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WINCHESTER SCHOOL BOARD WINCHESTER SCHOOL LIBRARY OCTOBER 19, 2017 Board Present: S. Picard, V. Cole, K. Bazan, S. Thompson Absent: B. Kilanski Administration Present: A. Genovese, V. Carey, E. Jackson The meeting was called to order by Chair, K. Bazan at 6:32pm. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS: None. MINUTES: L. Picard MOVED to approve the Minutes of the 10/5/17 Board meeting with corrections; under Business Manager’s Report after E. Jackson advised she will get it in writing, add from the auditor and remove we don’t want to miss out on the 2016-2017 fiscal year opportunity; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT – V. Carey: *Student Intervention Team (SIT) Utilization – In the past there was a short list of students who were struggling with something and needed support. This year there has been a lot of staff needing to provide intervention/support for a long list of students. They are trying to streamline the process. Want to have more direct intervention this year with discipline issues. V. Carey explained at the last CAST Meeting mental health issues and substance abuse was discussed and M. Duprey explained how these types of things impact the inside of the school. Felt it was important for people to understand what we are looking at in the inside of the school this year. V. Carey advised the problems students are having are not isolated to this building. It is a problem for everyone in the building when there is an issue with a student. K. Bazan asked that the Student Intervention Team be part of the monthly agenda with an update as to what the numbers look like. *TAB Training – Teachers are really impressed with trainers; were empowered about things they see and things they would like to change. TAB trainers responded really positively to their experience. There will be training for the Sixth Grade in November. *Professional Development Update – Feedback on the barbeque, Mission Statement; came up with some visually pleasing designs for the Mission Statement to be displayed. V. Carey explained M. Duprey had a list of staff members and asked everyone to give three positive comments on those they know; will be doing a special project. Staff worked on Professional Development in Math; worked in grade-level teams. *New State Testing Update – Training for the new test will be in the first two weeks of November. V. Carey and hopefully one other person will attend. The test is now called the State Assessment System. *MAP Testing will be starting in the middle of next week for Grades 1-8. V. Carey explained they can now do multiple classrooms at one time. The tests should only take two weeks to complete. *M. Duprey has been looking at software for walk-thru’s. Administration could enter into a tablet what they are looking for and send an e-mail to teachers with questions, suggestions/discussion, etc. Immediate feedback will be received. A. Genovese applauds the effort; thinks teachers will like it. BUSINESS MANAGER REPORT – E. Jackson: *Finance Committee met and reviewed the Manifests. *E. Jackson’s part of the MS-25 is complete. Just need auditors input on a couple of things; waiting to hear back. Advised we are a full month ahead of last year. The Town’s audit is not scheduled until Mid-November. That means the tax rate will not be set until late November/beginning of December. E. Jackson will contact the Board to come in and sign the MS-25. She will e-mail members when it’s ready. *E. Jackson doesn’t have a figure for the amount of anticipated funds left; 2015-2016 audit figures are not complete.
