School Board Minutes of Regular Meeting January 2010


January 13, 2010                   /Minutes of Regular Meeting / Marlow School Board / John D. Perkins School, 7:30 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

 

 

Also in Attendance:              Josh Conley

                                                Nancy Tomasko  

1.     Call to Order

Mr. Scharf called the School Board meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.

2.     Public Input

Ms. Tomasko voiced her concerns regarding the need for two full-time aides with our low student enrollment.   She feels that it is money that can be redirected to perhaps train our staff in multi-age/multi-grade teaching.  Ms. Tomasko inquired about the restructuring of classrooms for next year and would not like to see one teacher with the same group of students for four years.  Mr. Conley shared the same concern.   Mr. Scharf replied that in his opinion, he would agree that a teacher should not have the same group of students for that number of years.  

3.     Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Ms. Tickner to approve the board minutes of November 18, 2009  (R).  Mr. Perry seconded the motion.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.  

4.    Bills and Manifests

A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve the bills and manifests (cks # 5001908-5001925) in the amount of $18,336.80 and (cks # 5001928-1950) in the amount of $282,387.21.   Ms. Levesque seconded the motion.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.  

5.     Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr distributed his financial report for the Board to review.  The financial report shows a negative balance of -$7,198.00 as of January 13, 2010.   

2010-2011 Budget Work Session – Mr. Ruehr distributed and reviewed the Marlow 2010-2011 School Administration Budget Overview showing a total budget amount of $1,588,992.00, which represents a 6.98% increase from the 2009-10 budget.  He explained that tuitions are the real driver in this budget.  

Mr. Ruehr distributed a list of possible cuts that can be made to the 2010-2011 budget.  Discussion ensued.  The Board and Mr. Ruehr reviewed the budget line-by-line and made budget adjustments.  A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve the 2010-2011 Marlow Budget at $1,565,792 as amended.  Ms. Tickner seconded the motion.  A unanimous vote in favor was taken.  

Mr. Scharf asked Mr. Ruehr to evaluate the tax impact on this district as it compares to the rest of the state.  Mr. Ruehr will do his best of get this information and will get back to the Board.  

6.     Reports  

a.  Principal – Ms. Peterson presented her principal’s report and informed the Board that she has been working closely with Mr. Woolridge on the budget.  She also shared with the Board that N.H. Fish and Game would be visiting the school to present artifacts and knowledge about our schools’ outdoor environment.  

b.  Co-Superintendent – Mr. Woolridge reported to the Board no students were absent for five or more days from Keene Middle School or Keene High School.  He distributed his January blog to the Board and also updated them on legislative issues.  

c.  School Board Members – None  

d.  S.A.U. 29 Committees – None  

7.     Old Business

a.  Other - None  

8.     New Business

a.  Other – None

9.     Future Agenda/s

February - School Calendar  

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 10:23 p.m. under the provisions of R.S.A. 91-A:3 to discuss 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 10:28 p.m.  Ms.Levesque seconded the motion.  All in favor 5-0.

11.  Adjournment

Mr. Sharf adjourned the Board Meeting at 10:28 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Wdowiak
Recording Secretary