Rochester School Board
Regular School Board Minutes
April 10, 2014
City Council Chambers
Members Present:
Mr. Daniel Harkinson, Chair
Mr. Paul Lynch
Ms. Julie Brown
Mrs. Patricia Carroll
Mrs. Kathy Dunton
Mr. Matthew Pappas
Dr. Anthony Pastelis
Mr. Raymond Turner
Mrs. Jennifer Bryant
Mrs. Karen Stokes
Mrs. Audrey Stevens
Mrs. Susan O’Connor
Members Absent:
Also Present:
Mr. Michael Hopkins, Superintendent
Mrs. Mary Moriarty, Asst. Superintendent
Ms. Linda Casey, Business Administrator
Attorney Jerome Grossman
Ms. Marilyn Martell
Guest & Public
Mr. Harkinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on a roll call with a quorum present. Members
participated in the pledge of allegiance.
Last Minutes
Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, the Board approve the minutes of
the March 13, 2014 Regular School Board meeting and March 20, 2014 Special
School Board meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent’s Report
Student Recognition
Mrs. Mary Moriarty, Assistant Superintendent introduced AFJROTC Instructors
Major Heeter and Sgt Kerrigan to assist in the recognition of the ROTC Drill
Team Cadets who placed first in the Greater New England Drill League
Competition. Drill Team members: Kyle Adrien, Justin Auclair, Colby
Beckwith, Kris Belair, Anthony Bennett, Aiden Clough, Gabe Drapeau, Sheldon
Gonthier, Tyler Jackson, Ian Rooney, Connor Schoonmaker, Amanda Silver,
Brendaon White and Gaihj Young.
Ms. Karrie Brady, SHS Math Team Leader introduced Abigail Kraines and Cole
Rogers both student being recognized and congratulated for achieving a perfect
score of 800 on the Mathematics SAT.
Volunteer Recognition Mr. Tony Monetta, former SHS student and athlete received thanks on behalf of
the student athletes he supports through his volunteerism as a Coach with
multiple sports. He is an excellent example of good sportsmanship and a positive
role model for students.
Staff Recognition
Mrs. Moriarty introduced April employee of the month recipients: Mrs. Leah
Whitney, Para-Educator at School Street School; Mrs. Cynthia Kosko, Special
Education Teacher at Rochester Middle School; Mr. Bryan Kelliher, Math
Teacher at Bud Carlson Academy; and Mrs. Barbara Cascadden, District School
Psychologist.
Supplemental Request Mr. Hopkins reviewed the information presented to the Finance Committee
related to the Supplemental Appropriation request being brought forward to the
Board for consideration. He discussed the unanticipated costs affecting the
increase in expenses. As in previous years we hope to send funds back to the
City. The request is to ensure we are able to pay all obligations in the current
budget year.
E-Mail Archive Bid
Mr. Hopkins reported that the vendor recommended at the Finance Committee
for the E-Mail Archive Device bid did not meet the specifications; the second
lowest bidder meets all specifications of the bid and is recommended.
AREA Agreement
Mr. Hopkins provided feedback from the AREA Agreement Review Committee;
noting that a request to increase the percentage of students from Wakefield to
attend a school district other than Rochester from 10% to 15%.
School Reports
Mrs. Robin Brown, Maple Street Magnet School Principal provided a review of
the importance of the Family-School Partnership. The focus on connecting with
families and establishing a real sense of trust enhances the school experience for
the student and their families. Families connect with the school via school events,
activities, meetings, lunch or breakfast, and varying time options for activities to
accommodate family schedules. Mrs. Brown extended thanks to the parents for
helping make our school so successful.
Mr. Adam Houghton, Rochester Middle School Assistant Principal reported that
springtime is busy at RMS. The Drama Club is performing Guys and Dolls, Jr. at
the SHS Auditorium for the next two weekends. Teams are busy studying about
different countries in preparation for the Bi-Annual Olympic Competition that
will take place the week of April 14th. Under the leadership of four RMS
Teachers, the faculty has been working to develop a new schedule for RMS, to
better meet student needs in Competency-Based Learning model.
