Wentworth School Board

Monday, March 21st, 2005
Wentworth Elementary School Minutes

Members Present: Scott Vien, Michelle Clark, and Deborah Gelsi

Administration Present: Jeff Keene - Principal WES, Ethel Gaides – SAU 48

Also Present: Aaron Comeau, Janice Comeau, Susan Judd, Patti Welch, Laurie Melanson, Karen Fryar, Arthur Gelsi, Vinnie Samson, Melody Gaudette, Sonia Gaudette, Ginny Gove, Ellie Murray, Adam Rick, Kenyon Karl

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Wentworth School Board was held on Monday March 21st 2005 at 6:00 pm with Scott Vien and Deborah Gelsi being present. Mr. Vien began the meeting at 6:08 pm. The agenda was approved as presented. The minutes of the February 21st meeting were approved as presented. Mr. Vien moved to delay the appointment of Chair and Secretary until later in the meeting when all 3 board members were present. Motion was approved.

Principal’s Report:

• Mr. Keene asked Mrs. Fryar to update the board on the success of the book fair. Mrs. Fryar stated that the book fair was very successful and that the school was able to purchase 62 dollars worth of books at no expense.
• Mr. Keene remarked that the visit by children’s book author Matt Tavares was extremely impressive and a big success. Mr. Tavares explained to the students how he decides on storylines and the amount of research and “homework” he has to do in order for the story and its illustrations to accurately portray the story and its surroundings. He really emphasized the message about the quality, accuracy and timeliness of completing homework and research on time.
• Mr. Keene said that the children of WES were very well represented at the Cultural Arts center recently.
• Winter Carnival was a success and “a lot of fun”
• Progress reports will be reported vs. other states.
• 50% of students took advantage of the Winter Ski Program and Mr. Keene would like to see the board discuss the future of the program and its original intent at a future board meeting.
• Last Day of school due to inclement weather days is currently set for June 20th, 2005
• Mrs. Fryar updated the board on the Pennies for Patients Program currently in the school. It is a 3-week program to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association. Mrs. Fryar stated that 80% of the money raised goes directly to patient advocacy, support groups, financial assistance and research. This is the 3rd year of WES involvement. The organization will be donating a pizza party for the class with the highest per student average. This discussion generated discussion from the floor. Mr. Vien terminated the discussion and advised that it be re-addressed during Privilege of the Floor.

Privilege of the Floor

• Ellie Murray presented documentation on the Capital Reserve Fund showing a current balance of over 16,000 dollars. The money cannot be encumbered prior to the annual town/school meeting however; she did want us to realize its existence.
• Vinnie Samson addressed the board regarding the Penny’s for Patients program. Mrs. Samson believes there are other ways to teach a child to give and with the way the program is structured, she believes that the children are not necessarily bringing pennies for Lymphoma or Leukemia, but rather for a pizza party. Mrs. Samson also stated to the board that this is solicitation within the school and asked how the school determines the charity to raise funds for? And where is the line drawn? She asked why the Heart Association, Lung Association, Kidney Association among others is not chosen as opposed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma organization. Response was that WES in the past had a student with the disease and this charity was “close to home” for many. Deborah Gelsi asked if the school board had a policy regarding student fundraising and if the school had to have school board approval prior to introducing student fundraising efforts within the school. Mrs. Gaides responded that currently there is no policy of that nature but it is one that should be considered.
• School Study Committees. It was decided that the meetings will be held the 4th Monday of each month at WES at 7pm and that at the 1st meeting, committee chairs and secretaries will be appointed. The agenda’s and meeting dates will be published in the local newspaper, the public access channel, the SAU 48 website with a link from the Town Website.
• School District Meeting follow up. – Final School Budget was reviewed.
• School Calendar – Mrs. Fryar would like to see some half days built into the 2005-2006 calendar. There is a scheduled Teacher In Service day already, on Jan 17th 2006. After reviewing the calendar, Mr. Vien motioned and Mrs. Gelsi seconded the motion to amend the 2005-2006-school calendar to reflect half days on Sept. 23rd, October 21st (both 2005) and March 20th (2006).
• The Wentworth Little League has donated all of its equipment and uniforms to WES and would like to purchase a scoreboard for the school. Mr. Vien will donate the graphics for the board. The board thanks the Little League for their very generous donation.
• Aaron Comeau asked about the 10,000 dollars that was not passed last year for the school study. He reminded the board that the reason it was not passed was that the public had been told there was grant money available for the study and has there been any progress in that area? Mr. Comeau also addressed the issue of volunteerism within the school and the insurance liability involved.
• Janice Comeau inquired as to policy on volunteering within the school. The Board advised that anyone wishing to volunteer time to the school be referred to Mr. Keene.
• The WEA proposed having a Saturday school day as an Earth Day. This would allow the school to make up the time for the inclement weather days and not have to extend the school year to June 20th. Discussion on attendance for a Saturday school day and that the yearly progress reports are based on attendance. The SAU will research past Saturdays that the school was in session. April 2nd is tentatively set for the Earth Day and is dependent on the WES Staff meeting on March 23rd. Mr. Keene will contact the SAU and Mrs. Gaides will conduct a telephone poll of the Board.

Recognition/Awards

• Mr. Keene would like to recognize the PTO for all of the hard work and effort that goes into making the Penny Social a success.
• Destination Imagination – The team is once again going to the State competition in April. The board wished them the best of luck. Special recognition was given to Mrs. Giles who coordinates the program.
• The school was well represented at the Lakes Region Musical Festival and the participants and attendees were very impressed.

Non-Public Session
Non Public (RSA 91-A: 3)
Exclusive allowable purposes are: personnel issues, nominations and hiring, reputation, sale or acquisition of property, litigation, 91-A: 2 (non meetings) consultant with legal counsel or negotiations, 91-A: 5 student records or information deemed confidential, personal or invasion of privacy.

Mr. Vien moved to go into Non Public Session at 7:30 pm

Return from Non Public:

Mr. Vien made a motion to return from Non Public at 8:10 pm

Designation of Truant Officer RSA 189:34

Motion was made by Mrs. Gelsi to appoint the Wentworth Police Department as Truant Officer. Motion was seconded by Mr. Vien and was passed unanimously.

A nomination meeting with SAU Mark Halloran is scheduled for March 30th at 5pm.

Scott Vien nominated Deborah Gelsi as Secretary of the Board. Michelle Clark seconded motion. Motion was passed.
Michelle Clark nominated Scott Vien as Chairperson of the Board. Deborah Gelsi seconded motion. Motion was passed.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:03 pm.

The next scheduled meeting of the Wentworth School Board is April 25th 2005 at 6pm at the Wentworth Elementary School.

Respectfully submitted:

Deborah Gelsi
School Board Member and Secretary.