Lyme School District
Organizational and Regular School Board Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 2008
Meeting Minutes
Approved w/changes 3/27/08

Board Members Present: Peter Glenshaw, Audrey Brown, Kevin Kerin, Kathy McGowan, Dan Parish, Mark Schiffman. Staff Members Present: Gordon Schnare on phone, Jeff Valence, Steven Dayno, and Helen Skelly; Recorder: Roger Lohr

1. Call to Order The regular Lyme School Board meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Board Chair Peter Glenshaw.

2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made and seconded (Parish, Kerin) to approve the minutes from the January 24, 2008 Lyme School Board Meeting, as submitted with amendments. The motion was passed unanimously. The change on item 3B in the fourth sentence was to add that the food service is currently at a $4,100 deficit; on item 3D in the first section, it was 60 percent of the total town taxes, and that percentage has declined; in item 4 with regard to the Thetford Academy it was noted that the renovation will be done in two major phases.

A motion was made and seconded (McGowan, Brown) to approve the minutes from the January 24, 2008 Lyme School Board Non Public Meeting, as submitted. The motion was passed unanimously.

3. Communications and Reports
A. Chair Report: Chair Glenshaw announced that candidates for open board positions have been found for the election and he thanked Kevin Kerin for successfully working on that objective. It was suggested that the Board needs to initiate the effort to seek prospective Board members at an earlier date and that it should focus on encouraging more parents of students in the school to serve and have a voice in school business.

The Board also discussed the tax impact of the planned county jail and town offices. It was felt that the Board should encourage residents to become more informed about the school and its budget.

B. Superintendent’s Report:
Superintendent Schnare reported that the school’s financial status is going well because of lower high school tuition and special education costs. The food service did well in January, which is usually the best month for the food service. The service is projected to be about an $8,000 deficit for the year. There were $29,000 of gifts and contributions for the school this year and the Superintendent thanked Principal Valence for his role in securing those contributions. The Superintendent also reviewed the Proposed Revenue Budget.

C. Committee Reports
Kathy McGowan discussed the recent Budget Committee meeting. The Warrant Articles related to financial matters were approved and a two thirds majority will be required to pass the articles by ballot. The Committee showed interest in moving forward on developing a Strategic Plan for the Town. Superintendent Schnare will archive Ms. McGowan’s school budget plan for future use. At the Budget Committee meeting there was discussion of the special education transportation budget ($32,000). It was explained to the Committee and is expected to be discussed at the town meetings. It was also suggested that the Lyme School Board meet with representatives of the Dresden School Board prior to the town meetings regarding the Lyme High School tuition.

4. Business Requiring Discussion
The Board discussed holding another school budget forum for the community and scheduled it for Thursday, February 28. A telephone campaign will be initiated by the Board members and they will contact the student parents to invite and implore attendance at the school district meeting. The PTO will also be asked to help encourage people to come to the School District Meeting and vote. It was suggested that this campaign be planned to immediately follow the school break.

It is expected that there will be a $30,000 increase in the teachers’ pension in next year’s budget.

5. Business Requiring Action
The Board discussed the non-resident tuition student admission and readmission policy and made some changes to the policy. It was suggested that payments would be expected with 25 percent down, 50 percent in the first semester (October), and 25 percent in the last semester. There would not be refunds if a tuition student left the school during the year, and if a tuition student was dismissed from school, the tuition paid would be forfeited.

A motion was made and seconded (Schiffman, Kerin) to adopt Policy JFAB, on Admission of Non-Resident Pupils, as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes with amendments. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made and seconded (McGowan, Parish) to adopt Policy JIC, Student Conduct, as proposed and attached to the original meeting minutes with amendments. The motion passed unanimously.

It was mentioned that there is a need to update the policies register on the school web site. Additionally, it has been suggested that the Strategic Plan should include recognizing the value of school volunteers.

Principal Valence reviewed the new rule regarding electronic devices and the Board expressed support for the rule.
The Warrant Articles were signed by the Board members.

6. Non Public Session
A motion was made and seconded (Glenshaw, Parish) to enter nonpublic session in accordance with RSA 91-A3 ll (c) for discussion of matters relating to personnel and pupils. The motion passed unanimously. The Board roll call was conducted and the Board entered nonpublic session at 8:25 PM. The board returned to Public Session at 8:40 PM (Glenshaw, Parish). No action was taken in Non Public Session.

7. Adjournment: There was a motion and approval to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 PM. (Brown, McGowan). The motion passed unanimously.

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 7:00 PM. The Annual School District Meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2008 at 7:00 PM.