Draft: Subject to Board Approval

     WINCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD MEETING                

WINCHESTER SCHOOL LIBRARY

APRIL 17, 2008

Board Members Present: C. Duquette, B. Moser, W. Hildreth, V. Cole

Administration Present: D. Crisafulli, D. Funkhouser, P. Bigelow, 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 April 3, 2008 Board meeting as printed; SECONDED by: V. Cole, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

G. O'Neal MOVED to approve the non-public minutes of the April 3, 2008 Board meeting as printed; SECONDED by: V. Cole, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

BOARD BUSINESS:

Presentation from Keene High School:

Principal, Al Chimiel and Assistant Superintendent, Bill Gurney distributed information to the Board and gave a presentation on how the Winchester students did at Keene in the first semester of 2007.  The Board asked questions.

                C. Duquette explained that Winchester did not get last year's report; she thought that is what it would be tonight.

A. Chimiel advised that one of the Guidance Counselors, Mr. Morse, will be doing the Winchester reports from now on.  He will come with Mr. Chimiel to give the next presentation.

G. O'Neal wanted the report to compare Winchester to each sending school.

                Mr. Chimiel was not sure that is something they could do; this report is comparing Winchester students to the whole Keene student body.

V. Cole asked for a breakdown of discipline for all of Keene High.

                B. Gurnsey gave the report to D. Crisafulli. He will make copies to include in the Board packets.

               
C. Duquette asked about trends; are they the same as transitioning schools from other Districts?

                Mr. Chimiel explained Winchester is a little behind, but better than three years ago.  New students are more prepared, more focused; closing the gap. 

                Mr. Chimiel explained once Winchester has Power School in place, will be able to access information from Keene on a monthly and even daily basis.

G. O'Neal asked if Keene tracks graduation and after-graduation numbers.

                A. Chimiel - yes.

Dr. C. would like to have a breakdown of how many students are attending four year colleges, two year colleges, technical colleges, the military, those that have jobs and those that are undecided, over the past four years.

                A. Chimiel will send an e-mail to A. Diorio and D. Funkhouser.

G. O'Neal asked about scholarships.

                V. Cole thinks maybe not all groups from Winchester are on the list at Keene High School.

                A. Chimiel suggested that the Board check with Mary Striffolino.

                C. Duquette asked if Winchester students can also apply for Keene scholarships.

                A. Chimiel advised yes.

                G. O'Neal is on the Scholarship Committee and he will work on it.

Bill Gurney feels Keene didn't provide enough guidance to Winchester when they came on Board.  Explained they will be hiring a Curriculum Coordinator.  He feels that will be very helpful to sending schools.  Advised the NECAP results were high in Keene and Winchester students did very well.

Once Surry approves the contract, Keene will come back to Winchester to sign a new contract with a new forumla Keene feels will be fairer.  Dollars and cents will be pretty close, but the new formula will be fairer.

A. Chimiel and B. Gurney would be happy to come a few times a year to give a presentation to the Board.  Will bring Mr. Morse.

Crossing Guard:

W. Hildreth has concerns about the crossing guard.  She feels the crossing guard should be moved to Parker Street where there is no electronic devices.

                B. Moser feels he should be using electronic devices and should be standing on the town hall side.  He also feels the crossing guard should not be sitting in his truck waiting             for the students.

W. Hildreth is concerned that the crossing guard is armed.

                The Board advised he was spoken to and he is no longer armed.

V. Cole is not in favor of having the crossing guard at the end of Parker Street.  There are no lights there.

                B. Moser feels he should use the walk sign and needs to be standing out there; not in his truck. 

Dr. Crisafulli and D. Funkhouser will speak to G. Parks and will follow up in writing with a copy to the Board.  They will advise him that he cannot start crossing until the stop sign is on; he must be visible and he cannot carry a gun.

G. O'Neal feels the Board should look at the crossing guard position at another meeting.

C. Duquette appointed Board members to Committee assignments.

After discussion, V. Cole MOVED to accept the Committee Assignments; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 3-1-1 (B. Moser - no, W. Hildreth - abstained), MOTION PASSED.

Policy - Summer Assignments: Final Reading:

B. Moser MOVED to approve the Summer Assignments as a final reading; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 5-0, MOTION PASSED.

Policy - Assignment of Students to Class and Grade Level: Final Reading:

B. Moser MOVED to approve the Assignment of Students to Class and Grade Level as a final reading; SECONDED by: G. O'Neal, VOTED: 5-0, MOTION PASSED.

B. Moser attended the 8th grade field trip; he advised he had a good time.

                V. Cole was told he did a great job.

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 $834,742.49; SECONDED by: W. Hildreth, VOTED: 4-1 (B. Moser - no), MOTION PASSED.

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT:

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

D. Chamberlain brought a bid for blinds to the Board and advised it is quite a bit lower than the original $19,000; $15,705 is the lowest bid.  D. Chamberlain advised he has received four or five recommendations for this company. 

V. Cole advised they have film on the windows at Keene; wonders if that is the way to go.  She feels blinds don't work.

The Board appreciates the work D. Chamberlain did and feels he used a great resource to find the right company.

B. Moser would also like to look at the film.

D. Chamberlain asked if the Board would like him to look into a sprinkler system. 

                Dr. Crisafulli feels would be advisable to do if we can.  D. Chamberlain will talk to T. O'Connor.  Monies would come out of the Capital Reserve.  D. Chamberlain will get bids and        it would be done in the Summer.

B. Moser asked when the other cameras are being put in?

                D. Crisafulli is hoping during Summer vacation to have them done. 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT:

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

Dr. Crisafulli advised if something is decided  regarding the retirement issue; nothing has been budgeted at this point.

                Dr. Crisafulli advised there has been alot of heated discussions going on regarding the retirement issue.

Dr. Crisafulli would like D. Funkhouser to thank the staff for tonight and Exchange City.  The Board will provide food from Panera Bread for the Staff Appreciation luncheon.

C. Duquette would like to work on a gift for C. Thompson; the cost would be no more than $100.00.

                All Board Members were in favor.

Policy Meeting - D. Crisafulli and C. Duquette will not be at the first meeting in May.  T. O'Connor will handle the meeting.

BOARD COMMITTEE/REP. REPORTS:

Legislative Action:

Molly Kelly will be at C. Duquette's office tomorrow.  C. Duquette will talk with Molly Kelly from both perspectives regarding retirement system.

Staff Development Rep:

V. Cole advised she has spoken to David; has not been apprised of any meetings.

Keene School Board:

C. Duquette will try to go to the next meeting.

SAU Board:

C. Duquette advised they haven't heard anything regarding Surry.  The Business Manager's search was in the paper.

INSURANCE:

B. Moser explained the committee will meet with the staff on the 29th.  Looks like the LGC will lower their price.  Feels most likely will stay with the same insurance.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

B. Moser requested to discuss the possibility of tape recording Board meetings.  Will discuss at the second meeting in May.

CITIZENS' COMMENTS:

None.

B. MOSER MOVED to go into non-public session at 8:40 pm; C. Duquette - yes, V. Cole - yes, G. O'Neal - yes, W. Hildreth - yes, B. Moser - yes, MOTION PASSED.

While in non-public session the Board declined to accept the request regarding the NH Retirement System.

B. Moser MOVED to leave non-public session at 8:47 pm; SECONDED by: V. Cole,  C. Duquette - yes, V. Cole - yes, G. O'Neal - yes, W. Hildreth - yes, B. Moser - yes, MOTION PASSED.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Higgins