APPROVED

WINDHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Public Session

Business Meeting

August 7, 2007 – Planning Department

 

 

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 7:16 p.m.  All those in attendance stood for pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.

 

Chairman Letizio recognized the teacher nomination of Gina Consentino at Windham Center School, Special Education Department.

 

Minutes

 

Motion to Adopt the Public Minutes as Amended from July 10th was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 3-0-1 (Beth Valentine abstained).

 

Motion to Adopt the Public Minutes of July 17, 2007 was made by Beverly Donovan with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 4-0.

 

Public Address to School Board

 

Chip Hastings, Camden Smith, Mike Donovan and Max Hastings addressed the School Board with regard to their effort to request a revote of the current high school colors and mascot.  They noted they obtained over 800 signatures and respectfully asked the board to reconsider the vote and to vote again.  The students stated they deeply appreciated all the School Board’s efforts.

 

Stephanie Wimmer, Integration Committee, discussed the selection process of the high school colors and mascot.  She spoke of her understanding that there was a process in place which involved administrators, principals, Integration Committee and the School Board.  She noted her concern with the $50 million project and requested that the Board not revisit decisions that have already been made.

 

Jim Curtin, member of the public, spoke in support of the students and the petition. 

 

Mr. Letizio spoke to the children in attendance, stating he admired what they have done by getting involved in their community.  He noted that this issue already went to vote at the last meeting and that it failed to go in the direction the students wanted.

 

Beverly Donovan spoke of the difficulty for everyone involved and how the students were involved in the process in the beginning.  She noted she had to stand by her original vote and to honor it.

 

Bruce Anderson spoke of the previous voting outcomes and that he had trouble talking about a revote.  He noted there was a lot of hard work already done with regard to colors and mascot.  He stated he thought it would be the best high school in the state.  At this time, Mr. Anderson excused himself from the meeting.

 

Beth Valentine noted the Board wanted to empower the students to be involved in the vote and that she thinks the original vote was unintentionally flawed.

 

Dr. Bass addressed the students, complimenting them for standing behind a cause. 

 

FIVE MINUTES RECESS

 

State Board of Education Presentation

 

Mr. Fred Bramante addressed the School Board regarding changes in education in the state.  Mr. Bramante spoke of a new way of learning for students by providing more options/alternatives to school credits.  He spoke of opportunities outside of the traditional classroom which puts the learners in control of their own education. 

 

Dr. Bass noted, with this type of change, there will be apprehension.  However, this type of learning creates flexibility for some students.

 

Mr. Letizio stated he hoped this will open the door for some students and that this would make Windham High School more exciting.

 

High School Updates

 

Glenn Davis, Owner’s Representative gave his update on the high school project to the Board.  Some highlights included:

  • Final plans submitted to DOT for traffic light
  • Entrance area was about three weeks away to being up to grade
  • Bridge section was complete
  • Ball fields at grade
  • Expectation to sod in October/fall
  • Two weeks left of blasting
  • Well drilling to begin after blasting ends
  • Footing in place in section B
  • Lavalle contract had been signed and was successful
  • Harvey contract was 95% complete
  • Construction still on schedule
  • Bid documents on schedule for September

 

Integration Committee Update

 

Stephanie Wimmer and Dr. Jeff Bostic addressed the School Board.  They discussed charges and shared findings.  A handout was presented to board members for their review.

 

Beth Valentine noted she would like to see a Planning/Transition Team in place with a representative from Salem guidance and a parent representative.

 

Dr. Bass noted the charge going forward should be that students will not lose anything by moving back to Windham High School - but will gain.

 

Al Letizio thanked the Integration Committee for their dedication.  At this time he noted that he was not on the Integration Committee and therefore, his name should not appear in their minutes.

 

Policy Presentations/Reports

 

Student Records Policy (FERPA) – Third Reading

School Bus Cameras Policy – Second Reading

 

Policies are posted on the district website.

 

High School Committee Update – Dr. Bass noted the Chairs from all high school committees will be communicating their progress to the School Board at later times.

 

Safety Report – Business Administrator, Toby Eaton, spoke to the board about his meeting with both the police and fire chiefs in Windham.  He will give his recommendations to the board and keep them apprised.  Mr. Eaton noted that every main school office has no visibility.  This issue is currently being worked on.  He noted with the different design of each school, will come different approaches to addressing the safety issues.

 

Mr. Letizio questioned back doors begin left open at the schools and what could be done about this.  He felt security should be on every door.  Mr. Eaton stated this issue was being looked at also.

 

Relocatable Financing Update – Mr. Eaton noted he met with the fire inspector; two suppliers and is working on pricing and guidelines.  He also noted he will be staying on top of enrollment projections.

 

Cameras on Buses – It was stated that the installation deadline for August 29th should be able to be met.  Mr. Eaton noted the tapes would be on a 10-day recycling schedule.

 

Beverly Donovan requested consideration for an audio portion to cameras.

 

Dr. Bass noted the Board could amend the Policy at any time and that the Board will need to be very careful if considering audio. 

 

Motion to Adopt Recording Devices Policy was made by Beth Valentine with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 4-0.

 

Vendor and Payroll Manifests

 

Chairman Letizio noted manifests had been circulated and signed.

 

Other Business Items

 

Mr. Eaton updated the board regarding summer maintenance projects that had been completed or almost completed at all three schools.

 

Correspondence

 

Beverly Donovan noted the invitation to the Searles School Anniversary.

 

Administrative Monthly Reports

 

Project Worksheet – Mr. Eaton noted that he and Mr. Glenn Davis were working closely on this.  He noted the building fund payments to date.

 

Monthly Investment Report – Mr. Eaton noted he is having Citizens Bank keep trackt of the investment.  He further stressed he was keeping track of what the IRS will need.

 

Barbara Coish questioned if they should wait until they need the money before they bond the last amount that was approved by voters.

 

Assistant Superintendent Report – Roxanne Wilson spoke of work with SERESC in conjunction with the Pelham School District.  She will report back to the Board.

 

Superintendent’s Monthly Report – Distributed to Board for review.

 

Information and Proposals from Board Members

 

Barbara Coish spoke of students coming to Windham from our Sister City in Russia.  She noted they will be here for about two weeks and that she was in need of a few families who would like to assist her.

 

Beverly Donovan noted the CIP will be starting on September 8th or 9th.

 

Future Meeting Dates

 

August 21, 2007           Workshop Meeting/SAU Office            7:00

August 27, 2007           Teachers Return

August 29, 2007           First Day of School

September 4, 2007       Business Meeting                                  7:00

September 18, 2007     Workshop Meeting/SAU Office            7:00

 

Motion to Adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 9:45 p.m. was made by Beth Valentine with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Barbara Coish-aye; Beth Valentine-aye

 

Respectfully,

Diane Figaro