| NH
School Boards Association
2000
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|
Award
Year -- 2000
Goffstown
Goffstown School Board
11 School Street
Goffstown, NH 03045
603/497-4685 (O)
603/497-8425 (Fax)
Biographical
Data
Members of the Goffstown School Board are Chairperson Craig Heiber,
Vice Chairperson Michael York, Ellen Vermolcowitz, Karl MacGibbon, Paul
O'Reilly, Albert Packard, Jane Raymond, John Stafford, Ginny McKinnon
and student member Ryan Levesque.
Characteristics
Leading to the Award
The Goffstown School Board has a dear focus on effective governance.
They have redesigned their organizational structure, promoting a chain
of improvements in policy development evaluation, goal setting and community
interaction. This board developed four committees, which also include
community members - Administration, Human Resources, Planning and Communications
and Educational Instruction. All of these committees meet regularly
in preparation for Board action. Not only has this streamlined the work
of the board, but it has also enhanced die confidence of the board members
in representing their community. Consistent staff and self-evaluation
has led to the categorization of achievable goals in four arena: facilities,
high standards, communications and school board effectiveness - all
within the mission of "Advancing Student Learning" in a well-informed
and fully engaged community and educational environment. The level of
trust developed in the last two years between the school board and the
district staff, as well as between the school board and the community
it serves, makes the Goffstown School Board a model of effective practice.
This is evidenced by the school board's success in community engagement,
communications and appreciation.
Back
to Top
|
Information
Sharing Possibilities
Materials:
School District newsletter.
Visit to Others:
Visit from Others:
Receive Telephone Calls: Yes,
603/497-4818
Ext. 228
Charges: No
|
| Award
Year -- 2001
Portsmouth
Portsmouth School Board
50 Clough Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801-0052
603/431-5080 (O)
603/431-6753 (Fax)
ltracy@portsmouth.k12.nh.us
Biographical
Data
At the time of the award, the members of the Portsmouth School Board
and the number of years they have each served were: Kent LaPage, 7 1/2
years; Rai Bowles, 1 1/2 years; John Dowd, 3 1/2 years; John Lyons,
11/2 years; Carvel Tefft, 11/2 years; Nancy Novelline Clayburgh, 11/2;
Nansi Craig, 3 1/2 years; Henry Clay Hawyard, 9 months; and, Kenneth
Muske, 3 1/2 years.
Characteristics
Leading to the Award
The Portsmouth School Board of SAU 52 has achieved excellence in the
practice of system-wide communication by encouraging active participation
from the public regarding issues which impact the lives of its students.
With four new members, a new superintendent and a new assistant superintendent,
the board pledged to maintain and even exceed the high expectations
of the Portsmouth School Department. During an all-day retreat, facilitated
by the superintendent and attended by the asst. superintendent and the
business administrator, the nine-member school board reviewed past practices
and set goals for the year. Over the past year, no one could have predicted
the overwhelming success of the first goal, actively inviting the public
to collaborate with the board in its governance of the school system.
Some of the results of this effective practice are: The City Council
approved the School Board's request for a $36 million bond for renovation
and new construction of Portsmouth High School and $2 million for redistricting
the elementary school, the largest in the city's history; Eight of nine
city counselors commended the school board for its open and honest presentation
of the details; A sub-committee and Study Circles were appointed to
redistrict the three elementary schools with a minimum of disruption
to neighborhoods and children's lives; The board approved an educational
audit of the Portsmouth School Department by a national consulting firm.
The local newspaper will publish the results and recommendations and
the school board will invite the public to participate in an open forum
to create a response plan; and The board pledged to dedicate most of
the agenda at its regular meetings to discussions around issues which
directly impact the education of students and minimize discussions of
management issues.
Back
to Top
|
Information
Sharing Possibilities
Materials:
Yes
Visit to Others: Yes
Visit from Others: Yes
Receive Telephone Calls: Yes,
email okay too.
Charges: No
|
|
Award
Year -- 2002
Laconia
Laconia School
Board
PO Box 309
Laconia, NH 03247-0309
603/524-5710 (O)
603/528-8442 (Fax)
sau#30@laconia.k12.nh.us
Biographical
Data
The 2001-2 Laconia School Board and their years of service were: Ed
Philpot, 5 years; Chuck Tucker, 5 years; Beth Arsenault, 4 years; Marge
Kerns, 4 years; Keith Downing, 3 years; Bob Dassatti, 3 years; and Richard
Fowler, 2 years.
Characteristics
Leading to the Award
The Laconia School Board has been diligent in developing and more importantly,
following a Strategic Plan. They have engaged the parents, students,
staff and community members in this process. The Board recognized the
importance of having all stakeholders represented in the process. There
are six standing committees that are focused on the continuing work
of the Strategic Plan - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; Technology;
Professional Development; Facilities; Public Relations; and Community
Based Education. All of these committees are connected through an Oversight
Group that meets with committee chairs on a quarterly basis. The Board
was instrumental in accomplishing the first building renovations and
additions projects at the elementary level since 1974; increasing the
number and diversity of stakeholders actively involved in the Strategic
Plan; Board involvement on educational issues at every meeting through
recognitions, presentations, and committee reports; the first fully
funded budgets in Laconia that were promoted on the basis of new educational
initiatives, including The Literacy Collaborative, The Everyday Math
Program and professional development strands such as Technology Integration
through Fresh Pond. The community of Laconia now sees their school system
as having direction, focus and commitment to improvement through the
Strategic Plan.
Back
to Top
|
Information
Sharing Possibilities
Materials:
Visit to Others:
Visit from Others:
Receive Telephone Calls:
Charges: |
|
Award
Year -- 2003
Shaker
Regional
Shaker Regional School Board
58 School Street
Belmont, NH 03220
603/267-9223 (O)
603/267-9225 (Fax)
mcozort@shaker.k12.nh.us
Biographical
Data
No information available.
Characteristics
Leading to the Award
The Shaker Regional School Board has demonstrated forward thinking and
planning in their implementation of a comprehensive plan to transition
from one of three districts within SAU #46 to its own single-district
SAU #80. The board’s withdrawal study and presentation to the
community resulted in a unanimous vote in support of the move by the
residents. The board began a review of all school district policies
a full year in advance of the transition date, showing a commitment
to governing by policy. In addition the board utilized community engagement,
involving all members of the community, in a Strategic planning effort
to put in place a five-year plan to guide the district. The Shaker Regional
School Board formed a committee to study withdrawal, communicated the
results of that study to the community and utilized community input
into the implementation plan. Working a full year in advance they hired
staff and worked collaboratively to ensure the operations of the district
were in place before the SAU was formally on its own. Because of this
exceptional planning there was no lag time in business operation. As
a result of these efforts there is a greater degree of community confidence
in the quality of education provided by the Shaker Regional School District.
Back
to Top
|
Information
Sharing Possibilities
Materials:
Visit to Others:
Visit from Others:
Receive Telephone Calls:
Charges:
|