NOT APPROVED

APPROVED

WINDHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Public Session

Workshop Meeting

July 10, 2007 – SAU #28 Building

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

Superintendent: Dr. Frank Bass

Assistant Superintendent: Roxanne Wilson

Business Administrator: Toby Eaton

Motion to go into Public Session under RSA 91-A:II (c) was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0.

Mr. Letizio stated and accepted the teacher nominations of Rachel Garofoli – Speech/Language – Windham Center School; Deborah Hope – Reading Specialist – Windham Middle School and Nicole Cailler – Special Education – Windham Preschool.

Beverly Donovan official introduced Superintendent, Dr. Frank Bass and Windham Business Administrator, Toby Eaton.

Superintendent Remarks

Dr. Bass addressed the school board with his considerations for the future of Windham along with some accomplishments that had recently occurred. Highlights included:

Meeting with town administrators and the chief of police in Windham
With regard to Windham’s high school project, Dr. Bass stated he felt it would be the very best in the state
Dr. Bass commented on the position of high school principal and the process this would take; technical education programs; learning communities; foreign language offerings and the ability to connect with a large corporation that would be willing to work with a high school on an academic program.
Dr. Bass further noted that he and Assistant Superintendent, Roxanne Wilson would be meeting with each Principal in the District to outline a plan to help them achieve their goals for the school year
Dr. Bass also stressed that Business Administrator, Toby Eaton was pleased to be working and concentrating on Windham’s needs.

Bruce Anderson expressed that he would like to explore an on-line learning program at the new high school.

Roxanne Wilson noted they are looking into a virtual high school program.

CIP Discussion

Toby Eaton distributed the 2007-2014 CIP Appropriation. It was noted that the final school district projects would be submitted by August 9, 2007.

With regard to a new Windham Middle School, Beverly Donovan stressed that the board needed to examine what was really needed. It was also noted that the need for the middle school would be before 2015.

Bruce Anderson discussed how many square feet would be needed for 900-1,000 students. It was also stressed that the numbers for such a project would have to be looked at seriously before a presentation was made to the CIP in August.

Al Letizio noted that the middle school facility was originally planned for 2009.

It was decided that an amount of approximately $25 million would be needed for a new facility, fields and site work. It was also determined that the board would give this number to the CIP for two (2) years out. Mr. Letizio requested that Mr. Eaton prepare a bond schedule and present it to the school board at an upcoming meeting prior to the meeting with the CIP.

Roxanne Wilson discussed the need for modular(s) classrooms at Golden Brook School.

Dr. Bass stated he was not in favor of portables and that they were expensive to purchase. He recommended leasing them.

Beverly Donovan questioned if the State of New Hampshire allowed any funding for these. Mr. Eaton will explore this and report back to the board.

Bruce Anderson noted that if you lease portables they can not be included in the CIP, but rather be placed in the operating budget.

Barbara Coish noted that either way, the matter would be presented as a Warrant Article.

It was noted that Phase II of the paving project at the middle school would be in conjunction with the soccer field project.

Barbara Coish noted that some bonds will be completed in 2009.

Review of Safety Report

Al Letizio spoke of the Safety Report which was prepared through the work of members of a Safety Committee headed by Principal Maguire. The board members evaluated the report. Mr. Letizio stressed that the Committee did a great job in preparing this Report

Mr. Letizio spoke of the need of a professional, outside company (security consultant) to review the report and make recommendations to the School Board.

Beverly Donovan noted she did not want to give the community a false sense of security. Barbara Coish suggested Mr. Glenn Davis be consulted. Bruce Anderson requested that the security consultant have school experience.

Motion to Explore the Cost to Hire a Security Consultant to look at all Three (3) Schools and the Preschool and come back to the School Board with Recommendations was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0.

School Bus Issues

Toby Eaton presented to the board his conversation and report from Laidlaw regarding the installation of security cameras and recorders on Windham buses. The board members discussed the rotating use of live cameras verses dummy cameras.

Beverly Donovan noted she did not think it was necessary at this time.

Bruce Anderson noted he felt if the schools were being made secure then school buses should be also.

Roxanne Wilson will investigate if there is state funding available for such an endeavor. She further stressed that the board would need to have a Policy regarding its use in place before installation.

Beverly Donovan requested more information and a discussion in Public Session at an upcoming business meeting. She further noted, there would be 50 more students entering Golden Brook School and that there would probably be a need for an additional school bus.

General Consensus from the School Board was to have Dr. Bass research any policy/privacy issues regarding camera installation and report back to the board.

Windham High School Committee Charges

Copies of current high school committee charges were distributed to the board members for their review.

Roxanne Wilson noted that Art, Music and Co curricular Committee felt comfortable with their Charge Orders.

Al Letizio stressed he would like all the information from all Committees to flow together.

Bruce Anderson suggested the creation of a flow chart for each Committee.

Dr. Bass suggested that the chairpersons from each Committee meet with Administration at one meeting to see where they stand and then report back to the School Board. The consensus of the School Board was to have Dr. Bass set up such a meeting.

Field Dedication

Consensus of the School Board to have Toby Eaton and Dr. Bass purchase a plaque and erect it in memory of Johnny Ward at one of the schools sports field. They will report back to the Board next week with the cost of such a plaque.

Manifests

Building Fund $3,285.71

WSD Voucher #1001 $133.41

WSD voucher #2 $445.94

WSD Voucher #1107 $77,927.01

WSD Voucher #1000 $174,368.40

WSD Voucher #1 $5,880.75

WSD Voucher#1106 $29,279.75

WSD Voucher #119 $4,071.61

WSD Voucher #117 $3,718.43

WSD Voucher #1098 $548.59

Manifests were circulated for signatures.

Information/Correspondence

District Report Card: Title 1 Requirement – Roxanne Wilson spoke to the board about the Report Card. She noted it was available on the website and hard copies were available at the SAU office. It was noted that she will take Salem High School test scores out of the report.

NHDOE Special Education Program Approval Review – The board recognized the hard work and dedication of Tina McCoy with regard to this approval.

Status of Graduation Class of 2007 (SHS) – Distributed and reviewed by board members.

Land Utilization Letter – Distributed and reviewed by board members.

Building Committee Letter – Distributed and reviewed by board members.

At this time, Dr. Bass requested permission to utilize, if/when needed, a specialized consultant for the high school project.

Motion to Authorize Superintendent to Bring in Specific Consultants as needed for Specified Periods of Time regarding the High School Project at a Maximum Dollar Amount of $500.00 per Consultant was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0.

Motion to Adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 8:56 p.m. was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Barbara Coish-aye; Bruce Anderson-aye

Respectfully,

Diane Figaro