School Board Members:    Al Letizio, Barbara Coish, Beverly Donovan, Beth Valentine; Bruce Anderson
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 7:02 pm.  All those in attendance stood for Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. 

Good News

Windham Middle School – Beth Valentine spoke of an upcoming curriculum fair to be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 from 6-8 pm.  Thee will be presentations, musical entertainment and the wonderful Le Café’Rosa. 

Bruce Anderson spoke of the upcoming performances of Radio Daze which consists of a cast of 27 talented middle school students.  Radio Daze is a World War II era comedy.  Performances will be held at WMS Café on 3/13; 3/14 and 3/15.

Board Buddies

Ryan Stagg and Amanda DeSimone, 4th graders from Center School addressed the School Board.  They spoke of their field trip to the state house; fun fitness; fit kids program; classroom ho-to projects and their mastery of multiplication facts; their study of famous New Hampshire people; Strawberry Banke field trip and their community service project to do some spring cleaning around town..  Both students were presented with framed Certificates of Participation.

PTA Presentation

Laurie Sweetzer addressed the Board to discuss membership.  She stated it has been a little disappointing this year with membership being down.  She spoke of the survey from last year asking if membership fees should be raised and thus eliminating fundraisers.  Mrs. Sweetzer discussed the many community education presentation programs that they have offered and continue to offer this year.  She then spoke of the PTA publicly supporting Articles 2 and 6 on the Ballot this year.  She noted it is appropriate for the PTA to support schools and education and that they know their guidelines.  She publicly thanked the present School Board for everything they have accomplished over the years.

Public Address

Bruce Anderson spoke as a member of the public – commenting on the political season.  He wanted to clarify the work the Curriculum Committee did on the high school curriculum.  He stressed that the School Board always has curriculum their number one focus.  He stated he felt athletics and curriculum go hand and hand and that it is not a war between sports vs. curriculum.  He also stated that curriculum is at the heart of what the School Board does.

Tom Case addressed the Board by stating he was looking for clarification from Mr. Letizio regarding the three minute rule for public address.  He noted he felt it was unfair that Dr. Anderson was able to speak for more than three minutes.  Mr. Letizio responded by stating he made an exception out of respect to Dr. Anderson for his lengthy service on the Board and to the Community.

Kitchen Report

Dr. Bass spoke of the kitchen at the high school being designed to provide lunch to all schools in the district.  He then discussed looking at the kitchen program going forward and questioning if it would be better served to also consider the existing schools in the district by making them able to service students also.  He stated all three schools were looked at but that the numbers were not yet in to make a determination.  He requested the Board provide guidelines as they proceed down the road prior to purchasing all high school kitchen equipment.

Barbara Coish stated she wished to stay with a central kitchen at the high school.  She feels it would be cost prohibitive to outfit the other schools. 

Beverly Donovan stated she was not ready to make a decision regarding outfitting other kitchen(s) tonight.

Bruce Anderson stated he felt they should wait to see the data and look at the master plan before going forward.

Beth Valentine stated she agreed with Mr. Anderson and that they should look at how and where the grades will be moved.  She noted she felt it would behoove them to reevaluate while they are in a planning stage.  She encouraged the future School Board to look at what makes the most sense.  She noted the current middle school has the capability of being a full service kitchen.

Dr. Bass affirmed that they will come back to the new School Board with hard numbers and then they will make educated decisions regarding this issue.

Bruce Anderson questioned monies in the budget surplus at years end and questioned if they should consider buying serving equipment to replace the old equipment at the schools.

Al Letizio noted that the Board has heard real concerns about our food service program – noting it clearly does not work and that less than 20% of students participate in the program.  He stated that if they forced administration to eat the meals that it would probably change quickly.  He noted the quality is not there mainly because our infrastructure is not there to serve the food properly – it is being prepared by a third party.  He stated he felt they would waste money if they invest in equipment that would still use a third party.  It is his recommendation to look at each school being independent to supply safe food – noting there is a better way to accomplish this.  He stressed it should be the first priority of the new School Board. – noting they should adopt a vision.  He sated he would be happy to serve in some capacity if needed to do so.

Bid for Athletic and Wood Flooring

Mr. Letizio noted the Board approved the bid for the gym floor at the high school.  He stated they are more than 98% of the way through the bids and are under budget.  He noted they will have a slight surplus and are ahead of schedule.  He noted the town should be very happy.

Harvey Contract

Dr. Bass noted the contract is completed and that the numbers stayed where they needed to be.  The building is on schedule and under budget.  They are very pleased with Harvey and Lavalle.  He noted this is great news.


Joint Meeting of WSB and Board of Selectman

Members from the Board of Selectman joined the School Board in a discussion over the Citizens Petition regarding the access road to Windham High School.

Al Letizio gave an overview of the original plan of a road to the high school – noting there is a desire to have the road go all the way through.  The Board of Selectman planned to come to voters to complete the road all the way through.  He stated a Citizens Petition was brought forth and presented to the district that the School District considers it because it could be included in a school district project which would make it qualify for state aid.