Ms. Kathy Dubois, Bud Carlson Academy Director congratulated BCA Senior
Trevor Hanson for winning the gold medal in the State SKILLS Competition in
Plumbing. Trevor will be traveling to Kansas City to represent Rochester in the
National SKILLS USA Competition. Two students have been recognized as
Rising Starts by the Rochester Rotary for their growth and achievement. A
strong connection with the community continues to develop; from community
service projects to attending MacBeth at the Opera House to connect to their
studies. Attending productions at the Opera House provide an incredible cultural
experience for the students. Seniors are finishing course competencies with
anticipation of graduation, which is scheduled for June 11th at the Opera House –
look forward to seeing you there.
Student Senate
Madison LeClair, Student Senate Vice-President reported that Quarter 3 is
ending and the spring sports season has begun at Spaulding. There have been a
number of scrimmages, games and meets as weather allows. The Music
Department is busy with All-State Chorus, the Spring Band Concert and
Elementary School Tour.
The Spanish Honor Society will be holding a fundraiser at Dos Amigos next
week; while the Interact Club raised $2,000 during their decathlon held to raise
money for Zimbabwe. Key Club is coordinating Spirit Week activities next
week with a culmination of the week’s events at Pep Rally organized by the
Senate.
Public Comment
Amy Malone, asked the Board to approve the request for a RMS Baseball Team.
She presented the support by parents and desire of the students to make the
program a success; without added expense to the school budget.
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April 10, 2014
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Keagan, RMS student indicated that baseball is important to him and his friends;
he is encouraged to get good grades so that he can play. Fundraising is going to
be difficult, but everyone is willing to help out to get a school team.
Damon Kondrup, presented two requests to the Board: to restore $2,000 that was
cut from the Hockey Team this year – it was an unfair cut when reviewing all
sports; and consider including facility costs in the equation when calculating real
costs of sports teams when developing the next budget. All sports teams should
be funded equally.
Building Committee:
No action required.
Instruction Committee:
No action required.
Personnel Committee:
Retirement
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Watson, the Board accept the retirement of
Joy Adler, Mathematics Teacher and Mary Costantino, Building Para-Educator.
The motion carried unanimously.
Resignations
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, the Board accept the following
resignations:
Judith Dubois ....................................................................... Para-Educator
Dean Schneider ................................................................... Health Teacher
Jennifer McDonald .............................................................. Para-Educator
Matthew Nevins ............................................... Special Education Teacher
The motion carried unanimously.
Co/Extra Curricular
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mr. Lynch, the Board approve the following
Co/Extra-Curricular nominations:
Bill Young .................................................. Baseball, Varsity Assistant Coach
Carissa Wells ........................... ($1.00) Middle School Track Assistant Coach
Michael Pare ...................................... ($1.00) Tennis, Varsity Assistant Coach
Justin Leonard ............................................... Spring Weight Room Supervisor
Ronald Williams ........................................... Spring Weight Room Supervisor
Robert Lang .................. ($1.00) Middle School (B) Lacrosse Assistant Coach
Jerome Lachance...........................................($1.00) Baseball Assistant Coach
The motion carried unanimously.
Evaluation System
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, the Board approve second
reading and adoption of the Principal Evaluation System. The motion carried by
majority vote.
Nominations 14/15
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board approve the 2014-15
Teacher nominations as presented.