*E. Jackson and Dr. Genovese met with the electricity provider and have locked in at .07395 cents for two years. *Oil is still at $1.89 per gallon. E. Jackson and Dr. Genovese discussed it and wondered if maybe we should top off the tanks instead of locking in, as numbers fluctuate. *Paving is a go; will be setting equipment up on the 28th of October and working over the weekend. The paving portion will be done on the 30th and 31st. There is a plan for moving cars, rerouting traffic, etc. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – A. Genovese: *A. Genovese went through the MOU and Lease with Monadnock Family Services; sent documents to Primex for their Attorneys to review. They had suggestions; all documents went to our Attorney. On Wednesday everything was approved. *Reviewed Policies. A. Genovese feels the Wellness Committee should review the Wellness Policy. The Meal Charging Policy is on hold. *A. Genovese and V. Carey met with Keene High Administration. There was discussion regarding involving our Superintendent with discipline, if needed. They had a conversation about Professional Development. Winchester will be sharing in opportunities Keene has; aligning the calendar for curriculum. V. Carey will meet with Keene on how to align curriculum for the eighth grade going to the high school. We have been invited to attend calendar planning meetings. V. Carey went yesterday. V. Carey appreciates being involved with the calendar. She also appreciates the rationale for why the calendar is set the way it is. Ultimately, Keene needs to set it. Administration had a lot of positive things to say about our students. Keene advised they do not see more of an issue with Winchester than any of the other sending schools. *Update on Selectmen’s Meeting – Discussed situation with kids crossing from Main Street onto Parker Street. After discussion, it was agreed that the crosswalk at the four-way intersection of Main St. and Route 119 will be designated as the one the children will be instructed to use. This location has wider visibility, a larger crosswalk and a pedestrian-controlled traffic light. Dr. Genovese and two of the Selectmen met students in the crossing areas on Thursday and Friday and explained the new procedure for crossing at the intersection of Main St. and Route 119. Dr. Genovese thinks they have a pretty good solution now. The Board received a copy of the letter that went out to parents regarding the change. *A. Genovese advised he will need a nomination for School Board Secretary. *A. Genovese reviewed his letter to Senator Kahn with the Board. *Health Advisory Committee – Need two School Board members, two Association Members and E. Jackson and A. Genovese on the committee. *Soule, Leslie, Kidder and Barbara Loughman will be the back-up law firms for the School Board. SUB-COMMITTEE/COMMITTEEREPORTS UPDATE: Policy Committee: K. Bazan advised the Policy Committee met; have been going through 12-15 policies at each meeting. The Board received the minutes. Facilities Committee: K. Bazan explained they discussed the roof on the new addition, that it needs to be replaced and how. The Committee also discussed security cameras, parking lot, black topping around the back part of the building and all the way to the Ford Building. Discussed the road to glass hallway area where kids go out to the busses. They also discussed doing adjustments to doorways when the paving company is here. V. Cole feels there should be someone from the building on the Committee. A. Genovese explained items are reviewed with D. Chamberlain; he gets e-mails on any issues. Also, M. Duprey receives the same e-mails. A. Genovese advised the appraisers for Primex came through the building today; they were very impressed. They won’t come again for six to seven years. E. Jackson advised the Committee was really started for bigger projects for Facilities that wouldn’t get addressed on a day-to-day basis. K. Bazan advised with regard to the roof, the committee will continue to monitor and eventually replace the roof. Tar drips when it is extremely hot outside. A. Genovese thinks this is a past issue; should monitor it and eventually will do a new roof. K. Bazan advised the committee discussed items from the fire chief. A. Genovese will have a follow-up conversation regarding smoke detectors on the third floor. E. Jackson feels it makes better sense if we could wait to do it until the whole project is done. K. Bazan – Bathrooms on the elementary side are an issue. A. Genovese spoke with Maintenance; there is an issue with emptying the mop buckets in the sink. A. Genovese explained it is easy to put a floor drain in so the water can be easy to dump out. Discussed a three year plan; what needs to be replaced. The boiler is the original.
