Official

CANDIA SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Thursday – January 7, 2010 – 7:00 P.M.

Henry W. Moore School – Media Center

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Edward R. Caito called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Pledge of Allegiance

ATTENDANCE
School Board Members: Chairman Ed Caito, Ingrid Byrd, Deb LeBlond, Melissa Madden
and Karen Smith.
SAU Staff: Superintendent Dr. Charles (Phil) Littlefield, Assistant Superintendent Marge
Polak, and Business Administrator Karen Lessard.
School Staff: Principal, Bob St. Cyr, Assistant Principal, Angela Markley and Director of
Student Services, Becky Forrestall.

PROOF OF POSTING
Dr. Littlefield provided proof of posting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of Candia School Board Meeting of November 5, 2009
I. Byrd motioned to approve the minutes of November 5, 2009. Seconded by M. Madden.
I. Byrd requested that the addendum provided be attached as part of the minutes.
Vote unanimously in favor as amended.

Minutes of Candia School Board Meeting of December 3, 2009

I. Byrd motioned to approve the minutes of December 3, 2009. Seconded by M. Madden.
Vote unanimously in favor as amended.

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

Emily Roster asked if the decision to remove the Foreign Language was an SAU wide
decision or a Candia only decision.

P. Littlefield stated that the decision was Candia only and the decision was tied to school size
and student achievements. Candia currently has 42 minutes of Language Arts and Math per
day while the other districts have one (1) hour or 60 minutes per day. That equates to 1 year
less of instruction in Candia. The intent wasn’t to eliminate Spanish but to level the field of
instruction. The Virtual Learning Academy will be available to students who want to pursue
foreign language.
Chairman Caito clearly stated that all additional instructional time acquired as a result of
the elimination of the Foreign Language program shall be added to Language Arts and Math
only.

A. Markley stated that a scheduling committee is being formed to look at the school schedule as a
whole and should be complete by April.

OLD BUSINESS
Reports of the Administrators

Reports of Standing Committees - Budget Committee, NHSBA, SERESC, Manchester HS

M. Madden reported that the Budget Committee voted to recommend the Budget.

Follow-up with Mayor Gatsas regarding high school issues

Chairman Caito stated that there will be a meeting in Hooksett, January 8th with Mayor Gatsas
to discuss High School options. Manchester’s contract requires:
Healthy Safe Environment
Approval from the New Hampshire Department of Education
Must remain accredited
The concerns are with State approvals and the regular ed. class sizes.
Meeting Issues:
• Individual members may be asked to participate on subcommittees.
• The Board does not want to reopen the contract.
There is discussion regarding moving all students to West High School

Regular Education Transportation – Karen Lessard

K. Lessard stated that Hooksett and Auburn School Districts have accepted the three (3) year
extended contract for the Transportation leaving Candia alone to go out for bid. K. Lessard’s
recommendation was to approve the extended contract with the current bus company.
(Goffstown Trucking)

E. Caito suggested an annual review be conducted on the bus company’s performance.

I. Byrd motioned to work with the current bus company to achieve the best agreement
possible and not go out to bid. Seconded by D. LeBlond.

K. Smith noted that the contract should specify the concerns with personnel and be reflective
of the working relation desired by the district.

Vote unanimously in favor.

Warrant Articles
M. Madden motioned to accept Warrant Article 2, 3, 4, and 5 as written. Seconded by I.
Byrd.
Vote unanimously in favor.
Assignment of Warrant Articles at the Deliberative Session
Article 2 – M. Madden
Article 3 – I. Byrd
Article 4 and 5 – E. Caito

NEW BUSINESS
Ron Thomas, School District Moderator
Ron Thomas reviewed the procedure for the January 30th, 2010 School District Deliberative
Session. There are five (5) Warrant Articles, which can be amended by the floor and/or the
School Board members. There is currently a vacancy for School District Clerk and someone
will be needed to prepare the ballot.

Essential Instructional Block – Update – R. St.Cyr

A written report was provided.
The Board requested a measurement of the effectiveness of the program.
B. St.Cyr stated that since the program is different each year, it is difficult to measure
specifics but rather general data may be presented.

New Hampshire Scholars Initiative Program - R. St.Cyr

Table by the Board to February 11, 2010.

School Calendar 2010-2011 – Draft

The Board discussed options for the 2010-2011 school calendar.
P. Littlefield noted that with the NECAP test coming in October, it is important to get an early
start date so that students may be better prepared.

Dave Fischer, resident, urged the Board to solicit parent, teacher and community input prior to
making any major policy changes like removing April Vacation.

The Board discussed the following proposed Candia School District Calendar:
Start Date: August 30th, 2010 (Monday)
No School: September 3rd, 2010 (Friday)
No School: September 5th, 2010 (Monday) Labor Day
No School: October 1, 2010 (Friday) Teacher Workshop
No School: October 11th, 2010 (Monday) Columbus Day
No School: November 2nd, 2010 (Tuesday) Teacher Workshop/Conferences
No School: November 11, 2010 (Thursday) Veterans Day
No School: November 24th, 25th, 26th, 2010 (Wed., Thurs., Fri.) Thanksgiving Break
No School: December 24th, – January 2nd, 2011 Christmas Break
No School: January 17th, 2011 (Monday) Civil Rights Day
No School: February 22nd, 2011 – February 27th, 2011 Winter Break
No School: April 25th, 2011 – May 1, 2011 Spring Break
No School: May 30th, 2011 (Monday) Memorial Day
Last Day School Students: June 15th, 2011
The schedule will be posted on the school’s website.

Tabled by the Board until February 11, 2010

Telephone/Data Vendor Conversion – Karen Lessard

K. Lessard requested the Board approve a change from the current T-1 phone lines to
Broadband which can save the district $800-$900 per month.

D. LeBlond motioned to approve the change from T-1 to Broadband as presented by K.

Lessard. Seconded by M. Madden.
Vote unanimously in favor.

FINANCE/OPERATIONS
Review of Expenditure Manifest and Action Relating Thereto - Karen Lessard

D. LeBlond motioned to approve the manifest for $553,028.98. Seconded by K. Smith.

Vote unanimously in favor.

Budget Adjustments - Karen Lessard

Adjustments were presented for:
Down shift in retirement
Dental coverage change
Special Ed. Equipment from Psychologist salary line

I. Byrd motioned to approve the budget adjustments as presented. Seconded by M. Madden.

Vote unanimously in favor

POLICIES
DJE - 2nd Reading/Adoption
I. Byrd motioned to adopt policy DJE as presented. Seconded by K. Smith.
Vote unanimously in favor

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Student Enrollment Report – (passed out at meeting)

ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA – Edward R. Caito

A. Policies – 1st Reading/Review
B. Calendar
C. Busing/regarding performance
D. Teacher evaluation process
E. NH Scholars Initiative Program

ADJOURNMENT
I. Byrd motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 pm. Seconded by D. LeBlond.
Vote unanimously in favor.
The next regularly scheduled Candia School Board Meeting is Thursday, February 11,
2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Henry W. Moore School

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Ann Moynihan