School Board Members:    Barbara Coish, Beverly Donovan, Michael Hatem
Assistant Superintendent:    Roxanne Wilson
Business Administrator:    Toby Eaton
Human Resource Director:    Fran DeCinto

Barbara Coish called the workshop meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Barbara Coish opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. per RSA 198:20-b for the acceptance of unanticipated funds from federal sources.  The hearing will be open for one hour for discussion purposes.

Roxanne Wilson discussed the grant process and Title V; IV; I; IIA; III ESOL; and IDEA Preschool Funds.

Consent Agenda

The Vendor and Payroll Manifests were noted.

Motion to accept Consent Agenda was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Michael Hatem.  Approved 3-0.

School Board Planning

Board members discussed upcoming agenda items for future School Board meetings.

Members discussed the agenda items regarding high school colors and how this item should be handled.  It was noted there would be a statement read at the May 6th meeting regarding such.

Roxanne Wilson stated curriculum and the transition of students will need to be re-examined by the transition team this summer.  The Board discussed a timeline for Windham High School work and transition.

Meeting – May 13, 2008 – SAU annual meeting agenda items were discussed.  It was noted new officers and a Chairperson would be voted upon. 

Beverly Donovan questioned the item regarding SAU separation.  It was noted a Committee would be needed comprised of five (5) citizens.  This would need to be conveyed through advertisement.  It was also noted that the splitting of the Preschool would also be discussed at the 5/13/08 meeting.

Meeting – May 20, 2008 – Planning Department.  Barbara Coish reminded members to be thinking of their long and short term goals for the district.  Roxanne Wilson stressed that goal setting will take time and is very important.

Meeting – June 3, 2008 – At this meeting, the new High School Deans will be introduced to the School Board.  Beverly Donovan wished to add strategic planning to the agenda – she also stated that CIP will have to be worked on the following month (July).

Meeting – June 17, 2008 – Workshop – it was noted this date would have to changed as it conflicts with the Middle School graduation night. 

Meeting – July 15 and August 19th – dates will remain the same.

Other Items for Discussion/Agenda Items

Barbara Coish discussed cafeteria services for the Windham Lunch Program.  She stated the District had previously interviewed/spoke with several organizations which provide lunch programs and stated the School Board would like to have one of the companies back to give another presentation to the new Board members.  This will potentially be set up to take place at the July 15, 2008 meeting.  It was noted all Principals will be asked to attend this meeting.

Beverly Donovan stated she felt all the Principals should have input in this area regarding the lunch program options.

Barbara Coish discussed the age of the lunch serving equipment currently housed at Windham Schools.

Roxanne Wilson requested the issue regarding Kindergarten be discussed at the May 6th meeting.

With regard to High School Policies, Mrs. Wilson stated there will be some Policies that will have to be put in place that relate to just the High School.

Public Address to the School Board

Diane Carpenter, Tom Barstow and Bob Coole from the Windham Endowment for Community Advancement, addressed the Board.  They distributed a time line to the School Board for their review.  They expressed their desire to solidify a common goal with the Board.  They noted the goal of the group is to take one project at a time and noted the School Board would have to accept all gifts made on behalf of the Endowment.  The idea of companies matching donor’s gifts to the Endowment was discussed.

Mrs. Carpenter stressed that it s a community foundation and that they are about the entire community whose motto is to raise funds for various aspects for the betterment of the community.  It was stated that they are a non-profit group – stressing they could offer an offset to the traditional Warrant Article.

Mr. Cool addressed the Board regarding Windham Middle School Graduation.  He inquired if this ceremony would be done away with once the High School is opened.

The School Board responded by stating they had not discussed this as of yet but that they will talk about it at a later date.

Mrs. Wilson noted there are schools that have a “moving up” ceremony without caps and gowns – noting it is a celebration/recognition type of ceremony.

Mr. Cool informed the Board that in the Windham Town Report, there were no Principal’s salaries listed.  Mr. Cool then noted his desire to have a new middle school built and stated he would like to see that happen in 2011.

Mrs. Coish responded to this by stating the School Board will be doing some master planning at upcoming meetings.

At 8:05 p.m. the public hearing was closed.

Motion to close public hearing regarding the acceptance of unanticipated funds from federal sources was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Michael Hatem.  Approved 3-0.

Public Address Continued

Mr. Bob Skinner addressed the School Board by noting his concern over the financial situation on the town side.  He discussed the town balance going negative until June, 2008 and requested help from the School Board.

Mrs. Coish noted that Business Administrator, Toby Eaton, will be looking at all that is presented.

Kindergarten Update

Roxanne Wilson discussed Senate Bill 530 regarding kindergarten aid.  She stated funding would be extended until 2013.  Mrs. Wilson explained what it means to have a code compliant kindergarten.  She also stated that adequate education monies would be available immediately. 

Mrs. Wilson stressed the need for the Windham School Board to make a decision and have a plan in place by the deadlines noted regarding kindergarten in Windham.

Kindergarten will be discussed at the May 6th School Board Meeting.

Correspondence and Information

Beverly Donovan distributed information regarding New Hampshire Municipal Association (proposed 28-A Litigation).  She stated the State is requesting towns to work with them regarding retirement cost increase calculations.

An update regarding this will be made at the next meeting and presented by Human Resource Director, Mrs. Fran DeCinto.

Barbara Coish noted there is a Liability Waiver that needs to be signed regarding the students’ visits to the High School site.

Mr. Hatem expressed his concern over signed indemnification agreements and requested that the Districts Legal Counsel look it over.

This item will be placed on the next agenda after Legal Counsel reviews it.

Barbara Coish noted that a motion of the Board is requested in order to release some monies owed. 

Motion to compensate J. Glenn Davis as owner's representative to the Windham School District in the amount of $10,000.00 for the following scope of services provided to the Windham School District.  Windham High School surveying and recommendations for past and future land swap/ exchange; Master Planning for WHS Athletic Complex, Proposed Master Plan layout for future Windham Middle School, Consulting for District Wide Kitchen Facilities as per Warrant, and other related services requested by
the Windham School Board was made by Michael Hatem with a 2nd by Beverly Donovan.  Approved 3-0.

Mr. Hatem stated his concern regarding colors.  He stated he appreciated the vote by citizens in March and suggested the easiest way to solve this was to take out the word “accent” as it pertains to high school colors.  Mr. Hatem suggested leaving the colors and wording as blue, green, gold and have administration decide where and how to use it.

Beverly Donovan noted her only concern with that is that there will not be any blue included.  She further stated she would agree with that as long as the idea is we make a statement and not entertain the item again.

Nomination

Motion to accept the nomination of Assistant Principal of Cherrie Fulton at Windham Center School was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Michael Hatem.  Approved 3-0.

Motion to adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A: 3II(b) at 9:00 p.m. was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Michael Hatem.  Michael Hatem-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Barbara Coish – aye;


Respectfully - Diane Figaro