School Board Members:    Barbara Coish, Beverly Donovan, Michael Hatem and Mark Brockmeier
Superintendent:        Dr. Frank Bass
Assistant Superintendent:    Roxanne Wilson
Business Administrator:    Toby Eaton

Barbara Coish called the public session to order at 7:01 p.m.

Attorney Presentation

Attorney Gordon Graham addressed the School Board with regard to critical state and federal laws about how a School Board operates.  Some of the highlights Attorney Graham touched upon were the Right to Know Law; I.D.E.A., NCLB, FERPA laws and the role and authority of New Hampshire School Boards.

It was noted that the legislature will be passing an amendment soon that deals with the School Board’s authority with respect to electronic communication between members.  He noted there would be clear restrictions and that it would be considered a meeting if members communicated via email as this type of communication would be subject to the right to know law.  Another pending amendment will allow a board member to participate during a meeting via telephone conferencing.

Mr. Brockmeier suggested the Board make a policy regarding electronic communication and how to store said communication should they occur.

Mr. Hatem questioned Attorney Graham with regard to how a school district collects taxes due.  Mr. Graham responded by stating the interest is earned by the town and not the district.  He noted it is the responsibility of the town to deliver to the school district what they require.  He stressed it is very clear that when the School Board requires the money, the town has to turn it over.

AYP Update

Roxanne Wilson noted that targets have gone up with respect to testing.  She stated this occurs every two years and that it is becoming harder to meet those requirements.  She noted, as a whole, Windham has met their targets; however, some sub groups in some areas have not.  Therefore, this the first year Windham Center School did not meet AYP (adequate yearly progress).  She noted that if this were to occur again next year, Windham Center School would become a School in Need of Improvement.  Golden Brook, which does not test, receives WCS’s designation, so GBS did not meet AYP either.

Consent Agenda

Motion to approve the non-public minutes as amended from April 22, 2008 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Mark Brockmeier.  Approved 3-0-1 (Mike Hatem abstained).

Motion to approve the public minutes from April 22, 2008 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Mark Brockmeier.  Approved 3-0-1 (Mike Hatem abstained).

Motion to approve the non public session of May 6, 2008 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Mike Hatem.  Approved 3-0-1 (Mark Brockmeier abstained).

Motion to approve as amended the public minutes of May 6, 2008 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Mike Hatem.  Approved 3-0-1 (Mark Brockmeier abstained).

Vendor and Payroll Manifests

Barbara Coish read aloud the manifests.

Motion to accept Consent Agenda was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Mike Hatem.  Approved 4-0.

HB 1645 Legal Fund

Toby Eaton spoke of the School Boards recent pledge of $2,000 to the New Hampshire Local Government Center.

Board Members Reports and Concerns

Mark Brockmeier questioned the status of insurance certificates with Harvey Construction.

Toby Eaton responded by stating he was not sure yet of the resolution regarding tours of the high school site.  He noted that Harvey requested we wait to start tours.

Bond Bank

Barbara Coish read aloud a portion of the Certificate of Vote regarding authorization of bonds and approval of loan agreement with the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank:

1.    That under and pursuant to the Municipal Finance Act, Chapter 33, N.H.R.S.A., as amended, the New Hampshire Municipal bond Bank Law, Chapter 35-A, N.H.R.S.A., as amended, and other laws in addition thereto and to votes of the Issuer duly adopted on March 13, 2007 under Article 2 of the Warrant for the annual meeting of Issuer there be and hereby is authorized the issuance of a $4,000,000 Bond of the Issuer (the “Bond”) which is being issued by the Issuer for the following purpose:  to finance the Windham High School building project, including additional classroom space, athletic fields and a kitchen.

2.    The Bond shall be dated as of its date of issuance, shall be in such numbers and denominations as the purchaser shall request, shall mature in accordance with the schedule set forth in Exhibit A to a certain Loan Agreement hereinafter described (the “Loan Agreement”), shall bear a net interest cost rate (as defined in the Loan Agreement) of four and seventy-five hundredths percent (4.75%) per annum or such lesser amount as may be determined by a majority of the Board.


Policy JRA

This is the first reading of Policy JRA Student Records and Access.  Roxanne Wilson noted that this would be available on the district website for public input.

Other Business Items

Dr. Bass spoke of using this area on the Agenda to update members on a particular issue.

Dr. Bass spoke of Windham High School’s Program Updates and gave clarification of what is intended to be 90% complete by summer’s end by the Summer Planning Team.  They include the following:

Mission Statement/Small Learning Communities; course offerings and sequencing; grading system; honors and AP classes; Ambassadors Program (leadership opportunities); Wellness Program; Advisory Program; Freshman Seminar; Varsity/JV programs and Co-curricular programs.

Barbara Coish questioned how the Team would be funded this summer.  Dr. Bass responded by stating through Title II monies as well as a surplus from the health insurance fund.

Mike Hatem noted he looked at the 1400 best high schools in the country and noted that Hollis was one of them.  He suggested they look to Hollis for guidance.  Dr. Bass responded by stating they will be doing that and hopefully more.  Dr. Bass will report information back to the Board regarding this in the future.

Goal Settings

The consensus of the Board was to set up a special meeting to review goals for the District.  Beverly Donovan has prior information regarding space/school studies which she will copy and give to all board members.

Mark Brockmeier suggested seeing a sequencing of milestones from the Facilities Committee

Dr. Bass noted that Administration will work with the established Facilities Committee and come back with an initial report to state what the timeline should be for getting facilities information.

It was noted the postponed School Board meeting would be set for Monday, June 16, 2008 at the SAU.  There is a conflict with Middle School Graduation on June 17th.

Motion to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3II (b) (c) at 9:31 p.m. was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Mike Hatem.  Approved 4-0.  Beverly Donovan –aye; Mike Hatem – aye; Mark Brockmeier – aye; Barbara Coish – aye.

Respectfully Submitted
Diane Figaro