
Break in to many days of workshops – need to take advantage of
Running effective meetings and team building over dinner meetings –
Patrick may have ideas that make it more effective for him – should be here for this process –
Motion vote as proposed – all approve
May 11th – NHCTC dinner to cater for annual meeting –
Approval of OBM federal forms – to carry for rest of year – Steve Welford as Interim Super, Paulien As BA Becky as Sped – authorized to sign for all districts in SAU 20 and the Sau 20 – WN, PS – all approve
Non public with Steve – WN, JC – roll call
Wendy Y
Jean Y
Jen Y
Motion to adjourn -