It was noted that state aid of 30% is available.  The issue is that the intent by most is that it would be a town road, however, it comes by the State with some strings attached to it – it can only be used as a school road and not a public road.  It was noted the Police and Fire Departments still feel it is the way to go.  It was noted that the state aid would be spread out over 20 years.

Beverly Donovan clarified that London Bridge Road has been on the master plan with the town for some time and wanted to make it clear that at some time it would have been opened by the town and that it is an important connection.

Barbara Coish stated she wants the road but does not want to build it with public money – but rather have it build by developers.

Mr. Hohenberger stated he thought the progress on the road would be that we would lay it out and we would receive betterment fees and that the school district would have to pay a certain portion and that they could get a percentage of state aid.  He stated that now this has changed.  He also stated he thought the aid and betterments would be a wash.  He questioned if they would lose the opportunity to collect betterment fees.

Mr. Letizio stated the only reason the School District got involved would be that we would contract it and then hand it over to the town to build it.  He noted the Article is now in place and it is too late to change that.  He questioned after it is built if they can transfer it over to the town.  He stressed the School District did not intend to maintain this road.

Ms. Crisler stated she met with the Commissioner regarding this and that they made it very clear that the aid has strings attached.  The State says it is for emergency access only and that it cannot be a public road and that it cannot be converted to a town road as then we would have to repay the 30% state aid back to the State.  She also noted that the land must be owned by the School District and that no betterment fees could be collected.  She also noted the maintenance of the road would be the responsibility of the School District.

It was discussed that the Fire Chief will not waive a second access to the high school as it is not safe to have only one road to the site.  It was noted the Fire Department will need that back access.

Mr. Carpenter stated the School District would need a warrant article to transfer ownership – but that for a period of time the School District would own the road.

Mr. Senabaldi noted this road was talked about for a long time and that he is ok with not having the 30% state aid and that the road has to go through.  He stated he wanted to move forward and support this warrant article and that at some point it would have to be given back to the town.

Mr. Carpenter stated it was unfair to the voters after presenting it them and now it can’t be delivered as outlined.  He noted the Deliberative Session has already taken place.

Mr. Senabaldi noted that the Article doesn’t mention if it is a school road or a town road and that it does not say anything about the 30% aid – he felt people will read the Article and that it is not misleading.

Mr. Letizio stated that if the Board of Selectman felt they could build the road for less money than what the Warrant Article stated that he would hope they would do that.  Mr. Carpenter responded by stating nobody has hard numbers.

Ms. Crisler noted legal counsel would have to be consulted.

Mr. Anderson requested having a legal opinion on the matter by Monday and then presenting it to voters on camera at Monday’s Board of Selectman’s meeting.

Mr. Breton stated they have already paid engineering and that the reason it was put on the School District side was to alleviate the taxpayers.  He noted they were not trying to be immoral.  He stressed that it is imperative that the road be built.

Mr. Carpenter noted the town does not have a history of collecting betterment fees and that it would be part of the negotiations with land owners – noting they will not have that information for months.

Chairman Letizio stated they will get information from Attorney Graham and get said information out to both Boards.

Charlie McMahon – Petitioner – discussed there being greater flexibility on the school side and that Windham should not shrink away from the opportunity have help with funding.  He stated there is no doubt what our Fire Chief requires.  He noted they need to access the roads per the State and that he is hoping both Boards can work together.

Barbara Coish noted a point of clarification on the original plan being accepted by the State – noting the entrance to the school was considered a driveway and that the only reason it became a road was because of the Board of Selectman.  She stated originally there was no problem with the way it approved by the State.

Eagle Scout/Historic Commission

Nick Letizio, from Salem High School, spoke of his proposed Eagle Scout Project.  He stated he wished to do something with the new high school by improving the London Bridge structure.  He stated he had received approval from the Historic Commission and was asking for permission from the School Board.  Mr. Letizio stated he wanted to do a general area cleanup; create a walkway and fund and create a historical marker for the site in front of the bridge.  He also noted he would like to create a planting bed for the town gardening club.

Carole Pynn from the Historic Commission spoke stating they were delighted that Mr. Letizio approached them with this project.  She noted the structure was built in 1799.

Bruce Anderson recommended that he consult about the amount of water in that area before designing a planting bed.

Motion that the Windham School Board allow Nick Letizio to proceed with his project to enhance the London Bridge causeway was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Al Letizio.  Approved 5-0.

Nomination

Dr. Bass announced the nomination of Deb Armfield as new Principal at Golden Brook School.  Beverly Donovan noted that Principal McGuire and staff at Golden Brook are thrilled with the nomination.

Kindergarten

Dr. Bass announced that he has met with Senator Larsen along with Bruce Couture, Chairman of Pelham School Board to discuss the kindergarten options.  The State’s position on this issue was that they were trying to create advantageous situations for towns like ours dealing with the kindergarten mandate.  He stated it might be possible to received 75% reimbursement for the building of 6 new classrooms and 100% reimbursement for those items that would be used in the 6 classrooms.  It was stated that the State would appropriate $2,000 per pupil until 2016.  Dr. Bass noted that Senator Larsen was made aware of our position on portable classrooms.  Dr. Bass also noted that kindergarten could be housed in the high school for now.  He stated conversations continue.

