Draft: Subject to Board Approval

     WINCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING           

WINCHESTER SCHOOL LIBRARY

OCTOBER 18, 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 Vice-Chair V. Cole.

MINUTES:

G. O'Neal MOVED to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2007 Board meeting as printed; SECONDED by: V. Cole, VOTED: 2-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

BOARD BUSINESS:

Technology Presentation:

C. Boyle and M. Hutchinson gave an overview of how things are going. 

                *Lab is up and running.

                *Pulled older machines and installed others in their place.

                *Anticipate by mid-November will have mini-lab in place.

C. Thompson arrived at the meeting.

C. Thompson asked what M. Hutchinson anticipates for computer needs.

                M. Hutchinson advised no great disrepair or maintenance fees now.  She feels if we continue with older machines will have high maintenance costs.  Needs to go in and          inventory everything in the building. 

C. Boyle reviewed with the Board what is happening at the SAU level.  They are working on the Student Management System and evaluating a couple of products that would better suit the SAU's needs.

C. Thompson asked about the issue that came up with students on inappropriate web sites.

                M. Hutchinson advised she was aware of that last week.  Students are now closely monitored as to what sites they are on, until this is resolved.

B. Moser asked if there is a policy for anyone who misuses the Internet.

                M. Hutchinson advised they are banned from it.  There is a policy in place.

G. O'Neal asked about information getting on the Winchester school web site.  Feels Technology should support what P. Bigelow is doing.

                P. Bigelow advised that if something is not on the web site to let her know.

C. Duquette arrived and took over the the meeting.

C. Boyle advised working on E-rate; last year's check should come soon.

M. Hutchinson advised will have a series of workshops for teachers as part of Title 2 grant.

M. Hutchinson will be inviting a representative here for a presentation on digital portfolios; will let the Board know when that is.

Budget:

T. O'Connor and D. Crisafulli compiled a budget narrative and reviewed it with the Board. It included highlights of budget items and information of interest to the Board.   They explained the points taken into consideration in preparation of the budget.

T. O'Connor and D. Crisafulli will prepare the budget books with backup information for the Board and will review the budget at the next meeting.  They will also add an outline of important dates/deadlines for the Board.

C. Duquette asked the Board to review the budget and come back at the next meeting ready to review it.

C. Thompson asked if all teachers' requests are in the budget.

                D. Funkhouser advised yes; all requests are in there.

C. Duquete asked D. Crisafulli tto bring proposed dates for budget review.

T. O'Connor advised that the SAU budget is not set yet; that piece is missing from this budget.  Figures in this budget are the same as last year.

SAU Board meeting will be held November 7th in Winchester at 7:00 pm.

MS-25:

T. O'Connor distributed a copy of the MS-25 and gave signature copies of the MS-25 and DOE-25 for Board members to sign.  These are the audited numbers; everything is done.

NHSB Resolutions:

The Board reviewed the proposed resolutions for 2008.  G. O'Neal advised he would not support anything to do with #35, No Child Left Behind.

                C. Thompson asked about #2 - Charter School.  If the Board has any problems with any resolutions, they will let G. O'Neal know at the next meeting.  He will attend the Delegate          Assembly.

Budget Committee Requests:

C. Duquette, D. Crisafulli and T. O'Connor met with the Budget Committee.  They are not happy with the $105,000 deficit because of the Special Education account.  Don't understand why the School Board is not using that money to cover the deficit; they are strongly urging the Board to do that.

V. Cole MOVED to take the shortfall out of the Special Ed fund; SECONDED by: C. Duquette, after much discussion, VOTED: 5-0, MOTION PASSED.

G. O'Neal asked if money could be taken out of catastrophic aid and when it comes in put it back in the Special Ed fund.

                T. O'Connor advised yes, by Warrant Article.  T. O'Connor explained that the Board has the authority by Motion to accept and direct unanticipated revenues in a public meeting and would not have to do it by Warrant Article.  T. O'Connor feels it might be better by Warrant Article.

Health Insurance:

At the Finance Committee meeting a Motion was made to send the RFP and see what companies want to bid.

C. Thompson MOVED to approve the RFP request for the SAU; SECONDED by: V. Cole, VOTED: 5-0, MOTION PASSED.

Principals Report:

The Board asked D. Funkhouser for a total of students in grades 9-12 and would like him to keep track of them.

                T. O'Connor had the opening numbers for Keene and gave them to the Board.

D. Funkhouser reviewed the Emergency Management manual with the Board and distributed a copy to each member.  D. Funkhouser advised policies are in line with state requirements.

B. Moser wants the manual to be kept where any teacher, in any room, would know where to find it.  He would like it in a universal place.

C. Thompson advised nowhere does it reference 911; feels maybe should put 911 stickers on the manuals. 

                D. Funnkhouser advised he has made it clear to the teachers that they can go into lockdown if needed.

G. O'Neal asked if there is a cultural anthropologist on the Committee regarding testing.

                G. O'Neal asked about drug culture.

                D. Funkhouser advised what is being done.

D. Crisafulli feels this might be a larger community issue than a school issue.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

The Board received the Revenue and Expense reports in their packets.

G. O'Neal MOVED to approve the manifest in the amount of $408,548.80; SECONDED by: C. Thompson, VOTED: 4-1, (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:

The Board received Dr. Crisafulli's report, the budget and a copy of the revised goals in their packets.  Will deal with the next four sections of the goals at the next meeting.

Budget Committee Rep:

No dates have been set yet.

SAU Board:

The next meeting will be held Monday night.  The policy review of the Procedures manual has begun.  The next meetings are scheduled for 11/13 and 11/29.

G. O'Neal MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA 91:A-3, II(a)(b) at 8:40 pm; SECONDED by: V. Cole, C. Thompson - yes, V. Cole - yes, G. O'Neal - yes, C. Duquette - yes, B. Moser - yes.

G. O'Neal MOVED to leave non-public session at 8:45 pm; SECONDED by: V. Cole, C. Thompson - yes, V. Cole - yes, G. O'Neal - yes, C. Duquette - yes, B. Moser - yes.

B. Moser MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 pm; SECONDED by: V. Cole, VOTED: 5-0, MOTION PASSED.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Higgins