HOLDERNESS SCHOOL BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
HOLDERNESS CENTRAL SCHOOL
HOLDERNESS, NH
December 5, 2005
MEMBERS PRESENT Mrs. Macomber, Mrs. Mersch, Mrs. Rollison,
Mrs. Barry, Mr. Sirles
OTHERS PRESENT Ms. Boyle, Mr. Halloran, Mrs. McLaughlin, Mrs. Bownes – Secretary for the Board
CALL TO ORDER Mrs. Macomber called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION At 5:03 p.m. it was moved by Mrs. Barry, seconded by Mr. Sirles that the Board move into non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II to discuss personnel and negotiations items. The Board was polled. Vote was unanimous.
PUBLIC SESSION At 5:15 p.m. it was moved by Mrs. Rollison, seconded by Mrs. Mersch that the Board return to public session. Vote was unanimous.
Mr. Sirles departed the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
AGENDA REVIEW The Board reviewed and disposed of the agenda.
AND DISPOSITION
MINUTES It was moved by Mrs. Barry, seconded by Mrs. Mersch to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2005 as presented. Vote was unanimous.
PRIVILEGE OF None
THE FLOOR #1
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT In addition to Mrs. McLaughlin’s written report, she briefly reviewed the following items with the Board:
1. Winter Sports (underway)
2. Winter Concert (Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.)
3. Blood Drive
4. Discipline Statistics (reduced significantly in 4 years)
CONSENT ITEMS The Board signed A/P manifest #13 & #22 as presented.
Claims and Payroll
Correspondence None
DISCUSSION ITEMS Mr. Francis was present and reviewed with the Board the
Jon Francis, Building Facility Needs for the Holderness Central School (handout
Improvements (distributed).
Items (in order of priority) on the Facility Needs list included the following:
1. Roof ($130,000)
2. Phone/Intercom System ($30,290)
3. HVAC Renovation ($300,000)
4. Flooring ($346,000)
5. Bathrooms ($100,000)
6. Fire Alarm System ($25,000)
7. Sprinkler System ($260,000)
8. New Ceiling to Accommodate Sprinklers ($113,000)
Mr. Sirles rejoined the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
Following are the costs associated with these priorities:
1. Asbestos removal ($21,000)
2. Mechanical Engineering ($40,000)
3. Architect (8% of $1,800,000 - $113,200)
4. Oil Tank Monitor ($8,000)
5. Contingency (20% of $1,800,000 - $283,000)
Following are the Yet to be Determined Costs:
1. Removing Battery Lighting System
2. Pump House and Storage
3. Excavation Costs
4. Additional Set of Gym Bleachers
5. Gym Flooring (floating wood floor)
The Board reviewed the 5 & 7 year estimated debt schedule
($1,000,000 bond).
The Board discussed the timing for this project and the bond.
Mr. Magnus inquired as to when the first bond payment would be, if the project were undertaken this year and Mr. Halloran advised that the first payment would be in FY ‘08.
Mr. Magnus inquired as to the balance in the Land Purchase Capital Reserve and Mrs. Macomber advised that the balance is $106,104.
Mrs. Macomber stated that the drawback of using that is that you lose the building aid.
Mr. Magnus said that there is $130,000 available between the Land Purchase Capital Reserve and the current budget to repair the roof.
Mrs. Macomber pointed out that if the repair is undertaken this year, then you would be replacing it next year. Mr. Magnus emphasized that said that this money would cover the replacement of the roof.
Mr. Halloran, at the request of Mr. Magnus, advised that the school has replacement cost insurance.
Mr. Halloran, at the request of Mr. Magnus, advised that 3 of the SAU, one story buildings, have sprinklers.
Mr. Halloran stated that the State Fire Marshall’s office is asking for school buildings to be sprinkled.
Mr. Halloran said that the State requirements for building renovations necessitate the need for architects and engineers.
Mr. Halloran said there are no guarantees for building aid, but he is not aware of anyone who hasn’t received it in the past.
