Lyme School District
Regular School Board Meeting
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Meeting Minutes
approved as is 10/22/09
Board Members Present: Audrey Brown, Emily Dentzer, Peter Glenshaw,
Daniel Parish, Mark Schiffman. Staff Members Present: Gordon Schnare,
Jeff Valence; 3 public attendees. Recorded by R. Lohr
1. Call to Order
Chair Schiffman called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
2. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made and seconded (Glenshaw, Brown) to approve the
Lyme School Board non-public meeting minutes for May 28, 2009,
as submitted. The motion was passed unanimously.
A motion was made and seconded (Parish, Glenshaw) to approve the
Lyme School Board Public Hearing Meeting minutes for July 30,
2009, as submitted and amended. The motion was passed unanimously.
The change to the meeting attendees included Dentzer and Schiffman,
instead of Semple-Barta and Brown.
A motion was made and seconded (Glenshaw, Dentzer) to approve
the Lyme School Board non-public meeting minutes for July 30,
2009, as submitted and amended. The motion was passed unanimously.
The change to the meeting attendees included Dentzer and Schiffman,
instead of Semple-Barta and Brown. The name of the organization
that donated funds to the language program is the Lyme Innovation
for Education Fund.
A motion was made and seconded (Parish, Brown) to approve the
Lyme School Board regular meeting minutes for August 27, 2009,
as submitted and amended. The motion was passed with 4 in favor
and one abstention (Glenshaw). On item 4 second section, change
wording to, “Kate Semple Barta is the Board representative
to the Wellness Committee, which is looking at…”
A motion was made and seconded (Dentzer, Brown) to approve the
Lyme School Board non-public meeting minutes for August 27, 2009,
as submitted. The motion was passed with 4 in favor and one abstention
(Glenshaw).
3. Communications and Reports
A. Chair’s Report:
Chair Schiffman reviewed the meeting that was held with the Budget
Committee and he distributed a document that was explained to
the Budget Committee about School District Appropriations and
Revenues. The committee discussed budget guidelines and enrollment,
the current CPI, and the how the tax impact is computed for the
town and school district. There is concern that this year’s
nearly $300,000 budget surplus, which will precipitate a tax decrease
will substantially cause a whiplash effect increase to the following
year’s tax rate. The town was asked to not apply its own
fund balance this year so that it can be used to soften the expected
tax whiplash in the following year. The Budget Committee expects
a flat school budget proposal and it expressed concern about future
funding of the school’s new language program.
B. Superintendent’s Report:
The Superintendent distributed the FY 2010 Revenue Report and
Expenditure Summary documents and reviewed the details. A $27,585
surplus is projected and this will be a very small amount compared
to previous years, so expenses are closely being watched.
The Food Service is feeling the impact of a decrease in enrollment
and a change in the payment system, which requires that lunch
money be prepaid. There are about 10 fewer lunches being sold.
A request for $7,500 has been made with a local foundation to
help pay for school lunches.
It was also reported that the auditors are currently reviewing
the financial records for last year.
C. Principal’s Report
Principal Valence reported that enrollment has increased with
two new students and there are two additional prospective new
students. He outlined the planning and school activity related
to the H1N1 virus.
D. Committee Reports
The Personnel Committee expects to report at the October Board
meeting.
The new Thetford Academy Board Lyme Representative member Tom
Yurkosky relayed a report to Chair Schiffman regarding the impact
of fewer students at the school (TA). The Board discussed factors
involved in student/family decisions about high school selection.
4. Business Requiring Discussion
Plan for the Future
The Board discussed the need for a strategy to consider options
for building expansion to accommodate 200 or more students. It
was decided that an Ad Hoc Committee would begin considering how
to address the situation if enrollment required more than one
additional class of students at the Lyme School. Audrey Brown
volunteered to serve on this committee and it was suggested that
a former board member would be useful to participate with the
committee. The committee would look at other schools that have
planned for expansion and it would also look at historical Lyme
School enrollment statistics. It was stated that there were now
more rental residences available in Lyme and that 28 houses are
currently for sale.
Budget Guidelines
Chair Schiffman stated that the budget guidance topic was already
covered by the Board and that alternative budget scenarios will
be developed for the Board to consider.
Bus Transportation
Superintendent Schnare stated that he has received multiple calls
about the bus transportation this year including ride times, pick-up
and drop-off times, rides for students that live less than one
mile from the school, and an inquiry from Crossroads Academy.
The Board discussed the fairness issue related to ride times and
policy/discretion about whether the bus routes should be changed
to respond to the calls. The Superintendent will consider the
requests on a case-by-case basis.
5. Non-Public Session
A motion was made and seconded (Glenshaw, Dentzer) to enter non-public
session in accordance with RSA 91-A3 ll (c) for discussion of
matters relating to personnel and pupils. The motion was passed
unanimously. The roll call was conducted and the Board entered
nonpublic session at 9:18 PM. The roll call was conducted. Present
were Brown, Dentzer, Parish, Schiffman, Schnare, and Valence.
6. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded (Brown, Parish). The
motion was passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30
PM.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 22,
2009 at 7:00 PM.