First Year Teachers
Rita Ciambra
Valerie Cunha
Lauren Demers
Karen Kronenberg
Jennifer Readel
Regular School Board Meeting Minutes
Jennifer Buinicky
Sheena Donohue
Josie Earle
Annah Kelley
Brandon Knox
Stacey Libby
April 10, 2014
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Braden Ott
Benjamin Poulin
Carrie DiBernardo
Rebecca Duarte
Lisa Forsley
Robert Levin
Robert Nienhouse
Dina Allen
Nathan Cutting
Shea Harriman
Jeremy Jason
Laura Lewis
Andrea Pastelis
Peter Sajko
Lee Sims
Kathleen Tobin
Crista Woolley
Carl Krukoff
Travers Desjardins
Carla Jennison
Nancy Peterson-Caton
Kelly Shaw
Second Year Teachers
Lauren Barrett
Christine Comeau
Sarah Boyle
Ian Culling
Jennifer DeCost
Alicia Hopkins
Christopher Tebo
Danielle Costanza
Mary Cynthia Dodge-Hobson
William David Murdoch
Jessica Quinn
Allison Wolfe
Jennifer Warren
Lisa Hernandez Parsell
Robert Kelley
Janice Tilton
Katie Yavlinskiy
Tiffany Adam
Third Year Teachers
Donna Turner
Darren Scopel
Meredith Tansey
Anthony Baker
Chelsey Caudill Babbin
Mary Else
Nichole Ficken
Amy Garland
Wendy Iffland
Emily Nasberg
Michael Parker
Sarah Quinn
Joanne Riker
Judith Drake
James Knowles
Bailey Agakian
Kaleigh Betke
Melissa Cunliffe
Shaune Shields
William Wesley
Karen Yates
Carla Prince
Courtney Goldstein
Continued Contract Teachers
Pamela McAdam-Silver
Judith Robbins
Linda Durant
Elizabeth Gaudette
Jaca Hussey
Gwen Morrison
Bonnie Mulcahy
Dennis Emerson
Patricia Crowe
Patricia LeClair
Donna Gagnon
Kathryn Wright
Georgia Blougouras
Joanne Houston
Regular School Board Meeting Minutes
Heidi Mason
Maureen LeFebvre
Shelly Gingras
Susan Abbiati
Karen Carignan
Kenneth Voss
Tammy Melcher
Gail Nelson
Tina Amorim
Thomas Power
David Colson
Kathy DeGrechie
Gail Terra
Michael Bergeron
April 10, 2014
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Lynn Vail
Karen Muzzey
Marilyn Shepardson
Richard Choate
Carleen Riordan
Monica Ferland
Jennifer Strubinger
Davita Fortier
Karen Good
Vicki O'Donnell
Pamela Baxter
Kristen Sturtevant
Melissa Hunt
Linda S. Stevens
Katherine Grace
Karen Lindsay
Sheila Colson
Debra Boynton
Terese Dwyer
Deborah Bostrom
Frederick Apt, Jr.
Michael Ann Case
Nancy Ferguson
Adam Black
Cathi Cherry-Liston
Susan Schuler
Anne Smith
Karen Walter
Dorothy Sylvia
Linda Davis
Lisa Hevey
Suzette Wilson
Rachel Legard
Claudia Watson
Susan Printy
Pamela Gelinas
Raymond Poliquin
Linda Crosby
Marie Bahlert
Nancy Wachowiak
Paul George
Frances Bauer
Laura Smith
Raeann Cossette-Clarke
Eric Diamond
Shirley Greer
Patricia Glasson
Steven Comita
Mary Jo Snyder
Deborah Bonsteel
Clayton McKenney, II
Julie Thompson
Pahm Allard
Regular School Board Meeting Minutes
Michelle Bernier
Andrea Lancey
Nancy Graham
Cheryl Hanscom
Maryann Leahy
Allison Leach
Margaret Skafidas
Abra Andrews
Jennifer Daly
Lawrence Smaracko
Warren (Lex)Buzzell Jr.
Clara Bolster
Lisa Byrne
Donna Gilbert
Sara Toussaint
Katherine Doherty
Paula Kenyon
Lori Thompson
Robert Desjardins
Robert Fortier
Laura Harwood
Susan Westfall
Lynda Baita
Susan Ernsting
Carrie Feyler
Kathleen Hicks
Billi Joy
Curtis Lalonde
Lynn Murdough
Kursla Robinson
Terry Karnan
Richard Poole
Rosemarie Chagnon
Christine Moss
Lee Murphy
Donna Ackerman
George Ackerman, Jr.
