EPSOM SCHOOL BOARD
EPSOM CENTRAL SCHOOL
EPSOM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015 – 6:00 P.M. ~ Public Hearing Immediately Following
Board Members: Dave Cummings, Bill Yeaton, Tim Riel, Gordon Ellis, Mike Wiggett (arrived 7:45 pm)
Superintendent of Schools: Gail Paludi
Principal: Patrick Connors
Assistant Principal: Jonathan Herod
Board Secretary (substitute): Sandra Pfaff
Staff/Citizens:
Karen Guercia Linda Valley
Tracy Duffy Lynne Graham
Maryann Zirngiebel Rebecca Powers
Lucie Nyenkamp-Weeks Jan Santosuosso
Claire Neily
Stephen Neily
Gina Neily
Amber Wheeler
1. Call to Order – Mr. Cummings called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Karen Guercia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting – The Board reviewed the minutes from the meeting that took
place on September 1, 2015. A motion was made by Mr. Yeaton to accept the minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riel. Mr. Yeaton: AYE, Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Ellis: Aye, Mr. Cummings: AYE. The motion passed.
4. Immediate Business
A. A motion was made by Dave Cummings and seconded by Tim Riel to go into non-public session at 6:10 p.m. under NHRSA 91-A:3, II, c. Roll Call vote: Mr. Cummings: AYE, Mr. Ellis: AYE, Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Yeaton: AYE. The motion passed.
A Manifest Educational Hardship hearing was held.
A motion was made by Dave Cummings and seconded by Tim Riel to come out of non-public session at 6:45 p.m.. under NHRSA 91-A:3, II, c. Roll Call vote: Mr. Cummings: AYE, Mr. Ellis: AYE, Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Yeaton: AYE. The motion passed.
B. Agenda Review – Mr. Cummings reviewed the evening's agenda. The second grade curriculum discussion was moved to follow the student presentation.
C. Citizens’/Staff – None.
D./G. Student Presentation/Curriculum Presentation – Mr. Herod introduced Mrs. Graham, Ms. Powers, and Mrs. Valley as they discussed the Second Grade Curriculum. Pretests and post- tests are used as part of the mathematics groups. Animals are a major focus during grade two learning about their needs and survival including bird and animal tracks. Penguins are also researched with an end of the school year ocean habitat field trip. Students presenting penguin reports included Owen Joubert, Spencer Conway, Eowyn Lehrhaupt, Jessica Drew and Samantha Ellsworth. The other major field trips include Webster Park, Epsom Library, and Epson Fire Department.
E. Administrators’ Report – Mr. Connors reported about the budget meeting with the annual report
card. Mr. Connors and Dr. Paludi attended the meeting. There was a breakfast for students who worked on IXL in summer. The PTO will have a trailer that they donated near the back hut along with ink, uniforms, books, and other items. The trailer will store supplies for the Haunted House as well as all supplies they purchased for the school. Progress reports will go out on October 23rd. A list of Constitution Day activities was presented as well as a discussion about the flag ceremony from POW/MIA day, September 18th, with the Elwood O. Wells Post 112. Mr. Ellis suggested members of the Board should participate in the Enterprise City process. He found it very worthwhile.
F. Retirement Request – Mr. Connors presented the letter from Carol Verity requesting option two for retirement at the close of 2017-2018. Two staff will be retiring at the end of 2018. Tim Riel made a motion, seconded by Mr. Yeaton to approve this request of early retirement option two. Mr. Yeaton: AYE, Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Ellis: AYE, Mr. Cummings: AYE. The motion passed.
5. Old/Unfinished Business
A. FY 16 Budget Update – Mr. Connors reported we are still on a budget freeze based on unanticipated changes.
B. Policy
· EB/JLI - Safety Program (2nd Reading)
A motion was made by Gordon Ellis to accept policy EB/JLI and seconded by Bill Yeaton. All in favor: Bill Yeaton: AYE , Gordon Ellis: AYE, David Cummings: AYE, Tim Riel: AYE. The motion passed.