E. Jackson advised parts have been replaced over the years. She is not sure any of it is original. K. Bazan wondered if all three areas of the building should be renovated at the same time rather than doing it in pieces. Professional Development Committee: V. Carey advised they met Tuesday morning; there was discussion regarding language for Guiding Principles for Education. Professional Development is on a three year plan. The Committee discussed Professional Development needs. Funding through Title One Professional Development has been made available to the District. We will be receiving more than we normally do. The School will be bringing back Learning through Teaching; have not had funding for it in past years. Teachers are very glad to be getting it back. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday the 8 th. Joint Loss Committee: Met on 10/17 – reviewed Primex documentation; the Committee had questions on it. Dr. Genovese advised there was a fee for claims – 14 incidents since July. A Board member, who attended that meeting, is concerned. Technology Meeting: V. Carey advised they are looking at coming up with ways of explaining why things we are saying are important and our rationale as to why resources are being allocated in a certain way. K. Bazan advised they talked about Smart Boards; what will be the next thing to replace them? They will meet with the Town and the Grant Writer for the Town. The Tech Committee needs to get together and say this is what we are looking at. J. Stanway will be attending a class at The Connection. He will see if there are other companies that can come in to offer options. V. Carey advised there is a three-year plan for bandwidth coming into the school. There are a significant number of devices on the network, 430. There has been discussion with Fairpoint. J. Stanway will be exploring options. Fairport will offer recommendations. ACTION ITEMS: K. Bazan MOVED to approve the Payroll Manifest in the amount of $230,411.11; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 40, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to approve the Accounts Payable Manifest in the amount of $140,673.32; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. L. Picard MOVED to approve the MOU and Lease for Monadnock Family Services; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to nominate V. Cole as the School Board Secretary; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to appoint L. Picard and V. Cole as School Board members who will represent the Board on the Health Advisory Committee; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED rescind Policy BEAA – Winchester School Board Meeting Preparation, Policy BEB – Emergency Board Meetings and Policy BEDGA – Recording of Winchester School Board Meetings; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to amend Policy BDF – Advisory Committee to the Board, adding in Paragraph Four the word of between Superintendent and Winchester; Policy BDG – School Attorney, correcting spelling of types of; Policy BEA – Regular Board Meetings (See Addendum); Policy BEDA – Public Notification of School Board Meetings, Delete wording the Board may need to hold an emergency meeting in the case where immediate un-delayed action is deemed to be imperative by the Chair or presiding Officer of the body or agency, who shall employ whatever means are available to inform the public that a meeting is to be held. The minutes of the meetings shall clearly spell out the need for the emergency meeting; and add wording Emergency meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by action of a majority of the Board. For the purpose of this policy, an emergency is defined as a situation where immediate un-delayed action is deemed imperative by the Chairperson. In the event of an emergency meeting the Board will post notice of time and place of the emergency meeting as soon as possible and will also use other reasonable means to inform the public that an emergency meeting is to be held. Minutes of an emergency meeting will clearly state the need and purpose for the emergency meeting.
Policy BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination, In Paragraph Six, add the word four between least and days and in Paragraph Seven second line, to contact the Superintendent; Policy BEDC – Quorum, in second paragraph add the word in between meeting and person; Policy BEDH - Public Participation at Board Meetings– Add Item #5 – The Chair may request a Police Officer to escort person(s) out of the building and take whatever action is required; Policy BG – Board Policy Process, in First Paragraph delete the word of and add in our public schools. Policy BGA – Policy Development System, under Policy Adoption, Dissemination, and Review remove the letter A before The Board may adopt… delete provided that notice of the proposed action was given at a previous Board meeting and that each Board member was notified of the proposed action. For purposes of notification, the meeting agenda delivered to each Board member is deemed sufficient. Policy amendments are provided in advance of the meeting; Under H delete Manuals will be provided to each Board member and at least one master copy will be kept in each school district and one master copy in the SAU central office; and add all policies are available for review on the District website; and put paragraph letters in proper sequence; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. The following policies were reviewed. *Policy BFE – Administration in Policy Absence *Policy BEDG – Minutes *Policy BEDD – Rules of Orders *Policy BEAB - School Board Member Use of Electronic Communication Devices during School Board Meetings *Policy BEC – Non-Public Sessions K. Bazan MOVED to adopt the Child Nutrition Guidelines Policy; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to amend Policy EF – Food Service Management, amending the word Manager to Director throughout and in the fifth paragraph deleting the word all and adding a minimum of at least one food service employee shall be certified by a NH Department of Education approved program; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to amend Policy EFE – Vending Machines, in Paragraph Two and Three amending the Food Service Department to Food Service Director; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan Instructed the Wellness Committee to review the policy and bring back any changes to the Board. K. Bazan MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA9-A:3 II(c) at 8:28pm.; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: V. Cole – yes, L. Picard – yes, S. Thompson – yes, K. Bazan – yes, 4-0, MOTION PASSED. L. PICARD MOVED to come out of non-public session at 8:44 pm; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. While in non-public session the Board discussed a resignation. K. Bazan MOVED to seal the non-public minutes for two months; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. PART II – BUDGET PLANNING: Dr. Genovese reviewed Building Principles for Multi-year Budget Development with the Board. K. Bazan feels the Mission Statement paragraph should be posted within and outside the building. V. Carey advised when it is finalized they will do that. A. Genovese feels they should have the Mission Statement for discussion at the next Policy Meeting. A. Genovese will bring it back for the next Board meeting. *The Board reviewed Guiding Principles for Education. *The Board reviewed the Budget Calendar.
