Nottingham School Board Minutes: October 7, 2009

Nottingham School Board Public Session October 7, 2009 Official Minutes as of October 21, 2009 School Board Members Present: Jack Caldon, Chair Amy Plante, Vice Chair Dave O’Brien Dawn Fernald Frank O’Hanlon

School Board Members Absent:

Others Present: Michael Ludwell, Superintendent Michelle Carvalho, Principal Terry Leatherman, Assistant Principal Lorraine Ferland, School Board Secretary Visitors Lisa Diener, Grade 8 Language Arts teacher Jessie Klingensmith, 8th grade student Jamie Roesener, 8th grade student Linda Hoyt Wanda Dole Britney Dole Robert Sprague John Thomas Amy Gagnon Kelly Dallaire Vicki Jenkins Janet Horvath Opening Dr. Caldon called the meeting to order at 7pm. Non Public Session A non-public session was held. Visitors: There was an 8th grade presentation of the Informative Unit given by Ms. Diener and two students, Jessie K. and Jamie R. Both students described what topics and comic strips they wrote and created for the newspaper and said the students enjoyed this activity. Public Comments Coe Brown and DHS tuition cost

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NOTTINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD

October 7, 2009 Public Session

Ms. Horvath asked about the Dover HS rate. Dr. Caldon said discussions will occur on October 16. Dover HS wants to raise the tuition rate which will bring the tuition cost closer to Coe Brown’s. The School Board follows the warrant article that was passed regarding tuition cost to high schools: Nottingham pays the rate of the school of record and that money can be applied to another school if the student is accepted to one. There is a payment schedule currently for Coe Brown and the Board will continue to tell parents as soon as possible what the tuition difference will be. Athletic Department Ms. Gagnon is concerned about the girls’ soccer team. There are 25 kids on the girls’ soccer team and only 11 play. The coach told her that the playing time goes by seniority level but that all kids will play. Ms. Gagnon suggested an A and B team or cuts for all sports. She said the kids can play on the NYA or recreation department. She called other towns and 6-8th graders can all try out and there are cuts. Ms. Gagnon inquired if 6th graders are considered middle school; Ms. Carvalho said they are not considered middle school. There were other parents at the meeting who would like cuts or an A and B team for sports. Ms. Gagnon would like a storage shed instead of the girls’ locker room being used for storage. President Obama Speech Mr. Sprague spoke about President Obama’s speech. His full comments are attached. School Board Business A. Approval of School Board Minutes—9-16-09 Public/Non-public Minutes Mr. O’Brien made a motion to approve the public minutes of September 16, 2009. Ms. Fernald seconded. Motion unanimously approved. There were changes: Page 2, School Board Business, B., 5th paragraph, remove ‘propane tank improvements’. Page 2, School Board Business, B., 6th paragraph, add ‘overflow tank in’ before ‘septic’. Page 3, New Business, A., 2nd paragraph, add ‘of the Budget Committee’ after ‘subcommittee’. Page 4, last paragraph, 2nd sentence, add ‘The Board assumes’ before ‘The’. On September 2, 2009 public official minutes, change 2nd Ms. Fernald to Ms. Plante New Business, Section F. 2

NOTTINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD

October 7, 2009 Public Session

B. Principal’s Report President Obama’s speech will be shown to 4-8th graders by grade level on October 16, Friday. If parents do not want their children watching it, they can be dismissed early. Information has been gathered for the Capital Improvement Plan. Ms. Carvalho distributed a proposed CIP. The parking lot and other asphalt resurfacing are on the CIP for 2010 at an estimated cost of $42,200-$77,150. The technology infrastructure and network upgrade is on the CIP for 2011 at an estimated cost of $47,455.98. Ms. Carvalho suggested the technology upgrade would be beneficial if it could be done in 2010. Previous items on the CIP are the propane tank upgrade and irrigation system. The propane tank upgrade is being worked on and the soccer field irrigation was put on hold. Ms. Plante made a motion to approve the CIP draft as presented. Mr. O’Hanlon seconded. Motion unanimously approved. The tech director ascertained 4 quotes for the laptop mobile lab for Grades 7 and 8. The tech director recommends the CDW-G, Inc. quote for a total cost of $14,673.48. The budget for the laptop mobile lab for Grades 7 and 8 was $22,000. Ms. Fernald made a motion to approve the CDW-G, Inc. quote for a total cost of $14,673.48. Ms. Plante seconded. Motion unanimously approved. The overflow tank for the septic system needs to be replaced. Quotes ranged from $3900 to $5900. Ms. Carvalho recommended using a stainless steel tank. The tank needs to be emptied at a cost of $3000. Ms. Carvalho asked the Board to move forward with acquiring money from the Capital Reserve Fund for the overflow tank. The recommended sum of money to cover the tank purchase, emptying of the tank and any associated costs is $10,000. Ms. Fernald made a motion to post the hearing to remove money from the Capital Reserve Fund. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion unanimously approved. C. Superintendent’s Report Ted Comstock, Executive Director of the NHSBA will make a presentation on labor relations on November 4. There is a Board Retreat from 9am till 1pm on October 17.