Julia Hart
Cynthia Kosko
John Simas
Constance Studer
Maureen Callaghan
Jennifer Gilman
Cheryl L. Richardson
Jennifer Saucier
Danielle Veno
Christine Evans
Gayle Gary
Linda Cushman
Marie Flesher
Sean Kenney
Caryn Costello
Robin Hutchins
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Stephen Hyzer
Margaret Michaud
Karen Jenkins
Debra Marcotte
Kelly Twombly-McMullen
Karrie Brady
Donna Egan
Mary Mojica
Janet Nickless
Christina Rapoza
Jennifer Cabral
Victoria Asbury
Eloisa Darcy
Judith Drew
Pamela Pedrick
Lori Gilbert
Vickie Carr
Lea Marshall
Kathleen Prewitt
Nancy Rhoades
Thomas Muzzey
Sarah Reardon
Raymond Pillsbury
Kelly Gray
Nancy Davis
Valerie Knowles
Carolann Simpson
Bethann Welch
Thomas Daly
Mark Sampson
Gail Corey
Nancy Hay
Alicia Goff
Joan Ouellette
Kelley Simpson
Bronald (John) Vasalle
Jennifer Anderson
Melissa Arsenault
Melissa Marcotte
Caitlen McCarthy
Timothy Shuffleton
Nicole Bandera
Linda Burks
Maegan Jerr
Barbara Kelly
Susan Mann
Kristen Truax
Joanne Johnson
Michael O'Brien
Allen Spader
Jason Talon
Jennifer Cyr
Danielle Dooley
Regular School Board Meeting Minutes
Karen Dunn
Eric Maserati
Nicole Merrigan
Scott Prieto
Mary Glidden
Lee Sheedy
Christie LeClair
Amy Clark
Brandon Albert
Christine Ballentine
Sandra Byrne
Deborah Cooper
Rosemarie Hoffmann
Dianne Moses
Sherrilynn Pedrick
Adrienne Smith
Beth Wiggins
Kevin Boyle
Breinne Famulari
Virginia Farkas
Shara Hughes
Tracy Mitropoulos
Heidi Zollman
Erin Ferland
Jessamyn Onufer
Danarae Menzie
Jason Eberl
Gregory Riley
Michele Gaulin
Amy Hanssen (Applegate)
Sonya Cusack McCafferty
Robert Gee
Susan Richman
Jessica Shearn
Susan Kelley
Kimberly Behrens
Sara Cantrell
Donna Spaulding
Christina Stokel
Cassandra Sweatt
Meghan Walkama
Dawn Connelly
Bonita Varney-Lachance
Leovi Durand
Katie Taylor
Michael Gott
Jacky LeHoullier
Ann Casey-Leahy
Kari Geisler
Jennifer Hedman
Michele Leahey
Peggy Leary
Sean Sullivan
April 10, 2014
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Nanette Vaughan
Anne Milne
Stephen Nugent
Dorothy Hardy
Anne Lennig
Jill Sinclair
Cheryl Wisminiti
Sierra Faist
Carla Femino
Audra Lurvey
Laurie Tremblay
Katherine Akridge
Jennifer Ford
Erin Kelly
Jill Mahan
Thomas Pearce
Melinda Rousselle
(Holdaway)
Elizabeth Callahan
Jacqueline Pelletier
Amy Boyd
Kathleen Cotton
Lauren Despins
Lorraine Barrows
Erich Dietel
Douglas Farquhar
Shannon Caron
Patricia Croteau
Kimberly Desrochers
Elizabeth Gouzoules-Walton
Lisa Venezia
Kristen White
Joanne Allfrey
Jennifer Brock
Loren Peet
Kirsten Gowdy
Chris Turgeon
Emily Carroll
Elizabeth Lampron
Tracy Smith
Tracey Tibbetts
Susan Zoller
Kristy Croft
Kimberly Terry
Samantha Dowe
Lisa Harrison
Deborah Allard
Richard Moore
Steven Prescott
Jonathan Rourke
Daniel Saucier
Jennifer Rourke
Sally Stailey
Erica Stofanak
Courtney Clairwood
Michael Cooper
Christina Desjardins
Paul Kuliga
Paul Lewis
Bianca Begin
Sora Martindale
Donald Betz, III
Kathryn McWhirk
Blaze Raber
Monique Temple
Jessica Burrows
Jennifer Doherty
Jessica Parker
Ellen Bartley
Jill Weeks
Lori West
Mark Blaisdell
Kara Burton
Margaret Doucet
Ronald Goodwin
Nancy Clark
John Duplinsky
Justin Tardif
Jamie Thomas
Kenneth Daynard
Claudia Ferro
Jennifer Jean
Amanda Spellman
Karen Malsbenden
Sharon Ridley
Sarah Howard
Ryan Yelinko
Judith Goodnow
Monique Shutt
Martin Wintje
Stephanie McSharry
Request for action on the motion to be deferred until after non-public session.