K. Bazan MOVED to schedule the Deliberative Session on Saturday, February 3, 2018 in the Winchester School Gym; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan advised A. Genovese that staff should be notified of changes in policies that affect them. L. Picard MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:02pm; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Higgins School Board Secretary
BEA – REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS Category Recommended The Board shall meet at least once every two months. Unless otherwise determined by Board action, regularly scheduled Board meetings will be held the first and third Thursday of the month. Notice of all board meetings will be posed in accordance with the provisions of RSA 91-A. The Superintendent is authorized to post notice of the meeting on the District website. Minutes of all meetings will be taken and provided in accordance with the provisions of RSA 91-A. All meetings shall be open to the public. Agendas will be established per Board Policy BEDH. The Board reserves the right to amend the agenda during the meeting, upon majority vote. Public comments will be allowed per Board Policy BEDH. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the call of the Chair. Emergency meetings may be called in accordance with the provisions of RSA 91-A:2 and Board Policy BEB.. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Provisions for meeting a quorum are established in Board Policy BEDC. The School Board recognizes that the consistent attendance of Board Members at Board Meetings is essential for the efficient, effective operation of the Board's duties as well as fulfilling our individual obligations as elected officials. Legal References: RSA 91-A, Access to Public Records and Meetings N.H. Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed. 303.01(f), Substantive Duties of School Boards Added to policy: 91-A:3 Nonpublic Sessions. – I. (a) Public bodies shall not meet in nonpublic session, except for one of the purposes set out in paragraph II. No session at which evidence, information, or testimony in any form is received shall be closed to the public, except as provided in paragraph II. No public body may enter nonpublic session, except pursuant to a motion properly made and seconded. (b) Any motion to enter nonpublic session shall state on its face the specific exemption under paragraph II which is relied upon as foundation for the nonpublic session. The vote on any such motion shall be by roll call, and shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of members present. (c) All discussions held and decisions made during nonpublic session shall be confined to the matters set out in the motion. II. Only the following matters shall be considered or acted upon in nonpublic session: (a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted. (b) The hiring of any person as a public employee. (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine, or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant. (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale, or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community. (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed by or against the public body or any subdivision thereof, or by or against any member thereof because of his or her membership in such public body, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. Any application filed for tax abatement, pursuant to law, with any body or board shall not constitute a threatened or filed litigation against any public body for the purposes of this subparagraph. (f) Consideration of applications by the adult parole board under RSA 651-A. (g) Consideration of security-related issues bearing on the immediate safety of security personnel or inmates at the county or state correctional facilities by county correctional superintendents or the commissioner of the department of corrections, or their designees. (h) Consideration of applications by the business finance authority under RSA 162-A:7-10 and 162-A:13, where consideration of an application in public session would cause harm to the applicant or would inhibit full discussion of the application. (i) Consideration of matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of emergency functions, including training to carry out such functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. (j) Consideration of confidential, commercial, or financial information that is exempt from public disclosure under RSA 91-A:5, IV in an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to RSA 541 or RSA 541-A. (k) Consideration by a school board of entering into a student or pupil tuition contract authorized by RSA 194 or RSA 195-A, which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general public or the school district that is considering a contract, including any meeting between the school boards, or committees thereof, involved in the negotiations. A contract negotiated by a school board shall be made public prior to its consideration for approval by a school district, together with minutes of all meetings held in nonpublic session, any proposals or records related to the contract, and any proposal or records involving a school district that did not become a party to the contract, shall be made public. Approval of a contract by a school district shall occur only at a meeting open to the public at which, or after which, the public has had an opportunity to participate. (l) Consideration of legal advice provided by legal counsel, either in writing or orally, to one or more members of the public body, even where legal counsel is not present. [Paragraph III effective until January 1, 2017; see also paragraph III set out below.]
