School Board Minutes of Regular & Special Meeting May 2010
May 12, 2010 Minutes of Regular Meeting
Marlow School Board
John D. Perkins School, 8:30 p.m.
Present: Joseph Scharf, Board Chair
Ernie Perry, Board Member
Stephanie Tickner, Board Member
Marcia Levesque, Board Member
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Phyllis Peterson, Principal
Wayne Woolridge, Co-Superintendent of Schools
Tim Ruehr, Business Administrator for Towns
Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary
7:00-8:00 Public Forum: Future of Marlow School
1. Call to Order
Mr. Scharf called the School Board meeting to order at 8:30 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Dassau to approve the board minutes of April 14, 2010. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.
3. Hearings of Individuals and/or Groups
Jeremy Miller, Director of Access spoke to the Board regarding summer enrichment programs as well as an after school program that takes place in Gilsum. He explained to the Board that he would like to make this opportunity available to the students of Marlow in grades K- 6. He explained that if interested, First Student could provide transportation from Marlow to Gilsum; the school would need to call them to discuss pricing. Mr. Miller informed the Board that the cost per child per week for the after-school program is $35 (3:00-6:00 pm) and the before-school program is $25 per child per week (6:30 am until the start of school). Mr. Scharf asked Mr. Miller for information that could be sent home with the students. The Board agreed to pursue this option and will speak with Mr. Miller further.
Ms. Tickner addressed the Board as a parent in regards to the 6th grade field trip to Boston. She shared that it should be limited to just 6th graders and feels that it is something they’ve earned and it has turned into a multi-age activity. A Marlow teacher replied that by sharing the bus it is cost effective and the only time they will be together is the bus ride, adding that the trip is entirely different for the rest of the school. Ms. Tomasko asked if parents could drive students. Mr. Woolridge explained that there are insurance issues regarding the transporting of students on field trips. Mr. Ruehr stated that it’s permissible but not advisable.
Mr. Scharf explained that the Board has made cuts and reduced the budget by one teaching position but those cuts will not be discussed until the end of the school year. Ms. Langlois shared that if a teacher is being cut, it is important for the kids that the two aide positions are not cut.
4. Bills and Manifests
A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve the bills and manifests (cks # 5002031-5002054) in the amount of $19,543.85. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous cote in favor was taken.
5. Financial Report
Mr. Ruehr shared his financial report showing a balance of $2,847 as of May 12, 2010. He explained that the largest deficit was in elementary out-of-district and that our building services line item may improve.
Employee Benefits Policy #5016, 2nd Reading – A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve the Employee Benefits Policy #5016. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.
6. Reports
a. Principal – Ms. Peterson distributed her principal’s report and updated the Board on the DOE visit, as well as the recent Historical Society Field Trip.
b. Co-Superintendent – Mr. Woolridge informed the Board that two students were absent from Keene High School for five or more days due to illness and one out-of-school-suspension. He distributed his blog to the Board and reminded them about the upcoming AREA Meeting on June 7th at 7:00 pm in the LGIA and Keene High School’s Graduation that will be held on June 11th at 6:00 pm. Mr. Woolridge also updated the Board on legislative issues.
c. School Board Members – Ms. Levesque informed the Board that she has been working on letters to Governor Lynch regarding our town. She recommended that we get a petition going and approach other towns that are losing state funding to do the same. Mr. Woolridge will work with Ms. Levesque on this letter.
d. S.A.U. 29 Committees – Previously discussed.
7. Old Business
a. Other – None
8. New Business
a. Approve School Board Meeting Schedule 2010-2011 – The March 9th Board Meeting should be changed to March 10th. A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve the amended 2010-2011 School Board Meeting Schedule. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.
b. Scholarships – This will be discussed during non-public session.
c. Other - None
9. Future Agenda/s
June – Authorization of Co-Superintendent to Expend the Budget
June – Authorization of Co-Superintendent to Hire/Accept Resignations
June – Appointment of School District Attorney, Attendance Officer
June – Assign Board Member/s to Sign July and August Manifests
10. Non-Public Session – R.S.A. 91-A:3
A motion was made by Mr. Scharf that the Board move into non-public session at 9:15 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss staff and student personnel. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken. Accompanying the Board was Mr. Woolridge and Ms. Peterson.
