APPROVED

WINDHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Public Session

Workshop Meeting

Golden Brook School Library

January 8, 2008

School Board Members:         Al Letizio, Barbara Coish, Beverly Donovan, Bruce Anderson, Beth Valentine

Superintendent:                      Dr. Frank Bass

Assistant Superintendent:     Roxanne Wilson

Business Administrator:        Toby Eaton

Chairman Al Letizio called the Public Session of the Windham School Board to order at 7:03 p.m.  All those in attendance stood for Pledge of Allegiance.

School Bus Accident Update

Dr. Bass updated the Board on the extraordinary way the recent bus accident was handled by students, administration and the Windham Fire and Police Department.  Chief McPherson addressed the Board noting the accident involved a school bus from Windham Middle School and a Fed Ex truck.  He noted that a student on the bus took attendance and that the students were very well behaved.  He stated it was learned that during such an event, both the Superintendent and Administration will need to come together at a central location.

Principal Becht stated that after the accident all 27 students’ parents were called.  She also stated follow-up occurred and that the students will be treated to a pizza party as a way to thank them for their good behavior.

Chairman Letizio requested that the Fire Chief address the students at the Middle School to discuss what occurred.

School Colors

Al Letizio requested the School Board make a clear definition of what the colors will be for Windham High School.  He noted that a resolution was reached at the last meeting.

Beverly Donovan stated the official colors of the high school were navy blue, metallic gold with dark green being used where it was able to be used.

Barbara Coish stated the decision was captured at the last meeting and is reflected in the minutes.

Bruce Anderson discussed the three uniforms that were presented at the last meeting.  He noted the Board listened to the cost issues and that it was his understanding that green would be incorporated at the discretion of administration.  Beth Valentine noted her understanding was the same as Mr. Andersons.

Beth Valentine stated there was potential for misinterpretation and that administration should have a say.  She further stated she did not want to force the District to spend extra money on uniforms.

Dr. Bass noted NHIAA regulations as they pertain to uniform colors.

Barbara Coish stated she would like to see the Ad Hoc Committee’s report.

Beth Valentine, Al Letizio and Bruce Anderson stated they feel the school colors are navy blue, metallic gold and dark green.

Barbara Coish and Beverly Donovan stated they feel the school colors are navy blue, metallic gold with an accent of dark green.

Beth Valentine noted she is confident that administration will incorporate the colors in an appropriate way.

Beverly Donovan noted that in uniform catalogs there are two color option/choices.

Beth Valentine stated she felt the School Board should not be deciding the uniforms for the high school teams.

Roxanne Wilson stated, as administration, she felt the motion was very clear and would say there are three colors.

Dr. Bass stated he was under the impression the colors were blue, gold with an accent of green.

Motion to reconsider Motion regarding school colors made on December 18, 2007 was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 5-0.

Motion that official colors of Windham High School are navy blue, metallic gold and dark green to be incorporated as an accent color at the discretion of the school administration was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.

Approved 5-0.

Road Issues

Board of Selectman, Alan Carpenter, addressed the Board by stating there will be a Citizens Petition on the ballot in March requesting that London Bridge Road be extended to Castle Hill Road.  He noted that if the School District builds the road that the State will reimburse 30% of the cost to build.  He noted there should not be two warrants on the Ballot at the same time regarding this. 

Al Letizio noted the Board of Selectman considers the road completion a priority by September 20o9.  He also noted the Fire Chief and Chief of Police also wish for the road to be completed.  He noted he felt the best manor to get this done would be for the School District to apply for state aide.

Dr. Bass stated he has spoken with legal counsel regarding this matter and that in order for the District to get 30% reimbursement; the School District would have to own the land.  He questioned how the School District could work with the town.  Dr. Bass distributed draft warrant language for the Board’s review.

It was noted that the Warrant can go forward with the ownership of the land.  It was also noted that Fire Chief McPherson superceded the Department of Education guidelines regarding a second access point.

Dr. Bass noted that the School District would like the Board of Selectman to negotiate the land for the District.

Mr. Carpenter stated the School District could own the land and apply for aide and the town could build the road.  Mr. Carpenter stressed that the Board of Selectman will do anything they can to assist the School District.

Board of Selectman, Denis Senabaldi, noted they will be meeting with land owners this week.

Bruce Anderson stated he has a problem with the School District building the road.  He stressed that the building has to be open in 18 months or so and that he did not think the Boards’ focus should be on building another road.

Mr. Carpenter noted that according to the Town’s Master Plan, the Board of Selectman was very clear that they wanted the road to continue to Castle Hill Road.  He also noted that it did not have to involve the construction crew that was working at the high school site.

Beth Valentine questioned if this did not pass in March, if it had to be put in someones operating budget.

Mr. Carpenter noted it was in the CIP.

Barbara Coish stated the School District should not be building this road.  She distributed a letter from Owner’s Representative, Glenn Davis.  The letter outlined his concerns over the potential road building.  This letter was requested to be attached to these minutes. 

Dr. Bass stated he had spoken to Glenn Davis – Mr. Davis noted as long as he was not involved in the day to day project of building the road, he was alright with this.

Mr. Letizio stressed working together with the town to get the best deal for taxpayers.

Barbara Coish noted that if the School District owns the land, then we are liable and that it is way too much for us.  She stated it was too complicated to decide in such a short time table.

Beth Valentine stated she did not want to be in the road building business.  However, she felt the School District does have to think as a town.  She requested that details be firmed up and stated that finishing the road was the right thing to do.