III. Minutes of meetings in nonpublic session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes and decisions reached in nonpublic session shall be publicly disclosed within 72 hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present taken in public session, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, or render the proposed action ineffective, or pertain to terrorism, more specifically, to matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. This shall include training to carry out such functions. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply. [Paragraph III effective January 1, 2017; see also paragraph III set out above.]
III. Minutes of meetings in nonpublic session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes of such sessions shall record all actions in such a manner that the vote of each member is ascertained and recorded. Minutes and decisions reached in nonpublic session shall be publicly disclosed within 72 hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present taken in public session, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, or render the proposed action ineffective, or pertain to terrorism, more specifically, to matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. This shall include training to carry out such functions. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply.
Revised: July 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 First Reading by WSB July 19, 2012 Second Reading by WSB August 16, 2012 Revised: May 2012 Approved by WSB August 16, 2012 Reviewed and Approved by WSB 10/19/2017
*E. Jackson and Dr. Genovese met with the electricity provider and have locked in at .07395 cents for two years. *Oil is still at $1.89 per gallon. E. Jackson and Dr. Genovese discussed it and wondered if maybe we should top off the tanks instead of locking in, as numbers fluctuate. *Paving is a go; will be setting equipment up on the 28th of October and working over the weekend. The paving portion will be done on the 30th and 31st. There is a plan for moving cars, rerouting traffic, etc. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – A. Genovese: *A. Genovese went through the MOU and Lease with Monadnock Family Services; sent documents to Primex for their Attorneys to review. They had suggestions; all documents went to our Attorney. On Wednesday everything was approved. *Reviewed Policies. A. Genovese feels the Wellness Committee should review the Wellness Policy. The Meal Charging Policy is on hold. *A. Genovese and V. Carey met with Keene High Administration. There was discussion regarding involving our Superintendent with discipline, if needed. They had a conversation about Professional Development. Winchester will be sharing in opportunities Keene has; aligning the calendar for curriculum. V. Carey will meet with Keene on how to align curriculum for the eighth grade going to the high school. We have been invited to attend calendar planning meetings. V. Carey went yesterday. V. Carey appreciates being involved with the calendar. She also appreciates the rationale for why the calendar is set the way it is. Ultimately, Keene needs to set it. Administration had a lot of positive things to say about our students. Keene advised they do not see more of an issue with Winchester than any of the other sending schools. *Update on Selectmen’s Meeting – Discussed situation with kids crossing from Main Street onto Parker Street. After discussion, it was agreed that the crosswalk at the four-way intersection of Main St. and Route 119 will be designated as the one the children will be instructed to use. This location has wider visibility, a larger crosswalk and a pedestrian-controlled traffic light. Dr. Genovese and two of the Selectmen met students in the crossing areas on Thursday and Friday and explained the new procedure for crossing at the intersection of Main St. and Route 119. Dr. Genovese thinks they have a pretty good solution now. The Board received a copy of the letter that went out to parents regarding the change. *A. Genovese advised he will need a nomination for School Board Secretary. *A. Genovese reviewed his letter to Senator Kahn with the Board. *Health Advisory Committee – Need two School Board members, two Association Members and E. Jackson and A. Genovese on the committee. *Soule, Leslie, Kidder and Barbara Loughman will be the back-up law firms for the School Board. SUB-COMMITTEE/COMMITTEEREPORTS UPDATE: Policy Committee: K. Bazan advised the Policy Committee met; have been going through 12-15 policies at each meeting. The Board received the minutes. Facilities Committee: K. Bazan explained they discussed the roof on the new addition, that it needs to be replaced and how. The Committee also discussed security cameras, parking lot, black topping around the back part of the building and all the way to the Ford Building. Discussed the road to glass hallway area where kids go out to the busses. They also discussed doing adjustments to doorways when the paving company is here. V. Cole feels there should be someone from the building on the Committee. A. Genovese explained items are reviewed with D. Chamberlain; he gets e-mails on any issues. Also, M. Duprey receives the same e-mails. A. Genovese advised the appraisers for Primex came through the building today; they were very impressed. They won’t come again for six to seven years. E. Jackson advised the Committee was really started for bigger projects for Facilities that wouldn’t get addressed on a day-to-day basis. K. Bazan advised with regard to the roof, the committee will continue to monitor and eventually replace the roof. Tar drips when it is extremely hot outside. A. Genovese thinks this is a past issue; should monitor it and eventually will do a new roof. K. Bazan advised the committee discussed items from the fire chief. A. Genovese will have a follow-up conversation regarding smoke detectors on the third floor. E. Jackson feels it makes better sense if we could wait to do it until the whole project is done. K. Bazan – Bathrooms on the elementary side are an issue. A. Genovese spoke with Maintenance; there is an issue with emptying the mop buckets in the sink. A. Genovese explained it is easy to put a floor drain in so the water can be easy to dump out. Discussed a three year plan; what needs to be replaced. The boiler is the original.
