SAU #35 EXECUTIVE BOARD                                                          DATE: MARCH 5, 2008

SAU CENTRAL OFFICE                                                                     TIME:  5:30 PM

262 COTTAGE STREET

LITTLETON, NH 03561

MINUTES

PRESENT:      Chairman James Payette; Board Members Barry Liveston, Tina Peabody, Ollie Cole, Mary Beaudin; Business Administrator Sally Waterhouse.

Chairman Payette called the Board meeting to order at 5:35 PM.

PUBLIC INPUT – None

MOTION BY OLLIE COLE, SECONDED BY BARRY LIVESTON TO APPROVE THE MINUTESOF THE FEBRUARY 6, 2008 MEETING AS WRITTEN. The following corrections were requested:

            Page 3, paragraph 3, line 1 should read . . . attention to the excerpt. . .

            Page 3, paragraph 6, line 2 should read . . . reviewed all scores . . .

ALL IN FAVOR WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED CORRECTIONS, MOTION CARRIED.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Manifests were distributed for Board review and approval.

Business Administrator Sally Waterhouse distributed copies of the Financial Report for Board information and review noting that the current projected year end balance is $16,299.28. There has been little change from the prior reporting period.

Business Administrator Sally Waterhouse distributed copies of the School Funding Proposal currently before the legislature for Board information and review. The reflects the new formula devised by a legislative committee which would guarantee at least $3,400 for every student with extra funds for those enrolled in ESL and special education students. The attached chart shows what each of our districts currently receives and what the change would be. This formula brings back donor towns and appears to most parties to be a step backward. A brief discussion ensued.

The elimination of the conference room and storage facility along with the additional basement storage was briefly discussed. The actual savings per district for the upcoming year was distributed for Board information and review. This will be addressed at the April meeting.

SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION SUMMARY

Copies were e-mailed to all Executive Board members prior to the meeting. This will be discussed in Non-Public session.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

It was noted that Superintendent Low is out of town and not in attendance at tonight’s meeting. His written report was included in the members’ agenda packets for their review and information.

FORMULA CHANGE REQUEST

Chairman Payette distributed copies of a communication from Lisbon Board member John Fitzgerald along with the analysis of the 18 items in RSA 197-C:4 Superintendent Services provided to the Lisbon Board by Superintendent Low. Chairman Payette advised the Board that the Lisbon Withdrawal Study Committee is requesting that consideration be given to amending the SAU Articles of Agreement, specifically the funding formula which is currently based on 50% equalized valuation and 50% average daily memberships. This request is based on the committee’s feeling that the information provided by Superintendent Low indicates that Lisbon is not receiving all the services they are being charged for. They are proposing that the formula for the SAU budget be changed to 70% based on equalized valuation and 30% based on average daily membership. Business Administrator Sally Waterhouse distributed copies of how this proposed change would affect each of the remaining districts. Mrs. Waterhouse further advised the Board that she has been in touch with the SAU’s attorney seeking a legal opinion on this matter. At first glance it appears that the formula is set by statute and may not be able to be changed. Chairman Payette further advised the Board that this proposal is very preliminary and there are many factors to be considered by each Board prior to any decision being reached on the request. It was noted that Lisbon is looking at many options and this proposal is just one of them. They have a warrant article requesting approval of an additional withdrawal study to be placed before the voters at this year’s annual meeting. Tina Peabody noted that all of the Districts need to examine their individual needs and assess what services they are doing in house and what is received from the SAU. Chairman Payette requested the members read the information provided and discuss at their local Board meetings once it is ascertained if this can be done under the current statutes. Business Administrator Waterhouse will inform all members of the legalities as soon as the legal opinion is received. Copies of RSA 194-C:5 Organization and Duties was distributed at the request of Barry Liveston for Board information. A brief discussion ensued.

Tina Peabody commented that all of the schools within our SAU have strong administrative leadership and reiterated that the Boards should look to their administrators for input as to determining what the needs of the individual districts are.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Payette advised the Board that he has been in touch with legal counsel pertaining to the need for administrative decisions in the absence of the superintendent. Based on our attorney’s recommendations the following motion is needed. MOTION BY TINA PEABODY, SECONDED BY OLIVER COLE TO AUTHORIZE THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR TO ACT IN THE CAPACITY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT IN HIS OR HER ABSENCE. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.

Chairman Payette advised the Board that Attorney McLaughlin has been away and the anticipated conference call has not occurred as yet. This will occur when Atty. McLaughlin returns. Chairman Payette will keep the Board updated on this issue. Chairman Payette reminded the Board that mediation will occur in June and the court date, if needed, will be in September.

MOTION BY TINA PEABODY, SECONDED BY BARRY LIVESTON TO ENTER INTO NON-PLIC SESSION AT 6:30 PM UNDER PARAGRAPH II, SECTION 2 OF RSA 91A:3 OF THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW TO DISCUSS LEGAL AND PERSONNEL ISSUES TAKING BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR WATERHOUSE. ALL IN FAVOR FOLLOWING A ROLL CALL VOTE, MOTION CARRIED.

MOTION BY MARY BEAUDIN, SECONDED BY OLLIE COLE TO RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION AT 7:05 PM. ALL IN FAVOR FOLLOWING A ROLL CALL VOTE, MOTION CARRIED

Tina Peabody requested that the minutes show that the Board recognizes the dedication of the entire central office staff, specifically Business Administrator Sally Waterhouse and Administrative Assistants Sandy Stone and Marge Brown. They are to be commended for their professionalism and commitment to the SAU.

There being no further business to come before the Board, MOTION TINA PEABODY, SECONDED BY BARRY LIVESTON TO ADJOURN AT 7:06 PM. ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie Brown

Board Clerk