APPROVED

WINDHAM SCHOOL BOARD

Public Session

Business Meeting

October 2, 2007 – Town Hall

 

 

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

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 7:05 p.m.  All those in attendance stood for pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.

 

Public Address to the Windham School Board

 

Margaret Case – addressed the board stating she would like to thank Jim Daddona for his time in televising this meeting.  Mrs. Case discussed the procedure for having a meeting televised.  Mrs. Case expressed her desire to have workshop meetings televised.

(See Exhibit A)

 

Board Buddies – Windham School Board

 

Students John Spanos and Megan Eckleston spoke to the School Board regarding “pod-casting” at Windham Middle School.  They explained the three steps in making a podcast and urged board members to view their website.

 

Barbara Coish stated the students Certificates for Participation were not ready at the time of this meeting.

 

Boston College Partnership

 

Academic Vice-President for Undergraduate Affairs at Boston College, Dean J. Joseph Burns, spoke to the School Board and those in attendance about the extraordinary partnership being fostered between BC and the new Windham High School.  He spoke of finding ways to use schools as clinics by integrating humanistic issues in an innovative fashion.  He also spoke of the opportunity for students to travel to Boston College to see what BC students do on a daily basis. 

 

Michelle Nososki questioned Dean Burns about how great it will be to mentor new teachers and questioned if he would look at our curriculum and make recommendations.  Dean Burns responded by stating he would get involved in the curriculum if asked to by the School Board.

 

High School Program and Curriculum Overview

 

Amanda Lecaroz, Program Consultant for the new Windham High School made a power point presentation outlining some of the exciting new curriculum programs for the high school.  Ms. Lecaroz gave a general overview of where the school is going in terms of curriculum and scheduling – noting more highlights will follow in the coming months.  She spoke of having small learning communities; a Freshman Academy with dedicated space for freshman only; along with a freshman counselor.  She spoke of having a dedicated time block for advisory which would allow for connections to be developed.  With regard to scheduling, it was noted that Windham would utilize a modified block schedule of approximately 80 minute classes each while allocating for advisory time with learning centers in lieu of study halls.  The concept of team teaching was discussed highlighting a math/science collaboration.

 

In conclusion, Ms. Lecaroz noted during upcoming School Board meetings, she would be discussing the transition of students to the new high school, extracurricular and co-curricular offerings and sample schedules for freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

 

Professional Development – Roxanne Wilson outlined three areas for the high school.

 

 

Bruce Anderson commented on the successful work of the Curriculum Committee.

 

Al Letizio commented on the large backpacks that our students now carry around at Salem High School – noting they have no time to visit their lockers and questioned if Windham students will have the same difficulty.  Ms. Lecaroz noted a majority of textbooks are available online and logistically speaking there will be more locker opportunity.

 

Valeria Foreman questioned if I.B. curriculum was being considered.  Ms. Lecaroz stated this subject along with AP class will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.  Ms. Foreman also formerly requested that the School Board consider offering desk space for visiting teachers.

 

Dr. Bass stressed that whatever we do at the new high school will need to be dovetailed at Windham Middle School and at Salem High School.

 

 

FIVE MINUTE RECESS

 

 

Public Forum on Athletic Presentation adopted by Windham School Board

 

Chairman Letizio discussed the recommendations from the Athletic Committee in order to facilitate JV and Varsity sports.  (Two more diamonds; 2nd gym and a stadium with track and artificial turf field.

 

Paul Cino – stated we cannot support on day one fall sports for 8 teams.  He felt it could not be phased in.  He requested the School Board step up and finish the project – noting it was always stated the town would support athletics.  He stressed he would like to see all core 8 teams both JV and Varsity.  Mr. Cino also noted he was in favor of artificial turf field.

 

Roger Hohenberger – stated he would love to have it, but was concerned about the payment.  He questioned exactly what sports would be able to be supported as is.

 

Beth Valentine responded by stating we cannot support JV and Varsity in the fall noting there are exactly the same number of fields as when the bond originally passed.  Mrs. Valentine further noted it would not be viable to use town fields.

 

Mike Hatem addressed the board by stating as of now, Windham High School would be able to support one soccer varsity (girls and boys); one field hockey (girls and boys); cross country; maybe one football fall only.  In spring, one baseball, one softball and one lacrosse would be supported.

 

Bruce Anderson noted we could have some offsite teams such as golf and tennis.

 

Barbara Coish noted she is all for the vision, but the problem will be financial with the voters – stating we have yet to be hit with the $4Million Bond.

 

Mike Hatem requested as soon as the cost is known, that the School Board get it on the ballot.

 

Chris O’Neil noted he felt we have to go all in and noted they haven’t discussed maintenance of fields (sod vs. turf).

 

Marybeth Arling – President of Windham Soccer Association, stated we need the facilities as proposed.  Ms. Arling stressed the town has a very difficult time scheduling and maintaining fields.  She recommended a turf field.  She also stated a stadium would be a huge community draw.