R.O.T.C.
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board approve the 2014-2015
ROTC nominations of Daniel Heeter and Joseph Kerrigan. The motion carried
unanimously.
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April 10, 2014
Page 7 of 11
Administrators
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, the Board approve the 20142015 Administrator nominations as follows:
Lynn Allen
Christiane Allison
Kelly Borish
Robin Brown
Linda Casey
Kathleen Crosby
Kathy Dubois
Suzanne Filippone
Lori Gay
Kevin Hebert
Jennifer Hersom
Michael Hopkins
Adam Houghton
Jennifer Katz-Borrin
Stephen LeClair
Lorne Lucas
Erin Mahoney
Pamela Martin
Michelle McAlister
Valerie McKenney
Mary Moriarty
Maureen Oakman
Gwen Rhodes
David Robbins
Justin Roy
Charlene Shields
Coby Troidl
Peter Weaver
David Yasenchock
The motion carried unanimously.
Special Services Committee:
Baseball Club
Ms. Brown moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board approve a self-funded
Middle School Baseball Club; with no coaching stipend.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the sustainability of the program, benefits,
and potential future costs.
A roll call vote as requested follows:
YES:
Mrs. Bryant, Dr. Pastelis, Mrs. Dunton, Mrs. Stevens,
Mr. Watson, Mrs. Stokes, Mr. Turner, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Pappas
NO:
Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. O’Connor, Ms. Brown, Mr. Harkinson
The motion carries with a vote of 9 to 4.
Finance Committee:
Supplemental Request Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board approve a Supplemental
Appropriations request to City Council in the amount of $540,000.
Mrs. Stevens moved, second by Dr. Pastelis, to amend the motion changing the
requests amount to $240,000. The motion to amend carried unanimously.
The motion on the floor as amended carried unanimously.
E-Mail Archive
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board approve the bid from RP
Pro, LLC of Medina, OH in the amount of $12,198 for an E-Mail Archive
Device. The motion carried unanimously.
Back-Up Storage
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mr. Pappas, the Board approve the bid from CDW
Government, LLC of Vernon Hills, IL in the amount of $12,145 for a Back-Up
Storage Device. The motion carried unanimously.
Stipends
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Ms. Brown, the Board approve the Title IIA
funded stipend requests in the amount of $1,500 each to Jennifer Hersom,
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April 10, 2014
Page 8 of 11
Elementary Mentor Coordinator; Margaret Skafidas, Middle School Mentor
Coordinator; and Caitlen McCarthy, High School Mentor Coordinator. The
motion carried unanimously.
Sod Installation
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Ms. Brown, the Board approve the bid from A.J.
Cameron Sod Farms of Farmington, NH in the amount of $9,600 for sod
installation on the SHS Field; with approval to work with the vendor at their
square foot price up to the $15,000 budgeted for sod replacement.
Mr. Watson moved, second by Mrs. Stevens, to table the motion until May. The
motion carried unanimously.
Discipline Committee:
Mr. Harkinson moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board accept the Committee’s
recommendations as set out in the backup* regarding cases heard at the March
17, 2014 and April 1, 2014 meetings. The motion carried unanimously.
