Holderness School Board
Holderness, NH
Minutes
December 10, 2007
Board Members Present: Martha Macomber, Jane Barry, Robert Heiner, Jonathan Stewart, Wendy Mersch
Administration Present: William Van Bennekum, Kathleen Boyle
Others Present: None
Nonpublic Session
On a motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Heiner, the Board unanimously voted to enter into Non-Public session at 5:07 PM to discuss a personnel issue.
Public Session
On a motion by Mrs. Mersch, seconded by Mr. Heiner, the Board unanimously voted to enter into Public session at 5:26 PM.
Agenda Review
Under discussion items, District date will be added.
Minutes - On a motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Mersch, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 5, 2007.
Privilege of the Floor - none
Principals Report - Mr. VanBennekum reported that he is pleased with what has been accomplished during the past month. Mrs. Coursey's 1st grade class was recognized for reading 100 books. As a result, Scholastic will be donating 100 books to schools and children who need them.
Mrs. Guinan's student teacher, Ms. Swan, was recognized for a great job during her teaching time and providing the 1st grade students with new learning experiences.
Mrs. MacNeil and Mrs. Clark's classes are involved in a pet food drive, and they will be donating their collected items to the New Hampshire Humane Society.
Mrs. Allain's students were involved in short play performances. These were attended by all students as well as family members.
Mr. Molinari's class invited Chief Newel to the classroom to narrate Native American History.
Mrs. Goodwin's classes are completing their study of rocks.
Mrs. Harlow's class completed their Biome project and gave small presentations on the components of a biome.
There were 32 students who received Effort Honor roll.
There were 26 Special Award recognitions and 12 outstanding effort students for the first Quarter.
Student of the Month awards were given out.
The boys and girls basketball teams are doing well. Mr. Miller and Mrs. Barney, as well as Mrs. Brickely and Mrs. Bousellari, are commended.
The winter concert was successful. The students were fabulous.
The faculty community of caring is collecting food, money and other necessities for needy families in the community. For Thanksgiving, they gave baskets with items for a Thanksgiving dinner to six families.
There is now framed art work in the office. This art work has been created by students of all grades.
The winter program is slated to begin on January 4th, and Ann Barney is preparing the final stages.
The support staff will contribute $400 to the community of caring and will be filling stockings for some students in the school.
The 2 teachers filling in for Melody Funk are doing great.
Ms. DiMarzio is doing an excellent job.
Rachel Quinn is our newest support staff member.
Ann McKenney has been working tirelessly to make sure everything is done professionally and efficiently in the main office.
The newsletter and monthly calendar changes are sent out to parents.
Consent Items
Claims and Payroll
Correspondence - The result from the air quality test was distributed.
DARE - Ms. Boyle distributed a form regarding a substance abuse curriculum. She explained that it changes slightly year to year. There was a discussion as to educating the parents. Mr.VanBennekum offered to call CADY and Mike Barney to see if they could perhaps work together. The importance of talking to parents about communicating with their kids was further discussed.
Art/Guidance Curriculum - 2nd reading
On a motion by Ms. Barry, seconded by Ms. Mersch, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Art and the Guidance Curriculums.
Policy on non-resident students - 1st reading - This was drafted by Ms. Boyle and Mr. Stewart. A discussion ensued regarding the tuition rates and sizes of classrooms.
On a motion by Mr. Heiner, seconded by Ms. Barry, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 1st reading of the Non-Resident Student Policy.
Budget 08-09 -
Mr. VanBennekum explained the differences and the totals of the teachers' salaries. There was a discussion regarding salaries for the coaches.
Ms. Boyle distributed the budget to the Board and explained the changes. Among some of the points discussed were:
An increase in the self-funded health care.
The cost of artist in residence.
Supplies - Mr. VanBennekum reported that the teachers submit their needs for supplies to him, and the amount has to fall within what they had for the current year.
Printed media - There is a text book adoption for math that is being considered. Currently, there is no math book for 8th grade.
The software account has gone up due to United Streaming, My Learning Plan, Curriculum Mapper, the mail server, Microsoft (sonic wall content filter) and other software.
Outside evaluations were discussed.
Special education aides were discussed.
There was money added to the budget for school uniforms
There was a discussion regarding the cost of Speech pathology. The Speech pathology assistant needs to be supervised by a speech pathologist.
A discussion on Occupational Therapy ensued. Mr. VanBennekum explained that the OT comes in twice a week. Ms. Boyle will ask Mrs. Gonsalves, Director of Special Education, to attend the January meeting to further discuss the topic.
Professional Development was discussed.
District Date - The tentative date is March 4, 2008.
Tuna Fish Concerns - This is tabled until the January meeting.
Recognition and Awards - Discussed in the Principals report
Privilege of the Floor #2 - none
On a motion by Ms. Mersch, seconded by Mr. Heiner, the Board unanimously approved the contract for Robertson Transit.
On a motion by Mr. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Barry, the Board unanimously voted to end public session and adjourn at 7:55 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle McCauley
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