APPROVED

WINDHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Public Session

Business Meeting

January 22, 2008 – Town Hall

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

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 7:00 p.m.All those in attendance stood for pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.

Eagle Scout Presentation

Tim and Chris Swierad gave a presentation to the Board regarding their Service Projects for Golden Brook School and Windham Middle School.

Chris Swierad discussed his project of building steps behind Golden Brook School.He noted it took 212 hours to build and thanked the many people and volunteers that helped him accomplish this task.

Tim Swierad discussed his project of building a dugout at Middle School with the help of his family and friends.His project took about 834 hours to complete.

The School Board thanked both Scouts for their contributions.

Good News

Julie Lichtmann, Guidance Counselor at Windham Middle School discussed a recent PTA sponsored presentation regarding internet safety and how it tied in to the school's M2M program.She stated a presenter will be coming to the school to speak with students regarding internet safety in the near future.She spoke of the Iron Chef program and an upcoming trip to Nashoba Valley for students.

High School Principal

Chairman Letizio announced the hiring of a new high school Principal for the high school.Mr. Richard Manley will be starting in July, 2008.

Board Buddies

Tyler Graham and Sammy Goldsmith addressed the School Board regarding Book Beat.They discussed the effect that the book The Revealers has had on the climate of the school.The book addresses issues of bullying.Both students were presented with Certificates of Participation by the School Board.

Dr. Bass discussed the profound effect the book had on students at Middle School.He stated an evening for parents will be held in the near future with presentation by Professor Indelicato and the author of the book.

Windmill Presentation

Dr. Bass stated that student, David Hutchings, approached Mr. Glenn Davis, Owner's Representative; PSNH and the University of New Hampshire with the idea of a wind turbine and solar energy photovoltaic system at the high school site.He stated all parties were very interested in helping.

David Hutchings presented the School Board with his idea of turning wind into energy for the high school.He stated the high school was an excellent site for a turbine.He noted it would be like pre-purchasing our energy for the future and that it would help take care of the earth.He also stated there were grants available for such projects and that the state of New Hampshire currently does not have any type of project like this.

An estimate from KW Management, Mr. K Weissflog, was presented.

The School Board thanked David for the wonderful presentation and requested a meeting to be set up with Mr. Davis to discuss this project further.

Windham Endowment Presentation

Diane Carpenter explained the purpose of the non-profit group – noting it is meant to improve the quality of life for Windham.She presented a donation of a baby grand piano made possible by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Pappalardo to the School Board.The piano is for the new Windham High School.

Motion to accept gift of baby grand piano with much appreciation on behalf of the Pappalardo family for Windham High School was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish.Approved 5-0.

PTA Presentation

Laurie Sweetser discussed the goal of the PTA to obtain input regarding Windham High School – noting there would be a meeting with members to discuss this topic.Membership in the PTA was down and flyers would be sent home to all students this week.

Public Address to the Windham School Board

Pam Kaiser addressed the Board by stating she was a member of the Curriculum Committee for three years and is concerned that the community will be divided if the School Board opens the high school with freshman and sophomores only.She urged the School Board not to split classes.She stated she recognized the concerns of parents regarding sports and believed the community could come together to solve any problem.She felt that Salem High School could charge Windham an unprecedented amount of tuition.She also made note of a letter from the Eagle Tribune which addressed fire safety issues at Salem High and overcrowding issues.

Lisa Van Barlo addressed the Board by stating she was all for the high school until she heard concerns from students at Salem.Ms. Van Barlo stated she felt Windham High School was an instant high school and that it was not the time to move a junior or senior as it could affect their college future.

Chris DiPersio, freshman at Salem High School, explained that he did not want to leave Salem and that he is heavily involved in the band program there.He stressed that students need to see the curriculum by this time next year.

Renee Solomon addressed the Board by stating she wished only freshman and sophomores moved over from Salem in 2009.She questioned what honors classes would be offered at Windham High School.She requested a gradual transition.