*(In accordance with the federal FERPA, 20 U.S.C.§1232 (g) the backup
materials are not part of the publicly available minutes.)
Policy Committee:
Second Reading
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, the Board approve second reading
and adoption of policy JGD-R3, Simple Assault Parental Notification. The
motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, the Board approve second reading
and adoption of policy GBCBA, Prohibition of Staff Use of Drugs and Alcohol.
The motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, to table policy GCQB, Reduction
in Certified Staff. The motion carried unanimously.
First Reading
The Committee recommends to the Board for first reading policy JICDD, Student
Discipline: Out-of-School Actions for deletion.
Committee Reports – Special Committees
Joint Building Committee
No action required. Dr. Pastelis provided a review of the March 10, 2014
meeting.
AREA Agreement Review Committee
Mr. Harkinson provided a review of the March 18, 2014 meeting. He indicated
that the Wakefield Board wanted to send more than 10% of their students to
schools other than Rochester; as was approved by this Board in March. No
Rochester School Board Member moved to reconsider the Board’s March action.
Old Business
None
New Business
Goal-Setting/Reporting Mr. Turner presented an in-depth report and recommendations to establish
structured methods to define schools strengths and weaknesses; utilizing
established metrics.
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April 10, 2014
Page 9 of 11
Mr. Turner moved, second by Mrs. Dunton, the Board approve forming an ad
hoc committee to: develop a clear, comprehensive academic report card to be
posted on the district website, which incorporates critical education milestones
and key initiatives; sets performance goals for the upcoming school year(s);
covers a 5+ year time horizon to highlight trends, updated at least annual;
benchmarks Rochester performance vs. NH State averages; celebrates and
propagates accomplishments and includes specific action plans for areas of
under-performance; and will be implemented by the start of the 2014-15 school
year. Revise Policy BA, Board Operational Goals to incorporate detailed
reporting, planning and goal-setting requirements, to include: short-term and
long-range operational measures, plans and goals; and formal project plans for
new programs that include deliverables, exit criteria, schedules and measures of
effectiveness.
Board members discussed the merits of the proposal as presented; a consensus of
the Board was to have time to review the material and have more in-depth
discussion at the Committee level before formal approval.
Mrs. Dunton withdrew her second; the presentation will be moved to the
Instruction Committee for further review.
Other
None
Non-Public Session
Dr. Pastelis moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board enter non-public session at
8:43 p.m. in accordance with RSA 91-A:3, II (a) to discuss the dismissal,
promotion, or compensation of any public employee or the disciplining of such
employee, or the investigation of any charges against them.
The roll call vote as follows:
YES:
Ms. Brown, Mr. Turner, Mrs. Stokes, Mr. Watson, Mrs. Stevens,
Mr. Harkinson, Dr. Pastelis, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. O’Connor,
Mr. Pappas, Mr. Lynch, Mrs. Bryant, Mrs. Dunton
NO:
None
After a brief recess, the Board entered non-public session at 8:48 p.m.
Public Session
Mr. Lynch moved, second by Mrs. Stokes, the Board re-enter public session at
8:57 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.
NHSBA
Dr. Pastelis updated Board members on the availability of a School Board
Orientation and Chair Workshop sponsored by the NHSBA on April 29th in
Concord or May 1st in Whitefield.
Nominations
The motion on the floor to approve the 2014-2015 Teacher nominations carried
unanimously.
Letter of Concern
Mr. Harkinson was given a letter by a Rochester taxpayer who chose not to speak
in public session due to the number of children present which addressed concerns
regarding Board members’ interaction with one another at meetings. If a Board
member has any concerns please let Mr. Harkinson or Mr. Hopkins know.
Regular School Board Meeting Minutes
April 10, 2014
Page 10 of 11
Adjournment
Ms. Brown moved, second by Mrs. O’Connor, to adjourn. On a unanimous vote,
the Board adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael L. Hopkins
Board Secretary
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