APPROVED

WINDHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Public Session

Business Meeting

July 17, 2007 – Planning Department

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

Superintendent: Dr. Frank Bass

Assistant Superintendent: Roxanne Wilson

Business Administrator: Toby Eaton

Motion to go into Public Session under RSA 91-A:II (c) at 7:40 p.m. was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0. Barbara Coish – aye; Bruce Anderson – aye; Beth Valentine – aye; Beverly Donovan – aye; Al Letizio – aye.

Mr. Letizio called the meeting to order, all those in attendance stood for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

Adoption of Minutes

Motion to Adopt as Amended the Public Minutes from June 5, 2007 was made by Barbara Coish with a 2^nd by Beverly Donovan. Approved 3-0-2. Beth Valentine and Bruce Anderson abstained.

Amendments: spelling changes – pages 1 and 2;

Page 4 line 6&7; wording changed to: …plan included 1 additional baseball field, 1 additional softball and multipurpose field, one stadium including a track and a second gym with more details to follow from the Athletic Committee.

Motion to Adopt as Amended the Public Minuets from June 19, 2007 was made by Beth Valentine with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-0-1 Bruce Anderson abstained.

Amendment: Page 3 line 33 change wording from brand to relatively.

Sign Up Sheet for Public to Address the WSB

Chairman Letizio referred to a new sign-up sheet format that the School Board wishes to use for all members of the public who wish to address the board during a public session. He noted there would be a (3) three minute time limit on comments. He further noted the School Board would not respond during the presentation, but will take it under advisement.

Remarks from Superintendent

Dr. Frank Bass was introduced to the public as the new Superintendent for the SAU #28. Dr. Bass stated he was pleased to here in Windham and that the Windham community has been very welcoming.

High School Updates

School Color and Mascot Petitions Presented – Student, David Pierson from Windham Middle School read aloud a letter written by Chip Hastings with regard to a petition which was circulated to change the Windham High School chosen colors from Blue and Gold to Green and Gold. A similar petition was circulated for signatures at Windham Center School to change the mascot from a Jaguar to a Wildcat.

School Board members discussed the pros and cons of changing the colors and/or mascot at such a late date. It was noted that perhaps there was a flaw in the original voting process which took place about 2 years ago. It was also noted that a lot of work had already been done with regard to integrating the colors into the high school project thus far and that starting over would be difficult.

Members of the public spoke to the School Board:

Joni Matthews stated she felt it was about community pride and spirit and that she hadn’t heard of anybody who voted for blue and gold.

Jim Curtin commented on why there was a vote in the first place.

Laura Bellavia questioned what it would cost the District if there was a revote. She also noted that the Building Committee has already been working with the interior designer for several months now. She questioned what the impact would be to change colors at this time.

Glenn Davis, Owners Representative, spoke noting it is possible to change now, however there would be a monumental impact if it did not occur within the next two weeks. There is a cost to change. He also noted the colors have been imbedded into the design thus far.

The School Board discussed the scenario of doing a mass mailing to parents or via e-mail for a revote.

Dr. Bass explained the process the Board took during a prior Motion about two years ago to officially accept the colors and mascot and how this would affect a Motion that might be made tonight.

Motion to Reconsider Windham High School Colors was made by Beth Valentine with a 2^nd by Bruce Anderson. Motion Fails to Carry 2-3.

Bruce Anderson noted he seconded the Motion because he wanted to continue the discussion to better understand the voting process.

Report by Glenn Davis

Glenn Davis presented an update of the high school project to date for the School Board. He noted some of the following highlights:

• Traffic Light Update – The permit should be approved by the beginning of next week;
• Development across the street probably will not occur in time to share the costs of the traffic light;
• Permit to remove retaining wall has been approved and was presented to Harvey Construction;
• Wing walls have been finished;
• Underground utilities have been completed;
• 2-3 weeks left of blasting (this is 90% complete);
• Well Contract bids came in today;
• First footings were poured on July 2^nd;
• Biding plans will be done by end of August or beginning of September;
• Paving anticipated at end of August or beginning of September;
• Windham Middle School surveying will be completed in two weeks;
• Board of Selectman will take an abatement on the timber tax and Mr. Davis will follow through with this.

Mr. Davis discussed the cafeteria proposal/layout for the other three schools. It was noted the cost for obtaining a study regarding the facilitation of the cafeteria project will be about $4,800.

It was noted the study will give the Board the tools to compare and contrast the current school facility situations.

Al Letizio noted he was not comfortable transporting food, stating he did not want to create a system similar to what we have now and that it would be a great disservice to the community.

Barbara Coish requested that Mr. Davis forward the proposal via e-mail to all board members and after reviewing it a discussion can be had at the next School Board meeting.

Motion to Approve $4,800 for a study regarding the food service program at all schools was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Beth Valentine. Approved 5-0.

