Enrollment Workshop, Pension Talks Top First School Committee Meeting of 2012

The Portsmouth School Committee held its first meeting of 2012 on Tuesday night. The following is a report of actions taken during the meeting. 

School Committee to continue legal fight on teacher hiring policies

7:44 p.m. — After an executive session, the meeting was called to order.

7:46 — Cynthia Perrotti reported two votes taken during executive session. The board voted to authorize a lawyer, subject to review, to negotiate settlement with a copy company not to exceed $6,000. The committee also voted to authorize the law firm to in Superior Court, Supreme Court and with the state's Labor Board for the teacher labor policy. The vote passed 6-1 with member David Croston in opposition. 

7:50 — Perrotti gave her report, saying this was a new year "full of hope." A presentation was given on the Newport County Regional Special Education Program. 

8:16 — Marilyn King asked about "low-reading levels" reported during the presentation. Superintendent of Schools Lynn Krizic said there will be new tools to monitor data in 2012. 

8:24 — Jonathan Harris gave a presentation on the and their work. The committee and town has hired an actuary Nyhart. Harris said he has asked Nyhart to come back to the committee with several different plans.

8:35 — "I think we are facing some really, really ugly numbers there. We will be paying off the sins of the past for a very long time," Harris said in regards to the town's pension plan. 

School Committee member requests enrollment workshop

8:44 — Krizic spoke about enrollment projections. She said a new kindergarten section will open this year. 

8:53 — Croston motions to hold workshop on class sizes. "I for one, believe class size really matters," he said. "We need to talk what class size looks like." "There's not the ability to make a motion during the superintendent's report," Perrotti said. 

8:58 — Croston holds up "data" reports on class sizes from Elmhurst, IL, the superintendent's former school district. "I want a workshop. I want to talk about class sizes, enrollment data," Croston said. "Mr. Croston, you are one member of the committee. You don't dictate," Harris said. 

9:03 — Perrotti motions to hold workshop during regular meeting. Committee votes 4-3 in favor with Thomas Vadney, Croston and Sylvia Wedge against. 

9:08 — Marcy Williams was appointed payroll technician. 

Committee appoints new assistant superintendent

9:09 — The school committee unanimously voted to appoint Jeff Schoonover, chairman of the Portsmouth High School science department, as the new .  

9:17 — Perrotti says a committee will form a performance evaluation system for the superintendent. 

9:20 — Perrotti announced the folding of the Alternative Revenue Subcommittee into the Finance Subcommittee. Croston spoke out against the folding. 

The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.