Kim Movesian and Karen Richards, freshmen at Salem High School, addressed the Board by stating they would like to stay at Salem and felt not everyone could afford to pay Salem's tutition.

Jared Matthews, freshman at Salem High School, also stated he would like to remain.

Paul Cino urged the School Board to make a decision based on best practice and help who is impacted.He also urged them to listen to experts in this regard.

Spiro Harbilas stressed to the Board that they will never make everyone happy and to put emotions aside when making a decision and look carefully at data.He noted he feared the School Board would compromise.

Kathy McLinden requested the Board to take a poll of the current 7^th and 8^th graders.She stressed that if all four grades are brought back - we will all work together as a community.

Patti Michael spoke of sports being greatly affected if juniors and seniors are not brought back.She stated she felt a school with two (2) grades was not a true high school experience.She stressed that the Board will have to worry about all children.

Cindy Hastings stated the job of the School Board is to do what is best for the community.She noted she worried about freshman and sophomores if the high school only opens with two classes as that it will send a message to voters to not support the Warrant Articles for sports fields.She felt it may be best to open with all four grades.

Katie Smith stated because of the uncertainty regarding curriculum, she felt a lot of parents will make a tough financial decision.She questioned what would happen if only about 40 students come back from Salem.

Transition Discussion

Al Letizio explained that the School Board currently has in place a decision that was made in September 2006 to bring all four grades back from Salem High School to attend the new Windham High School.Mr. Letizio then discussed the duty and obligation of the School Board.

Beth Valentine stated that any decision that is made will be painful and will be perceived as being a less than experience for their child.She requested that the School Board think outside the box when making their decision.She noted she felt a senior class does not have the time to accommodate changes.She also stated that she has confidence in Windham's Honors and AP courses – noting students will be able to take twice (2x) as many AP classes at Windham High School than at Salem due to a modified block schedule.She also stated it was not totally appropriate to compare Windham to Bedford High School.Mrs. Valentine noted it is the preference of Dr. Bass and Roxanne Wilson to open with 2 classes.

Dr. Bass stated he would recommend that the freshman and sophomores come back.He stated he is concerned with the social and emotional needs of the student.However, noting that he did not think a student would suffer regarding their college application.To that end, Dr. Bass stated we will have to make a decision for what is best for the school.

Beth Valentine stated that because Salem gave the option to current freshman and sophomores, the returning sophomores to Windham will not have any upper classman.

It was noted that even small schools will have yearbooks.

Al Letizio discussed the drawbacks of freshman and sophomores coming back – noting the maturity level will not be available from upperclassman.

Beth Valentine questioned if Windham could run AP classes for juniors and seniors if the Board decides to let them stay at Salem – noting they could come back and take said classes in Windham.

Dr. Bass noted this could be a possibility along with said juniors and seniors also returning to provide community service by setting up leadership roles at Windham.

Amanda Lacaroz spoke noting there could be an after school piece where students could act as co-advisors to yearbook and newspaper – noting this could be placed on their college applications.

Bruce Anderson stressed that Windham High School is anything but an "instant high school".He stated a lot of hard work has gone into the Windham project.Mr. Anderson stated he is looking at the data in order to do what is best for all the kids.Mr. Anderson read a letter to the School Board from Mr. Pat Corbin which addressed the issue of opening with two or four grades.It was stated in Mr. Corbin's letter that he is opposed to opening with only two grades.The letter also stated that Pelham and Nashua opened with all four grades and in both situations by October or November the juniors and seniors were happy to be there.Mr. Corbin also noted that the more students, the greater the course offerings would be.Mr. Corbin stated the Windham School Board should not second guess their decisions.

Mr. Anderson spoke of the curriculum outline – noting it has been out there for almost three years and is being worked on further to mirror electives that are now offered to students at Salem.With regard to athletics, Mr. Anderson spoke of his concern over the sports fields that will be on the ballot in March and how this decision could affect that outcome.Mr. Anderson requested that everyone think of all the students who may not be star athletes but who could play in Windham if they were denied the opportunity at Salam – noting they would now have an opportunity to do so.Mr. Anderson requested that the budget and transportation issues be looked at further.He noted it would be hard for some taxpayers to swallow and that more information was needed in order to make a sound decision by the Board.Mr. Anderson stated that curriculum issues are not insurmountable for juniors and seniors and he noted he would like to see how many students would like to come to Windham High School as athletes.

