Plainfield School Board
Retreat Minutes
8/14/06

 

Meeting was opened at 4:15 P.M.

Principal Langsner reported the return of the use of the camera on the bus used for the high school run (approved on 9/11/00). This camera is automatically turned on when the bus is on. It cannot be turned off for the elementary run.

 

Discussed progress on School Board Goals for the 05-06 School Year and Goals for 06-07.

1. Curriculum- After reviewing policy IF, the Board discussed their role in the curriculum process as being one of approving curriculum changes. Principal Langsner will bring the curriculum revision schedule and draft of the process to the Board at a meeting in September. Ways to involve the community in this process were discussed, including curriculum information nights and inviting a parent to serve on curriculum committees.

The Board will review and discuss approval of the Technology and Health Guidance Curriculum this year. The curriculum review process will become a School Board goal for 06-07.

 

Changes in the junior high schedule were reviewed. Given the need to have teachers who are highly qualified, we no longer have as much flexibility in staffing and scheduling. As a result, there will not be an AP math class in grade 7. There is a new math program in grade 7 that will be rigorous enough for the most capable students. The junior high will also have mandatory study skills classes for students at risk for academic failure (C- or below in any subject).

 

2. Strategic plan: The repairs and upgrading of the ventilation systems is underway. There is a plan in place to vent the attic and insulate specific areas. The sewer project work will begin soon with the trench through the parking lot occurring before school begins. The engineer for the river project has been out. We have a grant for work up to $12,000. We will have to pay 25% of the cost.

 

The facilities committee is working on getting hard numbers attached to the work they are recommending for presentation to the community. It was noted that the sprinkler system is to be part of this plan. It would make sense to link projects together for optimum costs (eg. sprinkler and insulation). Hosting public information nights for various constituents was discussed as a way to inform voters about the physical plant needs. The possible use of a bond to finance physical plant needs was discussed as an option to present to voters.

 

A facilities improvement plan will need to continue as a 06-07 goal.

 

3. Administrative needs of the school were discussed. The Board needs to do a better job of informing the public of the need for an Assistant Principal. Other administrative needs might need to be considered in the area of finance. Superintendent Collins and Principal Langsner will present the principal’s job description to the board at a scheduled meeting and discuss what is a struggle to get done in the current configuration. The Board determined that this will be a 06-07 goal.

 

4. The Board’s policy manual was largely revised and updated last year. Each year there will be new policies to consider. Discussion about whether this should remain a goal or just become a natural part of the work of the board.

 

5. The Board considered ways to improve communication with the community as a new goal. Certainly the School Profile will be updated and distributed again. The Board discussed the need for informational sessions regarding the process of negotiation and the negotiated settlement in addition to the previously mentioned meetings about facilities. Communication with the public will become a goal for 06-07. The first informational session about the negotiation process is scheduled for Sept. 25th and will be presented by Ted Comstock from the NH School Board Association.

 

6. The town has not come forward with a plan for combining town and school recreation so there was no action on the last goal for the 05-06 year. This may need to continue to need to be a goal given the recent death of the Recreation Director.

 

7. The Board discussed the negotiations process and issues  including using a professional negotiator. The cost of this was estimated to be between $10,000 and $15,000 for the professional contract only with additional funds needed to negotiate the support staff contract. The discussion centered around the notion that the negotiator would need to be able to save the District 20% in order to make this option financially feasible.

 

8. Also discussed was the District’s role in Charter Schools. Supt. Collins will provide information to Board members.

 

The Board approved and signed the Annual Financial Reports DOE 25 and MS 25.

 

Adjourned at 8:20.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ellen Langsner

Acting Recording Secretary