Vendor and Payroll Manifests

SAU Voucher #1005 $2,575,660.87

Mr. Letizio noted the manifests were being circulated for signatures.

Policy Presentations/Reports

Field Dedication – Jim Curtin addressed the School Board regarding a memorial sign that needs to be erected at the upper Golden Brook School field.

Motion that the School Board will pay for the cost of the erection of a memorial sign, up to $300.00, to Mr. Jim Curtin was made by Barbara Coish with a 2^nd by Bruce Anderson. Approved 5-0.

Toby Eaton will review with Mr. Curtin, sign location prior to its placement.

FERPA (student’s records policy) First Reading – Distribution of this first reading was made to board members. It was noted there was wording advice from legal counsel.

Roxanne Wilson noted the letters JRA should be included at the top of the Policy and that it will be placed on the website for public comment.

Salem Tuition Agreement – Distribution of the Tuition Agreement was made to board members.

High School Committees – Dr. Bass noted that a meeting between himself and all chairpersons from each of the high school committee would be made at the end of July. He noted the purpose of the meeting was to see where each committee stood and then to report back to the School Board on his findings.

Safety Report Update – Dr. Bass recommended that he, Mr. Davis and Mr. Eaton review the proposed Safety Report, prioritize and then come back to the Board with their recommendations.

Motion to Allow Superintendent, Business Administrator and Mr. Davis to put together recommendations relative to the Safety Report was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2^nd by Bruce Anderson. Approved 5-0.

Portable Financing Update – Toby Eaton updated the board members with regard to purchasing or leasing portable classrooms for the District. He noted that the need at Golden Brook School had been changed to four (4) classrooms. It was stated that if portable classrooms were purchased, there may be some state aid available. Mr. Eaton also noted that he will be meeting with the Fire Chief to discuss safety issues. He will also be looking at security and septic issues.

Mr. Letizio suggested that for future discussion, portable classrooms be referred to as relocatable classrooms in order to keep the wording consistent for everyone. He also noted that in order to keep up with expansion of the District, long-term solutions and demographics will have to be looked at closely.

Cameras on Buses Update – Dr. Bass updated the board members on the First Policy Reading regarding camera/recording usage on school buses.

Roxanne Wilson stated the Department of Education allows grant money of up to $3,000 (30%) for reimbursement for such an expense.

Beverly Donovan noted her concern that the video recording will not capture verbal bullying and questioned if it made sense to wait to outfit all the buses with cameras.

Roxanne Wilson stated she thought such devices served as a deterrent and that it would help administration do a better job of disciplining where necessary. It was also noted that the recordings are held for 10 days and then erased for rerecording.

Motion to expend $14,600 to install video cameras and recording devices on all 17 full size and 4 mini-size school buses for the Windham School District was made by Bruce Anderson with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Approved 4-1.

Correspondence/Administrative Monthly Reports

• Copy of Parent Letter distributed to the board members for their review
• Project Budget Worksheet – a spreadsheet from Harvey Construction Company was distributed to board members for their review. Barbara Coish questioned how May numbers could be larger than June numbers. Mr. Eaton responded by stating as investments mature, the interest is added to the principal making the numbers larger.
• Assistant Superintendent’s Monthly Report – Distributed to board members for review.
• Superintendent’s Monthly Report – Distributed to board members for review.

Information and Proposals from Board Members

TGIF – Barbara Coish updated the board regarding a paper recycling program (Green day Committee) at Golden Brook School which was begun by Paula Renda. She noted the Committee was looking for community volunteers to bring paper to the transfer station.

CIP – Beverly Donovan noted the first initial discussion was held last week and that recommendations from the School Board were give to Toby Eaton.

SHS Update – Barbara Coish noted Salem was looking into establishing a physical activity policy.

Bruce Anderson gave an update on the Building Committee, noting drawings were reviewed, commented on and forwarded. He also noted the new materials, which will be used on the high school project, will be available for community viewing on a board placed outside at the SAU office. It was also stated that FF&E (fixtures, furnishings and equipment) database development was 75% completed

Barbara Coish stated the deadline for Principal applications has ended. Dr. Bass noted they received about 15 – 16 applications and that a meeting will be set up to review candidates. Dr. Bass also wanted to make it clear that the first year will be a consulting year and therefore to expect the candidate to be holding another full-time job.

Future Meeting Dates

August 1, 2007 SAU Meeting SAU Office 7:00

August 7, 2007 Business Meeting Planning Department 7:00

August 21, 2007 Workshop Meeting SAU Office 7:00

August 27, 2007 Teachers Return

August 29, 2007 First Day of School

Motion to Adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 10:00 p.m. was made by Beth Valentine with a 2^nd by Barbara Coish. Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Barbara Coish-aye; Beth Valentine-aye ; Bruce Anderson – aye.

Respectfully,

Diane Figaro