Beth Valentine noted the State has assured us that there is money available for this and that they were receptive.

Al Letizio stated he was glad to hear about the creative state aid and to be able to have a portion of the middle school project be funded.

Barbara Coish questioned if the Senate was talking to the other 8 or 9 districts.

Roxanne Wilson questioned the 2009 deadline.  Dr. Bass responded by stating if we did not think we could have it implemented by December 2008, that the District would need to write and submit a plan to them as to how we will have it implemented by September, 2009. 

Mr. Letizio reiterated that the State would subsidize 100% for furniture; books and materials.

FIVE MINUTE RECESS

Roxanne Wilson spoke of recent NECAP results.  She noted that NECAP was an assessment program in response to No Child Left Behind and was made up of the states of Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.  She noted the state assessment is used as a barometer for us to guage our programs – it is not a student achievement test -helping us see how well we are getting our curriculum across.  The test randomly selects certain areas to be tested each year.  It is given to grades 3-8 and new this year is grade 11.  This assessment is part of our school district report card.  The district report card is a published report.  She stated Windham is doing excellent compared to others in the state.  Mrs. Wilson went on to say the bar is raised every couple of years, thereby making it harder and harder to make AYP (adequate yearly progress).  The differences between the state and Windham are significant.

Mrs. Wilson presented a quick analysis between Windham and some neighboring towns. 

Al Letizio questions what we have to do to stay ahead of the curve and how they can reward teachers.

Mrs. Wilson responded by stating professional development for teachers is very important and that we have teachers look at standard based assessments – and by giving teachers time to work together on curriculum.  She noted they try to bring them together in the summer months

High School Program Highlights

Roxanne Wilson noted she has met with Amanda Lacaroz to talk through the time schedule – noting they are still on track.  She also noted they are focusing on hiring the Deans and coming up with program descriptions.  Particularly referring to program descriptions with regard to small learning communities; advisory; freshman academy and team teaching.

Mrs. Wilson stated she is reviewing the Curriculum Report which was prepared previously by the Curriculum Committee.  She noted it is a great beginning document that she keeps referencing.

Chairman Letizio noted the Curriculum Report dispels the myths that the Board has not been focusing on the curriculum and he stated the Board stands by the curriculum work done so far.

Mrs. Wilson further stated that she and Mr. Manley reflect on the original vision and mission statement and that it may be revised.

Beth Valentine noted that Windham Middle School is studying incorporating advisory into their curriculum also and questioned if it would be a similar philosophy.  Roxanne Wilson noted it will have the same outcome and that she believed Principal Becht would be addressing the Board in this regard in the near future.

Bruce Anderson suggested meeting with the people that comprised the Curriculum Committee – noting they are a diverse group of people.

Consent Agenda

Motion to Seal the non-public minutes of February 5, 2008 until February 5, 2009 was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 5-0.

Motion to Approve the February 5, 2008 public minutes was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 5-0.

Motion to approve as amended the minutes of February 8, 2008 Deliberative Session was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 5-0.

Motion to approve as amended the non-public minutes of February 12, 2008 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 4-0-1 (Anderson abstained)

Motion to approve the public minutes as amended from February 12, 2008 was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 4-0-1 (Anderson abstained)

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

Correspondence

Letter from Commissioner Tracey was included in packets

Beverly Donovan noted Cabaret 2008 was included in packets.  This will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2008.

Administrative Monthly Reports

Roxanne Wilson noted they have received some grant money for books.  The books will be the first official books of the new Windham High School.

Board Member Reports/Concerns

Barbara Coish – attended Salem School Board meeting and  then noted that Terry Bullard is about to launch the new School District Website.

Beth Valentine spoke of the work of the Communication Committee and what they accomplish every week.  She also spoke of the tireless work of the Building Committee – noting they all want it to be the best high school.  Mrs. Valentine stated that Windham has been very fortunate to have Principal McGuire serve at Golden Brook School.  She also spoke of Windham Middle School Principal, Kori Becht, who is bringing so much professionalism to the school.  She then spoke of the great work of Principal Desrosiers at Center School.  She noted our town is very fortunate to have these seasoned and experienced teachers and professionals.

Al Letizio stated tonight’s meeting will conclude 6 ½ years being on the Board – stating this past year was the most intense.  He further stated it has been a pleasure to be a part of it all.

Bruce Anderson thanked Beth and Al for the many things done behind the scenes and he stated he appreciated their work and friendship.

Dr. Bass stated how important it was for both of them to serve and that the public does not know the enormous amount of time they have put in.

Future Meeting Dates

March 11, 2008    Annual School District Voting
March 18, 2008    Workshop Meeting - 7:00 SAU


Motion to adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 10:46 p.m. was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Beth Valentine.  Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Beth Valentine-aye; Barbara Coish – aye; Bruce Anderson – aye.

Respectfully - Diane Figaro