E. Jackson advised parts have been replaced over the years. She is not sure any of it is original. K. Bazan wondered if all three areas of the building should be renovated at the same time rather than doing it in pieces. Professional Development Committee: V. Carey advised they met Tuesday morning; there was discussion regarding language for Guiding Principles for Education. Professional Development is on a three year plan. The Committee discussed Professional Development needs. Funding through Title One Professional Development has been made available to the District. We will be receiving more than we normally do. The School will be bringing back Learning through Teaching; have not had funding for it in past years. Teachers are very glad to be getting it back. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday the 8 th. Joint Loss Committee: Met on 10/17 – reviewed Primex documentation; the Committee had questions on it. Dr. Genovese advised there was a fee for claims – 14 incidents since July. A Board member, who attended that meeting, is concerned. Technology Meeting: V. Carey advised they are looking at coming up with ways of explaining why things we are saying are important and our rationale as to why resources are being allocated in a certain way. K. Bazan advised they talked about Smart Boards; what will be the next thing to replace them? They will meet with the Town and the Grant Writer for the Town. The Tech Committee needs to get together and say this is what we are looking at. J. Stanway will be attending a class at The Connection. He will see if there are other companies that can come in to offer options. V. Carey advised there is a three-year plan for bandwidth coming into the school. There are a significant number of devices on the network, 430. There has been discussion with Fairpoint. J. Stanway will be exploring options. Fairport will offer recommendations. ACTION ITEMS: K. Bazan MOVED to approve the Payroll Manifest in the amount of $230,411.11; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 40, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to approve the Accounts Payable Manifest in the amount of $140,673.32; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. L. Picard MOVED to approve the MOU and Lease for Monadnock Family Services; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to nominate V. Cole as the School Board Secretary; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to appoint L. Picard and V. Cole as School Board members who will represent the Board on the Health Advisory Committee; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED rescind Policy BEAA – Winchester School Board Meeting Preparation, Policy BEB – Emergency Board Meetings and Policy BEDGA – Recording of Winchester School Board Meetings; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to amend Policy BDF – Advisory Committee to the Board, adding in Paragraph Four the word of between Superintendent and Winchester; Policy BDG – School Attorney, correcting spelling of types of; Policy BEA – Regular Board Meetings (See Addendum); Policy BEDA – Public Notification of School Board Meetings, Delete wording the Board may need to hold an emergency meeting in the case where immediate un-delayed action is deemed to be imperative by the Chair or presiding Officer of the body or agency, who shall employ whatever means are available to inform the public that a meeting is to be held. The minutes of the meetings shall clearly spell out the need for the emergency meeting; and add wording Emergency meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by action of a majority of the Board. For the purpose of this policy, an emergency is defined as a situation where immediate un-delayed action is deemed imperative by the Chairperson. In the event of an emergency meeting the Board will post notice of time and place of the emergency meeting as soon as possible and will also use other reasonable means to inform the public that an emergency meeting is to be held. Minutes of an emergency meeting will clearly state the need and purpose for the emergency meeting.