 

Pat Corbin – stated, in his opinion, what is recommended by the Athletic Committee was not adequate enough to support what is proposed.  He stated his concern over not having a track.  He felt fields would be destroyed.  He also noted if JV and Varsity cannot be played together, other schools will not travel to Windham High.  He noted there is reimbursement on turf fields from the state and that the school board should take advantage of this.  Mr. Corbin also felt that a 2nd gym was needed.  He suggested the School Board be upfront with people regarding costs along with being realistic about what will be offered currently.

 

Diane Carpenter – spoke of non-athletic programs and wondered what would happen to those groups of students.  She also stated she wanted a fully outfitted school- noting the pieces are hard to understand as presented.

 

Brett Potter – noted he was all for having them, but questioned who and how they would be maintained.  He felt that looking forward; we should have a plan with regard to maintenance.

 

Charlie McMahon – requested the School Board stop “dumbing down” the project – noting the children do not deserve that.  He felt it should exceed Salem and Pinkerton.  Mr. McMahon stressed the costs need to be revealed.  He recommended a similar field like Stellos Field in Nashua be built.  He further stated a lot of adult teams would be looking to use the space too.  He requested that the recommendations be done today.

 

Chairman Letizio stated the School Board recently appropriated some funds to have the whole site reviewed to see where the proposed extra fields/stadium and proposed middle school would go. 

 

Mr. Letizio then noted, at the recommendation of the middle school Athletic Director, softball, baseball, soccer and field hockey fields would be required at a middle school.

 

Mr. Glenn Davis, Owner’s Representative, displayed for the public and school board, renderings of the high school site which include a middle school with recommended fields, along with what was being proposed by the Athletic Committee.  Mr. Letizio stated this was the first time the School Board as a whole would be viewing the display boards.

 

Mr. Davis noted cost of the following items:

 

 

It was noted the above prices were in today’s dollars and that inflation would add 7% more next year.

 

Mr. Letizio showed diagrams of the present site.  Mr. Letizio then discussed the proposed middle school diagram which also depicted a stadium located close to the high school and its facilities.  The location of the proposed stadium in this rendering was located on conservation land.  It was noted this would be the best place for a stadium on the high school site.

 

Mr. Davis stressed they looked at cost effective items; shared items and placement of fields in order to best optimize the site.

 

Beverly Donovan questioned the placement of the softball field. 

 

Barbara Coish stated, it was her opinion, that we will never have a stadium if it is not on our land – noting the town will not go for it.  She also stated she wanted a stadium built but to have it built on the school’s land.

 

Beth Valentine discussed the recent land swap with the town.

 

Al Letizio noted he and Dr. Bass presented the nine acres to the Conservation Committee – noting they were happy with what was presented.  Mr. Letizio stated he discussed the concept with them of what was being presented here tonight and noted he suggested to the committee that the School Board may ask for another land swap.

 

Beverly Donovan questioned what would happen with the present middle school fields – noting to ask for all of this now; she doesn’t think the town will agree with it.

 

Dr. Bass stated that having middle school sports teams bused to the present middle school fields would not be optimal.  He also felt a lower field stadium could be problematic – noting having the stadium closer to the high school and its facilities would be better.

 

Bruce Anderson stressed a lot of engineering detail would have to be discussed.  He requested clarification of costs for each item.  Mr. Anderson expressed his concern over the site work which would be involved for each proposed item.

 

Mr. Davis responded by noting the leach fields will accommodate the proposed stadium facilities.  Mr. Davis also noted he could build it anywhere on the site for the same price as presented.

 

Bruce Anderson stated by adding the softball field now on the proposed spot, makes the most sense while you are currently working in that area.  Further stating, to build one field over on the 30 acres now seems to not make sense.

 

Mr. Davis stated you would want to consider doing more site work for the future – prepping the whole area at once.

 

Mr. Anderson suggested leveling the site for the future; i.e. cut and fill and prep it for use down the road.

 

Barbara Coish noted, recalling the board’s previous motion, instructions were made to look at our land and not at town owned land.  She could not understand why you would look at town land.

 

Mr. Davis responded by stating that after realizing there was no way to make it all fit, we had to look at Gage land.

 

Bruce Anderson requested an update from Mr. Davis regarding the present fields.  Mr. Davis responded by stating that it is difficult getting loam and that originally he had hoped to get 2 years of growth on the field, but it looks like he will be getting 18 months worth of growth before opening in 2009.

 

Mr. Anderson then noted that Option C was to have a turf field.

 

Mr. Letizio noted the School Board does have the ability to trade back land.  Mr. Davis remarked that it is the board’s decision to make regarding the land at Windham Middle School.

 

Mr. Anderson questioned when there was a survey error; the concern was we would need a warrant article on the ballot to make a land swap happen and an article for a stadium.  Mr. Anderson questioned the legality of all of this.

 

Dr. Bass responded by stating the School Board would need consent from the Board of Selectman regarding land transfer.  He also suggested having an article for fields only.

