Croydon School District

Meeting Minutes

School Board Regular Meeting

Time:
May 20, 2025
at 6:00 pm
Location:
Little Red

Meeting Minutes

  1. Call to Order by McKeon
  2. Roll Call.
    1. Board members Aaron McKeon (chair), Amanda Leslie, Samantha Nelson. District Leader Susan Blair. Business Administrator Beth Bierwirth.
  3. Public Forum #1 (15 minutes)
    1. Brian Rossiter asked about quote valuation for replacement of Big White (600K). Quote came from Westport. School buildings need certain utilities and features and the site is not level.
    2. Brook Randell asked about the survey mentioned at the previous month’s meeting. This will be discussed during item 9a.
    3. Danielle Bronson asked about the online minutes. The website will be discussed during item 7a
  4. Changes or Additions to the Agenda
    1. McKeon notes that 7c is a contract position and it is removed from the agenda. Adds 7d item regarding senior night.
  5. Quick Action Items
    1. Approval of minutes from April 15 and May 15, 2025 – McKeon notes two minor corrections. Leslie and McKeon have concerns that previous minutes had too much detail. Leslie moves to approve. Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
    2. Approval of general and program assurances for federal grants
      1. Blair presents.  There might be a decrease in Title II funding. Title I and Title IV funds are unknown, but did not receive last year, so not optimistic. Also receive IDEA grants for special needs and a pre-school grant (about $1,000). We receive REAP funds. We will continue to look for funds. Leslie notes that the board will dedicate some of the summer retreat to policies. Leslie moves to approve. Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
    3. Approval of 25/26 contract with Sue Blair
      1. Leslie moves to approve. Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
    4. Accept resignation of Elizabeth O’Neil
      1. Leslie moves to approve. Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
  6. Reports
    1. Terra Geer: special education update
      Croydon is at level 2 of 4: “needs intervention.” Process for “Need Intervention” includes a Leadership Team, Root Cause Analysis, Action Plan, and meetings with NHED.  Lack of adequate staffing continues to be the most prominent barrier. Need for a space to have uninterrupted confidential meetings.
  7. Discussion & Action
    1. Website – McKeon proposes that the board allow him to create new website.  Annual expenses would be $1200 (ADA compliance $490 of this).  Development costs would normally be around $1500 but left to the board to decide if it wants to pay and how much.  Annual maintenance would typically be $100 with same understanding.
    2. Leslie and community member (and SAU-99 clerk) Kent Randell have concerns about a conflict of interest and the appearance of self-dealing. Beth Bierworth was not concerned due to low amount.  Board will instead prepare a public RFP for next meeting.
    3. Leslie investigates the People tab of the current Google site, which shows the owners as Mary Cantlan ([email protected]) and [email protected].
  8. Prisma Online High School for school choice program
    1. ATI is no longer offering an online curriculum for the one student that uses it. SRO Blair notes Prisma is an acceptable alternative. Leslie moves to accept Prisma for this one student.  Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
  9. Hiring Betsy Fowler for Case Manager position
    1. Removed during item 4.
  10. Senior Night
    1. McKeon notes that it has been difficult to schedule. SRO Blair suggest that students get a gift certificate for a local book store plus a copy of Dr. Seuss “Oh The Places You’ll Go” for 7 seniors. Totals $40 per student. Leslie moves to approve. Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
  11. Discussion Only
    1. Policy reading: meeting minutes – Read by McKeon
  12. Informational Updates
  13. District transition
    1. Policies due before the end of the current calendar year, SEO Blair to prepare an outline over the summer. Handbook drafts from SEO will come in September. Construction RFPs for Little Red bond have been posted. LCHIP grant application is due on June 18. Leslie reports that George Chait has affirmed his willingness to be the Clerk of the Works. The construction contract will be a design build contract. Croydon town selectboard approved adding CVS to the NH Historical registry, official determination will be noted at about the end of the summer. LCHIP grant (contingent upon being added to the historical registry) can fund 50% of eligible work, which totals approximately 120K of Little Red renovation bond.
    2. Concerning the Federal grant through the office of NH Sen. Jeanne Shaheen grant, the office of Sen. Shaheen contacted SAU-99, who affirmed their interest. It seems very positive. Sen. Shaheen’s office will render a decision by Fall, contingent upon Congressional funding through the USDA Facilities Program.  Agricultural programs are eligible for a 75% match. Croydon is under the population limits and its median income meets eligibility for this grant.
    3. Town survey of opinions concerning the future of lower elementary is not necessary as it is contingent on the upon amount of grants (including from the office of Sen. Shaheen), but accepting grant moneys, should they exist, will be in next year’s town warrant.
  14. Professional development date in June
  15. SEO Blair requests that the June 6 professional development day occur the following Friday. Leslie moves to approve. Nelson seconds. Passes unanimously.
  16. Public Forum #2 (15 minutes)
    1. Caroline DuPree asks for clarification. The 0.6 FTE item in the budget for case management is going to be hired as a contract service.
    2. Kent Randell volunteers to write recommendation letter for LCHIP grant, if needed, but only before June 10. Asks for clarification – the Little Red bond warrant article allows the Board to accept the LCHIP money and an additional meeting for approval is not necessary.
    3. Caroline DuPree asks about replacement teacher (see item 5d).
  17. Non-Public (if required)
    1. Not required.
  18. Next Meeting Date(s)
    1. Regular Meeting – June 17, 2025
    2. Working Meeting – June 19, 2025
  19. Adjournment
    1. McKeon moves. Leslie seconds. Passes unanimously.