PLAINFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Plainfield School Board Meeting

Monday, February 4, 2008

Plainfield Elementary School

MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 6:36 pm. Present were Board members Reynolds, Ferguson, Forman and Bucklin. Also present were Superintendent Collins and members of the public.

Public Comments

Community member Dennis Girouard asked the Board to explain again what the proposed new tractor would be used for.  Superintendent Collins outlined the functions the tractor would have. Board member Ferguson explained how the tractor price from Town Line Equipment was derived.

Announcements, Communications

Board Chair Reynolds told the Board she will speak with a reporter from the Spectator tomorrow but she is not sure what he wants to ask her.

Consent Agenda

A. Minutes January28, 2008

Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted 3 in favor, one abstention to accept the minutes of the January 28, 2008.

Reports

A. Superintendent’s Report

Collins reported the following:

·         NECAP scores for math and reading are good but the scores for writing are down. Principal Langsner will address this further at the next meeting.

·         The Town Report has gone to the printer.

·         The Superintendent has compiled a packet of information on grants from the workshop he attended recently for Board members to review if they wish. The Board discussed grant money and possibly finding out how Plainfield School grants compare to grants received by comparable area schools. They indicated that it would be useful to discuss how grant writing might be included in the new administrative structure because of the measurable payback. Board member Bucklin cautioned that grants are given to add something that you don’t already have and that they are  not given to offset things that exist in your budget so when the grant money is gone, the school either has to find a way to continue funding the program or discontinue the program.

·         The Audit Report was given to the Board. Collins asked them to review it and let him know if they have questions concerning it.

·         Collins will publicize the hearing date for SB2 and he gave the Board a sample of the SB2 timeline for the budget process. He indicated that the Board would need to have a budget in place earlier in the year if Plainfield became an SB2 school.

Business for Discussion and/or Action

A.    Preparation for District Meeting

The Board outlined which member would nominate an article and which member would second, as follows:

Article 1, nominated by Bucklin, seconded by Reynolds

Article 2, nominated by Reynolds, seconded by Forman

Article 3, nominated by Forman, seconded by Ferguson

Article 4, nominated by Ferguson, seconded by Cogan

Article 5, nominated by Cogan, seconded by Bucklin

Article 6, nominated by Bucklin, seconded by Reynolds

Article 7, nominated by Reynolds, seconded by Bucklin

Superintendent Collins reported that Joan Nierenberg from his office will be out on medical leave starting the first of March. He would like to get any special requests for information for the District meeting to her as soon as possible. The Board discussed the logistics of using a slide presentation instead of paper copies. They also discussed the pros and cons of each method.

Board member Forman reviewed his plans for presenting the need for adding an Assistant Principal, outlining what arguments he plans to use.

B.     NH SBA’s Request

Superintendent Collins said he made some calls to gather further information about the lawsuit against the State of NH for expected and realized increases in the Teacher Retirement System. He said the answer to his question of whether or not the $329.55 fee was a one-time fee was vague. The Board was interested in knowing what Steve Halleran and the town were planning to do. Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted unanimously to approve a one-time contribution of $329.55 to join the NH Municipal Association in litigation against the additional retirement costs imposed by the State of NH.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Annette Moore

Recording Clerk