· EEAA – Video and Audio Surveillance on School Property (2nd Reading)
A motion was made byTim Riel to accept policy EEAA and seconded by Gordon Ellis.
All in favor: Gordon Ellis: AYE, Bill Yeaton: AYE, Tim Riel: AYE, Dave Cummings: AYE. The motion passed.
· EFA – Availability and Distribution of Healthy Foods (2nd Reading)
A motion was made by Bill Yeaton to accept policy EFA and seconded by Gordon Ellis.
All in favor: Godon Ellis: AYE, Bill Yeaton: NAY, Tim Riel: AYE, Dave Cummings: AYE. The motion passed.
· IHAM – Health Education and Exemption from Instruction (2nd Reading)
Dr. Paludi reported this policy allows an option for parents to opt out if parents do not want their child to participate in a particular unit. Discussion ensued regarding the wording of the policy. Several changes were suggested.
A motion was made to move policy IHAM to a third reading by Mr. Yeaton, and seconded by Gordon Ellis. Vote: Gordon Ellis: NAY, Bill Yeaton: AYE, Tim Riel: AYE, Dave Cummings: AYE. The motion passed.
· JLIA – Release of Students (2nd Reading)
A discussion took place about the draft policy. Dr. Paludi suggested follow up with a written note, text or email will be accepted with a parent authorizing dismissal of a child.
A motion was made to accept the policy by Tim Riel and seconded by Bill Yeaton.
Vote: Gordon Ellis: ABSTAINED, Bill Yeaton: AYE, Tim Riel: AYE, Dave Cummings: AYE. The motion passed.
6. Other Business: Oil tank removal costs were discussed. Gordon suggested looking at Monday’s Concord Monitor for the cost of BTU’s chart. A discussion about bids took place. Mr. Ellis will get bids for oil, Mr. Riel will get bids for wood and Mr. Yeaton will get bids for propane. These bids will be discussed at the next meeting.
Mr. Riel would like to stop mowing on this Monday the 12th and Mr. Riel will be in touch as to when to resume. Mr. Connors will contact the landscaping company.
There is a leak of antifreeze on the tractor. Mr. Riel will look at tractor and repair if necessary.
A. Agenda Preparation – Mr. Cummings prepared the agenda for the next meeting.
B. Citizens’/Staff Comments – Tracy Duffy asked about Science testing for 4th and 8th grade.
C. Nominations/Resignations - None
PUBLIC HEARING: To discuss policy EEAA – Video and Audio Surveillance on School Property
At 7:53 p.m., a motion was made to enter a public hearing session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riel. Roll Call: Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Cummings: AYE, Mr. Yeaton: AYE, Mr. Wiggett: AYE, Mr. Ellis: AYE. The motion passed.
Approve the use of recording equipment for the 2015-2016 school year. Asked if recording were recorded all the time. Including for classroom. Closed at 7:59 p.m.
7. Non-Public Session – NH RSA 91-A:3, II., c.
A motion was made to go into non-public session at 7:59 p.m. by Mr. Cummings and seconded by Mr. Riel. Roll Call: Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Cummings: AYE, Mr. Yeaton: AYE, Mr. Wiggett: AYE, Mr. Ellis: AYE. The motion passed.
A personnel matter was discussed.
At 8:02 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Cummings to come out of non-public session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riel. Roll Call: Mr. Riel: AYE, Mr. Cummings: AYE, Mr. Yeaton: AYE, Mr. Wiggett: AYE, Mr. Ellis: AYE. The motion passed.
Mr. Cummings reported no action was taken during non-public session.
8. Informational Items – There were none.
9. Adjournment – At 8:04 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Yeaton to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Riel. All were in favor. The motion passed.
Next Scheduled Meeting: November 3, 2015 ~ 6:00 P.M. ~ Epsom Central School
Citation for entering Non-Public Session: NH RSA 91-A:3, II (a) The dismissal, promotion, compensation or disciplining of an employee, or the investigation of any charges against him/her. (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 Board. (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property. (e) Consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation. (j) Consideration of confidential, commercial, or financial information that is exempt from public disclosure under RSA 91-A:5