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NOTTINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD

October 7, 2009 Public Session

Old Business A. Updated 2010-2011 Budget Schedule The dates for the budget presentations are November 19, December 3, December 17, and January 7. January 13 is the hearing date. B. Date for Next Meeting with Dover October 16 is the meeting with Dover at 9am at the Nottingham School library. C. Stevens Hill Bus Stop Update Because of the nature of this, bus stops will be discussed in non-public. D. Race to the Top Dr. Ludwell said the grant money is highly competitive. The commissioner wants to meet with Nottingham to discuss. The director of special education and superintendent of schools are currently discussing use of this grant to improve the alternative program at the SAU. E. Policy #KB-Parent Involvement Policy and #ILBA-Assessment Ms. Fernald made a motion to approve policy #KB-Parent Involvement Policy, as amended. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Motion unanimously approved. Ms. Plante made a motion to approve policy ##ILBA-Assessment, as posted. Ms. Fernald seconded. Motion unanimously approved. New Business A. Dover Tuition Rate There was a request tonight from the parents of Coe Brown students to inform them about the Dover tuition rate as soon as possible. The rate has been determined and the information will be distributed to the Board and to parents. B. Northwood/Nottingham Split Tuition CBNA Students There is an RSA regarding residency. Dr. Caldon received a call from the chairman of the Northwood Board who said there are 8 students this year that are going to Coe Brown that Nottingham and Northwood are sharing the cost for. All graduated from Nottingham School. Coe Brown is sending a bill to both towns. Dr. Caldon was told that this practice has been going on for some time now. The Board’s counsel will look at this. Financial Business A. Bills and Manifests

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NOTTINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD

October 7, 2009 Public Session

Set Next Agenda Items to include: Kidder Law conference, athletic program, Future Meeting Dates October 17, 2009 October 21, 2009 October 26, 2009 November 4, 2009

9a-1p 7pm 7pm

Board Retreat-LGC Budget Committee Meeting Joint School Board Meeting at the SAU Office School Board Meeting

7pm

Adjournment Ms. Fernald made a motion to enter into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3 IIc and e at 8:47pm. Mr. O’Brien seconded. Roll call was taken. Motion to move into non-public unanimously approved. The meeting returned to public meeting at 9:11pm. Ms. Fernald made a motion to approve the request the bus stop at 9 Patriots Lane. The motion failed for a lack of a second. Mr. O’Hanlon made a motion to return Bus 66 to the original route. Ms. Plante seconded. Motion unanimously approved. Ms. Plante made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:19pm. Ms. Fernald seconded. Motion to adjourn unanimously approved.

Respectfully Submitted by Lorraine Ferland, School Board Secretary

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NOTTINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD

October 7, 2009 Public Session

Comments from Robert Sprague: Good Evening, Members of the Nottingham School Board. My name is Robert Sprague … and I apologize that my comments last week took so much time ... Three weeks ago, at the Board's last meeting, our school Principal, Ms. Carvalho, made a specific commitment to show Nottingham School students President Obama's speech … To my knowledge – and please correct me if I am mistaken here - Mr. Obama's speech has not yet been shown to students at the Nottingham School. Nor have parents received any information from the school about future plans to show the speech. As we all know, President Obama timed his speech to America's students to be shown at the beginning of the school year, when he believed it would have its greatest positive effect. And time is passing … the first Nottingham student progress reports have already been sent by teachers to parents. It is not the beginning of the school year any longer. So, I'm here tonight to learn exactly how & when Ms. Carvalho will honor her specific promise – her pledge - to show Mr. Obama's speech. So … please ... Thank you ...

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