School Board Minutes of Regular Meeting February 2009


February 11, 2009 / Minutes of Regular Meeting / Marlow School Board / John D. Perkins School, 7:59 p.m.

Present: 

Joseph Scharf, Board Chair, Nancy Tomasko, Board Member, Stephanie Tickner, Board Member, Marcia Levesque, Board Member, Ken Dassau, Board Member, Phyllis Peterson, Principal, Wayne Woolridge, Co-Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Ruehr, Business Administrator for Towns, Jill Wdowiak, Recording Secretary

Also in Attendance:

Dawn Elliott, Mike Elliott, Jennifer Brown

1.    Call to Order

Mr. Scharf called the School Board meeting to order at 7:59 pm.

2.    A motion was made by Ms. Levesque

To approve the board minutes of January 14, 2009 (R). Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

3.    Hearings of Individuals and/or Group

No

4.    Bills and Manifests

A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to approve the bills and manifests (cks # 5001611-5001612) in the amount of $817.87 and (cks # 5001613-5001631) in the amount of $287,031.56. Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

5.    Financial Report

Mr. Ruehr informed the Board that their financial report shows an estimated negative balance of $3,000, which he feels is pretty close to even. Mr. Ruehr asked the Board if they would like to reduce the cost of oil in the budget because we locked in for next year at a much lower price. The Board agreed to reduce the cost of oil in the budget by $6,125 as well as include two additional warrant articles.

6.    Reports

a.    Principal

Ms. Peterson presented her principal’s report. She updated the Board on NECAP results, which she feels are very disappointing. Ms. Peterson also shared that teachers are having conversations in regards to extending each school day by 20 minutes, which would equal 60 hours annually, as we have the shortest workday of any school in the SAU. Mr. Woolridge replied that you have to be careful not to cause a grievance and to be aware of those hourly staff that would have to be paid overtime.

b.   Co-Superintendent

Mr. Woolridge informed the Board that two 9th grade students missed five or more days, due to truancy and an out of school suspension. He also updated the Board on legislative issues and the fact that the state is 75 million dollars short and they will have to make this up before June 30th. Mr. Woolridge feels that we are vulnerable with our transition aid.

c.    School Board Members

None

d.   S.A.U. 29 Committees

None

7.    Old Business

a.    Home Education Participation in District Activities #2036, 2nd Reading

Mr. Woolridge will make the changes made by the Board and bring it back next month for a 3rd reading.

b.   Approve 2009-2010 School Calendar

A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to Approve the 2009-2010 School Calendar. Ms. Tickner seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken

c.    Other

None

8.    New Business

a.    Selection of Instructional Materials for Educational Media Centers Policy, 1st Reading

Jennifer Brown. Ms. Brown explained to the Board that this is her last step in her certification. A motion was made by Mr. Scharf to waive the second reading and adopt the Selection of Instructional Materials for Educational Media Centers Policy. Ms. Tomasko seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

b.   Professional Development Master Plan

A motion was made by Mr. Scharf that we approve the Professional Development Master Plan. Ms. Levesque seconded the motion. A unanimous vote in favor was taken.

c.    Snow Day Makeup

Mr. Woolridge informed the Board that we are over the five days that are included in our school calendar, so the Board has to approve the 6th snow day. He explained that with five snow days added, it would have made our last day June 23rd but with the 6th snow day, we are looking at Wednesday, June 24th as being the last day of school. Mr. Woolridge also stated that if we have another snow day, we will have to come up with creative ideas. The Board agreed with Mr. Woolridge that as of now, Wednesday, June 24, 2009 will be the last day of school for students.

d.   Other

None

9.    Future Agenda/s

Home Education Participation in District Activities #2036, 3rd Reading

10.                  Non-Public Session – R.S.A. 91-A:3

None

11.                  Adjournment

Mr. Sharf adjourned the Board Meeting at 8:28 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Wdowiak
Recording Secretary