A meeting of the Portsmouth School Board was held on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 in the cafeteria at the Mary C. Dondero Elementary School.

PRESENT: Mr. Kent LaPage (Chair); Mr. John Lyons, Jr. (Vice-Chair); Mr. Raimond Bowles; Mrs. Nancy Novelline Clayburgh; Mrs. Nansi Craig; Mr. John Dowd; Mr. Clay Hayward; Mr. Kenneth Muske; Mr. Carvel Tefft

PARTICIPATING: Dr. Lyonel B. Tracy (Superintendent of Schools); Dr. Robert J. Lister (Assistant Superintendent); Mr. W. Peter Torrey (Business Administrator): Mr. Alan Robinson (Student Representative); and Mrs. Ann Walker (Employee Representative).

The Superintendent informed the Board that Liz Diemer has requested a leave of absence.

Superintendent Tracy informed the Board that Jan Keravich, a teacher currently on a leave of absence from PEEP, has resigned her position.

Coaching elections:

Jennifer Machado, Assistant Swim/Diving Coach, Portsmouth High School

Paul Griffin, Swim/Diving Coach, Portsmouth High School

Carvel Tefft moved, seconded by Jack Dowd, to approve the coaching elections. Motion was unanimously approved.

Alan Robinson introduced Zhanna Zvyagina, a student from Russia, who is visiting Portsmouth and attending Portsmouth High School through the exchange program. Mr. Robinson said that Zhanna has expressed an interest in politics, so he invited her to attend the School Board meeting.

Five policies from the budget section of the policy book were presented for review. Dr. Tracy stated the Policy Committee met to review the five policies and decided to present the information to the Board this evening, with a vote on adoption scheduled for the next School Board meeting. The Superintendent reviewed the changes.

Dr. Lister reported that "Girls Inc." (Girls Incorporated of New Hampshire) voted unanimously to accept the responsibility of the Young Women’s Leadership Program at Portsmouth High School. Dr. Lister presented background information on Girls Inc.

Nancy Clayburgh talked about the "Walk for Freedom" that is scheduled for this Sunday, October 28, 2001.

Information about Curriculum Council (membership, meeting dates, and topics of discussion) distributed to the Board.

Mr. Bowles stated the sub-committee to review student trips has met and is waiting written information from Assistant City Attorney Kathleen Dwyer.

Schedule of 2002/03 budget completion dates reviewed by the Business Administrator. The Chair suggested that one date in February (either the 5^th or 7^th) may need to be changed.

September 2001 financial report reviewed by the Board. Peter Torrey answered questions from Board members.

School Board photo for yearbooks to be taken at the November 13 meeting.

The Chair stated that Terri Norelli, Chair of the Portsmouth Legislative Delegation, has been extremely interested in education issues. He suggested the Portsmouth Delegation be invited to attend a work session with the Board at a future date.

OTHER

Nansi Craig requested to revisit the "Security of Buildings and Grounds" policy. She moved the first word of number two (Eliminate) be changed to "Minimize." Carvel Tefft made this in the form of a motion; seconded by Nansi Craig. The motion passed in a five to four roll call vote.

Chair LaPage thanked Jill LeMay, Principal of Dondero School, for hosting the meeting and for providing refreshments.

Meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. (Motion by C. Tefft, seconded by C. Hayward and unanimously voted).