It was stated that a conversation would need to be had with Salem regarding tuition.Dr. Bass stated he received numbers from the Salem Business Administrator, but that he and Mr. Eaton would go through the numbers again and make cost analysis and breakdown for the School Board.

Barbara Coish stated that as a Board they made a decision on September 5, 2006 that all four classes come back to Windham and from that point on the Board has planned for their return.She stressed that she made her decision 18 months ago and will stand by it.She requested that they talk with Salem

Beth Valentine stated that she felt Salem made their point when they announced to parents they could tuition their children in if they wanted to.She also stated that she felt data would be unreliable.She noted that Salem now has the time to educate our students and take our tuition.She felt we have a divided situation.

Dr. Bass will call Salem Superintendent and find out cost differentials.

Barbara Coish requested that the Windham and Salem School Boards meet.

Beverly Donovan stated that she has a child in each scenario and realizes that it is a no win situation.She stated there would probably be about a $200,000 savings or about three teacher's salaries.With regard to the freshman who spoke tonight, stating they would like to stay at Salem – Mrs. Donovan pointed out that the now 8^th graders will also be feeling the same way when they are freshman at Salem but that they will be forced to come back.Mrs. Donovan stated the Board made the decision based on what the experts said.She stated she thought the Board needed to stick with the four year scenario and that it would be a mistake to change.

Mrs. Donovan stated that a citizen could petition this issue.

Mr. Letizio stated he did not think there should be a Citizens Petition but did think the Board should consider more information and then reevaluate.Mr. Letizio stated he did not think it was a good idea to bring back all four grades.Chairman Letizio requested that the decision of the Board not be dragged out.

The Board discussed moving future meeting dates around or holding another meeting.

Barbara Coish stated she would like to see the information being requested tonight prior to the next meeting date.

A motion to reconsider the Board's September 2006 vote was discussed.

Bruce Anderson stated that he felt as soon as a motion to reconsider is made that the School Board would now have no plan in place.He also noted it would be important to have the public hear about the curriculum to alleviate some fears.

Beverly Donovan discussed her concerns from parents about their high school children attending focus groups regarding curriculum.

Consensus of the School Board to have Amanda Lacaroz suspend focus groups at Salem High School and proceed with focus groups at Windham Middle School was made.

Adoption of Minutes

Motion to accept as amended the public minutes from January 8, 2008 was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beverly Donovan.Approved 5-0.

Motion to approve the non public minutes from January 10, 2008 and have them sealed was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beverly Donovan.Approved 5-0

Motion to accept the public minutes regarding public hearing and proposed budget on January 11, 2008 was made by Beth Valentine with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish.Approved 4-0-1 (Bruce Anderson abstained)

Motion to accept as amended the public minutes regarding proposed bond hearing on January 11, 2008 was made by Beth Valentine with a 2^nd by Beverly Donovan.Approved 4-0-1 (Bruce Anderson abstained).

Vendor and Payroll Manifests

Voucher #1059    $142,214.63

Voucher#1058     $396,408.73

Voucher#21         $44,245.99

Building Fund      $1,345,385.58

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

Motion to accept Warrant Articles as written as well as budget was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.Approved 5-0.

Correspondence and Information

Letter from Comstock was presented to the Board for their review.

Future Meeting Dates

January 31, 2008- Joint School Board Meeting- 7:00/SAU

February 5, 2008- Business Meeting-  Town Hall

February 12, 2008- Business/Workshop-  Town Hall

Motion to Adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 9:42 p.m. was made by Barbara Coish with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine.Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Beth Valentine-aye; Barbara Coish – aye; Bruce Anderson – aye.

Respectfully - Diane Figaro