Policy BEDB – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination, In Paragraph Six, add the word four between least and days and in Paragraph Seven second line, to contact the Superintendent; Policy BEDC – Quorum, in second paragraph add the word in between meeting and person; Policy BEDH - Public Participation at Board Meetings– Add Item #5 – The Chair may request a Police Officer to escort person(s) out of the building and take whatever action is required; Policy BG – Board Policy Process, in First Paragraph delete the word of and add in our public schools. Policy BGA – Policy Development System, under Policy Adoption, Dissemination, and Review remove the letter A before The Board may adopt… delete provided that notice of the proposed action was given at a previous Board meeting and that each Board member was notified of the proposed action. For purposes of notification, the meeting agenda delivered to each Board member is deemed sufficient. Policy amendments are provided in advance of the meeting; Under H delete Manuals will be provided to each Board member and at least one master copy will be kept in each school district and one master copy in the SAU central office; and add all policies are available for review on the District website; and put paragraph letters in proper sequence; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. The following policies were reviewed. *Policy BFE – Administration in Policy Absence *Policy BEDG – Minutes *Policy BEDD – Rules of Orders *Policy BEAB - School Board Member Use of Electronic Communication Devices during School Board Meetings *Policy BEC – Non-Public Sessions K. Bazan MOVED to adopt the Child Nutrition Guidelines Policy; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to amend Policy EF – Food Service Management, amending the word Manager to Director throughout and in the fifth paragraph deleting the word all and adding a minimum of at least one food service employee shall be certified by a NH Department of Education approved program; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan MOVED to amend Policy EFE – Vending Machines, in Paragraph Two and Three amending the Food Service Department to Food Service Director; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan Instructed the Wellness Committee to review the policy and bring back any changes to the Board. K. Bazan MOVED to go into non-public session under RSA9-A:3 II(c) at 8:28pm.; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: V. Cole – yes, L. Picard – yes, S. Thompson – yes, K. Bazan – yes, 4-0, MOTION PASSED. L. PICARD MOVED to come out of non-public session at 8:44 pm; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. While in non-public session the Board discussed a resignation. K. Bazan MOVED to seal the non-public minutes for two months; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. PART II – BUDGET PLANNING: Dr. Genovese reviewed Building Principles for Multi-year Budget Development with the Board. K. Bazan feels the Mission Statement paragraph should be posted within and outside the building. V. Carey advised when it is finalized they will do that. A. Genovese feels they should have the Mission Statement for discussion at the next Policy Meeting. A. Genovese will bring it back for the next Board meeting. *The Board reviewed Guiding Principles for Education. *The Board reviewed the Budget Calendar.
K. Bazan MOVED to schedule the Deliberative Session on Saturday, February 3, 2018 in the Winchester School Gym; SECONDED by: L. Picard, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. K. Bazan advised A. Genovese that staff should be notified of changes in policies that affect them. L. Picard MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 9:02pm; SECONDED by: S. Thompson, VOTED: 4-0, MOTION PASSED. Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Higgins School Board Secretary
BEA – REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS Category Recommended The Board shall meet at least once every two months. Unless otherwise determined by Board action, regularly scheduled Board meetings will be held the first and third Thursday of the month. Notice of all board meetings will be posed in accordance with the provisions of RSA 91-A. The Superintendent is authorized to post notice of the meeting on the District website. Minutes of all meetings will be taken and provided in accordance with the provisions of RSA 91-A. All meetings shall be open to the public. Agendas will be established per Board Policy BEDH. The Board reserves the right to amend the agenda during the meeting, upon majority vote. Public comments will be allowed per Board Policy BEDH. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the call of the Chair. Emergency meetings may be called in accordance with the provisions of RSA 91-A:2 and Board Policy BEB.. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Provisions for meeting a quorum are established in Board Policy BEDC. The School Board recognizes that the consistent attendance of Board Members at Board Meetings is essential for the efficient, effective operation of the Board's duties as well as fulfilling our individual obligations as elected officials. Legal References: RSA 91-A, Access to Public Records and Meetings N.H. Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed. 303.01(f), Substantive Duties of School Boards Added to policy: 91-A:3 Nonpublic Sessions. – I. (a) Public bodies shall not meet in nonpublic session, except for one of the purposes set out in paragraph II. No session at which evidence, information, or testimony in any form is received shall be closed to the public, except as provided in paragraph II. No public body may enter nonpublic session, except pursuant to a motion properly made and seconded. (b) Any motion to enter nonpublic session shall state on its face the specific exemption under paragraph II which is relied upon as foundation for the nonpublic session. The vote on any such motion shall be by roll call, and shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of members present. (c) All discussions held and decisions made during nonpublic session shall be confined to the matters set out in the motion. II. Only the following matters shall be considered or acted upon in nonpublic session: (a) The dismissal, promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such employee, or the investigation of any charges against him or her, unless the employee affected (1) has a right to a meeting and (2) requests that the meeting be open, in which case the request shall be granted. (b) The hiring of any person as a public employee. (c) Matters which, if discussed in public, would likely affect adversely the reputation of any person, other than a member of the public body itself, unless such person requests an open meeting. This exemption shall extend to any application for assistance or tax abatement or waiver of a fee, fine, or other levy, if based on inability to pay or poverty of the applicant. (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale, or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community. (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation which has been threatened in writing or filed by or against the public body or any subdivision thereof, or by or against any member thereof because of his or her membership in such public body, until the claim or litigation has been fully adjudicated or otherwise settled. Any application filed for tax abatement, pursuant to law, with any body or board shall not constitute a threatened or filed litigation against any public body for the purposes of this subparagraph. (f) Consideration of applications by the adult parole board under RSA 651-A. (g) Consideration of security-related issues bearing on the immediate safety of security personnel or inmates at the county or state correctional facilities by county correctional superintendents or the commissioner of the department of corrections, or their designees. (h) Consideration of applications by the business finance authority under RSA 162-A:7-10 and 162-A:13, where consideration of an application in public session would cause harm to the applicant or would inhibit full discussion of the application. (i) Consideration of matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of emergency functions, including training to carry out such functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. (j) Consideration of confidential, commercial, or financial information that is exempt from public disclosure under RSA 91-A:5, IV in an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to RSA 541 or RSA 541-A. (k) Consideration by a school board of entering into a student or pupil tuition contract authorized by RSA 194 or RSA 195-A, which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general public or the school district that is considering a contract, including any meeting between the school boards, or committees thereof, involved in the negotiations. A contract negotiated by a school board shall be made public prior to its consideration for approval by a school district, together with minutes of all meetings held in nonpublic session, any proposals or records related to the contract, and any proposal or records involving a school district that did not become a party to the contract, shall be made public. Approval of a contract by a school district shall occur only at a meeting open to the public at which, or after which, the public has had an opportunity to participate. (l) Consideration of legal advice provided by legal counsel, either in writing or orally, to one or more members of the public body, even where legal counsel is not present. [Paragraph III effective until January 1, 2017; see also paragraph III set out below.]
III. Minutes of meetings in nonpublic session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes and decisions reached in nonpublic session shall be publicly disclosed within 72 hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present taken in public session, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, or render the proposed action ineffective, or pertain to terrorism, more specifically, to matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. This shall include training to carry out such functions. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply. [Paragraph III effective January 1, 2017; see also paragraph III set out above.]
III. Minutes of meetings in nonpublic session shall be kept and the record of all actions shall be promptly made available for public inspection, except as provided in this section. Minutes of such sessions shall record all actions in such a manner that the vote of each member is ascertained and recorded. Minutes and decisions reached in nonpublic session shall be publicly disclosed within 72 hours of the meeting, unless, by recorded vote of 2/3 of the members present taken in public session, it is determined that divulgence of the information likely would affect adversely the reputation of any person other than a member of the public body itself, or render the proposed action ineffective, or pertain to terrorism, more specifically, to matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life. This shall include training to carry out such functions. In the event of such circumstances, information may be withheld until, in the opinion of a majority of members, the aforesaid circumstances no longer apply.
Revised: July 1998, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 First Reading by WSB July 19, 2012 Second Reading by WSB August 16, 2012 Revised: May 2012 Approved by WSB August 16, 2012 Reviewed and Approved by WSB 10/19/2017