 

Mike Hatem suggested having a warrant article and land swap for January 2008.

 

Charlie McMahon stressed choices should be presented with full disclosure.  He also believes a stadium should be closer to the high school and believes taxpayers will make a reasonable decision.

 

Laura Bellevia questioned what the cost would be to put a turf field in now on the existing field at the site.  Mr. Davis responded it would cost about $618,000 for the football field.  Mrs. Bellevia then questioned if there were room for bleachers and how many people the proposed stadium would hold.  Mr. Davis responded by stating it would hold about 1200-1600 people.  Mrs. Bellevia then discussed the parking logistics if a stadium was built on another part of the site.

 

Beverly Donovan stressed to master plan and if the board was ready for the fight of it all – noting we need to prioritize.

 

Beth Valentine noted in 2005, we asked for high school support and allowed the residents to decide.  She further stated she was troubled that students entering the high school will not have the same options that they had elsewhere.

 

Barbara Coish stressed that until the town sees the building actually built, the board will have a fight.

 

Bruce Anderson noted safety reasons and questioned why there would be baseball fields built so far away.  He stressed the board needed to have discussions regarding all of this.

Dr. Bass noted the following:

 

·          The need to give information to the town to make informed decisions;

·          Obtain legal information regarding warrant article process;

·          Sentiment echoed by those speaking tonight was that they want the best for our kids

·          Need to obtain an expert opinion regarding scheduling (athletics/clustering) etc.

 

Beth Valentine stated the School Board always welcomes continued input from the public.

 

Vendor & Payroll Manifests

 

Building Fund                                                       $903,508.82

WSD Voucher #1027                                      $547,703.40

WSD Voucher #1025                                      $      316.56

WSD Voucher #1024                                      $          3.94

WSD Voucher #9                                               $        23.82

WSD Voucher #1023                                      $502,965.46

WSD Voucher #8                                               $  46,433.99

 

Motion to Approve Vendor and Payroll Manifests was made by Beth Valentine with a 2nd by Bruce Anderson.  Approved 5-0.

 

Mr. Anderson dismissed himself from the meeting at this time.  (10:40 p.m.)

 

Mr. Letizio requested clarification of the approval of non public minutes in public session.

 

Dr. Bass responded by stating adoption of non public minutes should take place in public session.  He noted if there were changes that needed to be made to non-public minutes, the board go back into non-public session to make amendments.  He also noted, if non-public minutes are sealed, the board would still have to approve them.

 

Motion to approve non-public minutes from September 4, 2007 was made by Beth Valentine with a 2nd by Barbara Coish.  Approved 4-0.

 

Motion to approve as amended the public minutes from September 4, 2007 was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Beth Valentine.  Approved 4-0.

 

Amendment:  Page 6 Line 45 change population was what kept the math score down to subgroup did not make AYP in math.

 

Al Letizio stated he would like to review Workshop Minutes in public with the public there.  Beverly Donovan stated it would be good to have a placeholder of other board member concerns on the agendas.

 

AYP Update

 

Roxanne Wilson updated the board regarding the appeal, noting the appeal was granted through the statistical approach.

 

Barbara Coish questioned when the Principal search would start.  Dr. Bass stated he was hoping it would begin next week.

 

Correspondence/Information

 

Beverly Donovan noted her concern regarding a rebuttal from Dr. Bass.  She was concerned that the Chairman signed the letter to the editor without the board’s approval.  She noted that despite the nature of the issue, she did not want to be a part of it. 

 

Mrs. Coish agreed with Mrs. Donovan.

 

Mr. Letizio explained that it was written in the first person and that he acknowledged their concern.

 

Administrative Monthly Reports

 

Toby Eaton noted the Citizens Bank Report was included for the board’s review.

 

Monthly Attendance Report was noted along with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent’s Monthly Report.

 

Information/ Proposals from Board Members

 

Barbara Coish – noted TGIF met yesterday with new proposals – next month the Bournedale curriculum will be presented to the School Board.

 

Beth Valentine – noted Middle School Council met and that Principal Becht has great ideas regarding putting a survey together during the year to gage how students feel about their school.  NHCAFE is still asking the state to price out what an adequate education is.

 

Beverly Donovan noted the CIP will meet on Thursday.

 

Barbara Coish – noted Salem School Board discussed their renovation project and awarded a Teacher of the Year plaque.

 

Al Letizio discussed the grand opening of the new addition at SERESC.  He noted the room was named in honor of Dr. Elaine Cutler.  He also stated the School Board could use the facility, which has the technology, to conduct interviews with someone out of state or from anywhere in the world.

 

Motion to Adjourn the public session under RSA 91-A:3II(b) at 9:54 p.m. was made by Barbara Coish with a 2nd by Beth Valentine.  Al Letizio-aye; Beverly Donovan-aye; Beth Valentine-aye; Barbara Coish – aye.

 

Respectfully - Diane Figaro