Wentworth School Board
Monday, June 20th, 2005 – 6:30 pm
School Board Meeting Minutes
Wentworth Elementary School
Members Present: Michelle Clark, Deborah Gelsi and Scott Goodale
Administration Present: Jeff Keene - Principal WES, Ethel Gaides – SAU 48
Also Present: Melody Gaudette, Glen Hinckley, Kenyon Karl, Laurie Melanson, Louella Holmes, Alison Bagley
Michelle Clark moves to open meeting at 6:35 pm
Deborah Gelsi 2nd’s. There are no objections, motion carries.
Deborah Gelsi moves to amend the agenda to reflect “resignation” under Non Public Session.
Michelle Clark 2nd’s. There are no objections and the motion carries.
Michelle Clark motions to accept the minutes of May 23rd 2005 as presented.
eborah Gelsi 2nd’s motion. There are no objections, motion carries.
Principal’s Report
Mr. Keene gave his report and announced that the following students were honored at the recent graduation ceremonies.
Valedictorian: Jamie King
Salutatorian : Erin Vien
Humanitarian/Good Fellowship Award: Jamie King
Good Citizenship Award: Archie Young
Hoyt Memorial Award: Abby Thompson
Jamie Schweizer was also honored for outstanding community service and outstanding scholarship.
Mr. Keene announced that Mrs. Sullivan would not be returning next year and that the school is seeking a new aide with duties to include bus monitor.
Mr. Keene, Mrs. Melanson and Mrs. Bagley have been working on a schedule in anticipation of next year’s middle/junior high students in grades 6, 7 and 8. They feel that a more “middle school” approach should be taken in order to prepare the students for their future academic life as they transition to Plymouth High School. An added bonus is that with this type of schedule, each teacher would be teaching at their strongest and the children would have many academic advantages by the teachers teaching at personal strengths. The board requests that a letter be sent to the parents of the students affected and that a mock schedule be included. The board also asked that the approach be addressed during the upcoming open house for middle/junior high students and that the board be updated on the success of the program after the first marking period. The board agreed that the approach was in line with other schools and that the approach would make the transition to High School easier on the students.
The Board understands that Mr. Keene has no official letter of resignation from Mrs. Sullivan and Mr. Keene is authorized to advertise for the position once one is received.
Correspondence:
No action taken.
Discussion Items :
Mrs. Gaides advised the board of the NHSBA Assembly and advised that the information we received is FYI and if we have an item we would like to submit, we should contact Mr. Halloran.
Louella Holmes gave a brief recap of the School Resource Officer Training she received recently at the expense of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The information was informative and the school and the board look forward to working with the Police Department on school issues.
Glen Hinckley reminded the board that several bids that had been received by the Facilities Committee were either set to expire or had already expired and he has of this time not received any return communication from Jon Francis- Director of Facilities for the SAU. Mr. Hinckley and the board are concerned that we are are in danger of not getting the work completed as the new school year starts August 30th 2005 and we are already almost into July. Of more concern is that the bids are expiring and no bid award has been made.
The board agrees to meet Wednesday night at 7pm for Jon Francis to present the bids to the Facilities Committee who in turn will make a recommendation to the board. The board has agreed to vote that evening in order to immediately notify the bid winners to begin work.
Curriculum:
Deborah Gelsi motions to accept the Curriculum Guide on English Language Arts and Literacy. Michelle Clark 2nd’s – No objections, motion carries.
Deborah Gelsi reminds Mrs. Gaides that as chairperson of the Enrollment Committee, she still has not received the previous research completed by the prior board as it pertains to enrollment. This research is of vital importance as it not only was one of the primary reasons for Article 10 – which passed would have closed the school permanently, but it would also save the committee valuable research time and avoid duplicating efforts. Mrs. Gaides will check at the SAU office to find out why it has not been sent out yet.
Mrs. Gaides informs the board that another 50 dollar donation has been received for the DI team expenses and that the total outstanding has been reduced to $146.72
Kenyon Karl questioned why last months meeting minutes have not been posted to the town website yet.
Mrs. Gelsi replied that she believes she emailed it to the webmaster but she will send the webmaster an email to confirm.
Michelle Clark formally welcomes Scott Goodale to the board.
Deborah Gelsi motions to go to Non Public Session at 7:58 pm.
Michelle Clark 2nd’s. There are no objections, motion carries
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.
Deborah Gelsi motions to return from Non Public Session at 7:58 pm.
Michelle Clark 2nd’s. There are no objections, motion carries
Deborah Gelsi motions to accept the resignation of Michelle Clark effective June 30th 2005.
Scott Goodale 2nd’s – There are no objections and the motion carries.
The board directs the SAU to schedule interviews with the applicants that previously applied last month and to publicize the vacancy in the Record Enterprise and North Country Independent News.
Deborah Gelsi will advise the town webmaster to repost the position on the website.
Deborah Gelsi motions to adjourn at 8:10pm
Michelle Clark 2nd’s- There are no objections, motion carries.
Respectfully,
Deborah Gelsi
School Board Member and Secretary.