Condensed from approved minutes
Board Present: Michelle Dudek, Dean Barker, Misty Sava, Mark Heller, and Annie MacKenzie
Administration Present: Mark MacLean, Christine Barry, Kathleen Boucher, Jane Slayton, and Judith Turk
Public Present: Tina Cotton
Board Chair’s Report: Michelle said thank you to Mark H. and Dean for their participation in the Public Hearing. She stated that recently she and Judy Turk met with Representative Mario Ratzki per request of the Town Budget Committee. A general overview of Special Education financial responsibilities was discussed.
The Facility Study Task Force will be meeting on February 3. It was mentioned that there has been growing concern regarding a statement that was written in The Andover Beacon regarding the possibility that Andover middle school students could be attending Merrimack Valley Middle School. This has not been discussed at the Andover School Board level.
Both Michelle and Mark M. state that it is one of the options that is being examined by the Task Force, and that the public will be informed if there is to be a formal discussion.
Old Business
The 2016 warrant to be presented at the annual School District Meeting on March 1 was approved.
Facilities Task Force: Mark M. stated that the group met with Tibor Farkas, architect, with their list of priorities. Tibor will be presenting them with cost estimates at the February 3 meeting. The priority list will be presented to the School Board and an update/report will be ready for the annual School District Meeting.
New Business
Draft Calendar: Jane presented a proposed calendar for the upcoming school year. There will be six professional development days, three of which will be held on election days. February and April school vacations will coincide with Merrimack Valley School District. Martin Luther King Day will be a school holiday, changing from previous years. The calendar was approved.
Policy IJOC: Chris presented this policy that relates to school volunteers: designated, application and selection, and duties for School Board review. Questions were raised involving confidentiality responsibilities of substitutes, and whether this policy will apply to field trips, interns, student teachers, and chaperones.
Annual Meeting Preparations: A work session will be held on February 16 at 6 PM. Moderator Betsy Paine will be included.
Superintendent’s Report: Mark M. stated that the public hearing went great; it was a testament to the collaboration and communication with the Budget Committee. He mentioned the Task Force meeting to be held on February 3. He discussed the concept of “blizzard bags,” which could be utilized when school is closed during inclement weather.
Chris and Mark M. have been attending regional and state meetings, receiving information about the redesigned SATs and the state accountability measures. He will be attending the National Education Conference in Arizona.
He is looking forward to the annual School District Meeting. He is pleased that the transition process is progressing well, with more aggressive communication taking place within SAU 46 between Merrimack Valley and Andover School Districts.