Mr. Magnus inquired as to the average jump in the budget, when a new teacher contract is negotiated. Mrs. Macomber said she didn’t have this information, but pointed out that the impact is usually in the first year of the contract.
Mr. Magnus commented that an increase of 3% to the tax rate is significant.
Mr. Halloran stated that the safe course is to wait a year to undertake the project. Mrs. Macomber pointed out that if we wait, the cost of things goes up i.e. interest, materials, etc.
Mrs. Rollison said that her opinion is to do it now, as the budget season is upon us.
Mr. Magnus said that the Board has to be prepared to defend this and his opinion is to bring in people that have experience with commercial buildings, so they can look at the building and determine what is needed.
Mr. Magnus inquired as to the cost of waiting a year. Mrs. Rollison said that it has been pointed out that with the roof leaking in several areas, there will be a significant cost. Mr. Francis added that steel went up over 45% this last year.
Mr. Magnus said that he would suggest that the Board get a handle on the cost of waiting as the public will ask this question.
Mrs. Barry inquired as to what the town is looking for in terms of big-ticket items and Mrs. Macomber said that she attended the Selectmen’s meeting and they don’t have any big-ticket items.
Mrs. Mersch said her opinion would be to start the process.
Mr. Sirles said that his feeling would be to go for the bond this year.
Mr. Magnus said that he doesn’t have a problem with beginning the process now.
Mr. Halloran pointed out that the bond hearing is held in January and the bond can be discussed at that time and pulled off the table if necessary.
Mrs. Boyle inquired as to when the decisions would be made with regard to the sprinklers, pump house, etc.
Mr. Halloran said that if the annex were to be taken down, building aid would be available for the demolition, as long as the Board can show that you are doing something educational with the area. He said that there is, however, a political piece involved with the annex.
Mrs. Macomber advised that at the January Board meeting, the Board will clarify what is to be included in the bond. She said that this meeting can also be used to plan the bond hearing.
Mr. Magnus inquired as to what the upside is in undertaking the project this year. Mrs. Macomber said that the interest level is one factor along with the fact that there are repairs needed immediately. The Board also pointed out concerns related to health and safety issues.
Mrs. Barry said she would like to look into dissolving the Land Capital Reserve fund. She expressed her opinion that there are better uses of that money at the moment.
Mrs. Macomber and Mrs. Rollison will attend the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
Budget 2006-2007 The Board reviewed the first draft of the 2006-2007 budget.
Mrs. Boyle reviewed the revenue page with the Board and those present.
Mrs. Boyle noted that this draft contains a 2.8% increase in the budget.
HQT – Praxis II Mrs. Boyle advised of the recent change in the HQT requirements relative to NCLB. Mrs. Boyle distributed and reviewed a letter from the State of New Hampshire Department of Education, dated December 2, 2005 regarding HQT.
Other Issues The Board discussed the status of the newsletter and Mrs. Rollison advised that she had added meeting dates and times.
RECOGNITION AND Mrs. McGlaughlin recognized Carol Smith for her efforts with
AWARDS regard to middle school students.
Mrs. Rollison thanked Mrs. Macomber for developing the worksheets related to the building needs.
PUBLIC INPUT None
FUTURE MEETINGS January 2, 2006 February 6, 2006 March 6, 2006
April 3, 2006
NON-PUBLIC SESSION At 7:17 p.m. it was moved by Mr. Sirles, seconded by Mrs. Mersch that the Board enter non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II to discuss personnel and negotiations items. The Board was polled, vote was unanimous.
PUBLIC SESSION At __________ p.m. it was moved by ___________, seconded by ___________ that the Board return to public session. Vote was unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT At 7:17 p.m., it was moved by Mrs. Mersch, seconded by Mr. Sirles that there being no further business to come before the Board, that the meeting be adjourned. Vote was unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen A. Bownes
Recording Secretary
Board Works
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