Mr. Dassau made a motion for the Board to return to open session at 9:35 p.m. All in favor 5-0.
11. Adjournment
Mr. Sharf adjourned the Board Meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Wdowiak
Recording Secretary
**********************************************
May 12, 2010 Minutes of Special Meeting
Marlow School Board
John D. Perkins School, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Joseph Scharf, Board Chair
Ernie Perry, Board Member
Stephanie Tickner, Board Member
Marcia Levesque, Board Member
Ken Dassau, Board Member
Phyllis Peterson, Principal
Wayne Woolridge, Co-Superintendent of Schools
Tim Ruehr, Business Administrator for Towns
Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary
7:00-8:00 Public Forum: Future of Marlow School
Mr. Scharf called the Public Forum to order at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Ruehr presented the Financial Analysis of Alternative Tuition Models Summary that showed the Estimated Expenses and the Estimated Tax Impact of sending Marlow students to Keene, Fall Mountain or Monadnock.
Mr. Scharf presented 6 Options that would deal with the declining student enrollment in Marlow. He presented Option 1, which listed the Pro’s, and Con’s of closing the school.
Debbie Heffernan shared with the Board that Fall Mountain has changed the way they charge, only paying for what you use. Mr. Dassau explained that in order to send students to Fall Mountain’s SAU, you have to continue to have a school open in your town. Mr. Scharf explained that it was impossible to do a cost analysis on every school and we will continue to look into other models.
It was asked that if we are locked into a tuition agreement with Keene for another 17 years, what good is this information? Mr. Ruehr replied, not necessarily but there is a process to go through and the Board asked me to provide this information. He also explained that districts and SAU’s all have separate agreements and we are looking into all the possibilities.
The comment was made that the cost per student is outrageous. Mr. Ruehr explained that we don’t look at one kind of student when we educate, we have to educate students with needs as well as meet different certifications. He stated that the special education costs come from the sending district and the cost is kept as part of our costs; adding that you can’t base a school on cost, you have to look beyond the money.
Peter Eisenstadter asked the Board if what they wanted tonight is to know whether or not we want to close the school. He stated that he would be appalled if this school were to be closed.
Tracy Cohen asked that if in 2011-2012 we have a guarantee that we will lose $300,000 and if our school goes to another district, would it change their funding? Mr. Ruehr replied that they do not count that in their per pupil cost and the state will reimburse the sending district.
Beth LaFreniere stated that if we close the school and chose to reopen it the renovations would be high, but is the school safe enough for our kids to be in? Mr. Scharf replied that at the time the school was built, it was built to code, if you reopen the school you must meet today’s codes.
Jacqui Fay asked why there was a huge difference in price between the three schools. Mr. Ruehr explained that the tuition rates reflect the different tuition amounts, adding that they all use a cost per pupil formula. He also shared that the market plays a factor in these tuitions as well as demand and cost per pupil.
Maria Baril stated that this is a great town and we are all trying to work together. What do we pay to be part of the SAU? Mr. Ruehr replied that the cost to belong to the SAU is $53,502. Mr. Woolridge explained that as being part of SAU 29 we will help negotiate your contracts, negotiate the costs of supplies, transportation, insurance benefits, dental and health for which we will get a good price on because we are largest multi-district SAU in New Hampshire. He added that we also provide a special education contact who will work with special educators, we have a business office, will provide legal services, building administration, professional development and other services around human resources.
Mr. Scharf informed the community that on Monday, June 21st at 7:00 pm, there would be another Public Forum to discuss Options 2-8. He asked that if anyone has any other options to suggest, to please contact Mary Fish at SAU 29.
Nancy Tomasko commented that a lot of people thought this forum would be a place to find out what people want, and felt the Board should find that out with a show of hands.
Maria Baril asked at what point would a committee be formed. Mr. Scharf explained that a committee is formed and charged by the School Board to look at a specific item or items and the board felt it would not be productive to do that so soon. He added that after we go through the options and narrow them down and make sure we’ve covered all our bases, and then we will form a committee.
Mr. Scharf asked the community with a show of hands, who is interested in keeping the school open. The majority of the community was in favor of keeping the school open. Mr. Scharf explained that if there is anybody who wants to close the school, get a petition, have it signed and present it to the school as a warrant article.
Mr. Scharf adjourned the Public Forum at 8:18 p.m.