PLAINFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
Plainfield School Board Meeting
Monday, May 7, 2007
Plainfield Elementary School
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 pm. Present were Board members Reynolds, Ferguson and Cogan. Also present were Superintendent Collins, Principal Langsner, and members of the public.
Announcements, Communications
Carin Reynolds read a letter from Steve Beaupré that he wrote after he filled in for Principal Langsner while she was out on medical leave. He expressed concern over safety in the parking lot and mentioned the work that volunteer Bob Jordan has put in this year to create order from the chaos. He also expressed concern that all the Plainfield school buses do not have radios with the same frequency as the school radio.
Carin Reynolds also reported that she participated in the recent Career Day and felt it was a complete success.
Consent Agenda
A. Minutes April 2, 2007
Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the April 2, 2007 meeting.
B. Nominations
Superintendent Collins reported that he received letters of resignation from Martha Redpath and Laurel Hall. No action was necessary.
Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted unanimously to accept the following nominations:
Fifth Grade Advisors Robyn Hadlock, Laurie Atwater, Kate Mortimer
Reports
A. Principal’s Report – Principal Langsner reported that the first stage of the Putnam Playground has been completed. She commended Lisa Pixley and Scott MacLeay for the volunteer time and effort they have put into the project. She said the equipment for the younger children has been delayed but should be installed before the school year ends. There will be an official playground opening ceremony on Friday, May 11 from 6 – 8 pm.
Langsner also reported that the dugouts on the softball field in front of the building should be completed by the end of the week.
Langsner met with staff recently to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the junior high program and she has scheduled a parent meeting for Wednesday, May 16 to discuss it further.
Principal Langsner reported that interviews for the fifth grade teaching position have been completed and narrowed down to two candidates. She expects the hiring committee will make a decision tomorrow. The hiring committee for the 7/8 teaching position was disappointed when several good candidates withdrew. They may run another ad for this position. Langsner reported that there is only one candidate for the Speech Therapist opening and there are several candidates for the part-time Physical Education teacher, although some lost interest when they found out the position was for an afternoon teacher, not morning.
Langsner reported that the junior high staff discussed graduation with the eighth graders, gathering knowledge of student’s likes and dislikes of the ceremony. She also reported that the new vision and hearing screening devices have been received. Funds for these were raised partially through a Lion’s Club fundraiser and partially through private donations.
Langsner told the Board that a Plainfield School teacher has been selected to receive the local Walmart “Teacher of the Year” Award. This is quite an honor, as it is an unsolicited award. Langsner will announce the winner at the Spelling Bee on Thursday, May 31. The recipient can choose to compete at the state level for further recognition.
B. Superintendent’s Report – Superintendent Collins reported that the bond application has been completed and submitted along with information from the school and town for our bond counsel.
Collins reported that the Circus Camp can’t be held at the school this year due to the sprinkler installation work. PTA representatives have asked Kimball Union Academy for use of their gym for the program. They are working on an agreement with KUA, but KUA is requesting proof of insurance. Last summer the camp was run under the school insurance policy. The situation with the camp at KUA is slightly different because last summer the insurance company felt confident that school personnel were constantly monitoring the camp because of its location on the school campus. Collins said he will wait to see the exact request from KUA and then he will check with the insurance company. He will get back to the Board.
C. Committee Reports
Facilities Committee – Superintendent Collins has the draft contract with Superior Fire Protection for the sprinkler project. Doug Cogan will read it over. Collins explained that none of the bidders for the sprinkler project included a Performance Bond, which is an additional $2800. Collins reported that Bob Cummins feels that Superior Fire Protection is a strong company and that a performance bond is unnecessary and that Mike Higgins could go either way on the question. Collins felt that $2800 is well within the budget and that a performance bond is a prudent idea. After some discussion, the Board reached a consensus to require a performance bond from Superior Fire Protection.
Superintendent Collins also said he needs to appoint an owner representative for the sprinkler project. He prefers to appoint Bill Fleming. Principal Langsner explained that Fleming will be on vacation for three weeks this summer. The Board agreed that Collins should appoint Bill Fleming and find someone to fill in while he is on vacation.
Collins explained that there is still an issue with the ceiling and the sprinkler installation in one section of the hallway. He warned that it may be necessary to install a new drop ceiling in the area in question before the sprinklers are installed.
Collins reported that the insulation work will not be started now until after the sprinkler system is installed. He spoke with the auditor and received permission to encumber the money until the fall, when they will begin the work. He explained that Thom Lappin has been hired to do the carpentry work associated with the insulation project, with the housing for the sprinkler tree and with the recommended egress windows and doors required for fire safety.
The Board and the Superintendent discussed the pros and cons of painting the wood walls with the life-time certified “No Burn” paint as opposed to other brands that are not certified. Board member Cogan felt it will be difficult to find a local painter available to apply the other options this summer. Principal Langsner was concerned with the limited color options. She would also like to see a five-year paint schedule implemented. Collins is checking into the possibility of pastel options for the “No Burn” paint.
Principal Langsner expressed concern that teachers are going to have a difficult time getting their rooms packed up in an organized manner before the school year is over. She is trying to find the best day to bring in volunteers to assist them.
Nutrition Committee – Board member Ferguson reported that work on the garden will start this Saturday and a sign up sheet for summer garden work will be available soon.
Business for Discussion and/or Action
A. District Clerk
Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted unanimously to appoint Stephanie Berman as the District Clerk.
B. Policy Revisions, First Reading: JHCC and JHCC-R (Communicable Diseases); JLCD and JLCD-R (Administering Medicines to Students)
Superintendent Collins reported that the school nurse, Karen Heaton, has looked over these policies and her suggestions have been incorporated into the policies. The Board discussed different options to make it easier for parents to obtain a doctor’s signature for prescription medications. Options were: put a copy of form JLCD-R in the Student Handbook, on the school website and in local doctor offices; print the form regularly in the school newsletter. These policies were passed on for a second reading.
C. 2007-2008 District Meeting Date
Discussion was tabled because not all Board members were present.
Non Public Session
Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted unanimously to go into non-public session pursuant to NH RSA 91-A:3, II (a) at 7:57 pm. Discussions of renominations for SAU staff, the Board Recording Clerk and the Principal took place.
Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board voted unanimously to go back into public session at 9:04 pm.
Upon a motion made and seconded, the School Board approved unanimously to offer contracts for the 2007-2008 school year to the members of the SAU staff, as presented, with the addition of Russell Collins as Superintendent; to approve a contract for the Board Recording Clerk and compensation for the second year of the Principal’s two-year contract.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Annette Moore
Recording Clerk