Draft: Subject to Board Approval

     WINCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING           

WINCHESTER SCHOOL LIBRARY

AUGUST 16, 2007

Board Members Present: C. Duquette, B. Moser, G. O'Neal, C. Thompson, V. Cole

Administration Present: D. Crisafulli, D. Funkhouser, T. O'Connor

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair C. Duquette.

MINUTES:

G. O'Neal MOVED to approve the public minutes of the July 19, 2007 Board meeting as printed; SECONDED by: C. Thompson, VOTED: 3-1-1 (B. Moser - no, V. Cole - abstained), MOTION PASSED.

G. O'Neal MOVED to approve the non-public minutes of the July 19, 2007 Board meeting as printed; SECONDED by: C. Thompson, VOTED: 3-1-1 (B. Moser - no, V. Cole - abstained), MOTION PASSED.

BOARD BUSINESS:

SPED Information:

The Board received a proposal from Dr. Crisafulli and J. Bischoff regarding Special Education in response to the Board's letter. Dr. Crisafulli advised that transportation bids are not in yet. Dr. Crisafulli, Dr. Dassau, and J. Bischoff answered questions of the Board.

Grant Information:

Dr. Dassau confirmed that the Monadnock Regional Public School of Choice (MRPSOC) grant is being discontinued as of 9/30/07. MRPSOC is in the process of closing out those programs involved. 

CITIZENS' COMMENTS:

Mr. Jim Wallace distributed a letter to the Board regarding his son and the discontinuing MRPSOC grant. He is asking the Board for a solution. He believes this is a hardship situation. 

After questions and discussion by the Board, B. Moser MOVED to allow K. Dassau to pursue discussion with Keene Middle School regarding the tuition waiver agreement; SECONDED by: V. Cole, K. Dassau advised that if the Board finds they did something with the other case that they shouldn't have, the process can be stopped, VOTED: 4-1 (C. Thompson - no), MOTION PASSED.

C. Thompson MOVED to table the vote until research can be done regarding past minutes on the other case; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 2-3 (V. Cole - no, C. Duquette - no, B. Moser - no), MOTION FAILED.

Dr. Crisafulli will research the minutes and present information to the Board at the first meeting in September.

Laidlaw:

The Board received the bus schedule for the upcoming year. Dr. Crisafulli was assured that the first pick-up would be after 6:00 am.

Tuition Reimbursement:

Dr. Crisafulli advised that if we are encouraging staff to attend workshops, feel obligated to pay. If staff chooses to attend workshops and complete them satisfactorily, they could put in for reimbursement.

                C. Duquette requested a copy of the new contract. Dr. Crisafulli will send copies to the Board.

Dress Code: G. O'Neal:

For next year, G. O'Neal feels it would be a good idea to implement a simple dress code that would be easier and less expensive for parents and put a positive sense on the school.

V. Cole MOVED to form a committee to look at the issue of a dress code; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 3-1-1 (C. Duquette - no, B. Moser - abstained), MOTION PASSED.

After review and discussion, B. Moser MOVED to approve the Board letterhead with the condition that any Board member can remove their contact information if they choose; SECONDED by: V. Cole, after discussion, Dr. Crisafulli will work with Ann to come up with another format. The MOTION AND SECOND was WITHDRAWN.

C. Duquette distributed a thank-you note from J. Miner to the Board.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

G. O'Neal MOVED to approve the manifest in the amount of $365,056.11; SECONDED by: C. Thompson, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

Dr. Crisafulli distributed information regarding bids for oil and T. O'Connor reviewed with the Board.

C. Thompson MOVED to authorize T. O'Connor to contact Hinsdale regarding the opportunity to buy fuel oil at a cost of $2.24 per gal; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, after discussion, VOTED: 4-1 (V. Cole - no), MOTION PASSED.

The Board received information regarding paving.

After discussion, C. Thompson MOVED to direct the Winchester Trustee of Trust Funds to pay the Winchester School District $42,080.00 and to withdraw such amount from the School Building Improvements Expendable Trust fund held on account at Charter Trust; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

C. Thompson has concerns regarding the area that was paved. He asked if the corner can be softened or gravel put on the inside of the corner.

                D. Chamberlain advised it is the same width as always; will be planting grass. Will wait and see how traffic is before making any other improvements.

T. O'Connor advised the auditors are in this week. At this point, it appears there is a deficit in the regular ed budget of about $107,000. T. O'Connor explained the Board's options:

                1.    Do nothing at this point.

                2.    New Expendable Trust $150,000; sufficient to fund deficit.

                3.    Go back in March to request additional money from voters.

C. Duquette asked for more information regarding the deficit at each meeting so the Board has status. 

                T. O'Connor advised as of today the operating fund has a $171,000 positive balance.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

The Board received D. Funkhouser's report in their packet.

                *Staff lunch will be held Monday, August 27th.

                *Open House will be held Tuesday evening, August 28th.

V. Cole suggested extending open house in the future to 1-1/2 hours. Feels one hour is not enough time. 

                D. Funkhouser will keep that in mind.

D. Funkhouser advised they have received several applicants for the crossing guard position and applicants will be in tomorrow. Police will do training. There will be an alternate as well.

C. Duquette thanked D. Chamberlain; advised the building looks great.

D. Crisafulli advised changes in Medicare law; distributed information to the Board. Proposal was to be heard today.

As Dr. Crisafulli cannot attend the 10/4/07 meeting; the Board agreed to change it to Tuesday, 10/2/07.

Pam Bigelow will add sports information to her newsletter.

C. Thompson advised the Board that Keene strongly recommended as many additional late buses as possible. 

                B. Moser would be willing to discuss it, but wants to see statistics on how many kids are on the two late buses. C. Duquette suggested P. Bigelow could add that late buses are      available for students, in her newsletter.

C. Thompson MOVED to discuss the issue of a late bus; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

C. Thompson MOVED to have the Winchester School Board authorize a third late bus for a trial period of 90 days to see if it is being utilized beginning when Laidlaw can start; SECONDED by: G. O'Connor; Friendly Amendment by V. Cole to end the trial period at the end of the first quarter unless it comes back to the Board for further approval. After discussion, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

C. Duquette asked Dr. Crisafulli to report back at the beginning of October for further consideration.

BOARD COMMITTEE/REP. REPORTS:

Keene:

C. Duquette will try to attend the Board meetings. Dr. Crisafulli will be meeting with Administration monthly. 

C. Thompson MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91-A: 3, II (a) (b) C. Duquette - yes, B. Moser - yes, C. Thompson - yes, G. O'Neal - yes, V. Cole - yes.

C. Thompson MOVED to leave non-public session at 9:00 pm under RSA 91-A: 3, II (a) (b) C. Duquette - yes, B. Moser - yes, C. Thompson - yes, G. O'Neal - yes, V. Cole - yes.

C. Thompson MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 pm; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 5-0, MOTION PASSED.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Higgins