Board of Selectman, Bruce Breton, spoke of their mission to get the road all the way through to Castle Hill Road.  He noted that CIP would give it top priority.  He stressed that if the School District builds it there would be a 30% state aid refund and that this would be the lowest cost for the town.  He noted the Board of Selectman would work with the School District and that their goal was to get it out to voters.

Dr. Bass noted there was a strong sense of cooperation from the town.  He stated the School District does not want to be in the road business.  However, he stated we can save about $400,000 for the town.

Betterment Fees were discussed.  Mr. Senabaldi noted it is a discontinued road; therefore there may not be betterment fees.  He noted the Board of Selectman was planning on having their road agent oversee the project and that they would negotiate with land owners.

Bruce Anderson questioned liabilities with blasting and underground utilities. 

Beverly Donovan questioned if there were agreements with land owners and who would have that responsibility.

Charlie McMahon, addressed the School Board, stating he brought the Citizens Petition forward.  He noted he researched the issue and that a second access is required at the high school site.  He also stated that the law changed in 2005 regarding road access.  He stressed the opportunity to capture state aide.  He noted the cost proposed to build the road came from Hebert and Associates.  He also noted there would be a potential donation by the land owners but that betterment fees could not be imposed on them without a town vote.

Chairman Letizio noted that Mr. McMahon has agreed to the language crafted by the School District’s legal counsel to be included in his Petition.

Regarding land owners, Mr. McMahon stated that there are approximately two people left and that it was implied that if the town does not impose betterments, they will donate the land.

Beverly Donovan stated she is open to the idea, but will need to know hidden costs like legal fees, recording fees, etc.

Mr. McMahon stated that Hebert and Associates will have hard numbers by deliberative session.

Mr. Letizio suggested forming a subcommittee consisting of two School Board members and the Board of Selectman to satisfy any questions and requirements the School District has.  Bruce Anderson and Beverly Donovan will be a part of that subcommittee

Bruce Anderson stated that Attorney Michaels assured that the school would open without an access road.  Mr. Anderson questioned where Mr. Murdough was tonight and that he would like him to explain on camera the access road issue.  Mr. Anderson stressed that he does not want to delay the opening of the high school and does not want Mr. Davis to deal with this project.

Mr. Letizio noted he would have Mr. Murdough address the School Board.  Dr. Bass and Roxanne Wilson will follow-up.

Mr. McMahon read part of a letter written by Mr. Murdough to the School Board which referred to having a second access to the high school site.

Beverly Donovan questioned if the access road project costs more, then who would be responsible for that cost.  Mr. Eaton responded by stating the School District would be responsible if they own the land.

Barbara Coish requested that all of Mr. Davis’ questions be answered that he outlined in his letter.

Dr. Bass stressed that Mr. Davis’ letter was sent prior to their conversation regarding such.  He noted his issues had been addressed.  Mrs. Coish requested that Mr. Davis explain to her that he understands the situation.

Warrant/Budget Review and Update

Bruce Anderson noted his concern over having another Warrant Article on the Ballot for the road – stating the Board may need to think about deleting other articles. 

Beth Valentine stated that there is enough time if the road article fails this year as it would give residents the option of bonding it or putting it in the operational budget.

Article 2 – wording change from mini gym to second gymnasium.  Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 3 – Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 4 – Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 5 – Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

The Board discussed how much land would be given back to the town.  It was stated there should be an Article for giving the land and an Article for receiving the land.  Mr. Eaton will craft a corresponding Article to satisfy the land trade.

Bruce Anderson requested adding the wording “up to”…twice the acreage.  Dr. Bass will speak to legal counsel about adding this wording.  Al Letizio thought the wording should be “at least”…

Barbara Coish read a letter from Conservation to the Board. 

Article 6 - Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session

Article 7 - Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session

Article 8 – Beverly Donovan will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 9 – Barbara Coish will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 10 – Barbara Coish will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 11 – Beth Valentine will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 12 – Al Letizio will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 13 – Beth Valentine will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 14 – Citizen’s Petition.  Al Letizio noted the wording of this Article could change and that the Petitioner is willing to change it.

Article 15 – Barbara Coish will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Article 16 – Beth Valentine will speak about this article at Deliberative Session.

Acceptance of Gifts

Dr. Bass noted the offer of piano gift will be placed on the next agenda.  Bruce Anderson noted the acknowledgment of the Tufts scholarship should also be placed on the next agenda.

Principal Update

Dr. Bass discussed the next interview date and how they will go forward.  He noted that transitional support will be needed and would like to continue their relationship with Amanda Lacaroz.

Barbara Coish questioned how Ms. Lacaroz would be paid.  Dr. Bass responded by stating some money is already in place - it is already budgeted.

Motion based on recommendation to continue with contract with Amanda Lacroz for curriculum consulting on Windham High School with a cap of $1,000 a month through June, 2008 was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 5-0.

Phone Lines at SAU

Dr. Bass discussed the need for another phone line trunk.  He will investigate the cost and present it to the Board.

The following agenda items were tabled to the next meeting:  College Board; Enrollments; Other Business Items.

Minutes

Motion to accept as amended the non-public minutes from December 18, 2007 was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 5-0.

Motion to accept the public minutes from December 18, 2007 as written was made by Barbara Coish with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 5-0.

Motion to accept the Area minutes of December 11, 2007 was made by Barbara Coish with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 3-0.

Motion to accept the Consent Agenda was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beverly Donovan.  Approved 5-0.

Motion to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3II(b) at  10:50 p.m. was made by Barbara Coish with a 2^nd by Bruce Anderson.  Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Beth Valentine-aye; Bruce Anderson-aye; Barbara Coish – aye.

Respectfully submitted - Diane Figaro